RANSOM_LIGHTNING.A
Windows
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: Yes
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 found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
537,600 bytes
EXE
No
25 May 2017
Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays graphics/image, Displays message/message boxes, 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:
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_UniqueID.txt
(Note: %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware creates the following registry key/entry to trick users into thinking that it is a legitimate application:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Direct3D\MostRecentApplication
Name = {Malware file path}
It changes the desktop wallpaper by modifying the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_Recover_Instructions.png
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user preference}.)
It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
Stolen Information
This Ransomware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:
- http://arizonacode.{BLOCKED}d.net/rnsm/add.php?type=add&data={data}
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
Displays the following window as ransom note:
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files found in the following folders:
- Desktop
- Documents
- Downloads
- Music
- Pictures
- Videos
- {All drives}
It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
- .LIGHTNING
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_Recover_Instructions.png
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_Recover_Instructions.txt
(Note: %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:
SOLUTION
9.850
13.430.01
25 May 2017
13.431.00
26 May 2017
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.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication
- Name = {Malware file path}
- Name = {Malware file path}
Step 4
Search and delete this file
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_Recover_Instructions.png
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_Recover_Instructions.txt
- %Desktop%\LightningCrypt_UniqueID.txt
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_LIGHTNING.A. 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 6
Reset your Desktop properties
Step 7
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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