HermeticWiper
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Threat Level: | 80 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 11 |
| First Seen: | July 23, 2012 |
| Last Seen: | November 14, 2025 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
HermeticWiper is an extremely destructive malware threat, designed to render the breached computers inoperable specifically. The threat was leveraged against numerous organizations in Ukraine and is likely connected to the Russian invasion of the country. According to the conclusions of several cybersecurity vendors, hundreds of machines belonging to organizations from different industry sectors - financial, aviation, defense, and IT services, have been compromised already. The total number of affected computers is likely much higher.
Table of Contents
Functionality and Attack Details
HermeticWiper is capable of corrupting the Master Boot Record (MBR) of Windows PCs, which is a crucial component responsible for the correct loading of the OS. By wiping it, the malware bricks the entire system and stops it from being bootable. According to the security firm SentinelOne, the technique utilized by the threat involves leveraging the legitimate drivers of the free EaseUs Partition Master application and results in the corruption of the system's hard drives. As for the threat itself, it appears to be signed with a digital certificate belonging to a company named 'Hermetica Digital Ltd.' located in Cyprus.
The HermeticWiper attack seems to have been planned well in advance, with the cybercriminals compromising some of the targeted systems months earlier. On some systems, the attackers also deployed ransomware threats alongside HermeticWiper, but this move is most likely a diversion attempt to mask their true intentions.
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | Trojan.HermeticWiper |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | Hash Mismatch |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
382fc1a3c5225fceb672eea13f572a38
SHA1:
d9a3596af0463797df4ff25b7999184946e3bfa2
SHA256:
2C10B2EC0B995B88C27D141D6F7B14D6B8177C52818687E4FF8E6ECF53ADF5BF
File Size:
117.00 KB, 117000 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have exports table
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Icons
File Icons
This section displays icon resources found within family samples. Malware often replicates icons commonly associated with legitimate software to mislead users into believing the malware is safe.
Digital Signatures
Digital Signatures
This section lists digital signatures that are attached to samples within this family. When analyzing and verifying digital signatures, it is important to confirm that the signature’s root authority is a well-known and trustworthy entity and that the status of the signature is good. Malware is often signed with non-trustworthy “Self Signed” digital signatures (which can be easily created by a malware author with no verification). Malware may also be signed by legitimate signatures that have an invalid status, and by signatures from questionable root authorities with fake or misleading “Signer” names.| Signer | Root | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hermetica Digital Ltd | DigiCert EV Code Signing CA (SHA2) | Hash Mismatch |
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 55 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 45 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 10 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 0 |
Visual Map
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Similar Families
Similar Families
This section lists other families that share similarities with this family, based on EnigmaSoft’s analysis. Many malware families are created from the same malware toolkits and use the same packing and encryption techniques but uniquely extend functionality. Similar families may also share source code, attributes, icons, subcomponents, compromised and/or invalid digital signatures, and network characteristics. Researchers leverage these similarities to rapidly and effectively triage file samples and extend malware detection rules.- HermeticWiper.A
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| c: | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\windows\system32\drivers\hzdr | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\windows\system32\drivers\hzdr | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\windows\system32\drivers\hzdr.sys | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKLM\system\controlset001\control\crashcontrol::crashdumpenabled | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| Other Suspicious |
|
| Service Control |
|
