*-deleted-forever

This detailed resource is designed to provide comprehensive insights into the ransomware variant using the *-deleted-forever file extension pattern, often associated with the GlobeImposter ransomware family. Understanding its technical aspects and employing robust recovery strategies are crucial for effective defense and remediation.

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Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

• Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware is not simply *-deleted-forever. Rather, deleted-forever appears as a distinct part of the new file extension, often prefixed by an identifier or a random string. The pattern is typically [original_filename].[ID or random_string].deleted-forever. For example, a file named document.docx might become document.docx.ABCD123.deleted-forever or document.docx.id-ABCDEF.deleted-forever.
• Renaming Convention: The ransomware appends a unique ID or a random string, followed by .deleted-forever, to the original file’s name. This convention serves several purposes:
  • It clearly identifies encrypted files.
  • The unique ID (if present) can sometimes be linked to the victim or a specific encryption session, which the attackers may use to track payments.
  • It distinguishes its encrypted files from those of other ransomware variants.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

• Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants using the .deleted-forever extension, primarily associated with the GlobeImposter ransomware family, were first widely detected and began to spread around late 2017 and early 2018. GlobeImposter itself has seen multiple iterations and campaigns since its initial emergence. Campaigns utilizing this specific extension pattern have recurred periodically, indicating ongoing activity by the threat actors.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

• Propagation Mechanisms: The *-deleted-forever ransomware (GlobeImposter) primarily relies on several common, yet highly effective, attack vectors to gain initial access and propagate:
  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is a very common method. Attackers brute-force weak RDP credentials or exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in RDP services to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s network. Once inside, they manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., weaponized Office documents with macros, executables disguised as legitimate files) or links to malicious websites are used to trick users into executing the ransomware or a dropper.
  • Exploitation of Software Vulnerabilities: While less frequently tied to this specific variant’s initial spread than RDP, the exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities in public-facing applications (e.g., web servers, content management systems) can be used to gain initial footholds.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: In some cases, third-party software or services that are compromised can serve as a conduit for ransomware deployment, though this is less common for GlobeImposter than for more sophisticated state-sponsored groups.
  • Compromised Websites & Malvertising: Drive-by downloads from compromised legitimate websites or malicious advertisements can silently install the ransomware or a dropper when a user visits the site.

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Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

• Proactive Measures:
  • Regular, Offsite Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy (3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy offsite/offline). Regularly test restoration procedures. This is your most critical defense.
  • Strong Password Policies & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce complex, unique passwords for all accounts, especially for RDP, VPNs, and administrative access. Implement MFA wherever possible.
  • Patch Management: Keep operating systems, software, and applications fully updated with the latest security patches. Prioritize patches for known vulnerabilities, especially those affecting RDP and public-facing services.
  • Network Segmentation: Divide your network into isolated segments to limit lateral movement of ransomware if an infection occurs in one segment.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) / Antivirus Solutions: Deploy and maintain next-generation antivirus and EDR solutions on all endpoints and servers. Ensure they are updated regularly.
  • Email Security: Utilize email filters, sandboxing, and DMARC/SPF/DKIM to block malicious attachments and phishing attempts.
  • User Awareness Training: Educate employees about phishing, social engineering, safe browsing habits, and the dangers of opening suspicious attachments or clicking unknown links.
  • Secure RDP: If RDP is necessary, place it behind a VPN, use strong credentials, limit access to specific IP addresses, disable NLA (Network Level Authentication) if not required, and monitor RDP logs for unusual activity.

