CIAC B-07

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The Computer Incident Advisory

 · 28 Dec 2019

  

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             The Computer Incident Advisory Capability 
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                         Information Bulletin                       

                             BITNET Worm 

November 5, 1990, 0800 PST                                  Number B-7 

PROBLEM:  Self-replicating code (worm) on external BITNET RSCS systems 
PLATFORM: IBM VM/CMS  
DAMAGE: May flood the mail queue of the infected computers 
IMMUNIZATION:  RSCS filter program available from IBM at no cost 
                      Critical BITNET Worm Facts 

CIAC has been informed of a slow spreading worm on the external BITNET* 
network that has affected IBM mainframe systems running the VM/CMS 
operating system and the RSCS communications utility.   Preliminary 
reports indicate that this worm was first detected in late October, and 
that it spread for approximately one day.  The worm does not appear to 
be spreading at this time, and we are aware of fewer than a dozen 
systems penetrated by this worm so far.  This worm is readily 
identified by its characteristics and poor coding style.  This bulletin 
is to advise you that this worm may be released again sometime in the 
future, possibly once the many coding errors that prevented a wider 
spread are corrected.   This bulletin is also to inform you about a 
filter program available from IBM to prevent against this and similar 
security threats. 

CHARACTERISTICS 

The worm was initially named "TERM MODULE" and consisted of a REXX 
program that displayed user nicknames on the user's screen.  It was 
apparently modified to additionally perform the following functions: 

a.  It attempts to copy itself to all users listed in the NAMES file of 
the user executing the code.  Due to programming errors, this will be 
effective for only about 50% of the user names. 

b.  It sends a copy of the "ALL NOTEBOOK" back to the user.  This is 
not necessarily harmful, but may fill up spool space on the affected 
machine. 

DETECTION 

The worm is easily identified when it is run by displaying a 
"pretty-printed" copy of the names file to the user's display 
terminal.  (There is an IBM function designed to print a copy of a 
user's names file in a more easily readable format, a "pretty-printed" 
format.)  Since the IBM TERM command does not include this 
functionality, this will be an easily identified anomaly.  In addition, 
it must be EXECUTED by the user in order to replicate, specifically, 
the user must must receive the worm file from the reader application 
and then either type the command "EXEC TERM" or accidently execute the 
code from the CP TERMINAL command. 

COUNTERMEASURES 

Sites running VM/CMS should install and use the RSCS filter program 
(available free from IBM).  This filter program is called the selective 
file filter, and was announced in the IBM VM Software Newsletter (WSC 
Flash 9013).  Contact your local IBM representative for details.  This 
program can scan for file names or file types, then place them into the 
punch queue for later identification and analysis.  As a minimum level 
of protection, all files with the name and type of "TERM MODULE" 
should be examined prior to receipt by the user.  Sites which do not 
routinely transmit compiled REXX code may wish to wildcard the filename 
and scan for all files with a filetype of MODULE.  This may help to 
protect against future versions of the worm that might have a different 
file name. 

It is EXTREMELY DOUBTFUL that the worm could execute on an MVS system. 
Therefore, sites running the MVS operating system should not be 
affected, even if they support the REXX language.  These sites, 
however, may begin seeing copies of the worm (which should not execute) 
if MVS users routinely receive files from affected machines. 

We recommend that you also notify users that they should not receive 
and execute any program without first browsing it or discussing its 
operation with the sender.  The VM/CMS reader is designed to prevent 
problems associated with executing unfamiliar programs, and should be 
used for this purpose.  If you receive an unknown file with a filetype 
of EXEC or MODULE,  immediately contact your computer security officer 
for information and assistance.  Please also notify CIAC, as we wish to 
track any spread of this worm. 

For additional information or assistance, please contact CIAC 

        Thomas A. Longstaff 
        (415) 423-4416 or (FTS) 543-4416 

        or call (415) 422-8193 or (FTS) 532-8193 

        send FAX messages to:  (415) 423-0913 or (FTS) 543-0913 
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 * BITNET is a communications network among universities and industries  
around the world. 

Jim Molini of Computer Sciences Corporation supplied much of the 
information contained in this bulletin.  Neither the United States 
Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, 
makes any warranty,  expressed or implied, or assumes any legal 
liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or 
usefulness of any information, product, or process disclosed, or 
represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. 
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or 
service by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or otherwise, does not 
necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or 
favoring by the United States Government or the University of 
California.  The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not 
necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government nor 
the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or 
product endorsement purposes.