Analysis by: Clive Fuentebella
ALIASES:

Gen:Variant.Ransom.Hive.3 (BITDEFENDER)

 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, Dropped by other malware

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 drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 978,944 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Payload: 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 drops the following files:

  • {Encrypted drive}\{Random string}.key.kb2j4

It adds the following processes:

  • vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
  • wmic.exe SHADOWCOPY /nointeractive
  • bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
  • wevtutil.exe cl system
  • wevtutil.exe cl security
  • wevtutil.exe cl application

Process Termination

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

  • acronis
  • AcrSch2Svc
  • Antivirus
  • ARSM
  • AVP
  • backup
  • bedbg
  • CAARCUpdateSvc
  • CASAD2DWebSvc
  • ccEvtMgr
  • ccSetMgr
  • Culserver
  • dbeng8
  • dbsrv12
  • DCAgent
  • DefWatch
  • EhttpSrv
  • ekrn
  • Enterprise Client Servic
  • EPSecurityService
  • EPUpdateService
  • EraserSvc11710
  • EsgShKernel
  • ESHASRV
  • FA_Scheduler
  • firebird
  • IISAdmin
  • IMAP4Svc
  • Intuit
  • KAVFS
  • KAVFSGT
  • kavfsslp
  • klnagent
  • macmnsvc
  • masvc
  • MBAMService
  • MBEndpointAgent
  • McAfee
  • McShield
  • McTaskManager
  • memtas
  • mepocs
  • mfefire
  • mfemms
  • mfevtp
  • MMS
  • MsDtsServer
  • MsDtsServer100
  • MsDtsServer110
  • msexchange
  • msmdsrv
  • MSOLAP
  • MVArmor
  • MVarmor64
  • NetMsmqActivator
  • ntrtscan
  • oracle
  • PDVFSService
  • POP3Svc
  • postgres
  • QBCFMonitorService
  • QBFCService
  • QBIDPService
  • redis
  • report
  • RESvc
  • RTVscan
  • sacsvr
  • SamSs
  • SAVAdminService
  • SavRoam
  • SAVService
  • SDRSVC
  • SepMasterService
  • ShMonitor
  • Smcinst
  • SmcService
  • SMTPSvc
  • SNAC
  • SntpService
  • sophos
  • sql
  • SstpSvc
  • stc_raw_agent
  • ^svc
  • swi_
  • Symantec
  • TmCCSF
  • tmlisten
  • tomcat
  • TrueKey
  • UI0Detect
  • veeam
  • vmware
  • vss
  • W3Svc
  • wbengine
  • WebClient
  • wrapper
  • WRSVC
  • WSBExchange
  • YooIT
  • zhudongfangyu
  • Zoolz

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It adds the following processes to disable AV configuration in the machine:
    • net.exe stop "NetMsmqActivator" /y
    • net.exe stop "SamSs" /y
    • net.exe stop "VSS" /y
    • net.exe stop "SDRSVC" /y
    • net.exe stop "SstpSvc" /y
    • net.exe stop "UI0Detect" /y
    • net.exe stop "wbengine" /y
    • net.exe stop "WebClient" /y
    • sc.exe config "NetMsmqActivator" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "SamSs" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "SDRSVC" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "SstpSvc" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "UI0Detect" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "VSS" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "wbengine" start= disabled
    • sc.exe config "WebClient" start= disabled
    • reg.exe delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /f
    • reg.exe delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run" /v "Windows Defender" /f
    • reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v "Windows Defender" /f
    • reg.exe delete "HKCR\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
    • reg.exe delete "HKCR\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
    • reg.exe delete "HKCR\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdBoot" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdFilter" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdNisDrv" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdNisSvc" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiVirus" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\MpEngine" /v "MpEnablePus" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableBehaviorMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableIOAVProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableOnAccessProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableRealtimeMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableScanOnRealtimeEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Reporting" /v "DisableEnhancedNotifications" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "DisableBlockAtFirstSeen" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "SpynetReporting" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "SubmitSamplesConsent" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\DefenderApiLogger" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\DefenderAuditLogger" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\ExploitGuard\ExploitGuard MDM policy Refresh" /Disable
    • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Cache Maintenance" /Disable
    • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Cleanup" /Disable
    • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Scheduled Scan" /Disable
    • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Verification" /Disable
    • cmd.exe /c "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -RemoveDefinitions -All
    • cmd.exe /c powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $true

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .{Random string}.kb2j4

It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:

  • {Encrypted directory}\{Random string}_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 16.924.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 24 Aug 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 16.925.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 25 Aug 2021

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

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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}\{Random string}_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win64.HIVE.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 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.