New MortalKombat ransomware targets systems in the U.S.

The attacks observed by the Talos researchers focused mainly on the United States, with some victims also in the UK, Turkey, and the Philippines.
The email contains a malicious ZIP attachment containing a BAT loader script that downloads a second archive from a remote resource. This archive contains one of the two malware payloads.

The loader script will execute the downloaded payload as a process in the compromised system and then delete the downloaded files to minimize the chances of detection.
The email message carries a malicious ZIP attachment that contains a BAT loader script, that when opened, downloads a second archive from a remote resource. This archive contains one of the two malware payloads.

The loader script will execute the downloaded payload as a process in the compromised system and then delete the downloaded files to minimize chances of detection.

MortalKombat is a Xorist ransomware variant first discovered in January 2023, named after the popular fighting video game and featuring a ransom note/wallpaper that includes art from the franchise.
Talos analysts report that the particular ransomware isn’t very sophisticated as it will target system files and applications too, which are commonly avoided to prevent the system from becoming unstable.
The wallpaper acts as a ransom note, instructing the victim to use the qTOX Tor-based instant messaging app to negotiate with the cybercriminals who demand payment in Bitcoin.

The attacker also provides a ProtonMail email address if the victim has trouble registering a new account on qTOX.

Although MortalKombat does not feature wiper functionality, it corrupts system folders like the Recycle Bin so that the victims cannot retrieve files from there, disables the Windows Run command window, and removes all entries from Windows startup.
Moreover, the ransomware fiddles with the Windows registry, creating a Run registry key (“Alcmeter”) for persistence while deleting the installed application’s root registry key in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry hive.

The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive stores information about file associations, commands, and icons used for each file type, so deleting these entries means the applications can no longer function.

Sign Up For Threat Alerts

Loading...
Threats Icon

Mar 23, 2023

HiatusRAT Targets SOHO Routers

Business grade routers are being infected with the HiatusRAT Remote Access Trojan a variant of...

Threats Icon

Mar 23, 2023

HiatusRAT Targets SOHO Routers

Business grade routers are being infected with the HiatusRAT Remote Access Trojan a variant of...

Threats Icon

Mar 21, 2023

Dotrunpex – Demystifying new virtualized .net injector...

DotRunpeX is a new injector written in .NET using the Process Hollowing technique and used...

Threats Icon

Mar 21, 2023

GlobeImposter Ransomware With MedusaLocker Spreading Via RDP

A GlobeImposter ransomware campaign was discovered being carried out by the attackers behind MedusaLocker. The...

Threats Icon

Mar 20, 2023

Common credential stealers

FortiGuard Threat Research has observed an increasing threat arising from credential stealers. The most common...

Threats Icon

Mar 20, 2023

Sirattacker And ALC Ransomware Analysis

The Sirattacker and ALC ransomware families continue to gain traction and compromise Microsoft Windows devices....

Threats Icon

Mar 19, 2023

Google Advertising Used To Distribute RedLine Stealer

A malvertising campaign was discovered mimicking websites belonging to well-known software such as Notepad++ and...

Threats Icon

Mar 16, 2023

Microsoft Outlook Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability Exploit

Microsoft has posted a security vulnerability CVE-2023-23397, exploiting it allows attackers to gain elevated privileges...

Threats Icon

Mar 16, 2023

ImBetter Information Stealer Targets Cryptocurrency Users

Threat actors are targeting cryptocurrency users with the ImBetter information stealer malware. Adversaries are hosting...

Threats Icon

Mar 16, 2023

ImBetter Information Stealer Targets Cryptocurrency Users

Threat actors are targeting cryptocurrency users with the ImBetter information stealer malware. Adversaries are hosting...

Threats Icon

Mar 15, 2023

US Cert Alert – Threat Actors Exploit...

CISA and authoring organizations assess that, beginning as late as November 2022, threat actors successfully...

Threats Icon

Mar 15, 2023

Threat Actors Use ParallaxRAT For Targeting Cryptocurrency...

Threat actors are targeting organization in the cryptocurrency sector with spam and phishing campaigns that...

Threats Icon

Mar 13, 2023

Exposing The Lazarus Arsenal WinorDLL64 Backdoor

In 2021 the researchers discovered and dissected a tool from the Lazarus APTs arsenal named...

Threats Icon

Mar 12, 2023

Clasiopa New Group Targets Materials Research

A campaign targeting the materials research sector with custom and commodity utilities and malware is...

Threats Icon

Mar 09, 2023

New Emotet campaign

Emotet is a type of malware that is designed to steal sensitive information from infected...