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RANSOM_MINDSYS.A

September 06, 2017
 Analysis by: Wilbert Vidal
 ALIASES:

Trojan.Ransom.MindSystem (ALYac); Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!rfn (Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, 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 is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

15,360 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

28 Aug 2017

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, 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 component file(s):

  • %Desktop%\key.txt

(Note: %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware modifies the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\System
DisableCMD = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableLockWorkstation = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableChangePassword = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
NoLogoff = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
HideFastUserSwitching = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
NoClose = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoClose = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableRegistryTools = 1

It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • explorer.exe

Download Routine

This Ransomware connects to the following URL(s) to download its component file(s):

  • https://image.{BLOCKED}ack.com/fichiers/2017/31/2/1501621309-ransomware.png

It saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • {Malware Directory}\ file.jpg

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It hides the desktop icons

It is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .mind

NOTES:
It displays the following window applications as ransom note:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.622.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

28 Aug 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.623.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

29 Aug 2017

Step 1

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

Step 2

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 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Restore modified and/or deleted registry value/s using this VBScript

To restore the modified and/or deleted registry value/s:

  1. Open Notepad.
    » For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type notepad then press Enter.
    » For Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 users, click Start, type notepad in the Search input field then press Enter.
    » For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type notepad, then press Enter.
  2. Copy and paste the following script:
  3. Save this file as C:\RESTORE.VBS.
  4. Run C:\RESTORE.VBS.
    » For Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003 users, click Start>Run. In the Open input box, type C:\RESTORE.VBS then press Enter.
    » For Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 users, click Start, type C:\RESTORE.VBS in the Search input field then press Enter.
    » For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type C:\RESTORE.VBS, then press Enter.

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %Desktop%\key.txt
  • {Malware Directory}\ file.jpg

Step 6

Reset your Desktop properties

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_MINDSYS.A. 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.

NOTES:
Unhide Desktop Icons.

This step allows you to remove customizations made by the malware/grayware/spyware on your Desktop.

To Show Desktop Icons:

  • In your desktop, Right click View, Show desktop icons


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