Method of Infection
When executed, Win32.Bagle.AB copies itself to
%System%\sysxp.exe
and modifies the registry to ensure that this copy is executed at each Windows start:
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\key = "%System%\sysxp.exe"
Note: '%System%' is a variable location. The worm determines the location of the current System folder by querying the operating system. The default installation location for the System directory for Windows 2000 and NT is C:\Winnt\System32; for 95,98 and ME is C:\Windows\System; and for XP is C:\Windows\System32.
There may be four more files created by the worm in the process of generating mail attachments:
%System%\sysxp.exeopen
%System%\sysxp.exeopenopen
%System%\sysxp.exeopenopenopen
%System%\sysxp.exeopenopenopenopen
Back to top
Method of Distribution
Via E-mail
The worm arrives attached to an e-mail with a variable Subject and Message Body. The attachment also uses a variable name and extension. The From address is 'spoofed', chosen from e-mail collected from the affected system.
It searches for e-mail addresses in files with the following extensions:
.adb
.asp
.cfg
.cgi
.dbx
.dhtm
.eml
.htm
.jsp
.mbx
.mdx
.mht
.mmf
.msg
.nch
.ods
.oft
.php
.pl
.sht
.shtm
.stm
.tbb
.txt
.uin
.wab
.wsh
.xls
.xml
It avoids using addresses containing any of the following strings:
@hotmail
@msn
@microsoft
rating@
f-secur
news
update
anyone@
bugs@
contract@
feste
gold-certs@
help@
info@
nobody@
noone@
kasp
admin
icrosoft
support
ntivi
unix
bsd
linux
listserv
certific
sopho
@foo
@iana
free-av
@messagelab
winzip
google
winrar
samples
abuse
panda
cafee
spam
pgp
@avp.
noreply
local
root@
postmaster@
When searching for e-mail addresses, it also searches for files with the extension ".exe". It picks an .exe file at random and copies its icon to its own file when it next spreads.
E-mail sent by the worm have the following characteristics:
Possible Subjects
Re: Msg reply
Re: Hello
Re: Yahoo!
Re: Thank you!
Re: Thanks :)
RE: Text message
Re: Document
Incoming message
Re: Incoming Message
RE: Incoming Msg
RE: Message Notify
Notification
Changes..
Update
Fax Message
Protected message
RE: Protected message
Forum notify
Site changes
Re: Hi
Encrypted document
Possible Message Bodies:
Read the attach.
Your file is attached.
More info is in attach
See attach.
Please, have a look at the attached file.
Your document is attached.
Please, read the document.
Attach tells everything.
Attached file tells everything.
Check attached file for details.
Check attached file.
Pay attention at the attach.
See the attached file for details.
Message is in attach
Here is the file.
The attachment may be contained within a password protected ZIP archive. If so, the message body will contain one of the following lines, in addition to one of those listed above:
For security reasons attached file is password protected. The password is <password>
For security purposes the attached file is password protected. Password -- <password>
Note: Use password <password> to open archive.
Attached file is protected with the password for security reasons. Password is <password>
In order to read the attach you have to use the following password: <password>
Archive password: <password>
Password - <password>
Password: <password>
Pass - <password>
Where <password> is the password for the ZIP attachment. The password itself is always a number, 5 digits long (for example "40300"). It is displayed as an image file, which may be in BMP, GIF or JPEG format.
The attachment name is chosen from the following list:
Information
Details
text_document
Updates
Readme
Document
Info
Details
MoreInfo
Message
The extension can be one of the following:
.exe
.scr
.com
.zip
.cpl
In the case of a ZIP archive, the file inside has a randomly generated name, 5 to 9 characters long, consisting of lower case letters and an ".EXE" extension.
The zip file may also include an additional clean file, between 1000 and 4,999 bytes in size, containing random data, with a random name and one of the following extensions:
.ini
.cfg
.txt
.vxd
.def
.dll
These are some example attachment names:
* Information.zip containing xgvxcujm.exe and kksfoe.txt
* Readme.zip containing zlgjhcujc.exe and vzfywhif.cfg
* Updates.com
* Details.hta
Users of the Windows XP operating system will see a dialog, similar to the following when double-clicking on the .zip attachment:
Please see below for examples of e-mail generated by the worm:
Via P2P File Sharing
While scanning for addresses, the worm also looks for any directories whose names contain the string "shar". It copies itself into each matching directory using the following file names:
ACDSee 9.exe
Adobe Photoshop 9 full.exe
Ahead Nero 7.exe
Kaspersky Antivirus 5.0
KAV 5.0
Matrix 3 Revolution English Subtitles.exe
Microsoft Office 2003 Crack, Working!.exe
Microsoft Office XP working Crack, Keygen.exe
Microsoft Windows XP, WinXP Crack, working Keygen.exe
Opera 8 New!.exe
Porno pics arhive, xxx.exe
Porno Screensaver.scr
Porno, sex, oral, anal cool, awesome!!.exe
Serials.txt.exe
WinAmp 5 Pro Keygen Crack Update.exe
WinAmp 6 New!.exe
Windown Longhorn Beta Leak.exe
Windows Sourcecode update.doc.exe
XXX hardcore images.exe
This enables the worm to spread through peer-to-peer file sharing networks, such as Kazaa.
