Email-Worm.Win32.Fix2001

Parent class: VirWare

Viruses and worms are malicious programs that self-replicate on computers or via computer networks without the user being aware; each subsequent copy of such malicious programs is also able to self-replicate. Malicious programs which spread via networks or infect remote machines when commanded to do so by the “owner” (e.g. Backdoors) or programs that create multiple copies that are unable to self-replicate are not part of the Viruses and Worms subclass. The main characteristic used to determine whether or not a program is classified as a separate behaviour within the Viruses and Worms subclass is how the program propagates (i.e. how the malicious program spreads copies of itself via local or network resources.) Most known worms are spread as files sent as email attachments, via a link to a web or FTP resource, via a link sent in an ICQ or IRC message, via P2P file sharing networks etc. Some worms spread as network packets; these directly penetrate the computer memory, and the worm code is then activated. Worms use the following techniques to penetrate remote computers and launch copies of themselves: social engineering (for example, an email message suggesting the user opens an attached file), exploiting network configuration errors (such as copying to a fully accessible disk), and exploiting loopholes in operating system and application security. Viruses can be divided in accordance with the method used to infect a computer:

• file viruses
• boot sector viruses
• macro viruses
• script viruses

Any program within this subclass can have additional Trojan functions. It should also be noted that many worms use more than one method in order to spread copies via networks.

Class: Email-Worm

Email-Worms spread via email. The worm sends a copy of itself as an attachment to an email message or a link to its file on a network resource (e.g. a URL to an infected file on a compromised website or a hacker-owned website). In the first case, the worm code activates when the infected attachment is opened (launched). In the second case, the code is activated when the link to the infected file is opened. In both case, the result is the same: the worm code is activated. Email-Worms use a range of methods to send infected emails. The most common are: using a direct connection to a SMTP server using the email directory built into the worm’s code using MS Outlook services using Windows MAPI functions. Email-Worms use a number of different sources to find email addresses to which infected emails will be sent: the address book in MS Outlook a WAB address database .txt files stored on the hard drive: the worm can identify which strings in text files are email addresses emails in the inbox (some Email-Worms even “reply” to emails found in the inbox) Many Email-Worms use more than one of the sources listed above. There are also other sources of email addresses, such as address books associated with web-based email services.

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Platform: Win32

Win32 is an API on Windows NT-based operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7, etc.) that supports execution of 32-bit applications. One of the most widespread programming platforms in the world.

Description

Technical Details

This is a virus-worm that spreads via the Internet. It works similar to the "Happy99" worm: it installs itself into the system, hooks the Internet access Windows functions, obtains Internet addresses to where it sends its copies. The worm has bugs and replicates under Win9x only, not under WinNT.

The worm appears as a "Fix20001.Exe" file attached to an e-mail message. The message has the subject "Internet problem year 2000." and the message text is written in two languages: English and Spanish:

Estimado Cliente:
Rogamos actualizar y/o verificar su Sistema Operativo para el
correcto funcionamiento de Internet a partir del A�o 2000. Si
Ud. es usuario de  Windows 95 / 98  puede hacerlo mediante el
Software provisto por  Microsoft (C) llamado -Fix2001- que se
encuentra adjunto en este E-Mail o bien  puede ser descargado
del sitio WEB de Microsoft (C)  HTTP://WWW.MICROSOFT.COM
Si Ud. es usuario de otros Sistemas Operativos, por favor, no
deje de consultar con sus respectivos soportes tecnicos.
Muchas Gracias.
Administrador.
Internet Customer:
We will be glad if you verify your Operative System(s) before
Year 2000 to avoid problems with your Internet Connections.
If you are a  Windows 95 / 98 user, you can check your system
using the Fix2001 application that is attached to this E-Mail
or downloading it from Microsoft (C) WEB Site:
HTTP://WWW.MICROSOFT.COM
If you are using  another Operative System, please don't wait
until Year 2000, ask your OS Technical Support.
Thanks.
Administrator.

The worm also contains text strings that are used to generate and send attached data in an e-mail message, as well as the texts:

RCPT TO:
@hotmail.com>
@ciudad.com.ar>
Fix2001
THE REAL KEY TO LIVE A HAPPY LIFE, IS: BE A GOOD MAN.
PARA CONSEGUIR LA VERDADERA FELICIDAD, SE UN BUEN TIPO.

Installation

The attached file (the worm itself) is a Windows executable file about 12Kb in length. When executed, it installs itself into the system Windows directory with the FIX2001.EXE name and registers itself in the "Run=" system registry key to activate its copy upon each Windows restart:

HKEY_LOCAL_MASHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
Fix2001 = "FIX2001.EXE"

The worm then displays the following fake message to hide its activity:

Spreading

Upon being run from the installed FIX2001.EXE copy, the worm registers itself as a system-service process (to hide its window and stay active upon user logoff) with the "AMORE_TE_AMO" identification Window's headline; gains access to the WSOCK32.DLL Internet connection library; obtains addresses for "connect" and "send" functions; patches them with call instructions to the worm's hookers; and stays in the Windows memory as hidden applications.

When the Internet connection is activated, the worm scans data that is sent and received, obtains Internet addresses from there, and sends infected messages to these addresses.

Payload

The worm has a very dangerous payload that is activated when the text strings in the worm's body are patched or corrupted (this is possible, because the data are transferred via Internet channels). In this way, the worm overwrites the C:COMMAND.COM file with a DOS Trojan that upon the next computer reboot, erases all data on the hard drive.

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