FIVEHANDS Ransomware
FIVEHANDS is a ransomware tool used by the UNC2447 APT group in their own campaigns. First seen in 2021, it is believed to be based on the DeathRansom and HelloKitty malware, but includes new functionality to avoid detection.
Summary
FIVEHANDS is a ransomware tool used by the UNC2447 APT group in their own campaigns. First seen in 2021, it is believed to be based on the DeathRansom and HelloKitty malware, but includes new functionality to avoid detection.
Affected platforms
The following platforms are known to be affected:
Threat details
Introduction
First observed in January 2021, FIVEHANDS (also stylised as FiveHands) is a ransom tool believed to be based on the older DeathRansom and HelloKitty ransomware. It has been used in an ongoing campaign by the UNC2447 advanced persistent threat group.
Delivery
Activities
Once installed, FIVEHANDS will attempt to encrypt files using an AES-128 implementation, the keys for which are then encrypted using an embedded NTRU key. It will also attempt to close any in-use files using the Windows Restart Manager, allowing them to be encrypted. Command line arguments can be passed to FIVEHANDS to limit its activities to specific filepaths. In April 2021, FIVEHANDS was seen using a Tor chat site which uses a HelloKitty favicon.
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
Definitive source of threat updates
Last edited: 10 January 2022 2:59 pm