LooCipher Ransomware

LooCipher is a newly observed ransomware tool.

Threat ID:: CC-3115
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Email spam, Phishing
Published:: 26 June 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

LooCipher is a newly observed ransomware tool.

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 LooCipher is delivered, although there are unconfirmed reports suggesting it may be distributed in spam or phishing campaigns.

When executed, LooCipher will create a file on the affected system's desktop containing a unique ID, bitcoin address and an encryption key expiration timer. It will then begin to encrypt all non-system files on the system, appending them with an lcphr extension. LooCipher will not delete the original files but instead converts them 0 byte files.

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 based on the principle 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. Update 17 Jul 2019 Cybaze-Yoroi Z-Lab has released an open-source decryption tool able to recover files encrypted by LooCipher. Organisations are reminded that NHS Digital do not test or verify recovery tools, and that they use them at their own risk.

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 based on the principle 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.

Update 17 Jul 2019

Cybaze-Yoroi Z-Lab has released an open-source decryption tool able to recover files encrypted by LooCipher. Organisations are reminded that NHS Digital do not test or verify recovery tools, and that they use them at their own risk.

Last edited: 14 February 2020 2:49 pm