Back to top
Payload
Backdoor Functionality
The worm opens a backdoor on port 1080, allowing remote access to the machine. This backdoor can be used for uploading and executing files, and updating the worm. It can also be commanded to change the port it listens on.
Deletes Registry Values
The worm removes the following registry values from these keys in an attempt to bypass several antivirus and other security-related applications:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run:
My AV
Zone Labs Client Ex
9XHtProtect
Antivirus
Special Firewall Service
service
Tiny AV
ICQNet
HtProtect
NetDy
Jammer2nd
FirewallSvr
MsInfo
SysMonXP
EasyAV
PandaAVEngine
Norton Antivirus AV
KasperskyAVEng
SkynetsRevenge
ICQ Net
Terminates Processes
The worm terminates the following processes (associated with several antivirus and other security-related applications):
AGENTSVR.EXE
ANTI-TROJAN.EXE
ANTI-TROJAN.EXE
ANTIVIRUS.EXE
ANTS.EXE
APIMONITOR.EXE
APLICA32.EXE
APVXDWIN.EXE
ATCON.EXE
ATGUARD.EXE
ATRO55EN.EXE
ATUPDATER.EXE
ATWATCH.EXE
AUPDATE.EXE
AUTODOWN.EXE
AUTOTRACE.EXE
AUTOUPDATE.EXE
AVCONSOL.EXE
AVGSERV9.EXE
AVLTMAIN.EXE
AVprotect9x.exe
AVPUPD.EXE
AVSYNMGR.EXE
AVWUPD32.EXE
AVXQUAR.EXE
BD_PROFESSIONAL.EXE
BIDEF.EXE
BIDSERVER.EXE
BIPCP.EXE
BIPCPEVALSETUP.EXE
BISP.EXE
BLACKD.EXE
BLACKICE.EXE
BOOTWARN.EXE
BORG2.EXE
BS120.EXE
CDP.EXE
CFGWIZ.EXE
CFGWIZ.EXE
CFIADMIN.EXE
CFIADMIN.EXE
CFIAUDIT.EXE
CFIAUDIT.EXE
CFIAUDIT.EXE
CFINET.EXE
CFINET.EXE
CFINET32.EXE
CFINET32.EXE
CLEAN.EXE
CLEAN.EXE
CLEANER.EXE
CLEANER.EXE
CLEANER3.EXE
CLEANPC.EXE
CLEANPC.EXE
CMGRDIAN.EXE
CMGRDIAN.EXE
CMON016.EXE
CMON016.EXE
CPD.EXE
CPF9X206.EXE
CPFNT206.EXE
CV.EXE
CWNB181.EXE
CWNTDWMO.EXE
DEFWATCH.EXE
DEPUTY.EXE
DPF.EXE
DPFSETUP.EXE
DRWATSON.EXE
DRWEBUPW.EXE
ENT.EXE
ESCANH95.EXE
ESCANHNT.EXE
ESCANV95.EXE
EXANTIVIRUS-CNET.EXE
FAST.EXE
FIREWALL.EXE
FLOWPROTECTOR.EXE
FP-WIN_TRIAL.EXE
FRW.EXE
FSAV.EXE
FSAV530STBYB.EXE
FSAV530WTBYB.EXE
FSAV95.EXE
GBMENU.EXE
GBPOLL.EXE
GUARD.EXE
GUARDDOG.EXE
HACKTRACERSETUP.EXE
HTLOG.EXE
HWPE.EXE
IAMAPP.EXE
IAMAPP.EXE
IAMSERV.EXE
ICLOAD95.EXE
ICLOADNT.EXE
ICMON.EXE
ICSSUPPNT.EXE
ICSUPP95.EXE
ICSUPP95.EXE
ICSUPPNT.EXE
IFW2000.EXE
IPARMOR.EXE
IRIS.EXE
JAMMER.EXE
KAVLITE40ENG.EXE
KAVPERS40ENG.EXE
KERIO-PF-213-EN-WIN.EXE
KERIO-WRL-421-EN-WIN.EXE
KERIO-WRP-421-EN-WIN.EXE
KILLPROCESSSETUP161.EXE
LDPRO.EXE
LOCALNET.EXE
LOCKDOWN.EXE
LOCKDOWN2000.EXE
LSETUP.EXE
LUALL.EXE
LUCOMSERVER.EXE
LUINIT.EXE
