*[email protected]*.eth

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This document provides a detailed analysis and actionable strategies for addressing the ransomware variant identified by the file extension *[email protected]*.eth.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware variant is generally appended as .[victim_ID][email protected].

  • Renaming Convention: When a file is encrypted, the ransomware appends its unique extension to the original filename. The pattern typically follows:

    • [original_filename].[original_extension].[unique_victim_ID][email protected]
    • For example, document.docx might become [email protected].
      The [unique_victim_ID] is often a series of alphanumeric characters unique to the specific infection, serving as an identifier for the attackers. This pattern is highly characteristic of variants within the STOP/Djvu ransomware family, which frequently incorporate an email address and a victim ID into their appended extensions.

    In addition to file encryption, this ransomware typically creates a ransom note in each folder containing encrypted files, often named _readme.txt. This note provides instructions on how to contact the attackers (likely via the [email protected] email address) and demands a ransom payment, usually in cryptocurrency, for decryption.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: The numerical part 1701222381 in the extension strongly resembles a Unix timestamp. Converting this timestamp reveals a date of Monday, January 15, 2024, 07:13:01 AM (GMT). This indicates that this specific variant, or at least this particular campaign using this email and timestamp identifier, likely emerged or became active around mid-January 2024. This suggests it is a relatively new or recently updated variant, making public information and decryption tools potentially scarce.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

This ransomware variant, like many others of its type, employs common propagation mechanisms to infect systems:

  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros, archives like .zip, .rar, or .7z containing executables or script files) or links to compromised websites are a primary vector.
  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: Weak or improperly secured RDP configurations are frequently targeted. Attackers use brute-force attacks or stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access, then manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploitation of known vulnerabilities in unpatched software (operating systems, web servers, VPN solutions, content management systems) can provide an entry point. Examples include exploitation of vulnerabilities in SMB (e.g., EternalBlue, though less common for newer ransomware, still relevant for older systems) or other network services.
  • Cracked Software/Malware Bundles: Users downloading pirated software, “cracked” versions of legitimate applications, software activators (e.g., KMSpico), or suspicious freeware from untrusted sources often find ransomware bundled within these packages.
  • Drive-by Downloads/Malvertising: Visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious advertisements can lead to automatic downloads and execution of the ransomware, often leveraging browser or plugin vulnerabilities.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Although less common for individual variants, compromising a legitimate software update mechanism or a trusted vendor’s system can distribute the ransomware to a wide user base.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are the most effective defense against ransomware:

  • Regular Data Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy: at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types, with one copy offsite or offline (e.g., external hard drive disconnected after backup, cloud storage with versioning). Test your backups regularly.
  • Software and OS Updates: Keep all operating systems, applications, and security software up to date with the latest patches. This helps close known security vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
  • Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce complex, unique passwords for all accounts and enable MFA wherever possible, especially for RDP, VPNs, and email services.
  • Email Security: Use advanced email filters to block malicious attachments and links. Educate users about identifying phishing attempts and suspicious emails.
  • Network Segmentation: Divide your network into isolated segments to limit the lateral movement of ransomware if an infection occurs in one segment.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) / Antivirus Software: Deploy reputable EDR or next-generation antivirus solutions with real-time protection and behavioral analysis capabilities. Ensure signatures are up to date.
  • Disable Unnecessary Services: Disable SMBv1 and other legacy protocols if not absolutely necessary. Close unused ports and services.
  • User Training: Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training for all employees, focusing on phishing, social engineering, and safe browsing practices.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

2. Removal

If an infection is suspected or confirmed:

