W32/Sdbot-AUS

Please follow the instructions for removing worms.

W32/Sdbot-AUS is a worm with backdoor functionality for the Windows platform.

W32/Sdbot-AUS spreads to other network computers in the following ways:

By exploiting common buffer overflow vulnerabilities, including: LSASS (MS04-011), RPC-DCOM (MS04-012), MSSQL (MS02-039) (CAN-2002-0649), PNP (MS05-039) and ASN.1 (MS04-007)
Via AOL Instant Messenger
By copying itself to network shares protected by weak passwords.

W32/Sdbot-AUS runs continuously in the background, providing a backdoor server which allows a remote intruder to gain access and control over the computer via IRC channels.

W32/Sdbot-AUS includes functionality to access the internet and communicate with a remote server via HTTP.

When first run W32/Sdbot-AUS copies itself to <Windows folder>\Head24.exe.

The file Head24.exe is registered as a new system driver service named "Head24", with a display name of "Head24" and a startup type of automatic, so that it is started automatically during system startup. Registry entries are created under:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Head24\

W32/Sdbot-AUS sets the following registry entries, disabling the automatic startup of other software:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Messenger
Start
4

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RemoteRegistry
Start
4

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TlntSvr
Start
4

Registry entries are set as follows:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
DoNotAllowXPSP2
1

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole
EnableDCOM
N

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
restrictanonymous
1

Registry entries are also created under:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile\
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProfile\