Remove Troldesh Ransomware and Restore .Better_call_saul Encrypted Files

by Ventsislav Krastev | June 9, 2016 | 0 Comments file-encryption, malware

Threat Summary Troldesh Ransomware – How Does It Infect Troldesh Ransomware – Malicious Activity Troldesh Ransomware – Conclusion, Removal and File Restoration

The notorious Troldesh family of ransomware viruses has just increased with a new variant. The new crypto-ransomware variant encrypts the user files adding a .Better_call_saul file extension after them. It is reported by researchers at Nyxbone to utilize a powerful AES-256 encryption cipher. The ransomware is also reported to change the wallpaper with a ransom note written in both Russian and English languages as well. Users who have been affected by this virus – encoder, should immediately remove it, instead of paying the ransom and try to restore the files using one of the alternative solutions in this article.

SIDENOTE: This post was originally published in June 2016. But we gave it an update in August 2019.

Threat Summary

Name	Troldesh
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts your files with .better_call_saul extension and asks a ransom payment of $150 for decryption.
Symptoms	The ransomware encrypts all of the files, changes the wallpaper to a russian and english versions of the same message and adds a README.txt note.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Exploit Kits
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Troldesh.

Troldesh Ransomware — Update August 2019

The Troldesh ransomware has been detected in an ongoing attack wave in August 2019. The criminals that are behind the attacks are using hacked or specially made sites in order to deliver the infection. When the victims click on them they will automatically launch the dropper script which in turn will lead to the ransomware infection.

According to the available security reports the trigger will be a JScript file which will proceed with the infection — in the moment primarily Windows computers are targeted.

The file name of the script is written in the Russian language and it appears that the attackers are attempting to spoof an airline company message. Various contents can be inserted and manipulate the users into opening them. When this is done the ransomware will be automatically downloaded from a remote host and executed on a local host.

A randomly-named directory name will be created and the ransomware will be placed there. Following the intrusion the typical Troldesh ransomware attack sequence will begin.

Troldesh Ransomware – How Does It Infect

One method Troldesh may use to successfully infect users is via malicious URLs. Such web links may redirect to web pages which contain malicious JavaScript or an Exploit Kit. Such web links may be seen in various locations by end users, for example:

On spam comments in comment sections of different sites.
Featured as a reply or a topic in a not so well secured forum.
Automatically pop-up on the computer as a result of having a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) installed on the computer.
Redirect as a result of clicking on a malicious advertisement (malvertising)

Another method of distribution which may be used by Troldesh is by directly spreading the .exe of the malware. For this to happen, process obfuscation is believed to be used on the executable to conceal it from the real time shield of any antivirus that may be installed to the latest definitions on the victim`s computer. Such files can usually be spread via:

Malicious e-mails as attachments, which are usually in .zip or .rar archives.
Pose as fixes, patches, keygens, cracks and others.
Pretend to be a setup of a legitimate software on a third-party website.

So far, one thing may be certain. Researchers have reported that this variant of Troldesh uses the following hosts to conduct massive spam campaigns:

→ 155.94.254.7
220.116.246.88
73.69.54.155
59.16.141.51
46.241.162.75
181229176179
181.46.183.183
91.250.53.114
69.23.139.144
105.131.75.227
188.0.72.57
176.223.169.98
121.136.241.45
1.64.242.80
76.9.38.194
73.205.91.110
203.175.48.196
1.239.96.173 Source: Nyxbone(@mosh)

And this is not the only bad news about how this ransomware spreads. Experts believe it to have something in common with a very dangerous botnet, called Kelihos that is known for sending out phishing campaigns.(https://sensorstechforum.com/kelihos-botnet-phishing-campaign-collects-apple-ids-spam-emails/)

Troldesh Ransomware – Malicious Activity

The ransomware drops the following files after infection:

schet1074.15.03.16.doc – 1.1 MB
CSRSS.exe – 1.8 MB
025074DE.exe – 114.3 KB
E8B6CE19.exe – 1.0 MB

Source: Nyxbone(@mosh)

After dropping its payload, the ransomware modifies the registry entries of infected computers to change different settings:

→ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Client Server Runtime Subsystem
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\cnt
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\i
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\mode
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\pk
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\state
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\sys
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\System32\Configuration\Version Source: Nyxbone(@mosh)

The ransomware also creates additional files in the infected computer on different locations:

→ C:\ProgramData\Windows\csrss.exe
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\AppData\Local\Temp\E8B6CE19.exe –
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\AppData\Local\Temp\025074DE.exe –
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\AppData\Local\Temp\state
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\AppData\Local\Temp\lock
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\AppData\Roaming\77E4183577E41835.bmp
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\\Desktop\README1.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README2.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README3.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\\Desktop\README4.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README5.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README6.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README7.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README8.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README9.txt
C:\Users\{USERNAME}\Desktop\README10.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README1.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README2.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README3.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README4.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README5.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README6.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README7.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README8.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README9.txt
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\README10.txtSource: Nyxbone(@mosh)

After doing, so, the ransomware executes a call command to its encryptor. Its reported to scan for and encrypt the following types of files:

