Ransom.Win32.RANINC.SMYXECXT

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.

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 modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon
(Default) = %System%\imageres.dll,-55

(Note: The default value data of the said registry entry is %System%\imageres.dll,-54.)

It 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:

• Empty Recycled 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 accepts the following parameters:

• --debug → Display logs within the command prompt.
• --file {File Path} → Encrypts the specified file.
• --dir {Directory Path} → Encrypts the specified directory.
• --sup → Uses the Windows Restart Manager API to close processes or shut down Windows services that may be keeping a file open and preventing encryption.
• --ens → Enumerates available network shares to encrypt.
• --lhd → Encrypt hidden drives.
• --hide → Hide console window.
• --safe-mode → Boots the machine in safe mode.
• --help→ Display help information.
• --kill → Kill process/services by mask.
• --mode → Mode of File Encryption.
  • Fast→ Encrypts a fixed value of 1,000,000 bytes and skips a larger bytes.
  • Medium → Encrypts a fixed value of 1,000,000 bytes and skips a smaller bytes compared to fast mode.
  • Slow → Encrypt the whole file.

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