Symantec - OSX.Inqtana.A -- New Mac Worm

Symantec - OSX.Inqtana.A -- New Mac Worm

Symantec SecurityResponse has today identified a new proof-of-concept worm,OSX.Inqtana.A, that targets users of the Macintosh OS Xoperating system. Currently categorized as a Level 1 threat(on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being most severe), this wormspreads through a vulnerability in the operating systemcalled the Apple Mac OS X BlueTooth Directory TraversalVulnerability. A patch for this vulnerability isavailable.

This threat follows the OSX.Leap.A wormdiscovered February 16, 2006. According to analysis bySymantec security experts, OSX.Inqtana.A does not appear tohave been developed in response to OSX.Leap.A but wascreated on a parallel timeline.

"We have speculated thatattackers would turn their attention to other platforms, andtwo back-to-back examples of malicious code targetingMacintosh OS X this week illustrates this emerging trend,"said Vincent Weafer, senior director at Symantec SecurityResponse.

The OSX.Inqtana.A worm attempts to useBluetooth connections to spread itself by searching forother Bluetooth-enabled devices that will accept requestswhen the computer is restarted. If a Bluetooth connection isfound, the worm attempts to send itself to those remotecomputers. However, OSX.Inqtana.A attempts to spread byusing a time limited demo version of the Avetana library,which is bound to a Bluetooth address. As a result of this,the worm may not be able to spread successfully.

"Whilethis particular worm is not fully functional, the sourcecode could be easily modified by a future attacker to dodamage," added Weafer. "Macintosh users should be diligentabout installing patches to their operating systems as thiswill prevent attacks of this type."

Symantec recommendsthat users of Macintosh OS X keep antivirus and firewallsoftware, as well as operating systems, should be keptup-to-date, to provide maximum levels of security. Userscan obtain additional information on updating Macintosh OS Xsoftware at:http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704

Symanteccurrently provides definitions to protect againstOSX.Inqtana.A. The Symantec Security Response Web siteprovides additional details at: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/

ENDS

THIS ISSUE Lead NZ News NZ Politics World News FeaturesNew Zealand News RECOMMENDED AUDIO: Scoop Audio: On RadioLive Tony Amos, Selwyn Manning, &, Ben Thomas discuss: the PM's fund Labour campaign card fiasco; Don Brash and leader-in-waiting John Key; Nat-Attack on Winston Peters, eminent kiwis & TVNZ; and the rise and rise of the Unite Union movement

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Sport: Balmy Day Sees Windies Fizzle - It was a scorching hot Saturday and what better way to spend it than heading down to Wellington's noble and rotund venue, the WestpacTrust stadium, to enjoy the spectacle of a one day cricket match. For those poor fools who had bought the cheaper Sky Sport package (UHF only), because they wanted to see the Black Caps in action, paying the admission fee would certainly have been the better option. Images by Ethan Tucker. See... Good Day At the Cricket -- Bad Day On The Couch

MORE HEADLINES:Bank Announces Home Loan Interest Rate Changes New Zealand's new coins introduced on 31 July 2006 Govt Says Pay Your Fines! Govt calls for further dialogue on climate changeSnoop Dogg Gets Ready to Tour New Zealand

Union News: Guerilla-Styled Wildcat Strikes Hit Starbucks - Two Starbucks stores in Auckland were closed Saturday for two hours after a lightening strike by Starbucks workers. Starbucks workers at 220 Queen St and K Rd were taking part in the next stage of industrial action in the SuperSizeMyPay.Com campaign. Thirty minutes before the workers took industrial action, they sent out a txt calling for support and in half an hour the workers were joined by 40 supporters, customers and members of the public. See... Lightening Strikes Twice At Starbucks

Economic Market: Cullen/Costello Bilateral Scheduled To Draw Trans-Tasman Economies Closer - Finance Minister Michael Cullen travels to Melbourne on Monday, February 20 for the annual meeting with his Australian counterpart, Treasurer Peter Costello. "The bilateral is an important opportunity to discuss regional economic issues and to accelerate initiatives towards a single economic market," said Dr Cullen. "Work on the single economic market objective has been a key feature of recent bilaterals and I am hopeful of good progress on measures to better integrate the two economies." Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel will also participate. See... Costello meeting to progress single market issues

Arts: Fringe Festival Hots Up - Enter the seductive world of Burlesque Circus, Dance and Cabaret, showcasing over 100 artists from New Zealand and overseas. Heavenly Burlesque transforms The Paramount into a world of live original performance and music limited to 3 weekends only. The performance world explodes with wild, fruity, ideas, dreams and images that collide and captivate. See... Heavenly Burlesque: a Fuse Production ALSO:Fringe Festival - Fringe is going off! (Week two events)FULL COVERAGE: Festival 2006

SCOOP REPORTS: Health: Throughout this week there has been a powerful media and political campaign pushing the benefits of the new cancer drug Herceptin. The editor of North and South magazine, Robyn Langwell, devoted her March 2006 editorial to outlining the plight of women who were attempting to raise enough money to undergo a course of Herceptin. Ms Langwell railed in her editorial at the 'tight fisted holders of the Pharmac purse' who she considered were responsible for cancer sufferers being forced to mortgage their homes and beg for money to fund their non Pharmac subsidised treatment. See... Scoop Report - Will Herceptin Media Blitz Help Or Harm Patients? ALSO:Advocacy Group Disappointed by PTAC Decision

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SCOOP VIDEO & AUDIO: While you are here, take a look at Scoop's new advertisement! Don't Swallow Just Anything!

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