NetWalker Ransomware: In-Depth Analysis, Detection, Mitigation, and Removal
Summary of NetWalker Ransomware
NetWalker ransomware, also known as Mailto, was first seen in mid-2019. It started out as a private service, but eventually switched to a Ransomware-as-a-Service model, which made it more accessible. During the pandemic, NetWalker was especially known for targeting medical and healthcare facilities. It also uses double extortion tactics, asking for payment for a decryptor as well as a promise not to release any stolen data.
What Does NetWalker Ransomware Target?
NetWalker ransomware has impacted a wide range of victims, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges, and universities. The healthcare sector has been particularly targeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the attackers taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.
How Does NetWalker Ransomware Spread?
NetWalker is delivered in multiple ways: through Cobalt Strike or a similar framework, and through email phishing. Additionally, NetWalker has been observed exploiting known vulnerabilities including CVE-2019-19781 (Citrix Application Delivery), and CVE-2019-11510 (Pulse Secure / Pulse Connect) and CVE-2019-18935.
NetWalker Ransomware Technical Details
Initial delivery is via email with malicious attachments or links to malicious payloads hosted on remote servers. The actors behind NetWalker have also been known to make use of fileless delivery and execution methods, including reflective DLL injection. With the shift to a RaaS platform, there is greater emphasis on targeting environments which are already compromised or easily accessible.
Throughout the various iterations, NetWalker variants all appear to extract necessary runtime data from an embedded configuration file. Target-specific data, including ransom note text, exclusion paths, included extensions, process kill list, and more are included in the embedded, and encoded configuration data. The actors behind NetWalker use sophisticated techniques to make it harder to detect and analyze. This includes process hollowing, a method of injecting the malware into a legitimate process such as explorer.exe and replacing the original executable. This means the infection is hiding within a legitimate process and is thus harder to spot.
The exact encryption recipe can vary across variants. Specific extensions are determined in the embedded configuration file and NetWalker will attempt to encrypt files with these extensions across local drives, accessible network shares, and ‘hidden’ shares such as Admin$.
The NetWalker configuration file also contains a base64-encoded copy of the ransom note. Quite often this includes the targeted company name and other related data. The encoded string is assigned in the ‘lend’ value of the configuration file.
Naming and persistence are also dictated via the configuration file. The random file name is pulled from the ‘namesz’ value in the configuration file. The executable will typically be dropped in Program Files (x86)randomnamerandomname.exe or Program Filesrandomnamerandomname.exe depending on architecture.
NetWalker also attempts to inhibit system recovery via deletion of Volume Shadow Copies.
How to Detect NetWalker Ransomware
- The SentinelOne Singularity XDR Platform can identify and stop any malicious activities and items related to NetWalker
In case you do not have SentinelOne deployed, detecting this ransomware requires a combination of technical and operational measures, which are designed to identify and flag suspicious activity on the network. This allows the organization to take appropriate action, and to prevent or mitigate the impact of the ransomware attack.
- Use antimalware software, or other security tools, which are capable of detecting and blocking known ransomware variants. These tools may use signatures, heuristics, or machine learning algorithms, to identify and block suspicious files or activities.
- Monitor network traffic, and look for indicators of compromise, such as unusual network traffic patterns, or communication with known command-and-control servers.
- Conduct regular security audits and assessments, to identify vulnerabilities in the network and the system, and to ensure that all security controls are in place and functioning properly.
- Educate and train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including how to identify and report suspicious emails, or other threats.
- Implement a robust backup and recovery plan, to ensure that the organization has a copy of its data, and can restore it in case of an attack.
How to Mitigate NetWalker
- The SentinelOne Singularity XDR Platform can return systems to their original state using either the Repair or Rollback feature.
In case you do not have SentinelOne deployed, there are several steps that organizations can take to mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks:
- Educate employees: Employees should be educated on the risks of ransomware, and on how to identify and avoid phishing emails, malicious attachments, and other threats. They should be encouraged to report suspicious emails or attachments, and to avoid opening them, or clicking on links or buttons in them.
- Implement strong passwords: Organizations should implement strong, unique passwords for all user accounts, and should regularly update and rotate these passwords. Passwords should be at least 8 characters long, and should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Organizations should enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts, to provide an additional layer of security. This can be done through the use of mobile apps, such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, or through the use of physical tokens or smart cards.
- Update and patch systems: Organizations should regularly update and patch their systems, to fix any known vulnerabilities, and to prevent attackers from exploiting them. This includes updating the operating system, applications, and firmware on all devices, as well as disabling any unnecessary or unused services or protocols.
Implement backup and disaster recovery: Organizations should implement regular backup and disaster recovery (BDR) processes, to ensure that they can recover from ransomware attacks, or other disasters. This includes creating regular backups of all data and systems, and storing these backups in a secure, offsite location. The backups should be tested regularly, to ensure that they are working, and that they can be restored quickly and easily.
Netwalker Ransomware FAQs
What is NetWalker Ransomware?
NetWalker is a type of ransomware that locks up important files and demands payment to unlock them. It spreads through phishing emails or by taking advantage of weak security settings. Hackers behind it often go after big companies and government offices. You can protect yourself by avoiding suspicious email attachments, keeping software updated, and making backups of important files in case of an attack.
When was NetWalker Ransomware first discovered?
NetWalker first appeared in 2019 and quickly became a serious threat by 2020. It was originally called Mailto and evolved into a stronger and more organized ransomware operation. Security teams noticed that it targeted companies, schools, and hospitals. You can stay ahead of threats like NetWalker by following cybersecurity updates and making sure your computer has the latest security patches.
What types of files does NetWalker encrypt?
NetWalker can lock almost any file, including documents, spreadsheets, databases, and backup files. Once encrypted, these files are useless unless you pay for the decryption key. Businesses that rely on data for daily operations often feel pressured to pay. You can protect your files by backing them up regularly and storing copies offline, where ransomware can’t reach them.
Does NetWalker steal data before encryption?
Yes, NetWalker not only locks files but also steals them. Hackers threaten to release stolen data if the victim refuses to pay. This makes attacks more dangerous, especially for companies that handle sensitive information. You can reduce this risk by encrypting your own data, monitoring for unusual file activity, and restricting access to important information so only trusted employees can reach it.
Which industries are most targeted by NetWalker Ransomware?
NetWalker mainly goes after large organizations, including healthcare, education, government agencies, and big businesses. These groups often store valuable data and can’t afford long shutdowns, making them more likely to pay ransoms. You can protect your industry by applying security patches, training employees to recognize scams, and setting up strong defenses to block ransomware before it spreads.
What encryption algorithm does NetWalker Ransomware use?
NetWalker uses a strong encryption algorithm, likely AES and RSA, to make files unreadable without a special key. Once the files are locked, it’s nearly impossible to recover them without paying the ransom. Cybersecurity researchers look for weaknesses in these encryption methods, but so far, there’s no easy way to break them. You can prepare for this by backing up important files and keeping security software updated.
What security best practices help prevent a NetWalker Ransomware infection?
To avoid a NetWalker attack, you can use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and train employees to spot phishing emails. Keeping software up to date is also key, since hackers often exploit outdated programs. Backing up important files in a secure, offline location ensures that if ransomware locks your system, you still have access to your data without paying a ransom.