RANSOM_SURPRISE.A

 Analysis by: Jennifer Gumban

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Others

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet


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

It gathers certain information on the affected computer.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

147,456 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

23 Mar 2016

Payload:

Encrypts files, Steals information

Arrival Details

This malware 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 malware drops the following component file(s):

  • %Desktop%\DECRYPTION_HOWTO.Notepad - ransomnote.
  • %Desktop%\surprise.bat - removes Shadow Volume Copies when executed.
  • %Desktop%\Encrypted_Files.Notepad - list of encrypted files

(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.)

It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following:

  • What happened to your files ?
    All of your files were protected by a strong encryption.
    There is no way to decrypt your files without the key.
    If your files notimportant for you just reinstall your system.
    If your files is important just email us to discuss the price and how to decrypt your files.
    You can email us tonowayout@{BLOCKED}mail.com and nowayout@{BLOCKED}t.org
    Write your Email to both email addresses PLS
    We accept just BITCOIN if you dont know what it is just google it.
    We will give instructions where and how you buy bitcoin in your country.
    Price depends on how important your files and network is.it could be 0.5 bitcoin to 25 bitcoin.
    You can send us a 1 encrypted file for decryption.
    Feel free to email us with your country and computer name and username of the infected system.

Other System Modifications

This malware modifies the following file(s):

  • It renames encrypted files by adding ".surprise"

Information Theft

This malware gathers the following information on the affected computer:

