Analysis by: Mio Fidel Villena
ALIASES:

Hoax.Win32.FakeRansom.cz (KASPERSKY), Ransom-GHack!18A28F086A66 (NAI), Riskware/FakeRansom (FORTINET)

 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.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 226,304 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 22 Jan 2018
Payload: Terminates processes

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%\explorerkiller.bat

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

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • taskmgr.exe
  • explorer.exe

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • Execute the following commands using the dropped batch file:

    taskkill /f /IM explorer.exe

NOTES:

This ransomware does not encrypt any files in the computer. It instead displays the following lock screen:

The correct password is 1234567890. If the correct password is typed in, it does not do anything. If the wrong password is typed in, it shows the following messages:

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.920.04
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 22 Jan 2018
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.921.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 23 Jan 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

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.  
  • %System Root%\explorerkiller.bat

Step 5

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


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