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:
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-pw+.txt -> contains password
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\+dp-.txt -> contains password and victim ID
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-i+.txt -> contains victim ID
It drops and executes the following files:
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\cgo46ea565sdfse7.exe -> detected as Ransom.Win32.SYRK.A
- used by the malware to search and encrypt files by executing a Powershell script
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\dh35s3h8d69s3b1k.exe -> detected as Trojan.Win32.SYRK.A
- used in decrypting files, also uses a Powershell script
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\startSF.exe -> detected as Trojan.Win32.SYRK.A
- used to move C:\Users\Public\Documents\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe to %User Startup%\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\DeleteFile.exe -> detected as Trojan.Win32.SYRK.A
- used to delete files this malware created
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\delmy.exe -> detected as Trojan.Win32.SYRK.A
- used to delete the file: %User Startup%\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\LimeUSB_Csharp.exe -> detected as Worm.MSIL.LIME.AA
Autostart Technique
This Ransomware drops the following file(s) in the Windows User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
- %User Startup%\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2003(32-bit), XP and 2000(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit), 10(64-bit).)
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preference}.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preference}.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
WallpaperStyle = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preference}.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
TileWallpaper = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {User Preference}.)
It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- Taskmgr
- Procmon64
- ProcessHacker
Other Details
This Ransomware displays the following images:
- Main display:
- "Show My ID" button:
- If password input is correct and "Decrypt my Files" button is clicked:
It does the following:
- If the timer in the main display times out, it will delete files with .Syrk extension in the following directories:
- %User Profile%\Desktop
- %User Profile%\Document
- %User Profile%\Pictures
- It pings the following URL:
- {BLOCKED}94fg5sb3y8l.{BLOCKED}hostapp.com
- On execution, it will move {current directory}\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe to C:\Users\Public\Documents\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- It sends the following via SMTP:
- Content:
- Attachment: C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\+dp-.txt
- Subject: ID&Pass
- To:
- Host: {BLOCKED}mail.com
- Email: {BLOCKED}som@gmail.com
- It has a built in decryptor but it will only work if the input password is correct.
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- gif
- sln
- docx
- php
- psd
- ico
- mov
- xlsx
- jpg
- xls
- doc
- pdf
- wav
- pptx
- ppt
- txt
- png
- bmp
- rar
- zip
- mp3
- mp4
- avi
It encrypts files found in the following folders:
(Note: %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:
(Note: %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)
It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:
Step 1
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 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
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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 4
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.
- %User Startup%\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\cgo46ea565sdfse7.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\dh35s3h8d69s3b1k.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\startSF.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\DeleteFile.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\delmy.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\LimeUSB_Csharp.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-pw+.txt
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\+dp-.txt
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-i+.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:
- %User Startup%\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\cgo46ea565sdfse7.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\dh35s3h8d69s3b1k.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\startSF.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\DeleteFile.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\delmy.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\LimeUSB_Csharp.exe
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\SydneyFortniteHacks.exe
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-pw+.txt
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\+dp-.txt
- C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\-i+.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 5
Restore this modified 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\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
To restore the registry value this malware/grayware modified:
- Open Registry Editor.
» 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 (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, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Policies>Microsoft>Windows Defender - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
DisableAntiSpyware = 0 - 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 - In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Control Panel>Desktop - In the right panel, locate the registry value:
WallpaperStyle = 1 - Again In the right panel, locate the registry value:
TileWallpaper = 0 - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.MSIL.SYRK.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 7
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 8
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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