THREAT ACTOR

Dire Wolf

7.1
THREAT LEVEL
EMERGENCE DATE
May 2025
CATEGORY
Closed Group
AFFILIATIONS

No identified affiliations or connections to existing ransomware groups. Represents entirely new threat actor with independent infrastructure, custom Golang codebase, and separate financial operations.

DEscription

First appearing May 2025, this closed group demonstrated operational maturity unusual for newly emerged threats, conducting victim-specific customized attacks through a tight core team. The threat actor deployed professional Golang-based malware with cryptographically sound Curve25519 and ChaCha20 encryption from inception, expanding to 41+ organizations across 13+ countries within six months.

Ransom demands reach $500,000 USD while targeting approximately 60% of victims in Asia-Pacific region, particularly Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, with primary focus on manufacturing and technology sectors.

CRITICALITY
Assesses the importance of the potential target, including their size/scale, data's value, and operational impact.
lethality
Evaluates the potential for damage from the attack, including the ability to disrupt operations, and cause financial loss, damage public brand image.
AGGRESSIVENESS
Assesses the psychological and tactical intensity of the group’s behavior, including targeted harassment, violent language, blackmail, and political motives.

Classifications & Affiliations

Type: Closed Group operating as tight core team without affiliate recruitment or RaaS infrastructure

Estimated 3-7 operators based on operational patterns, comprising developers, network operators, and negotiators. The closed group model limits operational tempo compared to affiliate-driven RaaS but enables quality control.

Victim-specific customization distinguishes this threat—each attack uses tailored encryptors with unique credentials rather than generic payloads. Independent financial operations through non-custodial exchanges and centralized Tor infrastructure separate operations from established RaaS groups.

Current Status: Active as of November 2025 with sustained operational tempo

Threat Level:
7.1

Origins and Methodology

Victim-specific customization distinguishes this threat from typical ransomware operations. Each attack employs tailored encryptors with hardcoded room IDs, unique credentials, and personalized negotiation portals. This customization indicates reconnaissance spanning days to weeks between initial breach and encryption deployment, with proof-of-exfiltration samples prepared in advance and hosted on gofile.io.

Technical sophistication from day one suggests formation by experienced operators rather than novices. Professional dark web infrastructure, custom Golang payload, and zero reported bugs or failed encryptions over six months show operational maturity unusual for groups less than one year old.

The group conducts human-operated campaigns targeting quality over quantity through methodical network mapping and coordinated multi-host deployment, contrasting with automated mass-compromise approaches.

What is the Evolution of Dire Wolf Ransomware?
0.1
Formation

First appeared May 2025 with six initial victims marking official debut. Professional infrastructure existed from inception including Tor-based leak site, structured victim timelines, and polished communications.

The group claims "Based in New York, NY" on their leak site, though analysts assess this as misdirection with linguistic patterns suggesting possible Eastern European or Russian-speaking origins.

Formation timing capitalized on ecosystem disruptions following law enforcement actions against LockBit and Ghost, emerging during Q1 2025 when ransomware attacks increased 169% year-over-year.

0.2
EVOLUTION

Initial months following emergence showed aggressive launch velocity with victim count escalating from 6 to 16+ organizations within first month across 11+ countries. Geographic expansion continued throughout summer 2025 with sector diversification beyond manufacturing to include legal services, financial services, and business services.

Critical government alert AL-2025-082 was issued August 2025, representing only government-level threat assessment to date. First comprehensive technical analysis was published June 2025, while detailed malware analysis documenting encryption methodology followed in August-September 2025.

The group maintains consistent technical approaches with no tactical evolution since emergence. Unlike many ransomware families releasing multiple versions, refined processes from day one with zero reported technical failures suggest immediate maturity. This characteristic indicates operators with prior ransomware experience, possibly former affiliates from disrupted groups.

0.3
Lineage/Connections

No infrastructure overlap or direct connections exist with other ransomware groups. Blockchain analysis identified minimal on-chain connections through common non-custodial exchanges without shared wallets or financial links to established groups.

Independent laundering patterns distinguish the threat from groups like Frag linked to Akira and Fog, or Kairos sharing cash-out addresses with SafePay, INC, Lynx, and Qilin.

Custom Golang codebase features unique markers including mutex Global\direwolfAppMutex and marker file C:\runfinish.exe not matching known group signatures. Technical implementation shows custom cryptographic approach, unique victim management, and independent infrastructure supporting assessment as genuinely new group. Unlike Termite assessed as Babuk rebrand, no evidence suggests evolution from existing operations.

Which Unique Techniques Does Dire Wolf Use?

Human-operated targeting emphasizes extensive pre-breach reconnaissance and victim-specific customization through patient, methodical approach.

Post-compromise follows pattern of network reconnaissance, privilege escalation, lateral movement, data exfiltration averaging 265GB, and coordinated multi-host deployment with custom encryptors.

