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RANSOM_CRYPTEAR.Q

January 18, 2018
 Analysis by: Nikko Tamana
 PLATFORM:

Windows

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

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: Yes

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel:

Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

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 deletes the initially executed copy of itself.

It encrypts files with specific file extensions. It encrypts files found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size:

73,216 bytes

File Type:

EXE

Memory Resident:

Yes

Initial Samples Received Date:

09 Jan 2018

Payload:

Connects to URLs/IPs, Displays message/message boxes, Encrypts files

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 files:

  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\KEY - For Windows 7 and above
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\KEY - For Windows XP and below
  • %User Temp%\tmp_{random alphanumeric characters}.bat - Used to delete initially executed copy of itself
  • %User Temp%\bmp{random alphanumeric characters}.bmp - ransom note

(Note: %System Root% is the Windows root folder, where it usually is C:\ on all Windows operating system versions.. %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.)

It drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

  • %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

(Note: %Application Data% is the Application Data folder, where it usually is C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP (32- and 64-bit); C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming 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.)

It adds the following processes:

  • "%System%\wbem\WMIC.exe" shadowcopy delete /nointeractive - To delete shadow copies

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, where it usually is C:\Windows\System32 on all Windows operating system versions.)

Autostart Technique

This Ransomware adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
{F7F46583-3332-97BB-A2B0-DDED4E9F8B15} = %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

Other System Modifications

This Ransomware adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.locked

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\
Open

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\
Open\Command

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.locked

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\DefaultIcon

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\Open

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\Open\
Command

It adds the following registry entries as part of its installation routine:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.locked
{Default} = "{random 8 alphanumeric characters}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\DefaultIcon
{Default} = "%SystemRoot%\SysWow64\shell32.dll,47"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\
Open\Command
{Default} = "mshta.exe vbscript:Execute("CreateObject(""WScript.Shell"").Run(""[HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES].html""):close")"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}US = {hex values}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
.locked
{Default} = "{random 8 alphanumeric characters}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\DefaultIcon
{Default} = "%SystemRoot%\SysWow64\shell32.dll,47"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\
{random 8 alphanumeric characters}\Shell\Open\
Command
{Default} = "mshta.exe vbscript:Execute("CreateObject(""WScript.Shell"").Run(""[HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES].html""):close")"

Other Details

This Ransomware connects to the following website to send and receive information:

  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.link/gate
  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.to:443
  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.sx
  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.top
  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.rip
  • http://vnfwwp{BLOCKED}s.onion.pw

It does the following:

  • [HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES].html is displayed when an encrypted file is opened:

It deletes the initially executed copy of itself

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files with the following extensions:

