Solara Ransomware: Technical Analysis of a Chaos Variant Targeting Gamers

Solara Ransomware is a threat that combines encryption capabilities with social engineering tactics targeting gaming communities, particularly ROBLOX users. This malware variant, associated with the Chaos ransomware family, disguises itself as a gaming utility while deploying file encryption functionality. First observed in early 2025, Solara uses deceptive distribution through gaming forums and modification communities to target younger users, encrypts victim files, and drops ransom notes demanding cryptocurrency payment. This analysis examines its technical characteristics, distribution methods, and provides protection strategies to defend against this threat.

Introduction to Solara Ransomware

Solara ransomware represents an evolution in the ransomware landscape, specifically targeting gaming communities with a focus on ROBLOX users. This malware emerged in early 2025 and belongs to the Chaos ransomware family, a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation active since 2021.

The primary distribution method involves masquerading as a gaming utility or exploit tool, specifically for ROBLOX, a platform with many young users. By disguising itself as “SolaraBootstrapper.exe,” the malware appeals to gamers looking for cheats, exploits, or modifications, tricking them into executing a ransomware payload.

The ransomware follows the typical pattern of encrypting victim files and demanding payment for decryption, but with a specific focus on gaming communities rather than businesses or general consumers. This targeting strategy indicates a trend of threat actors exploiting specific communities with tailored social engineering approaches.

Technical Features of Solara Ransomware

Solara ransomware employs several technical features typical of the Chaos ransomware family, with some specific characteristics:

• .NET Framework Implementation: Written in C# and compiled as a .NET assembly, making it relatively easy to develop and modify.
• File Encryption: Encrypts victim files using a combination of symmetric encryption methods.
• Deceptive User Interface: Presents itself as a legitimate gaming tool with visual elements like ASCII art and fake “downloading” progress messages.
• Dropped Components: The initial SolaraBootstrapper.exe drops additional components, including DLLs stored in C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp\Solara.Dir\ directory.
• Process Impersonation: May create processes with names like “svchost.exe” to blend in with legitimate Windows processes.
• Ransom Note Creation: Drops a text file named “read_it.txt” in the C:\$WinREAgent\ directory with payment instructions.
• Network Communication: Attempts to connect to GitHub repositories (github.com/quivings/Solara/) to download additional components.
• GitHub Association: Uses GitHub to host components and configuration files, with repositories specifically created for the malware.

The design of Solara targets young gamers who are more likely to run untrusted software in pursuit of gaming advantages. While less sophisticated than enterprise-targeted ransomware, its social engineering aspects and targeting strategy remain effective against its intended victims.

Distribution Methods

Solara ransomware employs a targeted distribution strategy focused on gaming communities, particularly those involved with ROBLOX:

1. Gaming forums and Discord servers: The malware is advertised as a legitimate ROBLOX exploit, cheat, or modification tool on gaming forums and Discord servers dedicated to game hacking/modding.
2. ROBLOX exploiting communities: Communities focused on creating and sharing tools to modify or exploit ROBLOX games are specifically targeted, with the malware presented as a new or powerful exploiting tool.
3. GitHub repositories: The malware authors use GitHub to host components and masquerade as legitimate open-source gaming utility developers.
4. YouTube tutorials: Fake tutorial videos claiming to demonstrate ROBLOX exploits often contain links to the malware in their descriptions.

The demographic being targeted is notable. ROBLOX has a user base that includes children and teenagers who may be less security-conscious and more willing to download and execute untrusted software to gain advantages in games. By advertising game exploits or cheats, Solara’s operators target these potentially vulnerable users.

The attackers leverage social engineering techniques tailored to gaming communities, using gaming-specific terminology, ASCII art, and interfaces that mimic legitimate gaming tools, complete with progress bars and “downloading” messages that appear legitimate while the malware executes in the background.

Encryption Process and Ransom Demands

Solara ransomware, as a variant of the Chaos ransomware family, follows a straightforward encryption and extortion process:

Encryption Process

1. File Scanning: The ransomware scans the victim’s system for target file types, particularly focusing on gaming-related files, documents, and media.
2. Encryption Method: Uses a symmetric encryption algorithm to encrypt files. As a Chaos variant, it likely uses AES encryption.
3. No File Extension Change: Unlike many ransomware families, some variants of Chaos (including Solara) may not add a specific extension to encrypted files, making it harder for victims to identify which files have been affected.
4. Encryption Targeting: Prioritizes user files including gaming profiles, saved games, documents, images, and videos.
5. Ransom Note Creation: Creates a text file (read_it.txt) in the C:\$WinREAgent\ directory with payment instructions.

Ransom Note Content

The ransom note contains several key elements designed to pressure the victim into paying:

• Casual, Threatening Tone: Uses informal language like “Don’t worry, you can return all your files for a small fee but currently tapu has fucked you up” to create a sense of helplessness with a casual approach.
• File Impact Statement: Clearly states “All your files like documents, photos, databases and other important are encrypted” to emphasize the damage done.
• Free Decryption Offer: Promises to decrypt three files for free as proof of decryption capability, a common tactic to build “trust” with victims.
• Payment Instructions: Provides specific cryptocurrency addresses for Bitcoin and Ethereum payments:
  • ETH: 0xECD6bF243986DFE9Bcbc56bDfab155c0095181bF
  • BTC: bclqv9jpr27a3dp2amgyd6d2t95s3s51unjxkfhxze
• Communication Channel: Provides an email address (testemail101001@gmail.com) as the sole method of contact, unlike more sophisticated ransomware operations that offer multiple contact options.

The ransom demands are calibrated for the demographic being targeted – younger users with limited financial resources. While the exact amount is not specified in the ransom note (suggesting they negotiate based on each victim), the amounts demanded are likely lower than enterprise-focused ransomware but still substantial enough to be profitable when targeting a larger number of individual victims.

