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

Sdbot.LJW is a worm that spreads by copying itself, without infecting other files.

It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy: passwords saved by certain Windows services.

It sends the gathered information to a remote user by any available means: email, FTP, etc.

It reduces the security level of the computer: it listens on open ports in order to control the computer remotely; it awaits remote-control orders received through IRC.

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

• It terminates processes corresponding to several security tools, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, to prevent detection.

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

• It terminates its own execution if it detects that it is being executed in a virtual machine environment, such as VMWare or VirtualPC.

Sdbot.LJW 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.
• Computer networks (shared resources): it creates copies of itself in shared network resources to which it has access.