eCh0raix Ransomware

eCh0raix, also known as QNAPCrypt, is a newly observed ransomware tool targeting QNAP consumer and enterprise network attached storage (NAS) devices.

Threat ID:: CC-3144
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 11 July 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

eCh0raix, also known as QNAPCrypt, is a newly observed ransomware tool targeting QNAP consumer and enterprise network attached storage (NAS) devices.

Threat details

At the time of publication, eCh0raix appears to be delivered to directly to target systems, with each variant using a unique RSA key, although it is unclear how it is distributed.

Once installed, eCh0raix will connect to a Tor-based command and control server using a SOCKS5 proxy to download it's RSA key along with a tailored ransom note. It then checks the system language, and terminates itself if Belarussian, Ukrainian or Russian are detected. eCh0raix encrypts all non-system files using an AES-256 CFB key, which is then encrypted using the unique RSA key

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.

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.

Last edited: 14 February 2020 2:50 pm