Virus Encyclopedia
Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.
Autorun.INF | |
Threat Level Damage Distribution |
At a glance
 |
| Common name: | Autorun.INF |
| Technical name: | W32/Autorun.INF.worm |
| Threat level: | Medium |
| Type: | Worm |
| Effects: |
It spreads and affects other computers.
It spreads
, via mapped drives, through shared network resources, by infecting files that are then distributed.
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| Affected platforms:
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Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95 |
| First detected on: | Feb. 4, 2009 |
| Detection updated on: | Sept. 21, 2009 |
| Statistics | No |
Brief Description | |
Autorun.INF is a worm that spreads by copying itself, without infecting other files. Autorun.INF 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 (mapped drives): it creates copies of itself in mapped drives.
- Computer networks (shared resources): it creates copies of itself in shared network resources to which it has access.
- File infection: it infects different types of files, which are then distributed through any of the usual means: floppy disks, email messages with attachments, Internet download, files transferred via FTP, IRC channels, P2P file sharing networks, etc.
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Tech details
Effects |
| The main objective of Autorun.INF is to spread and affect other computers. |
Means of transmission
Propagation via mapped drives:
Autorun.INF checks if the infected computer is connected to a network.
If so, it makes an inventory of all mapped drives and creates a copy of itself in each of them.
Propagation through shared network resources:
Autorun.INF checks if the infected computer is connected to a network. If so, it tries to spread to the shared network drives.
To do this, it tries to gain access to these shared drives, using typical or easily guessed passwords.
Distribution of infected files:
Autorun.INF does not spread automatically using its own means, but infects files of the following types:
They reach computers when previously infected files are distributed, entering computers through any of the usual channels: floppy disks, email messages with attachments, Internet download, files transferred via FTP, IRC channels, P2P file sharing networks, etc.
Further Details
Autorun.INF has the following additional characteristics:
