Ransom:Win32/Higuniel.A (Microsoft), MSIL/Filecode.HT!tr (Fortinet), Artemis!8BE3CC8A946F (McAfee)
Windows
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 connects to certain websites to send and receive information.
It encrypts files with specific file extensions. It drops files as ransom note.
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:
Process Termination
This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
Information Theft
This Ransomware gathers the following data:
Other Details
This Ransomware connects to the following URL(s) to get the affected system's IP address:
It connects to the following website to send and receive information:
It does the following:
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:
(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.. %Programs% is the folder that contains the user’s program groups, which is usually C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Server 2003, and XP (32-bit), Vista (32-bit), 7 (32-bit), and 8 (32-bit), or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP (64-bit), Vista (64-bit), 7 (64-bit), and 8 (64-bit).. %Common Programs% is the folder that contains common program groups for all users, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %All Users Profile% is the common user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\ProgramData on Windows Vista, 7, and 8. )
It renames encrypted files using the following names:
It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
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
Delete this registry value
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.
Step 4
Search and delete this file
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom_VENDETTA.THAAOEAH. 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 6
Restore encrypted files from backup.