Virus Database

I-Worm.Swen

Description I-Worm.Swen

Swen is a very dangerous worm-virus that spreads across the Internet via email (in the form of an infected file attachment), the Kazaa file sharing network, IRC channels, and open network resources.
Swen is written in Microsoft Visual C++ and is 105KB (106496 Bytes) in size.
The worm activates when a victim launches the infected file (double clicking on the file attachment) or when a victim machine's email application is vulnerable to the IFrame.FileDownload vulnerability (also exploited by the Internet worms Klez and Tanatos). Once run, Swen installs itself in the system and begins its propogation routine.
You can download the patch released in March 2001 for the IFrame vulnerability: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-20.
The worm blocks many anti-virus programs and firewalls. Its algorithm and parts of the code text are almost identical to that of another Internet worm called I-Worm.Gibe, although the programming language used is different.


Installation
When first launched, the worm may display the "Microsoft Internet Update Pack" message box. Then it imitates patch installation:



The worm then copies itself under one of the names below into the Windows directory. The name may consist of several parts.
First possibility:
Kazaa Lite
KaZaA media desktop
KaZaA
WinRar
WinZip
Winamp
Mirc
Download Accelerator
GetRight FTP
Windows Media Player

Key generator
Hack
Hacked
Warez
Upload
Installer
Upload
Installer
Second possibility:
Bugbear
Yaha
Gibe
Sircam
Sobig
Klez
Remover
RemovalTool
Cleaner
Fixtool
Third possibility:
Aol Hacker
Yahoo Hacker
Hotmail Hacker
10.000 Serials
Jenna Jameson
Hardporn
Sex
Xbox Emulator
Emulator Ps2
Xp Update
Xxx Video
Sick Joke
Xxx Pictures
My Naked Sister
Hallucinogenic Screensaver
Cooking With Cannabis
Magic Mushrooms Growing
Virus Generator
The new file is registered in the Windows system registry auto-run key:
HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
random sequence= %windir%file name autorun
An identification key is created, which contains the worms' configuration settings:
HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer
random sequence
The worm then creates a file named after the infected host machine with a BAT extension in the Windows folder. The file contains following the commands:
@ECHO OFF
IF NOT "%1"=="" .exe %1
Then the worm changes the key values in HKLMSoftwareClasses in such a way so as to hook onto execution every time the BAT, COM, EXE, PIF, REG and SCR file types are launched.
HKCRatfileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% "%1" %*

HKCRcomfileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% "%1" %*

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTexefileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% "%1" %*

HKCRpiffileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% "%1" %*

HKCR egfileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% showerror

HKCRscrfileshellconfigcommand
Default = %windir% "%1"

HKCRscrfileshellopencommand
Default = %windir% "%1" /S
Disables user capability to edit the system registry:
HKCU.DEFAULTSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem
DisableRegistryTools = 01 00 00 00
When first launched, the worm accesses the following remote website:
http://ww2.fce.vutbr.cz/bin/counter.gif/link=bacillus&width=6&set=cnt006
This counter indicates the number of infected computers.
When attempting to execute a new copy of the worm on the already infected machine the worm displays the following message:

The worm scans all disks for files with extensions DBX, MDX, EML, WAB and also that contain either HT or ASP in the extension. Swem then extracts any email addresses that it can find and saves them in a file named germs0.dbv.
The worm attempts to connect to one of 350 servers identified in the file swen1.dat, in order to send infected emails. If connection is impossible the worm then displays the following error message about a MAPI 32 Exception:

and requests a correct email address, as well as a correct SMTP server.


Propagation via Email
The worm mails itself to all available addresses using a direct connection to an SMTP server. The infected emails are in HTML format and contain an attachment (the actual worm).

Sender name (consists of several parts):
Microsoft
MS

(may not be used)
Corporation

(may not be used)
Program
Internet
Network

(always included with part 3)
Security

(may not be used)
Division
Section
Department
Center

(may not be used)
Public
Technical
Customer

(may not be used)
Bulletin
Services
Assistance
Support
For example:
Microsoft Internet Security Section
MS Technical Assistance
Sender address (consists of 2 parts):
before "@": random sequence (example: tuevprkpevcg-gxwi@, dwffa@);
after "@": consists of 2 parts (though only one may be used):
news
newsletter
bulletin
confidence
advisor
updates
technet
support

msdn
microsoft
ms
msn
For example: "newsletter.microsoft" or simply "support". If two parts are used, then they are separated by ".", or "_".
After the "." the domain is either "com" or "net".
Subject (consists of various parts):
Latest
New
Last
Newest
Current

Net
Network
Microsoft
Internet

Security
Critical

Upgrade
Pack
Update
Patch
Body:
MS Client (Consumer,Partner,User - chosen at random)
this is the latest version of security update, the
"September 2003, Cumulative Patch" update which resolves
all known security vulnerabilities affecting
MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express.
Install now to protect your computer
from these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which could
allow an attacker to run code on your system.
This update includes the functionality =
of all previously released patches.

System requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT/XP
This update applies to:
- MS Internet Explorer, version 4.01 and later
- MS Outlook, version 8.00 and later
- MS Outlook Express, version 4.01 and later

Recommendation: Customers should install the patch =
at the earliest opportunity.
How to install: Run attached file. Choose Yes on displayed dialog box.
How to use: You don't need to do anything after installing this item.
Signature:
Microsoft Product Support Services and Knowledge Base articles =
can be found on the Microsoft Technical Support web site.
http://support.microsoft.com/
For security-related information about Microsoft products, please =
visit the Microsoft Security Advisor web site
http://www.microsoft.com/security/
Thank you for using Microsoft products.
Please do not reply to this message.
It was sent from an unmonitored e-mail address and we are unable =
to respond to any replies.
----------------------------------------------
The names of the actual companies and products mentioned =
herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Attachment name:
patch[random number].exe
install[random number].exe
q[random number].exe
update[random number].exe
The actual content of the body may be less complicated, depending on various circumstances.
The Subject may contain:
Letter
Advise
Message
Announcement
Report
Notice
Bug
Error
Abort
Failed
User Unknown
The body may contain:
Hi!
This is the qmail program
Message from [random value]
I'm sorry
I'm sorry to have to inform that
I'm afraid
I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses
the message returned below could not be delivered
I wasn't able to deliver your message
to one or more destinations
In some cases the worm may send copies of itself in archived form - ZIP or RAR.


Propagation via Kazaa
Swen propagates via the Kazaa file-sharing network by copying itself under random names in the file exchange directory in Kazaa Lite. It also creates a subdirectory in the Windows Temp folder with random names making several copies of itself with random names as well.
This folder is identified in the Windows system registry as Local Content for Kazaa file-sharing system.
HKCUSoftwareKazaaLocalContent
dir99 = 012345:%Windir%\%temp%folder name
As a result, the new files created by Swen become available to other Kazaa network users.


Propagation via IRC channels
The worm scans for installed mIRC client. If it's detected Swen then modifies the script.ini file by adding its propagation procedures. Whereupon the scrip.ini file sends the infected file from the Windows directory to all users that connect to the now-infected IRC channel.


Propagation via LAN
The worm scans all available drives. If it finds a network drive it copies itself there in the following folders under a random name:
windowsall usersstart menuprogramsstartup
windowsstart menuprogramsstartup
winmeall usersstart menuprogramsstartup
winmestart menuprogramsstartup
win95all usersstart menuprogramsstartup
win95start menuprogramsstartup
win98all usersstart menuprogramsstartup
win98start menuprogramsstartup
document and settingsall usersstart menuprogramsstartup
document and settingsdefault userstart menuprogramsstartup
document and settingsadministratorstart menuprogramsstartup
winntprofilesall usersstart menuprogramsstartup
winntprofilesdefault userstart menuprogramsstartup
winntprofilesadministratorstart menuprogramsstartup


Other
The worm attempts to block the launch and work of various anti-virus software and firewalls:
_avp
ackwin32
anti-trojan
aplica32
apvxdwin
autodown
avconsol
ave32
avgcc32
avgctrl
avgw
avkserv
avnt
avp
avsched32
avwin95
avwupd32
blackd
blackice
bootwarn
ccapp
ccshtdwn
cfiadmin
cfiaudit
cfind
cfinet
claw95
dv95
ecengine
efinet32
esafe
espwatch
f-agnt95
findviru
fprot
f-prot
fprot95
f-prot95
fp-win
frw
f-stopw
gibe
iamapp
iamserv
ibmasn
ibmavsp
icload95
icloadnt
icmon
icmoon
icssuppnt
icsupp
iface
iomon98
jedi
kpfw32
lockdown2000
lookout
luall
moolive
mpftray
msconfig
nai_vs_stat
navapw32
navlu32
navnt
navsched
navw
nisum
nmain
normist
nupdate
nupgrade
nvc95
outpost
padmin
pavcl
pavsched
pavw
pcciomon
pccmain
pccwin98
pcfwallicon
persfw
pop3trap
pview
rav
regedit
rescue
safeweb
serv95
sphinx
sweep
tca
tds2
vcleaner
vcontrol
vet32
vet95
vet98
vettray
vscan
vsecomr
vshwin32
vsstat
webtrap
wfindv32
zapro
zonealarm

