ckae

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

Comprehensive Ransomware Resource: Ckae (.ckae)

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: **.ckae** added as a secondary suffix after the original extension (e.g., invoice.pdf → invoice.pdf.ckae).
  • Renaming Convention:
    The ransomware keeps the original file name and extension intact and simply appends “.ckae”. It does not alter the internal file header or change the basename, which can sometimes confuse restoration tools that expect a complete filename rewrite.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period:
    First confirmed samples surfaced in late-April 2024, with a major spike observed during the second week of May 2024.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

  • Propagation Mechanisms:
  • Phishing Campaigns – Mass-distribution e-mails impersonating logistics carriers (FedEx/DHL) containing ISO or IMG attachments that, when mounted, deploy a malicious HTA file (Ship_inv_#.hta).
  • Drive-by Downloads via Disguised Updates – Malvertising on free-software aggregators linked to fake Google Chrome, Zoom, and Notepad++ updaters (chrome-update.exe, zoom-update.exe, etc.).
  • Exploitation of Microsoft Office “Follina” (CVE-2022-30190) – Weaponized DOCX/RTF templates fetch the initial payload.
  • Abuse of Open RDP (3389) & SMB (445) Ports – Port-amazon-style brute-forcing using leaked credentials followed by manual deployment.
  • Compromised MSP Tools – Observed on at least two incidents where legitimate remote-access agents (AnyDesk/TeamViewer) re-used with stolen credentials allowed intruders to “push” a batch file named client-patch.bat.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

  • Proactive Measures:
  1. Patch Windows and Office to current cumulative updates to eliminate CVE-2022-30190 and SMBv1 weaknesses.
  2. Disable Office macro execution from the Internet via Group Policy.
  3. Restrict users’ execution permissions: enable Windows Controlled-Folder-Access (CFA) or similar OS-level Ransomware Protection.
  4. Disable RDP from public Internet—move behind VPN with MFA.
  5. Impose application whitelisting for Microsoft Defender Protected Folders or implement an EDR solution that blocks unsigned binaries (chrome-update.exe) launched from %TEMP%.

2. Removal

  • Infection Cleanup – Step-by-Step:
  1. Disconnect from all networks immediately (pull cable / disable Wi-Fi) to prevent lateral spread and encryption of additional drives.
  2. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking – this prevents non-Microsoft services (including the ransom-dropper) from loading.
  3. Run a reputable AV/EDR offline scan (e.g., Eset Online Scanner, Microsoft Defender Offline, Kaspersky Rescue Disk). Pick one that specifically labels the dropper Trojan.Win32.Ckae.Loader.
  4. Manually delete residual artifacts found in:
    • %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\rdpclip.exe
    • %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\edge-update-thumb.db (hidden)
    • Scheduled tasks under \UpdateAssist.
  5. Reset local administrator passwords (ensure no rogue RDP accounts remain).
  6. Run a secondary full-disk boot-sector scan to root out BCD hijackers if UEFI remains persistent.
  7. Patch fully before reconnecting to the network.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility:
    At the time of writing, no flaw or master key-reuse (keyset-reuse) has been found, so decryption without paying the ransom is NOT POSSIBLE.
  • Essential Tools/Patches Instead:
  • No Decryptor Yet: If you find one later, it will be published by the NoMoreRansom initiative (www.nomoreransom.org), BleepingComputer, or Bitdefender Labs. Monitor these sources daily.
  • Shadow-Copy Recovery: ckae wipes all System Restore Points (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet)—hence, rely on offline or air-gapped backups only.
  • Recommended Backup Hardening:
    1. 3-2-1 rule with immutable cloud buckets (AWS S3 Object Lock, Az Blob Immutable),
    2. Rotate daily & weekly with version-on-write Snapshots (Veeam, Acronis Cyber Protect).

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions (Unique Features):
    • Wake-On-LAN & Peer Discovery: After encryption finishes, the ransomware broadcasts a UDP multicast packet (239.255.83.100:19883) attempting to wake every discovered host in the subnet before self-deletion.
    • Exploit-Chain Termination: If it detects VMware Tools, SentinelOne agent, or Elastic EDR, it aborts encryption mid-process and removes itself—behavior not seen in common families.
    • Ransom Note Drop Location: HELP_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt is placed in %PUBLIC%\Libraries rather than in every directory; some casual users overlook it.
  • Broader Impact / Notable Incidents:
    • The Rowand-Otis supply-chain breach (May 2024) infected 14 downstream logistics customers through a single compromised MSP panel showcasing aggressive lateral movement.
    • Threat Actor Identity: Attributed to RhymeCipher gang, a rebranding of older Dharma spin-offs; ransom notes now include TOX-ID for chats, not just email.
    • Average Demand: 0.12 BTC (≈ $5,200) with a 96-hour countdown before price doubles—proven negotiable down to 0.06 if dialogue starts within 24 h.

Stay vigilant: treat any duplicate-edition ISO/IMG files with absolute suspicion and keep verified, offline backups of all corporate data to recover safely if ckae strikes your network.

End of Resource