Remove Troldesh Ransomware and Restore .Better_call_saul Encrypted Files

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.

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 Troldesh Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Troldesh.

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:

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.

Manually delete Troldesh from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Troldesh threat: Manual removal of Troldesh requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Troldesh files and objects.

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

2. Find malicious files created by Troldesh on your PC.

Find malicious files created by Troldesh

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

3. Fix registry entries created by Troldesh on your PC.

Fix registry entries created by Troldesh on your PC.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

Automatically remove Troldesh by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Troldesh with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Remove Troldesh with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Troldesh.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Troldesh.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Troldesh files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

2. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Troldesh in the future

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

To back up your files via Windows and prevent any future intrusions, follow these instructions:

1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)

1-Click on Windows Start Menu

2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup

4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.

5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.

6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by Troldesh.

1-Press Windows button + R

2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter

3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’

4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.

5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from Troldesh.

1- Press Windows button + R keys.

2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.

3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.

5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from Troldesh is on.

Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.

2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.

3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by Troldesh should be restored.

3. Restore files encrypted by Troldesh

Restore Files Encrypted by Troldesh

Security engineers strongly advise users NOT to pay the ransom money and attempt restoring the files using other methods. Here are several suggestions:

To restore your data, your first bet is to check again for shadow copies in Windows using this software:

Shadow Explorer

If this method does not work, Kaspersky have provided a decryptors for files encrypted with the this and other encryption algorithms:

Kaspersky Decryptors

Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some examples of data recovery programs:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

There is also the technical option to use a network sniffer:

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key.

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Troldesh Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Troldesh.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Troldesh associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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