Vgod RANSOMWARE
Summary:
Researchers at Cyfirma have uncovered details of a new ransomware strain, dubbed Vgod, which specifically targets Windows systems with advanced encryption techniques. Similar to other ransomware families such as LockBit, Vgod employs the AES-256 encryption algorithm to lock files, with RSA-4096 encryption used for key protection. During the encryption process, the ransomware appends the .Vgod extension to the targeted files. Additionally, a ransom note titled “Decryption instructions.txt” is left behind on the system as the victim's wallpaper, ensuring the attack cannot be easily overlooked.
Based on MITRE tags outlined in Cyfirma’s latest blog post, Vgod employs a range of techniques to maintain persistence and bypass defenses on targeted systems. Notably, the ransomware modifies system boot records and Windows registry settings to establish a covert foothold, making detection more difficult. Additionally, it dumps operating system credentials, likely using tools such as Mimikatz, which can be further used to facilitate lateral movement within the targeted network. Vgod also conducts system checks to ensure it is not running within a virtualized environment, thereby avoiding detection and analysis by security researchers.
Security Officer Comments:
Despite ongoing law enforcement efforts to dismantle ransomware infrastructure, new strains continue to emerge, creating a never-ending cycle of cybercrime and ransomware attacks. Ransomware remains one of the most significant threats to organizations worldwide, particularly as many businesses handle sensitive data, including that of customers and clients. This creates a lucrative opportunity for ransomware actors to encrypt or steal valuable data for ransom payments. Vgod is the latest strain to surface, and although it is currently designed to target Windows systems, the developers of this malware are likely to continue updating it, broadening its scope to affect additional platforms in the future.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
241c3b02a8e7d5a2b9c99574c28200df2a0f8c8bd7ba4d262e6aa8ed1211ba1f
General ransomware mitigation:
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 on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://www.cyfirma.com/research/vgod-ransomware/
Researchers at Cyfirma have uncovered details of a new ransomware strain, dubbed Vgod, which specifically targets Windows systems with advanced encryption techniques. Similar to other ransomware families such as LockBit, Vgod employs the AES-256 encryption algorithm to lock files, with RSA-4096 encryption used for key protection. During the encryption process, the ransomware appends the .Vgod extension to the targeted files. Additionally, a ransom note titled “Decryption instructions.txt” is left behind on the system as the victim's wallpaper, ensuring the attack cannot be easily overlooked.
Based on MITRE tags outlined in Cyfirma’s latest blog post, Vgod employs a range of techniques to maintain persistence and bypass defenses on targeted systems. Notably, the ransomware modifies system boot records and Windows registry settings to establish a covert foothold, making detection more difficult. Additionally, it dumps operating system credentials, likely using tools such as Mimikatz, which can be further used to facilitate lateral movement within the targeted network. Vgod also conducts system checks to ensure it is not running within a virtualized environment, thereby avoiding detection and analysis by security researchers.
Security Officer Comments:
Despite ongoing law enforcement efforts to dismantle ransomware infrastructure, new strains continue to emerge, creating a never-ending cycle of cybercrime and ransomware attacks. Ransomware remains one of the most significant threats to organizations worldwide, particularly as many businesses handle sensitive data, including that of customers and clients. This creates a lucrative opportunity for ransomware actors to encrypt or steal valuable data for ransom payments. Vgod is the latest strain to surface, and although it is currently designed to target Windows systems, the developers of this malware are likely to continue updating it, broadening its scope to affect additional platforms in the future.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
241c3b02a8e7d5a2b9c99574c28200df2a0f8c8bd7ba4d262e6aa8ed1211ba1f
General ransomware mitigation:
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 on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://www.cyfirma.com/research/vgod-ransomware/