Rapid Ransomware

Rapid is ransomware that is spread via spam emails that falsely claim to be from public authorities.

Threat ID:: CC-2070
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Email spam
Published:: 22 February 2018 12:00 AM

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

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Summary

Rapid is ransomware that is spread via spam emails that falsely claim to be from public authorities.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Such emails have been observed claiming to be from the United States' Internal Revenue Service, but with a UK email address and an attachment in German. It attempts to persuade the user that they are in tax arrears and to open the zipped attachment to view a report on how much is owed.

The zip file contains a Word document with a malicious macro that will download and execute the ransomware when enabled. Encrypted files are appended with the .rapid extension.

When encryption is completed, numerous ransom notes are opened in Notepad instructing the user to contact an email address in order to receive payment instructions.

Rapid maintains persistence by adding a registry item to the affected system, which allows it to encrypt new files as they are made.

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. 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”. 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).

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.

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”.

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).

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:53 pm