When these are launched Swen displays the following fake error mesage:

Check other viruses! Be aware! Use Antiviral Software

ExeHeader family

Description ExeHeader family

These are memory resident parasitic viruses. They write themselves into free space ("cave") in EXE header, and the length of the file does not grow while infecting.
The viruses contain the text strings:
"Bane.256": [Bane]
"Bosco.a": BOSCO
"Bosco.b,d:" BOSCO D'SOUZA
"Bosco.c": ROYDEN D'SOUZA
"Dina.271": Dina v4.4r
"Dina.283": Dina v4.2r
"Dragon.400": DRAGON-2 Anti
"HeaderBug.324": C:DOSSMARTDRV.EXE =HeaderBug=
"Hobbit.416": HOBBIT
"Mike.252": (c) MIKE.
"Morality": MORALITY
"Mz1": Mz1 Copyright (c) 1992 by Ç¡ñ á
"Renegade.416": Renegade
"Retro": [Dying_Oath] by Retro
"Vlad.337": [Serrelinda], Rhince/VLAD
"XAM.278": XAM

"ExeHeader.VVM,222, 223, and 384" hook INT 13h, and infect files when the sector is reading/writing via INT 13h, and this sector contains a EXE header. These viruses use a stealth algorithm on the INT 13h level.
"ExeHeader.396" is a dangerous virus. It hooks INT 21h, and infects the files that are executed. It converts EXE files to COM format. After the 256th successful infection, the virus erases the disk sectors.
"ExeHeader.440" is a dangerous virus. It hooks INT 1Ch and 21h, and writes itself into EXE files that are executed or opened. In some cases, it infects COM files also, infects them the same as EXEs, and these files become corrupted. Depending on its internal counter, this virus manifests itself with a video effect.
ExeHeader.AntiArj
These viruses corrupt the sectors that contain the ARJ archive header.
ExeHeader.Clust
These are encrypted viruses. They contain the texts:
"Clust.a": [Clust2] JT / TridenT
"Clust.b": [Clust2B]
"Clust.c": [Clust2C]

ExeHeader.Bosco
These viruses search and delete the *.CHK files.
ExeHeader.Dragon.400
This is a stealth virus. It installs itself as a device driver, and intercepts the write and read calls to device drivers. If the accessed data contain a EXE stamp (MZ) at the beginning, the virus inserts itself into these data.
ExeHeader.Joan
This virus is very similar to "ExeHeader.Pure" (see below). It contains the text string:
> Joan v1.2 by KiKo NoMo of T.N.T. Taipei/Taiwan 1995/08 <

ExeHeader.Ming
In some cases, it corrupts files. Depending on system time, it displays the following message:
Written By Crazy Lord (Ming)
Made In Hong Kong

ExeHeader.Olya
This is a dangerous stealth virus. On April 26th, it overwrites the disk sectors with the string:
Olya Kibina

ExeHeader.Pure
These viruses install themselves into the High Memory Area by using a INT 2Fh function. Then these viruses trace and hook INT 13h. These are stealth viruses.
ExeHeader.SkidRow
When installing their TSR copies, these viruses copy themselves into one of the system buffers, and hook INT 13h. If the date and month number correspond, they display the following messages:
"ExeHeader.SkidRow.415,427":
This is Skid-Row Virus
Written by Dark Slayer
* in Keelung. Taiwan *

"ExeHeader.SkidRow.432":
This is Skid-Row Virus
Written by Dark Slayer
% in Keelung. Taiwan %

ExeHeader.XAM.278
This virus hooks INT 16h, and upon each keyboard stroke, it checks the system buffers for a EXE file header. If some of the buffers contain the EXE file header, the virus copies itself into that buffer.

Exile.255

Description Exile.255

It's a dangerous memory resident parasitic virus. It copies itself into the Interrupt Vectors Table, hooks INT 21h and writes itself to the beginning of COM-files that are executed. On installation depending on host file's data it erases the disk sectors and displays:
I'm Vindictive Exile!

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