Content
WM/Eraser.A:Tw
- Type
- Virus
- SubType
- Macro
- Discovery Date
- 06/01/1997
- Length
- Not Applicable
- Minimum DAT
- 4002 (12/02/1998)
- Updated DAT
- 4002 (12/02/1998)
- Minimum Engine
- 5.1.00
- Description Added
- 06/15/1997
- Description Modified
- 06/15/1997 12:00 AM (PT)
Tab Navigation
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 these macros:
AUTOOPEN, ERASER, FILENEW, FILEOPEN, GAME, TOOLSMACRO, ZLOCKMACRO
in an infected document. The virus becomes active by using AutoMacros. Its spreading activity remains only in the taiwanese language version of Microsoft Word. However, the virus may be able to execute its payload in another language version.
Symptoms
On an infected system the virus hides the TOOLS|MACRO functionality. Warning: It is important not to use this command, as you will execute the viral code.
If the FILE|NEW command is used and the day is 20 or less, a MessageBox will be displayed that looks like a calculator. There is an input area to type in an answer. The correct answer is 'gdh's new macro game-1'. Any other answer will cause multiple new documents with text to appear.
The virus has errors in its replication code that can cause Word and WordBasic error MessageBoxes to appear when opening an infected document.
Method of Infection
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:
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 :
* 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
N/A
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.
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 these macros:
AUTOOPEN, ERASER, FILENEW, FILEOPEN, GAME, TOOLSMACRO, ZLOCKMACRO
in an infected document. The virus becomes active by using AutoMacros. Its spreading activity remains only in the taiwanese language version of Microsoft Word. However, the virus may be able to execute its payload in another language version.
Symptoms
Symptoms -
On an infected system the virus hides the TOOLS|MACRO functionality. Warning: It is important not to use this command, as you will execute the viral code.
If the FILE|NEW command is used and the day is 20 or less, a MessageBox will be displayed that looks like a calculator. There is an input area to type in an answer. The correct answer is 'gdh's new macro game-1'. Any other answer will cause multiple new documents with text to appear.
The virus has errors in its replication code that can cause Word and WordBasic error MessageBoxes to appear when opening an infected document.
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:
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 :
* 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 -
N/A