Summary:
Mamona is a new commodity ransomware variant that does all its activities offline, therefore remaining silent and harder to be detected. It neither talks to any outside servers nor exfiltrates data—instead, it locally encrypts data with custom-made encryption routines. Victim files receive a.HAes extension, and the ransom note falsely reports that confidential data has been compromised. The malware uses simple tricks like a spurious delay by pinging 127.0.0.7 and subsequently self-destroying as a way of limiting forensic evidence. As much as it's rooted in simple design, Mamona is dangerous as it can affect systems without triggering typical network-based defenses. Its author also posted the builder on the internet, causing concerns about indiscriminate reuse by low-capability actors. Fortunately, security researchers have developed a working decryption tool to restore encrypted files.

Security Officer Comments:
Mamona ransomware can appear innocent-looking, but that's the catch. It doesn't speak to the internet, steals no information, and doesn't need a large hacker team behind it—just a little file wreaking havoc locally. Because it runs entirely offline and even deletes itself once it encrypts your data, it's a bit like a ghost in your computer—there's a flash, then zap, disappears, leaving devastation in its wake.

The scariest part? Its builder was leaked online, which means almost anyone can grab it and launch attacks, even if they’re not a skilled hacker. It's the kind of threat that doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to work. And it does.

Suggested Corrections:
Security teams can't rely on observing network activity this time. Instead, they need to watch out for small signs—like unexpected latencies or ill-timed file modifications—before it becomes too late. While a decryptor utility does currently exist, that might no longer hold true for the next version.

Link(s):
https://malware.news/t/mamona-technical-analysis-of-a-new-ransomware-strain/93941/1