Analysis by: Michael Jay Villanueva
ALIASES:

Ransom:MSIL/Sylock.A (Microsoft); Trojan.MSIL.LockScreen (Ikarus)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Trojan

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 581,632 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 25 Dec 2016

Arrival Details

This Trojan arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Download Routine

This Trojan saves the files it downloads using the following names:

  • %User Startup%\SystemLock.exe -> malware's copy, detected as Ransom_DERIALOCK.A
    Used to enable the automatic execution of the malware at every system startup

(Note: %User Startup% is the current user's Startup folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows 2000 and XP, and C:\Documents and Settings\{User name}\Start Menu\Programs\Startup on Windows Vista, 7, and 8.)

Other Details

This Trojan connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://arizonacode.{BLOCKED}d.net/HF/SystemLocker/SystemLocker.exe

It does the following:

  • This ransomware does not encrypt any of your files in your computer, instead a lockscreen will be displayed that will restrict the user from doing any activities on the machine/computer.

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 13.116.02
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 25 Dec 2016
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 13.117.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 26 Dec 2016

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

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

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.  
  • %User Startup%\SystemLock.exe

Step 5

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_DERIALOCK.A. 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.


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