The simpler approach to victim communication (only a Gmail address rather than secure messaging platforms or TOR sites) indicates this operation may be run by less experienced cybercriminals or those specifically targeting individuals rather than businesses.

Technical Indicators of Compromise

Organizations, parents, and gamers should monitor for the following indicators that may suggest a Solara ransomware infection or attack in progress:

File System Artifacts

Network Indicators

Behavioral Indicators

• Program claiming to be a ROBLOX exploit/cheat tool that displays ASCII art during execution
• Console window displaying messages about “downloading latest version” or “downloading dependencies”
• Unexpected file encryption or inability to open common file types
• System performing slower than usual with high disk activity
• Unexpected network connections from gaming applications

Mitigation and Protection Strategies

Protecting against Solara ransomware requires specific strategies given its targeting of gamers, particularly younger users. Both technical measures and education are essential:

For Parents and Guardians

• Gaming education: Talk to children about the risks of downloading game “hacks,” “cheats,” or “exploits” from untrusted sources.
• Monitor gaming activities: Be aware of what games children are playing and what additional software they’re downloading.
• Restricted privileges: Consider using standard user accounts rather than administrator accounts for children’s gaming activities.
• Parental controls: Implement browser-level and operating system parental controls to limit access to potentially dangerous download sites.
• Open communication: Create an environment where children feel comfortable reporting potential issues without fear of punishment.

For Gamers

• Legitimate sources only: Only download game modifications, tools, or utilities from official sources or well-established repositories.
• Verify GitHub projects: Check commit history, contributor accounts, and repository age before downloading from GitHub.
• Be skeptical of “free” exploits: Most legitimate game enhancement tools either cost money or come from well-established developers.
• Check file reputation: Use tools like VirusTotal to check executable files before running them.
• Steam’s verification: Be wary of tools asking to bypass Steam or other gaming platform verification systems.

Technical Protection

• Update gaming platforms: Keep gaming clients like Steam, Epic Games, and ROBLOX updated to the latest version.
• Endpoint protection: Use modern antivirus/anti-malware solutions with behavioral detection capabilities.
• Application control: Consider using application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running.
• Gaming mode security: Do not disable security software when in “gaming mode” – modern security solutions should not significantly impact gaming performance.
• Regular backups: Maintain backups of important gaming profiles, saved games, and other valuable data.

Prevention is more effective than attempting to recover after infection. For Solara specifically, education about the risks of untrusted gaming tools is important, as social engineering is a key component of its distribution strategy.

Relationship to Chaos Ransomware Family

Solara is a variant of the Chaos ransomware family, which first emerged in mid-2021 and has continued to evolve. Understanding this relationship helps contextualize Solara within the broader ransomware ecosystem:

Chaos Ransomware Background

The Chaos ransomware family has gone through multiple evolutions since its initial discovery:

• Origins: First appeared as a relatively simple .NET-based ransomware builder that allowed even low-skilled attackers to create custom ransomware.
• Evolution: Over time, Chaos has been enhanced with more sophisticated features including better encryption, more evasion capabilities, and additional targeting options.
• Accessibility: Chaos gained popularity on underground forums due to its relatively low cost and ease of use.
• Technical base: Written in C# and compiled as a .NET assembly, making it relatively easy to modify and customize.

Solara’s Place in the Chaos Family

Solara represents a specialized deployment of Chaos with specific adaptations:

Targeting Adaptation: While most Chaos variants target general victims, Solara has been specifically adapted to target gaming communities, particularly ROBLOX users.

Distribution Customization: The custom bootstrapper (SolaraBootstrapper.exe) with gaming-themed ASCII art and fake download progress indicators represents a specialized social engineering approach not seen in typical Chaos deployments.

GitHub Infrastructure: Unlike many Chaos variants that use direct command and control servers, Solara leverages GitHub for component hosting and updates, potentially to appear more legitimate to victims.

Operational Focus: The operation appears to focus on quantity over quality, targeting many individual gamers rather than pursuing larger ransoms from fewer enterprise victims.

Comparison with Other Ransomware

Similarities to Krypt Ransomware: Both use deceptive visual elements and social engineering, but Krypt employs a more sophisticated multi-channel communication approach and targets a broader audience.

Differences from Maximsru Ransomware: While Maximsru adds random extensions to encrypted files, Solara (like some Chaos variants) may not change file extensions, making encrypted files harder to identify visually.

Comparison to LockBit 4.0: Solara represents a less sophisticated operation compared to enterprise-focused threats like LockBit, with simpler encryption, communication channels, and targeting strategies.

Conclusion

Solara ransomware is an adaptation of the Chaos ransomware family specifically targeting gaming communities, particularly ROBLOX users. By leveraging social engineering tailored to gamers seeking exploits and modifications, Solara’s operators have found an effective distribution method to reach potentially vulnerable users, including younger individuals.

Key characteristics that define Solara include:

• Distribution through gaming forums and communities as a fake ROBLOX exploit tool
• GitHub-based infrastructure for component hosting and updates
• .NET implementation based on the Chaos ransomware family
• Deceptive user interface with ASCII art and fake download progress indicators
• Simple communication channel via email rather than more sophisticated options
• Targeting of individual gamers rather than enterprises

The emergence of Solara highlights the evolving nature of ransomware threats, with operators targeting specific communities with tailored approaches rather than using generic tactics. For the gaming community, this underscores the importance of source verification when downloading gaming tools, especially those claiming to provide exploits or cheats.

Protection against Solara requires a combination of technical measures and user education, with emphasis on helping younger gamers understand the risks associated with untrusted software. By maintaining proper security practices and exercising caution when downloading gaming utilities, users can reduce their risk of falling victim to this threat.