Polyglot worm spreads through MSN
Worm changes language to target wide audience.
A new worm has been discovered that spreads through MSN Messenger. Once active, the worm opens random
TCP ports to connect to an IRC server and then uses this connection to open a backdoor on the affected machine,
allowing an attacker to issue commands locally.
The worm, which researchers at Trend Micro have named WORM_IRCBOT.SN, spreads by sending MSN users
a link to a malicious site that downloads a copy of worm. The link is sent with messages that suggest the website
contains pictures, either of the sender or of the recipient - for example
"do I look dumb in this picture? I want to put it on myspace".
Interestingly, the messages used change
depending on the language settings of the operating system, something which will certainly help the malware to
spread more easily.
More can be found at Trend Micro here.
24 January 2008
Tags:
msn, trend micro, worm.
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