This virus spreads only under Linux operating system, infecting
Elf-style executables. Found in the wild in February 1997, Bliss is
the second known Linux virus (first being Staog).
Bliss locates binaries with write access and overwrites them with it's
own code. When an infected file is executed, the original program does
not gain control at all. However, it is still possible to clean infected
files.
Bliss does not try to subvert any additional user rights, but it does
have some basic worm-like features, looking for new hosts to infect
via the /etc/hosts.equiv file.
Bliss contains several text strings, including:
dedicated to rkd
infected by bliss
skipping, infected with same vers or different type
replacing older version
replacing ourselves with newer version
infect() returning success
successfully (i hope) disinfected
rsh%s%s %s 'cat>%s;chmod 777 %s;%s;rm -f %s'
doing do_worm_stuff()
/etc/hosts.equiv
Compiled on Sep 28 1996 at 22:24:03
Written by electric eel.
help? hah! read the source!
bliss was run %d sex ago, rep_wait=%d
/usr/spool/news
GCC: (GNU) 2.7.2.l.2
Bliss does contain potentionally harmful code, but it is unclear if
this is executed or not.
Bliss can be detected by searching all binaries for the following hex
search string:
E8ABD8FFFFC20000363465643134373130363532
Bliss will disinfect itself if an infected binary is executed with the
--bliss-disinfect-files-please switch.
