Trojan.Shadowlock
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Popularity Rank: | 14,068 |
| Threat Level: | 90 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 16 |
| First Seen: | July 9, 2013 |
| Last Seen: | August 7, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |

Trojan.Shadowlock Image
The Shadowlock ransomware infection is a dangerous Winlocker that takes over the victim's computer in exchange for a ransom. Shadowlock differs from many other ransomware Trojans in that Shadowlock demands that the victim fill out online surveys in order to generate revenue. While most other ransomware Trojans demand payment through an online payment service like Ukash or MoneyPak, ESG security researchers have noted that many newer ransomware infections are recurring to online surveys and similar scams for a more immediate monetization. There are several advantages to this type of scam. As common Police Ransomware scams become more common and computer users become more educated about these types of attacks, they have started to become less effective. The fact that they incapacitate the infected computer completely also makes them less effective in the long run for making money.
Since Shadowlock and similar ransomware infections allow the computer user access to the infected computer after filling out surveys, inexperienced computer users are less likely to remove these types of infections, despite the damage that they do to the infected computer. It is important to note that you should remove Shadowlock or any ransomware infection on your computer using a reliable anti-malware program. Apart from scamming you and trying to steal your money, Shadowlock and similar threats can expose you to numerous other malware threats, compromise your private data and cause severe performance problems on your computer.
Table of Contents
The Traps Behind the Surveys Presented by Shadowlock
The distribution of Shadowlock is often found on underground hacker forums. This infection is advertised as a way to force victims to fill out surveys to unlock their computer. Once a computer has been infected with Shadowlock, this malware infection will display a pop-up window claiming that the victim needs to enter an unlock code in order to gain access to the infected computer. To obtain one of these unlock codes, the victim has to fill out an online survey. While Shadowlock is displaying its pop-up window, the victim cannot access any files or components on the infected computer, including the Start Menu and the Task Manager. System Restore will also not remove Shadowlock. Effectively, Shadowlock takes the victim's computer hostage and refuses to give up control until the computer user fills out online scams.
File System Details
| # | File Name |
Detections
Detections: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on
infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. | %AppData%\Cores.exe | |
| 2. | %Temp%\[5 RANDOM LETTERS].exe | |
| 3. | %AppData%\tmps.tmp |
Registry Details
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | Trojan.Upatre.VAD |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | No Signature |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
328a5d9c82763aa0b5b6c9388f43954f
SHA1:
c47f6828e5f9b740e5645cf5c06f85bb26a0df05
SHA256:
05F06D6353F6AF373C0E01C0E9F3433F7C766A425281662EC071703117C9DA15
File Size:
42.17 KB, 42174 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File doesn't have security information
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
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- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Traits
- No Version Info
- x86
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 1 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 2 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 0 |
Visual Map
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Similar Families
Similar Families
This section lists other families that share similarities with this family, based on EnigmaSoft’s analysis. Many malware families are created from the same malware toolkits and use the same packing and encryption techniques but uniquely extend functionality. Similar families may also share source code, attributes, icons, subcomponents, compromised and/or invalid digital signatures, and network characteristics. Researchers leverage these similarities to rapidly and effectively triage file samples and extend malware detection rules.- Upatre.VAD
- ZBot.AE
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\budha.exe | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::proxybypass | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::intranetname | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::uncasintranet | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::autodetect | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::proxybypass | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::intranetname | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::uncasintranet | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zonemap::autodetect | RegNtPreCreateKey | |
| HKLM\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\notifications\data::418a073aa3bc3475 | r� * � /�� Y� d� � � �ރ �p ��^ �o � D Vs} kP~ ��1 �� 7 � �� ﺃ e e�� ��1 ( �� f e�� i U e�� r G � s e�� | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Process Manipulation Evasion |
|
| Process Shell Execute |
|
| Network Wininet |
|
| Network Winhttp |
|
Shell Command Execution
Shell Command Execution
This section lists Windows shell commands that are run by the samples in this family. Windows Shell commands are often leveraged by malware for nefarious purposes and can be used to elevate security privileges, download and launch other malware, exploit vulnerabilities, collect and exfiltrate data, and hide malicious activity.
open C:\Users\Aslfuwhj\AppData\Local\Temp\budha.exe
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