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12-21-2006, 10:15 AM
msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16229890/)
Worm hits computers' antivirus program
'Big Yellow' attacking business PCs through Norton Antivirus flaw
Updated: 7:05 p.m. ET Dec 15, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO - A computer worm is attacking some business PCs through a flaw in antivirus software by Symantec Corp., a security company warned Friday.
EEye Digital Security, based in Aliso Viejo, said the worm, dubbed "Big Yellow," began attacking some computer systems on Thursday — seven months after eEye first discovered the flaw.
Symantec released a patch to address the flaw in May but it's up to its corporate customers to install it. Officials at the Cupertino-based security software company said Friday it had so far received three reports of systems affected by the worm.
"It is definitely a new worm, and it is looking for vulnerable systems, but we're not seeing any evidence of a significant outbreak or infection," said Vincent Weafer, a senior director at Symantec's security response unit.
Big Yellow enters machines through a security hole in the corporate version of Symantec's Norton Antivirus software. Once infected with the worm's "bot" program, a hacker can use it as a way to connect with other computers for malicious attacks.
EEye urged corporate information-technology departments to fix the flaw.
Worm hits computers' antivirus program
'Big Yellow' attacking business PCs through Norton Antivirus flaw
Updated: 7:05 p.m. ET Dec 15, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO - A computer worm is attacking some business PCs through a flaw in antivirus software by Symantec Corp., a security company warned Friday.
EEye Digital Security, based in Aliso Viejo, said the worm, dubbed "Big Yellow," began attacking some computer systems on Thursday — seven months after eEye first discovered the flaw.
Symantec released a patch to address the flaw in May but it's up to its corporate customers to install it. Officials at the Cupertino-based security software company said Friday it had so far received three reports of systems affected by the worm.
"It is definitely a new worm, and it is looking for vulnerable systems, but we're not seeing any evidence of a significant outbreak or infection," said Vincent Weafer, a senior director at Symantec's security response unit.
Big Yellow enters machines through a security hole in the corporate version of Symantec's Norton Antivirus software. Once infected with the worm's "bot" program, a hacker can use it as a way to connect with other computers for malicious attacks.
EEye urged corporate information-technology departments to fix the flaw.