Category: Security

Categories
Security

RegretLocker ransomware encrypts virtual machines

Ransomware, ransomware, ransomware. At this point, the other malware families might be feeling some Jan Brady-level jealousy toward their flashier, more advanced brother. Ransomware is getting all the attention right now — for good reason.

Ransomware attacks have been ramping up in volume and in sophistication over the last year. Corporate targets have had to steel themselves against stealthy spear phishing campaigns, exposed RDP ports, zero-day exploits, and more. Now they have to worry about their virtual machines.

Using a combination of advanced attack techniques, a new ransomware family discovered in October called RegretLocker is able to encrypt virtual hard drives and close any files open by users for encryption. Why does this matter? RegretLocker is able to execute much more quickly than previous ransomware families and evade detection.

RegretLocker takes ransomware to the next level

RegretLocker ransomware appears fairly simple on the surface. It is accompanied by a short and sweet ransom note (as opposed to a long-winded soliloquy that has become common among ransomware threat actors). It uses email instead of Tor to accept ransom payments. When encrypting files, it applies a harmless-sounding .mouse extension.

But that’s where the simplicity ends. Instead of encrypting large files en masse, which can take a long time, RegretLocker mounts a virtual disk file so that each file may be encrypted individually, speeding up the process. In addition, RegretLocker uses the Windows Restart Manager API to terminate processes on Windows that can keep a file open during encryption, preventing users from salvaging open files.

RegretLocker follows in the footsteps of another ransomware family known as Ragnar Locker, which was first discovered in October 2019. Ragnar Locker deploys virtual machines to victim systems and launches the ransomware from inside. This gives the ransomware access to files on the local disk without being detected by security software deployed on the host system. In September 2020, Maze ransomware authors added Ragnar Locker’s virtual machine tactic to their bag of tricks.

The use of virtual machines by these ransomware families is not for the faint of heart — it’s complex, messy, and requires prior knowledge about the hardware and capabilities of its target networks, including whether or not the services had already been disabled. However, for threat actors looking to select and encrypt specific files quickly, or for those who’ve compromised a system but are looking to crack particularly difficult files, these methods represent the next evolution in a long chain of dangerous developments in ransomware.

What’s more, there are not many ways to protect against these types of ransomware attacks outside of preventing them from happening in the first place. (Though Malwarebytes’ Anti-Ransomware technology blocks RegretLocker from launching.)

What we can take away from these latest developments in ransomware is that cybercriminals have been busy doing what they do best: developing new tricks and workarounds that had previously prevented their malware from being as dangerous as it could be. The best defense, as it has always been, is awareness and proactive protection.

To learn more about RegretLocker ransomware, take a look at our blog on Malwarebytes Labs: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ransomware/2020/11/regretlocker-new-ransomware-can-encrypt-windows-virtual-hard-disks/

And here is Bleeping Computer’s take on RegretLocker: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-regretlocker-ransomware-targets-windows-virtual-machines/

For information on Ragnar Locker’s attack on gaming company Capcom: https://threatpost.com/gaming-giant-capcom-ragnar-locker-ransomware/160996/

Categories
Security

Maze ransomware group calls it quits… maybe

2020 has claimed victim nearly 200,000 small businesses across the United States — a gut punch of a statistic. But there’s one group closing up shop that I won’t shed any tears over: Maze ransomware.

Last week, the notorious Maze ransomware group known for corporate targeting and data extortion schemes announced they are shutting down operations. So why aren’t security folks like me rejoicing? First, we’ve seen ransomware families disappear before, only to come back with a smarter business plan for distribution or key updates that increase their potency. Second, never trust the word of a cybercriminal.

Back in May 2019, Malwarebytes researchers discovered a new strain of ransomware known as Maze, distributed via the Fallout exploit kit. Soon after, we found that Maze was spreading indiscriminately through other exploit kits, such as Spelevo, as well as through spam campaigns using documents laced with malicious macros.

As time went on, Maze operators began to adopt a more targeted approach, likely looking for a higher return on investment. They began going after organizations with spear phishing campaigns or by exploiting vulnerabilities in exposed infrastructure. Nothing new there. However, Maze was a pioneer in some regards, as it was one of the first to threaten its victims with leaking sensitive data if the ransom was not paid. Its authors also adopted clever tricks to evade detection by leveraging virtual machines to encrypt files.

