Windows EFS Feature May Help Ransomware Attackers

Discussion in 'malware problems & news' started by guest, Jan 21, 2020.

  1. guest

    guest Guest

    Signature-based software may not be enough to protect Microsoft’s Windows EFS against evolving ransomware families
    Windows EFS Feature May Help Ransomware Attackers
    January 21, 2020
    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/windows-efs-feature-may-help-ransomware-attackers/
    SafeBreach: EFS Ransomware
     
  2. guest

    guest Guest

    Antivirus vendors push fixes for EFS ransomware attack method
    January 21, 2020
    https://www.zdnet.com/article/antivirus-vendors-scramble-to-fix-new-efs-ransomware-attack/
     
  3. Sampei Nihira

    Sampei Nihira Registered Member

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    The service EFS is also present in my W.10 Home.
    Stopped - manually.
    It can also be started from SUA.
    I have disabled the service.
     
  4. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    If you are using a password manager or such like app, this will surely bust it.
     
  5. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    Per the zdnet.com article, this Microsoft "tidbit" in regards to WD:
     
  6. Sampei Nihira

    Sampei Nihira Registered Member

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    Hi itman:thumb:
    , read this much more accurate article:

    https://safebreach.com/Post/EFS-Ransomware



    Yet in my W.10 Home the EFS service is present.

    Stopped - Manual
    When I tried to start the service then it was no longer possible to stop it.
    I had to use the command prompt as an administrator:

    sc config EFS start= demand

    reboot pc

    The "sc" command must therefore also be monitored.
    OSA has an ad hoc rule.

    P.S. I don't use a password manager or similar app.


    :)
     
  7. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    This POC EFS attack withstanding, EFS has an existing vulnerability:
    https://www.thewindowsclub.com/encrypting-file-system-efs-windows-10

    Now we have to wait for a BitLocker POC vulnerability .......................
     
  8. Sampei Nihira

    Sampei Nihira Registered Member

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    @itman

    Read the 3D below:

    https://malwaretips.com/threads/windows-efs-feature-may-help-ransomware-attackers.97946/#post-855303
     
  9. itman

    itman Registered Member

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    I am not worried about this vulnerability since my AV detects the exploit attempt; unlike WD.

    I was researching the POC yesterday and at least one API employed requires SMB v3.0+. This would indicate that pre-Win 8.1 OS versions are not vulnerable.
     
  10. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    Yes, it's also on Win 8.1 Home, probably best to disable it.
     
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