***.*[email protected]*.makop

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the ransomware variant identified by the file extension ***.*[email protected]*.makop, offering both technical insights and actionable recovery strategies.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware variant is .<unique_ID>.<[email protected]>.makop. For example, a file named document.docx might be renamed to [email protected]. The unique_ID is a hexadecimal string specific to the victim or infection instance.
  • Renaming Convention: The ransomware follows a consistent pattern: it appends a unique victim ID, followed by the specific attacker’s contact email address ([email protected]), and finally the primary ransomware family extension (.makop) to every encrypted file. This indicates it is a variant of the broader Makop ransomware family.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: The Makop ransomware family first emerged in late 2019 and has been consistently active since. This specific variant, characterized by the [email protected] contact email, began appearing in the wild more recently, as ransomware operators frequently cycle through different contact emails. It is a persistent threat within the Makop family’s ongoing campaigns.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

***.*[email protected]*.makop typically leverages common ransomware propagation methods to infiltrate systems and networks:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: A primary vector. Attackers often scan for insecure RDP configurations, brute-force weak credentials, or exploit known vulnerabilities in RDP services to gain initial access.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros, fake invoices, shipping notifications) or links to compromised websites are common. When executed, these payloads download and deploy the ransomware.
  • Software Vulnerabilities (Exploits): Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities in public-facing services, web applications, or operating systems (e.g., older SMB vulnerabilities like EternalBlue if systems are not updated) can provide an entry point.
  • Cracked Software/Malicious Downloads: Users downloading pirated software, keygens, or activators from unofficial sources often unknowingly install ransomware bundles.
  • Drive-by Downloads: Visiting compromised websites can automatically trigger the download and execution of the ransomware payload without explicit user interaction, especially if the browser or plugins are outdated.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are the most effective defense against ***.*[email protected]*.makop and similar threats:

  • Regular Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy (3 copies of data, 2 different media types, 1 offsite/cloud) ensuring backups are isolated from the network to prevent encryption. Test restoration regularly.
  • Patch Management: Keep operating systems, software, and firmware updated with the latest security patches. Prioritize patches for known vulnerabilities, especially those related to RDP and network services.
  • Strong Authentication: Enforce strong, unique passwords for all accounts, especially administrative and RDP accounts. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
  • RDP Hardening: Disable RDP if not strictly necessary. If required, restrict access to trusted IPs, use strong passwords, implement MFA, place RDP behind a VPN, and monitor RDP logs for unusual activity.
  • Network Segmentation: Divide your network into isolated segments to limit lateral movement of ransomware in case of a breach.
  • Email Security: Deploy email filtering solutions to block malicious attachments and phishing links. Educate users about identifying and reporting suspicious emails.
  • Endpoint Protection: Utilize reputable antivirus/anti-malware software with real-time protection, heuristic analysis, and behavioral monitoring capabilities. Ensure EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solutions are in place.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.
  • Disable VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) for non-critical drives: While VSS can aid recovery, Makop often attempts to delete shadow copies. For critical data, rely on robust offsite backups.

2. Removal

If an infection occurs, swift and methodical removal is crucial:

  • Isolate Immediately: Disconnect the infected system(s) from the network (unplug Ethernet cables, disable Wi-Fi) to prevent further spread.
  • Identify & Quarantining: Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware solution (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, Sophos, ESET) to scan the system thoroughly. Ensure the security software is updated with the latest definitions.
  • Boot into Safe Mode: For stubborn infections, boot the computer into Safe Mode with Networking (if updates are needed for security software) or Safe Mode without Networking to prevent the ransomware from executing.
  • 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 /query)
    • Windows Services (services.msc)
    • Delete any suspicious entries associated with the ransomware.
  • Delete Ransomware Files: Once identified, manually delete any remaining ransomware executable files, typically found in %TEMP%, %APPDATA%, or other temporary directories.
  • System Restore Points: While Makop attempts to delete them, check if any uncorrupted System Restore points exist as a last resort, but prioritize clean OS reinstallation if possible.
  • Reinstallation (Recommended): For critical systems, the most secure approach after an infection is to wipe the hard drive and perform a clean reinstallation of the operating system and applications from trusted sources.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility: Unfortunately, there is no public universal decryptor available for files encrypted by ***.*[email protected]*.makop (or most Makop variants) at this time. Makop ransomware uses strong encryption algorithms (typically AES-256 for files and RSA-2048 for key encryption), making decryption without the private key practically impossible.
    • Paying the Ransom: Paying the ransom is strongly discouraged. There is no guarantee you will receive a decryptor, the decryptor may not work, and it funds future criminal activities.
    • Alternative Recovery Methods:
      • From Backups: The most reliable method is to restore files from clean, offsite backups taken before the infection.
      • Shadow Copies: Makop typically attempts to delete Volume Shadow Copies. However, in some cases, it might fail or only partially succeed. Tools like ShadowExplorer might help recover older versions of files if shadow copies exist.
      • Data Recovery Software: For highly critical but unbacked-up files, specialized data recovery software might be able to recover deleted original files (before they were overwritten by encrypted versions), but success rates are often low.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • Security Software: Updated antivirus/anti-malware/EDR solutions (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, Sophos, CrowdStrike).
    • Backup Solutions: Reliable backup software and storage.
    • Operating System Updates: Windows Updates and patches are crucial for prevention and closing vulnerabilities.
    • Network Monitoring Tools: For detecting suspicious activity and lateral movement.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions:
    • Deletes Shadow Copies: This variant, like other Makop strains, typically runs commands (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet, wmic shadowcopy delete) to remove Volume Shadow Copies, making direct recovery via Windows previous versions difficult.
    • Disables Security Features: It may attempt to disable Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and other security software to hinder detection and removal.
    • Spreads Laterally: Once inside a network, it may attempt to discover and encrypt shared network drives and other connected systems.
    • Ransom Note: The ransom note, typically named readme-warning.txt, provides instructions for contacting the attackers via the [email protected] email. It usually warns against modifying encrypted files or using third-party decryption tools.
  • Broader Impact:
    • Significant Data Loss: Without backups, data encrypted by Makop is often irretrievable.
    • Operational Disruption: Business operations can be severely crippled, leading to downtime and loss of productivity.
    • Financial Costs: Recovery efforts, potential IT contractor fees, and system reinstallation costs can be substantial, even without considering the ransom demand.
    • Reputational Damage: For organizations, an infection can lead to a loss of customer trust and reputational harm.
    • Potential Data Exfiltration (Lower Risk for Makop): While Makop is primarily an encryptor, the general trend in ransomware is towards double extortion (encryption + data exfiltration). While not a primary characteristic of Makop, organizations should assume data could have been accessed during the compromise phase and follow appropriate breach notification procedures.

By understanding the technical aspects and implementing robust prevention and recovery strategies, individuals and organizations can significantly mitigate the risk posed by ***.*[email protected]*.makop and similar ransomware threats.