RANSOM_CRYPTESLA.ABX

 Analysis by: Homer Pacag

 ALIASES:

Ransom:Win32/Tescrypt (Microsoft), Win32/Filecoder.TeslaCrypt.I (ESET-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

360,448 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

08 Mar 2016

Payload:

Corrupts hard disk, Encrypts files, Terminates processes, 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:

  • %Windows%\{random filename}.exe (with Administrator Privileges)
  • %My Documents%\{random filename}.exe (with non-Administrator Privileges)

    (Note: %My Documents% is C:\Users\{user name}\Documents on Windows Vista and above.)

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

It drops the following file(s)/component(s):

  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.HTM
  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.png
  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.TXT
  • %User Profile%\Recovery+{random characters}.html
  • %User Profile%\Recovery+{random characters}.png
  • %User Profile%\Recovery+{random characters}.txt
  • {Folders containing encrypted files}\Recovery+{random characters}.html
  • {Folders containing encrypted files}\Recovery+{random characters}.png
  • {Folders containing encrypted files}\Recovery+{random characters}.txt
  • %My Documents%\recover_file_{random characters}.txt
  • %My Documents%\{random filename 2}.exe - detected as TROJ_DESHACOP.C. This component is used to delete shadow copies by executing the following command:

    vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet

    (Note: %My Documents% is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\My Documents on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Documents on Windows Vista and 7.)

(Note: %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.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{4 random characters}-{8 random characters} = "%Windows%\{random filename}.exe" (with Administrator Privileges)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{4 random characters}-{8 random characters} = "%My Documents%\{random filename}.exe" (with non-Administrator Privileges)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\xxxsys

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{Installation ID}

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\xxxsys
ID = {Installation ID}

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://{BLOCKED}i.se/wp-admin/user/bstr.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}bain.com/legacy/language/bstr.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}rkicks.com/wp-includes/images/bstr.php
  • http://{BLOCKED}angym.com/bstr.php
  • http://infotlogomas.{BLOCKED}kota.go.id/admin/style/bstr.php
  • http://csucanuevo.{BLOCKED}a.org/attachments/wp-content/bstr.php

It encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .3fr
  • .7z
  • .accdb
  • .ai
  • .amp
  • .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
  • .dba
  • .dbf
  • .dcr
  • .der
  • .desc
  • .dmp
  • .dng
  • .doc
  • .docm
  • .docx
  • .dwg
  • .dxg
  • .epk
  • .eps
  • .erf
  • .esm
  • .ff
  • .flv
  • .forge
  • .fos
  • .fpk
  • .fsh
  • .gdb
  • .gho
  • .hkdb
  • .hkx
  • .hplg
  • .hvpl
  • .ibank
  • .icxs
  • .indd
  • .itd
  • .itdb
  • .itl
  • .itm
  • .iwd
  • .iwi
  • .jpeg
  • .jpg
  • .js
  • .kdb
  • .kdc
  • .kf
  • .layout
  • .lbf
  • .litemod
  • .lrf
  • .ltx
  • .lvl
  • .m2
  • .m3u
  • .m4a
  • .mcmeta
  • .mdb
  • .mdbackup
  • .mdd
  • .mddata
  • .mdf
  • .mef
  • .menu
  • .mlx
  • .mov
  • .mp4
  • .mpqge
  • .mrwref
  • .ncf
  • .nrw
  • .ntl
  • .odb
  • .odc
  • .odm
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .odt
  • .orf
  • .p12
  • .p7b
  • .p7c
  • .pak
  • .pdd
  • .pdf
  • .pef
  • .pem
  • .pfx
  • .pkb
  • .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
  • .sid
  • .sidd
  • .sidn
  • .sie
  • .sis
  • .slm
  • .snx
  • .sql
  • .sr2
  • .srf
  • .srw
  • .sum
  • .svg
  • .syncdb
  • .t12
  • .t13
  • .tax
  • .tor
  • .txt
  • .upk
  • .vcf
  • .vdf
  • .vfs
  • .vfs0
  • .vpk
  • .vpp_pc
  • .vtf
  • .w3x
  • .wallet
  • .wb2
  • .wma
  • .wmo
  • .wmv
  • .wotreplay
  • .wpd
  • .wps
  • .x3f
  • .xf
  • .xlk
  • .xls
  • .xlsb
  • .xlsm
  • .xlsx
  • .xxx
  • .zip
  • .ztm
  • .ztmp

NOTES:

This malware appends the extension .mp3 to the encrypted files.

It terminates processes containing the following strings:

  • askmg
  • rocex
  • egedi
  • sconfi
  • cmd

It avoids encrypting files found in the following folder:

  • Windows
  • Program Files
  • %All Users Profile%\Application Data - if infected system is running Windows XP or older
  • ProgramData - if infected system is running Windows Vista or newer

It opens the dropped ransom notes:

It encrypts files in all fixed, removable, and network drives and shares.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.364.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

25 Feb 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.365.08

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

26 Feb 2016

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

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as RANSOM_CRYPTESLA.ABX

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {4 random characters}-{8 random characters} = "%Windows%\{random filename}.exe"  <i>(For Windows XP and below)</i>
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {4 random characters}-{8 random characters} = "%My Documents%\{random filename}.exe" <i>(For Windows Vista and above)</i>
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\xxxsys
    • ID = {Installation ID}

Step 5

Delete this registry key

[ 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
    • xxxsys
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • {Installation ID}

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.
  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.HTM
  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.png
  • %Desktop%\RECOVERY.TXT
  • Recovery+{random characters}.html
  • Recovery+{random characters}.png
  • Recovery+{random characters}.txt
  • %My Documents%\recover_file_{random characters}.txt
  • %My Documents%\{random filename 2}.exe

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_CRYPTESLA.ABX. 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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