RANSOM_FAKEGLOBE.TIAOLAN

 Analysis by: Byron Jon Gelera

 ALIASES:

Generic.Ransom.GlobeImposter.3EFEBFBB (Bitdefender)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

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 is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

54,784 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Mar 2018

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:

  • %System Root%\Users\Public\55E22E19BE34F6BDF0A4C6957ADA5D8B11BB27F929167C5B78A8D16DA1649997
  • %System Root%\autoexec.bat

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

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %AppDataLocal%\{Malware Name}.exe

(Note: %AppDataLocal% is the Application Data folder found in Local Settings, where it is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local on 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.)

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
BrowserUpdateCheck = %AppDataLocal%\{Malware name}.exe

Other Details

This Ransomware is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • crypted_zerwix@airmail_cc

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

  • {Encrypted file directory}\how_to_back_files.html

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.124.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

12 Mar 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.125.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

13 Mar 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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

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
    • BrowserUpdateCheck = %AppDataLocal\{Malware name}.exe

Step 5

Search and delete these files

[ 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.
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\55E22E19BE34F6BDF0A4C6957ADA5D8B11BB27F929167C5B78A8D16DA1649997
  • %System Root%\autoexec.bat
  • %AppDataLocal%\{Malware name}.exe
  • {Encrypted file directory}\how_to_back_files.html

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_FAKEGLOBE.TIAOLAN. 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 7

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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