*[email protected]*.*.wallet

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This document provides a comprehensive overview of the ransomware variant identified by the file extension *[email protected]*.*.wallet, commonly associated with the Dharma ransomware family. It offers a technical breakdown, insights into its propagation, and crucial strategies for prevention, removal, and recovery.

Technical Breakdown:

1. File Extension & Renaming Patterns

  • Confirmation of File Extension: The exact file extension used by this variant is .[ID_string][email protected].

  • Renaming Convention: This ransomware follows a consistent renaming pattern typical of Dharma variants. When a file, say document.docx, is encrypted, it will be renamed to document.docx.[unique_ID][email protected].

    • [unique_ID] is a randomly generated string of alphanumeric characters, often serving as an identifier for the specific infection or victim.
    • [email protected] is the email address provided by the attackers for contact, embedded directly into the file extension.
    • .wallet is the final, added extension, indicating the encrypted state.

    The original filename is preserved before the added extensions, which can sometimes aid in identifying the type of files affected.

2. Detection & Outbreak Timeline

  • Approximate Start Date/Period: Variants using the [email].wallet extension pattern, characteristic of the Dharma ransomware family (also known as CrySis, Arena, or Phobos in some evolutions), have been widely active since late 2016, with new iterations and contact emails emerging regularly. The specific [email protected] email associated with the .wallet extension appeared prominently in late 2021 and continued into 2022, indicating a newer wave of this family’s activity. While not a completely new family, this specific contact method marks a period of its observed prevalence.

3. Primary Attack Vectors

The *[email protected]*.*.wallet variant, like other Dharma ransomware iterations, primarily leverages the following propagation mechanisms to gain initial access and spread:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Exploitation: This is the most common and critical attack vector. Attackers scan for open RDP ports (typically 3389) and attempt to brute-force weak credentials or exploit vulnerabilities in the RDP service. Once access is gained, they manually deploy the ransomware.
  • Phishing Campaigns: Malicious emails containing infected attachments (e.g., seemingly legitimate documents with embedded macros, or archives containing executable files) or links to malicious websites are used to trick users into downloading and executing the ransomware payload.
  • Software Vulnerabilities: Exploitation of known vulnerabilities in unpatched software, operating systems, or network services (e.g., SMB vulnerabilities, although less common for Dharma compared to RDP) can provide an entry point.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Less common, but sometimes achieved by compromising legitimate software updates or third-party tools used by organizations, injecting the ransomware into a trusted distribution channel.
  • Other Malware (Droppers/Loaders): In some instances, Dharma ransomware might be dropped onto a system by other malware families (e.g., trojans, botnets) that have already established a foothold.

Remediation & Recovery Strategies:

1. Prevention

Proactive measures are crucial to minimize the risk of infection by *[email protected]*.*.wallet or any other ransomware:

  • Regular Data Backups: Implement a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy (3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy off-site/offline). Ensure backups are immutable or isolated to prevent ransomware from encrypting them. Test backup restoration regularly.
  • Secure RDP Access:
    • Disable RDP if not strictly necessary.
    • If RDP is required, place it behind a VPN.
    • Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all RDP accounts.
    • Limit RDP access to specific IP addresses.
    • Monitor RDP logs for unusual activity.
  • Patch Management: Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware updated with the latest security patches. Prioritize patches for known vulnerabilities, especially those related to RDP and common network services.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) / Antivirus (AV): Deploy and maintain reputable EDR/AV solutions with real-time protection and behavioral analysis capabilities on all endpoints and servers. Ensure signatures are up-to-date.
  • Network Segmentation: Segment networks to limit the lateral movement of ransomware. Critical systems and data should be isolated.
  • Email Security: Implement robust email security gateways to filter out malicious attachments and phishing links. Educate users about identifying and reporting suspicious emails.
  • User Account Control (UAC) / Least Privilege: Enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring users and applications have only the necessary permissions to perform their tasks.
  • Disable Unnecessary Services: Turn off any services or ports that are not essential for business operations.

