Ransom.MSIL.EXMAS.A
Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen.cki (KASPERSKY)
Windows
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
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 encrypts files with specific file extensions. It drops files as ransom note.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
278,528 bytes
EXE
Yes
19 Feb 2023
Collects system information, Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays message/message boxes, 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 adds the following processes:
- %System%\cmd.exe /c timeout 1 & del "{Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}.exe"
- "%System%\cmd.exe /c vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet"
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
Autostart Technique
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Adobe = {Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Adobe2 = %Desktop%\MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
LegalNoticeCaption = WARNING
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
LegalNoticeText = Your files are encrypted
Information Theft
This Ransomware gathers the following data:
- Username
- Computer Name
- Machine GUID
- CPU Name
- RAM Usage
- GPU Installed
- Running Programs
- Installed Programs
Stolen Information
This Ransomware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}2.host/forum/index.php:443
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
- It logs off the affected computer after doing its ransomware routine.
- It executes then deletes itself afterwards.
- It encrypts files found in the following drives:
- Removable Drive
- Fixed Drive
- Remote Drive
- CD-ROM Drive
- RAM Disk Drive
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .001
- .1cd
- .3d
- .3d4
- .3df8
- .3dm
- .3ds
- .3fr
- .3g2
- .3ga
- .3gp
- .3gp2
- .3mm
- .3pr
- .7z
- .7zip
- .8ba
- .8bc
- .8be
- .8bf
- .8bi8
- .8bl
- .8bs
- .8bx
- .8by
- .8li
- .a2c
- .aa
- .aa3
- .aac
- .aaf
- .ab4
- .abk
- .abw
- .ac2
- .ac3
- .accdb
- .accde
- .accdr
- .accdt
- .ace
- .ach
- .acr
- .act
- .adb
- .ade
- .adi
- .adp
- .adpb
- .adr
- .ads
- .adt
- .aep
- .aepx
- .aes
- .aet
- .afp
- .amf
- .amr
- .amu
- .amx
- .amxx
- .ans
- .aoi
- .ap
- .ape
- .api
- .apj
- .apk
- .apnx
- .app
- .arc
- .arch00
- .ari
- .arj
- .aro
- .arr
- .arw
- .as
- .as3
- .asa
- .asc
- .ascx
- .ase
- .asf
- .ashx
- .asm
- .asmx
- .asp
- .aspx
- .asr
- .asset
- .asx
- .automaticdestinations-ms
- .avi
- .avs
- .awg
- .azf
- .azs
- .azw
- .azw1
- .azw3
- .azw4
- .b2a
- .back
- .backup
- .backupdb
- .bad
- .bank
- .bar
- .bat
- .bay
- .bc6
- .bc7
- .bck
- .bcp
- .bdb
- .bdp
- .bdr
- .bfa
- .bgt
- .bi8
- .bib
- .bic
- .big
- .bik
- .bin
- .bkf
- .bkp
- .bkup
- .blend
- .blob
- .blp
- .bmc
- .bmf
- .bml
- .bmp
- .boc
- .bp2
- .bp3
- .bpk
- .bpl
- .bpw
