What Is Redeemer Ransomware and How Does It Spread: A Technical Analysis

Author: Mehardeep Singh Sawhney
Editor: Benila Susan Jacob

Research indicates that a Ransomware attack occurs every 11 seconds roughly translating to an approximate 3 million attacks throughout the year. Ransomware attacks are no longer reserved events. Companies are at a constant threat to their revenue, data, brand, image, and subsequent shutdown of the business.

Redeemer ransomware was initially identified in June 2021, and since then, four public versions (1.0, 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0) have been released. This article contains the technical analysis of the Redeemer ransomware and its various features.

Evolution of the Redeemer Ransomware 2.0

The threat actor, Cerebrate operating on a cybercrime forum named Dread has been actively promoting the Redeemer ransomware. They have recently started operating on the Breached forum and have released its latest version (version 2.0) on the same.

Redeemer has gone through four version changes since September 2021. The latest version includes improved graphical features such as a GUI builder interface, an icon change for encrypted files, a detailed instructions list, etc. The threat actor also claims to have added support for Windows 11 along with few cryptographic changes to the latest version. The image below describes the features added with each version release of the Redeemer ransomware.

Modus Operandi

	Using the builder executable, the attacker creates a ransomware executable.
	The attacker specifies an RSA private key file, email address for contact, XMR amount and the option to disable ‘melt’, if a crypter is being used to encrypt the ransomware. Enabling ‘melt’ will make the ransomware executable delete itself and relocate to a random directory on the system, and execute from there in a hidden state.
	Using the Generate Key Pair option, an RSA private key is generated which is sent to the Malware author (Cerebrate) along with the encrypted public key generated by the ransomware executable. The public key is received from the victim.
	The Malware author (Cerebrate) will share the master key only upon having received 20% of the collected ransom amount. Thus, the victim can only decrypt their files once 20% of the ransom payment has been made by the affiliate attacker.

Related Read Technical Analysis of Emerging, Sophisticated Pandora Ransomware Group

Details of the Ransomware

This Ransomware is written in C++ and comes with a builder and decrypter executable.
It uses the following encryption algorithms:
- AES256 is used to encrypt the files on the victim’s computer
- RSA is used to encrypt the key
The ransomware clones itself with the name of a system executable file (eg. conhost.exe), and creates a hidden folder for itself in the Windows directory.
It terminates all the running processes and executables which may pose a threat to the encryption routine.
It deletes all shadow copies of files and clears all event as well as application logs using wevtutil, vssadmin, and wbadmin.
It uses multithreading in order to enumerate the filesystem and encrypt files. It creates 35 different threads that point to the same encryption routine.
It also modifies the Winlogon registry value and sets it to display the ransom note. Thus, when a user logs into the machine, the ransom note is displayed.

Technical Analysis

Ransomware Signature

The signature of this executable shows us that it is written in C++. When conducting the string analysis, multiple Base64 encoded strings were observed, some of which get decoded to the public key used for encryption, and powershell commands. Upon decoding one of these strings, the following translation was obtained: ‘Redeemer Ransomware – Your Data Is Encrypted’.

Signature of the executable file indicating that it is written in C++

Stage I – Pre-Encryption Operations

Mutex Creation

Upon execution, Redeemer first hides its console window by using a call to the ShowWindow Windows API. It then creates a Mutex, called the RedeemerMutex, in order to make sure that multiple instances of the ransomware are not running on the same system.

Code for hiding the process window and creation of the Mutex

String Encoding

An RSA public key, ransom amount, and contact email ID are then loaded as Base64 values into memory and decoded for further usage. This Ransomware heavily uses Base64 for string encoding purposes.

Code for loading and decoding Base64 values, and storing them for later use

Stage II – Preparing for Encryption

The second stage of the ransomware is dictated by the transfer of control to a specific logic section that is controlled by the argument count value. This is done by moving itself under a different name to a world writable directory as shown in the image below.

The list of random executable and directory names

A new instance is spawned that does the encryption. The name of the newly spawned process will be randomly chosen from the list shown in the image above. The entire process breakdown is covered in the following section:

The ransomware randomly chooses the directory and executable names by using the logic shown below. It also sets the directory attributes to hidden using the SetFileAttributes Windows API. In this case, the directory selected is C:\Windows\SQL and the executable name is taskmgr.exe.

