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W32.BatmanTroj

Category 2
Discovered on: February 06, 2001
Last Updated on: July 19, 2002 08:45:33 AM

This is a destructive Trojan horse. There is no specific file name that is used to distribute it.

Type: Trojan Horse

protection
  • Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater)
  • February 06, 2001

    threat assessment

    Wild

    Threat Metrics

    Low High Low

    Wild:
    Low

    Damage:
    High

    Distribution:
    Low

    Damage

    technical details

    This Trojan horse deletes files.

    • It deletes all files from the root of C:, including Autoexec.bat, Command.com and Config.sys.
    • From the C:\Windows folder, it deletes:
      • Himem.sys
      • Win.ini
      • System.ini
      • Protocol.ini
    • From the C:\Windows\System folder, it deletes El90x???.sys (This is apparently a backup file.)

    Because this effectively deletes the operating system, Windows will not load.

    recommendations

    Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

    • Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
    • If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
    • Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
    • Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
    • Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
    • Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
    • Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

    removal instructions

    If Norton AntiVirus detects a file as infected with W32.BatmanTroj, delete it. If the Trojan has already run, in most cases you will have to reinstall Windows.


    Write-up by: Dmitry Reyder