  • Machine Name
  • User Name

Stolen Information

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}udio.duckdns.org/pull.php

Other Details

This malware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .asf
  • .pdf
  • .xls
  • .docx
  • .xlsx
  • .mp3
  • .waw
  • .jpg
  • .jpeg
  • .txt
  • .rtf
  • .doc
  • .rar
  • .zip
  • .psd
  • .tif
  • .wma
  • .gif
  • .bmp
  • .ppt
  • .pptx
  • .docm
  • .xlsm
  • .pps
  • .ppsx
  • .ppd
  • .eps
  • .png
  • .ace
  • .djvu
  • .tar
  • .cdr
  • .max
  • .wmv
  • .avi
  • .wav
  • .mp4
  • .pdd
  • .php
  • .aac
  • .ac3
  • .amf
  • .amr
  • .dwg
  • .dxf
  • .accdb
  • .mod
  • .tax2013
  • .tax2014
  • .oga
  • .ogg
  • .pbf
  • .ra
  • .raw
  • .saf
  • .val
  • .wave
  • .wow
  • .wpk
  • .3g2
  • .3gp
  • .3gp2
  • .3mm
  • .amx
  • .avs
  • .bik
  • .dir
  • .divx
  • .dvx
  • .evo
  • .flv
  • .qtq
  • .tch
  • .rts
  • .rum
  • .rv
  • .scn
  • .srt
  • .stx
  • .svi
  • .swf
  • .trp
  • .vdo
  • .wm
  • .wmd
  • .wmmp
  • .wmx
  • .wvx
  • .xvid
  • .3d
  • .3d4
  • .3df8
  • .pbs
  • .adi
  • .ais
  • .amu
  • .arr
  • .bmc
  • .bmf
  • .cag
  • .cam
  • .dng
  • .ink
  • .jif
  • .jiff
  • .jpc
  • .jpf
  • .jpw
  • .mag
  • .mic
  • .mip
  • .msp
  • .nav
  • .ncd
  • .odc
  • .odi
  • .opf
  • .qif
  • .xwd
  • .abw
  • .act
  • .adt
  • .aim
  • .ans
  • .asc
  • .ase
  • .bdp
  • .bdr
  • .bib
  • .boc
  • .crd
  • .diz
  • .dot
  • .dotm
  • .dotx
  • .dvi
  • .dxe
  • .mlx
  • .err
  • .euc
  • .faq
  • .fdr
  • .fds
  • .gthr
  • .idx
  • .kwd
  • .lp2
  • .ltr
  • .man
  • .mbox
  • .msg
  • .nfo
  • .now
  • .odm
  • .oft
  • .pwi
  • .rng
  • .rtx
  • .run
  • .ssa
  • .text
  • .unx
  • .wbk
  • .wsh
  • .7z
  • .arc
  • .ari
  • .arj
  • .car
  • .cbr
  • .cbz
  • .gz
  • .gzig
  • .jgz
  • .pak
  • .pcv
  • .puz
  • .rev
  • .sdn
  • .sen
  • .sfs
  • .sfx
  • .sh
  • .shar
  • .shr
  • .sqx
  • .tbz2
  • .tg
  • .tlz
  • .vsi
  • .wad
  • .war
  • .xpi
  • .z02
  • .z04
  • .zap
  • .zipx
  • .zoo
  • .ipa
  • .isu
  • .jar
  • .js
  • .udf
  • .adr
  • .ap
  • .aro
  • .asa
  • .ascx
  • .ashx
  • .asmx
  • .asp
  • .indd
  • .asr
  • .qbb
  • .bml
  • .cer
  • .cms
  • .crt
  • .dap
  • .htm
  • .moz
  • .svr
  • .url
  • .wdgt
  • .abk
  • .bic
  • .big
  • .blp
  • .bsp
  • .cgf
  • .chk
  • .col
  • .cty
  • .dem
  • .elf
  • .ff
  • .gam
  • .grf
  • .h3m
  • .h4r
  • .iwd
  • .ldb
  • .lgp
  • .lvl
  • .map
  • .md3
  • .mdl
  • .nds
  • .pbp
  • .ppf
  • .pwf
  • .pxp
  • .sad
  • .sav
  • .scm
  • .scx
  • .sdt
  • .spr
  • .sud
  • .uax
  • .umx
  • .unr
  • .uop
  • .usa
  • .usx
  • .ut2
  • .ut3
  • .utc
  • .utx
  • .uvx
  • .uxx
  • .vmf
  • .vtf
  • .w3g
  • .w3x
  • .wtd
  • .wtf
  • .ccd
  • .cd
  • .cso
  • .disk
  • .dmg
  • .dvd
  • .fcd
  • .flp
  • .img
  • .isz
  • .mdf
  • .mds
  • .nrg
  • .nri
  • .vcd
  • .vhd
  • .snp
  • .bkf
  • .ade
  • .adpb
  • .dic
  • .cch
  • .ctt
  • .dal
  • .ddc
  • .ddcx
  • .dex
  • .dif
  • .dii
  • .itdb
  • .itl
  • .kmz
  • .lcd
  • .lcf
  • .mbx
  • .mdn
  • .odf
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .pab
  • .pkb
  • .pkh
  • .pot
  • .potx
  • .pptm
  • .psa
  • .qdf
  • .qel
  • .rgn
  • .rrt
  • .rsw
  • .rte
  • .sdb
  • .sdc
  • .sds
  • .sql
  • .stt
  • .tcx
  • .thmx
  • .txd
  • .txf
  • .upoi
  • .vmt
  • .wks
  • .wmdb
  • .xl
  • .xlc
  • .xlr
  • .xlsb
  • .xltx
  • .ltm
  • .xlwx
  • .mcd
  • .cap
  • .cc
  • .cod
  • .cp
  • .cpp
  • .cs
  • .csi
  • .dcp
  • .dcu
  • .dev
  • .dob
  • .dox
  • .dpk
  • .dpl
  • .dpr
  • .dsk
  • .dsp
  • .eql
  • .ex
  • .f90
  • .fla
  • .for
  • .fpp
  • .jav
  • .java
  • .lbi
  • .owl
  • .pl
  • .plc
  • .pli
  • .pm
  • .res
  • .rsrc
  • .so
  • .swd
  • .tpu
  • .tpx
  • .tu
  • .tur
  • .vc
  • .yab
  • .aip
  • .amxx
  • .ape
  • .api
  • .mxp
  • .oxt
  • .qpx
  • .qtr
  • .xla
  • .xlam
  • .xll
  • .xlv
  • .xpt
  • .cfg
  • .cwf
  • .dbb
  • .slt
  • .bp2
  • .bp3
  • .bpl
  • .clr
  • .dbx
  • .jc
  • .potm
  • .ppsm
  • .prc
  • .prt
  • .shw
  • .std
  • .ver
  • .wpl
  • .xlm
  • .yps
  • .1cd
  • .bck
  • .html
  • .bak
  • .odt
  • .pst
  • .log
  • .mpg
  • .mpeg
  • .odb
  • .wps
  • .xlk
  • .mdb
  • .dxg
  • .wpd
  • .wb2
  • .dbf
  • .ai
  • .3fr
  • .arw
  • .srf
  • .sr2
  • .bay
  • .crw
  • .cr2
  • .dcr
  • .kdc
  • .erf
  • .mef
  • .mrw
  • .nef
  • .nrw
  • .orf
  • .raf
  • .rwl
  • .rw2
  • .r3d
  • .ptx
  • .pef
  • .srw
  • .x3f
  • .der
  • .pem
  • .pfx
  • .p12
  • .p7b
  • .p7c
  • .jfif
  • .exif
  • .rar

It does the following:

  • Skips files with names containing the following string/s:
    • $
    • c:\windows
    • c:\program
  • It does not perform its intended routine if the following applications are seen:
    • VBOX
    • QEMU
    • VMWARE
  • It executes the following command to delete shadow copies:
    • vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

NOTES:

This ransomware is seen to be delivered via the remote desktop control app TeamViewer.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.420.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

23 Mar 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.421.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Mar 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

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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.  
  • %Desktop%\DECRYPTION_HOWTO.Notepad
  • %Desktop%\surprise.bat
  • %Desktop%\Encrypted_Files.Notepad

Step 5

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

Step 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_SURPRISE.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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