TECHNIQUE

DETAILS

Infection Vectors

Unknown initial access vectors represent critical intelligence gap. Suspected methods include spear-phishing, exploitation of exposed RDP and VPN services, credential-based attacks, and possible third-party or managed service provider compromise

Target Selection

Strategic targeting emphasizes organizations with valuable data and payment capacity in manufacturing (highest concentration), technology and IT services, legal services, financial services, and healthcare. Geographic concentration shows 60% Asia-Pacific region with Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand highest victim density, secondary operations in United States and Europe

Operational Complexity

Victim-specific customized encryptors with hardcoded room IDs and unique credentials indicate reconnaissance spanning days to weeks. Data exfiltration approximately 265GB occurs before encryption with proof-of-exfiltration samples prepared in advance. Professional double extortion through Tor-based leak site with 30-day publication timeline. Worker pool architecture spawning goroutines equal to 8 times CPU count for maximum encryption throughput

Key Features & Technical Details

Technical architecture centers on Golang ransomware providing cross-platform portability, though only Windows variants observed with no Linux or ESXi versions.

FEATURE

DETAILS

Encryption Method

Hybrid Curve25519 elliptic curve cryptography with ChaCha20 stream cipher. Each file receives unique random private key for Curve25519 key exchange with hardcoded attacker public key generating shared secret. Shared secret undergoes SHA-256 hashing deriving encryption key and nonce for ChaCha20 operations. Cryptographically sound with no known decryption vulnerabilities. Files under 1MB fully encrypted while files exceeding 1MB have only first megabyte encrypted

File Extension

.direwolf appended to encrypted files

Ransom Note

HowToRecoveryFiles.txt with victim-specific Tox messenger credentials, links to proof-of-exfiltration samples on gofile.io, and personalized negotiation instructions. Each note contains hardcoded room IDs, unique usernames and passwords, and pre-configured organizational details

Double Extortion

Approximately 265GB data exfiltration before encryption. Proof-of-exfiltration samples hosted on gofile.io included in ransom notes. Tor-based leak site with 30-day deadline before complete data dump. Publication includes initial sample data as proof, 30-day negotiation window, and complete release if ransoms unpaid

Communication Channels

Tox messenger ID for victim negotiations. Tor infrastructure for leak site and payment portals. No traditional C2 infrastructure documented

Deployment Speed

Worker pool architecture spawns goroutines equal to 8 times CPU count saturating I/O for maximum throughput. Partial file encryption optimizes speed. Systematic 75-service and 59-process termination eliminates obstacles. Forces system reboot and executes self-deletion routines

Payment Method

Bitcoin primary cryptocurrency with deposits to non-custodial exchanges requiring no KYC. Blockchain analysis reveals limited obfuscation with potentially recoverable cash-out strategy. Straightforward approach making multiple deposits reflects quick conversion priority but creates increased traceability

Operational Model

Closed group with estimated 3-7 operators comprising 1-2 developers, 2-3 network operators, and 1-2 negotiators. Customized builds per victim, personalized communications, unified technical characteristics, and centralized infrastructure distinguish non-RaaS model

Activities

Activity began May 2025 with six initial victims rapidly escalating to 16+ organizations within first month. Victim count reached 41+ by November 2025 representing 156% increase with approximately 7 victims monthly. Peak activity occurred during May-June 2025 emergence phase with sustained tempo throughout summer and fall 2025.

Geographic distribution shows 60% concentration in Asia-Pacific region prompting critical government alert issuance August 2025. Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand show highest victim density with secondary targeting in United States and Europe across 13+ countries.

Which Industries Are Most Vulnerable to Dire Wolf?

Primary targets include manufacturing, technology and IT services, legal services, financial services, healthcare, construction and engineering, agriculture, and business services.

HAL Most Recent Attacks

Modus Operandi

Human-operated campaign with extensive reconnaissance spanning days to weeks between breach and encryption.

Details

Unknown initial access vectors represent critical intelligence gap. Suspected methods include spear-phishing with malicious attachments, exploitation of exposed RDP and VPN services through Valid Accounts (T1078), credential-based attacks, and possible third-party compromise.

Absence of documented CVE exploitation suggests zero-day vulnerabilities, credential-based attacks, or strong operational security preventing intelligence collection.

Details

Network reconnaissance during multi-day or multi-week period between breach and encryption. Victim-specific customization with hardcoded room IDs and unique credentials indicates detailed target assessment.

System Network Configuration Discovery (T1016) and Network Service Scanning (T1046) likely identify encryption targets. Data exfiltration approximately 265GB suggests comprehensive File and Directory Discovery (T1083) identifying high-value data.

Details

No specific remote access tools documented. Post-compromise communication occurs through Tox messenger with unique ID per victim and Tor-based negotiation portals.

Details

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) through UPX packing. Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (T1562.001) through systematic termination of 75 services including Sophos, Symantec, Veeam, and BackupExec.

Indicator Removal: Clear Windows Event Logs (T1070.001) via infinite loop continuously querying eventlog service PID via WMI and terminating with taskkill, ensuring logging remains disabled. Commands include wevtutil cl System, Security, and Application.

