Rewterz Threat Alert – Phobos Ransomware – Active IOCs

Severity

High

Analysis Summary

Phobos Ransomware is based on the Dharma (aka CrySIS) malware that first appeared at the beginning of 2019. It spreads into several systems via compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. This malware does not use any UAC bypass methods. Unlike other cybercrime gangs that go after big hunts, Phobos creators go after smaller firms that don’t have sufficient funding to pay massive ransoms. This ransomware usually targets healthcare providers, with victims in the United States, Seychelles, Portugal, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany, Romania, and Japan. Its perpetrators demand a little ransom payment, which appeals to victims and enhances the chances of payment. The average Phobos ransom payment in July 2022 was $36,932

Phobos encrypts data & files and keeps them locked until a ransom is paid. All encrypted files are renamed with the “.phobos” extension, as well as the victim’s unique ID and email address.

ransom note

Impact

• File Encryption
• Data Exfiltration

Indicators of Compromise

MD5

• b2f083ee365141030c49ddffc325f6be

SHA-256

• 231bba5652f6fbdbab3016362fb7925fc4e4489fff5e6a4a98c37fba5bd0cfe9

SHA-1

• f1091be7e566d068403a87b0e7ed4b959c952c8e

Remediation

• Block all threat indicators at your respective controls.
• Search for IOCs in your environment.
• Maintain cyber hygiene by updating your anti-virus software and implementing patch management lifecycle.
• Maintain Offline Backups – In a ransomware attack, the adversary will often delete or encrypt backups if they have access to them. That’s why it’s important to keep offline (preferably off-site), encrypted backups of data and test them regularly.
• Emails from unknown senders should always be treated with caution.
• Never trust or open ” links and attachments received from unknown sources/senders.