Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface

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: Net-Worm

Net-Worms propagate via computer networks. The distinguishing feature of this type of worm is that it does not require user action in order to spread. This type of worm usually searches for critical vulnerabilities in software running on networked computers. In order to infect the computers on the network, the worm sends a specially crafted network packet (called an exploit) and as a result the worm code (or part of the worm code) penetrates the victim computer and activates. Sometimes the network packet only contains the part of the worm code which will download and run a file containing the main worm module. Some network worms use several exploits simultaneously to spread, thus increasing the speed at which they find victims.

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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

This malware family consists of Net-Worms that propagate primarily via the Facebook and MySpace social networks. After infecting a computer, the malware obtains access to the user's social network accounts. The malware then uses these accounts to send a link to multimedia content to all the user's contacts. This link could be sent in a private message from the user of the infected computer, or else inside a comment on a social network page. Clicking the link opens a malicious website that is disguised as a legitimate video hosting platform. Visitors to the website are asked to update the Flash Player or codec version on their computer. If the proposed "updates" are installed, the computer is infected with Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface. The infected computers are managed via a large peer-to-peer (P2P) network. When a command is received from the command-and-control server, malware on all the networked computers begins to replace the results of the user's search requests with advertising content and installs unwanted software on the infected computer. Main characteristics of this malware family:

• Propagates via social networks.
• Steals private data.
• Inserts advertising into browsers.
• Redirects the user to malicious websites.
• Blocks access to certain Internet sites.
• Relies on a command-and-control server to manage the infected computers.
• Downloads various malicious files, including updates to the malware itself.

Top 10 countries with most attacked users (% of total attacks)

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