FuxSocy Ransomware

FuxSocy (also known as FuxSocy Encryptor) is newly observed ransomware tool based on the older Cerber malware-as-a-service.

Threat ID:: CC-3273
Category:: ransomware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 31 October 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

FuxSocy (also known as FuxSocy Encryptor) is newly observed ransomware tool based on the older Cerber malware-as-a-service.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Despite these similarities, there is believed to be no association between FuxSocy's operators and the group behind Cerber. At the time of publication, it is unclear how FuxSocy is delivered, although there are unconfirmed reports indicating it may be distributed via spam email campaigns.

Once installed, FuxSocy will perform extensive checks to verify if it is running in a virtual environments. It will then attempt to encrypt all non-system files using an unknown algorithm. Like Cerber, it will prioritise the encryption of folders matching a hard-coded list. However, FuxSocy will only begin encryption of each file starting at 0x708 bytes, resulting in some files remaining partially usable after encryption.

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 2:57 pm