Home Malware Programs Ransomware ORX-Locker

ORX-Locker

Posted: September 1, 2015

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 10/10
Infected PCs: 3
First Seen: September 1, 2015
OS(es) Affected: Windows

ORX-Locker is a file encryption Trojan that recently has gained attention from a ransomware campaign reliant on third-party users for distributing ORX-Locker to their targets via whatever methods they see fit. Data protection through common methods such as remote file backups remain the simplest way to protect your information from ORX-Locker, and anti-malware applications should be used generously for removing ORX-Locker or any related threats. As always, any payment of ransoms offered by ORX-Locker is ill-advised.

The File-Locking Service Coming to a PC Near You

ORX-Locker's marketing efforts began in the second to last week of August, targeting towards would-be entrepreneurs interested in using third-party threats for their personal ransomware campaigns. Like the development teams of such threats as Encryptor RaaS, KeyBase Keylogger or the Galileo Malware, ORX-Locker's developers 'skim' revenue from the campaigns of other people in return for sharing temporary access to their software. What sets ORX-Locker into a place of its own is an unusually user-friendly interface and user-management process, which doesn't require any advanced programming knowledge whatsoever.

ORX-Locker's website caters to third-parties with a login menu that doesn't require e-mail or other forms of exploitable identification and an extremely file generator for ORX-Locker's executable. A basic ID number for the individual ORX-Locker variant, along with a ransom fee designation, is the only data required for generating a new copy of ORX-Locker. The distribution of ORX-Locker is left to the third-party, with statistics on infection rates and payments available on the same website.

ORX-Locker uses file encryption attacks for holding the files of an infected system 'hostage,' and includes an automatic pop-up with its ransom demands. The Trojan then deletes the original, non-encrypted files. Somewhat exceptionally, malware experts found evidence of ORX-Locker using extremely broad criteria for its file attacks, encrypting almost all files on a machine, instead of selectively targeting personal or work files of specific formats. Most file encryptor Trojans prefer to single out Microsoft Office files, image files, audio files and other, commonly valuable file types while excluding uncommon or system-critical files.

Unlocking ORX-Locker Files without Denting Your Bank Account

Without any guarantee (other than a con artist's word) that your files will be decrypted, paying any ransom fee demanded by ORX-Locker has no obvious benefits. Instead, malware experts recommend your looking towards remote file backup strategies for preventing any loss of essential data, followed by using anti-malware tools for uninstalling ORX-Locker. Because its distribution strategies may vary with the individual third-party using any single variant, ORX-Locker may arrive on your PC in any number of ways, including malvertising or e-mail messages carrying hostile attachments. However, its developers have limited third-party access to ORX-Locker's major features, meaning that its code requires direct updating to differ significantly from the contents of this analysis.

Another meaningful trait about ORX-Locker is its exploitation of compromised NGO websites for its C&C infrastructure. University and non-profit organization servers are some of the domains seen forcibly enlisted in ORX-Locker network communications. Such organizations may be able to do their personal part in hindering ORX-Locker's campaigns, by keeping closer track of website security and code. Despite these warnings, ORX-Locker as a ransomware-for-hire product continues to have clear room for future development.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:



c9d03e3ff8354e864c8724ff810fd663cca9e4f965517fb659396c33278aa866.exe File name: c9d03e3ff8354e864c8724ff810fd663cca9e4f965517fb659396c33278aa866.exe
Size: 365.56 KB (365568 bytes)
MD5: 942f6d0aadb9697d300e47eafb5c62dd
Detection count: 15
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 11, 2015
c8400b635f1b14bef0135631f05ae408bf551dac45fb23c1b26e20d60ea00f08.exe File name: c8400b635f1b14bef0135631f05ae408bf551dac45fb23c1b26e20d60ea00f08.exe
Size: 365.56 KB (365568 bytes)
MD5: 89e1efdc766e9c7d41305566993ba800
Detection count: 14
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 11, 2015
9336c8dbbdd65d18cee1de53ee153aeeb2fd9fcf3ceafb9f251ffcc21bf7211f.exe File name: 9336c8dbbdd65d18cee1de53ee153aeeb2fd9fcf3ceafb9f251ffcc21bf7211f.exe
Size: 365.56 KB (365568 bytes)
MD5: 1914724aeea3ca954322053dd883b14a
Detection count: 13
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 11, 2015
61ba68b65d05dcd970640fd0100770981679855fdbbbd57ef5be110ccd33e6d2.exe File name: 61ba68b65d05dcd970640fd0100770981679855fdbbbd57ef5be110ccd33e6d2.exe
Size: 365.56 KB (365568 bytes)
MD5: b3b21bca70389666593960dc1d686189
Detection count: 12
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 11, 2015
48aa0a8be374691641742a5d81503f127e9dfdc6bbb717bb1c8479a0071486d0.exe File name: 48aa0a8be374691641742a5d81503f127e9dfdc6bbb717bb1c8479a0071486d0.exe
Size: 365.56 KB (365568 bytes)
MD5: d6ed4d4e8b1a95a224ebdd54529b3751
Detection count: 11
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 11, 2015
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