Logic for determining the file and folder name combination

Now, the ransomware executes its copy using the ShellExecuteW Windows API, while taking the path to the old exe as an argument. This is done in order to delete its old copy and continue running as an imposter system executable, which will commence the encryption.

Executing the new executable while accepting the old one as an argument

The routine for directory enumeration and encryption will begin only after the above argument condition is met. A check is implemented for the same by counting the number of arguments passed to the executable.

Code for checking the arguments and deleting the original executable if criteria is met

The new executable then runs the Windows Event Utility (wevtutil) commands using CMD in order to clear important event logs. The vssadmin and wbadmin commands are used to delete all shadow copies, backup catalogs, and system-state backups in order to make file recovery impossible.

Commands executed to clear event logs and delete shadow copies

The ransomware terminates executables and services (including security applications) which might hinder the encryption operations. The code for this is hardcoded in the program as Base64 strings which are decoded using the taskkill and net stop commands. (Refer to the List of Executables & Services Terminated by the Ransomware)

Commands used to terminate executable and services which might hinder encryption

The ransomware also edits the Software\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Winlogon</strong> registry key, modifies the LegalNoticeCaption and LegalNoticeText values, and sets them to the ransom note. Thus, when a user logs in, the ransom note is displayed.
The ransomware also creates an exception list so that it does not encrypt the following:
- System and OS directories
- Redeemer ransomware (i.e itself)
- Ransom note
- Already encrypted files

Code highlighting the skipped extensions and files

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Encryption

Redeemer is capable of enumerating and encrypting both local files and network-attached drives.

It enumerates local drives using the following GetLogicalDrives Windows APIs:

For the local files, it uses SHGetFolderPath
For network assets, it uses WNetEnumResource.

It executes these operations using a loop with FindFirstFile and FindNextFile.

Enumeration of local and network files and folders

It should be noted that this ransomware uses multithreading for encryption, which makes it efficient in terms of CPU usage. It creates 35 different threads, each pointing to the encryption routine.

Screenshot of the threads created by Redeemer

It initializes the ransom note in Base64 and writes the decoded value to a file named Read Me.TXT. The encrypted files are saved with the .redeem extension.

Ransom Collection

When an encrypted file is clicked by the user/victim, the following message is displayed.

Screenshot of the message displayed upon opening an encrypted file

The ReadMe.TXT file containing the ransom note is displayed in the image below.

Screenshot of the ransom note (Read Me.TXT)

To decrypt their files, the victims are asked to pay the demanded ransom amount in Monero.
Once the ransom payment is verified, the victim receives a decryption tool and a key which allows them to restore their files.

Read Also Analysis and Attribution of the Eternity Ransomware: Timeline and Emergence of the Eternity Group

List of Executables & Services Terminated by the Ransomware

Executables to be terminated
1cv4.exe	infopath.exe	ocautoupds.exe	steam.exe
1cv5.exe	isqlplussvc.exe	ocomm.exe	synctime.exe
1cv6.exe	mbamtray.exe	Ocssd.exe	tbirdconfig.exe
1cv7.exe	mongod.exe	onenote.exe	thebat.exe
1cv8.exe	msaccess.exe	oracle.exe	thebat64.exe
agntsvc.exe	msftesql.exe	outlook.exe	thunderbird.exe
cntaosmgr.exe	mspub.exe	pccntmon.exe	tmlisten.exe
code.exe	mydesktopqos.exe	postgres.exe	visio.exe
dbeng50.exe	mydesktopservice.exe	powerpnt.exe	winword.exe
dbsnmp.exe	mysqld-nt.exe	sqbcoreservice.exe	wordpad.exe
devenv.exe	mysqld-opt.exe	sqlagent.exe	xfssvccon.exe
encsvc.exe	mysqld.exe	sqlbrowser.exe	zoolz.exe
excel.exe	notepad++.exe	sqlservr.exe
firefoxconfig.exe	ntrtscan.exe	sqlwriter.exe

