Windows oss are vulnerable to the conficker worm because of which of the following?

Alert (TA09-088A) Conficker Worm Targets Microsoft Windows Systems Original release date: March 29, 2009

Conficker Worm affected Microsoft Windows

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Conficker is a worm that first surfaced late in 2008, taking advantage of a security flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system to spread on its own. Several variants of Conficker have surfaced since the original. Computers infected with Conficker become part of an army of compromised computers and could be used to launch attacks on Web sites, distribute spam, host phishing Web sites or other nefarious activities.

Conficker.C, could activate on April 1, 2009—April Fool’s Day—and start another assault on Windows computers. While this may be a prank, you should make sure your computer systems are protected against this pest.

Once it is on a computer, Conficker digs itself in by attempting to deactivate security software and sabotage its tools to remove it. If you notice that you’re unable to access Web sites such as www.mcafee.com or your security software is acting up, that could be a sign that your system was infected by Conficker.

This Conficker impact a remote, unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Ways to remove it or prevent infection from Conficker

To protect against Conficker isn’t hard. There are two basic things that will ensure a Windows computer is shielded against the worm:

1. Microsoft provided an emergency fix for the vulnerability last October with Security Update MS08-067. Just install this fix if you haven’t already.
2. Make sure to up to date security software. If the machine is configured with the “manual’ update option, so will need to run an update.

The way to remove Conficker

Using W32.Downadup Removal Tool from Symantec, This tool is designed to remove the infections of:

• W32.Downadup
• W32.Downadup.B
• W32.Downadup.C

Follow these steps to download and run the tool:

1. Download the D.exe file from: http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/global/removal_tool/threat_writeups/D.exe.
2. Save the file to a convenient location, such as your Windows desktop.
3. Optional: To check the authenticity of the digital signature

Note: If you are sure that you are downloading this tool from the Security Response Web site, you can skip this step. If you are not sure, or are a network administrator and need to authenticate the files before deployment, follow the steps in the “Digital signature” section before proceeding with step 4.

1. Close all the running programs.
2. If on a network or have a full-time connection to the Internet, disconnect the computer from the network and the Internet.
3. If running Windows Me or XP, turn off System Restore. For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore

How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

1. Locate the file that just downloaded.
2. Double-click the D.exe file to start the removal tool.
3. Click Start to begin the process, and then allow the tool to run.

When the tool has finished running, then will see a message indicating whether the threat has infected the computer. The tool displays results similar to the following:

• Total number of the scanned files
• Number of deleted files
• Number of repaired files
• Number of terminated viral processes
• Number of fixed registry entries

What the tool does
The Removal Tool does the following:

• Terminates the associated processes
• Deletes the associated files
• Deletes the registry values added by the threat

US-CERT encourages users to take the following preventative measures to help prevent a Conficker/Downadup infection:

• Ensure all systems have the MS08-067 (link is external) patch.
• Disable AutoRun functionality. See US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-020A.
• Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
• Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open unsolicited email messages.
• Use caution when visiting untrusted websites.
• Use caution when downloading and installing applications.
• Obtain software applications and updates directly from the vendor’s website.
• Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks document for more information on social engineering attacks.

Technical Brief Description:

Android package file
The Trojan may arrive as a package with the following characteristics:

Package name: app.rewards.amazon.com.amazonrewards
Version: 1.0
Name: Amazon Rewards

Permissions
When the Trojan is being installed, it requests permissions to perform the following actions:

• Send SMS messages
• Read user’s contacts data
• Open network connections
• Access information about networks

The worm then displays the following website on the compromised device’s default Web browser:

• [http://]188.122.91.51/amazon/inde[REMOVED]

Recommendations Solution :

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

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