Analysis by: Nathaniel Gregory Ragasa
ALIASES:

Ransom.Win64.Hive(IKARUS), Ransom:Win64/Hive.ZZ(MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • 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: 4,049,408 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Payload: Displays graphics/image, Disables AV service, Drops files, Modifies system registry, Encrypts files

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:

  • {Drive Letter}\{Random String 1}_.key.{Random String 3}

It adds the following processes:

  • net.exe stop "NetMsmqActivator" /y
  • net.exe stop "SamSs" /y
  • net.exe stop "SDRSVC" /y
  • net.exe stop "SstpSvc" /y
  • net.exe stop "UI0Detect" /y
  • net.exe stop "vmvss" /y
  • net.exe stop "VMware Physical Disk Helper Service" /y
  • net.exe stop "VMwareCAFCommAmqpListener" /y
  • net.exe stop "VMwareCAFManagementAgentHost" /y
  • net.exe stop "VSS" /y
  • net.exe stop "wbengine" /y
  • net.exe stop "WebClient" /y
  • sc.exe config "NetMsmqActivator" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "SamSs" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "SDRSVC" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "SstpSvc" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "UI0Detect" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "vmvss" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "VMware Physical Disk Helper Service" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "VMwareCAFCommAmqpListener" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "VMwareCAFManagementAgentHost" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "VSS" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "wbengine" start= disabled
  • sc.exe config "WebClient" start= disabled
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiVirus" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\MpEngine" /v "MpEnablePus" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableBehaviorMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableIOAVProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableOnAccessProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableRealtimeMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableScanOnRealtimeEnable" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Reporting" /v "DisableEnhancedNotifications" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "DisableBlockAtFirstSeen" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "SpynetReporting" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\SpyNet" /v "SubmitSamplesConsent" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\DefenderApiLogger" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\DefenderAuditLogger" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
  • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\ExploitGuard\ExploitGuard MDM policy Refresh" /Disable
  • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Cache Maintenance" /Disable
  • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Cleanup" /Disable
  • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Scheduled Scan" /Disable
  • schtasks.exe /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Verification" /Disable
  • reg.exe delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run" /v "Windows Defender" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v "Windows Defender" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v "WindowsDefender" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKCR\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKCR\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
  • reg.exe delete "HKCR\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdBoot" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdFilter" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdNisDrv" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdNisSvc" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • reg.exe add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
  • vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
  • wevtutil.exe cl system
  • wevtutil.exe cl security
  • wevtutil.exe cl application
  • wmic.exe SHADOWCOPY /nointeractive
  • wmic.exe shadowcopy delete
  • bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
  • bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
  • cmd.exe /c "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -RemoveDefinitions -All
  • cmd.exe /c powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $true
  • cmd.exe /c powershell Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
  • notepad.exe {Drive Letter}\{Random}_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt
  • cmd.exe /D /C ping.exe -n 5 127.0.0.1 && del "{Malware path and name}"

