RANSOM_EDA2ANUBIS.B

 Analysis by: Rheniel Rhay Ramos

 ALIASES:

Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Nubi.f (Kaspersky); Ransom.Anubi (Malwarebytes); Ransom:Win32/Anunau.A (Microsoft)

 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:

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 connects to certain websites to send and receive information.

It encrypts files found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

55,808 bytes

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

13 Oct 2017

Payload:

Encrypts files, Displays message/message boxes, Connects to URLs/IPs

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:

  • %Program Data%\storage

It adds the following processes:

  • vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Autostart Technique

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Adobe Acrobat Optimizer x86 = ""{Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}" -autorun"

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
EnableBalloonTips = "0"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced
EnableBalloonTips = "0"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
TaskbarNoNotification = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
TaskbarNoNotification = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
DisableNotificationCenter = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
DisableNotificationCenter = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableAntiSpyware = "1"

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

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableRoutinelyTakingAction = "1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
Microsoft\Windows Defender
DisableRoutinelyTakingAction = "1"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows Defender\Reporting
DisableEnhancedNotifications = "1"

Other Details

This Ransomware connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://staticpane.{BLOCKED}s.army/rec.php?msg={random}

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files found in the following folders:

  • All Drives

It avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:

  • __READ_ME__.txt
  • System Volume Information
  • $Recycle.Bin
  • Boot
  • Windows

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

  • .[anubi@cock.li].anubi

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

  • {Folders containing encrypted files}\__READ_ME__.txt
  • %User Startup%\__READ_ME__.txt -> runs the file after execution

It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:

  • [WHAT HAPPENED]
    Your important files produced on this computer have been encrypted due a security problem
    If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: anubi@{BLOCKED}k.li
    You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
    After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

    [FREE DECRYPTION AS GUARANTEE]
    Before paying you can send to us up to 3 files for free decryption.
    Please note that files must NOT contain valuable information
    and their total size must be less than 1Mb

    [HOW TO OBTAIN BITCOINS]
    The easiest way to buy bitcoin is LocalBitcoins site.
    You have to register, click Buy bitcoins and select the seller
    by payment method and price

    https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

    https://paxful.com/buy-bitcoin

    https://bitcointalk.org/

    [ATTENTION]
    Do not rename encrypted files
    Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss
    If you not write on e-mail in 36 hours - your key has been deleted and you cant decrypt your files

    Your ID:

    {RANDOM}

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

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_EDA2ANUBIS.B

[ Learn More ]
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

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_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • Adobe Acrobat Optimizer x86 = ""{Malware Path}\{Malware File Name}" -autorun"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • EnableBalloonTips = "0"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
    • EnableBalloonTips = "0"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • TaskbarNoNotification = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • TaskbarNoNotification = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • DisableNotificationCenter = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
    • DisableNotificationCenter = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableAntiSpyware = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableAntiSpyware = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableRoutinelyTakingAction = "1"
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    • DisableRoutinelyTakingAction = "1"
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Reporting
    • DisableEnhancedNotifications = "1"

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.
  • %Program Data%\storage
  • {Folders containing encrypted files}\__READ_ME__.txt
  • %User Startup%\__READ_ME__.txt

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_EDA2ANUBIS.B. 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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