Prometheus Ransomware: In-Depth Analysis, Detection, and Mitigation

Summary of Prometheus Ransomware

Prometheus ransomware first emerged in February 2021. Prometheus practices double extortion – demanding payment for a decryptor, as well as for the non-release of stolen data.  Prometheus payloads are derived from the Thanos ransomware builder.  Actors behind Prometheus claim to have ties to the REvil ransomware group.

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What Does Prometheus Ransomware Target?

Prometheus ransomware targets a wide range of industries including healthcare, finance, government, education and manufacturing.

How Does Prometheus Ransomware Spread?

Prometheus is delivered in multiple ways: through Cobalt Strike or a similar framework, and through email phishing. Additionally, actors behind Prometheus campaigns have been observed gaining initial access through RDP brute-force attacks.

Prometheus Ransomware Technical Details

Prometheus is a Thanos-derived ransomware family. Payloads are based on the Thanos Builder’s output.  Prometheus hosts a TOR -based blog used for publicizing victime data. The Prometheus group is indiscriminate when it comes to targets. They have successfully targeted entities in the government, healthcare, oil and gas spaces, and more. Upon execution, Prometheus attempts to disable (taskkill) multiple services and processes which may interfere with the encryption process. This includes common security tools, backup utilities, and database applications. The malware also attempts to delete shadow copies and takes additional measures to inhibit the recovery process.  There are multiple, 3rd party, decryptor tools for Prometheus ransomware.  Prometheus threat actors have utilized the Sonar tool to facilitate data exfiltration and exchange.

How to Detect Prometheus Ransomware

  • The SentinelOne Singularity XDR Platform can identify and stop any malicious activities and items related to Prometheus ransomware.

In case you do not have SentinelOne deployed, detecting ransomware requires a combination of technical and operational measures 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.

To mitigate the risk of this Ransomware without SentinelOne deployed, it is important to take a multi-layered approach, which includes the following steps:

  1. Use anti-malware software or other security tools 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.
  2. Monitor network traffic and look for indicators of compromise, such as unusual network traffic patterns or communication with known command-and-control servers.
  3. Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify network and system vulnerabilities and ensure that all security controls are in place and functioning properly.
  4. Educate and train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including identifying and reporting suspicious emails or other threats.
  5. 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 Prometheus Ransomware

  • 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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Prometheus Ransomware FAQs

What is Prometheus Ransomware?

Prometheus is one of the newest players in the ransomware world. Its payloads are derived from the Thanos ransomware builder, and the perpetrators behind this ransomware strain claim to have direct ties to the REvil ransomware group.

When was Prometheus Ransomware first discovered?

Prometheus Ransomware was first discovered in February 2021. It emerged as a double extortion tactic and demanded payment for the decryption and non-release of stolen data.

Can Prometheus Ransomware spread laterally across a network?

Yes. If one computer in a network gets infected, Prometheus Ransomware can spread to other connected devices. It uses weak security settings, shared folders, or old software, quickly turning a minor attack into a massive problem. You can slow the spread by limiting file-sharing permissions, using strong login credentials, and watching for unusual activity on your network that might signal an infection.

What security best practices help prevent Prometheus Ransomware infections?

You can stay ahead of ransomware like Prometheus by regularly updating your system since hackers love attacking outdated software. Be careful with emails from unknown senders—avoid clicking links or downloading files unless you’re sure they’re safe. Turn on multi-step logins to protect important accounts. Running regular backups on external drives also helps, so you won’t lose your most valuable files even if ransomware hits.

Can endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions stop Prometheus Ransomware?

Yes. EDR tools track unusual activity on your devices and can stop Prometheus Ransomware before it locks your files. They check for strange patterns, like rapid file encryption, and shut down threats before they spread. You can improve security by pairing EDR with good habits—like keeping backups offline and teaching employees or family members to spot phishing emails so they don’t accidentally invite ransomware.

How does Prometheus Ransomware spread?

Prometheus will encrypt your data and render files inaccessible or unusable. The group will demand ransoms to be paid for decrypting your data. Some text files will be dropped into your compromised folders.

What encryption methods does Prometheus Ransomware use?

The affected file names are usually appended with an extension containing an ID assigned to the victim. For example, a file named 2.jpg would be renamed 2.jpg.[Lzj-jqp-ytnm]. Prometheus will create ransom notes and display them as a pop-up window. Victims are told to buy the decryption keys and tools from cybercriminals to restore their data.

If they don’t cooperate, the stolen data is leaked to the public or sold to the victim’s competitors. Victims must establish direct contact with the Prometheus ransomware group via chat accessible only through the TOR web browser. Prometheus files are encrypted and stored using the AES cryptographic algorithm.

How can I protect my organization from Prometheus Ransomware?

SentinelOne Singularity XDR Platform can identify and stop malicious activities and items related to Prometheus ransomware. You can use public decryption tools, use strong passwords, and implement multi-factor authentication. Companies should regularly patch and update their systems to fight against Prometheus ransomware. You must educate your employees, train them to follow the best cybersecurity practices and create robust data recovery plans and backups.