BRAINCIPHER

RANSOMWARE

BrainCipher is a sophisticated ransomware group that primarily targets organizations within the technology and healthcare sectors, where they can gain access to sensitive data and critical infrastructure. The group typically initiates attacks through user execution techniques, leveraging social engineering tactics or exploiting vulnerabilities to gain initial foothold on victim networks. Once inside, BrainCipher employs a double extortion strategy, encrypting files and threatening to leak stolen data unless a ransom is paid. Notably, the group's use of file deletion during their operations distinguishes them from other ransomware actors by complicating incident response efforts and increasing pressure for swift resolution.

Analyzing BrainCipher’s technical footprint reveals a preference for exploiting high-severity vulnerabilities, with five HIGH severity CVEs linked to their activities. While no specific tools or malware have been confirmed, the group's use of techniques such as disabling security tools (T1562.001) and file deletion (T1070.004) suggests a high level of technical sophistication. Defenders should prioritize enhancing endpoint detection and response capabilities to identify user execution vectors early on, alongside implementing robust data backup and recovery strategies to mitigate the impact of encryption attacks.

Confirmed CVEs (1)

Exploited by this group as confirmed by threat intelligence sources.

CVE-2023-28252 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 7.8

Predicted CVEs (11) CORRELATION

How does prediction work?

Predicted CVEs are identified through automated correlation using multiple sources: vendor/product profiles historically targeted by the group (MITRE ATT&CK), attack chain patterns (KEV + TTPs), threat intelligence (MISP, STIX), and AI analysis. These CVEs have not been confirmed as exploited by this specific group, but have a high probability of being targets based on the actor's operational profile.

CVE-2021-34527 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 8.8 CVE-2024-21412 HIGH Microsoft Windows 11 version 21H2 predicted 8.1 CVE-2024-26169 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 7.8 CVE-2020-0787 HIGH Microsoft Windows predicted 7.8 CVE-2021-1675 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 7.8 CVE-2022-30190 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 7.8 CVE-2023-28252 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 7.8 CVE-2023-36884 HIGH Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 7.5 CVE-2021-36942 HIGH Microsoft Windows Server 2019 predicted 7.5 CVE-2021-43890 HIGH Microsoft App Installer predicted 7.1 CVE-2022-41091 MEDIUM Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 predicted 5.4

ATT&CK Techniques (5)

T1204.002 User Execution Execution T1070.004 Indicator Removal: File Deletion Defense Evasion T1562.001 Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools Defense Evasion T1083 File and Directory Discovery Discovery T1486 Data Encrypted for Impact Impact