Trojan:W32/Waledac.gen

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Trojan

Aliases :

Trojan:W32/Waledac.gen, Trojan:W32/Waledac, Packed:W32/Waledac

Summary

Trojan:W32/Waledac.gen is a generic detection of variants in the Trojan:W32/Waledac family.

Security programs use generic detections that look for broad patterns of code or behavior to identify similar programs or files. If you suspect the file was incorrectly detected, go to: Removal: Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?.

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

The following details are general characteristics applicable to many, but not all, variants in the Waledac family.

Propagation

Waledac spreads in an email attachment. Social engineering tricks are used to tempt the victim. Waledac spam frequently uses holidays and news headlines. For example, a fake Barack Obama websites was used as bait during the US 2008 Presidential Elections. Obama spam was also used during the US Presidential Inauguration.

Activity

Waledac is capable of receiving commands from a remote server. Commands include instructions on functions to perform (for example, update malware components or send information from the infected computer).Samples analyzed in the lab also downloaded Rogue antispyware applications. Waledac variants use lists of hardcoded IP addresses to determine where it sends harvested data. More recent variants can also update their lists from the remote command server.

Packers

The packers used by Waledac are different depending on the variant. Cryptor is being used as of January, 2009.