Note: This Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) is part of an ongoing #StopRansomware effort to publish advisories for network defenders that detail various ransomware variants and various ransomware threat actors. These #StopRansomware advisories detail historically and recently observed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) to help organizations protect against ransomware. Visit stopransomware.gov to see all #StopRansomware advisories and to learn about other ransomware threats and no-cost resources.
The United States National Security Agency (NSA), the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Republic of Korea (ROK) National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the ROK Defense Security Agency (DSA) (hereafter referred to as the “authoring agencies”) are issuing this joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) to highlight ongoing ransomware activity against Healthcare and Public Health Sector organizations and other critical infrastructure sector entities.
This CSA provides an overview of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) state-sponsored ransomware and updates the July 6, 2022, joint CSA North Korean State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Use Maui Ransomware to Target the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. This advisory highlights TTPs and IOCs DPRK cyber actors used to gain access to and conduct ransomware attacks against Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) Sector organizations and other critical infrastructure sector entities, as well as DPRK cyber actors’ use of cryptocurrency to demand ransoms.
The authoring agencies assess that an unspecified amount of revenue from these cryptocurrency operations supports DPRK national-level priorities and objectives, including cyber operations targeting the United States and South Korea governments—specific targets include Department of Defense Information Networks and Defense Industrial Base member networks. The IOCs in this product should be useful to sectors previously targeted by DPRK cyber operations (e.g., U.S. government, Department of Defense, and Defense Industrial Base). The authoring agencies highly discourage paying ransoms as doing so does not guarantee files and records will be recovered and may pose sanctions risks.
For additional information on state-sponsored DPRK malicious cyber activity, see CISA’s North Korea Cyber Threat Overview and Advisories webpage.
Download the PDF version of this report: pdf, 661 kb.
Note: This advisory uses the MITRE ATT&CK for Enterprise framework, version 12. See MITRE ATT&CK for Enterprise for all referenced tactics and techniques.
This CSA is supplementary to previous reports on malicious cyber actor activities involving DPRK ransomware campaigns—namely Maui and H0lyGh0st ransomware. The authoring agencies are issuing this advisory to highlight additional observed TTPs DPRK cyber actors are using to conduct ransomware attacks targeting South Korean and U.S. healthcare systems.
The TTPs associated with DPRK ransomware attacks include those traditionally observed in ransomware operations. Additionally, these TTPs span phases from acquiring and purchasing infrastructure to concealing DPRK affiliation:
Actors also likely spread malicious code through Trojanized files for “X-Popup,” an open source messenger commonly used by employees of small and medium hospitals in South Korea [T1195].
The actors spread malware by leveraging two domains:
File Name | MD5 Hash |
---|---|
xpopup.rar | 1f239db751ce9a374eb9f908c74a31c9 |
X-PopUp.exe | 6fb13b1b4b42bac05a2ba629f04e3d03 |
X-PopUp.exe | cf8ba073db7f4023af2b13dd75565f3d |
xpopup.exe | 4e71d52fc39f89204a734b19db1330d3 |
x-PopUp.exe | 43d4994635f72852f719abb604c4a8a1 |
xpopup.exe | 5ae71e8440bf33b46554ce7a7f3de666 |
Note: These mitigations align with the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) developed by CISA and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CPGs provide a minimum set of practices and protections that CISA and NIST recommend all organizations implement. CISA and NIST based the CPGs on existing cybersecurity frameworks and guidance to protect against the most common and impactful threats, tactics, techniques, and procedures. For more information on the CPGs, including additional recommended baseline protections, see cisa.gov/cpg.
The authoring agencies urge HPH organizations to:
In addition, the authoring agencies urge all organizations, including HPH Sector organizations, to apply the following recommendations to prepare for and mitigate ransomware incidents:
If a ransomware incident occurs at your organization:
Stairwell provided a YARA rule to identify Maui ransomware, and a Proof of Concept public RSA key extractor at the following link:
https://www.stairwell.com/news/threat-research-report-maui-ransomware/
The FBI is seeking any information that can be shared, to include boundary logs showing communication to and from foreign IP addresses, bitcoin wallet information, the decryptor file, and/or benign samples of encrypted files. As stated above, the authoring agencies discourage paying ransoms. Payment does not guarantee files will be recovered and may embolden adversaries to target additional organizations, encourage other criminal actors to engage in the distribution of ransomware, and/or fund illicit activities. However, the agencies understand that when victims are faced with an inability to function, all options are evaluated to protect shareholders, employees, and customers.
Regardless of whether you or your organization decide to pay a ransom, the authoring agencies urge you to promptly report ransomware incidents using the contact information above.
