Data Keeper Ransomware

Data Keeper is a new ransomware tool being sold as a service. Similar to Saturn and GandCrab it is offered for free, with the attacker sharing a percentage of the profits with its author.

Threat ID:: CC-2091
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Phishing
Published:: 1 March 2018 12:00 AM

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Summary

Data Keeper is a new ransomware tool being sold as a service. Similar to Saturn and GandCrab it is offered for free, with the attacker sharing a percentage of the profits with its author.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

A multi-stage infection mechanism is used to compromise devices. An initial .exe file delivered via phishing email downloads a secondary .exe into %LocalAppData%. This secondary .exe then downloads a DLL file which in turn downloads the final DLL containing the payload. Each of these stages uses numerous obfuscation techniques including custom strings and resource protection in order to avoid detection.

Data Keeper also uses the PsExec remote process tool to laterally traverse the network, infecting locally-connected devices in a similar fashion to Petya.

Files are encrypted using a hybrid AES and RSA-4096 algorithm. The files targeted and the extension appended to them are chosen by the attacker beforehand, as is the Bitcoin wallet address.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	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 access. For system administration accounts this may include 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 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 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 access. For system administration accounts this may include 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 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 February 2020 12:41 pm