→ wb2, cdr, srw, p7b, odm, mdf, p7c, 3fr, der, odb, arw, rwl, cer, xlk, pdd, rw2, crt, dx, r3d, pem, bay, ptx, pfx, indd, nrw, p12, bd, backup, torrent, kwm, pwm, safe, xl, xls, xlsx, xlsm, xlsb, xltm, xlt, xlam, xla, mdb, rtf, txt, xml, csv, pdf, prn, dif, slk, ods, xltx, xlm, odc, xlw, uxdc, pm, udl, dsn, iqy, dqy, rqy, oqy, cub, bak, xsn, xsf, xtp, xtp2, accdb, adb, adp, mda, accda, mde, accde, accdw, accdt, accdc, mdw, dbf, tab, asc, frm, opt, myd, myi, db, onetoc2, one, onepkg, vcs, ics, pst, oft, msg, pptx, ppt, pptm, pps, ppsm, pot, potx, potm, odp, thmx, wpd, wps, ppa, ppam, wmf, emf, pub, ps, xps, vsd, vdx, vss, vsx, vst, vtx, vsw, vdw, emz, dwg, dxf, docx, doc, docm, dotx, dot, dotm, djvu, chm, htm, html, mht, mhtml, shtml, shtm, asp, aspx, dwt, stm, cs, css, psd, pdd, 3ds, max, crw, nef, raf, orf, mrw, dcr, mos, pef, srf, dng, x3f, cr2, erf, sr2, kdc, mfw, mef, cin, sdpx, dpx, fido, dae, dcm, dc3, dic, eps, kmz, iff, tdi, exr, pcx, pdp, pxr, sct, u3d, obj, ai3, ai4, ai5, ai6, ai7, ai8, ai, epsp, epsf, hdr, rgbe, xyze, flm, pbm, pgm, ppm, pnm, pfm, pam, pct, pict, psb, fxg, swf, hta, htc, ssi, as, asr, xsl, xsd, dtd, xslt, rss, rdf, lbi, asa, ascx, asmx, config, cfm, cfml, cfc, tld, phtml, jsp, wml, tpl, lasso, jsf, vb, vbs, vtm, vtml, edml, raw, jpg, jpeg, jpe, bmp, png, tif, tiff, dib, gif, svg, svgz, rle, tga, vda, icb, wbm, wbmp, jpf, jpx, jp2, j2k, j2c, jpc, avi, mkv, mov, mp4, wmv, 3gp, mpg, mpeg, m4v, divx, mpv, m1v, dat, anim, m4a, qt, 3g2, f4v, mkidx, mka, avs, vdr, flv, bin, mp3, wav, asx, pls, zip, 7z, rar, tar, gz, bz2, wim, xz, c, h, hpp, cpp, php, php3, php4, php5, py, pl, sln, js, json, inc, sql, java, class, ini, asm, clx, tbb, tbi, tbk, pst, dbx, cbf, crypted, tib, eml, fld, vbm, vbk, vib, vhd, 1cd, dt, cf, cfu, mxl, epf, vrp, grs, geo, elf, lgf, lgp, log, st, pff, mft, efd, md, dmp, fdb, lst, fbkSource: Nyxbone(@mosh)

After doing this, the files are scrambled with an AES-256 encryption algorithm. The enciphered files are usually with the .better_call_saul, for example:

→ Original file:
New Text Document.txt
Encrypted File:
{ RANDOM ALPHA NUMERICAL ID }-i-{RANDOM ALPHA NUMERICAL ID}=.{ RANDOM ALPHA NUMERICAL ID }.better_call_saul

This ransomware, then changes the wallpaper of the infected computer to the following picture:

The ransomware may also communicate with the attackers to send to them the decryption key along with other system information. The reported IP addresses of attackers are reported by Nyxbone experts to be the following:

→ 86.59.21.38
208.83.223.34
37.59.46.159
158.58.170.2
188.165.26.13
104.25.11.6
72.246.48.8 Source: Nyxbone(@mosh)

In addition to all of those, after encrypting the files, the ransomware adds multiple “README.txt” files with sequence numbers, for example “README1.txt” ,”README2.txt” ,”README3.txt” ,”README4.txt” on the Desktop of the user or encrypted folders. The text of the readme is in Russian and English. The english version of the ransom note is the following:

“All the important files on your computer were encrypted.
To decrypt the files you should send the following code:
{UNIQUE CODE} to e-mail addess post77999@gmail.com or post7799@yahoo.com.
Then you will receive all necessary instrucions.
All the attempts of decryption by yourself will result only in irrevocable loss of your data.
If you still want to try to decrypt them by yourself please make a backup at first because the decryption will become impossible in case of any changes inside the files.
If you did not receive the answer from the aforecited email for more than 48 hours (and only in this case!), use the reserve email. You can get it by two ways:
1) Download Tor Browser from here:
{tor web link}
Install it and type the following address into the address bar:
{onion domain}
Press Enter and then the page with reserve emails will be loaded.
2) Go to the one of the following addresses in any browser:
{onion domains with .to and .cab extensions}”

Troldesh Ransomware – Conclusion, Removal and File Restoration

The bottom line is that this variant of the Troldesh family is a bit more sophisticated than the the .xtbl and .crypt Troldesh variants).

If you want to remove Troldesh ransomware, you may follow the instructions for manual removal below or download an advanced anti-malware program. It will make sure your computer is free of any objects modified by Troldesh Ransomware and protect you from such threats in the future as well.

In case you wish to restore your files, we advise trying to use Kaspersky`s Rannoh Decryptor which has been reported to successfully decrypt .crypt encrypted files by the Troldesh variant CryptXXX. Otherwise, you can find other, less effective alternatives from step “3. Restore files encrypted by Troldesh” below.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove Troldesh from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Troldesh

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Troldesh and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Troldesh on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Troldesh there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Troldesh with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Troldesh from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Troldesh and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Troldesh:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Troldesh. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Troldesh. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Troldesh via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Troldesh. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Troldesh files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Troldesh, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Troldesh:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Troldesh from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Troldesh from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Troldesh from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Troldesh from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Troldesh will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Troldesh from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.