The Taiwanese hardware maker QNAP is urging users of its network-attached storage (NAS) devices to update their firmware and apps to avoid falling victim to a new strain of ransomware.
The ransomware, named AgeLocker, first began infecting NAS devices beginning in June of this year. AgeLocker gets its name from the fact that it uses the Actually Good Encryption (AGE) algorithm to encrypt files on a victim's NAS device.
Unfortunately for those whose devices have been infected with AgeLocker, the AGE encryption algorithm is considered cryptographically secure and because of this, techniques such as brute-forcing the encryption key or identifying weakness in the encryption scheme just won't work.
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This means that users will have to pay the ransom demanded by AgeLocker's operators if they wish to regain access to their files, hence the reason why QNAP is strongly urging users to upgrade the firmware and software of their NAS devices to avoid falling victim to it in the first place.
AgeLocker ransomware
QNAP revealed in a recent security advisory that its QTS firmware and PhotoStation, one of the default apps that comes preinstalled with its devices, are two of the ways in which AgeLocker is able to gain access to user's NAS devices. The company provided further insight on its ongoing investigation into AgeLocker, saying:
“Current intelligence pointed out that AgeLocker-affected systems are mostly macOS and Linux devices, and QNAP's initial investigation showed that no unpatched vulnerabilities are found in QTS. All known affected NAS are running older, unpatched QTS versions. QNAP is carrying out a thorough investigation by working with other information security entities to ensure the security of all QNAP products.”
In order to prevent falling victim to AgeLocker, QNAP NAS device owners should update the firmware of their devices as well as any preinstalled software such as the company's PhotoStation app.
QNAP provided the same recommendation to users back in June when its devices were targeted by the eCh0raix ransomware.
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Via ZDNet
