Rewterz Threat Alert – Phobos Ransomware – Active IOCs

Severity

High

Analysis Summary

Phobos Ransomware is based on the Dharma (aka CrySIS) malware that first appeared at the beginning of 2019. It spreads into several systems via compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. This malware does not use any UAC bypass methods. Unlike other cybercrime gangs that go after big hunts, Phobos creators go after smaller firms that don’t have sufficient funding to pay massive ransoms. This ransomware usually targets healthcare providers, with victims in the United States, Seychelles, Portugal, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, Romania, and Japan. Its perpetrators demand a little ransom payment, which appeals to victims and enhances the chances of payment. The average Phobos ransom payment in July 2022 was $36,932

Phobos encrypts data & files and keeps them locked until a ransom is paid. All encrypted files are renamed with the “.phobos” extension, as well as the victim’s unique ID and email address.

ransom note

Impact

• File Encryption
• Data Exfiltration

Indicators of Compromise

MD5

• 7e8b8c909f96c4058a7e8f7acd171a78
• 23ce1ae76844de9ad9dc0307ed629bb7
• 8581a33bb410c7674705ca163c6f75ad
• e244628c750d40509ef2e3e72e4c2049
• cb0f99306d05042b8b3db064ac3489b9

SHA-256

• 2a50a42d3c44e6e3890a53228cb84f6fdb17e38b31422c68b8634a06d36cc324
• 33c861023479ddcaea82f2daee9d0394f304d0c33ba210f4c3c53a93cf9a474c
• 104032d8993555a84679746069ad1f8c1365c4a27eaeec732fda76aa62da005a
• 356799503f195db260e08a81d42a431b4ebd47cef94eddc96f24a0fd3e49d716
• 71bd706cc0ace3774449282a9c1de5403f8f43dad118b9fbf4fc45cf4894f8e9

SHA-1

• a0f2cc3a7fcb60f7389ee4555dbddc2ad5822c7e
• 9f70fd29900c659599155e8d758b938db00f43bd
• 3dd6bb5a8786eb073a6f7d26454a8ddbffbbe48f
• f823f35c00580524fef34d9084721a4cea703016
• 1a5e8b4435f97dfd09b764c82dba35868e792803

Remediation

• Block all threat indicators at your respective controls.
• Search for Indicators of compromise (IOCs) in your environment utilizing your respective security controls
• Maintain cyber hygiene by updating your anti-virus software and implementing a patch management lifecycle.
• Maintain Offline Backups – In a ransomware attack, the adversary will often delete or encrypt backups if they have access to them. That’s why it’s important to keep offline (preferably off-site), encrypted backups of data and test them regularly.
• Enable antivirus and anti-malware software and update signature definitions in a timely manner. Using multi-layered protection is necessary to secure vulnerable assets