Worm hijacks open source database

Well this sucks! According to a verified report from ZDNet UK, a worm managed to sneak its way into Open Source databases all over. Some experts believe it could be positioning itself for a massive DOS attack, but no one seems to be positive yet if it will become a bigger problem.

Security experts have warned that thousands of MySQL servers around the world could be press-ganged into launching a denial-of-service attack that could bring down the Web site of a company the size of Microsoft.

A worm, dubbed MySpool by security organisation SANS, is spreading rapidly amongst the MySQL user base. It automatically exploits MySQL servers and subsequently infects Windows systems when triggered by an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server located in Sweden.

Malware monitoring company Prevx has been watching the worm spread on the Internet since the first sighting on Tuesday. According to MySQL there are around five million installations of the open source database globally.

MySpool is thought to be recruiting thousands of machines for a potential denial-of-service attack which work by using compromised computers acting co-operatively to flood a target with data and disable it.Cyberciminals used the threat of such attacks to blackmail several high-profile online betting companies last year.