Teaching old worms new tricks

March 2009 Information Security

Win32.Worm.Downadup uses new tricks to spread itself without being easily detected.

Win32.Worm.Downadup, a worm which spreads by exploiting a vulnerability in the Windows RPC Server Service, has been detected by BitDefender. The Downloadup worm (also called Conficker or Kido) is nothing new. It made its first appearance late November 2008, exploiting the MS08-067 vulnerability to spread unhindered in local area networks. Its purpose was to install rogue security software on infected computers.

In late December, BitDefender Labs uncovered a new version of the worm called Win32.Worm.Downadup.B. The malware comes with a list of new features, aside from the present spreading routine, which has also shown signs of improvement.

The worm now uses USB sticks to spread. By copying itself in a random folder created inside the RECYCLER directory, used by the Recycle Bin to store deleted files, and creating an autorun.inf file in the root folder of the infected drive, the worm automatically executes if the infected computer’s Autorun feature is enabled.

The worm also patched certain TCP functions to block access to security-related websites by filtering every address that contains certain strings. This makes it harder to remove since information about it is nearly impossible to gather from an infected computer. Additionally, it removes all access rights of the user, except execute and directory usage, to protect its files.

The worm is also built to avoid antivirus detection by working with rarely used APIs in order to circumvent virtualisation technologies. It disables Windows updates and certain network traffic, optimising Vista features to ease its spreading.

Win32.Worm.Downadup.B comes with a domain name generation algorithm similar to the one found in botnets like Rustock. It composes 250 domains every day and checks some of them for updates or other files to download and install.

Having a state-of-the-art update system, a good protection scheme and many people that do not patch their systems, this worm has great potential to become a rival to already established botnets like Storm or Srizbi.

For more technical details please visit the Malwarecity Blog at: http://www.malwarecity.com/blog.html and the BitDefender description: http://www.bitdefender.com/VIRUS-1000462-en--Win32.Worm.Downadup.Gen.html

Facebook users, beware of the fake hubs!

BitDefender researchers have detected an IM-based spam wave automatically sent to accounts which promises a hot date if the Facebook’s users access the typosquatted link.

Users should pay extremely close attention to details, such as Websites names and avoid following links received in e-mail or IM spam. Failing to do so might result in stolen log-in credentials. Phishers could exploit them to harvest e-mail addresses, retrieve other contact details stored in accounts or post spam messages or malware disguised behind banner advertising.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
Upgrade your PCs to improve security
Information Security Infrastructure
Truly secure technology today must be designed to detect and address unusual activity as it happens, wherever it happens, right down to the BIOS and silicon levels.

Read more...
Open source code can also be open risk
Information Security Infrastructure
Software development has changed significantly over the years, and today, open-source code increasingly forms the foundation of modern applications, with surveys indicating that 60 – 90% of the average application's code base consists of open-source components.

Read more...
DeepSneak deception
Information Security News & Events
Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis researchers have discovered a new malicious campaign which is distributing a Trojan through a fake DeepSeek-R1 Large Language Model (LLM) app for PCs.

Read more...
SA’s strained, loadshedding-prone grid faces cyberthreats
Power Management Information Security
South Africa’s energy sector, already battered by decades of underinvestment and loadshedding, faces another escalating crisis; a wave of cyberthreats that could turn disruptions into catastrophic failures. Attacks are already happening internationally.

Read more...
Almost 50% of companies choose to pay the ransom
News & Events Information Security
This year’s Sophos State of Ransomware 2025 report found that nearly 50% of companies paid the ransom to get their data back, the second-highest rate of ransom payment for ransom demands in six years.

Read more...
Survey highlights cost of cyberdamage to industrial companies
Kaspersky Information Security News & Events
The majority of industrial organisations estimate their financial losses caused by cyberattacks to be over $1 million, while almost one in four report losses exceeding $5 million, and for some, it surpasses $10 million.

Read more...
Digital economy needs an agile approach to cybersecurity
Information Security News & Events
South Africa is the most targeted country in Africa when it comes to infostealer and ransomware attacks. Being at the forefront of the continent’s digital transformation puts South Africa in the crosshairs for sophisticated cyberattacks

Read more...
SIEM rule threat coverage validation
Information Security News & Events
New AI-detection engineering assistant from Cymulate automates SIEM rule validation for SecOps and blue teams by streamlining threat detection engineering with automated testing, control integrations and enhanced detections.

Read more...
Cybersecurity a challenge in digitalising OT
Kaspersky Information Security Industrial (Industry)
According to a study by Kaspersky and VDC Research on securing operational technology environments, the primary risks are inadequate security measures, insufficient resources allocated to OT cybersecurity, challenges surrounding regulatory compliance, and the complexities of IT/OT integration.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.