Analysis by: Mc Justine De Guzman

ALIASES:

Worm:Win32/Ramnit.A (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 REPORTED INFECTION:

  • Threat Type: Virus

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Virus arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It infects certain file types by inserting code in the said files.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 56,320 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 26 Feb 2021

Arrival Details

This Virus 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 Virus adds the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\Microsoft -> if its filename is not DesktopLayer.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • {Path of injected process}\dmlconf.dat -> contains current system date and time
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\autorun.inf -> runs dropped copy
  • %Program Files%\Microsoft\DesktopLayer.exe -> if its filename is not DesktopLayer.exe
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\RECYCLER\S-{Random}\{Random}.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • %Program Files%\Microsoft\DesktopLayer.exe -> if its filename is not DesktopLayer.exe
  • %Program Files%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe -> will only inject if its filename is DesktopLayer.exe

(Note: %Program Files% is the default Program Files folder, usually C:\Program Files in Windows 2000(32-bit), Server 2003(32-bit), XP, Vista(64-bit), 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit) , or C:\Program Files (x86) in Windows XP(64-bit), Vista(64-bit), 7(64-bit), 8(64-bit), 8.1(64-bit), 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

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

  • KyUffThOkYwRRtgPP

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • spawned iexplore.exe
  • chrome.exe

File Infection

This Virus infects files with the following file extensions by inserting code in the said files:

  • .exe
  • .dll
  • .htm
  • .html

It avoids infecting folders containing the following strings:

  • %System%
  • %Windows%
  • RMNetwork

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

Other Details

This Virus does the following:

  • Checks if HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WASAntidot has "disable" registry value and terminate itself if found
  • It adds .rmnet section to the infected binaries (.exe and .dll)
  • It adds malicious Visual basic script to the infected scripts (.html and .htm)

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 17.182.06
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 09 Nov 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 17.183.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 10 Nov 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.  
  • {Path of injected process}\dmlconf.dat
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\autorun.inf
  • %Program Files%\Microsoft\DesktopLayer.exe
  • {Removable Drive Letter}:\RECYCLER\S-{Random}\{Random}.exe

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %Program Files%\Microsoft

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Virus.Win32.RAMNIT.DSO. 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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