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Afraidgate: Major Exploit Kit Campaign Swaps Locky Ransomware for CryptXXX ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 3 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Brad Duncan](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/brad-duncan/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:April 28, 2016 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/ransomware/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Afraidgate](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/afraidgate/) * [CryptXXX](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptxxx/) * [Exploit Kits](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exploit-kits/) * [Locky](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/locky/) * [Neutrino EK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/neutrino-ek/) * [Nuclear EK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/nuclear-ek/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/afraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=ded8fe8176 "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/afraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=ded8fe8176 "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=Afraidgate:%20Major%20Exploit%20Kit%20Campaign%20Swaps%20Locky%20Ransomware%20for%20CryptXXX&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F&title=Afraidgate:%20Major%20Exploit%20Kit%20Campaign%20Swaps%20Locky%20Ransomware%20for%20CryptXXX "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F&text=Afraidgate:%20Major%20Exploit%20Kit%20Campaign%20Swaps%20Locky%20Ransomware%20for%20CryptXXX "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Afraidgate:%20Major%20Exploit%20Kit%20Campaign%20Swaps%20Locky%20Ransomware%20for%20CryptXXX%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fafraidgate-major-exploit-kit-campaign-swaps-locky-ransomware-for-cryptxxx%2F "Share in Mastodon") In mid-April 2016, a campaign using Nuclear Exploit Kit (EK) to distribute Locky ransomware switched to using the Angler EK to install [CryptXXX](https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-insight/post/cryptxxx-new-ransomware-actors-behind-reveton-dropping-angler) ransomware. This campaign uses gates registered through FreeDNS at afraid.org. We are calling this the Afraidgate campaign. Although we continue to see Locky distributed through malicious spam, we have not noticed Locky from EK traffic since mid-April. ### An Evolving Campaign In March 2016, we observed [Nuclear EK from the Afraidgate campaign spreading Locky ransomware](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2016/03/locky-ransomware-installed-through-nuclear-ek/). A consistent gate pattern in the infection chain pointed to the same campaign using [Neutrino EK the previous month](https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-insight/post/Dridex-Actors-Get-In-the-Ransomware-Game-With-Locky). Now this campaign points to Angler EK. Also with the change in EKs, the malware has switched from Locky to CryptXXX. Both of these malware families employ the ransomware business model, in which they encrypt a user's files and demand a ransom in return for the decryption keys. The following chart illustrates the changes in this particular campaign: [![cryptxx](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx-500x255.png)](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx.png) *Figure 1: Changes in EK and payload from the Afraidgate campaign.* ### The Angler/Bedep/CryptXXX Combo In mid-April 2016, the pseudo-Darkleech campaign [started delivering CryptXXX through Bedep from Angler EK](https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Angler+Exploit+Kit+Bedep+and+CryptXXX/20981/). The same Angler EK/Bedep/CryptXXX combination has spread to the Afraidgate campaign, replacing Nuclear EK traffic used to deliver Locky. Angler EK is a bit more advanced than Nuclear EK. Angler uses new exploits, usually before these exploits have made their way into Nuclear EK. When sending Bedep, Angler uses a ["fileless" infection technique](https://malware.dontneedcoffee.com/2014/08/angler-ek-now-capable-of-fileless.html) originally implemented in 2014. Bedep is installed without creating any files because it is loaded directly into memory by the exploit shellcode. [Bedep](https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/threat/encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32%2fBedep) is a file downloader that infects the host with other malware. In addition to CryptXXX, Bedep also installs click-fraud malware. [Recent updates to Bedep](https://malware.dontneedcoffee.com/2016/04/bedepantiVM.html) make it harder to use virtual machines (VMs) to investigate this malware. Bedep acts differently if it detects a VM. It will not download CryptXXX, and post-infection click-fraud traffic is different than seen from a normal physical host. [![cryptxx2](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx2-500x169.png)](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx2.png) *Figure 2: VM infection shows different post-infection traffic than the other examples here.* Three examples of Angler/Bedep/CryptXXX infection traffic from the Afraidgate campaign are shown below. [![cryptxx3](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx3-500x259.png)](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx3.png) *Figure 3: Gate on 185.118.164.42 leads to Angler EK/Bedep/CryptXXX on Friday 2016-04-22.* [![cryptxx4](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx4-500x259.png)](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx4.png) *Figure 4: Similar gate on 185.118.164.42 leads to more Angler EK traffic on Monday 2016-04-25.* [![cryptxx5](http://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx5-500x259.png)](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cryptxx5.png) *Figure 5: Similar gate on 185.118.164.42 leads to more Angler EK on Tuesday 2016-04-26.