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Ransom.Win32.RANESTATE.THGAABD

July 26, 2024
 Analysis by: John Rainier Navato
 ALIASES:

Trojan-Ransom.LockBit (IKARUS)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware


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 drops files as ransom note. It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

150,528 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

No

Initial Samples Received Date:

11 Jul 2024

Payload:

Collects system information, Disables AV, Drops files, Displays graphics/image, Encrypts files, Modifies system registry, Terminates processes

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 adds the following processes:

  • bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network → if -safe commandline parameter is used.

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

  • Global\02a4da2bbb8d0a734e8e99f24165686e

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware modifies the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
AutoAdminLogon = 1 → if -safe commandline parameter is used

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultUserName = Administrator if -safe commandline parameter is used

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
DefaultDomainName = {Computer Domain Name} if -safe commandline parameter is used

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following services if found on the affected system:

  • vss
  • sql
  • svc$
  • memtas
  • mepocs
  • msexchange
  • sophos
  • veeam
  • backup
  • GxVss
  • GxBlr
  • GxFWD
  • GxCVD
  • GxCIMgr

It terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • sql
  • oracle
  • ocssd
  • dbsnmp
  • synctime
  • agntsvc
  • synctime
  • isqlplussvc
  • xfssvccon
  • mydesktopservice
  • ocautonupds
  • encsvc
  • firefox
  • tbirdconfig
  • mydesktopqos
  • ocomm
  • dbeng50
  • sqbcoreservice
  • excel
  • infopath
  • msaccess
  • mspub
  • onenote
  • outlook
  • powerpnt
  • steam
  • thebat
  • thunderbird
  • visio winword
  • wordpad
  • notepad

Information Theft

This Ransomware gathers the following data:

  • Hostname
  • Username
  • OS version
  • Domain
  • Architecture
  • Language

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • If not executed with admin rights, it will attempt to relaunch itself as admin by elevating its privileges via bypassing UAC
  • It encrypts fixed, removable and network shares
  • It deletes files in recycle bin folder for removable and fixed drives
  • It uses WQL to delete shadow copies
  • It renames itself 26 times before deleting itself after encryption
  • It has the capability to print the ransom note in infected machines
  • It deletes the following services:
    • WdBoot
    • WdFilter
    • WdNisDrv
    • WdNisSvc
    • WinDefend
    • wscsvc
    • sppsvc
    • Sense
    • SecurityHealthService
  • It duplicates the token of the following:
    • explorer.exe - to gain privileged domain access
    • lsass.exe
    • TrustedInstaller - service is started if not yet running
  • It contains a list of username:password that it will use to log into domain controllers.

It accepts the following parameters:

  • -safe →Reboots in safeboot, then encrypts the user's machine
  • -wall → Print ransom note on printers then deletes itself after renaming for 26 times.
  • -path {target} → Specifically encrypt the target, can be file or folder
  • -gspd → Perform Group Policy Modification for Lateral Movement
  • -gdel → Delete group policy updates
  • -del → Deletes itself after renaming for 26 times.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file name:

  • autorun.inf
  • boot.ini
  • bootfont.bin
  • bootsect.bak
  • d3d9caps.dat
  • desktop.ini
  • GDIPFONTCACHEV1.DAT
  • iconcache.db
  • ntldr
  • ntuser.dat
  • ntuser.dat.log
  • ntuser.ini
  • thumbs.db

It avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • $recycle.bin
  • $windows.~bt
  • $windows.~ws
  • all users
  • boot
  • config.msi
  • default
  • intel
  • microsoft
  • msocache
  • perflogs
  • program files
  • program files (x86)
  • programdata
  • public
  • system volume information
  • tor browser
  • windows
  • windows.old
  • x64dbg

It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .FEZbmXrQn

It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:

  • {Discovered Folder}\FEZbmXrQn.README.txt

It avoids encrypting files with the following file extensions:

  • 386
  • adv
  • ani
  • bat
  • bin
  • cab
  • cmd
  • com
  • cpl
  • cur
  • deskthemepack
  • diagcab
  • diagcfg
  • diagpkg
  • dll
  • drv
  • exe
  • hlp
  • hta
  • icl
  • icns
  • ico
  • ics
  • idx
  • key
  • ldf
  • lnk
  • lock
  • mod
  • mpa
  • msc
  • msi
  • msp
  • msstyles
  • msu
  • nls
  • nomedia
  • ocx
  • pdb
  • prf
  • ps1
  • rom
  • rtp
  • scr
  • search-ms
  • shs
  • spl
  • sys
  • theme
  • themepack
  • wpx

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.800

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

19.462.03

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

12 Jul 2024

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

19.463.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

13 Jul 2024

Step 1

Trend Micro Predictive Machine Learning detects and blocks malware at the first sign of its existence, before it executes on your system. When enabled, your Trend Micro product detects this malware under the following machine learning name:

    • Troj.Win32.TRX.XXPE50FFF082

Step 2

Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 3

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 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

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\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • AutoAdminLogon = 1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • DefaultUserName = Administrator
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
    • DefaultDomainName = {Computer Domain Name}

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.
  • {Discovered Folder}\FEZbmXrQn.README.txt

Step 6

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Win32.RANESTATE.THGAABD. 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 the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 7

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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