New (More) Annoying Microsoft Worm Hits Net

A new worm seems to be running rampant Unlike Code Red, it attempts to hit boxes with many different exploits (including what looks like an attempt to exploit boxes still rooted by Code Red). It looks like each IP tries 16 attempts on its neighbors. There is also a new mail worm mailing WAV files or something with bits of what appears to be the registry... it may or may not be related. Got any words on this? Shut down those windows boxes and stop opening attachments. And make that 21. Got another one while writing this story. All my hits are coming from 208.n.n.n (where I am) I'm sure it'll keep moving to nearby boxes. Update: 09/18 16:40 GMT by J : It now has a name: "Nimda." More info here, here, and here.

Here are examples of the requests it's sending:

GET /scripts/..%%35%63../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir
GET /msadc/..%255c../..%255c../..%255c/..%c1%1c../..%c1%1c../ ..%c1%1c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir
GET /_vti_bin/..%255c../..%255c../..%255c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir

While writing this story I was hit a total of 4 times, 16 GET attempts per attack. In only 4 minutes. Also of interest, My desktop has now been hit about 500 times today, all from 208.x.x.x IPs. This might be really bad. I still haven't read anything about this anywhere else, so you heard it here first ;)

Update Web servers compromised by this worm apparently attach a "readme.eml" to all web pages served... and due to a bug in IE5, it will automatically execute the file! Yay Internet Explorer!

Comments

Time for a class action lawsuit against Microsoft.

[fmaxwell]

Microsoft has cost ISPs, businesses, and end users an incalculable amount of money and frustration and it is all due to their negligence. They were negligent when they created software and technologies that are so easily exploited. They were negligent in their testing of their products. They were negligent in not sending patch CDs through the mail to registered users. If they can send you upgrade offers via the mail, they can send you patch CDs to repair their defective products.

And before anyone starts quoting the Microsoft license, ISPs that run Linux/*BSD/Solaris are being hurt by the traffic, too. They have no license with Microsoft and they've been injured by Microsoft's negligence.

I'd like to see AOL, Earthlink, or some other big ISP take Microsoft's corporate butt to court, demanding compensatory and punitive damages for Microsoft's negligence.