Self Assessment

Vgod RANSOMWARE

Published On : 2025-02-17
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Vgod RANSOMWARE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CYFIRMA Research and Advisory Team has found Vgod Ransomware while monitoring various underground forums as part of our Threat Discovery Process.

The ransomware specifically targets Windows systems using advanced encryption techniques, appending a unique file extension to encrypted files. It employs sophisticated evasion and persistence mechanisms, making detection and removal challenging. This threat highlights the critical need for proactive cybersecurity measures and a robust incident response strategy to safeguard data integrity and prevent potential breaches.

Target Technologies: Windows
Encrypted file extension: .Vgod
Observed First: 2025-02-05
Observed First By: CYFIRMA
Threat actor Communication mode: Mail

Vgod RANSOMWARE

Researchers at CYFIRMA have recently observed a ransomware strain identified as Vgod.

The ransomware once entered into the victim’s system encrypts files on a victim’s system, appending the “.Vgod” extension to the original filenames. It leaves behind a ransom note titled “Decryption Instructions.txt,” containing instructions for file recovery. The ransomware is also seen changing the desktop wallpaper.

Screenshot of files encrypted by Vgod Ransomware

Once the ransomware encrypts the file it changes the wallpaper as below.

Below is the ransom note Decryption Instructions.txt

The ransom note explicitly states that files have been encrypted and sensitive data exfiltrated to the attacker’s storage, indicating a double extortion model. It also suggests that the ransomware targets both individuals and organizations, threatening data exposure and financial extortion.

MITRE ATTACK TECHNIQUES
Tactic ID Technique/ Sub Technique
Execution T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell
Execution T1106 Native API
Execution T1129 Shared Modules
Persistence T1542.003 Pre-OS Boot: Bootkit
Persistence T1574.002 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Side-Loading
Privilege Escalation T1055 Process Injection
Privilege Escalation T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Privilege Escalation T1574.002 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Side-Loading
Defense Evasion T1014 Rootkit
Defense Evasion T1027.002 Obfuscated Files or Information: Software Packing
Defense Evasion T1036 Masquerading
Defense Evasion T1055 Process Injection
Defense Evasion T1112 Modify Registry
Defense Evasion T1497.001 Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks
Defense Evasion T1542.003 Pre-OS Boot: Bootkit
Defense Evasion T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Defense Evasion T1564.001 Hide Artifacts: Hidden Files and Directories
Defense Evasion T1574.002 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Side-Loading
Credential Access T1003 OS Credential Dumping
Credential Access T1552.001 Unsecured Credentials: Credentials In Files
Discovery T1010 Application Window Discovery
Discovery T1018 Remote System Discovery
Discovery T1057 Process Discovery
Discovery T1082 System Information Discovery
Discovery T1083 File and Directory Discovery
Discovery T1497.001 Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion: System Checks
Discovery T1518.001 Software Discovery: Security Software Discovery
Collection T1005 Data from Local System
Collection T1074 Data Staged
Collection T1114 Email Collection
Collection T1560 Archive Collected Data
Command and Control T1071 Application Layer Protocol
Command and Control T1095 Non-Application Layer Protocol
Command and Control T1573 Encrypted Channel
Impact T1486 Data Encrypted for Impact
Impact T1496 Resource Hijacking

Indicators of Compromise
Kindly refer to the IOCs section to exercise controls on your security systems.

SHA 256 Remark
241c3b02a8e7d5a2b9c99574c28200df2a0f8c8bd7ba4d262e6aa8ed1211ba1f Block

RECOMMENDATIONS

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATION

  • Implement competent security protocols and encryption, authentication, or access credentials configurations to access critical systems in your cloud and local environments.
  • Ensure that backups of critical systems are maintained which can be used to restore data in case a need arises.

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION

  • A data breach prevention plan must be developed considering (a) the type of data being managed by the company; (b) the remediation process; (c) where and how the data is stored; (d) if there is an obligation to notify the local authority.
  • Enable zero-trust architecture and multifactor authentication (MFA) to mitigate the compromise of credentials.
  • Foster a culture of cybersecurity, where you encourage and invest in employee training so that security is an integral part of your organization.

TACTICAL RECOMMENDATION

  • Update all applications/software regularly with the latest versions and security patches alike.
  • Build and undertake safeguarding measures by monitoring/ blocking the IOCs and strengthening defence based on the tactical intelligence provided.