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Discovered: December 3, 2006
Updated: December 4, 2006 02:24:01 PM ZE9
Also Known As: JS_QSPACE.A [Trend Micro]
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Other


JS.Qspace is a JavaScript based worm that exploits an XSS vulnerability in the MySpace Web service. It also attempts to steal MySpace user credentials and modifies MySpace users profile in order to spread.


Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Daily) December 3, 2006
• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) December 6, 2006
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) December 3, 2006
• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Plus) December 4, 2006

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low
• Payload: Attempts to steal credentials from MySpace users.

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium
• Target of Infection: Expliots a vulnerability on the MySpace Web site in order to spread.

JS.Qspace spreads when a user views a QuickTime Movie file that contains a malicious script. The following happens:

1. The MySpace vulnerability is a cross site scripting injection vulnerability that is exploited when the file piAF2iuswo.mov is viewed.
2. This file is a blank movie that contains a script that executes the following malicious JavaScript file:
   
   [http://]almobty.com/[REMOVED]/js.js
3. The JavaScript redirects the user to the following phishing page:
   
   [http://]almobty.com/[REMOVED]/login.html
   
   
   
   
   This page attempts to steal MySpace credentials by asking users for email address and password.
4. The JavaScript attempts to edit the MySpace profile of the user by adding hyperlinks that point to the phishing Web page in different sections of the profile.
5. The MySpace header bar is replaced with one that looks the same but each link in the header bar is modified to redirect the user to the following phishing page:
   
   [http://]almobty.com/[REMOVED]/login.html
6. The Movie section of the MySpace profile is replaced with an EMBED tag which downloads and executes the malicious QuickTime Movie file from the following URL:
   
   [http://]almobty.com/[REMOVED]/piAF2iuswo.mov
7. Once a user profile is infected, the JavaScript will attempt to contact other MySpace users by sending one of the following messages:
   • what else is there to do on a Sunday.?.......
   • You better not forget about this..
   • Hehe that was so funny..
   • better see this one last time lol..
   • omg did you see this last nite..
   • whos coming to the party tonight.?..
8. The message contains an image and a link to the malicious QuickTime Movie file, presently reported to be hosting on one of the following domains:
   
   [http://]almobty.com
   [http://]www.cake.fi

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
• If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

Removal
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

• How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
• How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions:
  • If you use Norton AntiVirus 2006, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0, or newer products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated daily. These products include newer technology.
  • If you use Norton AntiVirus 2005, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 9.0, or earlier products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated weekly. The exception is major outbreaks, when definitions are updated more often.
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

3. To run a full system scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
   • For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
   • For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.

Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode.