Ransom.Win32.RANINC.RGN

 Analysis by: John Rainier Navato

 ALIASES:

Trojan-Ransom.IncRansom (IKARUS)

 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:

Dropped by other malware, 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.

It does not have any propagation routine.

It does not have any backdoor routine.

It does not have any information-stealing capability.

It drops files as ransom note. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

165,376 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

25 Dec 2024

Payload:

Displays graphics/image, Disables AV, Encrypts files, Modifies system registry, 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:

  • %User Temp%\background-image.jpg
  • %System%\spool\PRINTERS\00002.SPL
  • %System%\spool\PRINTERS\00002.SHD

(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).. %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following processes:

  • bcdedit.exe /set {default} safeboot network → If --safe-mode parameter is used.
  • shutdown.exe -r → If --safe-mode parameter is used.

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper by modifying the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %User Temp%\background-image.jpg

It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:

  • %User Temp%\background-image.jpg

Propagation

This Ransomware does not have any propagation routine.

Backdoor Routine

This Ransomware does not have any backdoor routine.

Rootkit Capabilities

This Ransomware does not have rootkit capabilities.

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following services if found on the affected system:

  • sql
  • veeam
  • backup
  • exchange

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

  • sql
  • veeam
  • backup
  • exchange
  • java

Information Theft

This Ransomware does not have any information-stealing capability.

Other Details

This Ransomware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\{Current Control Set}\
Control\SafeBoot\Network\
dmksvc → If --safe-mode parameter is used

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\{Current Control Set}\
Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\
dmksvc → If --safe-mode parameter is used

It does the following:

  • Empties the Recycle Bin
  • It enumerates printers in the network to print the ransom note.
  • It encrypts fixed, removable, and network drives.
  • It adds the following services: → If --safe-mode parameter is used
    • Name: dmksvc
    • Start Type: AutoStart
    • Binary Path: {Malware File Path}\{Malware Filename}
  • It displays its logs in a console → if --debug parameter is used

It accepts the following parameters:

  • --debug → Display its logs in a console.
  • --file {File Path} → Encrypt a specified file.
  • --dir {Directory Path} → Encrypt a specified directory.
  • --sup → Use the Windows Restart Manager to close processes or shut down Windows services that may be keeping a file open and preventing encryption.
  • --ens → Enumerate available network shares to encrypt.
  • --lhd → Load hidden drives to encrypt.
  • --hide → Hide console window.
  • --safe-mode → Boot the machine in safe mode.
  • --help→ Display help information.
  • --kill → Kill process and services.
  • --mode → Mode of file encryption (Fast, Medium, Slow)

It does not exploit any vulnerability.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:

  • windows
  • program files
  • program files (x86)
  • $RECYCLE.BIN
  • appdata
  • microsoft sql server

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

  • {original file name}.{original extension}.INC

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

  • {Encrypted Directory}\INC-README.txt
  • {Encrypted Directory}\INC-README.html

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .exe
  • .msi
  • .dll
  • .inc

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

19.802.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

27 Dec 2024

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

19.803.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

28 Dec 2024

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.XXPE50FFF088

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 5

Disable this malware service

[ Learn More ]
  • dmksvc

Step 6

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 In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\{Current Control Set}\Control\SafeBoot\Network\dmksvc
  • In In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\{Current Control Set}\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\dmksvc

Step 7

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%\background-image.jpg
  • %System%\spool\PRINTERS\00002.SPL
  • %System%\spool\PRINTERS\00002.SHD
  • {Encrypted Directory}\INC-README.html
  • {Encrypted Directory}\INC-README.txt

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom.Win32.RANINC.RGN. 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 9

Restore encrypted files from backup.

Step 10

Reset your Desktop properties

[ Learn More ]


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