NSA, FBI, CISA, and HHS would like to thank ROK NIS and DSA for their contributions to this CSA.
The information and opinions contained in this document are provided "as is" and without any warranties or guarantees. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, and this guidance shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Apache®, Sonicwall, and Apache Log4j are trademarks of Apache Software Foundation. TerraMaster Operating System is a registered trademark of Octagon Systems.
This document was developed in furtherance of the authors’ cybersecurity missions, including their responsibilities to identify and disseminate threats, and to develop and issue cybersecurity specifications and mitigations. This information may be shared broadly to reach all appropriate stakeholders.
CVE-2021-44228 CVSS 3.0: 10 (Critical) |
---|
Vulnerability Description Apache Log4j2 2.0-beta9 through 2.15.0 (excluding security releases 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1) JNDI features used in configuration, log messages, and parameters do not protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints. An attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code loaded from LDAP servers when message lookup substitution is enabled. From log4j 2.15.0, this behavior has been disabled by default. From version 2.16.0 (along with 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1), this functionality has been completely removed. Note that this vulnerability is specific to log4j-core and does not affect log4net, log4cxx, or other Apache Logging Services projects. |
Recommended Mitigations Apply patches provided by vendor and perform required system updates. |
Detection Methods See vendors’ Guidance For Preventing, Detecting, and Hunting for Exploitation of the Log4j 2 Vulnerability. |
Vulnerable Technologies and Versions There are numerous vulnerable technologies and versions associated with CVE-2021-44228. For a full list, please check https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228. |
See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228 for more information. |
CVE-2021-20038 CVSS 3.0: 9.8 (Critical) |
---|
Vulnerability Description A Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in SMA100 Apache httpd server's mod_cgi module environment variables allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to potentially execute code as a 'nobody' user in the appliance. This vulnerability affected SMA 200, 210, 400, 410 and 500v appliances firmware 10.2.0.8-37sv, 10.2.1.1-19sv, 10.2.1.2-24sv and earlier versions. |
Recommended Mitigations Apply all appropriate vendor updates Upgrade to:
System administrators should refer to the SonicWall Security Advisories in the reference section to determine affected applications/systems and appropriate fix actions. Support for 9.0.0 firmware ended on 10/31/2021. Customers still using that firmware are requested to upgrade to the latest 10.2.x versions. |
Vulnerable Technologies and Versions Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware 10.2.0.8-37Sv Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware 10.2.1.1-19Sv Sonicwall Sma 200 Firmware 10.2.1.2-24Sv Sonicwall Sma 210 Firmware 10.2.0.8-37Sv Sonicwall Sma 210 Firmware 10.2.1.1-19Sv Sonicwall Sma 210 Firmware 10.2.1.2-24Sv Sonicwall Sma 410 Firmware 10.2.0.8-37Sv Sonicwall Sma 410 Firmware 10.2.1.1-19Sv Sonicwall Sma 410 Firmware 10.2.1.2-24Sv Sonicwall Sma 400 Firmware 10.2.0.8-37Sv Sonicwall Sma 400 Firmware 10.2.1.1-19Sv Sonicwall Sma 400 Firmware 10.2.1.2-24Sv Sonicwall Sma 500V Firmware 10.2.0.8-37Sv Sonicwall Sma 500V Firmware 10.2.1.1-19Sv Sonicwall Sma 500V Firmware 10.2.1.2-24Sv |
See https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-20038 for more information. |
CVE-2022-24990 CVSS 3.x: N/A |
---|
Vulnerability Description The TerraMaster OS Unauthenticated Remote Command Execution via PHP Object Instantiation Vulnerability is characterized by scanning activity targeting a flaw in the script enabling a remote adversary to execute commands on the target endpoint. The vulnerability is created by improper input validation of the webNasIPS component in the api.php script and resides on the TNAS device appliances' operating system where users manage storage, backup data, and configure applications. By exploiting the script flaw a remote unauthenticated attacker can pass specially crafted data to the application and execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This may result in complete compromise of the target system, including the exfiltration of information. TNAS devices can be chained to acquire unauthenticated remote code execution with highest privileges. |
Recommended Mitigations Install relevant vendor patches. This vulnerability was patched in TOS version 4.2.30 |
Vulnerable Technologies and Versions TOS v 4.2.29 |
See https://octagon.net/blog/2022/03/07/cve-2022-24990-terrmaster-tos-unauthenticated-remote-command-execution-via-php-object-instantiation/ and https://forum.terra-master.com/en/viewtopic.php?t=3030 for more information. |
The IOC section includes hashes and IP addresses for the Maui and H0lyGh0st ransomware variants—as well as custom malware implants assumedly developed by DPRK cyber actors, such as remote access trojans (RATs), loaders, and other tools—that enable subsequent deployment of ransomware. For additional Maui IOCs, see joint CSA North Korean State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Use Maui Ransomware to Target the Healthcare and Public Health Sector.
