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Threat Assessment: WastedLocker Ransomware ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 4 min read Related Products [![Advanced Threat Prevention icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced Threat Prevention](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-threat-prevention/ "Advanced Threat Prevention")[![Advanced URL Filtering icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced URL Filtering](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-url-filtering/ "Advanced URL Filtering")[![Advanced WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced WildFire](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-wildfire/ "Advanced WildFire")[![Cortex XDR icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/cortex_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Cortex XDR](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/cortex-xdr/ "Cortex XDR") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Alex Hinchliffe](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/alex-hinchliffe/) * [Doel Santos](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/doel-santos/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:July 30, 2020 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [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: * [JavaScript](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/javascript/) * [SocGholish](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/socgholish/) * [WastedLocker](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/wastedlocker/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wastedlocker/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=fafa58d2d0 "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/wastedlocker/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=fafa58d2d0 "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=Threat%20Assessment:%20WastedLocker%20Ransomware&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwastedlocker%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%2Fwastedlocker%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%2Fwastedlocker%2F&title=Threat%20Assessment:%20WastedLocker%20Ransomware "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%2Fwastedlocker%2F&text=Threat%20Assessment:%20WastedLocker%20Ransomware "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%2Fwastedlocker%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=Threat%20Assessment:%20WastedLocker%20Ransomware%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwastedlocker%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## **Executive Summary** Unit 42 has observed a recent uptick in WastedLocker ransomware activity, which has increased since the initial samples were analyzed by WildFire in May 2020. In light of this, together with [recent media coverage](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/garmin-outage-caused-by-confirmed-wastedlocker-ransomware-attack/) [around large U.S. corporations](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/evil-corp-blocked-from-deploying-ransomware-on-30-major-us-firms/) being targeted by the threat, we have created this general assessment of the ransomware. Full visualization of these techniques can be viewed in the [Unit 42 Playbook Viewer](https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook_viewer/?pb=wastedlocker-ransomware). WastedLocker is post-intrusion ransomware of the same ilk as [Samsa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/evolution-of-samsa-malware-suggests-new-ransomware-tactics-in-play/), [Maze](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-brief-maze-ransomware-activities/), [EKANS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-ekans-ransomware/), Ryuk, BitPaymer and others. This type of ransomware differs from large-volume, victim-agnostic ransomware variants like WannaCry by targeting an organization perceived as having a large amount of assets, successfully breaching it, and then deploying specially crafted ransomware to as many systems as possible within that organization in a short timeframe to maximize impact and increase chances of receiving a much larger ransom payment. On June 23, 2020, NCC Group published a report providing a [detailed overview of the WastedLocker ransomware](https://research.nccgroup.com/2020/06/23/wastedlocker-a-new-ransomware-variant-developed-by-the-evil-corp-group/), including information on the group believed to be behind it, Evil Corp. In the past, this group has been responsible for the Dridex banking Trojan and other related threats and campaigns. The Palo Alto Networks [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention) subscription for the Next-Generation Firewall with [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire) and the [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) endpoint protection engine detects activity associated with this ransomware. Cortex XDR also contains an [Anti-Ransomware Protection](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/traps/4-2/traps-endpoint-security-manager-admin/malware-protection/manage-malware-protection-rules/configure-anti-ransomware-protection) module, which targets encryption-based activities associated with ransomware. Additionally, AutoFocus customers can review activity associated with this threat with the following tag: [WastedLocker](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.WastedLocker). ## **Targeting** Using our threat intelligence platform, AutoFocus, Unit 42 has identified some possible targets for the actors behind WastedLocker. The majority of organizations are based in the U.S., which ties in with activity [reported by Symantec](https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/wastedlocker-ransomware-us) on June 26, 2020. The organizations operate in various sectors, including professional and legal services, utilities and energy, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, high tech, engineering, pharma and life sciences, and transportation and logistics (including one transportation and logistics organization from the United Kingdom that appears to have operations in the U.S). ## **WastedLocker Attack Technical Overview** **Note:** This is only a high-level overview of the pertinent technical aspects of WastedLocker attacks. For a more in-depth technical analysis, including Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), see SentinelOne's blog, "[WastedLocker Ransomware: Abusing ADS and NTFS File Attributes](https://labs.sentinelone.com/wastedlocker-ransomware-abusing-ads-and-ntfs-file-attributes/)."**.** ![This figure shows the WastedLocker Killchain, progressing from the browser to malicious JS from a downloaded ZIP File to a PowerShell Cobalt Strike Loader to system utilities to ransomware execution.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/word-image-47.png) Figure 1. WastedLocker killchain #### Initial Infection Vector According to [previously reported WastedLocker activity](https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/wastedlocker-ransomware-us) by Symantec, the most commonly observed initial infection mechanism for WastedLocker attacks are ZIP files (likely disguised as legitimate software updates) containing malicious SocGholish JavaScript framework loader components that profile the victim system and use PowerShell to ultimately deploy Cobalt Strike payloads. While the full technical analysis of how the SocGholish framework operates is beyond the scope of this blog, an in-depth summary of its operation can be found in [this post about fake browser update](https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Fake+browser+update+pages+are+still+a+thing/25774/) pages. #### Lateral Movement Once the Cobalt Strike payload is installed on a victim's machine, it is then used to move laterally through the victim's network and facilitate the identification of additional systems on which attackers can deploy their main payloads. (WastedLocker attackers have also been observed using legitimate Windows utilities such as Windows Management Instrumentation \[WMI\] and PsExec to do this as well.) Of particularly high value to targeted ransomware attackers are systems that directly affect a victim's customer-facing revenue-generating business operations, internal systems of high visibility and high use, and systems that contain (or facilitate the deployment of) system backups. #### Final Payload Finally, once sufficient reconnaissance of the victim's network has been conducted, the attackers move to deploy the WastedLocker ransomware payload using one or more system management utilities. (The exact mechanism is out of scope for this blog, but more details are available [in SentinelOne's post](https://labs.sentinelone.com/wastedlocker-ransomware-abusing-ads-and-ntfs-file-attributes/).) During execution on a target host, the ransomware will: * Attempt to elevate execution privileges (if not already running as Administrator). * Attempt to disable Windows Defender monitoring. * Delete shadow copies/volume snapshots. * Install itself as a service. Once installed, the delivery of the payload is complete and files are overwritten. The ransomware mainly uses a .wasted extension, though files containing ransom note details are appended with a .