Analysis by: Paul Steven Nadera
 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

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.

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 4,526,592 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 16 Jan 2021
Payload: Displays message/message boxes, Encrypts files

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 adds the following processes:

  • wmic.exe shadowcopy delete /nointeractive
  • taskkill /f /im msftesql.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqlagent.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqlbrowser.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqlwriter.exe
  • taskkill /f /im oracle.exe
  • taskkill /f /im ocssd.exe
  • taskkill /f /im dbsnmp.exe
  • taskkill /f /im synctime.exe
  • taskkill /f /im agntsvc.exeisqlplussvc.exe
  • taskkill /f /im xfssvccon.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqlservr.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mydesktopservice.exe
  • taskkill /f /im ocautoupds.exe
  • taskkill /f /im agntsvc.exeagntsvc.exe
  • taskkill /f /im agntsvc.exeencsvc.exe
  • taskkill /f /im firefoxconfig.exe
  • taskkill /f /im tbirdconfig.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mydesktopqos.exe
  • taskkill /f /im ocomm.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mysqld.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mysqld-nt.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mysqld-opt.exe
  • taskkill /f /im dbeng50.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqbcoreservice.exe
  • taskkill /f /im excel.exe
  • taskkill /f /im infopath.exe
  • taskkill /f /im msaccess.exe
  • taskkill /f /im mspub.exe
  • taskkill /f /im onenote.exe
  • taskkill /f /im outlook.exe
  • taskkill /f /im powerpnt.exe
  • taskkill /f /im steam.exe
  • taskkill /f /im sqlservr.exe
  • taskkill /f /im thebat.exe
  • taskkill /f /im thebat64.exe
  • taskkill /f /im thunderbird.exe
  • taskkill /f /im visio.exe
  • taskkill /f /im winword.exe
  • taskkill /f /im wordpad.exe

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper by modifying the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %Public%\Desktop\desktop.bmp

Other Details

This Ransomware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.64.52/CERA/Captures/ran.asp

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:

  • desktop.ini
  • autorun.inf
  • ntuser.dat
  • iconcache.db
  • bootsect.bak
  • ntuser.dat
  • thumbs.db
  • boot.ini

It avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:

  • windows
  • Local Settings
  • Boot
  • IE
  • ProgramData
  • system
  • appdata

It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:

  • %Desktop%\readme.txt
  • %Public%\Desktop\readme.txt
  • %Public%\Desktop\desktop.bmp -> Sets as desktop wallpaper

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .ani
  • .bat
  • .cab
  • .CDRom
  • .cpl
  • .cur
  • .diagcab
  • .diagpkg
  • .dll
  • .drv
  • .exe
  • .hlp
  • .icl
  • .icns
  • .ico
  • .ics
  • .idx
  • .key
  • .ldf
  • .lnk
  • .lock
  • .mod
  • .mpa
  • .msc
  • .msi
  • .msp
  • .msstyles
  • .msu
  • .nomedia
  • .ocx
  • .prf
  • .rom
  • .rtp
  • .scr
  • .shs
  • .spl
  • .sys
  • .theme
  • .themepack

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 16.480.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 16 Jan 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 16.481.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 17 Jan 2021

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

     
    • Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF039

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Reset your Desktop properties

[ Learn More ]

Step 6

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.
  • %Desktop%\readme.txt
  • %Public%\Desktop\readme.txt
  • %Public%\Desktop\desktop.bmp

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win32.GARYTEST.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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