Table 2 lists MD5 and SHA256 hashes associated with malware implants, RATs, and other tools used by DPRK cyber actors, including tools that drop Maui ransomware files.
MD5Hash | SHA256Hash |
---|---|
079b4588eaa99a1e802adf5e0b26d8aa | f67ee77d6129bd1bcd5d856c0fc5314169 b946d32b8abaa4e680bb98130b38e7 |
0e9e256d8173854a7bc26982b1dde783 | -- |
12c15a477e1a96120c09a860c9d479b3 | 6263e421e397db821669420489d2d3084 f408671524fd4e1e23165a16dda2225 |
131fc4375971af391b459de33f81c253 | -- |
17c46ed7b80c2e4dbea6d0e88ea0827c | b9af4660da00c7fa975910d0a19fda0720 31c15fad1eef935a609842c51b7f7d |
1875f6a68f70bee316c8a6eda9ebf8de | 672ec8899b8ee513dbfc4590440a61023 846ddc2ca94c88ae637144305c497e7 |
1a74c8d8b74ca2411c1d3d22373a6769 | ba8f9e7afe5f78494c111971c39a89111ef 9262bf23e8a764c6f65c818837a44 |
1f6d9f8fbdbbd4e6ed8cd73b9e95a928 | 4f089afa51fd0c1b2a39cc11cedb3a4a32 6111837a5408379384be6fe846e016 |
2d02f5499d35a8dffb4c8bc0b7fec5c2 | 830207029d83fd46a4a89cd623103ba23 21b866428aa04360376e6a390063570 |
2e18350194e59bc6a2a3f6d59da11bd8 | 655aa64860f1655081489cf85b77f72a49 de846a99dd122093db4018434b83ae |
3bd22e0ac965ebb6a18bb71ba39e96dc | 6b7f566889b80d1dba4f92d5e2fb2f5ef24 f57fcfd56bb594978dffe9edbb9eb |
40f21743f9cb927b2c84ecdb7dfb14a6 | 5081f54761947bc9ce4aa2a259a0bd60b 4ec03d32605f8e3635c4d4edaf48894 |
4118d9adce7350c3eedeb056a3335346 | 5b7ecf7e9d0715f1122baf4ce745c5fcd76 9dee48150616753fec4d6da16e99e |
43e756d80225bdf1200bc34eef5adca8 | afb2d4d88f59e528f0e388705113ae54b7 b97db4f03a35ae43cc386a48f263a0 |
47791bf9e017e3001ddc68a7351ca2d6 | 863b707873f7d653911e46885e261380b 410bb3bf6b158daefb47562e93cb657 |
505262547f8879249794fc31eea41fc6 | f32f6b229913d68daad937cc72a57aa452 91a9d623109ed48938815aa7b6005c |
5130888a0ad3d64ad33c65de696d3fa2 | c92c1f3e77a1876086ce530e87aa9c1f9c bc5e93c5e755b29cad10a2f3991435 |
58ad3103295afcc22bde8d81e77c282f | 18b75949e03f8dcad513426f1f9f3ca209d 779c24cd4e941d935633b1bec00cb |
5be1e382cd9730fbe386b69bd8045ee7 | 5ad106e333de056eac78403b033b89c58 b4c4bdda12e2f774625d47ccfd3d3ae |
5c6f9c83426c6d33ff2d4e72c039b747 | a3b7e88d998078cfd8cdf37fa5454c45f6c bd65f4595fb94b2e9c85fe767ad47 |
640e70b0230dc026eff922fb1e44c2ea | 6319102bac226dfc117c3c9e620cd99c7e afbf3874832f2ce085850aa042f19c |
67f4dad1a94ed8a47283c2c0c05a7594 | 3fe624c33790b409421f4fa2bb8abfd701d f2231a959493c33187ed34bec0ae7 |
70652edadedbacfd30d33a826853467d | 196fb1b6eff4e7a049cea323459cfd6c0e3 900d8d69e1d80bffbaabd24c06eba |
739812e2ae1327a94e441719b885bd19 | 6122c94cbfa11311bea7129ecd5aea6fae 6c51d23228f7378b5f6b2398728f67 |
76c3d2092737d964dfd627f1ced0af80 | bffe910904efd1f69544daa9b72f2a70fb29 f73c51070bde4ea563de862ce4b1 |
802e7d6e80d7a60e17f9ffbd62fcbbeb | 87bdb1de1dd6b0b75879d8b8aef80b562 ec4fad365d7abbc629bcfc1d386afa6 |
827103a6b6185191fd5618b7e82da292 | -- |
830bc975a04ab0f62bfedf27f7aca673 | -- |
85995257ac07ae5a6b4a86758a2283d7 | -- |
85f6e3e3f0bdd0c1b3084fc86ee59d19 | f1576627e8130e6d5fde0dbe3dffcc8bc9e ef1203d15fcf09cd877ced1ccc72a |