- .brd
- .bsa
- .bsk
- .bsp
- .btoa
- .bvd
- .bz2
- .c
- .cag
- .cam
- .camproj
- .cap
- .car
- .cas
- .cat
- .cbf
- .cbr
- .cbz
- .cc
- .ccd
- .ccf
- .cch
- .cd
- .cdf
- .cdi
- .cdr
- .cdr3
- .cdr4
- .cdr5
- .cdr6
- .cdrw
- .cdx
- .ce1
- .ce2
- .cef
- .cer
- .cert
- .cfg
- .cfm
- .cfp
- .cfr
- .cgf
- .cgi
- .cgm
- .cgp
- .chk
- .chml
- .cib
- .class
- .clr
- .cls
- .clx
- .cmd
- .cmf
- .cms
- .cmt
- .cnf
- .cng
- .cod
- .col
- .con
- .conf
- .config
- .contact
- .cp
- .cpi
- .cpio
- .cpp
- .cr2
- .craw
- .crd
- .crt
- .crw
- .crwl
- .crypt
- .crypted
- .cryptra
- .cryptXXX
- .cs
- .csh
- .csi
- .csl
- .cso
- .csr
- .css
- .csv
- .ctt
- .cty
- .cue
- .cwf
- .d3dbsp
- .dac
- .dal
- .dap
- .das
- .dash
- .dat
- .database
- .dayzprofile
- .dazip
- .db
- .db_journal
- .db0
- .db3
- .dba
- .dbb
- .dbf
- .dbfv
- .db-journal
- .dbx
- .dc2
- .dc4
- .dch
- .dco
- .dcp
- .dcr
- .dcs
- .dcu
- .ddc
- .ddcx
- .ddd
- .ddoc
- .ddrw
- .dds
- .default
- .dem
- .der
- .des
- .desc
- .design
- .desklink
- .dev
- .dex
- .dfm
- .dgc
- .dic
- .dif
- .dii
- .dim
- .dime
- .dip
- .dir
- .directory
- .disc
- .disk
- .dit
- .divx
- .diz
- .djv
- .djvu
- .dlc
- .dmg
- .dmp
- .dng
- .dob
- .doc
- .docb
- .docm
- .docx
- .dot
- .dotm
- .dotx
- .dox
- .dpk
- .dpl
- .dpr
- .drf
- .drw
- .dsk
- .dsp
- .dtd
- .dvd
- .dvi
- .dvx
- .dwg
- .dxb
- .dxe
- .dxf
- .dxg
- .e4a
- .edb
- .efl
- .efr
- .efu
- .efx
- .eip
- .elf
- .emc
- .emf
- .eml
- .enc
- .enx
- .epk
- .eps
- .epub
- .eql
- .erbsql
- .erf
- .err
- .esf
- .esm
- .euc
- .evo
- .ex
- .exf
- .exif
- .f90
- .faq
- .fcd
- .fdb
- .fdr
- .fds
- .ff
- .ffd
- .fff
- .fh
- .fhd
- .fla
- .flac
- .flf
- .flp
- .flv
- .flvv
- .for
- .forge
- .fos
- .fpenc
- .fpk
- .fpp
- .fpx
- .frm
- .fsh
- .fss
- .fxg
- .gadget
- .gam
- .gbk
- .gbr
- .gdb
- .ged
- .gfe
- .gfx
- .gho
- .gif
- .gif,.bmp
- .gpg
- .gpx
- .gray
- .grey
- .grf
- .groups
- .gry
- .gthr
- .gxk
- .gz
- .gzig
- .gzip
- .h
- .h3m
- .h4r
- .hbk
- .hbx
- .hdd
- .hex
- .hkdb
- .hkx
- .hplg
- .hpp
- .hqx
- .htm
- .html
- .htpasswd
- .hvpl
- .hwp
- .ibank
- .ibd
- .ibooks
- .ibz
- .ico
- .icxs
- .idl
- .idml
- .idx
- .ie5
- .ie6
- .ie7
- .ie8
- .ie9
- .iff
- .iif
- .iiq
- .img
- .incpas
- .indb
- .indd
- .indl
- .indt
- .ink
- .inx
- .ipa
- .iso
- .isu
- .isz
- .itdb
- .itl
- .itm
- .iwd
- .iwi
- .jac
- .jar
- .jav
- .java
- .jbc
- .jc
- .jfif
- .jge
- .jgz
- .jif
- .jiff
- .jks
- .jnt
- .jpc
- .jpe
- .jpeg
- .jpf
- .jpg
- .jpw
- .js
- .json
- .jsp
- .just
- .k25
- .kc2
- .kdb
- .kdbx
- .kdc
- .kde
- .key
- .kf
- .klq
- .kml
- .kmz
- .kpdx
- .kwd
- .kwm
- .laccdb
- .lastlogin
- .lay
- .lay6
- .layout
- .lbf
- .lbi
- .lcd
- .lcf
- .lcn
- .ldb
- .ldf
- .lgp
- .lib
- .lit
- .litemod
- .lngttarch2
- .localstorage
- .locky
- .log
- .lp2
- .lpa
- .lrf
- .ltm
- .ltr
- .ltx
- .lua
- .lvivt
- .lvl
- .m
- .m2
- .m2ts
- .m3u
- .m3u8
