Full Report
When a clearly commented script revealed an attacker's tactics, Huntress prevented encryption. Read on to learn more about the evolution of recycled ransomware playbooks used by multiple threat actors.
Analysis Summary
# Tool/Technique: The Commented Ransomware Playbook (Xinglocker/Kawalocker Variant)
## Overview
This is a recycled, highly descriptive batch/PowerShell script used by various threat actors to facilitate ransomware deployment. Its primary purpose is to disable security software (specifically Microsoft Defender), impair system recovery, and prepare the environment for file encryption. The script is notable for being "self-documenting," containing explicit English comments for each malicious action.
## Technical Details
- **Type:** Malware / Impair Defenses Script
- **Platform:** Windows
- **Capabilities:** Defense evasion, service termination, recovery impairment, lateral movement support.
- **First Seen:** Approximately 2021 (associated with Xinglocker/IcedID); observed again in July 2025.
## MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
- **TA0001 - Initial Access**
- T1021.001 - Remote Desktop Protocol
- **TA0005 - Defense Evasion**
- T1562.001 - Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools
- T1112 - Modify Registry
- T1070.004 - Indicator Removal: File Deletion
- **TA0007 - Discovery**
- T1012 - Query Registry
- **TA0008 - Lateral Movement**
- T1021.001 - Remote Desktop Protocol
- T1047 - Windows Management Instrumentation
- **TA0040 - Impact**
- T1490 - Inhibit System Recovery (Volume Shadow Copy Deletion)
- T1486 - Data Encrypted for Impact
## Functionality
### Core Capabilities
- **Security Disruption:** Disables Microsoft Defender Real-time protection, AntiSpyware, and AntiVirus via registry modification.
- **Shadow Copy Deletion:** Uses `wmic` to delete volume shadow copies to prevent file recovery.
- **Service Termination:** Forces the disabling of core security services and tasks.
- **UI Tampering:** Removes the Defender system tray icon and right-click context menu options to hide the lack of protection from the user.
### Advanced Features
- **Logging Suppression:** Disables WMI logging for Defender API and Audit events to hinder forensic investigation.
- **Evolving Codebase:** While based on a 2021 Gist, recent versions have been augmented with modern PowerShell commands to replace older batch functions, showing active maintenance by threat actors.
## Indicators of Compromise
- **File Names:** `file.exe` (Common staging name), `C:\Temp\file.exe`
- **Command Lines:**
- `file.exe -n=15 -p=F` (Ransomware execution with specific arguments)
- `wmic shadowcopy delete`
- `rem Disable WD Tasks` (String found within script files)
- **Registry Keys:**
- `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender` (Modifications to disable features)
- **Behavioral Indicators:**
- Rapid modification of multiple security-related registry keys.
- Unexpected termination of `MsMpEng.exe` or related Defender services.
- Inbound RDP connections followed immediately by administrative tool usage (`wmic`, `reg`).
## Associated Threat Actors
- **Xinglocker** (Historic)
- **Kawalocker**
- **IcedID** affiliates (Historical association)
- Multiple unidentified ransomware affiliates using recycled playbooks.
## Detection Methods
- **Signature-based detection:** Scan for unique strings within the script, such as the specific comment formatting (e.g., `rem 1 - Disable Real-time protection`).
- **Behavioral detection:**
- Monitor for `wmic` deleting shadow copies.
- Trigger alerts on registry modifications to the `Windows Defender` policy keys.
- Detect RDP sessions that execute shell scripts from `C:\Temp` or `C:\Users\Public`.
- **YARA Rules:** Target the specific English comments found in the GitHub Gist (ID: `8daef859f382b895ac6fd0cf094555d2`).
## Mitigation Strategies
- **RDP Hardening:** Disable RDP where not required; enforce MFA and use VPNs/Gateway services for necessary remote access.
- **Registry Protection:** Implement Tamper Protection in Windows Security to prevent unauthorized modification of security settings.
- **Endpoint Protection:** Use EDR solutions that monitor for "Living off the Land" (LotL) techniques like `wmic` abuse.
- **Least Privilege:** Restrict administrative permissions to prevent scripts from modifying system-level registry keys and services.
## Related Tools/Techniques
- **Living off the Land (LotL):** Use of native Windows tools (`wmic`, `reg.exe`, `cmd.exe`).
- **Xinglocker/MountLocker:** Ransomware families known to utilize similar deployment playbooks.
- **Public Gists:** Attackers frequently source scripts from public repositories like GitHub Gist for defense evasion.