Incident: Ransomware Popcorn Time: Innovative Affiliate Marketing Scheme with Deletion Threat.

Published Date: 2016-12-12

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident of the Popcorn Time ransomware variant was reported on December 12, 2016, as per Article 58460.
System 1. Popcorn Time ransomware variant 2. Encryption key deletion feature 3. Distribution method involving affiliate marketing scheme
Responsible Organization 1. The developers of the Popcorn Time ransomware variant were responsible for causing the software failure incident [58460].
Impacted Organization 1. Users infected with the Popcorn Time ransomware variant [58460].
Software Causes 1. The software failure incident was caused by the development and distribution of a new ransomware variant named Popcorn Time, which encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users and demands payment for decryption [58460].
Non-software Causes 1. The innovative distribution method of the ransomware, which involved turning victims into attackers through a pyramid scheme-style discount, was a non-software cause of the failure incident [58460].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident led to the encryption of key files on the hard drive of infected users, causing potential data loss and disruption to their operations [58460]. 2. Users faced the risk of losing access to their files permanently if the wrong decryption code was entered four times, as the ransomware indicated it may delete the encryption key under such circumstances [58460]. 3. The incident resulted in victims being coerced into either paying a ransom or infecting others with the malware, creating a dilemma for those affected [58460]. 4. The innovative distribution method of the ransomware, turning victims into attackers through an affiliate marketing scheme, increased the potential for rapid spread and widespread infections [58460].
Preventions 1. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures such as regular software updates, patches, and security audits to prevent vulnerabilities that ransomware can exploit [58460]. 2. Educating users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files to reduce the chances of malware infections [58460]. 3. Utilizing strong encryption methods and secure password practices to protect sensitive data from being easily accessed and encrypted by ransomware [58460].
Fixes 1. Enhancing cybersecurity measures to prevent the initial infection of the ransomware variant, such as improving email security, updating software patches, and educating users on safe browsing habits [58460]. 2. Developing and deploying effective anti-ransomware tools and technologies to detect and mitigate ransomware attacks before they can encrypt files [58460]. 3. Collaborating with law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute the perpetrators behind the ransomware scheme, thereby discouraging future criminal activities [58460].
References 1. Security researchers MalwareHunterTeam [58460]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring unknown The article does not provide information about the software failure incident happening again at either one_organization or multiple_organization.
Phase (Design/Operation) design, operation (a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the development of the Popcorn Time ransomware variant. The article mentions that the ransomware developers introduced an innovative distribution method where victims are turned into attackers by offering a pyramid scheme-style discount. This design flaw allows infected users to unlock their files by either paying a ransom or infecting others with the malware. Additionally, the ransomware may delete the encryption key entirely if the wrong code is entered four times, indicating a potential flaw in the design of the decryption process [58460]. (b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the way the Popcorn Time ransomware operates. Infected users are given the option to either pay the ransom or infect others with the malware to unlock their files. This operation relies on the victims' actions to spread the malware further, showcasing how the misuse of the system by users can lead to further infections and potential data loss [58460].
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system (a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the article is primarily within the system. The failure is caused by the ransomware variant Popcorn Time, which encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users and demands payment for decryption. The failure originates from within the system as the ransomware itself is designed to encrypt files and demand ransom from users [58460]. (b) outside_system: The article does not mention any contributing factors originating from outside the system that led to the software failure incident.
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions, human_actions (a) The software failure incident in the article is related to non-human_actions, specifically a ransomware variant called Popcorn Time. This ransomware encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users and offers victims the option to unlock their files by either paying a ransom or infecting others with the malware. The software also has a feature where it may delete the encryption key entirely if the wrong code is entered four times. This behavior is a result of the design and functionality of the ransomware itself, without direct human intervention in causing the failure [58460]. (b) The software failure incident can also be attributed to human_actions, as the ransomware developers intentionally designed the software to operate in a way that incentivizes victims to spread the malware to others in order to unlock their files for free. This affiliate marketing scheme introduced by the developers is a deliberate human action that influences the behavior and impact of the software failure incident [58460].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) hardware, software (a) The software failure incident related to hardware: - The article discusses a ransomware variant named Popcorn Time that encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users [58460]. This encryption process directly impacts the hardware by locking access to key files stored on the hard drive. (b) The software failure incident related to software: - The article highlights the ransomware variant Popcorn Time, which is a software failure incident due to the malicious software encrypting key files on the hard drive of infected users [58460]. - Additionally, the article mentions that the ransomware may delete the encryption key entirely if the wrong code is entered four times, indicating a software failure aspect in the design and functionality of the malware [58460].