Seeking Advice: Ransomware Attack and Solutions for Legacy Systems

Question

I am reaching out for guidance on a critical issue one of our clients is currently facing. They have fallen victim to a ransomware attack, specifically impacted by the 'Hhuy virus' from the STOP/DJVU ransomware family, identifiable by the '.HHUY' extension on encrypted files. 
 The client's infrastructure includes computers running on Windows 7 and servers on Windows Server 2008 & 2012. Unfortunately, Intersept X, which we are considering as a potential security solution, seems to have compatibility issues with Windows 7. 
 We've managed to install a trial version of Intersept X on some of the compatible machines, as part of our proposal to integrate Sophos solutions (including Firewall and Intersept X) into their security framework. 
 Here are my key inquiries: 
 
 Efficacy of Intersept X : Is Intersept X an effective tool to neutralize such viruses, particularly for systems compromised by the Hhuy ransomware? 
 Legacy System Solutions : What are the recommended security measures or solutions for the servers running on outdated Windows versions (2008 & 2012) which are crucial for our client's operations? 
 Data Recovery : The client has lost nearly 20 years' worth of data due to encryption by the ransomware. Are there any viable decryption methods or data recovery solutions available for this specific ransomware family? 
 
 Our goal is to reassure the client of their security and data integrity by adopting Sophos solutions. Any insights, experiences, or recommendations in dealing with similar scenarios would be immensely valuable. 
 Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

Maxim-Sophos · Answer

Hi, 
 
 Intercept X is, in general, highly effective at protecting against ransomware. This includes both known families and previously unknown strains of ransomware. I do not know specifically about Hhuy, but if it's known to the industry, Intercept X likely protects against it. However, ransomware is increasingly used as one of many tools by attackers. You and the customer may want to consider a managed detection and response service, such as Sophos MDR . 
 There is information here about both the licensing and the product capability limits for Intercept X on legacy Windows operating systems: https://support.sophos.com/support/s/article/KB-000039324?language=en_US . It is really important to work with your client to upgrade/replace these legacy systems. Where that's not immediately possible, you'll want to look at additional controls. Intercept X with extended support is a good option, but you'll also want to look at options like strong lockdown of the Windows OS, network segmentation, NDR (potentially Sophos NDR), and other controls. 
 Sophos does not provide decryption tools. I see that there is a DJVU ransom decryption tool available at https://www.nomoreransom.org/en/decryption-tools.html . You might take a look and see if that's helpful. 
 
 Beyond recovering the data, it will be important to do a comprehensive analysis of the customer's environment. You need to find out if the attacker still has a presence on any of the customer's systems or access to their network. If you need assistance with this, you and the customer could consider engaging Sophos Incident Response Services .

PhilippRusch · Answer

Hello, 
 I know, you don't want to hear these answers: 
 to point 1: You cannot use a modern AV / Endpoint Security solution to "heal" the fact that your customer is using an outdated platform. 
 to point 2. This is a wide field. Better seek professional advice / help, if you cannot answer this alone. We cannot give "cheap" advice like that here, this is a community forum. 
 to point 3. Sorry to be so harsh: "No Backup, No Mercy!" You should undergo all possible (technical) measures to proect your backup from being accessed by an attacker and to be encrypted. If it would be possible to simply decrypt that data, nobody would have a problem with ransomware. 
 Concerning your goal: this is a good idea, you should definitely ask for a professional serviceprovider to help you here. It sound that you are not very familiar with that.

PhilippRusch · Answer

Ok, feel free to do it like that. 
 I can only recommend to get in touch with Sophos Rapid Response team ASAP. 
 We are Sophos partner as you and would definitely do that in your case.

Seeking Advice: Ransomware Attack and Solutions for Legacy Systems

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