Remove LockBit 5.0 ransomware

LockBit 5.0 ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files. It doesn’t add a distinct extension to the encrypted files, but its ransom note reveals the name of the ransomware. If this malware gets into your computer, it will encrypt all your personal files and make them unopenable unless decrypted with a tool only the attackers currently have. Malicious actors will demand payment for this decryptor, though the exact amount isn’t specified in the ransom note. At the moment, only users who have backups can recover their files for certain, as even users who pay the ransom are not guaranteed a working LockBit 5.0 ransomware decryptor.

 

 

LockBit 5.0 ransomware, like all infections of this kind, poses a significant threat, as it primarily targets files that are most important to users. It encrypts documents, photos, videos, and other essential data, and adds a random extension to the file names. For instance, a file named 1.txt would be renamed to 1.txt.*random extension*. These files cannot be opened unless decrypted using the appropriate tool.

After encrypting a victim’s files, the ransomware generates a ReadMeForDecrypt ransom note detailing how to get the decryptor. The ransom note is very long, contains information about the attackers, instructions, and other details, not all of which are relevant to the victims. The operators demand payment for file recovery, but the specific sum is not mentioned. While the specific amount is not disclosed in the note, it is expected to be several thousand dollars.

The ransom note is below:

~~~ You have been attacked by LockBit 5.0 – the fastest, most stable and immortal ransomware since 2019 ~~~~

>>>>> You must pay us.

Tor Browser link where the stolen infortmation will be published:
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>>>>> What is the guarantee that we won’t scam you?
We are the oldest extortion gang on the planet and nothing is more important to us than our reputation. We are not a politically motivated group and want nothing but financial rewards for our work. If we defraud even one client, other clients will not pay us. In 5 years, not a single client has been left dissatisfied after making a deal with us. If you pay the ransom, we will fulfill all the terms we agreed upon during the negotiation process. Treat this situation simply as a paid training session for your system administrators, because it was the misconfiguration of your corporate network that allowed us to attack you. Our pentesting services should be paid for the same way you pay your system administrators’ salaries. You can get more information about us on wikipedia hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LockBit

>>>>> Warning! Do not delete or modify encrypted files, it will lead to irreversible problems with decryption of files!

>>>>> Don’t go to the police or the FBI for help and don’t tell anyone that we attacked you. They will forbid you from paying the ransom and will not help you in any way, you will be left with encrypted files and your business will die.

>>>>> When buying bitcoin, do not tell anyone the true purpose of the purchase. Some brokers, especially in the US, do not allow you to buy bitcoin to pay ransom. Communicate any other reason for the purchase, such as: personal investment in cryptocurrency, bitcoin as a gift, paying to buy assets for your business using bitcoin, cryptocurrency payment for consulting services, cryptocurrency payment for any other services, cryptocurrency donations, cryptocurrency donations for Donald Trump to win the election, buying bitcoin to participate in ICO and buy other cryptocurrencies, buying cryptocurrencies to leave an inheritance for your children, or any other purpose for buying cryptocurrency. Also you can use adequate cryptocurrency brokers who do not ask questions for what you buy cryptocurrency.

>>>>> After buying cryptocurrency from a broker, store the cryptocurrency on a cold wallet, such as https://electrum.org/ or any other cold cryptocurrency wallet, more details on https://bitcoin.org By paying the ransom from your personal cold cryptocurrency wallet, you will avoid any problems from regulators, police and brokers.

>>>>> Don’t be afraid of any legal consequences, you were very scared, that’s why you followed all our instructions, it’s not your fault if you are very scared. Not a single company that paid us has had issues. Any excuses are just for insurance company to not pay on their obligation.

>>>>> You need to contact us via TOR sites with your personal ID

Download and install Tor Browser https://www.torproject.org/
Write to the chat room and wait for an answer, we’ll guarantee a response from us. If you need a unique ID for correspondence with us that no one will know about, ask it in the chat, we will generate a secret chat for you and give you ID via private one-time memos service, no one can find out this ID but you. Sometimes you will have to wait some time for our reply, this is because we have a lot of work and we attack hundreds of companies around the world.

Tor Browser link for chat with us:
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>> Your personal identifier to communicate with us ID: – <<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>> Advertising:
