McAfee > Theat Center > Virus Detail Page

Overview

This is a virus detection. Viruses are programs that self-replicate recursively, meaning that infected systems spread the virus to other systems, which then propagate the virus further. While many viruses contain a destructive payload, it's quite common for viruses to do nothing more than spread from one system to another.

Aliases

• Armagidon

• W97M/Armagidon.a

Characteristics

This is a class module virus for Word 97 documents. It is able to replicate under the SR-1 and above release of Word 97. It will turn off the macro warning feature of Word 97. This virus consists of a single module within the class stream named "ThisDocument". This virus creates a temporary text file which contains the virus code in a file named "armagidon.bas". This file is removed once the virus transfers its code to the host global template NORMAL.DOT file. The virus will also disable Tools/Macro and Tools/View Visual Basic editor.

This virus has a date activated payload. If the date is May 8th, hex code embedded within the virus source is written to the local machine and then used as a debug script to create a file as "c:\windows\cursors\help.cur" as a replacement cursor for the normal "select" mouse cursor. The effect will take place if documents are created on this day but the cursor change will not take place until the next logon or Windows restart.

The system registry is also updated to reflect the change of mouse cursor. Users can restore to the normal mouse cursor by exiting Word and correcting by running the icon for the Mouse control.

Symptoms

Existence of file HELP.CUR as mentioned above, macro warning when opening infected documents on non-infected system.

Method of Infection

Opening infected documents will directly infect the local Word environment and any document used thereafter.

Removal

All Users :
Script,Batch,Macro and non memory-resident:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

PE,Trojan,Internet Worm and memory resident :
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection. To remove, boot to MS-DOS mode or use a boot diskette and use the command line scanner:

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Users should not trust file icons, particularly when receiving files from others via P2P clients, IRC, email or other mediums where users can share files.

AVERT Recommended Updates :

* Office2000 Updates

* Malformed Word Document Could Enable Macro to Run Automatically (Information/Patch )

* scriptlet.typelib/Eyedog vulnerability patch

* Outlook as an email attachment security update

* Exchange 5.5 post SP3 Information Store Patch 5.5.2652.42 - this patch corrects detection issues with GroupShield

For a list of attachments blocked by the Outlook patch and a general FAQ, visit this link .
Additionally, Network Administrators can configure this update using an available tool - visit this link for more information .

It is very common for macro viruses to disable options within Office applications for example in Word, the macro protection warning commonly is disabled. After cleaning macro viruses, ensure that your previously set options are again enabled.

Variants

Variants

• W97M/Armagid.b

All Information

Overview -

This is a virus detection. Viruses are programs that self-replicate recursively, meaning that infected systems spread the virus to other systems, which then propagate the virus further. While many viruses contain a destructive payload, it's quite common for viruses to do nothing more than spread from one system to another.

Aliases

• Armagidon

• W97M/Armagidon.a

Characteristics

Characteristics -

This is a class module virus for Word 97 documents. It is able to replicate under the SR-1 and above release of Word 97. It will turn off the macro warning feature of Word 97. This virus consists of a single module within the class stream named "ThisDocument". This virus creates a temporary text file which contains the virus code in a file named "armagidon.bas". This file is removed once the virus transfers its code to the host global template NORMAL.DOT file. The virus will also disable Tools/Macro and Tools/View Visual Basic editor.

This virus has a date activated payload. If the date is May 8th, hex code embedded within the virus source is written to the local machine and then used as a debug script to create a file as "c:\windows\cursors\help.cur" as a replacement cursor for the normal "select" mouse cursor. The effect will take place if documents are created on this day but the cursor change will not take place until the next logon or Windows restart.

The system registry is also updated to reflect the change of mouse cursor. Users can restore to the normal mouse cursor by exiting Word and correcting by running the icon for the Mouse control.

Symptoms

Symptoms -

Existence of file HELP.CUR as mentioned above, macro warning when opening infected documents on non-infected system.

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

Opening infected documents will directly infect the local Word environment and any document used thereafter.

Removal -

Removal -

All Users :
Script,Batch,Macro and non memory-resident:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

PE,Trojan,Internet Worm and memory resident :
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection. To remove, boot to MS-DOS mode or use a boot diskette and use the command line scanner:

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations

Users should not trust file icons, particularly when receiving files from others via P2P clients, IRC, email or other mediums where users can share files.

AVERT Recommended Updates :

* Office2000 Updates

* Malformed Word Document Could Enable Macro to Run Automatically (Information/Patch )

* scriptlet.typelib/Eyedog vulnerability patch

* Outlook as an email attachment security update

* Exchange 5.5 post SP3 Information Store Patch 5.5.2652.42 - this patch corrects detection issues with GroupShield

For a list of attachments blocked by the Outlook patch and a general FAQ, visit this link .
Additionally, Network Administrators can configure this update using an available tool - visit this link for more information .

It is very common for macro viruses to disable options within Office applications for example in Word, the macro protection warning commonly is disabled. After cleaning macro viruses, ensure that your previously set options are again enabled.

Variants

Variants -

• W97M/Armagid.b