PowerWare Ransomware Dropper

CareCERT is aware of a new spam email campaign being used to deliver a malware dropper which is currently delivering a variant of PowerWare Ransomware

Threat ID:: CC-1538
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Macro, Email spam
Published:: 25 July 2017 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

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Summary

CareCERT is aware of a new spam email campaign being used to deliver a malware dropper which is currently delivering a variant of PowerWare Ransomware

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All Versions

Threat details

Users receive an email inviting them to click on a link to download and view an invoice which requires payment

Example subject lines

FW: Invoice notification with id number: 880904
Your invoice notice number: 1112821
FW: Your payment id number: 28603

Example Malicious URL's

http[]hypnotherapycenter[.]com/CBHL484280/
http[]bildnah[.]de/PVXM989517/
http[]phillstevens[.]co[.]uk/SQFK247917/

The downloaded file is a malicious macro enabled word document which displays a run time error “Run-time error “53” File not found” in an attempt to trick the user into enabling editing and content to allow them to view the content.

If the user enables Marcos, A PowerShell script is invoked which contacts 5 hardcoded malicious URLS and downloads the payload.

The current payload downloaded is a variant of PowerWare Ransomware

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	If your network becomes infected immediately report it to your AV provider for investigation and patching 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 email and internet 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). The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup.

Type

Step

If your network becomes infected immediately report it to your AV provider for investigation and patching

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 email and internet 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).

The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup.

Last edited: 17 January 2022 9:38 am