Cerber Ransomware-as-a-Service

Cerber is a family of ransomware, offered as a service which was first discovered in 2016. A recent campaign has been identified which has seen the ransomware delivered via Nemucod.

Threat ID:: CC-1194
Category:: Ransomware
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Download
Published:: 23 February 2017 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

Cerber is a family of ransomware, offered as a service which was first discovered in 2016. A recent campaign has been identified which has seen the ransomware delivered via Nemucod.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Nemacod is a JavaScript malware download document. Cerber targets all popular file types including images, videos, documents and more.

The recent campaign uses phishing emails containing malicious attachments in the form of a .zip file. The attachment purports to be PDF titled “DOC<10 random digits>-PDF.js”

One particular variant of the new Cerber ensures it does not encrypt files relating to security products including firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware products. This is believed to be the author showcasing their ability to target security product vendors’ user base and encrypt all files right in front of them. This functionality is present in only one variant which suggests that it was modified by the user renting it.

Cerber is sold on dark web black markets as a service, offering customisation on the part of those who use it. It remains a popular choice for cyber criminals as there is no free decryption service available for it.

In this campaign, the attackers are demanding 1BitCoin (BTC) for decryption.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	If a computer on your network becomes infected with ransomware it will begin encrypting local machine files and files on any network the logged-in user has permission to access. For system administration accounts this may include backup storage locations. To avoid becoming infected with Ransomware, ensure that: A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date. All day to day computer activities such as checking email and browsing the web are performed using non- administrative accounts and that permissions are always assigned on the basis of least privilege. Your organisation adopts a holistic all round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps To Cyber Security. Identifying the source of infection: Identifying the infected machine and unplugging / disconnecting or quarantining it from the network is essential to damage limitation. Users should immediately report infections to their IT support provider, disconnect their network cable and power the computer down. File auditing should be enabled and file server logs should be monitored to detect signs of unauthorised encryption and allow the source of encryption to be identified (i.e. the infected PC). To limit the damage of ransomware and enable recovery: All critical data must be backed up, and these backups must be sufficiently protected/kept out of reach of ransomware. Multiple backups should be created including at least one off-network backup (e.g. to tape). The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup.

Type

Step

If a computer on your network becomes infected with ransomware it will begin encrypting local machine files and files on any network the logged-in user has permission to access. For system administration accounts this may include backup storage locations.

To avoid becoming infected with Ransomware, ensure that:

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date.
All day to day computer activities such as checking email and browsing the web are performed using non- administrative accounts and that permissions are always assigned on the basis of least privilege.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps To Cyber Security.

Identifying the source of infection:

Identifying the infected machine and unplugging / disconnecting or quarantining it from the network is essential to damage limitation.

Users should immediately report infections to their IT support provider, disconnect their network cable and power the computer down.
File auditing should be enabled and file server logs should be monitored to detect signs of unauthorised encryption and allow the source of encryption to be identified (i.e. the infected PC).

To limit the damage of ransomware and enable recovery:

All critical data must be backed up, and these backups must be sufficiently protected/kept out of reach of ransomware.

Multiple backups should be created including at least one off-network backup (e.g. to tape).

The only guaranteed way to recover from a ransomware infection is to restore all affected files from their most recent backup.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 11:27 am