RANSOM_HIDDENTEARBALBAZ.A
Ransom.HiddenTear!g1(Symantec)
Windows
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
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 connects to certain websites to send and receive information.
It encrypts files with specific file extensions. It encrypts files found in specific folders.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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 copies of itself into the affected system:
- %System Root%\{username}\Rand123\local.exe
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
It drops the following files:
- %Desktop%\READ_IT.txt - ransom note
(Note: %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.)
It creates the following folders:
- %System Root%\{username}
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware modifies the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = %System Root%\{username}\ransom.png
It sets the system's desktop wallpaper to the following image:
Download Routine
This Ransomware saves the files it downloads using the following names:
- %System Root%\{username}\ransom.png - set as desktop wallpaper
(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.)
Information Theft
This Ransomware gathers the following data:
- Computer Name
- Username
Other Details
This Ransomware connects to the following URL(s) to check for an Internet connection:
- https://www.google.com
It connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- http://www.{BLOCKED}e.com/Server/write.php{gathered information}
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .001
- .7-zip
- .ace
- .apk
- .arj
- .asp
- .aspx
- .avi
- .bmp
- .bz2
- .c
- .cab
- .contact
- .core
- .cpp
- .crproj
- .cs
- .csv
- .dat
- .db
- .dll
- .doc
- .docx
- .dwg
- .exe
- .f3d
- .gzip
- .htm
- .html
- .ico
- .iso
- .jar
- .jpg
- .lnk
- .lzh
- .mdb
- .mkv
- .mov
- .mp3
- .mp3
- .mp4
- .mpeg
- .mpg
- .odt
- .pas
- .pdb
- .php
- .png
- .ppt
- .pptx
- .psd
- .py
- .rar
- .rtf
- .settings
- .sln
- .sql
- .tar
- .torrent
- .txt
- .uue
- .xls
- .xlsx
- .xml
- .xz
- .z
- .zip
It encrypts files found in the following folders:
- %Desktop%
- %User Profile%\Links
- %User Profile%\Contacts
- %User Profile%\Desktop
- %User Profile%\Documents
- %User Profile%\Downloads
- %User Profile%\Pictures
- %User Profile%\Music
- %User Profile%\OneDrive
- %User Profile%\Saved Games
- %User Profile%\Favorites
- %User Profile%\Searches
- %User Profile%\Videos
(Note: %Desktop% is the desktop folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\Desktop in Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8 (32- and 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.. %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
It renames encrypted files using the following names:
- {original filename and extension}.WAmarlocked
It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:
SOLUTION
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
Step 4
Search and delete these folders
- %System Root%\{username}
Step 5
Search and delete these files
- %Desktop%\READ_IT.txt
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_HIDDENTEARBALBAZ.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.
Step 7
Reset your Desktop properties
Step 8
Restore encrypted files from backup.
Step 9
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_HIDDENTEARBALBAZ.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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