A group of actors originating from North Korea that Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) tracks as DEV-0530 has been developing and using ransomware in attacks since June 2021. This group, which calls itself H0lyGh0st, utilizes a ransomware payload with the same name for its campaigns and has successfully compromised small businesses in multiple countries as early as September 2021.
Along with their H0lyGh0st payload, DEV-0530 maintains an .onion site that the group uses to interact with their victims. The group’s standard methodology is to encrypt all files on the target device and use the file extension .h0lyenc, send the victim a sample of the files as proof, and then demand payment in Bitcoin in exchange for restoring access to the files. As part of their extortion tactics, they also threaten to publish victim data on social media or send the data to the victims’ customers if they refuse to pay. This blog is intended to capture part of MSTIC’s analysis of DEV-0530 tactics, present the protections Microsoft has implemented in our security products, and share insights on DEV-0530 and H0lyGh0st ransomware with the broader security community to protect mutual customers.
