Trojan.Ransomlock.Y

Discovered:

October 9, 2012

Updated:

November 26, 2012 3:34:32 AM

Also Known As:

Troj/Ransom-KT [Sophos]

Type:

Trojan

Infection Length:

Varies

Systems Affected:

Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP

When the Trojan is executed, it creates the following file:
%CurrentFolder%\1.mp3

The Trojan creates the following registry entry so that it runs every time Windows starts:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"Microsoft Updater" = "[PATH TO TROJAN EXECUTABLE]"

Next, the Trojan creates the following registry subkeys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\mini
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\net

It then deletes the following registry subkeys in order to disable Safe Mode Boot:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network

Next, the Trojan ends the following processes, making it difficult to stop the threat from running:

• cmd.exe
• msconfig.exe
• regedit.exe
• taskmgr.exe

It also ends the following service:
SharedAccess

The Trojan may then attempt to connect to any of the following locations:

• [http://]209.85.229.104/[RANDOM CHARACTERS]/pictu[REMOVED]
• [IP ADDRESS]/[RANDOM CHARACTERS]/lic.php

Note: [IP ADDRESS] is a variable and may include the following:

• 109.72.156.30
• 176.9.165.210
• 93.190.44.239

The Trojan may perform the following actions, depending on the above server response:

• Remove its registry entry
  
• Delete the .mp3 file
• Stop executing
  

The Trojan then performs the following actions:

• Repeatably plays the 1.mp3 audio recording stating "FBI warning: Your computer is blocked for violation of federal law."
• Displays details about the ransom
• Offers a way for the user to pay to unlock the compromised computer

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
• Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
• Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
• Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
• If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
• If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
• For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.