Threat Overview
The ransomware group Qilin has been notably active in 2025, with over 40 victim cases published per month on its leak site. This report delves into the methods and tactics employed by this group, providing valuable insights for security analysts to better understand and defend against these threats.
Actor Group Description
The Qilin ransomware group is believed to originate from Eastern Europe or Russian-speaking regions. Their activities have significantly impacted various sectors, with manufacturing, professional services, and wholesale trade being the most affected. The group’s sophisticated attack methods make them a formidable threat in the cybersecurity landscape.
Report Summary
The Qilin ransomware group employs a well-structured attack flow that includes initial VPN access, reconnaissance, credential theft, lateral movement, and ultimately, ransomware deployment. Their toolkit includes Cyberduck for data exfiltration and the use of notepad.exe and mspaint.exe to view sensitive information.
Attack Flow
The attack begins with initial VPN access, allowing the attackers to gain a foothold within the target network. Following this, they conduct thorough reconnaissance to understand the network’s layout and identify high-value targets. Credential theft is then carried out to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network.
Once the attackers have established sufficient control, they deploy ransomware using two primary encryptors: one spread via PsExec and another targeting network shares. The ransomware encrypts files, deletes backups to prevent recovery, and leaves ransom notes demanding payment for decryption keys.
Persistence Mechanisms
The Qilin group ensures persistence within the compromised networks through scheduled tasks and registry modifications. These methods allow them to maintain access even if some of their initial entry points are discovered and mitigated.
Recommendations for Mitigation
To defend against the Qilin ransomware group, organizations should consider the following recommendations:
- Enforce strong VPN security protocols and monitor for unusual access patterns.
- Implement robust credential management practices to prevent theft and unauthorized access.
- Deploy advanced threat detection tools that can identify and respond to suspicious activities in real-time.
- Regularly back up critical data and store backups offline to ensure they cannot be deleted or encrypted by ransomware.
- Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics used for initial access.
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and fix vulnerabilities within the network.
Technical Details
The report provides extensive technical details about the Qilin group’s tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Security analysts can use this information to fine-tune their defenses and better prepare for potential attacks. The detailed analysis includes:
- Specific tools used by the attackers, such as Cyberduck, notepad.exe, and mspaint.exe.
- Methods of data exfiltration and lateral movement within compromised networks.
- Technical indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can be used to detect ongoing attacks.
Confidence Level
The confidence level in the information provided in this report is 100, indicating a high degree of certainty in the accuracy and reliability of the data. The reliability of the report is rated as A – Completely reliable.
External References
For additional information, please refer to the following external references:
