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Malware type: Trojan
Destructive: No Platform: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 In the wild: Yes |
Low
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Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet, Dropped by other malware
This malware uses social engineering to lure users into performing actions that may end up compromising themselves. Specifically, it purports to be involved with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any police authority. It uses an audio recording, in the form of an .MP3 file, that repeatedly informs users that their system is blocked because of a certain violation on the federal law that the malware alleges the user committed.
To get a one-glance comprehensive view of the behavior of this Trojan, refer to the Threat Diagram shown below.
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.
It connects to certain websites to send and receive information.
File type: EXE
Memory resident: Yes
Initial samples received date: 02 Oct 2012
Payload: Locks systems, Connects to URLs/IPs
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.
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Microsoft Updater = "{malware path and filename}"
Process Termination
This Trojan terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:
- taskmgr.exe
- msconfig.exe
- regedit.exe
- cmd.exe
Other Details
This Trojan connects to the following website to send and receive information:
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.44.239
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.165.210
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.156.30
- {BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.229.104
NOTES:
Once the malware is executed, it locks the user's system and displays the following screen where a fake FBI message is displayed:
It drops a normal audio file, 1.mp3, in the malware's current directory where the following message is played:
FBI warning! Your computer is blocked for violation of federal law.
To unlock the system, users are forced to pay $200 (USD) via MoneyPak.
First VSAPI Pattern File: 9.448.04
First VSAPI Pattern Release Date: 02 Oct 2012
VSAPI OPR Pattern Version: 9.449.00
VSAPI OPR Pattern Release Date: 09 Oct 2012
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
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product and note files detected as TROJ_RANSOM.AAF
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
- Microsoft Updater = "{malware path and filename}"
- Microsoft Updater = "{malware path and filename}"
Step 6
Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TROJ_RANSOM.AAF. 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.
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