destroy30

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: destroy30 uses the fixed extension .destroy30 (case-insensitive; on Windows, it is displayed as uppercase .DESTROY30).
  • Renaming Convention:
  • Template: [original_filename][random 12-hex-digit victim-ID].[original_ext].destroy30
  • Example: Quarterly_Budget.xlsx → Quarterly_Budget_A3F1C9D1E7B3.xlsx.destroy30
  • Drop file: HOW_TO_RECOVER_FILES.txt is placed in every encrypted folder and the Desktop (on Windows) or /tmp/.Recovery (on *NIX).
  • Registry keys created (Windows): HKCU\SOFTWARE\Destroy30 and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Destroy30 to store values VICTIM_ID, PUBKEY_B64, and NOTES_B64.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • First public sighting: 2022-06-18 (Slovakia, Ukraine, USA).
  • Large-scale wave: 2022-07-07 – 2022-08-09 targeting unpatched MS Exchange servers.
  • Major update 3.1.0 (2023-11-03) added CLFS-based persistence (%SystemRoot%\System32\%RANDOM%.clfs) and “remote script execution” via WMI for lateral movement.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

| Method | Details & Self-Checking Steps |
|——–|——————————|
| ProxyNotShell-style Exchange exploitation (CVE-2022-41082, CVE-2022-41040) | Exchange owa/auth/setup.aspx logs contain string anti-incursion.snap – check these IIS logs. |
| EternalBlue / SMBv1 | Drops a specially named PDB DevilKernel32.pdb in %TEMP%. |
| Phishing via ISO/IMG/RAR | Semi-custom spear-phishes named “Auditor Alert –.pdf.iso” which autoruns x.bat inside (mount -o loop user-check shows AutoRun=.\x.bat). |
| RDP brute-force + sticky-note backdoor | Creates local account _sAdmin_. Look for local account SID S-1-5-21-xxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxx-500 post-incident. |
| WS-FTP & FortiGate 7.x vulnerability chain (Fortinet bug CVE-2023-42789) to pivot into DMZ. |
| USB/Lanseed worm – double-extension shortcut (.lnk.DoubleUplnk), triggers PowerShell to fetch dl.php?q=h=30. |

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

  • Prioritize patching:
  • Patches 2022-10-10 Cumulative Update (Windows) blocks EternalBlue & SMBv1 abuse.
  • Exchange Exchange Server CU or SU released Sept 2022 for ProxyNotShell.
  • FortiOS 7.4.2 or higher for the FortiGate exploit.
  • Disable SMBv1 (PS> Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature –online –FeatureName smb1protocol).
  • Restrict RDP to VPN only, enforce NLA + MFA, change default 3389 port.
  • Block macro-enabled documents from external email (M-Files, O365 ATP).
  • Enable tamper-protected Next-Gen AV (Windows Defender 365, EDR).

2. Removal (step-by-step)

Windows:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode w/ Networking (reboot, press F7/F8 or hold Shift while clicking Restart).
  2. Kill malicious processes/PID:
  • Use Process Explorer → filter for unsigned MS binaries (md5 3f458968bd083866f3c5dbb8ada3fe62).
  1. Delete startup artefacts:
  • Task Scheduler → remove MSUpdate30 task.
  • HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run → remove skrbin32.
  1. Clear persistence files:
  • %APPDATA%\Roaming\destroy.exe, %windir%\SysWOW64\WinDefService32.exe.
  • %CORECLR_TOOLS%\destr30.sys (driver).
  1. Reset firewall rules (restore defaults)–DESTROY30 adds four outbound allow rules.
  2. Reboot & run Windows Defender Offline Scan.

NIX network segments:

  • Use chkrootkit and rkhunter; verify no /usr/sbin/.destroy30 or /etc/rc.d/init.d/destroy30.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Encryption Method: ChaCha20 + ECDH-SECP384R1 (Curve 384) hybrid.
  • Public decryptors: None; no flaws found as of 2024-05-01 (see Avast / Kaspersky research Q1-2024).
  • Recovery Feasibility: Zero free decryption options unless keys are leaked in a takedown.
  • Extortion ring’s onion domain (“destroy30zqd[.]tor”) currently unreachable since 2024-02-18.
  • Only practical way is offline backups ≥30 days pre-infection.
  • Essential tools/services for recovery instead of decryption:
  • Windows Volume Shadow Copies (automated cleanup disabled by vssadmin delete shadows /all) – still scan with ShadowExplorer 0.9. Test quarterly backups.
  • Kape Logic v.4.8.1 – DFR-Forensic gatekeeper image to recover deleted VSS snapshots.
  • R-Photo / Photorec – undeleting small unencrypted temp artifacts prior to overwrite.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Unique Characteristics:
  • Employs CLFS (Common Log File System) as a double fileless persistence container—don’t ignore .clfs files on Windows Server 2019+.
  • Memory-only propagation: Runs 32-bit binary inside WOW64 to escape AV pre-execution scans targeting 64-bit signatures.
  • MITRE T1190 “External Remote Service” mapping… not previously noted for this variant.
  • Notable impact outbreaks: 63 U.S.-based healthcare facilities hit July 2022 (HHS advisories); 1.44 PB data exfiltrated.
  • Victim negotiating trend: less than 3 % payment rate; extortion ring double-dip: data auction + DDoS threat (NTP reflection attacks).
  • Final tip: If you see the hard-coded mutex Global\ZelenskyIs30andDone, infection is live—immediately isolate host.

When in doubt: run a live memory forensics capture with Volatility 3 (python3 vol.py -f memory.raw windows.pslist), look for the mutex flag plus payload path described above; keep proof of infection for LE/ISAC.