*[email protected]*.adobe

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This document provides a comprehensive overview of the ransomware variant identified by the file extension *[email protected]*.adobe, offering technical insights and actionable recovery strategies. This specific variant is a known offshoot of the Dharma (also known as Dharma/Crisis or Brrr) ransomware family, which has been active since at least 2016 and continuously evolves.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this variant is typically .[[email protected]].adobe. This pattern appends a specific email address (in this case, [email protected]) as a unique identifier for the victim or campaign, followed by a fixed .adobe extension.

  • Renaming Convention: The ransomware encrypts files and then renames them according to a consistent pattern. For example, a file originally named document.docx might be renamed to something like document.docx.[[email protected]].adobe.

    • The original filename and its extension are preserved.
    • A unique ID (often a string of hexadecimal characters) might be inserted before the email address, e.g., document.docx.id-XXXXXXXX.[[email protected]].adobe, though the ID part is sometimes omitted or varies based on the specific Dharma sub-variant.
    • The appended email address [email protected] serves as the primary contact method for the attackers.
    • The final .adobe extension is a static indicator of this particular Dharma variant.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants using the [email protected] contact email began to emerge and spread around late 2020 and early 2021, as part of the ongoing evolution of the Dharma ransomware family. Dharma itself has been highly active since 2016, with new contact emails and extensions appearing regularly. This specific variant is one of many iterations observed during that period.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

Like most Dharma variants, *[email protected]*.adobe primarily leverages vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in remote access services.

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploits: This is the most prevalent attack vector. Attackers typically use:

    • Brute-force attacks: They attempt to guess weak RDP credentials (usernames and passwords).
    • Credential stuffing: Using credentials stolen from previous data breaches to gain access to RDP services.
    • Exploitation of vulnerable RDP configurations: Targeting RDP services exposed to the internet without proper security measures (e.g., multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, network level authentication). Once RDP access is gained, the ransomware payload is often manually deployed by the attacker.

  • Phishing Campaigns: While less common than RDP exploits for Dharma, targeted phishing emails can be used to deliver the initial dropper or malware that eventually deploys the ransomware. These emails often contain malicious attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros) or links to compromised websites.

  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploitation of known vulnerabilities in publicly accessible services, such as:

    • Unpatched VPN services: Vulnerabilities in services like Pulse Secure, Fortinet, or Palo Alto GlobalProtect have been exploited to gain initial network access.
    • Content Management Systems (CMS) or web server vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in web applications or server configurations can provide a foothold for attackers to move laterally and deploy ransomware.

  • Supply Chain Attacks: Although less frequent for this specific variant, compromise of a legitimate software vendor or service provider can lead to the distribution of malicious updates or backdoored software, impacting users down the supply chain.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are crucial to prevent *[email protected]*.adobe and similar ransomware attacks:

  • Robust RDP Security:

    • Disable RDP if not strictly necessary.
    • Limit RDP access: Restrict RDP access to specific IP addresses or via VPN. Do not expose RDP directly to the internet.
    • Use strong, unique passwords: Implement complex passwords for all user accounts, especially those with administrative privileges.
    • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for all remote access services, including RDP, VPNs, and cloud services.
    • Network Level Authentication (NLA): Enable NLA for RDP to authenticate users before establishing a full RDP session.
    • Monitor RDP logs: Regularly review RDP authentication logs for suspicious activity.

  • Regular Data Backups: Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy:

    • Three copies of your data.
    • On two different media types.
    • One copy offsite or offline (air-gapped) to protect against ransomware encryption. Test your backups regularly to ensure data integrity and recoverability.

  • Patch Management: Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware updated with the latest security patches. Prioritize patches for internet-facing systems and critical applications.

  • Antivirus/Anti-Malware Solutions: Deploy reputable endpoint detection and response (EDR) or antivirus solutions on all systems and keep their definitions updated.

  • Network Segmentation: Divide your network into smaller, isolated segments to limit the lateral movement of ransomware if an infection occurs.

  • User Education: Train employees to recognize and report phishing attempts, suspicious emails, and unfamiliar links.

