RANSOM.MSIL.LIGMA.THIAOAH
HEUR:Trojan.MSIL.Diztakun.gen (Kaspersky); W32/Diztakun.CJEV!tr (Fortinet); Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn (Microsoft)
Windows
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Dropped by other malware, 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 encrypts files with specific file extensions. It encrypts files found in specific folders.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
57344 bytes
EXE
No
08 Sep 2018
Displays message/message boxes, Encrypts files, Compromises system security
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:
- C:\WinWOW32\work.bat
- C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- C:\WinWOW32\mbr.bin
- C:\WinWOW32\Payloads.dll -> contains most of ransomware's additional features and functionalities
It adds the following processes:
- cmd C:\WinWOW32\work.bat
- takeown /f logonui.exe
- icacls logonui.exe /granted %username%:F
- takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\en-US" /r /d y
- icacls "C:\Windows\System32\en-US" /granted %username%:F /T /C
- cd\&cd Windows
- takeown /f explorer.exe
- takeown /f regedit.exe
- takeown /f HelpPane.exe
- takeown /f "C:\Windows\Temp" /r /d y
- takeown /f "C:\Windows\en-US" /r /d y
- icacls "C:\Windows\Temp" /granted %username%:F /T /C
- icacls "C:\Windows\en-US" /granted %username%:F /T /C
- icacls regedit.exe /granted %username%:F
- icacls explorer.exe /granted %username%:F
- icacls HelpPane.exe /granted %username%:F
- NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state off
- vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
- taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
- start explorer.exe
It creates the following folders:
- C:\WinWOW32
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoDesktop = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
DisableTaskMgr = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
DisableCMD = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoControlPanel = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
HideClock = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoLogoff = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoWindowsUpdate = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoDrives = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
MobilityCenter
NoMobilityCenter = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoFolderOptions = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
System
DisableRegistryTools = 1
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\DefaultIcon
(Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\system32\imageres.dll, -102.)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon
(Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %1.)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSfile\DefaultIcon
(Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\System32\WScript.exe, 2.)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\DefaultIcon
(Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System Root%\System32\imageres.dll, -68.)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\dllfile\DefaultIcon
(Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is imageres.dll, -67.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
AutoRestartShell = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
EnableLUA = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 5.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
Hidden = 2
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
ShowSuperHidden = 0
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 1.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
HideFileExt = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is 0.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
legalnoticecaption = LIGMA
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
legalnoticetext = Your Computer Got FUCKED By LIGMA!
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
- Does not work on Windows 10, 8 and 8.1
- Displays the following message box to confirm infection:
- Wipes MBR, replaces data in MBR with the text:
- Inverts screen
- Flips screen
- Makes the screen appear to be melting
- Makes the screen appear to be having glitches
- Capable of forcing BSOD on victim's computer
- Play random sounds
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .0
- .1st
- .3dm
- .3mf
- .600
- .602
- .7z
- .7zip
- .a
- .aaf
- .abw
- .accdb
- .acl
- .aep
- .aepx
- .aet
- .ahk
- .ai
- .aps
- .as
- .as3
- .asc
- .asp
- .aspx
- .assets
- .asx
- .avi
- .bas
- .bep
- .bmp
- .c
- .cbf
- .cbfx
- .cer
- .cfa
- .class
- .config
- .contact
- .cpp
- .cs
- .css
- .csv
- .dat
- .db
- .dbf
- .deb
- .dic
- .doc
- .docb
- .docm
- .docx
- .dot
- .dotm
- .dotx
- .dvi
- .dwg
- .dxf
- .ebf
- .ebfx
- .ebuild
- .efx
- .eps
- .ev3
- .ev3
- .exp
- .fits
- .fla
- .flv
- .fnt
- .gif
- .go
- .gz
- .h
- .hmg
- .htm
- .html
- .ico
- .idml
- .inc
- .indb
- .indd
- .indl
- .indt
- .inx
- .iso
- .jar
- .java
- .jpeg
- .jpg
- .js
- .json
- .ldr
- .lic
- .loc
- .lock
- .log
- .lua
- .lxf
- .m3u8
- .m4a
- .max
- .mcfunction
- .mcmeta
- .md2
- .md3
- .md4
- .md5
- .mdb
- .mkv
- .mp3
- .mp4
- .mpeg
- .mpg
- .msg
- .msi
- .ncb
- .nuc
- .nut
- .obj
- .object
- .odf
- .odp
- .odt
- .ogg
- .otf
- .pdb
- .pek
- .pez
- .php
- .php?
