Ransom.Win32.TARGETCOMP.YXCKCZ

 Analysis by: Raymart Christian Yambot

 ALIASES:

Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom] (AVAST)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

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. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

143,872 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

03 Nov 2022

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Collects system information, Encrypts files, Displays message/message boxes

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 bcdedit /set {current} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled no
  • "%Windows%\sysnative\vssadmin.exe" delete shadows /all /quiet
  • taskill -f -im {Stopped Processes}
  • sc delete {Deleted Services}

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
PolicyManager\default\Start\
HideShutDown
value = 1

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
PolicyManager\default\Start\
HideRestart
value = 1

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
PolicyManager\default\Start\
HideSignOut
value = 1

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
shutdownwithoutlogon = 0

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
MaxConnectionTime = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
MaxDisconnectionTime = 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
MaxIdleTime = 0

It deletes the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Raccine

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
vssadmin.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
wmic.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
wbadmin.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
bcdedit.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
powershell.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
diskshadow.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
net.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
taskkill.exe

Process Termination

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

  • sqlserv.exe
  • oracle.exe
  • ntdbsmgr.exe
  • sqlservr.exe
  • sqlwriter.exe
  • MsDtsSrvr.exe
  • msmdsrv.exe
  • ReportingServecesService.exe
  • fdhost.exe
  • fdlauncher.exe
  • mysql.exe

  • where (Stopped Processes}
    • sqlwriter.exe
    • sqlservr.exe
    • msmdsrv.exe
    • MsDtsSrvr.exe
    • sqlceip.exe
    • fdlauncher.exe
    • Ssms.exe
    • SQLAGENT.EXE
    • fdhost.exe
    • fdlauncher.exe
    • sqlservr.exe
    • ReportingServicesService.exe
    • msftesql.exe
    • pg_ctl.exe
    • postgres.exe

Information Theft

This Ransomware gathers the following data:

  • Computer Name
  • Product Name
  • OS Architecture
  • Application Privilege

Stolen Information

This Ransomware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.191.141/QWEwqdsvsf/ap.php

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It encrypts files from local drives, removable drives, and network shares.
  • It DOES NOT continue to routine if User Default Language ID of the system is any of the following:
    • Russian (0x419)
    • Kazakh (0x43F)
    • Belarusian (0x423)
    • Ukrainian (0x422)
    • Tatar (0x444)
  • It blocks any system shutdown and displays the following the message:
    • "Do NOT shutdown OR reboot your PC: this might damage your files permanently !"
  • It reverts the following modified registries entries back to its default values after encryption:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start\HideShutDown
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start\HideRestart
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Start\HideSignOut
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\shutdownwithoutlogon
  • It deletes the following services {Deleted Services}:
    • MSSQLFDLauncher
    • MSSQLSERVER
    • SQLSERVERAGENT
    • SQLBrowser
    • SQLTELEMETRY
    • MsDtsServer130
    • SSISTELEMETRY130
    • SQLWriter
    • MSSQL$VEEAMSQL2012
    • SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2012
    • MSSQL
    • SQLAgent
    • MSSQLServerADHelper100
    • MSSQLServerOLAPService
    • MsDtsServer100
    • ReportServer
    • SQLTELEMETRY$HL
    • TMBMServer
    • MSSQL$PROGID
    • MSSQL$WOLTERSKLUWER
    • SQLAgent$PROGID
    • SQLAgent$WOLTERSKLUWER
    • MSSQLFDLauncher$OPTIMA
    • MSSQL$OPTIMA
    • SQLAgent$OPTIMA
    • ReportServer$OPTIMA
    • msftesql$SQLEXPRESS
    • postgresql-x64-9.4

It accepts the following parameters:

  • -l
  • -d
  • -p
  • -path {path to encrypt} → encrypts specific path inputted on the command-line.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .bak
  • .zip
  • .rar
  • .7z
  • .gz
  • .sql
  • .mdf
  • .hdd
  • .vhd
  • .vdi
  • .vmx
  • .vmdk
  • .nvram
  • .vmem
  • .vmsn
  • .vmsd
  • .vmss
  • .lck
  • .vhdx
  • .vhd
  • .dbf
  • .ora
  • .oraenv
  • .dmp
  • .ibd
  • .mdb

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

  • desktop.ini
  • ntuser.dat
  • thumbs.db
  • iconcache.db
  • ntuser.ini
  • ntldr
  • bootfont.bin
  • ntuser.dat.log
  • bootsect.bak
  • boot.ini
  • autorun.inf
  • debugLog.txt
  • target.exe
  • FILE RECOVERY.txt

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

  • msocache
  • $windows.~ws
  • system volume information
  • intel
  • appdata
  • perflogs
  • programdata
  • google
  • application data
  • tor browser
  • boot
  • $windows.~bt
  • mozilla
  • boot
  • windows.old
  • Windows Microsoft.NET
  • WindowsPowerShell
  • Windows NT
  • Windows
  • Common Files
  • Microsoft Security Client
  • Internet Explorer
  • Reference
  • Assemblies
  • Windows Defender
  • Microsoft ASP.NET
  • Core Runtime
  • Package
  • Store
  • Microsoft Help Viewer
  • Microsoft MPI
  • Windows Kits
  • Microsoft.NET
  • Windows Mail
  • Microsoft Security Client
  • Package Store
  • Microsoft Analysis Services
  • Windows Portable Devices
  • Windows Photo Viewer
  • Windows Sidebar

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

  • .mallox

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

  • {Drive Letter:}\FILE RECOVERY.txt
  • {Encrypted Directory:}\FILE RECOVERYS.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .msstyles
  • .icl
  • .idx
  • .avast
  • .rtp
  • .mallox
  • .sys
  • .nomedia
  • .dll
  • .hta
  • .cur
  • .lock
  • .cpl
  • .Globeimposter-Alpha865qqz
  • .ics
  • .hlp
  • .com
  • .spl
  • .msi
  • .key
  • .mpa
  • .rom
  • .drv
  • .bat
  • .386
  • .adv
  • .diangcab
  • .mod
  • .scr
  • .theme
  • .ocx
  • .prf
  • .cab
  • .diagcfg
  • .msu
  • .cmd
  • .ico
  • .msc
  • .ani
  • .icns
  • .diagpkg
  • .deskthemepack
  • .wpx
  • .msp
  • .bin
  • .themepack
  • .shs
  • .nls
  • .exe
  • .lnk
  • .ps1
  • .mallox
  • .mdf
  • .bak

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

17.958.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

25 Nov 2022

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

17.959.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

26 Nov 2022

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.XXPE50FFF064

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

Restore this modified registry value

[ Learn More ]

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\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
    • MaxConnectionTime = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
    • MaxDisconnectionTime = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services
    • MaxIdleTime = 0

Step 5

Restore these deleted registry keys/values from backup

*Note: Only Microsoft-related keys/values will be restored. If the malware/grayware also deleted registry keys/values related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on your computer.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\
    • Raccine
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Application\
    • Raccine
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • vssadmin.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • wmic.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • wbadmin.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • bcdedit.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • powershell.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • diskshadow.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • net.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
    • taskkill.exe

Step 6

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.
  • {Drive Letter:}\FILE RECOVERY.txt
  • {Encrypted Directory:}\FILE RECOVERY.txt

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win32.TARGETCOMP.YXCKCZ. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 8

Restore this file from backup only Microsoft-related files will be restored. If this malware/grayware also deleted files related to programs that are not from Microsoft, please reinstall those programs on you computer again.


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