MCAGENT.EXE
MCUPDATE.EXE
MCUPDATE.EXE
MFW2EN.EXE
MFWENG3.02D30.EXE
MGUI.EXE
MINILOG.EXE
MOOLIVE.EXE
MRFLUX.EXE
MSCONFIG.EXE
MSINFO32.EXE
MSSMMC32.EXE
MU0311AD.EXE
NAV80TRY.EXE
NAVAPW32.EXE
NAVDX.EXE
NAVSTUB.EXE
NAVW32.EXE
NC2000.EXE
NCINST4.EXE
NDD32.EXE
NEOMONITOR.EXE
NETARMOR.EXE
NETINFO.EXE |
NETMON.EXE
NETSCANPRO.EXE
NETSPYHUNTER-1.2.EXE
NETSTAT.EXE
NISSERV.EXE
NISUM.EXE
NMAIN.EXE
NORTON_INTERNET_SECU_3.0_407.EXE
NPF40_TW_98_NT_ME_2K.EXE
NPFMESSENGER.EXE
NPROTECT.EXE
NSCHED32.EXE
NTVDM.EXE
NUPGRADE.EXE
NVARCH16.EXE
NWINST4.EXE
NWTOOL16.EXE
OSTRONET.EXE
OUTPOST.EXE
OUTPOSTINSTALL.EXE
OUTPOSTPROINSTALL.EXE
PADMIN.EXE
PANIXK.EXE
PAVPROXY.EXE
PCC2002S902.EXE
PCC2K_76_1436.EXE
PCCIOMON.EXE
PCDSETUP.EXE
PCFWALLICON.EXE
PCFWALLICON.EXE
PCIP10117_0.EXE
PDSETUP.EXE
PERISCOPE.EXE
PERSFW.EXE
PF2.EXE
PFWADMIN.EXE
PINGSCAN.EXE
PLATIN.EXE
POPROXY.EXE
POPSCAN.EXE
PORTDETECTIVE.EXE
PPINUPDT.EXE
PPTBC.EXE
PPVSTOP.EXE
PROCEXPLORERV1.0.EXE
PROPORT.EXE
PROTECTX.EXE
PSPF.EXE
PURGE.EXE
PVIEW95.EXE
QCONSOLE.EXE
QSERVER.EXE
RAV8WIN32ENG.EXE
REGEDIT.EXE
REGEDT32.EXE
RESCUE.EXE
RESCUE32.EXE
RRGUARD.EXE
RSHELL.EXE
RTVSCN95.EXE
RULAUNCH.EXE
SAFEWEB.EXE
SBSERV.EXE
SD.EXE
SETUPVAMEEVAL.EXE
SETUP_FLOWPROTECTOR_US.EXE
SFC.EXE
SGSSFW32.EXE
SH.EXE
SHELLSPYINSTALL.EXE
SHN.EXE
SMC.EXE
SOFI.EXE
SPF.EXE
SPHINX.EXE
SPYXX.EXE
SS3EDIT.EXE
ST2.EXE
SUPFTRL.EXE
SUPPORTER5.EXE
SYMPROXYSVC.EXE
SYSEDIT.EXE
TASKMON.EXE
TAUMON.EXE
TAUSCAN.EXE
TC.EXE
TCA.EXE
TCM.EXE
TDS-3.EXE
TDS2-98.EXE
TDS2-NT.EXE
TFAK5.EXE
TGBOB.EXE
TITANIN.EXE
TITANINXP.EXE
TRACERT.EXE
TRJSCAN.EXE
TRJSETUP.EXE
TROJANTRAP3.EXE
UNDOBOOT.EXE
UPDATE.EXE
VBCMSERV.EXE
VBCONS.EXE
VBUST.EXE
VBWIN9X.EXE
VBWINNTW.EXE
VCSETUP.EXE
VFSETUP.EXE
VIRUSMDPERSONALFIREWALL.EXE
VNLAN300.EXE
VNPC3000.EXE
VPC42.EXE
VPFW30S.EXE
VPTRAY.EXE
VSCENU6.02D30.EXE
VSECOMR.EXE
VSHWIN32.EXE
VSISETUP.EXE
VSMAIN.EXE
VSMON.EXE
VSSTAT.EXE
VSWIN9XE.EXE
VSWINNTSE.EXE
VSWINPERSE.EXE
W32DSM89.EXE
W9X.EXE
WATCHDOG.EXE
WEBSCANX.EXE
WGFE95.EXE
WHOSWATCHINGME.EXE
WHOSWATCHINGME.EXE
WINRECON.EXE
WNT.EXE
WRADMIN.EXE
WRCTRL.EXE
WSBGATE.EXE
WYVERNWORKSFIREWALL.EXE
XPF202EN.EXE
ZAPRO.EXE
ZAPSETUP3001.EXE
ZATUTOR.EXE
ZAUINST.EXE
ZONALM2601.EXE
ZONEALARM.EXE |
Downloads and Executes Arbitrary Files
Bagle.AB contains a list of 138 URLs. It attempts to download each URL, save the results to
%System%\re_file.exe,
and execute it. At the time of writing,
none of these URLs were available.
Back to top