Threat Signal Report

Sugar Ransomware in the Wild

description-logo Description

FortiGuard Labs is aware that a new ransomware called "Sugar" is in the wild. Reportedly, Sugar ransomware targets consumers rather than enterprises. The first sample of Sugar ransomware appears to have been discovered in the wild in early November. Sugar ransomware encrypts files on the compromised machine and appends ".emcoded01" file extension to them. Victims are asked to pay ransom to recover the encrypted files.


What is Sugar Ransomware?

Sugar is a ransomware that is written in Delphi and appeared in the wild in November 2021 at the latest. Once run, Sugar ransomware encrypts files on the compromised machine and appends ".encoded01" file extension to them. The malware then displays a ransom note that asks the victim to visit the attacker's TOR page to pay the ransom in order to recover the encrypted files. The attacker offers to decrypt up to five files to prove that the encrypted files can be recovered upon ransom is paid.




The ransom note displayed by Sugar ransomware looks similar to that of REvil ransomware. Also, the TOR site used by Sugar ransomware has close resemblance with that of Cl0p ransomware. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the Sugar ransomware group is associated with REvil and Cl0p threat actors.




How Widespread is Sugar Ransomware?

Based on the telemetry data collected by FortiGuard Labs, Sugar ransomware infections likely occurred in Canada, Thailand, the United States, Israel and Lithuania.


What is the Status of Coverage?

FortiGuard Labs provides the following AV coverage against Sugar ransomware:


W32/Filecoder.OJD!tr.ransom

W32/PossibleThreat

Appendix

Sugar Ransomware, a new RaaS


Definitions

Traffic Light Protocol

Color When Should it Be used? How may it be shared?

TLP: RED

Not for disclosure, restricted to participants only.		 Sources may use TLP:RED when information cannot be effectively acted upon by additional parties, and could lead to impacts on a party's privacy, reputation, or operations if misused. Recipients may not share TLP:RED information with any parties outside of the specific exchange, meeting, or conversation in which it was originally disclosed. In the context of a meeting, for example, TLP:RED information is limited to those present at the meeting. In most circumstances, TLP:RED should be exchanged verbally or in person.

TLP: AMBER

Limited disclosure, restricted to participants’ organizations.		 Sources may use TLP:AMBER when information requires support to be effectively acted upon, yet carries risks to privacy, reputation, or operations if shared outside of the organizations involved. Recipients may only share TLP:AMBER information with members of their own organization, and with clients or customers who need to know the information to protect themselves or prevent further harm. Sources are at liberty to specify additional intended limits of the sharing: these must be adhered to.

TLP: GREEN

Limited disclosure, restricted to the community.		 Sources may use TLP:GREEN when information is useful for the awareness of all participating organizations as well as with peers within the broader community or sector. Recipients may share TLP:GREEN information with peers and partner organizations within their sector or community, but not via publicly accessible channels. Information in this category can be circulated widely within a particular community. TLP:GREEN information may not be released outside of the community.

TLP: WHITE

Disclosure is not limited.		 Sources may use TLP:WHITE when information carries minimal or no foreseeable risk of misuse, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures for public release. Subject to standard copyright rules, TLP:WHITE information may be distributed without restriction.