Threat Descriptions

Cool

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

-

Platform :

-

Aliases :

Cool, Trojan.Cool, Trojan.AOL.Cool, Mine, Trojan/Mine

Summary

Trojan.AOL.Cool is a trojan that affects AOL client software and steals information from AOL users. Also according to reports it can spread itself to other AOL users (we can't confirm that so far).

Removal

Disinfection requires all 3 trojan files to be deleted. As one of these files is locked when Windows is active, it should be deleted from DOS. The WIN.INI file should be modified to remove the trojan's execution string after 'RUN=' tag. Read-only attribute has to be removed from the file before modification.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

The trojan usually arrives in email message with a subject 'Hey You' and MINE.EXE file attached. When that attachment is run, the trojan installs itself 3 times (all its files have hidden attributes): 

c:\msdos98.exe
\Windows\uninstallms.exe
\Windows\System\mine.exe

The trojan modifies 'RUN=' tag in WIN.INI file to run one of its copies each time Windows starts. The trojan adds a lot of spaces to its execution string in WIN.INI to hide its name from being viewed in a text viewer/editor when text lines are not wrapped. Also the trojan sets readonly attribute to WIN.INI file.

[Alexey Podrezov, F-Secure Corp.; January 2001]