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VXers exploit Burma protest to punt Trojan

Dalai Lama backdoor

By John Leyden • Get more from this author

Posted in Security, 28th September 2007 12:25 GMT

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Miscreants are taking advantage of the international attention focused on protests in Burma to spread malware.

Emails claiming to be a message of support for monks and other protesters in Burma from the Dalai Lama contain a malicious attachment that attempts to use software exploits to install malware onto victims' PCs.

A sample message:

Dear Friends & Colleagues, Please find enclosed a massage from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in support of the recent pro democracy demonstrations taking place in Burma. This is for your information and can be distributed as you see fit.

Best wishes.

Tenzin Taklha Joint Secretary Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The attachment contains a document (filename: hhdl burma_001.doc) that attempts to exploit a Word vulnerability by downloading a Trojan horse, called Agent-CGU, onto victims' PC. To enhance credibility, a link to the official website of the Dalai Lama is included.

Exploiting interest in topical news is a perennial favourite with hackers. No human tragedy these days is complete without accompanying malware attacks. Past malware and spam campaigns have taken advantage of headline breaking news stories such as Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Concorde aircrash, and terror bombings in London. ®

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