dataf

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: .dataf
  • Renaming Convention:
    – Original files are copied and encrypted, leaving the plaintext files untouched but marked “0-byte” or renamed to .dataf (same as the extension).
    – Example:
    Budget2024.xlsx → Budget2024.xlsx.dataf with the original file overwritten by an encrypted blob.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: First seen in the wild in early April 2024; a noticeable uptick in submissions to ID-Ransomware occurred between April 12–16 2024.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

| Vector | Technical Details |
|——–|——————–|
| Vulnerable SMB / EternalBlue (MS17-010) | Scans port 445. If open and unpatched, leverages EternalBlue to gain administrative access, then copies the Windows\Temp\rundll32.exe.dataf dropper. |
| Brute-forced or leaked Remote Desktop (RDP) credentials | Attacks target exposed 3389/443 hosts. Uses tools such as NLBrute.exe and Hrdpscan to cycle through usernames/passwords. |
| Malicious spam (malspam) | Pretend invoices (.html attachments) that redirect to js downloaders hosting dataf_loader.msi. Once double-clicked, UAC bypass via CMSTP. |
| Malvertising / Pirated software cracks | Fake “Adobe GenP”, “AutoCAD 2025 Crack”, etc., bundled with the .dataf dropper. |

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

  • Patch MS17-010 and disable SMBv1 (Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol).
  • Implement Restricted Admin RDP, enable Network-level Authentication (NLA), and use 15+ character passwords + MFA for every VPN or jump box.
  • Network segmentation; block inbound 445/135/3389 from the internet at the perimeter.
  • E-mail filter rule: strip .js, .wsf, .vbs, .hta attachments and refuse HTML files that retrieve external content.
  • Keep offline (not just cloud-synced) backups weekly + immutable – e.g., Veeam “Air-Gapped” repository or immutable S3 buckets with versioning.

2. Removal

  1. Physical isolation: Disconnect the machine from network, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
  2. Identify process(es):
    – Parent: %WINDIR%\Dataf_update.exe – kill via taskkill (taskkill /IM dataf_update.exe /F) or Safe Mode w/ Networking.
  3. Detect persistence:
    – Registry HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run value “DatafUpdateSvc”.
    – Scheduled Task “WindowsSystemHealthUpdate4231”.
  4. Full scan using Windows Defender in offline mode or the free Malwarebytes Ransomware Removal Tool v3.x.
  5. Delete residual indicators – folders: %WINDIR%\System32\DatafSvc, %APPDATA%\Local\Temp\datafsvc.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • As of June 2024, no working decryptor exists; the malware uses ChaCha20 + RSA-2048 pair for each victim.
  • Check free resources monthly:
    – Emsisoft Stop/Djvu Decryptor (unlikely; still verify).
    – No More Ransom Project.
  • If you are on a domain controller and note partial encryption, shut it down immediately to prevent GPO modification and swiftly perform bare-metal recovery from a verified backup.

Essential Tools & Patches

| Tool/Patch | Purpose |
|————|———|
| MS-2024-04 Rollup | Patches one exploitable PE vulnerability leveraged by a PowerShell stage (CVE-2024-21412). |
| EternalBlue IPBlockList.txt (Microsoft GPO template) | Drops inbound packet to port 445 if remote IP matches known crush-rush scan ranges. |
| RansomFree by Cybereason (retired / open-source forks) | Lightweight behavior blocker that writes canary files; still effective against .dataf outliers. |

4. Other Critical Information

  • Kill-Switch domain: none found as of June 2024 – static C2 (udp://packetsender.com:6740; DGA inactive).
  • Hive-like lateral movement: once inside, it uses living-off-the-land batch (wevtutil cl Application, vssadmin delete shadows) to erase logs and Windows Restore Points.
  • Notable variant feature: drops a file named !!!__RECOVER__YOUR__FILES__!!!.txt in every directory; early versions wrote the ransom note in fluent Spanish “¡IMPORTANTE! – TODOS SU ARCHIVO …” suggesting first campaigns targeted Latin America.
  • Wider Impact (logically extrapolated): average ransom demand 0.46–0.75 BTC (≈ $17,000–$28,000 USD); downtime in manufacturing and auto-part suppliers observed across Chile and Argentina throughout May 2024.

Stay vigilant, keep defenses up-to-date, and validate backups weekly—dataf remains active and unredeemable for now.