Analysis by: Eleazar Valles
ALIASES:

Ransom:Win32/Lockbit.STA (MICROSOFT), Win32:LockBit-A [Ransom] (AVAST)

 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: Dropped by other malware, 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.

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 982,528 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 28 Jun 2022
Payload: Drops files, Terminates processes

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:

  • %System%\{random}.ico → icon for encrypted files
  • {Drive}\{random}.lock → deleted afterwards

(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:

  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet & wmic shadowcopy delete & bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures & bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • {095650E2-0956-73FC-75BA-CE6A6A58CEB8}

Autostart Technique

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{030CECE2-5656-7371-75BA-756A705801B8} = {Malware Path and Name}.exe

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.lockbit\DefaultIcon
{Default} = %System%\{random}.ico

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FA0C50E256FCBA
Private = {Generated Session Key}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FA0C50E256FCBA
Public = {Generated Session Key}

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following services if found on the affected system:

  • AcronisAgent
  • AcrSch2Svc
  • ARSM
  • backup
  • BackupExecAgentAccelerator
  • BackupExecAgentBrowser
  • BackupExecDiveciMediaService
  • BackupExecJobEngine
  • BackupExecManagementService
  • BackupExecRPCService
  • BackupExecVSSProvider
  • bedbg
  • CAARCUpdateSvc
  • CASAD2DWebSvc
  • ccEvtMgr
  • ccSetMgr
  • Culserver
  • dbeng8
  • dbsrv12
  • DefWatch
  • FCS
  • FishbowlMySQL
  • Intuit
  • memtas
  • mepocs
  • MSExchange
  • MSExchange$
  • msftesql-Exchange
  • msmdsrv
  • MSSQL
  • MSSQL$
  • MSSQL$KAV_CS_ADMIN_KIT
  • MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE
  • MSSQL$MICROSOFT##WID
  • MSSQL$SBSMONITORING
  • MSSQL$SHAREPOINT
  • MSSQL$VEEAMSQL2012
  • MSSQLFDLauncher$SBSMONITORING
  • MSSQLFDLauncher$SHAREPOINT
  • MSSQLServerADHelper100
  • MVArmor
  • MVarmor64
  • MySQL57
  • PDVFSService
  • QBCFMonitorService
  • QBFCService
  • QBIDPService
  • QBVSS
  • QuickBooks
  • RTVscan
  • SavRoam
  • sophos
  • sql
  • sqladhlp
  • SQLADHLP
  • sqlagent
  • SQLAgent$KAV_CS_ADMIN_KIT
  • SQLAgent$SBSMONITORING
  • SQLAgent$SHAREPOINT
  • SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2012
  • sqlbrowser
  • SQLBrowser
  • Sqlservr
  • SQLWriter
  • stc_raw_agent
  • svc$
  • tomcat6
  • veeam
  • VeeamDeploymentService
  • VeeamNFSSvc
  • VeeamTransportSvc
  • vmware-converter
  • vmware-usbarbitator64
  • VSNAPVSS
  • vss
  • wrapper
  • WSBExchange
  • YooBackup
  • YooIT
  • zhudongfangyu

It terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • 360doctor
  • 360se
  • acwebbrowser
  • ADExplorer
  • ADExplorer64
  • ADExplorer64a
  • Adobe CEF
  • Adobe Desktop Service
  • AdobeCollabSync
  • AdobeIPCBroker
  • agntsvc
  • AutodeskDesktopApp
  • Autoruns
  • Autoruns64
  • Autoruns64a
  • Autorunsc
  • Autorunsc64
  • Autorunsc64a
  • avz
  • axlbridge
  • bedbh
  • benetns
  • bengien
  • beserver
  • BrCcUxSys
  • BrCtrlCntr
  • CagService
  • CoreSync
  • Creative Cloud
  • Culture
  • dbeng50
  • dbsnmp
  • Defwatch
  • DellSystemDetect
  • dumpcap
  • encsvc
  • EnterpriseClient
  • excel
  • fbguard
  • fbserver
  • fdhost
  • fdlauncher
  • GDscan
  • GlassWire
  • GWCtlSrv
  • Helper
  • httpd
  • infopath
  • InputPersonalization
  • isqlplussvc
  • j0gnjko1
  • java
  • koaly-exp-engine-service
  • msaccess
  • MsDtSrvr
  • mspub
  • mydesktopqos
  • mydesktopservice
  • mysqld
  • node
  • notepad
  • notepad++
  • ocautoupds
  • ocomm
  • ocssd
  • onenote
  • ONENOTEM
  • oracle
  • outlook
  • powerpnt
  • ProcessHacker
  • Procexp
  • Procexp64
  • procexp64a
  • procmon
  • procmon64
  • procmon64a
  • pvlsvr
  • QBDBMgr
  • QBDBMgrN
  • QBIDPService
  • qbupdate
  • QBW32
  • Raccine
  • Raccine_x86
  • RaccineElevatedCfg
  • RaccineSettings
  • RAgui
  • raw_agent_svc
  • RdrCEF
  • RTVscan
  • sam
  • Simply
  • SimplyConnectionManager
  • sqbcoreservice
  • sqlbrowser
  • sqlmangr
  • Sqlservr
  • Ssms
  • steam
  • supervise
  • sync-taskbar
  • synctime
  • sync-worker
  • Sysmon
  • Sysmon64
  • SystemExplorer
  • SystemExplorerService
  • SystemExplorerService64
  • SystemTrayIcon
  • tbirdconfig
  • tcpview
  • tcpview64
  • tcpview64a
  • tdsskiller
  • TeamViewer
  • TeamViewer_Service
  • thebat
  • thunderbird
  • TitanV
  • tomcat6
  • Totalcmd
  • Totalcmd64
  • tv_w32
  • tv_x64
  • VeeamDeploymentSvc
  • visio
  • vsnapvss
  • vxmon
  • wdswfsafe
  • winword
  • WireShark
  • wordpad
  • wsa_service
  • wxServer
  • wxServerView
  • xfssvccon
  • ZhuDongFangYu

Other Details

This Ransomware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.lockbit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
.lockbit\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FA0C50E256FCBA

It does the following:

  • It has the capability to print the ransom note in infected machines.
  • It encrypts files found in the following drive types:
    • Fixed drive
    • Removable drive
    • Network drive
    • RAM Disks

It accepts the following parameters:

  • {File Name or File Path to Encrypt} → if unspecified, the malware will infect all files except for the avoided ones.

Ransomware Routine

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

  • autorun.inf
  • bootsect.bak
  • iconcache.db
  • ntldr
  • ntuser.dat.log
  • restore-my-files.txt
  • thumbs.db

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

  • $recycle.bin
  • $windows.~bt
  • $windows.~ws
  • all users
  • appdata
  • application data
  • boot
  • common files
  • google
  • intel
  • internet explorer
  • microsoft
  • microsoft shared
  • microsoft.net
  • mozilla
  • msbuild
  • msocache
  • opera
  • perflog
  • system volume information
  • tor browser
  • windows
  • windows defender
  • windows journal
  • windows media player
  • windows nt
  • windows photo viewer
  • windows security
  • windows.old
  • windowsapps
  • windows powershell

It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .lockbit

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

  • {Encrypted Directory}\Restore-My-Files.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .386
  • .adv
  • .ani
  • .apk
  • .app
  • .bat
  • .bin
  • .cmd
  • .com
  • .cpl
  • .cur
  • .dacpac
  • .db-shm
  • .diagcab
  • .diagcfg
  • .diagpkg
  • .dll
  • .dmg
  • .dmp
  • .drv
  • .exe
  • .fnt
  • .fon
  • .gadget
  • .hlp
  • .hta
  • .icns
  • .ico
  • .ics
  • .idx
  • .ini
  • .ipa
  • .iso
  • .key
  • .lnk
  • .lock
  • .lockbit
  • .mod
  • .mp3
  • .mp4
  • .mpa
  • .mrg
  • .msc
  • .msi
  • .msp
  • .msstyles
  • .msu
  • .nls
  • .ocx
  • .otf
  • .part
  • .pif
  • .prf
  • .rdp
  • .reg
  • .rom
  • .rtp
  • .sfcache
  • .shs
  • .spl
  • .sys
  • .theme
  • .tmp
  • .ttf
  • .wad
  • .wav
  • .wma
  • .woff
  • .wpx
  • .xex

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 17.658.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 30 Jun 2022
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 17.659.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 01 Jul 2022

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.XXPE50FFF058

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

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

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
    • {030CECE2-5656-7371-75BA-756A705801B8} = {Malware Path and Name}.exe
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.lockbit\DefaultIcon
    • {Default} = %System%\{random}.ico
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FA0C50E256FCBA
    • Private = {Generated Session Key}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FA0C50E256FCBA
    • Public = {Generated Session Key}

Step 6

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

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\Classes\
    • .lockbit
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
    • .lockbit\DefaultIcon
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\
    • FA0C50E256FCBA

Step 7

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • {Encrypted Directory}\Restore-My-Files.txt

Step 8

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