Analysis by: Robert Tacbad
ALIASES:

Ransom:Win32/Tovicrypt.A (Microsoft), Trojan-Ransom.Win32.CryptXXX.xhp (Kaspersky), W32/Filecoder_CryptProjectXXX.H!tr (Fortinet)

 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: 125,952 bytes
File Type: DLL
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 12 Sep 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.

Installation

This Trojan drops the following files:

  • %User Temp%\PPP.KEY
  • %User Temp%\BBB.KEY
  • %User Temp%\README.TXT
  • %User Temp%\README.HTML
  • %User Temp%\README.BMP
  • %Desktop%\README.TXT
  • %Desktop%\README.HTML
  • %Desktop%\README.BMP
  • {folders containing encrypted files}\README.txt
  • {folders containing encrypted files}\README.html
  • {folders containing encrypted files}\README.bmp

(Note: %User Temp% is the user's temporary folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Temp on 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.. %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.)

Autostart Technique

This Trojan drops the following file(s) in the Windows User Startup folder to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

  • %User Startup%\README.TXT
  • %User Startup%\README.HTML
  • %User Startup%\README.BMP

(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 System Modifications

This Trojan modifies the following file(s):

  • It encrypts files and retains original filename and extension

It modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Wallpaper = "%User Temp%\README.BMP"

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 12.786.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 19 Sep 2016
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 12.787.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 20 Sep 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

Restore this modified registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator’s help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
    • From: Wallpaper = "%User Temp%\README.BMP"
      To: Wallpaper = "{user-defined}"

Step 5

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 Temp%\PPP.KEY
  • %User Temp%\BBB.KEY
  • README.TXT
  • README.HTML
  • README.BMP

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as Ransom_HPCRYPMIC.SM4. 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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