*id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the ransomware variant identified by the file extension *id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine, commonly recognized as a variant of the Dharma ransomware family.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware is .id-****************[email protected]. The asterisks (*) in id-**************** represent a unique victim ID (typically a string of hexadecimal characters), while [email protected] is the contact email address provided by the attackers.
  • Renaming Convention: When a file is encrypted by this variant, its original name is altered to include the victim’s unique ID, the attacker’s email, and the specific .m0rphine extension.
    • Example: A file named document.docx would be renamed to something like [email protected].
    • The original filename and extension are usually preserved before the appended ransomware extensions.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants using the [email protected] email, particularly within the Dharma ransomware family, have been observed in circulation since late 2022 and have continued to be active throughout 2023 and into 2024. While pinpointing an exact “start date” for this specific .m0rphine extension variant is challenging without specific threat intelligence reports, it aligns with the ongoing evolution and deployment of Dharma ransomware by various affiliated groups.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

As a Dharma ransomware variant, *id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine typically employs sophisticated methods to gain initial access and propagate:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is one of the most common vectors. Attackers often scan for internet-exposed RDP ports (e.g., 3389) and attempt to brute-force weak credentials or exploit vulnerabilities in RDP services. Once access is gained, they manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing weaponized attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros) or links to compromised websites are used. If a user opens the attachment or clicks the link, it can trigger the download and execution of the ransomware.
  • Exploitation of Software Vulnerabilities: Attackers may exploit known vulnerabilities in unpatched software (operating systems, applications, network devices) to gain initial access or escalate privileges. This can include vulnerabilities in VPN services, content management systems (CMS), or web servers.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Less common but increasingly observed, attackers might compromise a legitimate software vendor or service provider, injecting the ransomware into software updates or distributed applications.
  • Compromised Websites/Malvertising: Users might get infected by visiting compromised websites that automatically download malware (drive-by downloads) or through malicious advertisements that redirect to exploit kits.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive and layered security measures are crucial to prevent *id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine infection:

  • Robust Backup Strategy: Implement a “3-2-1” backup rule: at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types, with one copy offsite or offline (air-gapped). Regularly test backup restoration.
  • Patch Management: Keep all operating systems, applications, and network devices fully updated with the latest security patches. Pay critical attention to patches for RDP, VPN, and server-side software.
  • Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong, unique passwords for all accounts, especially those with administrative privileges or RDP access. Implement MFA wherever possible.
  • RDP Security:
    • Limit RDP exposure: Do not expose RDP directly to the internet. Use a VPN or RDP Gateway for secure access.
    • Disable RDP on systems where it’s not essential.
    • Implement account lockout policies to thwart brute-force attacks.
  • Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems and sensitive data on separate network segments to limit lateral movement in case of a breach.
  • Email Security: Use advanced email filtering solutions to detect and block phishing emails, malicious attachments, and suspicious links. Educate users about identifying phishing attempts.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) / Antivirus (AV): Deploy reputable EDR/AV solutions and ensure they are kept up-to-date with the latest threat signatures. Configure them to perform regular scans.
  • User Awareness Training: Train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing, suspicious links, and safe browsing habits.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

2. Removal

If *id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine has infected a system, follow these steps for removal:

  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 (Windows) or process monitoring tools to identify suspicious processes. Dharma ransomware often leaves a ransom note, usually in a .txt file (e.g., README.txt, info.txt) on the desktop or in encrypted folders. Examine these notes for clues.
  3. Boot into Safe Mode: Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This often prevents the ransomware from fully executing.
  4. Scan and Remove:
    • Run a full scan with a reputable and updated antivirus/anti-malware program (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, Bitdefender).
    • Consider using specialized ransomware removal tools if available and recommended by security researchers for Dharma variants.
  5. Clean Up Residual Files: Manually delete any suspicious files or registry entries identified by security scans or found during analysis, but only if you are confident in doing so.
  6. Change Credentials: After ensuring the system is clean, immediately change all passwords, especially for accounts that had access to the infected system or network shares.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility: For Dharma ransomware variants like *id-**-*[email protected]*.m0rphine, decryption without the attacker’s private key is generally not possible. Newer Dharma variants use strong encryption algorithms, and no universal public decryptor exists for all versions.
    • No More Ransom Project: It is always worth checking the “No More Ransom” project (nomoreransom.org) for potential decryptors. While specific tools for every variant are rare, sometimes decryptors for older or flawed versions of Dharma may be released.
    • Professional Data Recovery: In some extreme cases, specialized data recovery firms might be able to recover data if encryption was incomplete or flawed, but this is costly and not guaranteed.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • For Prevention:
      • Windows Updates and security patches (for all OS and software).
      • Reputable Antivirus/EDR solutions (e.g., Bitdefender, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Windows Defender).
      • Password managers and MFA solutions.
      • Network monitoring and firewall solutions.
    • For Remediation:
      • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
      • Bootable anti-malware rescue disks (e.g., Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Bitdefender Rescue CD).
      • Data recovery software (for unencrypted but deleted files, not for encrypted files).

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions:
    • DO NOT Pay the Ransom: While tempting, paying the ransom does not guarantee decryption and funds criminal activities, encouraging further attacks. Many victims who pay never receive a working decryptor.
    • Preserve Evidence: If you are a business or organization, consider preserving a disk image of the infected system for forensic analysis. This can help understand the attack vector and improve future defenses.
    • Report the Incident: Report the ransomware incident to relevant authorities (e.g., FBI IC3, local law enforcement, national CERTs).
  • Broader Impact:
    • Business Disruption: Ransomware attacks, including Dharma variants, can cause significant operational downtime, leading to lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction.
    • Financial Loss: Beyond the potential ransom payment, recovery efforts involve significant costs for IT support, forensic analysis, and system rebuilding.
    • Reputational Damage: Organizations may suffer severe damage to their reputation, leading to loss of trust from customers and partners.
    • Data Breach Potential: While the primary goal is encryption, some ransomware groups (including Dharma affiliates) may exfiltrate data before encryption, leading to potential data breach notifications and regulatory fines. The cock.li email address is often chosen by attackers for its perceived anonymity and resilience against takedowns, indicating a preference for maintaining a long-term communication channel for negotiations.