ciphx

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

Technical Breakdown: “CiphX” Ransomware

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: After encryption, CiphX appends the extension “.ciphx” to every encrypted file.
  • Renaming Convention:
    Original → OriginalName.random-10-char-hex.id-{victim-id}.ciphx
    Example: Invoice-Q2.pdf → Invoice-Q2.pdf.a3e8d9f65b. id-9C4D8512A.ciphx
    The 10-hex string is different for every file (per-object key identifier), while the victim-id is consistent across the machine or campaign, aiding attackers in tracking.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • First Observed in the Wild: 11-Oct-2023 (initial reports from SOAR telemetry in South-East Asia).
  • Rapid spike 18-21-Oct-2023 → peak reached via malvertising campaigns masquerading as Chrome/Firefox updates.
  • Global spike: 10-Jan-2024 after initial access brokers (IABs) integrated CiphX into double-extortion “Ransomware-as-a-Service” (RaaS) portals.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

  • EternalBlue (MS17-010) still exploited even 7-years post-patch; unpatched SMBv1 hosts become proactive propagation nodes.
  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) brute-force & Pass-the-Hash once initial compromise achieved; observed usage of compromised Citrix, AnyDesk & MeshCentral for lateral movement.
  • Phishing Emails (ZIP → ISO → LNK or MSI payload) peak on Mon-Thu 08:00-11:00 in target’s local timezone to blend into morning routines. Payload often named “Contract_Q3-update.msi”.
  • Drive-by Downloads via malicious Google Ads leading to staged ZIP files; leverages SocGholish/MSI infection chain.
  • Insecure web facing instances of
  • PaperCut NG/MF (CVE-2023-27350) – Jan-2024 campaigns.
  • AnyConnect & Ivanti SSL-VPN (CVE-2023-46805, CVE-2024-21887) – Feb-2024 ramp-up.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies

1. Prevention

  • Disable SMBv1 immediately: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName smb1protocol
  • Segment networks strictly; place RDP behind VPN + enforced MFA.
  • Global Email Gateway – block ISO, VHD, and VHDX attachments at gateways retroactively; spur phishing exercises monthly.
  • Patch everything, quickly: Focus Jan-2024 patches covering Ivanti & PaperCut; verify via asset inventory.
  • Application whitelisting (Microsoft AppLocker / WDAC) approved signatures for MSI, EXE, PS1.
  • Monitor for LOLBins: powershell -Command "IWR … | IEX" signatures; baseline scripting engines.
  • Disable Office macros by default and restrict internet-downloaded macro execution.

2. Removal

Step-by-step on single endpoints (repeat / quarantine inside SOC playbook for fleet):

  1. Isolate: Pull network cable or disable Wi-Fi to prevent further propagate/share drives.
  2. Identify & terminate the running payload:
  • check services & scheduled tasks for randomly-named “.exe” in %TEMP%\[GUID]\, C:\ProgramData\, or C:\Users\Public\.
  • common service disguise: Windows NetTick or OneCloud Updater.
  1. Pull forensic image, then boot to WinPE/Recovery Environment.
  2. Run enterprise-grade AV scanner (CrowdStrike / Symantec / Microsoft Defender Offline) with threat-Intel definitions ≥2024-02-14 to capture CiphX variants.
  3. Remove malicious persistence:
  • Registry Run keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run as well as WMI Event Filters & Scheduled Tasks named WFevent, SysNetSync.
  • Check startup locations: %APPDATA%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
  1. Verify clean: perform offline NDR (network-detection & response) scan – no suspicious beacons to IP 194.**.18/Tor entry nodes.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Decryption feasibility: As of 24-Mar-2024 no viable on-premise decryptor exists. CiphX uses Curve25519 + XChaCha20-Poly1305 with keys stored on attackers’ C2 only after exfiltration (Crypto-RaaS group named “BlackHalo”).
  • Avoid online decryptors promising miracles – most are scams.
  • Resort to offline backups (test-restore first):
  • Air-gapped, immutable (Linux ZFS snapshots with chattr +i / +a).
  • Cloud object lock (AWS S3 Object Lock, Azure Blob immutability).
  • Offline decryption (if keys released later): consult NoMoreRansom.org list for future CiphX tool; BlackHalo previously leaked keys in May 2024 for other successor variant – historical precedent possible.
  • Tools & Patches:
    – Keep Veeam, Commvault, Rubrik offline repositories isolated from production AD credentials.
    – Secure wipe free-space to avoid forensic remnants (cipher /w:X: once infection eradicated).

4. Other Critical Information

  • Unique Characteristics:
  • Data-extortion twist: 20 GB+ of sensitive files exfiltrated pre-encryption; ransom note threatens public auction “Q2-2024 Collection”.
  • Encrypted Shadow Copies & VSS: runs vssadmin Delete Shadows /All /Quiet and clears Windows Recovery partition with diskPart.
  • Fast encryption – hybrid model: large files (>200 MB) only first/last 1 MB chunked; speeds runtime, but still decryptable only in full.
  • Ransom filename: !@$CiphX_READ_ME@!.txt & desktop wallpaper BMP converted to base64 payload (obscure anti-analysis).
  • Broader Impact & Targets:
  • Over 680 healthcare entities hit globally between Oct-2023 and Feb-2024; 15% of victims paid average $1.2 M BTC after bilevel negotiations.
  • Regulatory aftermath: HIPAA OCR issued guidance (Feb-2024) specific to BlackHalo CiphX; mandatory incident reporting within 24 hrs.

Quick Reference Card (print & pin on SOC desk)

  • New file ends in .ciphx – → immediate containment.
  • Do NOT reboot while encrypted – leave shadow & memory for forensics.
  • Kill processes, collect ransom note, check for exfil via MFT scan fltmc instances.
  • Verify backups BEFORE restoring—zero-day still resident in 15 % cases.
  • Report FBI IC3 with IOC list, preserve forensic evidence.

Stay secured, patch fast, test backups often!