- .m4a
- .m4p
- .m4u
- .m4v
- .mag
- .man
- .map
- .mapimail
- .max
- .mbox
- .mbx
- .mcd
- .mcgame
- .mcmeta
- .mcrp
- .md
- .md0
- .md1
- .md2
- .md3
- .md5
- .mdb
- .mdbackup
- .mdc
- .mddata
- .mdf
- .mdl
- .mdn
- .mds
- .mef
- .menu
- .meo
- .mfd
- .mfw
- .mic
- .mid
- .mim
- .mime
- .mip
- .mjd
- .mkv
- .mlb
- .mlx
- .mm6
- .mm7
- .mm8
- .mme
- .mml
- .mmw
- .mny
- .mobi
- .mod
- .moneywell
- .mos
- .mov
- .movie
- .moz
- .mp1
- .mp2
- .mp3
- .mp4
- .mp4v
- .mpa
- .mpe
- .mpeg
- .mpg
- .mpq
- .mpqge
- .mpv2
- .mrw
- .mrwref
- .ms11
- .ms11(Securitycopy)
- .mse
- .msg
- .msi
- .msp
- .mts
- .mui
- .mxp
- .myd
- .myi
- .nav
- .ncd
- .ncf
- .nd
- .ndd
- .ndf
- .nds
- .nef
- .nfo
- .nk2
- .nop
- .note
- .now
- .nrg
- .nri
- .nrw
- .ns2
- .ns3
- .ns4
- .nsd
- .nsf
- .nsg
- .nsh
- .ntl
- .number
- .nvram
- .nwb
- .nx1
- .nx2
- .nxl
- .nyf
- .oab
- .obj
- .odb
- .odc
- .odf
- .odg
- .odi
- .odm
- .odp
- .ods
- .odt
- .oft
- .oga
- .ogg
- .oil
- .opd
- .opf
- .orf
- .ost
- .otg
- .oth
- .otp
- .ots
- .ott
- .owl
- .oxt
- .p12
- .p7b
- .p7c
- .pab
- .pack
- .pages
- .pak
- .paq
- .pas
- .pat
- .pbf
- .pbk
- .pbp
- .pbs
- .pcd
- .pct
- .pcv
- .pdb
- .pdc
- .pdd
- .pef
- .pem
- .pfx
- .php
- .pif
- .pkb
- .pkey
- .pkh
- .pkpass
- .pl
- .plb
- .plc
- .pli
- .plugin
- .plus_muhd
- .pm
- .pmd
- .png
- .po
- .pot
- .potm
- .potx
- .ppam
- .ppd
- .ppf
- .ppj
- .pps
- .ppsm
- .ppsx
- .ppt
- .pptm
- .pptx
- .prc
- .prel
- .prf
- .priv
- .privat
- .props
- .prproj
- .prt
- .ps
- .psa
- .psafe3
- .psd
- .psk
- .pspimage
- .pst
- .psw6
- .ptx
- .pub
- .puz
- .pwf
- .pwi
- .pwm
- .pxp
- .py
- .qba
- .qbb
- .qbm
- .qbr
- .qbw
- .qbx
- .qby
- .qcow
- .qcow2
- .qdf
- .qed
- .qel
- .qic
- .qif
- .qpx
- .qt
- .qtq
- .qtr
- .r00
- .r01
- .r02
- .r03
- .r3d
- .ra
- .ra2
- .raf
- .ram
- .rar
- .rat
- .raw
- .rb
- .rdb
- .rdi
- .re4
- .res
- .result
- .rev
- .rgn
- .rgss3a
- .rim
- .rll
- .rm
- .rng
- .rofl
- .rpf
- .rrt
- .rsdf
- .rsrc
- .rss
- .rsw
- .rte
- .rtf
- .rts
- .rtx
- .rum
- .run
- .rv
- .rvt
- .rw2
- .rwl
- .rwz
- .rzk
- .rzx
- .s3db
- .sad
- .saf
- .safe
- .sas7bdat
- .sav
- .save
- .say
- .sb
- .sc2save
- .sch
- .scm
- .scn
- .scx
- .sd0
- .sd1
- .sda
- .sdb
- .sdc
- .sdf
- .sdn
- .sdo
- .sds
- .sdt
- .search-ms
- .sef
- .sen
- .ses
- .sfs
- .sfx
- .sgz
- .sh
- .shar
- .shr
- .shw
- .shy
- .sid
- .sidd
- .sidn
- .sie
- .sis
- .sitx
- .sldm
- .sldx
- .slk
- .slm
- .sln
- .slt
- .sme
- .snk
- .snp
- .snx
- .so
- .spd
- .spr
- .sql
- .sqlite
- .sqlite3
- .sqlitedb
- .sqllite
- .sqx
- .sr2
- .srf
- .srt
- .srw
- .ssa
- .st4
- .st5
- .st6
- .st7
- .st8
- .stc
- .std
- .sti
- .stm
- .stt
- .stw
- .stx
- .sud
- .suf
- .sum
- .svg
- .svi
- .svr
- .swd
- .swf
- .switch
- .sxc
- .sxd
- .sxg
- .sxi
- .sxm
- .sxw
- .syncdb
- .t01
- .t03
- .t05
- .t12
- .t13
- .tar
- .tar.bz2
- .tarbz2
- .tax
- .tax2013
- .tax2014
