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

• 1028

• QP3

Characteristics

Dark_Avenger.1028 is a memory resident, file infecting virus. It infects .COM and .EXE files, including COMMAND.COM.

Upon infection, Dark_Avenger.1028 becomes memory resident at the top of system memory, but below the 640K DOS boundary. Interrupts 1C and 21 are hooked by the virus.

Once memory resident, Dark_Avenger.1028 infects .COM and .EXE files as they are executed. Unlike Dark Avenger, it does not infect files as they are opened.

It is not known what Dark_Avenger.1028 does besides replicate.

Additional Comments:
The QP3 virus was received in August, 1991. Its origin or original point of isolation is unknown. QP3 is a memory resident infector of .COM and .EXE files, including COMMAND.COM. It is based on the Dark Avenger virus. The first time a program infected with QP3 is executed, QP3 will install itself memory resident at the top of system memory, but below the 640K DOS boundary. Total system and available free memory, as measured by the DOS CHKDSK program, will decrease by 1,104 bytes. Interrupts 1C and 21 will be hooked by the virus. Once memory resident, QP3 will infect .COM and .EXE programs when they are executed. If COMMAND.COM is executed, it will become infected. Unlike Dark Avenger, it does not infect programs when they are opened. Infected .COM files increase in size by 1,028 bytes. Infected .EXE programs increase in size by 1,031 to 1,042 bytes. In both cases, there will be no change to the file date/time in the disk directory. The virus will be located at the end of the infected file. The QP3 virus code contains one text string which can be viewed in infected programs: "QP3". It is unknown what QP3 does besides replicate.

Symptoms

The Dark_Avenger.1028 virus code contains one text string which can be viewed in infected files:

"QP3".

Total system and available free memory decreases by 1,024 bytes. Infected .COM files increase in size by 1,028 bytes. Infected .EXE files increase in size by 1,028 - 1,042 bytes. In both cases, there is no change to the file date/time in the disk directory. The virus is located at the end of the infected file.

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

• Dark_Avenger.1800.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.

Aliases

• 1028

• QP3

Characteristics

Characteristics -

Dark_Avenger.1028 is a memory resident, file infecting virus. It infects .COM and .EXE files, including COMMAND.COM.

Upon infection, Dark_Avenger.1028 becomes memory resident at the top of system memory, but below the 640K DOS boundary. Interrupts 1C and 21 are hooked by the virus.

Once memory resident, Dark_Avenger.1028 infects .COM and .EXE files as they are executed. Unlike Dark Avenger, it does not infect files as they are opened.

It is not known what Dark_Avenger.1028 does besides replicate.

Additional Comments:
The QP3 virus was received in August, 1991. Its origin or original point of isolation is unknown. QP3 is a memory resident infector of .COM and .EXE files, including COMMAND.COM. It is based on the Dark Avenger virus. The first time a program infected with QP3 is executed, QP3 will install itself memory resident at the top of system memory, but below the 640K DOS boundary. Total system and available free memory, as measured by the DOS CHKDSK program, will decrease by 1,104 bytes. Interrupts 1C and 21 will be hooked by the virus. Once memory resident, QP3 will infect .COM and .EXE programs when they are executed. If COMMAND.COM is executed, it will become infected. Unlike Dark Avenger, it does not infect programs when they are opened. Infected .COM files increase in size by 1,028 bytes. Infected .EXE programs increase in size by 1,031 to 1,042 bytes. In both cases, there will be no change to the file date/time in the disk directory. The virus will be located at the end of the infected file. The QP3 virus code contains one text string which can be viewed in infected programs: "QP3". It is unknown what QP3 does besides replicate.

Symptoms

Symptoms -

The Dark_Avenger.1028 virus code contains one text string which can be viewed in infected files:

"QP3".

Total system and available free memory decreases by 1,024 bytes. Infected .COM files increase in size by 1,028 bytes. Infected .EXE files increase in size by 1,028 - 1,042 bytes. In both cases, there is no change to the file date/time in the disk directory. The virus is located at the end of the infected file.

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 -

• Dark_Avenger.1800.A