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RANSOM_MONEROPAY.KJ

February 16, 2018
 Analysis by: Camille Reyes
 ALIASES:

Ransom:Win32/Guperd (MICROSOFT); Ransom.Monero (BITDEFENDER)

 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 executes the dropped file(s). As a result, malicious routines of the dropped files are exhibited on the affected system.

It steals certain information from the system and/or the user.

It connects to certain websites to send and receive information. However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible. It is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

It encrypts files with specific file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

4,450,861 bytes

File Type:

ZIP

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

07 Jan 2018

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Steals information, 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.

Autostart Technique

This Ransomware creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
MoneroPay = %Application Data%\MoneroPayAgent.exe

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\
FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION
spritecoind.exe = {hex values}

Dropping Routine

This Ransomware drops the following files:

  • spritecoind.exe - tagged as Ransom_MONEROPAY.THAOOAI
  • spritecoinwallet.exe - tagged as Ransom_MONEROPAY.THAOOAH
  • %Application Data%\MoneroPayAgent.exe - copy of spritecoind.exe
  • boost.dll
  • cryptonight.dll

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

It executes the dropped file. As a result, malicious routines of the dropped file are exhibited on the affected system.

Information Theft

This Ransomware steals the following information:

  • Username
  • Machine name
  • Home Directory

It attempts to get stored information such as user names, passwords, and hostnames from the following browsers:

  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox

Stolen Information

This Ransomware sends the gathered information via HTTP POST to the following URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}flatei35.onion.link:80/log?id={generated 16 hex values}

Other Details

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

  • http://{BLOCKED}nflatei35.onion.link:80/paid?id={generated 16 hex values} - ransom payment URL
  • http://{BLOCKED}nflatei35.onion.link:80/static/win - download component
  • {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.2

However, as of this writing, the said sites are inaccessible.

It is capable of encrypting files in the affected system.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .txt
  • .py
  • .doc
  • .rtf
  • .cpp
  • .cc
  • .go
  • .tcl
  • .html
  • .ppt
  • .docx
  • .xls
  • .xlsx
  • .pptx
  • .key
  • .pem
  • .psd
  • .mkv
  • .mp4
  • .ogv
  • .zip
  • .jpg
  • .jpeg
  • .work
  • .pyw
  • .h
  • .hpp
  • .cgi
  • .rar
  • .lua
  • .img
  • .iso
  • .webm
  • .jar
  • .java
  • .class
  • .one
  • .htm
  • .js
  • .css
  • .vbs
  • .7z
  • .eps
  • .psf
  • .png
  • .apk
  • .ps1
  • .gz
  • .wallet.dat
  • .id_rsa

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

  • .encrypted

NOTES:

It displays an empty graphic user interface with the title Windows Application MoneroPay.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.970.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Feb 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.971.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Feb 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\Run
    • MoneroPay = %Application Data%\MoneroPayAgent.exe
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION
    • spritecoind.exe = {hex values}

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_MONEROPAY.KJ. 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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