Bitpaymer/FriedEx

Bitpaymer or FriedEx is a variant of the Dridex ransomware which was used in campaigns against the Scottish NHS and the Mat-Su Borough in Alaska. The ransomware was installed after the successful brute force of an exposed RDP endpoint.

Exploitation

Stages

1. Attackers use brute force on an exposed RDP endpoint to gain access to the server.
2. The ransomware installs before encrypting files.

Prerequisites

The attacker must be able to inject the malicious code onto the web server through another vulnerability or exploit.

Alert Logic Coverage

Alert Logic® has evaluated its customer base for exposure to the exploit and has developed signatures for mitigating the threat depending on the security service in place.

The Network-Based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has been updated with the new signatures for this exploit when detected via Alert Logic Threat Manager™. If this signature is detected, an incident is generated in the Alert Logic console.

Recommendations for Mitigation

The attacker must have exploited some other entry vector to gain access to the local victim host. Ensure that all software on internet-facing hosts is up-to-date.