- .piv
- .pkf
- .pl
- .plb
- .plg
- .pm
- .pmd
- .png
- .pot
- .potm
- .potx
- .pov
- .ppj
- .pps
- .ppt
- .pptm
- .pptx
- .prefs
- .prel
- .prfpset
- .prproj
- .prsl
- .ps
- .ps
- .ps.gz
- .psc
- .psd
- .psm1
- .py
- .python
- .rar
- .raw
- .rb
- .rbt
- .rc
- .res
- .resource
- .resx
- .rex
- .rtf
- .rxe
- .sdf
- .sdl
- .ses
- .silo
- .sln
- .sql
- .sti
- .svg
- .swf
- .swift
- .tab
- .tar.gz
- .tdf
- .tif
- .tiff
- .tpk
- .txt
- .udo
- .umod
- .vb
- .vcf
- .vob
- .w3d
- .war
- .webp
- .wmv
- .wpd
- .wps
- .wtv
- .wve
- .x
- .xla
- .xlam
- .xll
- .xlm
- .xls
- .xlsb
- .xlsm
- .xlsx
- .xlt
- .xltm
- .xltx
- .xlw
- .xml
- .xmp
- .xpl
- .xps
- .xqx
- .xsl-fo
- .z
- .zip
- ilk
It encrypts files found in the following folders:
- %Cookies%
- %Desktop%
- %AppDataLocal%
- %Application Data%
- %User Profile%\Music
- %User Profile%\Videos
- %User Profile%\Pictures
(Note: %Cookies% is the Internet Explorer browser cookies folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Cookies on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies on Windows Vista and 7, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCookies on Windows 8.. %Desktop% is the current user's desktop, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{User Name}\Desktop on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %AppDataLocal% is the Local Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)
It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
- .ForgiveMe
SOLUTION
9.850
14.682.03
11 Dec 2018
14.683.00
12 Dec 2018
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
Identify and terminate files detected as RANSOM.MSIL.LIGMA.THIAOAH
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 4
Search and delete this folder
- C:\WinWOW32
Step 5
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.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoDesktop = 1
- NoDesktop = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- DisableCMD = 1
- DisableCMD = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoControlPanel = 1
- NoControlPanel = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- HideClock = 1
- HideClock = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoLogoff = 1
- NoLogoff = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoWindowsUpdate = 1
- NoWindowsUpdate = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoDrives = 1
- NoDrives = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\MobilityCenter
- NoMobilityCenter = 1
- NoMobilityCenter = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- NoFolderOptions = 1
- NoFolderOptions = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\System
- DisableRegistryTools = 1
- DisableRegistryTools = 1
Step 6
Restore this modified 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.
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\DefaultIcon
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
To: (Default) = %System Root%\system32\imageres.dll, -102
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
To: (Default) = %1
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSfile\DefaultIcon
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
To: (Default) = %System Root%\System32\WScript.exe, 2
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\DefaultIcon
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
To: (Default) = %System Root%\System32\imageres.dll, -68
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\dllfile\DefaultIcon
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
To: (Default) = imageres.dll, -67
- From: (Default) = C:\WinWOW32\icon.ico
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
- From: AutoRestartShell = 0
To: AutoRestartShell = 1
- From: AutoRestartShell = 0
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: EnableLUA = 0
To: EnableLUA = 1
- From: EnableLUA = 0
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender
- From: DisableAntiSpyware = 1
To: DisableAntiSpyware = 0
- From: DisableAntiSpyware = 1
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0
To: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 5
- From: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: Hidden = 2
To: Hidden = 1
- From: Hidden = 2
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: ShowSuperHidden = 0
To: ShowSuperHidden = 1
- From: ShowSuperHidden = 0
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- From: HideFileExt = 1
To: HideFileExt = 0
- From: HideFileExt = 1
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: legalnoticecaption = LIGMA
To: legalnoticecaption = ""
- From: legalnoticecaption = LIGMA
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: legalnoticetext = Your Computer Got Fucked By LIGMA!
To: legalnoticetext = ""
- From: legalnoticetext = Your Computer Got Fucked By LIGMA!
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM.MSIL.LIGMA.THIAOAH. 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 8
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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