87a6bda486554ab16c82bdfb12452e8b | 980bb08ef3e8afcb8c0c1a879ec11c41b2 9fd30ac65436495e69de79c555b2be |
891db50188a90ddacfaf7567d2d0355d | 0837dd54268c373069fc5c1628c6e3d75e b99c3b3efc94c45b73e2cf9a6f3207 |
894de380a249e677be2acb8fbdfba2ef | -- |
8b395cc6ecdec0900facf6e93ec48fbb | -- |
92a6c017830cda80133bf97eb77d3292 | d1aba3f95f11fc6e5fec7694d188919555b 7ff097500e811ff4a5319f8f230be |
9b0e7c460a80f740d455a7521f0eada1 | 45d8ac1ac692d6bb0fe776620371fca02b 60cac8db23c4cc7ab5df262da42b78 |
9b9d4cb1f681f19417e541178d8c75d7 | f5f6e538001803b0aa008422caf2c3c2a7 9b2eeee9ddc7feda710e4aba96fea4 |
a1f9e9f5061313325a275d448d4ddd59 | dfdd72c9ce1212f9d9455e2bca5a327c88 d2d424ea5c086725897c83afc3d42d |
a452a5f693036320b580d28ee55ae2a3 | 99b0056b7cc2e305d4ccb0ac0a8a270d3f ceb21ef6fc2eb13521a930cea8bd9f |
a6e1efd70a077be032f052bb75544358 | 3b9fe1713f638f85f20ea56fd09d20a96cd 6d288732b04b073248b56cdaef878 |
ad4eababfe125110299e5a24be84472e | a557a0c67b5baa7cf64bd4d42103d3b285 2f67acf96b4c5f14992c1289b55eaa |
b1c1d28dc7da1d58abab73fa98f60a83 | 38491f48d0cbaab7305b5ddca64ba41a2b eb89d81d5fb920e67d0c7334c89131 |
b6f91a965b8404d1a276e43e61319931 | -- |
bdece9758bf34fcad9cba1394519019b | 9d6de05f9a3e62044ad9ae66111308ccb9 ed2ee46a3ea37d85afa92e314e7127 |
c3850f4cc12717c2b54753f8ca5d5e0e | 99b448e91669b92c2cc3417a4d9711209 509274dab5d7582baacfab5028a818c |
c50b839f2fc3ce5a385b9ae1c05def3a | 458d258005f39d72ce47c111a7d17e8c52 fe5fc7dd98575771640d9009385456 |
cf236bf5b41d26967b1ce04ebbdb4041 | 60425a4d5ee04c8ae09bfe28ca33bf9e76 a43f69548b2704956d0875a0f25145 |
d0e203e8845bf282475a8f816340f2e8 | f6375c5276d1178a2a0fe1a16c5668ce52 3e2f846c073bf75bb2558fdec06531 |
ddb1f970371fa32faae61fc5b8423d4b | dda53eee2c5cb0abdbf5242f5e82f4de83 898b6a9dd8aa935c2be29bafc9a469 |
f2f787868a3064407d79173ac5fc0864 | 92adc5ea29491d9245876ba0b29573936 33c9998eb47b3ae1344c13a44cd59ae |
fda3a19afa85912f6dc8452675245d6b | 56925a1f7d853d814f80e98a1c4890b0a6 a84c83a8eded34c585c98b2df6ab19 |
-- | 0054147db54544d77a9efd9baf5ec96a80 b430e170d6e7c22fcf75261e9a3a71 |
-- | 151ab3e05a23e9ccd03a6c49830dabb9e 9281faf279c31ae40b13e6971dd2fb8 |
-- | 1c926fb3bd99f4a586ed476e4683163892 f3958581bf8c24235cd2a415513b7f |
-- | 1f8dcfaebbcd7e71c2872e0ba2fc6db81d6 51cf654a21d33c78eae6662e62392 |
-- | f226086b5959eb96bd30dec0ffcbf0f0918 6cd11721507f416f1c39901addafb |
-- | 23eff00dde0ee27dabad28c1f4ffb8b09e8 76f1e1a77c1e6fb735ab517d79b76 |
-- | 586f30907c3849c363145bfdcdabe3e2e4 688cbd5688ff968e984b201b474730 |
-- | 8ce219552e235dcaf1c694be122d6339e d4ff8df70bf358cd165e6eb487ccfc5 |
-- | 90fb0cd574155fd8667d20f97ac464eca67 bdb6a8ee64184159362d45d79b6a4 |
-- | c2904dc8bbb569536c742fca0c51a766e8 36d0da8fac1c1abd99744e9b50164f |
-- | ca932ccaa30955f2fffb1122234fb1524f7d e3a8e0044de1ed4fe05cab8702a5 |
-- | f6827dc5af661fbb4bf64bc625c78283ef8 36c6985bb2bfb836bd0c8d5397332 |
-- | f78cabf7a0e7ed3ef2d1c976c1486281f56 a6503354b87219b466f2f7a0b65c4 |
Table 3 lists MD5 and SHA256 hashes are associated with Maui Ransomware files.
