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RANSOM_DARKSCARE.A

July 13, 2017
 Analysis by: Ryan Paolo Maglaque
 ALIASES:

MSIL/Hoax.FakeFilecoder.AG(Eset-NOD32)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

1,414,144 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

23 Jun 2017

Payload:

Displays graphics/image

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%\CryptoDark Decryptor.lnk
  • %Desktop%\1.CRYPTODARK ← bitcoin address
  • %Desktop%\2.CRYPTODARK
  • %Desktop%\CRYPTODARKBACKGROUND.BMP ← used as wallpaper

(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 sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • Displays the following window:

  • Local Bitcoins button would open the site https://localbitcoins.com/
  • Decrypt button would always show an error message
  • It speaks the following text using text-to-speech application:
    • Your files have been encrypted! To recover your files, you will need to send $300 worth of Bit-coin to the address shown. If you do not know how to get Bit-coin then click the Local Bit-coins button. Once you have paid, you will be given a key. Click the Decrypt button and enter the key. If it is correct, your files will be decrypted. If you are sure you have typed the key correctly and you are still unable to decrypt your files, come back tomorrow and it should work.

NOTES:
This malware does not encrypt files.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.488.06

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

23 Jun 2017

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.489.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

24 Jun 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

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.  
  • %Desktop%\CryptoDark Decryptor.lnk
  • %Desktop%\1.CRYPTODARK
  • %Desktop%\2.CRYPTODARK
  • %Desktop%\CRYPTODARKBACKGROUND.BMP

Step 4

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_DARKSCARE.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 5

Reset your Desktop properties

[ Learn More ]


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