Threat intelligence

LucKY_Gh0$t Ransomware Operator Demands $220 for Decryption

by Security News

The SonicWall Capture Labs threat research team has been tracking recently released ransomware known as LucKY_Gho$t. This ransomware is based on the popular Chaos ransomware. During our analysis, we were able to have a conversation with the operator, who states that $220 in Bitcoin is required for file retrieval.

Infection Cycle

The malware uses the following icon:

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Figure 1: Malware icon

Upon infection, the malware encrypts files on the system and appends 4 alphanumeric characters to their filenames.  It changes the desktop background to the following image:

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Figure 2: Desktop image

read_it.txt is written to all directories containing encrypted files.  It contains the following message:

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Figure 3: Ransom note

The following targeted file types were found in the decompiled malware code:

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Figure 4: Targeted file types

The malware disables various system recovery features:

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Figure 5: System recovery deactivation

We downloaded and installed the Session chat application as instructed in the ransom note.  Session is an “end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimizes sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance”.  After a long wait, we had the following conversation with the ransomware operator:

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Figure 6: Conversation with operator

A decrypter tool is offered:

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Figure 7: Conversation continued

$220 USD in Bitcoin is demanded for file retrieval:

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Figure 8: Ransom demand

SonicWall Capture Labs provides protection against this threat via the following signature:

    •  GAV: Luckyghost.RSM (Trojan)

This threat is also detected by SonicWall Capture ATP w/RTDMI and the Capture Client endpoint solutions.

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Security News

The SonicWall Capture Labs Threat Research Team gathers, analyzes and vets cross-vector threat information from the SonicWall Capture Threat network, consisting of global devices and resources, including more than 1 million security sensors in nearly 200 countries and territories. The research team identifies, analyzes, and mitigates critical vulnerabilities and malware daily through in-depth research, which drives protection for all SonicWall customers. In addition to safeguarding networks globally, the research team supports the larger threat intelligence community by releasing weekly deep technical analyses of the most critical threats to small businesses, providing critical knowledge that defenders need to protect their networks.

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