Content

Tribute.A;B

Type
Virus
SubType
Macro
Discovery Date
03/01/1998
Length
Not Applicable
Minimum DAT
4002 (12/02/1998)
Updated DAT
4002 (12/02/1998)
Minimum Engine
5.1.00
Description Added
03/15/1998
Description Modified
03/15/1998 12:00 AM (PT)
Risk Assessment
Corporate User
Low
Home User
Low

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Characteristics

This virus propagates by infecting Word Documents in Microsoft WORD Versions 6.x / 7.x on Windows and Macintosh platforms. The virus consists of the macro(s):

AUTOCLOSE, AUTOOPEN, FILETEMPLATES, HELPABOUT, LADYDI, TOOLSMACRO, TOOLSOPTIONS, TOOLSCUSTOMIZE, TRIBUTE

in an infected document. All macros are encrypted using the standard Word execute-only feature. This means that the user is unable to edit or view the macro code.

Symptoms

The main payload is activated on any 30th or 31st when any one of the above macros except AUTOOPEN is triggered. This brings up a MessageBox with the lyrics to "Goodbye England's Rose." If it is the 15th or 16th a MessageBox like

-SLAM VIRUS TEAMX

(c) 1997 Kid Chaos Production


OK

is displayed.
If it is the 1st or 19th a MessageBox like

-DIANA TRIBUTEX

press any key to continue...


OK

is displayed. The HELPABOUT macro also displays a MessageBox with the title Micro$uck Word.

Method of Infection

General Macro Virus Information

Removal

All Users :
Script,Batch,Macro and non memory-resident:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

PE,Trojan,Internet Worm and memory resident :
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection. To remove, boot to MS-DOS mode or use a boot diskette and use the command line scanner:

SCANPM /ADL /CLEAN /ALL

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations


Users should not trust file icons, particularly when receiving files from others via P2P clients, IRC, email or other mediums where users can share files.

AVERT Recommended Updates :

* Office2000 Updates

* Malformed Word Document Could Enable Macro to Run Automatically (Information/Patch )

* scriptlet.typelib/Eyedog vulnerability patch

* Outlook as an email attachment security update

* Exchange 5.5 post SP3 Information Store Patch 5.5.2652.42 - this patch corrects detection issues with GroupShield

For a list of attachments blocked by the Outlook patch and a general FAQ, visit this link .
Additionally, Network Administrators can configure this update using an available tool - visit this link for more information .

It is very common for macro viruses to disable options within Office applications for example in Word, the macro protection warning commonly is disabled. After cleaning macro viruses, ensure that your previously set options are again enabled.

Variants

Variants

  • Tribute.A
  • Tribute.B

All Information

Overview -

This is a virus detection. Viruses are programs that self-replicate recursively, meaning that infected systems spread the virus to other systems, which then propagate the virus further. While many viruses contain a destructive payload, it's quite common for viruses to do nothing more than spread from one system to another.

Aliases

  • Ladydi

Characteristics

Characteristics -

This virus propagates by infecting Word Documents in Microsoft WORD Versions 6.x / 7.x on Windows and Macintosh platforms. The virus consists of the macro(s):

AUTOCLOSE, AUTOOPEN, FILETEMPLATES, HELPABOUT, LADYDI, TOOLSMACRO, TOOLSOPTIONS, TOOLSCUSTOMIZE, TRIBUTE

in an infected document. All macros are encrypted using the standard Word execute-only feature. This means that the user is unable to edit or view the macro code.

Symptoms

Symptoms -

The main payload is activated on any 30th or 31st when any one of the above macros except AUTOOPEN is triggered. This brings up a MessageBox with the lyrics to "Goodbye England's Rose." If it is the 15th or 16th a MessageBox like

-SLAM VIRUS TEAMX

(c) 1997 Kid Chaos Production


OK

is displayed.
If it is the 1st or 19th a MessageBox like

-DIANA TRIBUTEX

press any key to continue...


OK

is displayed. The HELPABOUT macro also displays a MessageBox with the title Micro$uck Word.

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

General Macro Virus Information

Removal -

Removal -

All Users :
Script,Batch,Macro and non memory-resident:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

PE,Trojan,Internet Worm and memory resident :
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection. To remove, boot to MS-DOS mode or use a boot diskette and use the command line scanner:

SCANPM /ADL /CLEAN /ALL

Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations


Users should not trust file icons, particularly when receiving files from others via P2P clients, IRC, email or other mediums where users can share files.

AVERT Recommended Updates :

* Office2000 Updates

* Malformed Word Document Could Enable Macro to Run Automatically (Information/Patch )

* scriptlet.typelib/Eyedog vulnerability patch

* Outlook as an email attachment security update

* Exchange 5.5 post SP3 Information Store Patch 5.5.2652.42 - this patch corrects detection issues with GroupShield

For a list of attachments blocked by the Outlook patch and a general FAQ, visit this link .
Additionally, Network Administrators can configure this update using an available tool - visit this link for more information .

It is very common for macro viruses to disable options within Office applications for example in Word, the macro protection warning commonly is disabled. After cleaning macro viruses, ensure that your previously set options are again enabled.

Variants

Variants -

  • Tribute.A
  • Tribute.B