Analysis Summary

Chaos is a customizable ransomware builder that emerged on June 9, 2021 (in underground forums) by falsely marketing itself as the .NET version of Ryuk despite sharing no such overlaps with the notorious counterpart. Since then, it has undergone active development and quick advancements, which have persuaded several attacker groups to adopt it. The most recent version, Yashma, was observed in the wild in May 2022. Yashma allows attackers to configure the ransomware so that it does not execute depending on the language chosen on the victim's device. It can also disable antivirus software, backup, storage, remote desktop, and credential vault services on victims' machines. Malware developers frequently employ this strategy to avoid infecting computers in their region, which would draw the attention of local law authorities. The Chaos ransomware generator is said to lack still some of the capabilities that are seen in many existing ransomware families.

Chaos Ransomware is a serious threat to individuals and organizations, as it can result in the loss of valuable data and disruption to normal business operations. To protect against Chaos Ransomware and other similar threats, it is recommended that individuals and organizations implement a robust cybersecurity program, including regular software updates, anti-malware protection, and employee training on the dangers of phishing and social engineering.