Want a lamborghini, a ferrari and lots of titty girls? Sign up and start your pentester billionaire journey in 5 minutes with us.
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After registration, you will receive the most flawless and reliable tools for encrypting almost all operating systems on the planet and a platform for negotiating with attacked companies.

Version: ChuongDong v1.01 | x64

Technical Analysis of LockBit 5.0

The LockBit 5.0 Windows version was found to have a better user interface with clean formatting for affiliates compared to previous versions.

It describes various options and settings for executing the ransomware, including basic options like specifying directories to encrypt or bypass, operation modes such as invisible mode and verbose mode, notes settings, encryption settings, filtering options and examples of usage.

“The detailed commands and parameters illustrate the flexibility and customization available to the attacker,” the researchers commented.

Upon execution, the ransomware generates its signature ransom note and directs victims to a dedicated leak site. The infrastructure maintains LockBit’s established victim interaction model, featuring a streamlined “Chat with Support” section for ransom negotiations.

Notably, the variant adds randomized 16-character file extensions to files following encryption, further complicating recovery. LockBit 5.0 also omits traditional markers at file endings, making analysis harder.

The malware deploys other anti-forensic techniques. This includes patching the EtwEventWrite API by overwriting it with a 0xC3 (return) instruction, disabling Windows Event Tracing capabilities.

As with previous LockBit versions, the new iteration uses geolocation checks, terminating execution when detecting Russian language settings or Russian geolocation.

The features observed in the Windows version were similar to those in the Linux and ESXi variants analyzed.

The ESXi variant specifically targets VMware virtualization infrastructure, which the researchers said represents a “critical escalation” in LockBit’s capabilities.

This is because ESXi servers typically host multiple virtual machines, allowing attackers to encrypt entire virtualized environments with a single payload execution.

Paying the ransom is generally not a good idea for several reasons. First, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive a decryption tool after payment. Cybercriminals are not obligated to keep their promises, no matter what they claim and how many promises they make. Additionally, paying the ransom funds their criminal activities, which makes ransomware a profitable business.

If backups are available and there’s a recovery plan, there should be no issues with file recovery. However, you need to remove LockBit 5.0 ransomware from your system first. If the ransomware remains on your device when you connect to your backup, it would encrypt your backed-up files as well. Using a reliable anti-malware program is the best way to remove the LockBit 5.0 ransomware, as these infections can be complex and manual removal might cause more problems.

How is LockBit 5.0 ransomware distributed?

Malicious actors spread malware through various methods, including torrents, email attachments, and deceptive links or ads. Users who have poor online habits are especially vulnerable, as they often engage in risky behaviors. Developing safer online habits can greatly reduce the risk of picking up a malware infection in the future. Being aware of how malware is commonly distributed can help users avoid it.

Email attachments are a common source of malware. These emails are often disguised as package delivery notifications or order confirmations, mentioning large sums of money or urgent purchases to create a sense of urgency that compels users to open the attachments. Fortunately, these emails are often easy to identify, as they typically contain grammar and spelling mistakes and address recipients with generic words like “User”, “Member”, or “Customer”. Legitimate emails usually address recipients by name and never have mistakes because they look unprofessional.

Targeted phishing emails can be harder to identify because they are more sophisticated. They may use the recipient’s name, not have mistakes, and include details that give the email credibility. It’s best to avoid opening unsolicited email attachments unless they have been scanned with an antivirus program or a service like VirusTotal.

Torrents are another common way to distribute malware. Torrent sites often lack proper moderation, allowing malicious uploads. Torrents for entertainment content, such as movies, TV shows, and video games, are particularly risky. Downloading copyrighted content is not only content theft but also puts your computer at risk of infection.

How to remove LockBit 5.0 ransomware virus

Ransomware is a complex type of malware, so it’s crucial to use an antivirus program to remove LockBit 5.0 ransomware virus. Once the ransomware is successfully removed from your system, you can restore your files by accessing your backup and starting the recovery process.