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.
It may be downloaded by the following malware/grayware from remote sites:
Installation
This Ransomware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It adds the following processes:
- wmic.exe SHADOWCOPY /nointeractive
- wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP
- wbadmin DELETE SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP -deleteOldest
- bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled No
- bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
- vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Autostart Technique
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Owner = {HEX VALUES}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
SessionHash = {HEX VALUES}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
Sequence = {VALUE}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFiles0000 = {Target File Name}
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
RegFilesHash = {Hex Values}
It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLinkedConnections = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is None.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 5.)
It changes the desktop wallpaper by modifying the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %User Profile%\bckgrd.bmp
It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates the following services if found on the affected system:
- ccEvtMgr
- ccSetMgr
- Culserver
- dbeng8
- dbsrv12
- DefWatch
- Intuit.QuickBooks.FCS
- msmdsrv
- QBCFMonitorService
- QBIDPService
- RTVscan
- sqladhlp
- SQLADHLP
- sqlagent
- sqlbrowser
- sqlservr
- sqlwriter
- tomcat6
- VMAuthdService
- VMnetDHCP
- VMUSBArbService
- vmware-converter
- VMwareHostd
- vmware-usbarbitator64
It terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- 360doctor.exe
- 360se.exe
- axlbridge.exe
- BCFMonitorService.exe
- Culture.exe
- Defwatch.exe
- fdhost.exe
- fdlauncher.exe
- GDscan.exe
- httpd.exe
- java.exe
- MsDtSrvr.exe
- QBDBMgr.exe
- QBIDPService.exe
- QBIDPService.exe
- qbupdate.exe
- QBW32.exe
- RAgui.exe
- RTVscan.exe
- sqlbrowser.exe
- sqlservr.exe
- supervise.exe
- tomcat6.exe
- wdswfsafe.exe
- winword.exe
- wxServer.exe
- wxServerView.exe
Other Details
This Ransomware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0000
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0001
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
RestartManager\Session0002
It connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
It does the following:
- Terminates itself if Windows Locale ID is equal to the following:
- 419 = Russian
- 422 = Ukrainian
- Terminates itself if machine is set to the following keyboard layout language:
- 419 = Russian
- 485 = Yakut(Russia)
- 444 = Tatar
- 422 = Ukrainian
- This ransomware affects all existing drives in the system
It adds the following scheduled tasks:
- Task Name: update
- Task to run: %Application Data%\{Malware Filename}.exe
- Trigger: At {install time} every day - After triggered, repeat every 10 minutes indefinitely
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files found in the following folders:
- Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server
- Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Exchange Server
- Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server
- Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server
It avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:
It avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:
- Windows
- Program Files
- Users\All Users
- %User Temp%
- Program Files (x86)
- %User Profile%\AppData
- ProgramData
- Tor Browser
(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %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).)
It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- {Encrypted Directory}\{random numbers}-readme.html

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:
- .bin
- .dat
- .dll
- .drv
- .exe
- .ini
- .lnk
- .prf
- .rdp
- .swp
- .sys
- .avdn
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.XXPE50FFF036
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
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (R2) users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
- On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users
- Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
- Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
- In the left panel, click General.
- In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
- In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.
• For Windows 10 users
- Press Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. If that doesn't work, select the Start button, then select Settings.
- Select Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advcanced options > Startup settings > Restart.
- After your PC restarts, you'll see a list og options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode.
Step 5
Delete this registry key
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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. Before you could do this, you must restart in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to edit the system registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
- RestartManager\Session0000
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
- RestartManager\Session0001
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
- RestartManager\Session0002
To delete the registry key this malware/grayware/spyware created:
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page. If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to #2.
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RestartManager\Session0000 - Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RestartManager\Session0001 - Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RestartManager\Session0002 - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Delete this registry value
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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\Policies\System
- EnableLinkedConnections = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (R2) users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, 10, and Windows Server 2012 (R2) users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter. - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>System - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
EnableLinkedConnections = 1 - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe - In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
update = %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe - Close Registry Editor.
Step 7
Restore these modified registry values
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Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: EnableLUA = 0
To: EnableLUA = 1
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0
To: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 5
To restore registry values this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
- On Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2):
Click the Start button, type REGEDIT in the Search input field then press Enter. - On Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 (R2):
Right-click on the lower left corner of the screen and click Run, type REGEDIT in the Run input field, and then press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>System - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
EnableLUA = 0 - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
EnableLUA = 1 - Again In the right panel, locate the registry value:
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0 - Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to:
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 5 - Close Registry Editor.
Step 8
Search and delete these files
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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%\{malware filename}.exe
- {Encrypted Directory}\{random numbers}-readme.html
To delete malware/grayware files:
For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2), 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 (R2):
- Open a Windows Explorer window.
- For Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2) users, click Start>Computer.
- For Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %Application Data%\{malware filename}.exe
- {Encrypted Directory}\{random numbers}-readme.html
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
- Repeat the said steps for all files listed.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7 and Server 2008 (R2).
Step 9
Deleting Scheduled Tasks
The following {Task Name} - {Task to be run} listed should be used in the steps identified below:
- update = %Application Data%\{Malware filename}.exe
For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:
- Open the Windows Scheduled Tasks. Click Start>Programs>Accessories>
System Tools>Scheduled Tasks. - Locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
- Right-click on the said file(s) with the aforementioned value.
- Click on Properties. In the Run field, check for the listed {Task to be run}.
- If the strings match the list above, delete the task.
For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012:
- Open the Windows Task Scheduler. To do this:
• On Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, click Start, type taskschd.msc in the Search input field, then press Enter.
• On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type taskschd.msc, then press Enter. - In the left panel, click Task Scheduler Library.
- In the upper-middle panel, locate each {Task Name} values listed above in the Name column.
- In the lower-middle panel, click the Actions tab. In the Details column, check for the {Task to be run} string.
- If the said string is found, delete the task.
Step 10
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win32.AVADDON.YJAF-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 11
Enabling Volume Shadow Service
- Run the command prompt (cmd.exe) as administrator.
- Enable Volume Shadow Service by typing the following command:
net start vss
Step 12
Enabling Windows Error Recovery
- Run the command prompt (cmd.exe) as administrator.
- Enable Windows Error Recovery Screen on Startup by typing the following command:
bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy displayallfailures
Step 13
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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