Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

MSNPhoto.G is a worm that spreads by copying itself, without infecting other files.

It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user:

• It uses several third-party rootkits to hide the items it introduces on the affected computer.

It uses several methods in order to avoid detection by antivirus companies:

• It prevents scanning tools from running, such as Windows Registry Editor, FileMonitor, etc.
• Its code is encrypted and it is only decrypted when it is going to run. Because of this, its code is not legible through a memory dump.
• It terminates its own execution if it detects that a debugging program is active.

MSNPhoto.G uses the following propagation or distribution methods:

• Exploiting vulnerabilities with the intervention of the user: exploiting vulnerabilities in file formats or applications. To exploit them successfully it needs the intervention of the user: opening files, viewing malicious web pages, reading emails, etc.
• Instant messaging: it sends links pointing to a copy of itself to all users included in the infected user's contacts list.