*[email protected]*.everest

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the ransomware variant identified by the distinctive file extension *[email protected]*.everest. This particular variant is a known iteration of the GlobeImposter ransomware family, which frequently changes its appended extensions and contact emails.

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Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

• Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware variant is typically appended in the format:
  .[original_extension][email protected]
  For example, a file named document.docx would be renamed to [email protected].
• Renaming Convention: The ransomware encrypts files and then modifies their filenames by appending a string that includes an email address ([email protected]) and a specific identifier (.everest). The original file extension is preserved before the ransomware’s appended extension. This pattern is characteristic of GlobeImposter variants, which often use a contact email followed by a fixed keyword for identification.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

• Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants of the GlobeImposter ransomware family have been active since at least late 2017/early 2018. Specific campaigns utilizing the [email protected] extension appeared in 2019 and 2020, although newer GlobeImposter campaigns continue to emerge with different extensions and contact details. This particular extension indicates a campaign active during that period.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

• Propagation Mechanisms: GlobeImposter, including the [email protected] variant, primarily relies on the following methods to spread and infect systems:
  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is one of the most common vectors. Attackers often scan for RDP ports (3389) that are exposed to the internet, then brute-force weak RDP credentials or exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Once inside, they manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Phishing Campaigns (Malspam): Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros, or archives containing executable files) or links to malicious websites are frequently used. Once the attachment is opened or the link clicked, the ransomware payload is downloaded and executed.
  • Exploitation of Software Vulnerabilities: While less common than RDP or phishing for GlobeImposter, some variants might leverage known vulnerabilities in unpatched software (e.g., web servers, content management systems) to gain initial access.
  • Compromised Websites/Drive-by Downloads: Users visiting compromised websites can be subjected to drive-by downloads, where the ransomware is downloaded and executed without explicit user interaction, often through browser or plugin vulnerabilities.

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Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

• Proactive Measures:
  • Regular Data Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy (3 copies of data, 2 different media types, 1 offsite). Test backups regularly to ensure recoverability. This is the most critical defense.
  • Strong, Unique Passwords & MFA: Enforce strong, complex passwords for all accounts, especially RDP, VPNs, and administrative accounts. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
  • RDP Security: Limit RDP access to trusted IP addresses, place RDP behind a VPN, disable RDP when not needed, and change default RDP port.
  • Patch Management: Keep operating systems, software, and firmware fully updated with the latest security patches.
  • Endpoint Protection: Deploy next-generation antivirus (NGAV) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions with behavioral detection capabilities.
  • Email Security: Implement robust email filtering to block malicious attachments and phishing attempts.
  • Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems and sensitive data from the rest of the network to limit lateral movement in case of a breach.
  • User Education: Train employees to recognize and report phishing attempts and suspicious emails.

2. Removal

• Infection Cleanup:
  1. Isolate the Infected System: Immediately disconnect the infected computer from the network (unplug Ethernet cable, disable Wi-Fi) to prevent further spread.
  2. Identify the Ransomware Process: Use Task Manager or a process explorer tool (e.g., Process Explorer) to identify suspicious processes. Ransomware often runs from temporary folders (%TEMP%, %AppData%) or user profiles.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This often prevents the ransomware from launching at startup.
  4. Scan with Antivirus/Antimalware: Run a full system scan using reputable, up-to-date antivirus or antimalware software (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender Offline). Remove all detected threats.
  5. Remove Persistence Mechanisms: Check common autostart locations:
     • msconfig (Startup tab)
     • Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)
     • Registry keys: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, and their RunOnce counterparts.
     • Startup folders (shell:startup, shell:common startup).
  6. Delete Malicious Files: Manually delete any identified ransomware executable files and associated droppers.
  7. Change Credentials: Once the system is clean, change all user and administrator passwords, especially for network shares, RDP, and online accounts accessed from the infected machine.
  8. Professional Help: For complex or widespread infections, consider engaging cybersecurity professionals.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

• Recovery Feasibility: As of the latest information, there is no universal decryptor publicly available for all GlobeImposter variants, including the [email protected] variant, without paying the ransom. GlobeImposter typically uses strong, modern encryption algorithms (like AES-256) combined with RSA to encrypt the AES key, making brute-force decryption practically impossible without the attacker’s private key.
  • Paying the Ransom: Paying the ransom is strongly discouraged. There is no guarantee you will receive a working decryptor, and it funds future criminal activities.
  • Backups: The most reliable method for file recovery is to restore from clean, verified backups.
  • Shadow Volume Copies: Ransomware often attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies (VSS) using commands like vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. However, sometimes this fails, or some copies remain. You can try using tools like ShadowExplorer or Previous Versions tab in Windows to recover older versions of files, but success is limited.
  • Data Recovery Software: In rare cases, if the ransomware deleted original files instead of directly encrypting them (encrypting a copy then deleting original), data recovery software might retrieve some files. This is generally not effective for GlobeImposter.
• Essential Tools/Patches:
  • Updated Antivirus/EDR solutions: For detection and removal.
  • Reliable Backup Solution: Critical for recovery.
  • Windows Security Updates: Keep the OS patched to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.
  • Network Monitoring Tools: To detect suspicious activity and lateral movement.

4. Other Critical Information

• Additional Precautions:
  • Ransom Note: This variant will typically drop ransom notes named README.txt, HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, or similar, in affected folders and on the desktop. These notes contain instructions on how to contact the attackers (via [email protected]) and pay the ransom.
  • Varying Extensions: Be aware that GlobeImposter is highly adaptive and may use other email addresses or extension patterns in the future. The core behavior remains similar.
  • Pre-Infection Activity: Attackers often spend time in the network before deploying ransomware, mapping the environment, elevating privileges, and disabling security software. Look for signs of such activity.
• Broader Impact:
  • Data Loss: The primary impact is the irreversible loss of encrypted data if no backups are available and decryption is impossible.
  • Operational Disruption: Business operations can be severely disrupted, leading to downtime, productivity loss, and financial consequences.
  • Reputational Damage: Organizations may suffer significant reputational harm and loss of customer trust.
  • Financial Costs: Recovery efforts, including IT forensics, system rebuilding, and potential ransom payments (if chosen, not recommended), incur substantial costs.
  • Potential Data Exfiltration: While GlobeImposter is primarily an encryptor, some modern ransomware groups that might use similar tactics also engage in data exfiltration before encryption, leading to potential data breaches and “double extortion” threats. While not a primary feature of older GlobeImposter, vigilance is advised.

Combating *[email protected]*.everest and similar ransomware variants requires a multi-layered defense strategy focused on prevention, robust backups, and rapid incident response capabilities.