Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022

YARA-2022-0219 Critical general Active

Detects Onyx Ransomware build off of Chaos Builder v4

Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar Valid Syntax
import "pe"    

    rule Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022
{           
    meta:
    description = "Detects Onyx Ransomware build off of Chaos Builder v4"
    reference = "https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2022/05/yashma-ransomware-tracing-the-chaos-family-tree"
    author = "BlackBerry Threat Research"
    date = "2022-05-10"
    license = "This Yara rule is provided under the Apache License 2.0 (https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0) and open to any user or organization, as long as you use it under this license and ensure originator credit in any derivative to The BlackBerry Research & Intelligence Team"

            strings:
            $s1 = "(?:[13]{1}[a-km-zA-HJ-NP-Z1-9]{26,33}|bc1[a-z0-9]{39,59})" wide
            $s2 = "All of your files are currently encrypted by ONYX strain." wide
            $s3 = "Inform your supervisors and stay calm!" wide

            condition:

            //PE File
            uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and

            //Directories
            pe.data_directories[pe.IMAGE_DIRECTORY_ENTRY_COM_DESCRIPTOR].size != 0 and

            //All strings
            all of ($s*)

}

Rule Metadata

description
Detects Onyx Ransomware build off of Chaos Builder v4
reference
https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2022/05/yashma-ransomware-tracing-the-chaos-family-tree
author
BlackBerry Threat Research
date
2022-05-10
license
This Yara rule is provided under the Apache License 2.0 (https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0) and open to any user or organization, as long as you use it under this license and ensure originator credit in any derivative to The BlackBerry Research & Intelligence Team

String Definitions

{"name":"$s1","value":"\"(?:[13]{1}[a-km-zA-HJ-NP-Z1-9]{26,33}|bc1[a-z0-9]{39,59})\" wide"}
{"name":"$s2","value":"\"All of your files are currently encrypted by ONYX strain.\" wide"}
{"name":"$s3","value":"\"Inform your supervisors and stay calm!\" wide"}

Threat Analysis

This YARA rule is designed to detect general threats.

Severity Level: Critical

The rule uses pattern matching to identify specific byte sequences, strings, or behavioral patterns associated with malicious activity.

Detection Capabilities

  • File-based detection for executables and documents
  • Memory scanning for running processes
  • Network traffic analysis support

Command Line Usage

# Scan a single file
yara Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar /path/to/suspicious/file

# Scan a directory recursively
yara -r Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar /path/to/directory/

# Scan with metadata output
yara -m Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar target_file

# Scan process memory (Linux)
yara Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar /proc/[pid]/exe

Integration Examples

Python (yara-python)

import yara
rules = yara.compile(filepath='Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar')
matches = rules.match('/path/to/file')

ClamAV Integration

clamscan --yara-rules=Mal_Win32_Onyx_Strain_Chaos_Ransomware_2022.yar /path/to/scan

Rule Information

YARA ID
YARA-2022-0219
Created
August 19, 2025
Last Updated
August 19, 2025
Last Imported
Never

Threat Intelligence

Risk Level Critical
Category general
Detection Confidence Analysis Pending
False Positive Rate Not Available
Last Seen in Wild No Data

Export Options