*[email protected]*.aleta

[Content by Gemini 2.5]

This document provides a comprehensive overview and recovery guide for the ransomware variant identified by the file extension *[email protected]*.aleta. Based on the file extension pattern, particularly the inclusion of an email address in the extension, this variant is strongly indicative of being a new campaign or iteration of the Dharma ransomware family (also known as Dharma or Phobos, although Phobos is often considered a separate but related family due to similar naming conventions and attack vectors).

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this ransomware is .[ID][email protected], where [ID] is a unique hexadecimal identifier specific to the victim or infection.
  • Renaming Convention: When a file is encrypted, its original name is altered to include a unique victim ID, the [email protected] contact email address, and the fixed .aleta extension.
    • Example: An original file named document.docx might be renamed to document.docx.ID[random_string][email protected].
    • Structure: [original_filename].[original_extension].[unique_ID][email protected]
    • Ransom notes are typically dropped as info.txt or files.txt in affected directories.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants using the tuta.io email service and this file extension pattern, consistent with Dharma ransomware, have been observed actively since late 2023 through early 2024. The Dharma family itself has been active since late 2016, with new variants continually emerging, often distinguished by unique email addresses and final extensions. This specific [email protected] variant signifies a recent campaign within this broader family.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

Dharma ransomware, including this aleta variant, commonly leverages the following propagation mechanisms:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is the most prevalent method. Attackers brute-force RDP credentials, exploit weak passwords, or compromise legitimate RDP accounts to gain initial access to target networks. Once inside, they manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros, password-protected archives containing executables) or links to malicious websites are used to trick users into executing the ransomware or downloading droppers.
  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software, operating systems, or network services (though less common than RDP for Dharma, it’s a general vector for ransomware).
  • Cracked Software/Malicious Downloads: The ransomware can be bundled with pirated software, cracked applications, or malicious downloads from untrustworthy sources. Users installing such software inadvertently install the ransomware.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: While less frequently attributed to Dharma, compromise of legitimate software updates or third-party services can serve as an indirect vector.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are crucial to defend against *[email protected]*.aleta and similar ransomware:

  • Strong RDP Security:
    • Disable RDP if not strictly necessary.
    • Enforce strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all RDP accounts.
    • Limit RDP access to trusted IPs only (firewall rules).
    • Use a VPN for RDP connections.
    • Monitor RDP logs for brute-force attempts.
  • Regular Data Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy: at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types, with one copy offsite or air-gapped (offline and disconnected from the network). Test your backups regularly.
  • Software Updates & Patching: Keep all operating systems, applications, and security software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
  • Email Security: Implement robust spam filters, email gateway security, and conduct user awareness training to identify and report phishing attempts.
  • Antivirus/Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR): Deploy and maintain reputable antivirus and EDR solutions on all endpoints and servers. Ensure real-time protection is enabled.
  • Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems and sensitive data on separate network segments to limit lateral movement in case of a breach.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users and applications only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their functions.

2. Removal

Removing the *[email protected]*.aleta ransomware from an infected system:

  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 and Terminate Ransomware Processes: Use Task Manager (Windows) or process monitoring tools to identify suspicious processes. Look for unusual executables running from temporary folders (%TEMP%, %APPDATA%) or recently created services. Be cautious, as the ransomware often deletes itself after encryption or disguises its processes.
  3. Scan with Reputable Antivirus/Anti-malware: Boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking (if possible) or use a bootable anti-malware rescue disk (e.g., Emsisoft Emergency Kit, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Bitdefender Rescue CD). Perform a full system scan to detect and remove the ransomware executable and any associated malicious files or persistence mechanisms (e.g., registry entries, scheduled tasks).
  4. Check for Persistence: Manually inspect common persistence locations (Startup folders, Registry Run keys, Scheduled Tasks, WMI event subscriptions) for any entries related to the ransomware.
  5. Change Credentials: Once the system is clean, change all user account passwords, especially for administrative accounts and RDP access. If RDP was the vector, change domain administrator passwords as well.
  6. Review System Logs: Examine system event logs (Security, System, Application) for suspicious activities leading up to the infection.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility: For Dharma ransomware variants like *[email protected]*.aleta, decryption without the attacker’s key is generally not possible immediately after infection. The encryption used is strong (typically AES-256 for files and RSA-2048 for the AES key).
    • No More Ransom Project: Your first and most important step for attempting decryption is to visit the No More Ransom project. They maintain a database of decryption tools for various ransomware families. Upload one or two encrypted files (and the ransom note if prompted) to their Crypto Sheriff tool. If a decryptor for this specific aleta variant (or the underlying Dharma version) is available, it will be identified.
    • Emsisoft Decryptor for Dharma: Emsisoft often releases decryptors for specific Dharma variants when keys are recovered or vulnerabilities are found. Check their official website for the latest tools. However, new variants often render older decryptors ineffective.
    • Ransom Payment: Paying the ransom is strongly discouraged. There is no guarantee you will receive a working decryptor, and it fuels the ransomware ecosystem.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • Backup Solutions: Tools for data backup and recovery (e.g., Veeam, Acronis, Windows Backup).
    • Antivirus/EDR: Leading cybersecurity products (e.g., CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, ESET, Sophos).
    • Patch Management Software: For keeping systems updated.
    • Network Monitoring Tools: To detect anomalous RDP login attempts or suspicious network traffic.
    • RDP Hardening Tools: To strengthen RDP security.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions:
    • Ransom Note Analysis: The ransom note (typically info.txt or files.txt) will contain instructions, the unique ID, and contact details ([email protected]). It’s important to keep a copy of this note and an encrypted file sample for potential future decryption efforts, but do not contact the attackers unless advised by law enforcement or incident response professionals.
    • Shadow Volume Copies: Dharma ransomware often attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies (VSS) using vssadmin.exe commands. While unlikely to succeed if the ransomware executes correctly, it’s always worth attempting to recover files from previous versions if VSS was enabled before the infection. Use tools like ShadowExplorer.
  • Broader Impact:
    • Operational Disruption: Like all ransomware, *[email protected]*.aleta causes severe operational disruption, leading to downtime, loss of access to critical data, and significant financial costs.
    • Reputational Damage: Organizations suffer reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory fines.
    • Data Loss: Without reliable backups or a decryptor, permanent data loss is a high risk.
    • Economic Impact: The cumulative effect of ransomware attacks, including this variant, contributes to billions of dollars in losses globally each year, diverting resources from innovation and development towards incident response and recovery.

It is highly recommended to engage professional incident response services if your organization has been impacted by *[email protected]*.aleta to ensure thorough eradication and recovery.