Chaos is a customizable ransomware builder that emerged in underground forums, by falsely marketing itself as the .NET version of Ryuk despite sharing no such overlaps with the notorious counterpart.
The fact that it’s offered for sale also means that any malicious actor can purchase the builder and develop their own ransomware strains, turning it into a potent threat.
It has since undergone five successive iterations aimed at improving its functionalities: version 2.0, version 3.0, version 4.0, and version 5.0.
While the first three variants of Chaos functioned more like a destructive trojan than traditional ransomware, Chaos 4.0 added further refinements so as to increase the upper limit of files that can be encrypted to 2.1MB.
Version 4.0 has also been actively weaponized by a ransomware collective known as Onyx by making use of an updated ransom note and a refined list of file extensions that can be targeted.
Yashma is the latest version to join this list, featuring two new improvements, including the ability to stop execution based on a victim’s location and terminate various processes associated with antivirus and backup software.
The development comes as a Chaos ransomware variant has been spotted siding with Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, with the post-encryption activity leading to an alert containing a link that directs to a website with pro-Russian messages.
Sign Up For Threat Alerts
Apr 24, 2023
Lazarus Group Adds Linux Malware to Arsenal...
Researchers have discovered a new campaign conducted by Lazarus, known as "Operation DreamJob," which targets...
Apr 23, 2023
Additional IOCs for 3cx breach
Recently an unexpected malicious activity emanating from a legitimate, signed binary, 3CXDesktopApp was observed.
Apr 23, 2023
Ex-Conti and FIN7 Actors Collaborate with New...
IBM Security X-Force recently discovered a new malware family Analysts have called "Domino," which Analysts...
Apr 20, 2023
AuKill EDR killer malware abuses Process Explorer...
The AuKill tool abuses an outdated version of the driver used by version 16.32 of...
Apr 20, 2023
Fake Chrome updates spread malware
A campaign running since the end of last year is using hacked sites to push...
Apr 20, 2023
QBot using new attack vector in its...
QBot, also known as QakBot, previously operated as a banking trojan and has since transformed...
Apr 20, 2023
CrossLock Ransomware Emerges: New Golang – Based...
The CrossLock ransomware employs the double extortion technique to increase the likelihood of payment from...
Apr 20, 2023
Windows Zero-Day Vulnerability CVE-2023-28252 Exploited by Nokoyawa...
A zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows system, which also affects Windows 11, has been...
Apr 18, 2023
Additional IOcs for 3cx breach
Recently an unexpected malicious activity emanating from a legitimate, signed binary, 3CXDesktopApp was observed. As...
Apr 18, 2023
Additional IOcs for 3cx breach
Recently an unexpected malicious activity emanating from a legitimate, signed binary, 3CXDesktopApp was observed. As...
Apr 18, 2023
APT36 Expands Interest Within Indian Education Sector
Symantec described UPS in 2016 report as Buckeye (also known as APT3 Gothic Panda UPS...
Apr 17, 2023
ChinaZ DDoS Bot Malware Distributed To Linux...
The ChinaZ DDoS bot malware was discovered targeting Linux systems while a version for Microsoft...
Apr 16, 2023
Resurgence Of The Mexals Cryptojacking Campaign
The Mexals crypto jacking campaign has been in operation since at least 2021 and continues...
Apr 13, 2023
Money Message Ransomware Targets Windows And Linux...
The Money Message ransomware targets both the Windows and Linux operating systems and exfiltrates sensitive...
Apr 10, 2023
Mantis Uses New Tooling In Attacks Against...
The Mantis cyber-espionage group also known as Desert Falcon targeted entities within the Palestinian territories...