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 copies of itself into the affected system:
- %All Users Profile%\Windows\csrss.exe
(Note: %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit). )
It drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-certs
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdesc-consensus
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdescs.new
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\lock
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\state
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\unverified-microdesc-consensus
(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).)
It adds the following processes:
- %System%\vssadmin.exe List Shadows
- %System%\vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
Autostart Technique
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Client Server Runtime Subsystem = "%All Users Profile%\Windows\csrss.exe"
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
xVersion = 4.0.0.1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
xmail = {Number}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
xmode = {Number}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
xstate = {Number}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
xcnt = {Number}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
shst = {Number}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\
Configuration
sh2 = {Base64 Encoded Data}
It changes the desktop wallpaper by modifying the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %Application Data%\{Random Filename}.bmp
It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
- %Application Data%\{Random Filename}.bmp
Other Details
This Ransomware connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
- http://whatismyipaddress.com/
- http://whatsmyip.net/
It connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- http://{BLOCKED}p2xzclh6fd.onion/{Path}
where {Path} can be any of the following:- reg.php
- prog.php
- err.php
- cmd.php
- sys.php
- shd.php
- mail.php
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .1cd
- .3ds
- .3fr
- .3g2
- .3gp
- .7z
- .accda
- .accdb
- .accdc
- .accde
- .accdt
- .accdw
- .adb
- .adp
- .ai
- .ai3
- .ai4
- .ai5
- .ai6
- .ai7
- .ai8
- .anim
- .arw
- .as
- .asa
- .asc
- .ascx
- .asm
- .asmx
- .asp
- .aspx
- .asr
- .asx
- .avi
- .avs
- .backup
- .bak
- .bay
- .bd
- .bin
- .bmp
- .bz2
- .c
- .cbf
- .cdr
- .cer
- .cf
- .cfc
- .cfm
- .cfml
- .cfu
- .chm
- .cin
- .class
- .clx
- .config
- .cpp
- .cr2
- .crt
- .crw
- .crypted
- .cs
- .css
- .csv
- .cub
- .dae
- .dat
- .db
- .dbf
- .dbx
- .dc3
- .dcm
- .dcr
- .der
- .dib
- .dic
- .dif
- .divx
- .djvu
- .dmp
- .dng
- .doc
- .docm
- .docx
- .dot
- .dotm
- .dotx
- .dpx
- .dqy
- .dsn
- .dt
- .dtd
- .dwg
- .dwt
- .dx
- .dxf
- .edml
- .efd
- .elf
- .emf
- .eml
- .emz
- .epf
- .eps
- .epsf
- .epsp
- .erf
- .exr
- .f4v
- .fbk
- .fdb
- .fido
- .fld
- .flm
- .flv
- .frm
- .fxg
- .geo
- .gif
- .grs
- .gz
- .h
- .hdr
- .hpp
- .hta
- .htc
- .htm
- .html
- .icb
- .ics
- .iff
- .inc
- .indd
- .ini
- .iqy
- .j2c
- .j2k
- .java
- .jp2
- .jpc
- .jpe
- .jpeg
- .jpf
- .jpg
- .jpx
- .js
- .jsf
- .json
- .jsp
- .kdc
- .kmz
- .kwm
- .lasso
- .lbi
- .lgf
- .lgp
- .log
- .lst
- .m1v
- .m4a
- .m4v
- .max
- .md
- .mda
- .mdb
- .mde
- .mdf
- .mdw
- .mef
- .mft
- .mfw
- .mht
- .mhtml
- .mka
- .mkidx
- .mkv
- .mos
- .mov
- .mp3
- .mp4
- .mpeg
- .mpg
- .mpv
- .mrw
- .msg
- .mtr
- .mxl
- .myd
- .myi
- .nef
- .nrw
- .obj
- .odb
- .odc
- .odm
- .odp
- .ods
- .oft
- .one
- .onepkg
- .onetoc2
- .opt
- .oqy
- .orf
- .p12
- .p7b
- .p7c
- .pam
- .pbm
- .pct
- .pcx
- .pdd
- .pdf
- .pdp
- .pef
- .pem
- .pff
- .pfm
- .pfx
- .pgm
- .php
- .php3
- .php4
- .php5
- .phtml
- .pict
- .pl
- .pls
- .pm
- .png
- .pnm
- .pot
- .potm
- .potx
- .ppa
- .ppam
- .ppm
- .pps
- .ppsm
- .ppt
- .pptm
- .pptx
- .prn
- .ps
- .psb
- .psd
- .pst
- .ptx
- .pub
- .pwm
- .pxr
- .py
- .qt
- .r3d
- .raf
- .rar
- .raw
- .rdf
- .rgbe
- .rle
- .rqy
- .rss
- .rtf
- .rw2
- .rwl
- .safe
- .sct
- .sdpx
- .shtm
- .shtml
- .slk
- .sln
- .sql
- .sr2
- .srf
- .srw
- .ssi
- .st
- .stm
- .svg
- .svgz
- .swf
- .tab
- .tar
- .tbb
- .tbi
- .tbk
- .tdi
- .tga
- .thmx
- .tib
- .tif
- .tiff
- .tld
- .torrent
- .tpl
- .txt
- .u3d
- .udl
- .uxdc
- .vault
- .vb
- .vbk
- .vbm
- .vbs
- .vcs
- .vda
- .vdr
- .vdw
- .vdx
- .vhd
- .vib
- .vrp
- .vsd
- .vss
- .vst
- .vsw
- .vsx
- .vtm
- .vtml
- .vtx
- .wav
- .wb2
- .wbm
- .wbmp
- .wim
- .wmf
- .wml
- .wmv
- .wpd
- .wps
- .x3f
- .xl
- .xla
- .xlam
- .xlk
- .xlm
- .xls
- .xlsb
- .xlsm
- .xlsx
- .xlt
- .xltm
- .xltx
- .xlw
- .xml
- .xps
- .xsd
- .xsf
- .xsl
- .xslt
- .xsn
- .xtp
- .xtp2
- .xyze
- .xz
- .zip
It renames encrypted files using the following names:
- {Random Filename}.{ID}.crypted000007
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- {Drive Letter}:\README{1-10}.txt
- %Desktop%\README{1-10}.txt
(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:
- README{1-10}.txt
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
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.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32
To delete registry keys this malware/grayware created:
- 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 (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>System32 - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
Configuration - Close Registry Editor.
Step 5
Delete this registry value
[ Learn More ]
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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\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration
- sh2 = {Base64 Encoded Data}
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>System32>Configuration - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
xVersion = 4.0.0.1 - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
xmail = {Number} - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
xmode = {Number} - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
xstate = {Number} - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
xcnt = {Number} - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
shst = {Number} - Again In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
sh2 = {Base64 Encoded Data} - Close Registry Editor.
Step 6
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.
- %All Users Profile%\Windows\csrss.exe
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-certs
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdesc-consensus
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdescs.new
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\lock
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\state
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\unverified-microdesc-consensus
- %Application Data%\{Random Filename}.bmp
- {Drive Letter}:\README{1-10}.txt
- %Desktop%\README{1-10}.txt
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:
- %All Users Profile%\Windows\csrss.exe
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-certs
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdesc-consensus
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\cached-microdescs.new
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\lock
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\state
- %User Temp%\{Random Folder Name}\unverified-microdesc-consensus
- %Application Data%\{Random Filename}.bmp
- {Drive Letter}:\README{1-10}.txt
- %Desktop%\README{1-10}.txt
- 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 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
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win32.SHADE.THBBGAI. 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 9
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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