Ransom.MSIL.IZICRYPT.A

February 26, 2021
 Analysis by: Mohammed Malubay
 ALIASES:

Ransom:MSIL/WormLocker.DA!MTB(MICROSOFT);

 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

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

190,976 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Initial Samples Received Date:

04 Feb 2021

Payload:

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:

  • cmd.exe /k takeown /f C:\Windows\System32 && icacls C:\Windows\System32 /grant \"{User name}:F\"
  • %System%\wscript.exe %System%\ransom_voice.vbs

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware deletes the following files:

  • Hidden files in %User Profile%\Downloads
  • Hidden files in %Desktop%

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

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

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

Dropping Routine

This Ransomware drops the following files:

  • %System%\LogonUIinf.exe → used to replace legitimate %System%\LocgonUI.exe
  • %System%\ransom_voice.vbs → performs the text-to-speech (TTS) behavior
  • %System%\WormLocker2.0.exe
  • %System%\LogonUItrue → copy of legitimate %System%\LogonUI.exe
  • %System%\LocgonUI.exe → copy of %System%\LogonUIinf.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Other Details

This Ransomware displays the following message boxes:


It does the following:

  • Uses text-to-speech (TTS) to read the ransom note.
  • Replaces legitimate %System%\LocgonUI.exe with a malicious file.

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

16.556.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

23 Feb 2021

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

16.557.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Feb 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.XXPE50FFF040

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 your system's Master Boot Record (MBR)

To restore your system's Master Boot Record (MBR):

• On Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2):

  1. Insert your Windows Installation DVD into the DVD drive, then press the restart button on your computer.
  2. When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
  3. Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to choose the installation language. On the Install Windows window, choose your language, locale, and keyboard layout or input method. Click Repair your computer.
  4. Select Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select your installation of Windows. Click Next.
  5. If the Startup Repair window appears, click Cancel, Yes, then Finish.
  6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Command Prompt.
  7. In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
    BootRec.exe /fixmbr
  8. Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
  9. Click Restart to restart your computer normally.

• On Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012:

  1. Insert your Windows Installation DVD in the DVD drive, then restart your computer.
  2. When prompted, press any key to boot from the DVD.
  3. Depending on your Windows Installation DVD, you might be required to select the keyboard layout. Then on the Windows Setup window, choose your language, locale, and input method. Click Next, then click Repair your computer.
  4. Click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Command Prompt.
  5. In the Command Prompt window, type the following then press Enter:
    BootRec.exe /fixmbr
  6. Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
  7. Click Continue to restart the system normally.

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_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
    • DisableTaskMgr = 1

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.
  • %System%\LogonUIinf.exe → used to replace legitimate %System%\LocgonUI.exe
  • %System%\ransom_voice.vbs → performs the text-to-speech (TTS) behavior
  • %System%\WormLocker2.0.exe
  • %System%\LogonUItrue → copy of legitimate %System%\LogonUI.exe
  • %System%\LocgonUI.exe → copy of %System%\LogonUIinf.exe

Step 7

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.

  • %System%\LocgonUI.exe

Step 8

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


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