  1. Isolate Infected Systems: Immediately disconnect the infected computer(s) from the network (unplug Ethernet cables, disable Wi-Fi). This prevents the ransomware from spreading to other systems or network shares.
  2. Identify the Ransomware Process: Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to look for suspicious processes consuming high CPU or disk resources. However, ransomware often terminates quickly after encryption.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: Restart the infected system in Safe Mode with Networking (if needed for tool downloads) or Safe Mode without Networking to prevent the ransomware from executing its payload during cleanup.
  4. Terminate Ransomware Processes & Delete Executables: If the ransomware process is still running, terminate it. Locate and delete the ransomware executable file. Check common locations like C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local, AppData\Roaming, Temp, or the Downloads folder.
  5. Scan and Clean: Perform a full system scan using a reputable and up-to-date anti-malware solution. Consider using multiple scanners (e.g., Malwarebytes, HitmanPro) as one might catch what another misses.
  6. Remove Persistence Mechanisms: Check common persistence locations like:
    • Registry Run keys (HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run)
    • Startup folders (C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp, C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup)
    • Scheduled Tasks (schtasks.exe or Task Scheduler)
    • WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) event subscriptions
      Delete any suspicious entries related to the ransomware.
  7. Patch Vulnerabilities: Identify how the ransomware entered the system and patch the exploited vulnerability (e.g., update RDP security, remove suspicious browser extensions, educate the user about phishing).
  8. Change Credentials: Change all passwords for accounts that may have been compromised, especially network and system administrator credentials.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility: As of mid-January 2024, given its apparent recent emergence, it is highly unlikely that a public decryption tool is available for files encrypted by this specific *[email protected]*.eth variant. Ransomware variants, especially newer ones, often use strong, unique encryption keys per victim, making universal decryption without the attackers’ private key extremely difficult.

    • Backups: The most reliable method for file recovery is to restore data from clean, uninfected backups made before the infection.
    • Shadow Copies: Ransomware often attempts to delete Volume Shadow Copies to prevent recovery (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet). Check if any shadow copies survived using vssadmin List Shadows /for=C: (replace C: with the drive letter). If available, you can use tools like ShadowExplorer to restore previous versions of files. However, this is rarely successful with modern ransomware.
    • Data Recovery Software: While unlikely to fully decrypt, data recovery software might sometimes recover remnants of original files, particularly if the ransomware overwrites files incompletely or if the system crashes during encryption. This is a low-probability method for full recovery.
    • No Ransom Payment: Cybersecurity experts universally advise against paying the ransom. There is no guarantee that paying will result in decryption, and it incentivizes attackers to continue their criminal activities.
    • Monitor No More Ransom: Regularly check the No More Ransom project website (https://www.nomoreransom.org/) for potential decryptors. If this variant belongs to a known family (like STOP/Djvu), a decryptor might eventually be developed, but it could take time.

  • Essential Tools/Patches:

    • Operating System Patches: Ensure Windows Update (or macOS/Linux equivalents) is configured for automatic updates and that critical security patches are installed.
    • Reputable Antivirus/EDR Solutions: Examples include Microsoft Defender ATP, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, ESET, etc.
    • Backup Solutions: Veeam, Acronis, Carbonite, or robust cloud backup services.
    • Firewall: A properly configured network and host-based firewall.
    • Vulnerability Scanners: Tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys can help identify system weaknesses.
    • Password Managers: To help users create and manage strong, unique passwords.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Unique Characteristics:
    • Timestamp-Based Identifier: The 1701222381 numerical string strongly suggests a timestamp, potentially indicating the compilation date or a campaign ID. This is a common tactic to generate unique extensions for new ransomware versions or campaigns.
    • QQ.com Email Address: The inclusion of @qq.com in the contact email suggests a potential threat actor base or operational hub in China, or at least an attempt to appear as such. This detail helps researchers track and categorize the origin of attacks.
    • .eth Suffix: The .eth suffix after the email address is unusual for ransomware and could be an arbitrary choice by the attacker to make the extension longer, or perhaps an attempt to mislead or confuse victims regarding cryptocurrency affiliations (as .eth is also a blockchain domain name suffix, though likely unrelated in this context).
    • Ransom Note: Expect a _readme.txt file (or similar) in every folder with encrypted files, containing instructions, the ransom demand, and the [email protected] email for contact.
  • Broader Impact:
    • Data Loss: Without backups or a decryptor, data loss is the primary and most significant impact.
    • Operational Disruption: Organizations can face significant downtime, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and disruption of critical services.
    • Financial Cost: Beyond any potential ransom payment (which is discouraged), recovery efforts involve costs for IT forensics, system rebuilding, and implementing enhanced security measures.
    • Psychological Stress: Victims, especially individuals, can experience considerable stress and anxiety due to the loss of personal data and the feeling of being targeted.
    • Potential Data Exfiltration: While the primary mode of operation for variants with this specific extension pattern is encryption, more sophisticated ransomware groups increasingly combine encryption with data exfiltration for double extortion. Even if not confirmed for this specific variant, it’s a risk to be aware of; threat actors might steal sensitive data before encrypting it, threatening to leak it if the ransom is not paid.