***.***.makop

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This document provides a comprehensive analysis and recovery guide for the ransomware variant commonly identified by the file extension pattern ***.***.makop, which is indicative of the Makop Ransomware family.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: Files encrypted by Makop Ransomware will have the .makop extension appended to their original filename. Prior to .makop, there are typically other strings, forming a unique identifier for the specific infection or victim.

  • Renaming Convention: The most common renaming pattern observed for Makop ransomware is:
    [original_filename].<ID>.<email_address>.makop
    or
    [original_filename].<random_string>.makop

    Examples:

    • document.docx might become [email protected]
    • photo.jpg might become photo.jpg.A1B2C3D4E5.makop
      The <ID> string is a unique victim identifier, and <email_address> is an email provided by the attackers for contact, which changes over time.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Makop ransomware was first publicly identified and began to spread widely around mid-2019. Since its initial appearance, it has undergone several iterations and continues to be active, with new campaigns and slightly varied indicators (like contact emails) appearing regularly.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

Makop ransomware is primarily known for its reliance on manual, human-operated intrusion tactics, often leveraging common vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Its primary propagation mechanisms include:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is the most prevalent attack vector. Attackers target RDP services exposed to the internet, often using:
    • Brute-force attacks: Attempting to guess weak RDP passwords.
    • Credential stuffing: Using leaked credentials obtained from previous breaches to gain access.
    • Exploitation of unpatched RDP vulnerabilities: While less common than brute-force for Makop, any unpatched RDP vulnerability could be exploited if available.
      Once RDP access is gained, the attackers manually navigate the network, escalate privileges, and deploy the ransomware payload.
  • Phishing Campaigns: While not as primary as RDP, sophisticated phishing emails carrying malicious attachments (e.g., weaponized documents, executables) or links to malware-hosting sites can be used to gain initial access. These are often highly targeted (spear-phishing) to specific organizations.
  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploitation of known vulnerabilities in public-facing applications (e.g., unpatched VPNs, web servers, content management systems) can serve as an initial entry point. However, Makop itself doesn’t typically exploit specific system-level vulnerabilities like EternalBlue for lateral movement; rather, it’s deployed after initial access is achieved through other means.
  • Compromised Third-Party Software/Supply Chain: In some instances, Makop could be distributed through compromised legitimate software or updates, though this is a less frequent method compared to RDP exploitation.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are crucial to defend against Makop and similar ransomware threats:

  • Secure RDP:
    • Disable RDP if not necessary.
    • Restrict RDP access: Limit RDP to internal networks or via VPN. Do not expose RDP directly to the internet.
    • Strong, Unique Passwords: Enforce complex, unique passwords for all user accounts, especially those with RDP access.
    • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for RDP access and all critical services.
    • Account Lockout Policies: Configure policies to lock out accounts after a few failed login attempts.
  • Regular Backups (3-2-1 Rule): Implement a robust backup strategy: at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types, with one copy offsite or offline (air-gapped). Test your backups regularly for integrity and restorability.
  • Patch Management: Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up to date with the latest security patches. Prioritize patches for critical vulnerabilities.
  • Network Segmentation: Segment your network to limit the lateral movement of ransomware if an infection occurs in one segment.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their functions.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) / Antivirus (AV): Deploy and maintain reputable EDR/AV solutions with real-time protection and behavioral analysis capabilities on all endpoints and servers. Ensure signatures are always up to date.
  • Security Awareness Training: Educate employees about phishing, social engineering, safe browsing habits, and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
  • Disable Unnecessary Services: Turn off any services or ports that are not essential for business operations.

2. Removal

Effective removal of Makop from an infected system requires careful steps:

  1. Isolate the Infected System: Immediately disconnect the infected computer/server from the network (unplug Ethernet cable, disable Wi-Fi). This prevents further spread to other systems.
  2. Identify the Infection: Confirm it’s Makop by checking file extensions and ransom notes.
  3. Scan and Remove Malware: Boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking (if necessary, to download tools) or use a bootable antivirus rescue disk. Run a full scan using a reputable antivirus/anti-malware suite to detect and remove the ransomware executable and any related malicious files.
  4. Check for Persistence: Examine common persistence locations (e.g., Registry Run keys, Startup folders, Task Scheduler, WMI) for any entries left by the ransomware to ensure it doesn’t re-launch after a reboot. Remove any malicious entries.
  5. Audit Accounts: Check for newly created user accounts or changes to existing accounts (especially administrative ones) that attackers might have created for persistence. Remove or reset passwords for any compromised accounts.
  6. Review Logs: Analyze system logs (Event Viewer, security logs) for signs of unauthorized access, RDP brute-force attempts, or suspicious activity preceding the infection.
  7. Do NOT Pay the Ransom: Paying the ransom does not guarantee decryption and funds criminal activities, potentially making you a target for future attacks.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility:
    • Generally, there is NO public, universal decryptor available for Makop ransomware, especially for recent versions. The decryption key is unique to each infection and held by the attackers.
    • Law enforcement agencies or cybersecurity researchers may occasionally release decryptors if they manage to seize command-and-control servers or exploit weaknesses in the ransomware’s encryption, but this is rare and often applies only to specific, older versions.
  • Methods or Tools Available (Limited):
    • Backups: The most reliable method for data recovery is to restore from clean, uninfected backups created before the attack. Ensure your backup system was not compromised during the attack.
    • Shadow Copies: In some limited cases, if Makop failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies (VSS), you might be able to restore previous versions of files. However, Makop typically attempts to delete these.
    • Data Recovery Software: For highly critical but small numbers of files, specialized data recovery software might recover deleted original files (if the ransomware moved/deleted originals rather than overwriting), but this is a long shot and not reliable for mass recovery.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • Up-to-date Antivirus/Anti-malware Suites: For detection and removal (e.g., Malwarebytes, Sophos, CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender ATP).
    • Patch Management Software: To ensure all systems are updated (e.g., WSUS, SCCM, third-party patch management tools).
    • Robust Backup and Recovery Solution: (e.g., Veeam, Acronis, Commvault, cloud backup services) for business continuity.
    • Network Monitoring Tools & Firewalls: To detect suspicious network activity and control access.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions (Human-Operated Threat): Makop’s nature as a human-operated ransomware means attackers often spend time on the compromised network to escalate privileges, conduct reconnaissance, and disable security tools before deploying the ransomware. This means:
    • Early Detection is Key: Look for signs of compromise before the encryption, such as unusual RDP logins, new user accounts, disabled security services, or suspicious network traffic.
    • Information Stealing: Attackers might also exfiltrate sensitive data before deploying the ransomware. Assume data exfiltration may have occurred, and prepare for potential data breach notification requirements.
    • Multi-Stage Attacks: The initial breach might be due to a different malware (e.g., a loader or backdoor), which then facilitates the manual deployment of Makop.
  • Broader Impact:
    • Business Disruption: Makop attacks primarily target businesses and organizations, leading to significant downtime, operational paralysis, and substantial financial losses due to lost productivity, recovery costs, and potential regulatory fines.
    • Reputational Damage: Organizations that suffer Makop attacks can experience severe damage to their reputation, especially if customer data is compromised or if services are unavailable for extended periods.
    • “Double Extortion”: Like many modern ransomware groups, Makop operators may engage in “double extortion,” where they not only encrypt data but also steal sensitive information and threaten to publish it if the ransom is not paid. This adds another layer of pressure and risk, making the incident a data breach as well.

Combating Makop ransomware requires a multi-layered defense strategy focused on robust security hygiene, proactive monitoring, and a well-tested incident response plan.