RANSOM_ADAMLOCK.A
Ransom.AdamLocker(Malwarebytes);
Windows
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It adds certain registry entries to disable the Task Manager. This action prevents users from terminating the malware process, which can usually be done via the Task Manager.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
477,184 bytes
EXE
Yes
27 Dec 2016
Encrypts files, Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays graphics/image
Arrival Details
This Trojan 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 Trojan drops a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:
- %ProgramData%\run.exe
(Note: %ProgramData% is the Program Data folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\ProgramData 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 Trojan adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.adam
{default} = adam
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\adam\shell\
open\command
{default} = {malware path and filename} %l
It modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoFolderOptions = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user preference}.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mircrosoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoRun = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user preference}.)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mircrosoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
NoRightClick = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user preference}.)
It adds the following registry entries to disable the Task Manager:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = 1
(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is {user preference}.)
Propagation
This Trojan drops the following copy(ies) of itself in all removable drives:
- run.exe
It modifies the contents of an existing AUTORUN.INF file to automatically execute its dropped copy. It does this by adding the following strings in the .INF file:
- [autorun]
- shellexecute=run.exe
Other Details
This Trojan renames encrypted files using the following names:
- {original filename and extension}.adam
It does the following:
- Encrypts files in the following directories:
- %User Profile%\Documents
- %User Profile%\Pictures
- %User Profile%\Downloads
- %User Profile%\Desktop
- D:\
- This ransomware requires a key in order to decrypt the encrypted files. The key is "8jg7RPUMOvLBwr6WK6tf".
- It displays the following after successfully entering the required key:
Mobile Malware Routine
This Trojan accesses the following URL(s) to send and receive commands from a remote malicious user:
- http://{BLOCKED}f.ly/1h2U8c
NOTES:
This lockscreen is displayed by the ransomware in order to restrict the user from doing any activities on the machine/system:
SOLUTION
9.800
13.120.02
27 Dec 2016
13.121.00
28 Dec 2016
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
Step 4
Delete this registry value
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_CLASSES_ROOT\.adam
- {default} = adam
- {default} = adam
- In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\adam\shell\open\command
- {default} = {malware path and filename} %l
- {default} = {malware path and filename} %l
Step 5
Restore this modified registry value
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\Policies\Explorer
- From: NoFolderOptions = 1
To: NoFolderOptions = {user preference}
- From: NoFolderOptions = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mircrosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- From: NoRun = 1
To: NoRun = {user preference}
- From: NoRun = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mircrosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- From: NoRightClick = 1
To: NoRightClick = {user preference}
- From: NoRightClick = 1
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- From: DisableTaskMgr = 1
To: DisableTaskMgr = {user preference}
- From: DisableTaskMgr = 1
Step 6
Search and delete AUTORUN.INF files created by RANSOM_ADAMLOCK.A that contain these strings
- [autorun]
- shellexecute=run.exe
Step 7
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_ADAMLOCK.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 8
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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