Mallox Ransomware Attacking Linux Servers In Wild

Linux servers often provide hosting for critical applications, websites, and databases, which makes them a lucrative target for intruders to get unauthorized access to steal data and manipulate services.

Exploiting security holes in Linux servers can enable attackers to take control over large-scale infrastructures. Due to its popularity and wide usage in enterprise environments, Linux is very appealing to malicious actors.

Cybersecurity researchers at Uptycs recently discovered that Mallox ransomware has been actively attacking Linux servers in the wild.

Mallox Ransomware Attacking Linux Servers

The Mallox ransomware has been around since 2021, and now, it has moved to Linux systems using custom Python scripts.

The discovery of a new Flask-based web panel makes it easy for its users to develop and maintain Linux ransomware builds.

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This indicates that the creators of Mallox may have changed their tactics and can now offer RaaS services in different regions.

The Mallox ransomware encryptor uses base64 encoding and AES-256-CBC encryption for its configuration. The decrypted config reveals the following things:-

• Ransom details
• Target information
• Encryption parameters 

The ransomware employs the same AES-256-CBC method to encrypt victim files, appending a .lmallox extension and dropping a ransom note named “READ_THIS_NOW.txt.”

Mallox ransomware provides decryptors for each encryptor built on their server. Uptycs has collected seven such decryptors corresponding to specific build IDs. 

The researchers also offered detection capabilities using YARA rules to identify Mallox campaign activity. Researchers can hunt for Mallox servers using specific queries on FOFA or Censys search engines.

Yara Detection

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