Cybereason - HardBit Ransomware
Summary:
Cybereason Security Service Team has released a new blog post highlighting the TTPs employed by HardBit, a ransomware operation that first emerged in October 2022. HardBit seems to take inspiration from the LockBit ransomware gang, with researchers noting a similarity in the marketing tactics deployed by the group including the use of similar group image/icons, image fonts, and ransom notes. While the initial access vector employed by HardBit is unclear, Cybereason suspects that this involves brute-forcing RDP and SMB services. Initial access is followed by the deployment of tools like Mimikatz, LaZagne, and NirSoft to extract credentials from the targeted system. Also employed are tools like NLBrute, KPortScan 3.0, and Advanced Port Scanner, which can be used to identify and pivot to other systems of interest. Like any other ransomware operation, HardBit will encrypt files on the target system and exfiltrate data of interest which can be held for ransom payments. Notably, HardBit does not have a data leak site as of writing. Rather the group threatens to conduct additional attacks against the victim if ransom demands are not met.
Security Officer Comments:
Since its emergence in October 2022, HardBit has released several versions of its ransomware strain, the latest being version 4, which researchers note comes with new obfuscation techniques to deter analysis. Specially, version 4 has been enhanced with passphrase protection, wherein a passphrase needs to be provided during the runtime in order for the ransomware strain to be executed successfully. Furthermore, the binary comes in two flavors, with the group now providing operators with CLI or GUI versions of the ransomware. By providing these two versions, the group is able to expand its market to different operators depending on the technical skill of the cybercriminal. Interestingly, the GUI version supports a wiper mode to erase files and wipe the disk. “Wiper mode feature needs to be enabled by the HardBit Ransomware group and the feature is likely an additional feature that operators need to purchase. If the operators need wiper mode, the operator would need to deploy hard.txt, an optional configuration file of HardBit binary,” note researchers in their blog post.
Suggested Corrections:
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.
Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.
Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?
Check Your Security Team's Work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.
Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.
Train employees:
Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi Factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://www.cybereason.com/blog/hardening-of-hardbit
Cybereason Security Service Team has released a new blog post highlighting the TTPs employed by HardBit, a ransomware operation that first emerged in October 2022. HardBit seems to take inspiration from the LockBit ransomware gang, with researchers noting a similarity in the marketing tactics deployed by the group including the use of similar group image/icons, image fonts, and ransom notes. While the initial access vector employed by HardBit is unclear, Cybereason suspects that this involves brute-forcing RDP and SMB services. Initial access is followed by the deployment of tools like Mimikatz, LaZagne, and NirSoft to extract credentials from the targeted system. Also employed are tools like NLBrute, KPortScan 3.0, and Advanced Port Scanner, which can be used to identify and pivot to other systems of interest. Like any other ransomware operation, HardBit will encrypt files on the target system and exfiltrate data of interest which can be held for ransom payments. Notably, HardBit does not have a data leak site as of writing. Rather the group threatens to conduct additional attacks against the victim if ransom demands are not met.
Security Officer Comments:
Since its emergence in October 2022, HardBit has released several versions of its ransomware strain, the latest being version 4, which researchers note comes with new obfuscation techniques to deter analysis. Specially, version 4 has been enhanced with passphrase protection, wherein a passphrase needs to be provided during the runtime in order for the ransomware strain to be executed successfully. Furthermore, the binary comes in two flavors, with the group now providing operators with CLI or GUI versions of the ransomware. By providing these two versions, the group is able to expand its market to different operators depending on the technical skill of the cybercriminal. Interestingly, the GUI version supports a wiper mode to erase files and wipe the disk. “Wiper mode feature needs to be enabled by the HardBit Ransomware group and the feature is likely an additional feature that operators need to purchase. If the operators need wiper mode, the operator would need to deploy hard.txt, an optional configuration file of HardBit binary,” note researchers in their blog post.
Suggested Corrections:
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.
Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.
Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?
Check Your Security Team's Work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.
Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.
Train employees:
Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi Factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://www.cybereason.com/blog/hardening-of-hardbit