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

This threat is detected as X97M/Pathetic. The virus contains one module - Basilisk. On opening the infected workbook, the virus disables the Esc key. The virus saves itself as book1.xls in Xlstart folder and also exports its code to C:\Draco. The virus then edits c:\autoexec.bat and inserts message @echo T'as été mordu par... Le bec du Saumon " Application.UserName". In the month of May, the virus will close the active workbook.

Symptoms

The presence of the file C:\Draco. This file is not infected. The following message present in C:\autoexec.bat - @echo T'as été mordu par... Le bec du Saumon " Application.UserName". Active workbooks are closed in the month of May.

Method of Infection

Opening an infected workbook will create the infected book1.xls file to the XLSTART folder and further infect workbooks used on the system.

Removal

Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

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.

AVERT Recommended Updates:

* Office 2000 updates

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

Variants

Variants

N/A

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 -

This threat is detected as X97M/Pathetic. The virus contains one module - Basilisk. On opening the infected workbook, the virus disables the Esc key. The virus saves itself as book1.xls in Xlstart folder and also exports its code to C:\Draco. The virus then edits c:\autoexec.bat and inserts message @echo T'as été mordu par... Le bec du Saumon " Application.UserName". In the month of May, the virus will close the active workbook.

Symptoms

Symptoms -

The presence of the file C:\Draco. This file is not infected. The following message present in C:\autoexec.bat - @echo T'as été mordu par... Le bec du Saumon " Application.UserName". Active workbooks are closed in the month of May.

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

Opening an infected workbook will create the infected book1.xls file to the XLSTART folder and further infect workbooks used on the system.

Removal -

Removal -

Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

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.

AVERT Recommended Updates:

* Office 2000 updates

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

Variants

Variants -

N/A