Worm:Win32/Heckyebo.B is a worm - a self-propagating program that can spread itself from one computer to another. Worms may spread themselves via a variety of different channels in order to compromise new computers. Commonly, worms may spread directly by copying themselves to removable or network drives, or by attempting to exploit particular vulnerabilities on targeted computers. Worms also often attempt to spread via platforms that require user interaction in order to run. They may send themselves as an attachment to an email or an instant message, or send a link to a copy of themselves in the body of a message. In these cases the message needs to be convincing enough to encourage the victim to click on the link or attachment and run or download a copy of the worm.
Installation
When executed, Worm:Win32/Heckyebo.B copies itself to the following locations:
- %programfiles%\common files\system\cftmon.exe
- %windir%\help\cliconf.chm
- <system folder>\fdisk.com
- c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\svchost.com
- c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\scr\logon.exe
- c:\documents and settings\administrator\start menu\programs\startup\sndvol32.exe
- c:\documents and settings\administrator\templates\cache\sfcsrvc.pif
- c:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs\startup\sndvol32.exe
Note: <system folder> refers to a variable location that is determined by the malware by querying the Operating System. The default installation location for the System folder for Windows 2000 and NT is C:\Winnt\System32; and for XP, Vista, and 7 is C:\Windows\System32.
The malware modifies the following registry entries to ensure that its copy executes at each Windows start:
Adds value: "HotKey"
With data: "c:\documents and settings\administrator\templates\cache\sfcsrvc.pif"
To subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Adds value: "HotKey"
With data: "c:\documents and settings\administrator\templates\cache\sfcsrvc.pif"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
Adds value: "Shell"
With data: "explorer.exe c:\windows\system32\fdisk.com"
To subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
The malware ensures the worm copy is executed when certain Windows applications are run, including but not limited to security products, Registry Editor and Microsoft Management Console. It does this by making the following registry modifications:
Adds value:
"Debugger" With data:
"c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\svchost.com kll_dis" To subkey:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\<product name> where <product name> may be any of the following:
- ashdisp.exe
- avgnt.exe
- avp.exe
- HijackThis.exe
- mmc.exe
- MSConfig.exe
- pctsgui.exe
- pctsTray.exe
- regedit.exe
- usbguard.exe
- vptray.exe
The malware creates the following files on an affected computer:
-
c:\autorun.inf
-
c:\thumbs.db
-
c:\$recycle.bin\{5f229c11-5039-40e4-8537-6950bb1c9ecc}\desktop.ini
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c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\$recycle.bin\{5f229c11-5039-40e4-8537-6950bb1c9ecc}\desktop.ini
-
c:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\scr\data.scr
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c:\documents and settings\administrator\templates\cache\desktop.ini
-
c:\documents and settings\administrator\templates\cache\$recycle.bin\{5f229c11-5039-40e4-8537-6950bb1c9ecc}\desktop.ini
Spreads via…
Removable drives
Worm:Win32/Heckyebo.B may create the following files on targeted drives when spreading:
- <targeted drive>:\thumbs.db
- <targeted drive>:\$recycle.bin\{5f229c11-5039-40e4-8537-6950bb1c9ecc}\desktop.ini
It also places an autorun.inf file in the root directory of the targeted drive. Such autorun.inf files contain execution instructions for the operating system, so that when the removable drive is accessed from another computer supporting the Autorun feature, the malware is launched automatically.
Note: This worm was observed to write an executable and create an autorun.inf file on a targeted drive in our automated testing environment. This is particularly common malware behavior, generally utilized in order to spread malware from computer to computer.
It should also be noted that autorun.inf files on their own are not necessarily a sign of infection, as they are used by legitimate programs and installation CDs.
Payload
Modifies system settings
Worm:Win32/Heckyebo.B modifies the affected computer system's settings by making the following changes to the registry:
- The malware disables the system utility Task Manager by making the following registry modification:
Adds value: "DisableTaskMgr"
With data: "1"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- The malware ensures that Internet Explorer starts in online mode by making the following registry modification:
Adds value: "GlobalUserOffline"
With data: "0"
To subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
- The malware removes the Folder Options item from all Explorer menus and the Control Panel by making the following registry modification:
Adds value: "NoFolderOptions"
With data: "1"
To subkey: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Note: Removing access to these options may hinder the affected user's ability to detect and remove malware.
Contacts remote host
The malware may contact a remote host at www.nakido.com using port 80. Commonly, malware may contact a remote host for the following purposes:
- To report a new infection to its author
- To receive configuration or other data
- To download and execute arbitrary files (including updates or additional malware)
- To receive instruction from a remote attacker
- To upload data taken from the affected computer
This malware description was produced and published using our automated analysis system's examination of file SHA1 97252f60e451d01e786eb85d162291d7cbf6c688.