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) malicious (a) The objective of the software failure incident was malicious. The incident involved a new ransomware variant named Popcorn Time, which was designed to turn victims into attackers by offering a pyramid scheme-style discount. Victims were given the option to unlock their files by paying a ransom or by infecting others with the malware. The ransomware encrypted key files on the hard drive of infected users and threatened to delete the encryption key if the wrong code was entered multiple times. This malicious software was created with the intent to harm users and extort money from them [58460].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) poor_decisions, unknown (a) The intent of the software failure incident related to poor decisions can be seen in the ransomware variant described in Article 58460. The developers of the Popcorn Time malware implemented an affiliate marketing scheme where infected users could unlock their files by either paying a ransom or infecting others with the malware. This pyramid scheme-style approach to increasing infections demonstrates a poor decision on the part of the developers, as it incentivizes victims to become attackers themselves [58460]. (b) The intent of the software failure incident related to accidental decisions is not explicitly mentioned in the articles provided.
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) development_incompetence (a) The article mentions a ransomware variant called Popcorn Time that has an innovative distribution method where victims are turned into attackers by offering a pyramid scheme-style discount. The software, in development, contains references to potentially deleting the encryption key entirely if the wrong code is entered four times, although this feature is not yet implemented. This aspect of potentially deleting the encryption key due to incorrect entries could be seen as a development incompetence issue, as it introduces a risky element into the software without proper implementation or consideration of the consequences [58460]. (b) The accidental aspect of the software failure incident is not explicitly mentioned in the article.
Duration temporary The software failure incident described in the article is more aligned with a temporary failure rather than a permanent one. This is evident from the fact that the Popcorn Time ransomware variant, which turns victims into attackers through a pyramid scheme-style discount, is still in development and has not been fully released yet [58460]. The article mentions that the affiliate marketing scheme of the ransomware is currently only in development, indicating that the software failure incident is temporary and has not reached a permanent state.
Behaviour omission, value, other (a) crash: The article does not mention a software failure incident related to a crash. (b) omission: The software failure incident described in the article is related to the omission of performing intended functions. The ransomware encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users and promises the decryption key only to those who pay up or infect others. However, it also includes a twist where the ransomware may delete the encryption key entirely if the wrong code is entered four times, which can result in the omission of decrypting the files even if the ransom is paid [58460]. (c) timing: The article does not mention a software failure incident related to timing issues. (d) value: The software failure incident described in the article is related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The ransomware encrypts files on the hard drive of infected users and demands payment for decryption. However, there is a risk that the encryption key may be deleted if the wrong code is entered, leading to incorrect decryption or loss of files [58460]. (e) byzantine: The article does not mention a software failure incident related to a byzantine behavior. (f) other: The other behavior observed in the software failure incident is the innovative distribution method employed by the ransomware. It turns victims into attackers by offering a pyramid scheme-style discount, where infected users can unlock their files by either paying a ransom or infecting others with the malware. This behavior of incentivizing victims to spread the malware is a unique and malicious tactic employed by the developers [58460].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence property, non-human, theoretical_consequence (a) death: There is no mention of people losing their lives due to the software failure incident in the provided article [58460]. (b) harm: The article does not mention any physical harm caused to people due to the software failure incident [58460]. (c) basic: The article does not discuss any impact on people's access to food or shelter due to the software failure incident [58460]. (d) property: The software failure incident resulted in people's material goods, money, or data being impacted as victims were asked to pay a ransom to unlock their files or risk losing them permanently [58460]. (e) delay: There is no mention of people having to postpone an activity due to the software failure incident in the provided article [58460]. (f) non-human: The software failure incident impacted non-human entities, specifically computer systems and files that were encrypted by the ransomware [58460]. (g) no_consequence: The software failure incident had real observed consequences, particularly in terms of impacting victims' data and files [58460]. (h) theoretical_consequence: The article discusses potential consequences of the software failure incident, such as the debate around whether victims should pay the ransom or not, the risk of funding criminal activities, and the uncertainty of file recovery even after payment [58460]. (i) other: The article does not mention any other specific consequences of the software failure incident beyond those discussed in the options (a) to (h) [58460].
Domain information (a) The failed system in the article is related to the production and distribution of information. The software discussed in the article is a ransomware variant named Popcorn Time, which encrypts key files on the hard drive of infected users, offering decryption keys only upon payment or infecting others [Article 58460]. This incident falls under the information industry category as it involves data encryption and manipulation for malicious purposes.

Sources

Back to List