W32/Forbot-CG

Please read the instructions for removing W32/Forbot-CG.

W32/Forbot-CG is a network worm and IRC backdoor Trojan for the Windows platform.

W32/Forbot-CG spreads through network shares and by exploiting the LSASS (MS04-011) software vulnerability. The worm may also spread through backdoors left open by other malware.

When first run, W32/Forbot-CG copies itself to the Windows System folder as msnms.exe. In order to run automatically each time Windows is started, W32/Forbot-CG sets the following registry entries:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
MSN Updater = "msnms.exe"

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\
MSN Updater = "msnms.exe"

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices\
MSN Updater = "msnms.exe"

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
MSN Updater = "msnms.exe"

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\
MSN Updater = "msnms.exe"

W32/Forbot-CG creates a service named "MSN Updater" with the display name "MSN Updater".

The worm runs continuously in the background providing backdoor access to the infected computer through IRC channels.

The backdoor component of W32/Forbot-CG can be used to:

start an FTP and HTTP server.
delete network shares.
start a SOCKS4, SOCKS5, HTTP, TCP and GRE proxy.
list and stop existing processes and services.
download, run and delete files.
modify the registry.
add and delete services.
steal the product keys of popular games and applications.
scan other computers for open ports and attempt to exploit them.
take part in distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks.
flush the DNS cache.
logoff, reboot and shut down the computer.

W32/Forbot-CG may delete the ADMIN$, IPC$, C$ and D$ network shares.

W32/Forbot-CG is capable of stealing product keys from games and applications such as:

AOL Instant Messenger
Yahoo Pager
.NET Messenger Service
Microsoft Windows Product ID
Counter-Strike
The Gladiators
Gunman Chronicles
Half-Life
Industry Giant 2
Unreal Tournament 2003
Unreal Tournament 2004
IGI 2: Covert Strike
Freedom Force
Battlefield 1942
Battlefield 1942 (Road To Rome)
Battlefield 1942 (Secret Weapons of WWII)
Battlefield Vietnam
Black and White
Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
Command and Conquer: Generals (Zero Hour)
Command and Conquer: Generals
James Bond 007: Nightfire
Global Operations
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Need For Speed: Underground
Shogun: Total War: Warlord Edition
FIFA 2002
FIFA 2003
NHL 2002
NHL 2003
Nascar Racing 2002
Nascar Racing 2003
Rainbow Six III RavenShield
Hidden & Dangerous 2
Soldiers Of Anarchy
Soldier of Fortune II - Double Helix
Call of Duty
Neverwinter Nights

W32/Forbot-CG may alter the following registry entries in order to enable/disable DCOM:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Ole\EnableDCOM

W32/Forbot-CG will attempt to disable other malware, such as members of the W32/Bagle family.

Sophos's anti-virus products include proactive protection technology, which can defend against new threats without requiring an update. Sophos customers have been protected against W32/Forbot-CG (detected as W32/Forbot-Gen) since version 3.85.