Mount Locker
Intelligence Profile
According to BlackBerry, MountLocker is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), active since July 2020
The MountLocker ransomware was updated during early November 2020 to broaden the targeting of file types and evade security software.
Victim’s files are encrypted using ChaCha20, and file encryption keys are encrypted using RSA-2048.
The ransomware appears to be somewhat secure; there are no trivial weaknesses allowing for easy key recovery and decryption of data. MountLocker does however use a cryptographically insecure method for key generation that may be prone to attack.
Threat Analysis
Mount Locker is a high-sophistication threat actor of undetermined national origin, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of financial.
Financially motivated threat actors like Mount Locker prioritize monetary gain through methods such as ransomware deployment, banking trojans, cryptocurrency theft, BEC scams, or credential harvesting for resale on underground markets.
With high sophistication, Mount Locker is capable of targeted intrusions using adapted commodity tools alongside custom implants, maintaining operational security and evading standard detection mechanisms.