HPE iLO4 Ransomware Attacks

A new ransomware tool has been observed targeting HPE's (Hewlett Packard Enterprises) Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) embedded server administration software.

Threat ID:: CC-2314
Category:
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:
Published:: 27 April 2018 12:00 AM

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Summary

A new ransomware tool has been observed targeting HPE's (Hewlett Packard Enterprises) Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) embedded server administration software.

Threat details

iLO is a proprietary out-of-band remote management processor, integrated into certain HPE servers, that administrators connect to through a website or mobile application. It can be used to retrieve server logs and information, reboot servers or gain access to the installed shell.

The attackers behind the campaign are actively searching for servers with publicly reachable iLO ports. They will then attempt to gain access using either brute-force attacks or default credentials. Once they have access to the server they install an ISO file using the virtual media manager before rebooting the device. An application on the ISO file then encrypts all available files and enables the Login Security Banner feature to display the ransom note.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	If your organisation does not use iLO services then it should be deactivated on your systems. If iLO is used, then: Ensure iLO, and any other remote administration tools, are only accessible via secure virtual private network (VPN) connection. Ensure strong authentication policies such as complex passwords, two-factor authentication and token-based authentication are implemented to harden against brute-force attacks. Ensure alerting services are properly configured and are actively monitoring iLO. If a device 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, anti-virus and other security products are kept up to date. All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet 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 affected device and 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 device). 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 your organisation does not use iLO services then it should be deactivated on your systems.

If iLO is used, then:

Ensure iLO, and any other remote administration tools, are only accessible via secure virtual private network (VPN) connection.
Ensure strong authentication policies such as complex passwords, two-factor authentication and token-based authentication are implemented to harden against brute-force attacks.
Ensure alerting services are properly configured and are actively monitoring iLO.

If a device 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, anti-virus and other security products are kept up to date.
All day-to-day computer activities such as email and internet 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 affected device and 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 device).

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 12:45 pm