Dot Ransomware as a Service RaaS

A new ransomware offered as a service has been identified in hacking forums.

Threat ID:: CC-1259
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:
Published:: 15 March 2017 12:00 AM

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Summary

A new ransomware offered as a service has been identified in hacking forums.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Windows All Versions

Threat details

Traditionally, RaaS services have used one-time fees or subscription payment methods but Dot ransomware has opted for a commission based strategy. The advantage of this business model is that there is no upfront cost to an attacker and any profits are split 50/50 between the author and affiliate. This is an easy gateway for aspiring attackers since no financial investment is required to set it up.

The Dot ransomware project was launched on February 19 and recent updates to the site suggest this RaaS variant has continued to receive support and refinements from the author in order to improve the product.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	As with all forms of zero day Malware the first line of defence against new variants of ransomware is user awareness and safe working practices. If a computer on your network becomes infected with ransomware it will begin encrypting local machine files and files on any network the logged in user has permission to. For system administration accounts this may include permissions to backup storage locations. To avoid becoming infected with Ransomware, ensure that: A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure, they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date All day to day computer activities such as checking email and browsing the web are performed using non- administrative accounts and that permissions are always assigned on the basis of least privilege Your organisation adopts a holistic all round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the “10 Steps To Cyber Security” Identifying the source of infection: Identifying the infected machine and unplugging / disconnecting or quarantining it from the network is essential to damage limitation. Users should immediately report infections to their IT support provider, disconnect their network cable and power the computer down. File auditing should be enabled and file server logs should be monitored to detect signs of unauthorised encryption and allow the source of encryption to be identified (i.e. the infected PC). To limit the damage of ransomware and enable recovery: All critical data must be backed up, and these backups must be sufficiently protected/kept out of reach of ransomware. Multiple backups should be created including at least one off-network backup (e.g. to tape). Recovery: Many of the ransomware variants use common, industry standard encryption algorithms, which makes decryption without the key impossible. The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup. Ransom: CareCERT would never recommend paying any ransom as there is no guarantee that the decryption key will be supplied. There are also ethical issues in rewarding criminals and paying the ransom sets a precedent that could lead to the organisation being specifically targeted with future ransomware attacks.

Type

Step

As with all forms of zero day Malware the first line of defence against new variants of ransomware is user awareness and safe working practices.

If a computer on your network becomes infected with ransomware it will begin encrypting local machine files and files on any network the logged in user has permission to. For system administration accounts this may include permissions to backup storage locations.

To avoid becoming infected with Ransomware, ensure that:
A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure, they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails
All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date
All day to day computer activities such as checking email and browsing the web are performed using non- administrative accounts and that permissions are always assigned on the basis of least privilege
Your organisation adopts a holistic all round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the “10 Steps To Cyber Security”

Identifying the source of infection:

Identifying the infected machine and unplugging / disconnecting or quarantining it from the network is essential to damage limitation.
Users should immediately report infections to their IT support provider, disconnect their network cable and power the computer down.
File auditing should be enabled and file server logs should be monitored to detect signs of unauthorised encryption and allow the source of encryption to be identified (i.e. the infected PC).

To limit the damage of ransomware and enable recovery:

All critical data must be backed up, and these backups must be sufficiently protected/kept out of reach of ransomware.
Multiple backups should be created including at least one off-network backup (e.g. to tape).

Recovery: Many of the ransomware variants use common, industry standard encryption algorithms, which makes decryption without the key impossible. The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup.

Ransom: CareCERT would never recommend paying any ransom as there is no guarantee that the decryption key will be supplied. There are also ethical issues in rewarding criminals and paying the ransom sets a precedent that could lead to the organisation being specifically targeted with future ransomware attacks.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 11:30 am