Services to be Terminated
ARSM	EPSecurityService	MBEndpointAgent	MSSQL$TPS	MSSQLSERVER
AcrSch25vc	EPUpdateService	MSExchangesES	MSSQL$TPSAMA	MSSQLServerADHelper
AcronisAgent	ESHASRV	MSExchangeIS	MSSQLSVEEA	MSSQLServerADHelper100
AcronisVSSProvider	EhttpSrv	MsExchangeMGMT	MSQL2008R2	MSSQLServerOLAPService
Antivirus	EnterpriseClientService	MSExchangeMTA	MSQL2012	McAfeeEngineService
Backup ExecAgentAccelerator	EraserSvc11710	MSExchangeSA	MSSQLFDLauncher	McAfeeFramework
Backup ExecAgentBrowser	EsgShkernel	MSExchangeSRS	MSSQLFDLauncher$PROFXENGAGEMENT	McShield
Backup ExecDeviceMediaService	FA_Scheduler	MSOLAPSSSQL_2008	MSSQLFDLauncher$SBSMONITORING	McTaskManager
BackupExecJobEngine	IISAdmin	MSOLAPSSYSTEM_BGC	MSSQLFDLauncher$SHAREPOINT	MsDtsServer
BackupExecManagementService	IMAP4Svc	MSOLAP$TPS	MSSQLFDLauncher$SQL_2008	MsDtsServer100
BackupExecRPCService	KAVES	MSOLAP$TPSAMA	MSSQLFDLauncher$SYSTEM_BGC	MsDtsServer110
BackupExecVSSProvider	KAVFSGT	MSSQL$BKUPEXEC	MSSQLFDLauncher$TPS	MySQL57
DCAgent	MBAMService	MSSQL$BKUPEXEC	MSSQLFDLauncher$TPSAMA	MySQL80
NetMsmgActivator	SMTPSVC	SQLAgent$SQLEXPRESS	SQLWriter	SophosHealthService
OracleClientCache80	SNAC	SQLAgent$SQL_2008	SQLsafeBackupService	SophosMCSAgent
PDVFSService	SQLAgent$BKUPEXEC	SQLAgent$SYSTEM_BGC	SQLsafeFilterService	SophosMCsClient
POP3Svc	SQLAgent$CITRIX_METAFRAME	SQLAgent$TPS	SamSs	SophosMessageRouter
RESVC	SQLAgent$CXDB	SQLAgent$TPSAMA	SepMasterService	SophosSafestoreService
ReportServer R	SQLAgent$ECWDB2	SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2008R2	ShMonitorSmcService	SophosSystemProtectionService
ReportServer$SQL_2008	SQLAgentSPRACTTICEBGC	SQLAgent$VEEAMSQL2012	Smcinst	SophosWebControlService
ReportServer$SYSTEM_BGC	SQLAgentSPRACTTICEMGT	SQLBackups	SntpService	SstpSvc
ReportServer$TPS	SQLAgent$PROD	SQLBrowser	SophosAgent	SymantecSystemRecovery
ReportServer$TPSAMA	SQLAgent$PROFXENGAGEMENT	SOLSERVERAGENT	SophosAutoUpdateService	TmCCSF
SAVAdminService	SQLAgent$SBSMONITORING	SQLSafeOLRService	SophosCleanService	TrueKey
SAVService	SQLAgentSSHAREPOINT	SQLTELEMETRY	SophosDeviceControlService	TrueKeyScheduler
SDRSVC	SQLAgent$SOPHOS	SQLTELEMETRY$ECWDB2	SophosFileScannerService	TrueKeyServiceHelper
[email protected]	VeeamMountsvc	ekrn	mozyprobackup	swi_update
VeeamBackupCatalogDataService	VeeamNFSSvc	kayfsslp	msftesql$PROD	swi_update_64
VeeamBackupSvcVeeamBrokerSvc	VeeamRESTSvc	klnagent	ntrtscan	tmlisten
VeeamCatalogSvcVeeamCloudSvc	VeeamTransportSvc	macmnsvc	sacsvr	wbengine
VeeamDeploySvc	W3Svc	masvc	sophossps
VeeamDeploymentService	WRSVC	mfefire	svcGenericHost
VeeamEnterpriseManagerSvc	Zoolz2Service	mfemms	swi_filter
VeeamHvIntegrationsvc	bedbg	mfevtp	swi_service