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.

Characteristics

Matura is a file infecting virus. It does not become memory resident. It infects .COM files, including COMMAND.COM.

Each time an infected file is executed, the Matura virus infects one .COM file on the current drive, and one file on the C: drive.

It is not known what Matura does when it activates, but it does contain some destructive code.

Additional Comments:
The Matura virus was submitted in December, 1992. Its origin or point of isolation is unknown. Matura is a non-resident, direct action infector of .COM programs, including COMMAND.COM. When a program infected with the Matura virus is executed, the Matura virus will infect one .COM program on the current drive, and one program on the C: drive. Infected programs will have a file length increase of 549 bytes with the virus being located at the end of the file. The program's date and time in the DOS disk directory listing will not be altered. The following text string can be found in all Matura infected programs: "c:*.com" It is unknown what Matura does when it activates, but it does contain some destructive code. Known variant(s) of Matura are:

Symptoms

The following text string is found in all Matura infected files:

"c:*.com"

Infected files have a file length increase of 549 bytes. The virus is located at the end of the file. The file's date and time in the DOS disk directory listing is not altered.

Method of Infection

The only way to infect a computer with a file infecting virus is to execute an infected file on the computer. The infected file may come from a multitude of sources including: floppy diskettes, downloads through an online service, network, etc. Once the infected file is executed, the virus may activate.

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

• Matura92

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.

Characteristics

Characteristics -

Matura is a file infecting virus. It does not become memory resident. It infects .COM files, including COMMAND.COM.

Each time an infected file is executed, the Matura virus infects one .COM file on the current drive, and one file on the C: drive.

It is not known what Matura does when it activates, but it does contain some destructive code.

Additional Comments:
The Matura virus was submitted in December, 1992. Its origin or point of isolation is unknown. Matura is a non-resident, direct action infector of .COM programs, including COMMAND.COM. When a program infected with the Matura virus is executed, the Matura virus will infect one .COM program on the current drive, and one program on the C: drive. Infected programs will have a file length increase of 549 bytes with the virus being located at the end of the file. The program's date and time in the DOS disk directory listing will not be altered. The following text string can be found in all Matura infected programs: "c:*.com" It is unknown what Matura does when it activates, but it does contain some destructive code. Known variant(s) of Matura are:

Symptoms

Symptoms -

The following text string is found in all Matura infected files:

"c:*.com"

Infected files have a file length increase of 549 bytes. The virus is located at the end of the file. The file's date and time in the DOS disk directory listing is not altered.

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

The only way to infect a computer with a file infecting virus is to execute an infected file on the computer. The infected file may come from a multitude of sources including: floppy diskettes, downloads through an online service, network, etc. Once the infected file is executed, the virus may activate.

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 -

• Matura92