Analysis by: Bren Matthew Ebriega

ALIASES:

Ransom:Linux/Cerbercrypt.B!MTB (MICROSOFT)

 PLATFORM:

Linux

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Downloaded from the Internet

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It executes then deletes itself afterward.

It encrypts files found in specific folders. It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 3,090,484 bytes
File Type: ELF
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 06 Dec 2021
Payload: Displays message/message boxes, Encrypts files

Arrival Details

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Installation

This Ransomware drops the following files:

  • /tmp/.x11-nix-eYu6H3

It executes then deletes itself afterward.

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware encrypts files found in the following folders:

  • /var/opt/gitlab/backup
  • /var/opt/gitlab/backups
  • /var/opt/gitlab/gitlab-rails/shared
  • /var/opt/gitlab/git-data

It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .locked

It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:

  • /home/{Username}/Desktop/__$$RECOVERY_README$$__.html
  • {Encrypted Directory}/__$$RECOVERY_README$$__.html

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 17.284.05
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 30 Dec 2021
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 17.285.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 31 Dec 2021

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Linux.CERBER.AA. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:


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