RANSOM_HIDDENTEARGUSTER.A
Windows
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted: No
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
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.
Installation
This Trojan drops the following files:
- %Desktop%\Instructions_HERE!.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 drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:
- %Desktop%\Nucklear.exe
(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.)
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\WebcamDriver
uid = {Machine UserName}{Generated ID}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\
Windows NT\WebcamDriver
tilimit = {Generated Timestamp}
Other Details
This Trojan encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .txt
- .doc
- .docx
- .xls
- .xlsx
- .ppt
- .pptx
- .odt
- .jpeg
- .wav
- .mp4
- .mp3
- .jpg
- .png
- .csv
- .sql
- .mdb
- .sln
- .php
- .asp
- .aspx
- .html
- .xml
- .psd
It renames encrypted files using the following names:
- {Filename}.locked
Mobile Malware Routine
This Trojan accesses the following website(s) to send and receive information:
- http://{BLOCKED}rver.{BLOCKED}tefreehost.in/proxy.php?idnt={Generated ID}&pwd={Generated Passowrd}&cult={Current UI Culture}&lim={numbers}
NOTES:
It drops the following file that serve as its infection marker:
- %Windows%\mswebcamdriver.exe
It encrypt files and directories found in the following path:
- C:\Users\{User Name}\Desktop
It display the following Window in full screen and Play audio that describe what happen to the system:
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
Identify and terminate files detected as RANSOM_HIDDENTEARGUSTER.A
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 this file
- %Windows%\mswebcamdriver.exe
Step 5
Delete this registry key
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT
- WebcamDriver
- WebcamDriver
Step 6
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_HIDDENTEARGUSTER.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
Restore encrypted files from backup.
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