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DeathRansom Ransomware

DeathRansom is ransomware tool which will delete Volume Shadow copies and encrypt files. 

Threat ID:
CC-3300
Category:
Ransomware
Threat Severity:
Low
Threat Vector:
Phishing
Published:
28 November 2019 12:00 AM
Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

Summary

DeathRansom is ransomware tool which will delete Volume Shadow copies and encrypt files. 

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Versions: all supported

Microsoft Windows

Threat details

Introduction

First observed in November 2019, DeathRansom is written in C++ and is delivered via phishing emails. Originally, DeathRansom would encrypt files by just appending a file extension which was simple to decrypt, but later versions have used more complex encryption methods. HelloKitty and SOMBRAT are newer variants of DeathRansom.

 

Delivery

DeathRansom is typically delivered via phishing emails but there are also reports that it will make an external HTTPS connection to download a file. Once run, DeathRansom will perform language ID and keyboard layout checks and if found to be Russian, Kazakh, Belarusian, Ukrainian or Tatar, it will cease running.

Activities

Once delivered, DeathRansom will attempt to disable recovery services and delete Volume Shadow copies. Later versions of DeathRansom uses Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) key exchange scheme to encrypt files from selected directories and it appends file extensions. A read_me.txt ransom note will be placed in every folder which contains an encrypted file.

Remediation advice

If a device on your network becomes infected with ransomware it will begin encrypting files, which may also include remote files on network locations. The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup. To limit the impact of a ransomware infection, NHS Digital advises that:

  • Critical data is frequently saved in multiple backup locations.
  • At least one backup is kept offline at any time (separated from live systems).
  • Backups and incident recovery plans are tested to ensure that data can be restored when needed.
  • User account permissions for modifying data are regularly reviewed and restricted to the minimum necessary.
  • Infected systems are disconnected from the network and powered down as soon as practicable.
  • Any user account credentials that may have been compromised should be reset on a clean device
  • Where infected systems cannot be quarantined with confidence, then an affected organisation should disconnect from national networks to limit propagation.

Additionally, to prevent and detect an infection, NHS Digital advises that:

  • Secure configurations are applied to all devices.
  • Security updates are applied at the earliest opportunity.
  • Tamper protection settings in security products are enabled where available.
  • Obsolete platforms are segregated from the rest of the network.
  • IT usage policies are reinforced by regular training to ensure all users know not to open unsolicited links or attachments.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and lockout policies are used where practicable, especially for administrative accounts.
  • Administrative accounts are only used for necessary purposes.
  • Remote administration services use strongly encrypted protocols and only accept connections from authorised users or locations.
  • Systems are continuously monitored, and unusual activity is investigated, so that a compromise of the network can be detected as early as possible.

Please note that NCSC maintains guidance for securely configuring a wide range of end user device (EUD) platforms. For further details refer to their end user device security guidance pages.

Indicators of compromise

Host Indicators

SHA256 hashes

  • c50ab1df254c185506ab892dc5c8e24b

Last edited: 7 May 2021 11:30 am