* ### Conclusion CryptXXX is now the default ransomware deployed in at least two major EK campaigns and should be considered a growing cybersecurity threat. Domains, IP addresses, and other indicators associated with Angler EK, Bedep, and CryptXXX are constantly changing. We continue to investigate this activity for applicable indicators to inform the community and further enhance our threat prevention platform. WildFire continues to detect submitted .dll samples of CryptXXX ransomware, and AutoFocus identifies this threat under the Unit 42 [CryptXXX](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.CryptXXX) tag. ### Indicators of Compromise As of Tuesday 2016-04-26, we have seen the following indicators of compromise associated with this campaign: Gates used in this campaign: * 185\.118.164.42 port 80 - host.vivialvarez.com\[.\]ar - GET /widget.js * 185\.118.164.42 port 80 - kw.projetoraizes.com\[.\]br - GET /js/script.js * 185\.118.164.42 port 80 - net.jacquieleebrasil.com\[.\]br - GET /js/script.js Angler EK: * 85\.25.160.124 port 80 - bintiye.helpthevets\[.\]org * 85\.25.160.124 port 80 - mcimaildmz.dinnerplate.co\[.\]uk * 192\.169.189.167 port 80 - candidulumbestuurlijk.newlandsierrarealestate\[.\]com * 192\.169.190.97 port 80 - frageboegen-plletyksin.breastcanceroutreach\[.\]com * 192\.169.190.97 port 80 - reikleivn-azarashi.orlandohomesbydevito\[.\]com * 209\.126.120.8 port 80 - litigators.esteroscreen\[.\]com Bedep post-infection traffic: * 104\.193.252.241 port 80 - qrwzoxcjatynejejsz\[.\]com * 95\.211.205.228 port 80 - yfczmludodohkdqnij\[.\]com (using a VM) Click-fraud traffic: * 5\.199.141.203 port 80 - ranetardinghap\[.\]com * 93\.190.141.27 port 80 - cetinhechinhis\[.\]com * 95\.211.205.218 port 80 - tedgeroatref\[.\]com * 104\.193.252.236 port 80 - rerobloketbo\[.\]com * 162\.244.34.11 port 80 - tonthishessici\[.\]com * 207\.182.148.92 port 80 - allofuslikesforums\[.\]com * 85\.25.79.211 port 80 - oqpwldjc.mjobrkn3\[.\]eu (using a VM) CryptXXX post-infection traffic: * 217\.23.6.40 port 443 (custom encoding) Back to top ### Tags * [Afraidgate](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/afraidgate/ "Afraidgate") * [CryptXXX](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptxxx/ "CryptXXX") * [Exploit Kits](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exploit-kits/ "Exploit Kits") * [Locky](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/locky/ "Locky") * [Neutrino EK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/neutrino-ek/ "Neutrino EK") * [Nuclear EK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/nuclear-ek/ "Nuclear EK") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: 2016 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR): Insights from Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-2016-verizon-data-breach-investigations-report-dbir-insights-from-unit-42/ "2016 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR): Insights from Unit 42") ### Related Articles * [Leaked Environment Variables Allow Large-Scale Extortion Operation in Cloud Environments](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/large-scale-cloud-extortion-operation/ "article - table of contents") * [Web-Based Threats: First Half 2019](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/web-based-threats-first-half-2019/ "article - table of contents") * [Everybody Gets One: QtBot Used to Distribute Trickbot and Locky](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-everybody-gets-one-qtbot-used-distribute-trickbot-locky/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Ransomware Resources ![Pictorial representation of Iran cyber attacks. 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A person's hand typing on a keyboard with a digital screen displaying the word "password" highlighted in blue, set against a backdrop of various cybersecurity interface graphics.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/09_Cybercrime_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) December 2, 2024 [#### Threat Assessment: Howling Scorpius (Akira Ransomware)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-howling-scorpius-akira-ransomware/) * [Howling Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/howling-scorpius/ "Howling Scorpius") * [Leak site](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/leak-site/ "Leak site") * [Torrenting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/torrenting/ "torrenting") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-howling-scorpius-akira-ransomware/ "Threat Assessment: Howling Scorpius (Akira Ransomware)") ![Pictorial representation of a threat like BlackSuit ransomware. An illustration of a modern workspace with a laptop displaying cybersecurity icons, surrounded by stacks of coins and a credit card, all depicted in a neon, digital art style.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) November 20, 2024 [#### Threat Assessment: Ignoble Scorpius, Distributors of BlackSuit Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-blacksuit-ransomware-ignoble-scorpius/) * [BlackSuit ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blacksuit-ransomware/ "BlackSuit ransomware") * [Construction](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/construction/ "construction") * [Education](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/education/ "Education") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-blacksuit-ransomware-ignoble-scorpius/ "Threat Assessment: Ignoble Scorpius, Distributors of BlackSuit Ransomware") ![A representation of a threat group like Jumpy Pisces. Illustrative image featuring two fish and the Pisces constellation superimposed on a stylized, abstract background with flowing purple waves and a starry night sky.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pisces-NK-A-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/threat-actor-groups.svg)Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) October 30, 2024 [#### Jumpy Pisces Engages in Play Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/north-korean-threat-group-play-ransomware/) * [North Korea](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/north-korea/ "North Korea") * [Jumpy Pisces](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/jumpy-pisces/ "Jumpy Pisces") * [Fiddling Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fiddling-scorpius/ "Fiddling Scorpius") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/north-korean-threat-group-play-ransomware/ "Jumpy Pisces Engages in Play Ransomware") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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