This ransomware is written in Jscript, a scripting language designed for Windows. Particularly, it is for Internet Explorer. Note that it requires Windows Script Host execution.
To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.
This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.
This is the Trend Micro detection for files that exhibit certain behaviors.
Arrival Details
This Trojan arrives as an attachment to email messages spammed by other malware/grayware or malicious users.
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
(default) = "{malware path and filename}.js argument"
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\RAA\Raa-fnl
It deletes the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
services\VSS
(Note: This is the Windows Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) Service)
Other Details
This Trojan encrypts files with the following extensions:
- doc
- xls
- rft
- pdf
- dbf
- jpg
- dwg
- cdr
- psd
- cd
- mdb
- png
- lcd
- zip
- rar
- csv
It drops the following file(s)/component(s):
- %Desktop%\!!!README!!!{unique ID}.rtf - ransom note
- %My Documents%\doc_attached_{5 random characters} - word document
- %My Documents%\st.exe – detected as TSPY_FAREIT.RAA
(Note: %My Documents% is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\My Documents on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Documents on Windows Vista and 7.)
This is the Trend Micro detection for:
It does the following:
- It encrypts files in all available drives and appends the extension .locked
- It avoids encrypting files in folders/directories containing the following strings:
- WINDOWS
- RECYCLER
- Program Files
- Program Files (x86)
- Windows
- Recycle.Bin
- RECYCLE.BIN
- Recycler
- TEMP
- APPDATA
- AppData
- Temp
- ProgramData
- Microsoft
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
Remove the malware/grayware file dropped/downloaded by RANSOM_JSRAA.A. (Note: Please skip this step if the threat(s) listed below have already been removed.)
Step 4
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as RANSOM_JSRAA.A
Step 5
Restart in Safe Mode
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To restart in Safe Mode:
• For Windows 2000 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows XP users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
- Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.
• For Windows Server 2003 users
- Restart your computer.
- Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
- On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.
• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 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.
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- (default) = "{malware path and filename}.js argument"
To delete the registry value this malware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 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>Windows>CurrentVersion>Run - In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
(default) = "{malware path and filename}.js argument" - Close Registry Editor.
Step 7
Delete this registry key
[ Learn More ]
[ back ]
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.
To delete registry keys this malware/grayware created:
- Open Registry Editor. To do this:
» For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
» For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
» For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 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 - Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
RAA - Close Registry Editor.
Step 8
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_JSRAA.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 9
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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