masai mara virus

masai mara virus
Type: Worm
In the wild: No
Reported Infections: Low
Distribution Potential: Low
Damage Potential: Low to medium
Static file: Yes
File size: 50kb

Method of propagation:
After the worm's file is started, it copies itself with different names to different folders on a local hard drive. The file names can be semi-randomly generated or they can be any of the following:
"%Windir%\clipbrd.exe"
%CommonPrograms%\startup\empty.pif
%Programs%\startup\empty.pif

The worm spreads itself by creating "Autorun .inf" and a ".exe" onto hard drive partitions,including removable media(eg flsh disk, memory card).
It hides the autorun.inf by changing its file attributes
In order to assure it is executed at every system startup, it creates the following registry entries:
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "crash report" = "%Windir%\clipbrd.exe"

File Behavior
Masai mara virus has been seen to perform the following behavior:
* Can communicate with other computer systems using HTTP protocols
* Executes a Process
* Includes file creation code which could be used to test for interception by security products
* This Process uses Anti Dissasembly Tricks to avoid analysis by security products


Masai mara virus has been the subject of the following behavior: * Created as a process on disk
* Executed as a Process
* Deleted as a process from disk
* Registered as a Dynamic Link Library File
* Created by processes which appear to be checking for interception by security products

Notes:
* %CommonPrograms% is a variable that refers to the file system directory that contains the directories for the common program groups that appear on the Start menu for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs (Windows NT/2000/XP).
* %ProgramFiles% is a variable that refers to the Program Files folder. A typical path is C:\Program Files.
* %Programs% is a variable that refers to the file system directory that contains the user's program groups. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Start Menu\Programs.

Recommendations

We encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.


• If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.


• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.


• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.


• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.


• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.


• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

Visit Fradesoft solutions for removal instructions