2. Removal

If *[email protected]*.*.wallet has infected a system, follow these steps for cleanup:

  1. Isolate the Infected System: Immediately disconnect the infected computer from the network (unplug Ethernet cable, disable Wi-Fi). This prevents the ransomware from spreading to other systems.
  2. Identify and Confirm Infection: Look for the characteristic file extensions (.[ID][email protected]) and the ransom note (typically named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, info.txt, or similar) on the desktop or in affected directories.
  3. Prevent Persistence: Boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking (if necessary, though full disconnection is preferred during initial assessment) or a live CD/USB environment to prevent the ransomware from running at startup.
  4. Run a Full System Scan: Use a reputable, up-to-date anti-malware solution to scan the entire system and remove the ransomware executable and any related malicious files. Multiple scans with different tools may be beneficial.
  5. Check Startup Items and Scheduled Tasks: Manually review and remove any suspicious entries in msconfig (Windows), Task Scheduler, or registry keys that might attempt to re-launch the malware.
  6. Delete Shadow Volume Copies: Ransomware often attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies to prevent easy restoration. If they were not deleted or were created after the infection, they might still exist. However, it’s generally recommended to remove them after the malware has been cleaned to prevent any residual malicious files from persisting within them. (Use vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet from an elevated command prompt – use with caution as this deletes all restore points).
  7. Professional Help: For complex or widespread infections, consider engaging cybersecurity professionals.

3. File Decryption & Recovery

  • Recovery Feasibility: Unfortunately, there is no public decryptor available for files encrypted by *[email protected]*.*.wallet (Dharma ransomware variants) without the private decryption key held by the attackers. Paying the ransom is strongly discouraged as it fuels criminal activity, offers no guarantee of decryption, and the keys often fail to decrypt all files.
  • Recovery Methods:
    1. Restore from Backups (Recommended): The most reliable method is to restore files from clean, uninfected backups created before the infection occurred.
    2. Shadow Volume Copies (Limited Success): In some rare cases, if the ransomware failed to delete shadow copies or if they were created after the infection but before the ransomware could delete them, you might be able to recover older versions of files using Windows’ “Previous Versions” feature. However, Dharma variants are typically designed to remove these.
    3. Data Recovery Tools: Tools designed for deleted file recovery might occasionally retrieve unencrypted remnants of files if the ransomware moved or deleted the originals before encrypting them. This is often a low-probability method.
  • Essential Tools/Patches:
    • Anti-malware/EDR solutions: For detection and removal (e.g., Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne).
    • Operating System Updates: Keep Windows and other OS components fully patched.
    • Third-Party Software Updates: Regularly update browsers, productivity suites, and other applications.
    • Backup Solutions: Reliable backup software and hardware are paramount for recovery.
    • Password Managers: To generate and store strong, unique passwords for all accounts.

4. Other Critical Information

  • Additional Precautions:
    • Ransom Note Analysis: The ransom note (e.g., FILES ENCRYPTED.txt) will contain instructions, the attackers’ contact email ([email protected]), and sometimes a unique ID. Do not contact them unless absolutely necessary (e.g., for law enforcement investigation, or if an organization decides to engage with a negotiator as a last resort).
    • System Enumeration: Dharma often uses legitimate system tools (like ping, ipconfig, netstat, taskkill) and PowerShell scripts to identify network shares, disable security software, and prepare for encryption. Look for suspicious activity in event logs.
    • Disabling Security Software: The ransomware may attempt to disable or uninstall antivirus software. Ensure your security solutions are tamper-proof.
    • Lateral Movement: Dharma is capable of moving laterally across a network to infect other systems once it gains initial access, making network segmentation vital.
  • Broader Impact: The broader implications of a *[email protected]*.*.wallet infection are severe:
    • Significant Data Loss: If backups are not available or are also encrypted, critical data can be permanently lost.
    • Financial Costs: Ransom payment (if chosen), incident response costs, recovery expenses, potential fines for data breaches.
    • Operational Disruption: Business operations can be severely halted for days or weeks, leading to significant revenue loss and impact on services.
    • Reputational Damage: Damage to customer trust, investor confidence, and public image.
    • Legal and Regulatory Consequences: Potential violations of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) if personal data is compromised.

Combating *[email protected]*.*.wallet and similar ransomware variants requires a multi-layered defense strategy focused on robust prevention, swift incident response, and a tested recovery plan.