\wasted\_info extension. The \*.wasted\_info ransom note files we have analyzed thus far resemble the following example where variable data is shown below between \<\> characters. The actor email addresses used can differ, and the domain names include the following (in most- to least-used order): PROTONMAIL.CH, AIRMAIL.CC, ECLIPSO.CH, TUTANOTA.COM and PROTONMAIL.COM \ YOUR NETWORK IS ENCRYPTED NOW USE \ | \ TO GET THE PRICE FOR YOUR DATA DO NOT GIVE THIS EMAIL TO 3RD PARTIES DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THE FILE THE FILE IS ENCRYPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY: \[begin\_key\]\\[end\_key\] KEEP IT ## **Conclusion** The trend of targeted ransomware attacks is on the rise because they are comparatively more effective and yield higher ransoms than more common forms of "spray-and-pray" ransomware attacks similar to the ones [observed by Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/covid-19-themed-cyber-attacks-target-government-and-medical-organizations/) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. WastedLocker is a prime example of a targeted ransomware attack. The impact a group of determined cybercriminals can have against organizations can be devastating, and the methodologies they utilize only serve to underscore the need for enterprises to employ both robust defensive technologies and capable cybersecurity expertise into their environments. Palo Alto Networks detects/prevents WastedLocker in the following ways: * WildFire: all known samples are identified as malware. * Cortex XDR Agent with: * indicators for WastedLocker. * Anti-Ransomware Module to detect WastedLocker encryption behaviors. * Local Analysis detection to detect WastedLocker binaries. * Behavioral Threat Protection (BTP) triggers on Volume Shadow Copy being deleted by WastedLocker. * Next-Generation Firewalls: DNS Signatures detect the known command and control (C2) domains, which are also categorized as malware in PAN-DB. * AutoFocus: Tracking related activity using the [WastedLocker](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.WastedLocker) tag. Outside the protection offered by Palo Alto Networks products, Unit 42 strongly recommends companies and individuals combat the effects of ransomware by adopting a regular backup regimen of their critical systems paired with hardened (or, better still, offsite) storage of those backups. More information on ransomware can be found in the [2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-ransomware-threat-report). References \& Resources [*https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Fake+browser+update+pages+are+still+a+thing/25774/*](https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Fake+browser+update+pages+are+still+a+thing/25774/) [*https://labs.sentinelone.com/wastedlocker-ransomware-abusing-ads-and-ntfs-file-attributes/*](https://labs.sentinelone.com/wastedlocker-ransomware-abusing-ads-and-ntfs-file-attributes/) [*https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/wastedlocker-ransomware-us*](https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/wastedlocker-ransomware-us) [*https://research.nccgroup.com/2020/06/23/wastedlocker-a-new-ransomware-variant-developed-by-the-evil-corp-group/*](https://research.nccgroup.com/2020/06/23/wastedlocker-a-new-ransomware-variant-developed-by-the-evil-corp-group/) [*https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook\_viewer/?pb=wastedlocker-ransomware*](https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook_viewer/?pb=wastedlocker-ransomware) [*Best Practices from Palo Alto Networks*](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/best-practices) Back to top ### Tags * [JavaScript](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/javascript/ "JavaScript") * [SocGholish](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/socgholish/ "SocGholish") * [WastedLocker](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/wastedlocker/ "WastedLocker") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Kubernetes Vulnerability Puts Clusters at Risk of Takeover (CVE-2020-8558)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cve-2020-8558/ "Kubernetes Vulnerability Puts Clusters at Risk of Takeover (CVE-2020-8558)") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Russian Global Webmail Espionage](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-webmail-espionage/ "article - table of contents") * [Threat Brief: Widespread Impact of the Axios Supply Chain Attack](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/axios-supply-chain-attack/ "article - table of contents") * [The Next Frontier of Runtime Assembly Attacks: Leveraging LLMs to Generate Phishing JavaScript in Real Time](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/real-time-malicious-javascript-through-llms/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Resources ![Pictorial representation of attackers using AI tools to target Latin American organizations. 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The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [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/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.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/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [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/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [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/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") ![Pictorial representation of malware bypassing DNS and communicating directly to IP addresses. Futuristic digital cityscape with glowing blue and orange geometric structures, resembling skyscrapers.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_DNS_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 4, 2026 [#### Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/) * [Command and Control](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/command-and-control/ "Command and Control") * [D2IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/d2ip/ "D2IP") * [Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exfiltration/ "exfiltration") [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/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/ "Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP") ![Pictorial representation of passwordless authentication. East Asian woman examining data on multiple screens in a high-tech environment, surrounded by digital graphics and code.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/07_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 3, 2026 [#### Pass the Passkey: A Novel Attack Surface in Passwordless Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/passwordless-authentication-security-risks/) * [Google authenticator](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-authenticator/ "google authenticator") * [Google Chrome](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-chrome/ "Google Chrome") * [Google Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-cloud/ "Google Cloud") [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/passwordless-authentication-security-risks/ "Pass the Passkey: A Novel Attack Surface in Passwordless Authentication") * ![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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