Rumors began months ago that the threat actors behind Maze ransomware might be abandoning ship, as several of its affiliates switched to an up-and-coming ransomware family known as Egregor, which likely shares some of its code with Maze. In fact, it’s possible that former Maze developers are the ones behind the Egregor project, which would explain the recruitment of their affiliates.

On November 1, coincidentally my birthday, the group behind Maze released a statement claiming that they were done for good. The error-laden message (more of a rant) went on to claim that the future will be lived entirely online, therefore Maze’s efforts were meant to help prepare companies by forcing them to increase their security — typical rhetoric among delusional criminals who try to reframe their acts as benevolent.

There’s no doubt the Maze developers and distributors made enough money to call it a day. Their so-called press release is perhaps a distraction meant to hide conflicts or internal disagreements. It could also be a smokescreen for a potential shift to Egregor. When a cybercriminal says, “We never had partners or official successors,” you can count on the opposite to be true.

Whether Maze is actually gone, we can’t yet say for sure. We thought Ryuk had vanished earlier in 2020, only to have it return. At the same time, the affiliate shift to Egregor is reminiscent of the shift away from GandCrab to Sodinokibi ransomware in 2019.

Unfortunately, history has shown us that when a crime group decides to close their doors, it’s rarely because they have seen the error in their ways. Because of this, it’s best to continue to guard against, at the very least, the types of attack vectors used by Maze ransomware. I suggest:

  • Updating software and hardware to shore up vulnerabilities (protecting against exploit kits)
  • Boosting protection against brute force attacks and exposed RDP ports
  • Increasing employee awareness on sophisticated spear phishing tactics
  • Segmenting sensitive data into more restrictive servers

For more information on the Maze ransomware group’s retirement, take a look at our blog on Malwarebytes Labs: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ransomware/2020/11/maze-ransomware-gang-announces-retirement/

For an in-depth threat spotlight on Maze ransomware’s capabilities: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-spotlight/2020/05/maze-the-ransomware-that-introduced-an-extra-twist

For TechCrunch’s take on Maze’s retirement: https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/02/maze-ransomware-group-shutting-down

Categories
Security

Brute force attacks increasing on open RDP ports

Ever watch a procedural cop show where the lead detective is some kind of password savant? Then you know this scene: The detective walks into a suspect’s apartment, finds a locked computer, and, after his partner complains they’ll need NSA hackers to get in, cracks the tricky password in a single try. While I love a good Hollywood cybersecurity gaffe, the truth is Detective Special Skills actually would have a decent chance at getting into that computer if he knew the suspect’s name and attempted using a few of the most popular default passwords today. (I’m looking at you, 1-2-3-4-5.)

But let’s say this suspect is a little more tech savvy and has a stronger, unique password in place. That’s game over, right? No getting in? Unfortunately for us good guys trying to protect our personal or business data, the answer is no. By using brute force attacks that automate trial and error, cybercriminals are able to run thousands or even millions of username and password combinations until they crack the code for credentials.

COVID-19’s grip on the global workforce has remained tight for nearly three quarters, keeping the majority of corporate employees — including technicians, security, and IT staff — confined to their homes. The repercussions of ongoing work-from-home conditions continue to be felt, especially a generally weaker security posture for all organizations, the natural result of having a distributed workforce. One such repercussion is a massive increase in open RDP ports, from 3 million in January 2020 (pre-Covid) to 4.5 million in March (post-Covid).

Cybercriminals of course pounced immediately, and to our detriment, they keep throwing everything they’ve got at us. COVID-19 misinformation, scams, social engineering laced with malware, Emotet and more of its friends, digital card skimmers, targeted ransomware attacks, and now brute force attacks, which themselves are methods of endless, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink attack.

Brute force attacks are typically automated or conducted via application, which allows threat actors to “set it and forget it,” coming back to their target once the app notifies them of a successful crack of the desired credentials. And lately, they’ve been cracking open a lot of RDP ports, exposed to the Internet so that remote workers can access company resources from home or IT staff can troubleshoot employee devices remotely.

