Analysis by: Emilio Marcel Garcia
 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 drops files as ransom note. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 2,327 bytes
File Type: BAT
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 14 Mar 2020
Payload: Drops files, Deletes files, 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:

  • {filename of encrypted file}.bin -> encryption key

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware deletes the following files:

  • {filename of encrypted file}.bin
  • %System%\star_c.bat -> refers to itself, but filename is hardcoded

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

Process Termination

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

  • {any process with image name that starts with "sql"}

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • %Windows%

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

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

  • {BLOCKED}o@searchqqs[dot]com

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

  • {Encrypted directory}\help to decrypt.html

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • .exe
  • .dll
  • .sys
  • .lnk

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 15.790.02
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 07 Apr 2020
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 15.791.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 08 Apr 2020

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

Identify and terminate files detected as Ransom.BAT.MORRISBATCHCRYPT.B

[ 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

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.  
  • {Encrypted folder}\help to decrypt.html

Step 5

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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