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 drops files as ransom note. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.
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.
Installation
This Ransomware drops the following files:
- used as wallpaper:
- %ProgramData%\{appended ransomware extension}.bmp
(Note: %ProgramData% is a version of the Program Files folder where any user on a multi-user computer can make changes to programs. This contains application data for all users. This is usually C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit), or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows Server 2003(32-bit), 2000(32-bit) and XP.)
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- Global\{Generated hash based on GUID}
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates the following services if found on the affected system:
- mepocs
- memtas
- veeam
- svc$
- backup
- sql
- vss
It terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- encsvc
- thebat
- mydesktopqos
- xfssvccon
- firefox
- infopath
- winword
- steam
- synctime
- notepad
- ocomm
- onenote
- mspub
- thunderbird
- agntsvc
- sql
- excel
- powerpnt
- outlook
- wordpad
- dbeng50
- isqlplussvc
- sqbcoreservice
- oracle
- ocautoupds
- dbsnmp
- msaccess
- tbirdconfig
- ocssd
- mydesktopservice
- visio
Information Theft
This Ransomware gathers the following data:
- Machine GUID
- Computer name
- Hostname
- Username
- Domain
- OS Architecture
- Language
- Disk information (free size, disk size)
- Total number of files
- Total number of encrypted files
Stolen Information
This Ransomware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:
- http://{BLOCKED}zip.org/?{encrypted string}
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
- Optionally encrypts Microsoft Exchange files in %ExchangeInstallPath%\Mailbox directory.
- If not executed with admin rights, it will relaunch itself as admin.
- It encrypts fixed, removable and network drives.
- It deletes files in recycle bin folder for removable and fixed drives.
- It uses WQL to delete shadow copies.
- Optionally prints out a ransom note using the default printer.
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- {appended ransomware extension}.README.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:
- 386
- adv
- ani
- bat
- bin
- cab
- cmd
- com
- cpl
- cur
- deskthemepack
- diagcab
- diagcfg
- diagpkg
- dll
- drv
- exe
- hlp
- hta
- icl
- icns
- ico
- ics
- idx
- key
- ldf
- lnk
- lock
- mod
- mpa
- msc
- msi
- msp
- msstyles
- msu
- nls
- nomedia
- ocx
- pdb
- prf
- ps1
- rom
- rtp
- scr
- shs
- spl
- sys
- theme
- themepack
- wpx
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.XXPE50FFF049
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
Search and delete this file
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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.
- %ProgramData%\{appended ransomware extension}.bmp
- {appended ransomware extension}.README.txt
To manually delete a malware/grayware file from an affected system:
•For Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 (R2), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 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 (R2) users, right-click on the lower-left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
- In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type:
- %ProgramData%\{appended ransomware extension}.bmp
- {appended ransomware extension}.README.txt
- Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
*Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (R2).
Step 6
Reset your Desktop properties
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To restore your wallpaper:
- Click Start>Settings>Control Panel.
- Double-click the Display option and click the Background tab.
- Click the Browse button to select your preferred wallpaper or select an image from the Windows built-in wallpapers.
- Choose OK to apply the changes.
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win32.BLACKMATTER.SMYXBHMT. 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.
Step 9
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win32.BLACKMATTER.SMYXBHMT. 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:
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