W32/Rbot-SX

Please follow the instructions for removing worms.

Change any data that may have become compromised.

You will also need to edit the following registry entries, if they are present. Please read the warning about editing the registry.

At the taskbar, click Start|Run. Type 'Regedit' and press Return. The registry editor opens.

Before you edit the registry, you should make a backup. On the 'Registry' menu, click 'Export Registry File'. In the 'Export range' panel, click 'All', then save your registry as Backup.

Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE entries:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

and remove any reference to any file you deleted.

Close the registry editor.

W32/Rbot-SX is a Windows network worm which attempts to spread via network shares. The worm contains backdoor functions that allow unauthorised remote access to the infected computer via IRC channels while running in the background.

The worm spreads to network shares with weak passwords and also by using the LSASS security exploit (MS04-011), RPC-DCOM security exploit (MS03-039) and the WebDav security exploit (MS03-007).

The worm may also try to exploit backdoors and vulnerabilites used by the MyDoom family of worms.

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/Rbot-SX (detected as W32/Rbot-Fam) since version 3.89. W32/Rbot-SX is a Windows network worm which attempts to spread via network shares. The worm contains backdoor functions that allow unauthorised remote access to the infected computer via IRC channels while running in the background.

The worm spreads to network shares with weak passwords and also by using the LSASS security exploit (MS04-011), RPC-DCOM security exploit (MS03-039) and the WebDav security exploit (MS03-007).

When run, W32/Rbot-SX moves itself to the Windows System folder as a hidden, read-only, system file named win32src.exe.

The worm then creates the following registry entries so as to run itself on computer logon:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Win32 Src Service
win32src.exe

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
Win32 Src Service
win32src.exe

The worm also creates the following registry entry:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\OLE
Win32 Src Service
win32src.exe

Once installed, W32/Rbot-SX will attempt to participate in denial of service (DoS) attacks, download and run files from the internet, steal CD keys, log keystrokes and login to MS SQL servers and send EXEC commands to open a command shell when instructed to do so by a remote attacker.

The worm may also try to exploit backdoors and vulnerabilites used by the MyDoom family of worms.

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/Rbot-SX (detected as W32/Rbot-Fam) since version 3.89.