Threat Descriptions

Aplore

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

-

Platform :

-

Aliases :

Aplore, Aphex, I-Worm.Aphex, Psec

Summary

Aplore is mass-mailing worm that spreads via Outlook and IRC. The main component is written in Delphi and contains the IRC spreading routines and an embedded web server.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

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

Binary part

When the worm is executed it copies itself to the Windows System Directory as 'explorer.exe'. This copy is linked into the registry to 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Explorer' so it will be started when Windows starts up.

The worm has an IRC engine inside and uses it to connect to a public IRC server. It joins random channels and sends private messages to users who join the channel. It offers a web link that points to the infected machine.

The page on the URL says that the user has to download a plugin to view the content.

The page has a REFRESH tag so in one second it offers the worm file for download.

When the user chooses to run the file it starts and infects the system.

Script part

The spreading routine is in a Visual Basic file email.vbs that the worm drops once the attached file is executed. When the Outlook Application is closed by the worm, the script file is deleted.

The email messages that the worm sends look as follows:

From: infected-user-name



 Subject: .



 Body: .



 Attachment: psecure20x-cgi-install.version6.01.bin.hx.com