W32.HLLW.Gaobot.EE

W32.HLLW.Gaobot.EE is a worm that uses several exploits to spread. It acts as a spam proxy, using the infected computer to send large numbers of unsolicited emails using its own SMTP engine. This worm also opens a backdoor on a random TCP port, notifies attackers through a predetermined IRC channel, and attempts to terminate various security products and system monitoring tools.

This worm propagates using multiple vulnerabilities, including:

• Weak passwords on network shares
• The DCOM RPC vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-026), using TCP ports 135
• The RPC locator vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-001) using TCP port 445
• The WebDav vulnerability (described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007), using TCP port 80

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version December 11, 2003
• Latest Rapid Release version December 11, 2003
• Initial Daily Certified version December 11, 2003
• Latest Daily Certified version December 11, 2003
• Initial Weekly Certified release date December 17, 2003

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low