  • .h
  • .bk
  • .kpdx
  • .swp
  • .ppam
  • .bkp
  • .rat
  • .sbk
  • .mfw
  • .fb
  • .900
  • .abk
  • .kc2
  • .old
  • .nsg
  • .rpb
  • .htm
  • .backup
  • .cdr
  • .dbk
  • .sqlite
  • .back
  • .x3f
  • .bak
  • .c
  • .tjl
  • .xlw
  • .tbk
  • .djvu
  • .sav
  • .002
  • .mkb
  • .potm
  • .wbk
  • .vb
  • .spf
  • .html
  • .ac
  • .cdf
  • .ckf
  • .dcr
  • .bup
  • .sqlitedb
  • .backupdb
  • .wpd
  • .bkc
  • .adb
  • .bkn
  • .apj
  • .tib
  • .bmp
  • .fbw
  • .ibd
  • .dtb
  • .aspx
  • .pbd
  • .ott
  • .jou
  • .obj
  • .spi
  • .pdf
  • .cvt
  • .ppsm
  • .bke
  • .nsd
  • .asp
  • .ppsx
  • .otg
  • .log
  • .nx2
  • .cdr5
  • .fh
  • .pptm
  • .bpw
  • .odp
  • .accdr
  • .iiq
  • .cfp
  • .cdx
  • .asf
  • .nxl
  • .awg
  • .txt
  • .hbk
  • .dwg
  • .thm
  • .ai
  • .lua
  • .ddoc
  • .mmw
  • .agdl
  • .plc
  • .fhd
  • .craw
  • .php
  • .js
  • .crt
  • .xis
  • .sda
  • .wps
  • .3ds
  • .odc
  • .odf
  • .wav
  • .indd
  • .qbm
  • .srf
  • .pot
  • .psafe3
  • .rdb
  • .py
  • .sti
  • .xlr
  • .xltx
  • .oab
  • .xls
  • .orf
  • .sql
  • .s3db
  • .exf
  • .kdc
  • .ns2
  • .drw
  • .eps
  • .ptx
  • .flac
  • .tga
  • .dbf
  • .pem
  • .tif
  • .dbx
  • .accde
  • .kbx
  • .mdb
  • .svg
  • .ffd
  • .bat
  • .m
  • .png
  • .dat
  • .jin
  • .mpg
  • .cib
  • .gry
  • .cr2
  • .p7c
  • .ce1
  • .jpeg
  • .fdb
  • .x11
  • .dot
  • .idx
  • .sxc
  • .wmv
  • .pspimage
  • .say
  • .dxf
  • .grey
  • .qbx
  • .ms11
  • .jpg
  • .xlsb
  • .mdf
  • .dgc
  • .001
  • .mdc
  • .nop
  • .m4v
  • .jar
  • .doc
  • .gray
  • .pef
  • .qby
  • .wb2
  • .erf
  • .sas7bdat
  • .act
  • .qbb
  • .rm
  • .mef
  • .bgt
  • .java
  • .odm
  • .qbr
  • .sr2
  • .dotm
  • .pcd
  • .vob
  • .stw
  • .bdb
  • .ost
  • .cdr6
  • .accdb
  • .mp3
  • .incpas
  • .pat
  • .rwz
  • .mp4
  • .oil
  • .3g2
  • .tex
  • .jsp
  • .odg
  • .st7
  • .swf
  • .nd
  • .flv
  • .db3
  • .rw2
  • .srw
  • .war
  • .p12
  • .asm
  • .sdf
  • .oth
  • .cs
  • .blend
  • .3dm
  • .tar
  • .ce2
  • .std
  • .dds
  • .csv
  • .design
  • .ibz
  • .pptm
  • .st6
  • .avi
  • .sxw
  • .p7b
  • .xlk
  • .cpp
  • .3fr
  • .fxg
  • .pab
  • .sxg
  • .raf
  • .class
  • .raw
  • .cdrw
  • .xml
  • .vhd
  • .qbw
  • .nsf
  • .ndd
  • .bay
  • .jpe
  • .dtd
  • .prf
  • .sldm
  • .ycbcra
  • .nwb
  • .pdd
  • .cmt
  • .vhdx
  • .nef
  • .dotx
  • .otp
  • .st8
  • .mos
  • .pst
  • .mrw
  • .ads
  • .zip
  • .nyf
  • .sxi
  • .xlm
  • .php5
  • .ibank
  • .ait
  • .bank
  • .db3
  • .myd
  • .mov
  • .accdt
  • .design
  • .dcs
  • .potx
  • .fla
  • .xltm
  • .csl
  • .dxb
  • .gz
  • .docm
  • .arw
  • .3pr
  • .pdb
  • .ddd
  • .ora
  • .pfx
  • .sldx
  • .key
  • .pbl
  • .db-
  • .crw
  • .cdr3
  • .ldf
  • .ersql
  • .pct
  • .rwl
  • .xla
  • .dxg
  • .xlt
  • .fmb
  • .phtml
  • .cgm
  • .wallet
  • .ach
  • .ab4
  • .pptx
  • .psd
  • .cls
  • .der
  • .srt
  • .ns4
  • .st4
  • .sxd
  • .ods
  • .xlsm
  • .edb
  • .rar
  • .pages
  • .dac
  • .dc2
  • .nk2
  • .sxm
  • .docx
  • .xlsx
  • .3gp
  • .ns3

It encrypts files found in the following folders:

  • %Program Files%\microsoft sql server
  • %Program Files%\microsoft\exchange server
  • %User Profile%
  • {Drive Letter}:\*

(Note: %Program Files% is the Program Files folder, where it usually is C:\Program Files on all Windows operating system versions; C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications running on Windows 64-bit operating systems.. %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 avoids encrypting files with the following strings in their file path:

  • windows
  • windows.old
  • $windows.~bt
  • $windows.~ws
  • $Recycle.bin
  • $recycle.bin
  • system volume information
  • msocache
  • perflogs
  • boot
  • winnt
  • program files (x86)
  • program files
  • temp

It renames encrypted files using the following names:

  • {random file name}.locked

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

  • {Encrypted File Path}\[HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES].html

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine:

9.850

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE:

13.894.07

FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE:

09 Jan 2018

VSAPI OPR PATTERN File:

13.895.00

VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date:

10 Jan 2018

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

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_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • {F7F46583-3332-97BB-A2B0-DDED4E9F8B15} = %Application Data%\{random folder name}\{random file name}.exe

Step 5

Delete this registry key

[ 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_CLASSES_ROOT
    • .locked
  • In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    • {random 8 alphanumeric characters}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • .locked
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
    • {random 8 alphanumeric characters}

Step 6

Search and delete this file

[ 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.
  • %System Root%\Users\Public\Desktop\KEY - For Windows 7 and above
  • %System Root%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\KEY - For Windows XP and below
  • %User Temp%\tmp_{random alphanumeric characters}.bat
  • %User Temp%\bmp{random alphanumeric characters}.bmp
  • {Encrypted File Path}\[HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES].html

Step 7

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as RANSOM_CRYPTEAR.Q. 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 8

Restore encrypted files from backup.


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