Once cybercriminals have brute forced their way into an open RDP port, they can launch ransomware attacks, install keyloggers or other spyware on target organizations, or conduct espionage or extortion — pretty much a nightmare scenario. To protect against brute force attacks and shield RDP ports, I recommend:

  • Limiting the number of open ports
  • Restricting access to RDP ports to only those that need it
  • Enhancing security of the port and the protocol (with security software that blocks malicious IPs from compromised servers, for example)
  • For remaining RDP port users, disabling legacy usernames, rotating passwords, and enabling 2FA

At Malwarebytes, we’re now exploring new protective features to combat rising brute force attacks on open RDP ports. Stay tuned for some news on that soon!

To learn more about brute force attacks on the rise and how to protect open RDP ports, read our blog on Malwarebytes Labs: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2020/10/brute-force-attacks-increasing/

For advice on how to protect RDP access from ransomware attacks: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/business-security-world/2018/08/protect-rdp-access-ransomware-attacks/

And for a refresher on best security practices for all work-from-home employees: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/how-tos-2/2020/03/security-tips-for-working-from-home-wfh/

Categories
Security

Covid fatigue causes careless behavior, endangers online safety

Because it’s not bad enough that we’ve had to shelter in place, shut down businesses, and stay away from friends and families for months. Now we learn that our natural response to this stress — a type of emotional exhaustion medical professionals call Covid fatigue — puts us in danger, too. Great. Might as well give up now.

The above paragraph is a meta example of Covid fatigue… or at least the beginnings of it. The defeatist attitude is a telltale symptom of this type of fatigue, which should not be mistaken for the fatigue that can sometimes be a symptom of Covid-19 infection. Covid fatigue is instead defined as feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the conditions brought on by the pandemic and the ever-changing list of rules to follow in order to stay safe.

Those with Covid fatigue are less likely to follow basic social protocols for protecting against the virus. And that, unfortunately, spills over into their online habits as well.

For many of you in IT and security, a lightbulb may have already flickered on. Covid fatigue sounds awfully similar to security fatigue or alert fatigue. Indeed, it’s the exact same principle. And if you’re catching on to how emotional fatigue can lead to self-destructive behavior online (like reusing passwords or exercising less caution opening emails, for example), then guess who else knows?

The most successful threat actors study user psychology so their social engineering tactics can be believable. And those threat actors have been clued into Covid fatigue for a while now.

It’s most important, then, that IT and security leaders guide their employees in fighting back against possible online attacks, remembering basic security hygiene, and combatting emotional fatigue. The last item may require help from your people operations teams, but will ultimately lead to a happier, healthier workforce with energy in reserves.

There’s so much uncertainty with this virus, and that contributes to Covid fatigue, too. But if there’s one thing we can be sure about, it’s that battling this pandemic — and the one we’re facing online — is a marathon, not a sprint.

Read on to learn how to cope with Covid fatigue and stay safe online: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/malwarebytes-news/2020/10/how-covid-fatigue-puts-your-physical-and-digital-health-in-jeopardy/

For background on security fatigue: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/101/2017/04/how-to-fight-security-fatigue/

To see what Johns Hopkins recommends for fighting Covid fatigue: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/how-to-deal-with-coronavirus-burnout-and-pandemic-fatigue

On alert/notification fatigue: https://betanews.com/2020/07/09/security-report-alert-fatigue/

Categories
Security

Why Malwarebytes for Mac

As some of you may have already seen, we released Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac last week. Prior to the release of the new product, I was of the mindset that Macs were not vulnerable to malware. So what changed my mind?

Doug Swanson, my former CTO at Malwarebytes (and current board member!) e-mailed me about a cool product called AdwareMedic he had found over the weekend. Doug’s grandmother’s computer, a Macbook Pro, had fallen victim to a search hijacker that was redirecting any links she clicked to advertising content. He ran AdwareMedic and all was well in the world. Doug insisted I take a look at the software, and his story certainly left me intrigued.

Continue reading “Why Malwarebytes for Mac”