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NEW RANSOMWARE NOW BEING DEPLOYED IN LOG4SHELL ATTACKS
By
LAWRENCE ABRAMS
* December 14, 2021
* 05:02 PM
* 0
The first public case of the Log4j Log4Shell vulnerability used to download and
install ransomware has been discovered by researchers.
Last Friday, a public exploit was released for a critical zero-day vulnerability
named 'Log4Shell' in the Apache Log4j Java-based logging platform. Log4j is a
development framework that allows developers to add error and event logging into
their Java applications.
The vulnerability allows threat actors to create special JNDI strings that, when
read by Log4j, cause the platform to connect to and execute code at the included
URL. This allows attackers to easily detect vulnerable devices or execute code
supplied by a remote site or via Base64 encoded strings.
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While this vulnerability was fixed in Log4j 2.15.0 and even tightened further in
Log4j 2.16.0, it is being widely exploited by threat actors to install various
malware, including coin miners, botnets, and even Cobalt Strike beacons.
FIRST LOG4J EXPLOIT INSTALLING RANSOMWARE
Yesterday, BitDefender reported that they found the first ransomware family
being installed directly via Log4Shell exploits.
The exploit downloads a Java class from hxxp://3.145.115[.]94/Main.class that is
loaded and executed by the Log4j application.
Once loaded, it would download a .NET binary from the same server to install new
ransomware [VirusTotal] named 'Khonsari.'
This same name is also used as a the extension for encrypted files and in the
ransom note, as shown below.
Khonsari ransom note
Site:BleepingComputer
In later attacks, BitDefender noticed that this threat actor used the same
server to distribute the Orcus Remote Access Trojan.
LIKELY A WIPER
Ransomware expert Michael Gillespie told BleepingComputer that Khonsari uses
valid encryption and is secure, meaning that it is not possible to recover files
for free.
However, the ransom note has one oddity - it does not appear to include a way to
contact the threat actor to pay a ransom.
Emsisoft analyst Brett Callow pointed out to BleepingComputer that the
ransomware is named after and uses contact information for a Louisiana antique
shop owner rather than the threat actor.
Therefore, it is unclear if that person is the actual victim of the ransomware
attack or listed as a decoy.
Regardless of the reason, as it does not contain legitimate contact information
for the threat actors, we believe this is a wiper rather than ransomware.
While this may be the first known instance of the Log4j exploit directly
installing ransomware (wiper?), Microsoft has already seen the exploits used to
deploy Cobalt Strike beacons.
Therefore, it is likely that more advanced ransomware operations are already
using the exploits as part of their attacks.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Hackers start pushing malware in worldwide Log4Shell attacks
CISA warns critical infrastructure to stay vigilant for ongoing threats
Log4j: List of vulnerable products and vendor advisories
Researchers release 'vaccine' for critical Log4Shell vulnerability
New Cerber ransomware targets Confluence and GitLab servers
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LAWRENCE ABRAMS
Lawrence Abrams is the owner and Editor in Chief of BleepingComputer.com.
Lawrence's area of expertise includes Windows, malware removal, and computer
forensics. Lawrence Abrams is a co-author of the Winternals Defragmentation,
Recovery, and Administration Field Guide and the technical editor for Rootkits
for Dummies.
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