Ako Ransomware

Ako, also known as MedusaReborn, is a newly observed ransomware tool targeting larger business networks. Despite being used in several active campaigns it appears to still be in active development, with its creators offering daily beta versions for attackers to use.

Threat ID:: CC-3345
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:
Published:: 16 January 2020 12:00 AM

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

Summary

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 Ako its delivered, although the nature of its intended targets indicates it may be distributed manually via exposed network equipment.

Once installed, Ako will attempt to delete Volume Shadow Copies and disable recovery services. It will then begin to encrypt all files that do not match a hard-coded list using an unknown algorithm. Whilst this is happening, Ako will scan the affected network for any connected devices or drives for it to propagate to.

Threat updates

Date	Update
21 May 2020	Ako now also steals data and demands an additional ransom to prevent its release on a dedicated leak website.

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.

Indicators of compromise

Main indicators

Filenames

ako-readme.txt
id.key

Registry Keys

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\akocfg

Ignored Extensions

SHA256 File Hashes

389747789dfab2142873617585e342575792d8c1c85f4b51b36539a16c461b5a
a6ba509923864b65a437047e8a53d249c68025f4e29eb3efe0ebe16761d28667

Last edited: 29 June 2021 12:00 pm