SMS Malware Targets Nokia S60 Mobiles

[steaner]

A new SMS worm that targets certain Series 60 third edition devices has been detected. Before you start panicking, don't worry, there is a fix.



The "Curse of Silence" worm comes to your inbox in the form of a simple text message and then goes ahead to ensure that you don't receive any further SMSes. The worm affects Series 60 third edition handsets and some UIQ based handsets running (S 60) versions 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, and 3.1. The worm was first detected towards the end of last year, and has been listed by F-Secure as a threat. While some may term it as a virus, the notable thing is that it makes use of a security hole in S60 to execute its attack.

The attack begins with the target phone receiving an "infected" SMS. The behavior of the worm after this differs from device to device. While some older devices stop receiving SMS/MMS right after the first SMS is received, some others require quite a few messages before going kaput. The device, once affected, displays a message saying that the message memory is full and that there is no space remaining for more messages. Till now, the only way for a phone to recover from such an attack was a factory reset.

Nokia has, however, released a fix called the [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...], which apparently fixes the hole. F-Secure has further details on the worm. Check it out [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...].

[kevsta100]

LMAO the symptoms are just what my bro is getting atm.
I already fixed it twice.
Guess there is a better solution, can't wait to rip the piss outta him and his wormy phone.
(his phone n958GB).

[Lysette Posy]

F-Secure and Fortinet are investigating a newly discovered mobile malware identified as SymbOS/Yxes.A!worm or “Sexy View”. The malware is affecting S60 3rd Edition series devices, and has a valid certificate signed by Symbian tricking the mobile device user into thinking it’s a legitimate application.