McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
Business Home → McAfee Labs → Threat Intelligence

IRC-Pitchfork

This page shows details and results of our analysis on the malware IRC-Pitchfork

Threat Detail

Malware Type: Trojan

Malware Sub-type: Remote Access

Discovery Date: 2003-03-09

Next Steps:

Overview

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.


Minimum DAT

4252 (2003-03-12)

Updated DAT

4262 (2003-05-07)

 Minimum Engine

5.1.00

File Length

29,336 bytes

Description Added

2003-03-09

Description Modified

2003-03-10

Malware Proliferation

Characteristics

This is an IRC bot trojan and is installed by an installer, which is dropped by the W32/Deloder.worm. When run, the installer drops the following files:
  • %fonts folder%\rundll32.exe (29,336 bytes)
  • %System folder%\cygwin1.dll (944,968 bytes)
The trojan connects to various IRC channels and listens for commands to carry out.

Symptoms

- Presence of a hidden rundll32.exe in the %fonts% folder
- TCP port 6667 being opened unexpectedly
- Systems trying to contact the following servers:
  • cocket.nailed.org
  • cocket.mooo.com
  • cocket.bounceme.net
  • cocket.phathookups.com
  • cocket.gotdns.com
  • cocket.ma.cx
  • cocket.orgdns.org
  • cocket.minidns.net
  • cocket.dyn.nicolas.cx
  • cocket.dynup.net
  • cocket.pokemonfan.org
  • cocket.staticcling.org
  • cocket.getmyip.com

Method of Infection

This trojan is installed by a trojan dropper. The dropper is installed by W32/Deloder.worm. When run, the installer creates the following registry run key to load the trojan at startup:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
    Run "TaskMan" = %Fonts folder%\rundll32.exe

Removal

All Users:
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Variants

United States - English