Indicator Removal: File Deletion (T1070.004) through self-deletion routines after encryption.

Details

No specific credential access techniques documented. Unknown initial access suggests possible Valid Accounts (T1078) or credential stuffing exploiting weak practices.

Details

No traditional C2 infrastructure. Communication through Tox messenger and Tor-based negotiation portals with victim-specific credentials embedded in ransom notes.

Details

No specific lateral movement techniques documented. Human-operated campaign and coordinated multi-host deployment suggest lateral movement capabilities.

Details

Data exfiltration approximately 265GB before encryption via Exfiltration Over Web Service (T1567). Proof-of-exfiltration samples hosted on gofile.io included in ransom notes. Comprehensive File and Directory Discovery (T1083) identifies high-value data creating maximum extortion pressure.

Details

Mutex checking via Create or Modify System Process (T1543) prevents duplicate execution. Creates marker file indicating completion. No traditional registry-based persistence as malware executes once then self-deletes via Indicator Removal: File Deletion (T1070.004).

Details

Data Encrypted for Impact (T1486) creating operational disruption particularly severe for manufacturing sector. Inhibit System Recovery (T1490) through systematic destruction of Volume Shadow Copies, Windows Backup, and third-party backup solutions extends recovery timeframes.

Service Stop (T1489) and process termination targeting backup services, security services, and database services forces victims to pay or restore from offline backups.

Double extortion creates cascading impacts including operational disruption, financial threats, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.

Details

Data Encrypted for Impact (T1486) via hybrid Curve25519 with ChaCha20 encryption. Files under 1MB fully encrypted while files exceeding 1MB have only first megabyte encrypted.

Worker pool architecture spawns goroutines equal to 8 times CPU count for maximum throughput. Appends extension to encrypted files and deploys ransom notes with victim-specific credentials.

Details

Double extortion combining Data Encrypted for Impact (T1486) with data exfiltration threats. Ransom demands reach $500,000 USD.

Professional Tor-based leak site with structured publication including initial sample data as proof, 30-day negotiation period, and complete data dump if ransoms unpaid.

Ransom notes include proof-of-breach links on gofile.io.

Details

Inhibit System Recovery (T1490) through comprehensive backup destruction including vssadmin delete shadows, wmic shadowcopy delete, wbadmin delete catalog, and bcdedit commands disabling Windows Recovery Environment.

Service Stop (T1489) terminating 75 services and 59 processes including sqlservr.exe, outlook.exe, and VMware processes.

System Shutdown/Reboot (T1529) forces reboot followed by self-deletion via Indicator Removal: File Deletion (T1070.004).

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

Comprehensive indicators enable detection though critical gaps exist regarding vulnerability exploitation and public detection signatures.

INDICATOR

DETAILS

File Hashes

SHA-256: 8fdee53152ec985ffeeeda3d7a85852eb5c9902d2d480449421b4939b1904aad (packed sample data345.exe)
MD5: A71dbf2e20c04da134f8be86ca93a619 (packed)
SHA-1: Ed7c9fbd42605c790660df86b7ec325490f6d827 (packed)
SHA-256: 27d90611f005db3a25a4211cf8f69fb46097c6c374905d7207b30e87d296e1b3 (unpacked)
MD5: aa62b3905be9b49551a07bc16eaad2ff (unpacked)
SHA-1: 4a5852e9f9e20b243d8430b229e41b92949e4d69 (unpacked)

Domains/URLs

direwolfcdkv5whaz2spehizdg22jsuf5aeje4asmetpbt6ri4jnd4qd.onion (Tor leak site)
gofile.io (proof-of-exfiltration hosting)

Communication IDs

Tox Messenger: B344BECDC01A1282F69CB82979F40439E15E1FD1EF1FE9748EE467F5869E2148E6F1E55959E2 (victim negotiations)

File Paths

C:\runfinish.exe (marker file)
Mutex: Global\direwolfAppMutex (prevents duplicate execution)

File Extensions

.direwolf (encrypted files)
HowToRecoveryFiles.txt (ransom note)

Exploits and Vulnerabilities

EXPLOITS AND VULNERABILITIES

CVE

CVSS

DESCRIPTION

No CVEs Documented

N/A

N/A

No specific CVE numbers attributed to exploitation. Searches of CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and NIST National Vulnerability Database contain no associations. Absence suggests zero-day vulnerabilities, credential-based attacks, or strong operational security preventing intelligence collection

‍

Additional Attack Vectors: Suspected initial access methods include spear-phishing with malicious attachments potentially exploiting Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001), exploitation of exposed RDP and VPN services through Valid Accounts (T1078), and possible third-party or managed service provider compromise. Post-initial-access follows pattern of network reconnaissance, privilege escalation, lateral movement, data exfiltration, and coordinated multi-host deployment with custom encryptors. Unknown initial access vectors create fundamental detection challenges forcing defense-in-depth strategies.