MD5 Hash | SHA256 Hash |
---|---|
4118d9adce7350c3eedeb056a3335346 | 5b7ecf7e9d0715f1122baf4ce745c5fcd76 9dee48150616753fec4d6da16e99e |
9b0e7c460a80f740d455a7521f0eada1 | 45d8ac1ac692d6bb0fe776620371fca02b 60cac8db23c4cc7ab5df262da42b78 |
fda3a19afa85912f6dc8452675245d6b | 56925a1f7d853d814f80e98a1c4890b0a6 a84c83a8eded34c585c98b2df6ab19 |
2d02f5499d35a8dffb4c8bc0b7fec5c2 | 830207029d83fd46a4a89cd623103ba232 1b866428aa04360376e6a390063570 |
c50b839f2fc3ce5a385b9ae1c05def3a | 458d258005f39d72ce47c111a7d17e8c52 fe5fc7dd98575771640d9009385456 |
a452a5f693036320b580d28ee55ae2a3 | 99b0056b7cc2e305d4ccb0ac0a8a270d3f ceb21ef6fc2eb13521a930cea8bd9f |
a6e1efd70a077be032f052bb75544358 | 3b9fe1713f638f85f20ea56fd09d20a96cd6 d288732b04b073248b56cdaef878 |
802e7d6e80d7a60e17f9ffbd62fcbbeb | 87bdb1de1dd6b0b75879d8b8aef80b562e c4fad365d7abbc629bcfc1d386afa6 |
-- | 0054147db54544d77a9efd9baf5ec96a80b 430e170d6e7c22fcf75261e9a3a71 |
Table 4 lists MD5 and SHA256 hashes associated with H0lyGh0st Ransomware files.
SHA256 Hash |
---|
99fc54786a72f32fd44c7391c2171ca31e72ca52725c68e2dde94d04c286fccd* |
F8fc2445a9814ca8cf48a979bff7f182d6538f4d1ff438cf259268e8b4b76f86* |
Bea866b327a2dc2aa104b7ad7307008919c06620771ec3715a059e675d9f40af* |
6e20b73a6057f8ff75c49e1b7aef08abfcfe4e418e2c1307791036f081335c2d |
f4d10b08d7dacd8fe33a6b54a0416eecdaed92c69c933c4a5d3700b8f5100fad |
541825cb652606c2ea12fd25a842a8b3456d025841c3a7f563655ef77bb67219 |
2d978df8df0cf33830aba16c6322198e5889c67d49b40b1cb1eb236bd366826d |
414ed95d14964477bebf86dced0306714c497cde14dede67b0c1425ce451d3d7 |
Df0c7bb88e3c67d849d78d13cee30671b39b300e0cda5550280350775d5762d8 |
MD5 Hash |
---|
a2c2099d503fcc29478205f5aef0283b |
9c516e5b95a7e4169ecbd133ed4d205f |
d6a7b5db62bf7815a10a17cdf7ddbd4b |
c6949a99c60ef29d20ac8a9a3fb58ce5 |
4b20641c759ed563757cdd95c651ee53 |
25ee4001eb4e91f7ea0bc5d07f2a9744 |
29b6b54e10a96e6c40e1f0236b01b2e8 |
18126be163eb7df2194bb902c359ba8e |
eaf6896b361121b2c315a35be837576d |
e4ee611533a28648a350f2dab85bb72a |
e268cb7ab778564e88d757db4152b9fa |
* from Microsoft blog post on h0lygh0st
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