RANSOM_RANSOC.A

March 20, 2017
 Analysis by: John Anthony Banes
 ALIASES:

Ransom.Ransoc (Norton); Ransom:Win32/Ransoc.A (Microsoft);

 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 retrieves specific information from the affected system.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

417,896 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

14 Nov 2016

Payload:

Encrypts files, Compromises system security, Displays graphics/image, Steals information

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:

  • %User Temp%\{random characters}.exe

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on 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.)

Other System Modifications

This Trojan adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
JavaErrorHandler = %User Temp%\{random characters}.exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{random characters}
ErrorCode = {hex values}

Process Termination

This Trojan terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • taskmgr.exe
  • regedit.exe
  • msconfig.exe

Web Browser Home Page and Search Page Modification

This Trojan modifies the Internet Explorer Zone Settings.

Dropping Routine

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{random characters}
  • %User Startup%\JavaErrorHandler.lnk - malware shortcut
  • %User Temp%\__config{random numbers}.bat

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on 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 Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000 and XP, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Information Theft

This Trojan retrieves the following information from the affected system:

  • Facebook account information
  • Skype account information
  • LinkedIn account information
  • Geolocation
  • Webcam capture
  • IP Address
  • Username
  • System Information

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:

  • ipinfo.io
  • api.ipify.org

It connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.238.52
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.175.225
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.193.9
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.223.34
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.244.244
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.40.189
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.251.203
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.206.212
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.21.38
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.39

It terminates itself if it detects it is being run in a virtual environment.

It does the following:

  • It skips scanning filenames containing the following strings in its full path name:
    • $Recycle.Bin
    • AppData
    • Application Data
    • ApplicationData
    • Boot
    • cache2
    • Content.IE5
    • Cookies
    • DriverStore
    • DVD Maker
    • emo_cache_v2
    • Extensions
    • GAC_MSIL
    • Games
    • GOG Games
    • History.IE5
    • httpcache
    • INetCache
    • iTunes.Resources
    • lol_game_client
    • Microsoft
    • microsoft shared
    • My Games
    • Program Files
    • Program Files (x86)
    • ProgramData
    • steamapps
    • System Volume Information
    • System32
    • Temp
    • Temporary Internet Files
    • tmp
    • Windows
    • winnt
    • WinSAT
    • WinSxS
    • WinWDF
  • It scans filenames containing the following extensions:
    • avi
    • divx
    • jpeg
    • jpg
    • mkv
    • mov
    • mpe
    • mpeg
    • mpg
    • pdf
    • png
    • qt
    • rar
    • rm
    • sfv
    • vob
    • wmv
    • xvid
    • zip
  • It checks if the filename contains the following strings:
    • 1 yo
    • 1 yr
    • 10 yo
    • 10 yr
    • 10yo
    • 10yr
    • 1yo
    • 1yr
    • 2 yo
    • 2 yr
    • 2yo
    • 2yr
    • 3 yo
    • 3 yr
    • 3yo
    • 3yr
    • 4 yo
    • 4 yr
    • 4yo
    • 4yr
    • 5 yo
    • 5 yr
    • 5yo
    • 5yr
    • 6 yo
    • 6 yr
    • 6yo
    • 6yr
    • 7 yo
    • 7 yr
    • 7yo
    • 7yr
    • 8 yo
    • 8 yr
    • 8yo
    • 8yr
    • 9 yo
    • 9 yr
    • 9yo
    • 9yr
    • abused
    • alice
    • aliens stars
    • aliens strs
    • alinag
    • alone
    • alyonag
    • alyonar
    • anastasiak
    • anastasias
    • anitad
    • anjelikal
    • annat
    • annaz
    • assorties
    • babies
    • barbie
    • batman
    • biyankas
    • builders
    • candydoll
    • candydolls
    • candygirl
    • candygirls
    • child
    • children in cinema
    • confidential
    • daisies
    • dinay
    • dreams
    • duchess
    • elenav
    • elisam
    • elizabetas
    • evag
    • fa-
    • fairyland
    • fallen girls
    • fallg-
    • fantasy
    • flash
    • forbidden
    • fresh
    • fruit
    • happy
    • hawaiian breeze
    • holidays
    • home
    • hots
    • incest
    • innal
    • irak
    • irinab
    • irynam
    • issue
    • jasminp
    • juliyar
    • katerynav
    • kinderkutje
    • kleuterkutje
    • la2
    • larisah
    • las-
    • last
    • last virgins
    • laurab
    • lav-
    • lbs-
    • lerac
    • lhv-
    • liliyay
    • little
    • lkd-
    • lolita
    • lsb-
    • lsbar-
    • lsd
    • lsh-
    • lsm
    • ls
    • ls-magazine
    • lsn-
    • lsv-
    • lswfall
    • margaritad
    • mashap
    • mashas
    • mayal
    • milav
    • milenas
    • monikad
    • mouse
    • nadyas
    • nastiak
    • natashac
    • ninat
    • oksana
    • olgas
    • olhad
    • olyay
    • pedo
    • pedofilia
    • pedoland
    • pedophilia
    • pionap
    • porn
    • preteen
    • pthc
    • ptsc
    • real
    • ritak
    • sashad
    • sashal
    • sex
    • sharlottas
    • short skirts
    • show
    • siberian
    • siberianm
    • silviyar
    • sofiyav
    • sonyam
    • sp_
    • special set
    • stars
    • stunning dolls
    • svetlanat
    • sweet
    • syuzannar
    • t-
    • touch it
    • twins
    • ufo-
    • ulyanaa
    • ulyanam
    • underage
    • valensiyas
    • valentines
    • valeriyal
    • variety
    • victoriad
    • victorias
    • vikaz
    • violetak
    • virgins
    • waterfall
    • young
    • yulias
    • yuliyaz
    • zinab
  • It does not encrypt files.
  • It locks the desktop and displays a customized ransom note depending on the data found inside the computer.
    • Facebook Account Information
    • Skype Account Information
    • LinkedIn Account Information
    • System Information
    • Geolocation
    • Webcam Capture
    • IP Address
    • PC Name
    • User Name
    • Torrent files
    • Files containing questionable content
  • It scans for torrent files in the following locations:
    • %Application Data%\uTorrent
    • %Application Data%\Azureus\active
    • %Application Data%\Vuze Leap\.resume
    • %Application Data%\qBittorrent\BT_backup
    • %Application Data%\deluge\state
  • It checks the following files to retrieve user's Skype, Facebook, and LinkedIn information:
    • %Application Data%\Skype\shared.xml
    • %Temporary Internet Files%\Content.IE5\index.dat
    • %User Profile%\Cookies\index.dat
    • %User Profile%\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\index.dat

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on 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.)

NOTES:

It displays the following message:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

12.902.04

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Nov 2016

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

12.903.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Nov 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

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\{random characters}
    • ErrorCode = {hex values}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • JavaErrorHandler = %User Temp%\{random characters}.exe

Step 5

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.
  • %User Temp%\{random characters}
  • %User Startup%\JavaErrorHandler.lnk
  • %User Temp%\__config{random numbers}.bat

Step 6

Reset Internet security settings

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

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