2. Removal

• Infection Cleanup:
  1. Isolate Infected Systems: Immediately disconnect affected computers and servers from the network (physically or by disabling network adapters) to prevent further spread.
  2. Identify & Terminate Processes: Use a task manager or process explorer to identify and terminate any suspicious processes related to the ransomware.
  3. Scan with Anti-malware: Boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking (if possible) or use a bootable anti-malware rescue disk. Run a full scan with up-to-date antivirus/anti-malware software to detect and remove the ransomware executable and any associated malicious files.
  4. Remove Persistence Mechanisms: Check common persistence locations such as:
     • Startup folders (shell:startup, shell:common startup)
     • Registry Run keys (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run)
     • Scheduled Tasks (schtasks.exe)
     • WMI event subscriptions
  5. Check for Shadow Copies: Ransomware often attempts to delete Volume Shadow Copies to prevent easy restoration. Use tools like vssadmin list shadows to check if they exist. If they were deleted, typical shadow copy restoration will not work.
  6. Review System Logs: Examine event logs (Security, System, Application) for suspicious activity preceding the infection, such as RDP login attempts, new user creation, or unusual process executions.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

• Recovery Feasibility: For files encrypted by GlobeImposter variants (which often use the *-deleted-forever extension), decryption is sometimes possible without paying the ransom. This depends heavily on the specific sub-variant and whether a flaw in its encryption has been discovered or a master key has been released.
• Methods or Tools Available:
  • No More Ransom Project: This is the primary resource. Visit www.nomoreransom.org. They host a collection of free decryptors for various ransomware families, including several GlobeImposter variants. You can upload an encrypted file and the ransom note to their Crypto Sherpa tool to identify the specific ransomware and check for an available decryptor.
  • Data Recovery Professionals: If backups are unavailable and a free decryptor doesn’t exist, professional data recovery firms might offer specialized services. However, success is not guaranteed, and costs can be very high.
  • DO NOT PAY THE RANSOM: Cybersecurity experts and law enforcement strongly advise against paying the ransom. There’s no guarantee you’ll receive a working decryptor, and paying perpetuates the ransomware ecosystem, funding future attacks.
• Essential Tools/Patches:
  • No More Ransom Decryptors: Specifically for GlobeImposter variants.
  • Microsoft Windows Updates: Crucial for patching RDP and SMB vulnerabilities.
  • Robust Antivirus/Anti-malware Suites: E.g., Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Sophos, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne.
  • Backup Solutions: Veeam, Acronis, Rubrik, Cohesity, or simple external hard drives.
  • System Restore Points: While often deleted by ransomware, they can sometimes be useful if not completely wiped.

4. Other Critical Information

• Additional Precautions:
  • Deletion of Shadow Copies: A characteristic behavior of GlobeImposter (and many other ransomware families) is to attempt to delete all Volume Shadow Copies (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet). This makes direct recovery from Windows’ built-in system restore points difficult or impossible.
  • Network Share Encryption: This ransomware actively searches for and encrypts files on accessible network shares, mapped drives, and even cloud drive synchronization folders, rapidly expanding its impact beyond the initial point of infection.
  • Ransom Note: The ransom note, typically named HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, decrypt_information.txt, or similar, will contain instructions on how to contact the attackers (often via an email address or a Tox ID) and the amount of ransom demanded (usually in Bitcoin).
  • Evolution of Variants: GlobeImposter, like many ransomware families, constantly evolves. New variants may use slightly different encryption methods or attack vectors, making ongoing vigilance essential.
• Broader Impact:
  • Business Disruption: Beyond data loss, the primary impact is the complete halt of business operations. Critical systems, databases, and user files become inaccessible, leading to significant downtime and revenue loss.
  • Financial Costs: Includes direct costs of recovery (IT staff, external experts, new hardware/software), potential regulatory fines, and the significant financial impact of lost productivity and revenue.
  • Reputational Damage: Organizations that suffer ransomware attacks often face a loss of customer trust and damage to their public image.
  • Supply Chain Risk: If an organization within a supply chain is infected, it can have ripple effects, impacting partners and customers who rely on its services or data.

By understanding these technical details and implementing the recommended prevention and recovery strategies, individuals and organizations can significantly enhance their resilience against the *-deleted-forever ransomware and similar threats.