  • Least Privilege Principle: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

2. Removal

If infected, follow these steps to remove *[email protected]*.adobe:

  1. Isolate Infected Systems: Immediately disconnect affected computers from the network (unplug Ethernet cables, disable Wi-Fi). This prevents the ransomware from spreading to other systems or network shares.
  2. Identify the Infection: Confirm that the system is indeed infected with *[email protected]*.adobe by checking file extensions and the presence of ransom notes.
  3. Prevent Persistence: Boot the infected system into Safe Mode with Networking (if necessary, though full isolation is preferred for initial cleanup).
  4. Scan and Remove:
    • Use a reputable and updated anti-malware solution (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender Offline, ESET, Sophos) to perform a full system scan.
    • Remove all detected malicious files, processes, and registry entries.
    • Consider using specialized ransomware removal tools, although these primarily remove the active threat, not decrypt files.
  5. Check for Backdoors/Other Malware: Dharma variants sometimes leave behind other malicious tools or backdoors. Conduct thorough scans to ensure no persistent threats remain.
  6. Review System Logs: Examine system event logs, security logs, and RDP logs to identify how the breach occurred and what actions the attacker took.
  7. Change Credentials: Immediately change all passwords for accounts that may have been compromised or were present on the infected system, especially RDP and administrative credentials.

Note: The primary goal of removal is to eliminate the active threat. It does not decrypt files.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility:

    • Direct decryption without the key from attackers is generally NOT possible for Dharma variants like *[email protected]*.adobe. The encryption used is strong (AES-256 and RSA-2048) and unique to each victim, making it extremely difficult to reverse without the private key held by the attackers.
    • Paying the ransom is strongly discouraged. There is no guarantee that paying will result in decryption, and it incentivizes future attacks.
    • No More Ransom Project: Check the No More Ransom Project website regularly. This initiative, supported by law enforcement and cybersecurity companies, sometimes releases free decryptors for specific ransomware variants. While a universal decryptor for all Dharma versions is unlikely, a decryptor for a specific sub-variant might occasionally become available. As of current knowledge, there is no public decryptor for this specific .adobe variant.

  • Essential Recovery Method: Backups: The most reliable and recommended method for file recovery is to restore data from clean, uninfected backups taken before the infection. Ensure that the backup source itself is not compromised before restoring.

  • Shadow Copies: In some limited cases, if Windows Volume Shadow Copies were enabled and not deleted by the ransomware, you might be able to recover older versions of files. However, many ransomware variants specifically target and delete shadow copies to hinder recovery. Tools like ShadowExplorer can help investigate if shadow copies are available.

  • Data Recovery Software: For extremely valuable, unrecoverable data, specialized data recovery software might be able to recover fragments of unencrypted files if the ransomware did not securely overwrite them. This is often a long shot and not guaranteed.

  • Essential Tools/Patches:

    • Security Patches: Apply all critical security updates for Windows OS, RDP, and any exposed services.
    • Anti-malware Suites: Keep powerful, up-to-date anti-malware and EDR solutions.
    • Backup Solutions: Invest in robust, verifiable backup solutions (e.g., Veeam, Acronis, cloud backups with versioning).
    • MFA Solutions: Implement MFA for all critical services.
    • Firewall/IPS/IDS: Configure firewalls to restrict RDP access, and use Intrusion Prevention/Detection Systems to monitor for brute-force attempts and suspicious network activity.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Unique Characteristics:

    • Dharma Family Affiliation: The *[email protected]*.adobe extension is a clear signature of a Dharma ransomware variant. Dharma is known for its reliance on manual deployment post-RDP compromise rather than sophisticated automated lateral movement.
    • Ransom Note: Dharma variants typically leave a ransom note named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt or Info.hta (or similar, often with the same contact email) in every folder containing encrypted files, and sometimes on the desktop. This note contains instructions on how to contact the attackers (via the specified email, [email protected]) and often a unique ID for the victim.
    • Minimalist Payload: The ransomware itself focuses primarily on encryption and renaming, often lacking complex propagation mechanisms after initial access is gained. The initial access and deployment are the key vulnerabilities.

  • Broader Impact:

    • Business Disruption: Ransomware attacks can halt business operations, leading to significant downtime and loss of productivity.
    • Financial Costs: Recovery costs include IT staff time, forensic investigations, potential third-party recovery services, and in some cases, reputational damage.
    • Data Loss: If backups are inadequate or compromised, permanent data loss can occur.
    • Reputational Damage: An attack can erode customer and partner trust, especially if sensitive data is exfiltrated (though Dharma is primarily an encryption-focused ransomware, some variants might include data exfiltration capabilities).
    • Legal and Regulatory Implications: Depending on the type of data encrypted, organizations may face legal liabilities and regulatory fines (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) for data breaches.

In conclusion, confronting *[email protected]*.adobe requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on robust prevention, swift isolation and removal, and a reliance on pre-existing, secure backups for data recovery. Paying the ransom is never a recommended solution.