Ransom.MSIL.CHAOS.SMRA14

February 15, 2022
 Analysis by: Khristian Joseph Morales
 ALIASES:

Ransom:MSIL/FileCoder.AD!MTB (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, 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 encrypts files with specific file extensions. It encrypts files found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

318,976 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

03 Feb 2022

Payload:

Drops files, Displays graphics/image, Encrypts files, Others

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 copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\BLACK EYE RANSOMWARE.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\{9 random characters}.jpg -> Used as wallpaper

(Note: %User Temp% is the current user's Temp folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).)

It adds the following processes:

  • %Application Data%\BLACK EYE RANSOMWARE.exe
  • to delete shadow copies:
    • "%System%\cmd.exe" /C vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet & wmic shadowcopy delete
  • to disable recovery mode:
    • "%System%\cmd.exe" /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures & bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
  • to delete backup catalog:
    • "%System%\cmd.exe" /C wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
  • to display ransomnote:
    • "%System%\NOTEPAD.EXE" %Application Data%\README_it.txt

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

This Ransomware drops the following shortcut pointing to its copy in the User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\BLACK EYE RANSOMWARE.url

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Windows\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\Profiles\{user name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows NT, C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2003(32-bit), XP and 2000(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit), 10(64-bit).)

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:

Propagation

This Ransomware drops copies of itself in the following drives:

  • {Available Drive aside C: }\surprise.exe

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It encrypts files with file size below 2,117,152 bytes.
  • If the file size is larger than 2,117,152 bytes it will be filled with random bytes making them unusable.
  • It encrypts files in all drives except C:\

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .txt
  • .jar
  • .dat
  • .contact
  • .settings
  • .doc
  • .docx
  • .xls
  • .xlsx
  • .ppt
  • .pptx
  • .odt
  • .jpg
  • .mka
  • .mhtml
  • .oqy
  • .png
  • .csv
  • .py
  • .sql
  • .mdb
  • .php
  • .asp
  • .aspx
  • .html
  • .htm
  • .xml
  • .psd
  • .pdf
  • .xla
  • .cub
  • .dae
  • .indd
  • .cs
  • .mp3
  • .mp4
  • .dwg
  • .zip
  • .rar
  • .mov
  • .rtf
  • .bmp
  • .mkv
  • .avi
  • .apk
  • .lnk
  • .dib
  • .dic
  • .dif
  • .divx
  • .iso
  • .7zip
  • .ace
  • .arj
  • .bz2
  • .cab
  • .gzip
  • .lzh
  • .tar
  • .jpeg
  • .xz
  • .mpeg
  • .torrent
  • .mpg
  • .core
  • .pdb
  • .ico
  • .pas
  • .db
  • .wmv
  • .swf
  • .cer
  • .bak
  • .backup
  • .accdb
  • .bay
  • .p7c
  • .exif
  • .vss
  • .raw
  • .m4a
  • .wma
  • .flv
  • .sie
  • .sum
  • .ibank
  • .wallet
  • .css
  • .js
  • .rb
  • .crt
  • .xlsm
  • .xlsb
  • .7z
  • .cpp
  • .java
  • .jpe
  • .ini
  • .blob
  • .wps
  • .docm
  • .wav
  • .3gp
  • .webm
  • .m4v
  • .amv
  • .m4p
  • .svg
  • .ods
  • .bk
  • .vdi
  • .vmdk
  • .onepkg
  • .accde
  • .jsp
  • .json
  • .gif
  • .log
  • .gz
  • .config
  • .vb
  • .m1v
  • .sln
  • .pst
  • .obj
  • .xlam
  • .djvu
  • .inc
  • .cvs
  • .dbf
  • .tbi
  • .wpd
  • .dot
  • .dotx
  • .xltx
  • .pptm
  • .potx
  • .potm
  • .pot
  • .xlw
  • .xps
  • .xsd
  • .xsf
  • .xsl
  • .kmz
  • .accdr
  • .stm
  • .accdt
  • .ppam
  • .pps
  • .ppsm
  • .1cd
  • .3ds
  • .3fr
  • .3g2
  • .accda
  • .accdc
  • .accdw
  • .adp
  • .ai
  • .ai3
  • .ai4
  • .ai5
  • .ai6
  • .ai7
  • .ai8
  • .arw
  • .ascx
  • .asm
  • .asmx
  • .avs
  • .bin
  • .cfm
  • .dbx
  • .dcm
  • .dcr
  • .pict
  • .rgbe
  • .dwt
  • .f4v
  • .exr
  • .kwm
  • .max
  • .mda
  • .mde
  • .mdf
  • .mdw
  • .mht
  • .mpv
  • .msg
  • .myi
  • .nef
  • .odc
  • .geo
  • .swift
  • .odm
  • .odp
  • .oft
  • .orf
  • .pfx
  • .p12
  • .pl
  • .pls
  • .safe
  • .tab
  • .vbs
  • .xlk
  • .xlm
  • .xlt
  • .xltm
  • .svgz
  • .slk
  • .tar.gz
  • .dmg
  • .ps
  • .psb
  • .tif
  • .rss
  • .key
  • .vob
  • .epsp
  • .dc3
  • .iff
  • .onepkg
  • .onetoc2
  • .opt
  • .p7b
  • .pam
  • .r3d

It encrypts files found in the following folders:

  • Encryps specific folder in C Drive :
    • C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
    • C:\Users\{username}\Links
    • C:\Users\{username}\Contacts
    • C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
    • C:\Users\{username}\Documents
    • C:\Users\{username}\Downloads
    • C:\Users\{username}\Pictures
    • C:\Users\{username}\Music
    • C:\Users\{username}\OneDrive
    • C:\Users\{username}\Saved Games
    • C:\Users\{username}\Favorites
    • C:\Users\{username}\Searches
    • C:\Users\{username}\Videos
  • %Application Data%\
  • %Public%\Documents
  • %Public%\Pictures
  • %Public%\Music
  • %Public%\Videos
  • %Public%\Desktop

(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000(32-bit), XP, and Server 2003(32-bit), or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 2008(64-bit), 2012(64-bit) and 10(64-bit).. %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 avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:

  • README_it.txt

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

  • .{4 random characters}

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

  • {Encrypted Directory}\README_it.txt
  • %Application Data%\README_it.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

17.292.08

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

03 Jan 2022

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

17.293.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

04 Jan 2022

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

     
    • TROJ.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF053

Step 2

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 3

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 4

Identify and terminate files detected as Ransom.MSIL.CHAOS.SMRA14

[ 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 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.
  • %User Temp%\{9 random characters}.jpg
  • %User Startup%\BLACK EYE RANSOMWARE.url
  • %Application Data%\BLACK EYE RANSOMWARE.exe
  • {Available Drive aside C: }\surprise.exe
  • %Application Data%\README_it.txt
  • {Encrypted Directory}\README_it.txt

Step 6

Reset your Desktop properties

[ Learn More ]

Step 7

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.MSIL.CHAOS.SMRA14. 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 8

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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