TROJ_CRYPTESLA.A

 Analysis by: Cris Nowell Pantanilla

 ALIASES:

Ransom:Win32/Tescrypt.A (Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware

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

It modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

176,128 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Mar 2015

Payload:

Changes desktop wallpaper, Connects to URLs/IPs

Arrival Details

This Trojan 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 Trojan drops the following copies of itself into the affected system and executes them:

  • %Application Data%\{Random Filename}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on 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.)

It drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\log.html - Contains the list of encrpted files.
  • %Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp
  • %Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.txt
  • %Desktop%\Save_Files.lnk - Shortcut file pointing to the dropped copy
  • %Application Data%\key.dat

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on 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.. %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.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
wertret = "%Application Data%\{Random Filename}.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
wertret = "%Application Data%\{Random Filename}.exe"

Other System Modifications

This Trojan modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
WallpaperStyle = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preferences}.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
TileWallpaper = "0"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preferences}.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = "%Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp"

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preferences}.)

Process Termination

This Trojan terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • taskmgr
  • procexp
  • regedit
  • msconfig
  • cmd.exe

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

  • http://{BLOCKED}o.io/ip

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}ftmf7lelsa.{BLOCKED}7awmx28.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}ftmf7lelsa.{BLOCKED}4iene29.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}ftmf7lelsa.{BLOCKOED}b.blutmagie.de:443
  • http://{BLOCKED}ftmf7lelsa.{BLOCKED}b.fi:443

It encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .3fr
  • .DayZProfile
  • .accdb
  • .ai
  • .apk
  • .arch00
  • .arw
  • .asset
  • .avi
  • .bar
  • .bay
  • .bc6
  • .bc7
  • .big
  • .bik
  • .bkf
  • .bkp
  • .blob
  • .bsa
  • .cas
  • .cdr
  • .cer
  • .cfr
  • .cr2
  • .crt
  • .crw
  • .css
  • .csv
  • .d3dbsp
  • .das
  • .dazip
  • .db0
  • .dbfv
  • .dcr
  • .der
  • .desc
  • .dmp
  • .dng
  • .doc
  • .docm
  • .docx
  • .dwg
  • .dxg
  • .ecc
  • .epk
  • .eps
  • .erf
  • .esm
  • .ff
  • .flv
  • .forge
  • .fos
  • .fpk
  • .fsh
  • .gdb
  • .gho
  • .hkdb
  • .hkx
  • .hplg
  • .hvpl
  • .ibank
  • .icxs
  • .indd
  • .itdb
  • .itl
  • .itm
  • .iwd
  • .iwi
  • .jpe
  • .jpeg
  • .jpg
  • .js
  • .kdb
  • .kdc
  • .kf
  • .layout
  • .lbf
  • .litemod
  • .lrf
  • .ltx
  • .lvl
  • .m2
  • .m3u
  • .m4a
  • .map
  • .mcgame
  • .mcmeta
  • .mdb
  • .mdbackup
  • .mddata
  • .mdf
  • .mef
  • .menu
  • .mlx
  • .mpqge
  • .mrwref
  • .ncf
  • .nrw
  • .ntl
  • .odb
  • .odc
  • .odm
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .odt
  • .orf
  • .p12
  • .p7b
  • .p7c
  • .pak
  • .pdd
  • .pdf
  • .pef
  • .pem
  • .pfx
  • .pkpass
  • .png
  • .ppt
  • .pptm
  • .pptx
  • .psd
  • .psk
  • .pst
  • .ptx
  • .py
  • .qdf
  • .qic
  • .r3d
  • .raf
  • .rar
  • .raw
  • .rb
  • .re4
  • .rgss3a
  • .rim
  • .rofl
  • .rtf
  • .rw2
  • .rwl
  • .sav
  • .sb
  • .sc2save
  • .sid
  • .sidd
  • .sidn
  • .sie
  • .sis
  • .slm
  • .snx
  • .sr2
  • .srf
  • .srw
  • .sum
  • .svg
  • .syncdb
  • .t12
  • .t13
  • .tax
  • .tor
  • .txt
  • .unity3d
  • .upk
  • .vcf
  • .vdf
  • .vfs0
  • .vpk
  • .vpp_pc
  • .vtf
  • .w3x
  • .wb2
  • .wma
  • .wmo
  • .wmv
  • .wotreplay
  • .wpd
  • .wps
  • .x3f
  • .xf
  • .xlk
  • .xls
  • .xlsb
  • .xlsm
  • .xlsx
  • .xxx
  • .ztmp

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

NOTES:

It creates and displays the following window to inform the user about what happened to their files and how they can restore them.

The registry modifications are for changing the affected system's wallpaper. The new wallpaper informs the user that his files are encrypted and displays the instructions on how to decrypt the files.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.750

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

11.536.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

11 Mar 2015

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

11.537.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

12 Mar 2015

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

Identify and terminate files detected as TROJ_CRYPTESLA.A

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

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\CurrentVersion\Run
    • wertret = "%Application Data%\{Random Filename}.exe"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • wertret = "%Application Data%\{Random Filename}.exe"

Step 5

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.
%Application Data%\key.dat
%Application Data%\log.html
%Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp
%Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.txt
%Desktop%\Save_Files.lnk

Step 6

Restore this modified 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\Control Panel\Desktop
    • From: WallpaperStyle = "0"
      To: WallpaperStyle = {User Preferences}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
    • From: TileWallpaper = "0"
      To: TileWallpaper = {User Preferences}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
    • From: Wallpaper = "%Desktop%\HELP_TO_SAVE_FILES.bmp"
      To: Wallpaper = {User Preferences}

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to clean files detected as TROJ_CRYPTESLA.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.


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