WhiteRose Ransomware

A new member of the InfiniteTear ransomware family, known as WhiteRose, has been observed targeting organisations throughout Western Europe.

Threat ID:: CC-2229
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 10 April 2018 12:00 AM

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

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

A new member of the InfiniteTear ransomware family, known as WhiteRose, has been observed targeting organisations throughout Western Europe.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

At the time of publication it is unclear how WhiteRose is being distributed, with unconfirmed reports indicating it is being manually installed using Remote Desktop services.

When installed WhiteRose will check for the presence of file in the C drive, Perfect.sys, and will cease operations if it is detected. If it is not, WhiteRose will create the file before scanning all connected drives on the targeted device and encrypting them. Files contained within the Windows, Program Files, $Recycle.Bin and Microsoft folders are ignored.

It also appears that decryption tools are available that are able to recover files encrypted by WhiteRose, although these have not been verified by CareCERT and are used at an organisation's risk.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	If a device 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, anti-virus 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 affected device and 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 device). 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. Additionally, if RDP is not used then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used: Ensure only authorised users are granted RDP permissions. Ensure authorised users have a strong password. Protect RDP connections with multifactor authentication. Only allow RDP to run through VPN connections.

Type

Step

If a device 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, anti-virus 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 affected device and 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 device).

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.

Additionally, if RDP is not used then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used:

Ensure only authorised users are granted RDP permissions.
Ensure authorised users have a strong password.
Protect RDP connections with multifactor authentication.
Only allow RDP to run through VPN connections.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:57 pm