Question

Nasty VIRUT virus

Asked by: twcadmin

Apparently I have come across a computer with VIRUT virus. Since this infects various files it comes into contact with I have 2 questions.
1. How can this person tranfer their pictures to a new computer and not worry about infecting the new computer?
2. I used my flash drive to transfer cleaning utilities to the infected pc. It put hidden infected files on my flash drive(autorun.inf,userinit, etc.) Is it safe to put that flash drive back into my pc to format it? I have updated antivirus and antispyware installed.

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Asked On
2009-09-30 at 09:46:25ID24774283
Topics

Anti-Virus

,

Desktop Anti-Virus

,

Miscellaneous Security

Participating Experts
6
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: TBK-ConsultingPosted on 2009-09-30 at 09:50:11ID: 25460773

As the VIRUT virus should only infect executable files, you'd be safe by using a USB Drive without any kind of executables on it to get the pictures for the client and transfer to a new computer ... the best way to get rid of this virus is to totally re-partition the drive, reformat, and then reload windows ...

 

by: MagicFarmerPosted on 2009-09-30 at 09:52:57ID: 25460801

You will want to run a root-kit to clean the infected machine, then a WIndows-based anti-spyware (malwarebytes, etc) before you transfer any files.

 I would also format your infected flash drive in safe mode on the infected machine, then format it again on your clean PC.

I recommend sophos anti-rootkit to attack the virus.  

http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html

 

by: The_Computer_GuyPosted on 2009-09-30 at 10:17:44ID: 25461046

Symantec has also posted a removal tool for the virus:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-022016-4444-99

 

by: The_Computer_GuyPosted on 2009-09-30 at 10:19:50ID: 25461069

From Symantec

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-020411-2802-99&tabid=2

Discovered: February 4, 2009  Updated: February 4, 2009 6:14:14 PM  Also Known As: W32/Virut.n [McAfee],      PE_VIRUX.A [Trend]  Type: Virus  Infection Length: 17,044 bytes  Systems Affected: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 When the virus executes, it attempts to infect any file accessed with the following extensions:
.exe
.scr


The threat does not infect files starting with the following strings:
OTSP
WC32
WCUN
WINC


The virus also attempts to infect files with the following extensions by injecting an iframe in to the body of each file:
.htm
.html
.php
.asp


The above iframe redirects the browser on the computer to the following location:
[http://]ZieF.pl/r[REMOVED]

It creates the following event so that only one instance of the threat is running on the compromised computer:
Vx_5

The virus then modifies the hosts file by prepending the following strings to its body:
127.0.0.1 ZieF.pl
#

It then opens a back door by joining a channel controlled by a remote attacker on one of the following IRC servers:
irc.zief.pl on TCP port 80
proxim.ircgalaxy.pl on TCP port 80


The remote attacker may use the following nick name:
[EIGHT RANDOM CHARACTERS]

It may use the following registry entry in binary format in order to decode an unknown server name and port number:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\"UpdateHost" = "[BINARY VALUE]"

The threat disables Windows File Protection in order to infect files on the computer.

It also modifies the following registry subkey in order to add a firewall exception:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List

The virus also attempts to download files on the compromised computer.

 

by: djpazzaPosted on 2009-09-30 at 13:30:09ID: 25463171

If you can get into the msconfig screen you can start the system in diagnostic mode (limited services and drivers)

start - run - msconfig

Once restarted no registry run hooks or startup entries will run,  You should then go for a malwarebytes scan and virus scan.  

 

by: optomaPosted on 2009-09-30 at 17:07:39ID: 25464961

 

by: rpggamergirlPosted on 2009-09-30 at 20:11:08ID: 25465730

Virut infects .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html, .doc, .jpg, .pdf files.
So really the best solution if the system has virut is to reformat....files targeted by virut should not be backup to avoid reinfection... though you may backup files like .jpegs, .docs and .pdfs if you put them on a separate media like CD etc and scan them before putting them back into the clean system.

Also check this out.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/Software/Internet_Email/Anti_Spyware/Virut-Malware-continues-to-evolve.html

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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