Analysis by: Leidryn Saludez
 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, Dropped by other malware

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 does not have any propagation routine.

It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 9,115,492 bytes
File Type: ELF
Initial Samples Received Date: 29 May 2024
Payload: 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.

Propagation

This Ransomware does not have any propagation routine.

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • It runs ESXi-related commands to check that it is running in an ESXi environment
  • If the sample is not running inside an ESXi environment, it will terminate and delete itself
  • Once the ransomware runs in an ESXi environment, it will turn off any virtual machine and proceed on the encryption of VM files (VM disk, configuration, and metadata files)

It accepts the following parameters:

  • -p → Execute normal functionality. Same as no command-line argument.
  • -f → Encrypt a specific drive
  • -s → Encrypt network shared resource
  • -e → Encrypt a specific folder/file

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .PLAY

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

  • {Root Directory}\PLAY_Readme.txt

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 19.370.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 29 May 2024
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 19.371.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 30 May 2024

Step 1

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 2

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.  
  • {Root Directory}\PLAY_Readme.txt

Step 3

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as Ransom.Linux.PLAYDE.YXEE3T. 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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