Secplicity Blog

Cybersecurity Headlines & Trends Explained

Ransomware Tracker (Entry #229): Hakuna Matata 1.7

Entry: https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-security-hub/ransomware-tracker/hakuna-matata

Hakuna Matata is a Swahili phrase meaning "there are no worries" (Hakuna = there are no; Matata = worries). It's popularized by the Disney movie The Lion King, performed by Timon and Pumbaa. However, native speakers of Swahili in countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and other neighboring countries seldom use this phrase in everyday conversation. It's more or less reserved for tourists because of The Lion King. In this context, Hakuna Matata is a ransomware builder that produces encryptors with AES-256-CBC and RSA-2048. The builder allows users to create a custom ransom note file name (default = Readme.txt) and message, a name for the process that performs the encryption (default = rundll32.exe), select file extensions, and options to alter the desktop wallpaper for extortion instructions. Additional options are shown in the ransom note image below, which isn't a ransom note image but an image of the builder as a user would see it.

The builder first appeared on the HellOfHackers forum from a user named Hakuna1 on July 7, 2023. Additionally, a user named CmdShell is selling the software for $150 on the underground market, GothamCity. We are uncertain if these are the same users because the CmdShell user created their account in May 2024, almost a year after the builder was publicized. Another user named HeightCoder released the source code on October 5, 2024 (see references) on GitHub, furthering evidence that the CmdShell could be another individual with access to the source code instead of the original author. This user also indicates that this builder is an iteration of Chaos/Yashma, which seems probable considering the similar appearances and behaviors of the encryptors from each of these builders.

All in all, the source code is in the public domain, and users who fall victim to ransomware derived from this builder will undoubtedly have worries. Unlike Chaos 3.0, Chaos 4.0, Yashma, and some variants, Hakuna Matata encryptors have no known decryptor.

Filed under: Ransomware, Research