Ransom_GANDCRAB.TIOIBOAN

 Analysis by: John Donnie Celestre

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: Yes

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW


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 drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

335,626 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Initial Samples Received Date:

12 Dec 2018

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:

  • %User Temp%\Orchil
  • %User Temp%\crapes.dll
  • %User Temp%\chocolateyInstall.ps1
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ft-FR.PhoneNumber.SMS.ot
  • %User Temp%\InsiderHubAppList.targetsize-64_contrast-black.png
  • {path}\{random}.lock

(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, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ex_data
data = {hex values}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\keys_data
data = {hex values}

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .{random}

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

  • {random}-DECRYPT.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

14.684.05

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

12 Dec 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

14.685.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

13 Dec 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

Identify and terminate files detected as Ransom_GANDCRAB.TIOIBOAN

[ 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 4

Delete this registry key

[ 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\ex_data
    • data = {hex values}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\keys_data
    • data = {hex values}

Step 5

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.  
  • %User Temp%\Orchil
  • %User Temp%\crapes.dll
  • %User Temp%\chocolateyInstall.ps1
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{random}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ft-FR.PhoneNumber.SMS.ot
  • %User Temp%\InsiderHubAppList.targetsize-64_contrast-black.png
  • {path}\{random}.lock
  • {random}-DECRYPT.txt

Step 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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