- .tbk
- .tbz2
- .tch
- .tcx
- .teslacrypt
- .tex
- .text
- .tg
- .tga
- .tgz
- .thm
- .thmx
- .tif
- .tiff
- .tlb
- .tlg
- .tlz
- .tmp
- .toast
- .tor
- .torrent
- .tpu
- .tpx
- .trp
- .ts
- .tu
- .tur
- .txd
- .txf
- .txt
- .uax
- .udf
- .uea
- .umx
- .unity3d
- .unr
- .unx
- .uop
- .uot
- .upk
- .upoi
- .url
- .usa
- .usx
- .ut2
- .ut3
- .utc
- .utx
- .uu
- .uud
- .uue
- .uvx
- .uxx
- .val
- .vault
- .vb
- .vbox
- .vbs
- .vc
- .vcd
- .vcf
- .vcxpro
- .vdf
- .vdi
- .vdo
- .ver
- .vfs0
- .vhd
- .vhdx
- .vlc
- .vlt
- .vmdk
- .vmf
- .vmsd
- .vmt
- .vmx
- .vmxf
- .vob
- .vp
- .vpk
- .vpp_pc
- .vsi
- .vtf
- .w3g
- .w3x
- .wab
- .wad
- .wallet
- .war
- .wav
- .wave
- .waw
- .wb2
- .wbk
- .wdgt
- .wks
- .wm
- .wma
- .wmd
- .wmdb
- .wmmp
- .wmo
- .wmv
- .wmx
- .wotreplay
- .wow
- .wpd
- .wpe
- .wpk
- .wpl
- .wps
- .wsf
- .wsh
- .wtd
- .wtf
- .wvx
- .x11
- .x3f
- .xcodeproj
- .xf
- .xhtml
- .xis
- .xl
- .xla
- .xlam
- .xlc
- .xlk
- .xll
- .xlm
- .xlr
- .xls
- .xlsb
- .xlsm
- .xlsx
- .xlt
- .xltm
- .xltx
- .xlv
- .xlw
- .xlwx
- .xml
- .xpa
- .xpi
- .xps
- .xpt
- .xqx
- .xsl
- .xtbl
- .xvid
- .xwd
- .xxe
- .xxx
- .yml
- .ync
- .yps
- .yuv
- .zip
- .zipx
- .zoo
- .zps
- .ztmp
It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:
- %Windows%
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)
It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
- .MERRY
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA (This ransom note is dropped in every directory containing encrypted files)
SOLUTION
9.800
18.278.04
25 Feb 2023
18.279.00
26 Feb 2023
Step 1
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 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
Step 4
Restore this modified registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator’s help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
- LegalNoticeCaption = WARNING
- LegalNoticeCaption = WARNING
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon
- LegalNoticeText = Your files are encrypted
- LegalNoticeText = Your files are encrypted
Step 5
Delete this registry value
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- Adobe = {Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}.exe
- Adobe = {Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}.exe
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Adobe2 = %Desktop%\MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA
- Adobe2 = %Desktop%\MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA
Step 6
Search and delete these files
- %Desktop%\MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA
- {Path Containing Encrypted Files}\MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.HTA
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.MSIL.EXMAS.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.
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