Cerber is a family of ransomware, a type of malicious software, that once installed on a victim’s computer, encrypts their files, making them inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom payment in return for the decryption key.
History of Cerber Ransomware
Cerber was first observed in the wild in March 2016, as a service sold on Russian underground forums. It quickly gained notoriety due to its ‘Ransomware as a Service’ (RaaS) model, which enables even technically inexperienced criminals to launch ransomware attacks.
Understanding Cerber Ransomware
Cerber operates by infiltrating a computer system, typically through a malicious email attachment, web download, or exploit kit. Upon execution, Cerber scans the system for data files and begins the encryption process, using strong AES-256 encryption. The files are renamed, and the ‘.cerber’ or ‘.cerber2’ extension is added to each encrypted file.
Once the encryption is complete, the ransomware drops a ransom note, often named ‘# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt’ or ‘.html’, which informs the victim about the encryption and demands a ransom payment, typically in Bitcoin, for the decryption key.
Cerber Ransomware: An Inside Look
Cerber employs a number of technical strategies to evade detection, maximize infection, and thwart analysis. These include:
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Anti-Analysis Techniques: Cerber employs several techniques to thwart forensic analysis, such as code obfuscation and packing. It can detect if it’s running in a sandbox or virtual machine and terminate itself to avoid detection.
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Persistence Mechanisms: To ensure it remains on the infected system, Cerber establishes persistence by creating registry keys, scheduled tasks, or using startup folders.
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Network Communication: Post-infection, Cerber communicates with its command and control (C&C) servers, often using a Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA) to generate new, hard-to-block domain names for these servers.
Key Features of Cerber Ransomware
Here are some distinguishing features of Cerber ransomware:
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Voice Alert: Cerber is known for its unusual feature of using a text-to-speech engine to inform victims that their files have been encrypted.
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RaaS Model: Cerber gained popularity because of its RaaS model, where the malware creators rent the ransomware to other criminals for a share of the profits.
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Resilience: Its use of a DGA for C&C communication and frequent updates make it resilient to countermeasures.
Variants of Cerber Ransomware
Cerber has evolved over time, with several variants identified. Here are a few key ones:
| Variant | Notable Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Cerber v1 | Initial version, ransom note named ‘# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt’ or ‘.html’ |
| Cerber v2 | Introduced anti-AV techniques, fixed bugs |
| Cerber v3 | Minor modifications, similar to v2 |
| Cerber v4 | Introduced random 4 character extension to encrypted files |
| Cerber v5 | Enhanced speed of encryption, targeting of larger enterprise networks |
| Cerber v6 | Introduced anti-analysis technique to bypass machine learning detection |
Implication and Mitigation of Cerber Ransomware
The impact of Cerber can be severe, including financial losses from paying the ransom and business disruption. It’s important to regularly back up important files, maintain updated antivirus software, and educate employees about the risks of phishing emails and suspicious downloads.
In case of infection, it’s generally advised not to pay the ransom as this does not guarantee the files’ recovery and encourages further criminal activity.
Comparisons with Similar Ransomware
Here’s a comparison of Cerber with other similar ransomware:
| Ransomware | Payment Method | Encryption Algorithm | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerber | Bitcoin | AES-256 | RaaS, Voice Alert |
| Locky | Bitcoin | RSA-2048 | Variable ransom amount |
| CryptoLocker | Bitcoin | RSA-2048 | First widespread ransomware |
| WannaCry | Bitcoin | AES-256, RSA-2048 | Exploited MS17-010 vulnerability |
The Future of Ransomware
Ransomware like Cerber is expected to become more sophisticated, leveraging advanced evasion and persistence techniques. The adoption of machine learning and AI by both cybersecurity defenders and attackers is likely to shape the future landscape.
Proxy Servers and Cerber Ransomware
Proxy servers can indirectly play a role in ransomware attacks. Attackers may use proxy servers to hide their real IP addresses, making their activities harder to trace. However, proxy servers can also be part of the defense. Organizations can use proxies to inspect inbound traffic for signs of ransomware and block malicious content.
