ColdApe
Summary
This is a Word 97 macro virus which drops a Windows script virus.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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
W97M/ColdApe infects documents when they are closed. The virus uses a new method of replicating: instead of using traditional methods of copying it's macros around, it uses a new technique called "AddFromString". This made the virus undetectable by several heuristic scanners.
If the virus is run under Windows 98 or Windows 2000 (NT 5) or under any Windows version running WSH (Windows Scripting Host), the virus can drop these Windows script files:
A4.VBS to the root directory Happy.VBS to the root directory AVM.VBS to the Windows directory
A4.VBS is not a virus. If this script is executed, it will send an email message using Outlook (if present). The message is directed to a well-known person in the anti-virus industry.
Happy.VBS and AVM.VBS contain the script virus. This appending script virus will infect all .VBS files in these directories:
C:\ C:\WINDOWS C:\WINDOWS\DESKTOP C:\MY DOCUMENTS C:\STARTUP
The script virus is independent of the Word Macro virus and will continue to spread even if the macro virus is disinfected.
Variant:ColdApe.B (Love Monkey)
This variant is polymorphic. This is done by prepending the current user's name, the system date and time to the end of the virus macro.
Otherwise this version is very similar to the original one.
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