Process Termination

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

  • acronis
  • AcrSch2Svc
  • Antivirus
  • ARSM
  • AVP
  • backup
  • bedbg
  • CAARCUpdateSvc
  • CASAD2DWebSvc
  • ccEvtMgr
  • ccSetMgr
  • Culserver
  • dbeng8
  • dbsrv12
  • DCAgent
  • DefWatch
  • EhttpSrv
  • ekrn
  • Enterprise Client Service
  • EPSecurityService
  • EPUpdateService
  • EraserSvc11710
  • EsgShKernel
  • ESHASRV
  • FA_Scheduler
  • firebird
  • IISAdmin
  • IMAP4Svc
  • Intuit
  • KAVFS
  • KAVFSGT
  • kavfsslp
  • klnagent
  • macmnsvc
  • masvc
  • MBAMService
  • MBEndpointAgent
  • McAfee
  • McShield
  • McTaskManager
  • memtas
  • mepocs
  • mfefire
  • mfemms
  • mfevtp
  • MMS
  • MsDtsServer
  • MsDtsServer100
  • MsDtsServer110
  • msexchange
  • msmdsrv
  • MSOLAP
  • MVArmor
  • MVarmor64
  • NetMsmqActivator
  • ntrtscan
  • oracle
  • PDVFSService
  • POP3Svc
  • postgres
  • QBCFMonitorService
  • QBFCService
  • QBIDPService
  • redis
  • report
  • RESvc
  • RTVscan
  • sacsvr
  • SamSs
  • SAVAdminService
  • SavRoam
  • SAVService
  • SDRSVC
  • SepMasterService
  • ShMonitor
  • Smcinst
  • SmcService
  • SMTPSvc
  • SNAC
  • SntpService
  • sophos
  • sql
  • SstpSvc
  • stc_raw_agent
  • ^svc
  • swi_
  • Symantec
  • TmCCSF
  • tmlisten
  • tomcat
  • TrueKey
  • UI0Detect
  • veeam
  • vmware
  • vss
  • W3Svc
  • wbengine
  • WebClient
  • wrapper
  • WRSVC
  • WSBExchange
  • YooIT
  • zhudongfangyu
  • Zoolz

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

  • agntsvc
  • sql
  • CNTAoSMgr
  • dbeng50
  • dbsnmp
  • encsvc
  • excel
  • firefoxconfig
  • infopath
  • mbamtray
  • msaccess
  • mspub
  • mydesktop
  • Ntrtscan
  • ocautoupds
  • ocomm
  • ocssd
  • onenote
  • oracle
  • outlook
  • PccNTMon
  • powerpnt
  • sqbcoreservice
  • steam
  • synctime
  • tbirdconfig
  • thebat
  • thunderbird
  • tmlisten
  • visio
  • word
  • xfssvccon
  • zoolz

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • Accepts the following arguments:
    • -skip=[FILE_REGEX] - Regular expression for files excluded from encryption.
    • -stop=[SVC_REGEX] - Regular expression for stopping system services.
    • -kill=[PROC_REGEX] - Regular expression for the names of system services to be stopped.
    • -grant - Change permissions for all files: icacls.exe "[XX]:\*" /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q
    • -no-wipe - Do not wipe empty disk space with random data.

Ransomware Routine

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

  • autorun.inf
  • bootfont.bin
  • boot.ini
  • bootsect.bak
  • desktop.ini
  • iconcache.db
  • ntldr
  • ntuser.dat
  • ntuser.dat.log
  • ntuser.ini
  • thumbs.db

It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • C:\Windows
  • $recycle.bin
  • $windows.~bt
  • $windows.~ws
  • All users
  • appdata
  • application data
  • boot
  • google
  • intel
  • Microsoft
  • mozilla
  • Mozilla
  • Msbuild
  • msocache
  • perflogs
  • system volume information
  • tor browser
  • windows
  • Windows nt
  • windows.old
  • $\Windows\
  • \ADMIN\$
  • \IPC\$

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

  • .{Random String 1}__{Random String 2}.k7bzc

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

  • {Encrypted Directory}\28EF_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • 386
  • adv
  • ani
  • bat
  • bin
  • cab
  • cmd
  • com
  • cpl
  • cur
  • deskthemepack
  • diagcab
  • diagcfg
  • diagpkg
  • dll
  • drv
  • exe
  • hlp
  • hrmlog
  • hta
  • icl
  • icns
  • ico
  • ics
  • idx
  • ini
  • key
  • lnk
  • lock
  • log
  • mod
  • mpa
  • mp3
  • msc
  • msi
  • msp
  • msstyles
  • msu
  • nls
  • nomedia
  • ocx
  • prf
  • ps1
  • rom
  • rtp
  • scr
  • shs
  • spl
  • sys
  • theme
  • themepack
  • url
  • wpx

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 17.380.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 13 Feb 2022
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 17.381.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 14 Feb 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

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.
  • {Encrypted Directory}\28EF_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt
  • {Drive Letter}\{Random String 1}_.key.{Random String 3}

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win64.HIVE.YPCBL. 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 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.


Did this description help? Tell us how we did.