Security Bulletin 9429 DISA Defense Communications System December 7, 1994 Published by: DDN Security Coordination Center (SCC@NIC.DDN.MIL) 1-(800) 365-3642 DEFENSE DATA NETWORK SECURITY BULLETIN The DDN SECURITY BULLETIN is distributed by the DDN SCC (Security Coordination Center) under DISA contract as a means of communicating information on network and host security exposures, fixes, and concerns to security and management personnel at DDN facilities. Back issues may be obtained via FTP (or Kermit) from NIC.DDN.MIL [192.112.36.5] using login="anonymous" and password="guest". The bulletin pathname is scc/ddn-security-yynn (where "yy" is the year the bulletin is issued and "nn" is a bulletin number, e.g. scc/ddn-security-9428). ************************************************************************** + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + ! ! ! The following important advisory was issued by the Automated ! ! Systems Security Incident Support Team (ASSIST) and is being ! ! relayed unedited via the Defense Information Systems Agency's ! ! Security Coordination Center distribution system as a means ! ! of providing DDN subscribers with useful security information. ! ! ! + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Automated Systems Security Incident Support Team _____ ___ ___ _____ ___ _____ | / /\ / \ / \ | / \ | | / Integritas / \ \___ \___ | \___ | | < et /____\ \ \ | \ | | \ Celeritas / \ \___/ \___/ __|__ \___/ | |_____\ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bulletin 94-35 Release date: 6 December 1994, 6:55 AM EST SUBJECT: Some Department of Defense (DoD) Laptop systems sold by IDP corporation to the DoD are infected with the Monkey virus. SUMMARY: The virus strains known as 'Monkey' Virus also known as Monkey-1, Monkey-2, and Monkey-B' viruses infects the Master Boot Record (MBR) on hard disks and DOS Boot Record on floppy diskettes. A significant number of laptop systems sold via Navy contract, "lapheld2", contract number: N66032-92-D-0002 are infected with the Monkey virus. Systems identified within the following lots may be infected. Make Model Serial Number --------------------------------------- DGI 486DX/33 ND31007 to ND310641 DGI 486SLC NX31180 to NX57091 BACKGROUND: The Monkey Virus was first discovered in Edmonton, Canada, in 1991. The Monkey is a distant relative of Stoned and is a stealth type virus. The Monkey virus infects the Master Boot Record of hard disk and the DOS boot record on diskettes. The virus does not let the original partition table remain in its assigned place, instead it is relocated to the third sector and encrypted, and replaces it with its own code. If the system is booted from a diskette the hard drive is inaccessible and a DOS error message of 'Invalid drive specification' is generated. If the system is booted from the hard disk the virus is first executed then the system may be accessed normally. Thus the virus is difficult to detect. The virus is also a memory resident infector. Once the virus becomes memory resident, all non-write protected diskettes will be infected if accessed by the system. The Monkey virus easily infects both the hard disk and diskettes within a system. Once infected the system requires total removal of the virus to correct the condition. The removal of the virus may render the MBR as unrecoverable. IMPACT: The encryption and relocation of the MBR on Hard Disks and the DOS Boot Record on floppy diskettes by the virus increases the potential for partial and possible total loss of all data stored on both types of media. RECOMMENDED SOLUTION: If a laptop is found that has a serial number identified above, contact the contracting office through which the system was procured for additional direction from the contracts office. This may include replacement by the contractor and/or other actions as defined by the contracting office. It is possible to detect and remove the virus with the standard antivirus products including the IBM Antivirus product site licensed to the DoD and available from ASSIST. It is highly recommended that all systems identified to be within these lots not be utilized until the contracting office is contacted to obtain proper direction. If a system is found to be infected, all diskettes that have come in contact with the infected system must be checked. Please contact the ASSIST center if a system is found to be infected and/or returned to the vendor for correction. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ASSIST is an element of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Center for Information Systems Security (CISS), that provides service to the entire DoD community. Constituents of the DoD with questions about ASSIST or computer security security issues, can contact ASSIST using one of the methods listed below. Non-DoD organizations/institutions, contact the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) representative. To obtain a list of FIRST member organizations and their constituencies send an email to docserver@first.org with an empty "subject" line and a message body containing the line "send first-contacts". ASSIST Information Resources: To be included in the distribution list for the ASSIST bulletins, send your Milnet (Internet) e-mail address to assist-request@assist.mil. Back issues of ASSIST bulletins, and other security related information, are available from the ASSIST BBS at 703-756-7993/1154 DSN 289-7993/1154, and through anonymous FTP from assist.mil (IP address 199.211.123.11). Note: assist.mil will only accept anonymous FTP connections from Milnet addresses that are registered with the NIC or DNS. ASSIST Contact Information: PHONE: 800-357-4231 (or 703-756-7974 DSN 289), duty hours are 06:00 to 22:30 EST (GMT -5) Monday through Friday. During off duty hours, weekends and holidays, ASSIST can be reached via pager at 800-791- 4857. The page will be answered within 30 minutes, however if a quicker response is required, prefix the phone number with "999". ELECTRONIC MAIL: Send to assist@assist.mil. ASSIST BBS: Leave a message for the "sysop". Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by ASSIST. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. **************************************************************************** * * * The point of contact for MILNET security-related incidents is the * * Security Coordination Center (SCC). * * * * E-mail address: SCC@NIC.DDN.MIL * * * * Telephone: 1-(800)-365-3642 * * * * NIC Help Desk personnel are available from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. EST, * * Monday through Friday except on federal holidays. * * * **************************************************************************** PLEASE NOTE: Some users outside of the DOD computing communities may receive DDN Security bulletins. If you are not part of the DOD community, please contact your agency's incident response team to report incidents. Your agency's team will coordinate with DOD. The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) is a world-wide organization. A list of FIRST member organizations and their constituencies can be obtained by sending email to docserver@first.org with an empty subject line and a message body containing the line: send first-contacts. This document was prepared as an service to the DOD community. Neither the United States Government 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. The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.