Home Malware Programs Mac Malware JAVA_AGENT.NTW

JAVA_AGENT.NTW

Posted: August 27, 2012

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 9/10
Infected PCs: 5
First Seen: August 27, 2012
Last Seen: August 24, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

JAVA_AGENT.NTW is a malicious Java applet that's used to install one of two variants of the Morcut or Crisis worm, depending on the operating system of the PC being attacked. Because Crisis is capable of launching invasive spyware-based attacks that monitor keyboard input and messaging programs like Skype, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers encourage you to consider JAVA_AGENT.NTW's payload a high-level threat to be removed with all due haste by appropriate anti-malware products. As a Java applet, JAVA_AGENT.NTW may launch automatically when you contact a malicious website or advertisement, although some browser settings may allow you to disable Java-related content for your protection.

JAVA_AGENT.NTW: Fully-Prepared with a Worm in Each Hand

JAVA_AGENT.NTW is designed to drop and install variants of Crisis on your computer without any obvious symptoms of its attack. The variant of Crisis that's used depends on your OS: Mac OS X PCs will receive the questionable gift of OSX_MORCUT.A, while Windows-based PCs are infected with WORM_MORCUT.A. Although additional information on the vulnerability that JAVA_AGENT.NTW exploits remains forthcoming, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers recommend that you keep Java and your browser updated to minimize exploits by JAVA_AGENT.NTW and similar PC threats. Of course, disabling Java wholesale can be considered an even more effective deterrent against JAVA_AGENT.NTW attacks, as can be keeping anti-malware software available to detect and block JAVA_AGENT.NTW attacks as they ensue.

While, in most respects, JAVA_AGENT.NTW appears to be a standard Trojan dropper, JAVA_AGENT.NTW's ability to adjust its payload to the operating system of the PC in question makes JAVA_AGENT.NTW and Morcut dangerous even for operating systems that might be assumed safe – such as Mac-based OSes or even Virtual Machine environments. In spite of this flexibility, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers have found JAVA_AGENT.NTW's current distribution to be somewhat limited, and see a reason to hope that online security solutions can continue to keep JAVA_AGENT.NTW and Morcut's propagation cut short.

The Outcome of Failing to Stop JAVA_AGENT.NTW's Stealth Install

For SpywareRemove.com malware analysts and others in the industry, JAVA_AGENT.NTW's main focal point of interest is the capability for its Windows payload, WORM_MORCUT.A, to launch itself on Virtual Machines – a feat that most types of PC threats attempt to avoid to shutdown their prospective analysis by PC security professionals. Other noteworthy functions from either type of JAVA_AGENT.NTW payload include:

  • The ability to spread through removable USB devices and wireless networks (by creating copies of the Crisis worm that launch themselves automatically when an uninfected PC accesses an infected directory or drive).
  • Theft of text information via keylogging attacks, monitoring of instant messengers, monitoring of virtual address books and monitoring of browser activities (such as which sites are visited).
  • Theft of visual information through screen captures or webcam monitoring.

No matter what your OS might be, and regardless of whether or not you're using a Virtual Machine for safety or other reasons, any JAVA_AGENT.NTW attack should be considered a significant privacy risk, and SpywareRemove.com malware experts recommend deleting JAVA_AGENT.NTW and its payload with appropriate anti-malware products that are capable of removing rootkit-level threats.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:



file.exe File name: file.exe
Size: 2 MB (2006370 bytes)
MD5: 7e8c13aec7edaf0b05508ca60b95a635
Detection count: 98
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 3, 2012
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