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IRC/Flood.ba

This page shows details and results of our analysis on the malware IRC/Flood.ba

Threat Detail

Malware Type: Trojan

Malware Sub-type: Denial Of Svc

Discovery Date: 2002-09-10

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

4223 (2002-09-18)

Updated DAT

4389 (2004-09-01)

 Minimum Engine

5.1.00

File Length

Varies

Description Added

2003-06-12

Description Modified

2003-06-12

Malware Proliferation

Characteristics

This description is intended as a general guide. The specific actions taken are decided by the hacker who creates the dropper file or uses the trojan.

This is an Internet Relay Chat BOT/DDoS tool. It is dropped by a self-extracting archive which includes a copy of the mIRC client within itself. This allows users who do not run mIRC to become used in a DDoS attack.

When run, the dropper creates a directory and extracts several files to it. The extracted files are in the following categories:

  • IRC script instruction for various trojan activities.
  • mIRC configuration file.
  • Batch file to perform remote login, remote launches.
  • mIRC executable for remote connection and remote access.
  • HideWindow application to hide the mIRC window.
  • RemoteProcessLaunch application to launch EXEs.

    The following username/password combinations are used by the batch file (username, password):

  • Administrator, "" (blank)
  • administrator, "" (blank)
  • Administrator, Admin
  • administrator, Admin
  • Administrator, password
  • administrator, password
  • Administrator, 12345
  • Administrator, 1
  • administrator, administrator
  • root, root
  • admin, admin

    The dropper file received by AVERT created the following registry entries to run again at Windows startup:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    "AdobeA" = %Trojan File%

    (%Trojan File% = the path to the trojan, in this case it copied itself to C:\WINNT\System32\cold\adobes.exe)

    Infected machines should be carefully examined, since IRC/Flood droppers are often repackaged with new files, so it is possible that an attacker has installed further hacktools or backdoors.

    If mIRC is already installed on a system, registry entries pointing to the installed product will be redirected to the version dropped by the trojan.

    • Symptoms

    Existence of the files and Registry key detailed above Unexpected network traffic

    Method of Infection

    Trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial. Distribution channels include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, etc.

    Removal

    All Users:
    Use current 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).

    But in some particular cases, the following steps need to be taken.

    Please go to the Microsoft Recovery Console and restore a clean MBR.

    On Windows XP:

    • Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer.
    • When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
    • Select the Windows installation that is compromised and provide the administrator password.
    • Issue 'fixmbr' command to restore the Master Boot Record
    • Follow onscreen instructions.
    • Reset and remove the CD from CD-ROM drive.


    On Windows Vista and 7:

    • Insert the Windows CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the computer.
    • Click on "Repair Your Computer".
    • When the System Recovery Options dialog comes up, choose the Command Prompt.
    • Issue 'bootrec /fixmbr' command to restore the Master Boot Record.
    • Follow onscreen instructions.
    • Reset and remove the CD from CD-ROM drive.

    Variants

    United States - English