RANSOM_INSANECRYPT.NOEL

February 09, 2018
 Analysis by: Noel Anthony Llimos
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen.hde (KASPERSKY), Troj/Ransom-EUZ (SOPHOS_LITE), Ransom:Win32/InsaneCrypt (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:

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.

It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

265,728 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

22 Jan 2018

Payload:

Displays windows, 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.

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It deletes shadow copies using the following commands
    • /C vssadmin Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
    • /C wmic shadowcopy delete
  • It disables or turns off Windows Error Recovery Screen on Startup using the following command:
    • bcdedit / set{ default } bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
  • It disables Startup Repair from running using the following command:
    • bcdedit / set{ default } recoveryenabled no
  • It deletes the backup catalog using the following command:
    • wbadmin delete catalog - quiet
  • Displays a command prompt where it collects all the computer drives:
  • Displays the command prompt where it shows the location of the dropped ransom note:

It is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • Default
  • All Users
  • Content.IE5
  • Temporary Internet Files
  • AppData
  • Windows
  • Microsoft
  • Intel
  • $Recycle.Bin

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

  • .[rememberggg@{BLOCKED}ta.com].DEUSCRYPT

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

  • D:\{Folder path of encrypted file}\note.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.956.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

09 Feb 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.957.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

10 Feb 2018

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 RANSOM_INSANECRYPT.NOEL

[ 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

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.  
  • D:\{Folder path of encrypted file}\note.txt

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_INSANECRYPT.NOEL. 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 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.

NOTES:

Enable services that are disabled using the command prompt.

Run cmd.exe as administrator.

To enable Windows Error Recovery Screen on Startup, use the following command:

bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy displayallfailures

To enable Startup Repair, use the following command:

/bcedit /set {default} recoveryenabled Yes


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