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Alert - Ransomware - Petya

Number: AL17-008
Date: 27 June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this alert is to bring attention to, and to provide guidance and mitigation advice for a large scale ransomware RansomwareA type of malware that denies a user's access to a system or data until a sum of money is paid. campaign.

Assessment

CCIRC has become aware of a large ransomware campaign affecting multiple organizations worldwide.  While complete details of the campaign are being analyzed, CCIRC is working with domestic and international partners to gain accurate awareness and knowledge of the campaign’s impact to provide the best detection DetectionThe monitoring and analyzing of system events in order to identify unauthorized attempts to access system resources. and mitigation information possible.

This campaign appears to be distributing a variant of Petya ransomware.  The initial infection vector remains unknown at this time.  However, exploitation of the SMBv1 vulnerability VulnerabilityA flaw or weakness in the design or implementation of an information system or its environment that could be exploited to adversely affect an organization's assets or operations. described and patched in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010 (links provided below) has been noted.

Ransomware can have an overwhelming effect on a network, whether it’s a home user, businesses, critical infrastructure Critical infrastructureProcesses, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets, and services essential to the health, safety, security, or economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of government. Critical infrastructure can be stand-alone or interconnected and interdependent within and across provinces, territories, and national borders. Disruptions of critical infrastructure could result in catastrophic loss of life, adverse economic effects, and significant harm to public confidence. or governments.  Not only can it lead to loss of sensitive or proprietary information, but the disruption to regular operations, the financial loss and the potential harm to an organization’s reputation can be devastating.

CCIRC strongly discourages paying the ransom as it does not guarantee that your data will be decrypted and may encourage further criminal activity. In addition, decrypting files does not mean the malware MalwareMalicious software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system, without the owner's consent. Common forms of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and adware. infection itself has been removed.

Suggested Action

CCIRC recommends that organizations review the following mitigation information and consider their implementation in the context of their network environment.

  • Microsoft released patches in Support Bulletin MS17-010 to address the SMBv1 vulnerability dated March 14, 2017, with more details available in CCIRC Advisory AV17-068.
  • Microsoft released for certain  legacy/unsupported Windows versions, with more details available here: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks
  • Consider disabling SMBv1 and/or block SMBv1 ports on network devices [UDP 137, 138 and TCP 139, 445].  Developer guidance available here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2696547
  • Minimize the number of users with administrative privileges and revalidate frequently the requirement for users to have a privileged account.
  • Consider enabling UAC (User Account Control) on Windows hosts throughout your network.
  • Execute daily backups of all critical systems, maintain offline and offsite copies of backup media and periodically execute a practice data restoration from backups, including key databases to ensure integrity of existing backups and processes.
  • Ensure antivirus and gateway protections are up to date.
  • Scan all incoming and outgoing e-mails to detect threats and prevent executable files from reaching the end users.
  • Don’t open links or attachments in emails from untrusted or unknown sources. Inspect the sender address carefully as the address text may differ from the real address.
  • CCIRC recommends that organizations ensure users receive current situational awareness and training, including instructions on how to report unusual or suspicious emails to their IT Security Branch. Reviewing departmental policies, requirements and security education and awareness training can help reduce this threat.

References

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