RANSOM_HIDDENTEARKKK.A
Windows
Threat Type: Ransomware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
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 encrypts files with specific file extensions. It encrypts files found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.
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.
Autostart Technique
This Ransomware creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
092 = {malware path}
Other System Modifications
This Ransomware adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System
DisableTaskMgr = 1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = 0
Other Details
This Ransomware does the following:
- The malware opens the following webpage:
- The malware opens the following windows:
- The check payment button will only show failed payment.
Ransomware Routine
This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:
- .txt
- .doc
- .docx
- .xls
- .xlsx
- .ppt
- .pptx
- .odt
- .jpg
- .png
- .csv
- .sql
- .mdb
- .sln
- .php
- .asp
- .aspx
- .html
- .xml
- .psd
- .cmd
- .bat
- .kys
- .url
It encrypts files found in the following folders:
- %Desktop%
(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 appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:
- .KKK
It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:
- %Desktop%\READ_IT.txt
(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.)
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
Delete this registry value
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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
- Run = {malware path}
- Run = {malware path}
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
- DisableTaskMgr = 1
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_HIDDENTEARKKK.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.
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