Ransom.Win32.DARKSIDE.FAIT
Win32:DangerousSig [Trj] (AVAST)
Windows
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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 executes then deletes itself afterward.
It does not have any backdoor routine.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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:
- %ProgramData%\{Random characters}\{Random characters}.dll → Slightly modified version of one of the following DLLs:
- %System%\msvcrt.dll
- %System%\oleaut32.dll
- %System%\gdi32.dll
- %System%\glu32.dll
- The following files contain list of files encrypted:
- {Drive}\backup\backup_{Random number}_{Computer name}_{Random number}.rc6
- {Drive}\backup\filelist_{Random number}_{Computer name}_{Random number}.rc6
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)
It adds the following processes:
- {Execution path}
- %System%\rundll32.exe
- %System%\explorer.exe
- %System%\cmd.exe /c del /F /Q "{Execution file path and name}"
- %System%\cmd.exe /c del /F /Q "{Execution file path}\wsc.dll"
- %System%\notepad.exe %Public%\Desktop\ReadMe.txt
- %System%\rundll32.exe %ProgramData%\{Random characters}\{Random characters}.dll,{Random export from the executed DLL}
- net.exe stop VSS
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %Public% is the folder that serves as a repository of files or folders common to all users, which is usually C:\Users\Public in Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %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 injects itself into the following processes running in the affected system's memory:
- %System%\rundll32.exe
- %System%\explorer.exe
- %System%\rundll32.exe %ProgramData%\{Random characters}\{Random characters}.dll,{Random export from the executed DLL}
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.. %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 creates the following folders:
- {Drive}\backup
- %ProgramData%\{Random characters}
(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 executes then deletes itself afterward.
It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:
- Global\{Computer name}{Random number}
Backdoor Routine
This Ransomware does not have any backdoor routine.
Rootkit Capabilities
This Ransomware does not have rootkit capabilities.
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates processes or services that contain any of the following strings if found running in the affected system's memory:
- sql
- topqos
- mysqlnotifier
- mysqld
- mysql
- FIRSTRUN
- sqlbrowser
- MsDtsSrvr
- ReportingServicesService
- msmdsrv
- fdhost
- ssms
- fdlauncher
- sofos
- sqlplus
- sqlservr
- sqlwriter
- emagent
- omtsre
- ravssw
- perl
- TNSLSNR
- java
- calc
- ekrn
- zoolz
- encsvc
- firefoxconfig
- infopath
- mspub
- mydesktop
- ocautoupds
- ocomm
- ocssd
- onenote
- outlook
- steam
- synctime
- tbirdconfig
- thebat
- thunderbird
- word
- xfssvccon
- tmlisten
- pccntmon
- cntaosmgr
- ntrtscan
- mbamtray
- dbsnmp
- agntsvc
- isqlplussvc
- mydesktopservice
- firefox
- mydsktopqos
- dbeng
- wordpad
- notepad
- sqbcoreservice
- mydesktopqos
- omtsreco
- oravssw
- dbeng50
- oracle
- postmaster
- vmware
- virtualbox
- mongo
- excel
- msaccess
- powerpnt
- visio
- winword
- veeam
- acronis
- backup
- hyper
- exchange
- xchange
- teamviewer
- anydesk
- lmiguardiansvc
- lmimaint
- logmeln
- uvnc
- service
- g2comm
- g2pre
- g2svc
- g2tray
- gotomyPC
- radmin
- ShadowProtect
- ytwingad
- ytadmin
- ytwingqa
- ytwinsdr
- mms.exe
- mmsMonitor
- schedhlp
- schedul2
- MmsMonitor
- PowMigSrvc.exe
- EmcPowSrv.exe
- EmcpMgmtComp.exe
- EmcPowMon.exe
- PowMigSrvc
- tib_mounter_monitor
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
- It encrypts fixed drives
- It deletes shadow copies
- It does not append an extension to the file name of encrypted files
- It inserts the following partially obfuscated string in encrypted files:
- "This file is encrypted.Contact {BLOCKED}@dogseyel.com for decryption"
It does not exploit any vulnerability.
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:
- autorun.inf
- boot.ini
- bootfont.bin
- bootsect.bak
- desktop.ini
- iconcache.db
- ntuser.dat
- thumbs.db
It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:
- C:\Windows
- C:\MSOCache
- C:\PerfLogs
- C:\Boot
- C:\ProgramData
- C:\Windows.Old
NOTES:
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- %Public%\Desktop\ReadMe.txt → detected as Ransom.Win32.DARKSIDE.FAIT.note
SOLUTION
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
Identify and terminate files detected as Ransom.Win32.DARKSIDE.FAIT
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 4
Search and delete this file
- %Public%\Desktop\ReadMe.txt
- %ProgramData%\{Random characters}\{Random characters}.dll
- {Drive}\backup\backup_{Random number}_{Computer name}_{Random number}.rc6
- {Drive}\backup\filelist_{Random number}_{Computer name}_{Random number}.rc6
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- {Drive}\backup
- %ProgramData%\{Random characters}
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win32.DARKSIDE.FAIT. 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:
Step 7
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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