{
  "family": "shutdown",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\n\"Shutdown\" (often detected as Riskware.Shutdown or Joke.Shutdown) is a classification for simple, usually non-destructive utility programs or scripts whose sole function is to forcefully power off, reboot, or log off the targeted Windows system. While sometimes created as harmless pranks (\"Joke\" programs), these scripts can be weaponized by threat actors to cause operational disruption, clear volatile memory to frustrate forensic analysis, or force the execution of malware that relies on a system reboot for persistence.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nShutdown utilities are typically delivered via social engineering (e.g., disguised as a game or a document sent via email) or dropped as a final step by an initial access broker or dropper Trojan.\n\nUpon execution, these programs exhibit very simple behavior:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>API Abuse:</strong> The program typically makes a direct call to the Windows API `ExitWindowsEx` or `InitiateSystemShutdown`. Alternatively, it may simply execute the built-in Windows command-line utility `shutdown.exe` with specific flags (e.g., `shutdown /s /f /t 0` for an immediate, forced power off).</li>\n<li><strong>Disruption:</strong> The execution causes the system to immediately terminate all running applications (often resulting in unsaved data loss) and initiate the power cycle.</li>\n<li><strong>Covering Tracks (Anti-Forensics):</strong> Sophisticated threat actors may deploy a Shutdown script at the conclusion of an intrusion specifically to clear the system's RAM, destroying volatile forensic artifacts (like decrypted payloads or active network connections) before incident responders can capture a memory image.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nWhile a basic Shutdown script is not inherently destructive to files like ransomware, it causes significant operational disruption. Furthermore, if the shutdown was initiated by an unauthorized actor, it may indicate a broader compromise where the shutdown is being used as a diversion or an anti-forensic measure.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Contextual Investigation:</strong> Identify how the script was executed. Was it a prank executed by a user, or was it dropped by an unknown process? The execution vector determines the severity of the incident.</li>\n<li><strong>Log Analysis:</strong> Review the Windows System Event Logs (specifically Event ID 1074, which records the reason and initiating process for a system shutdown) to determine what triggered the reboot.</li>\n<li><strong>Malware Sweep:</strong> If the shutdown was unauthorized, run a comprehensive anti-malware scan to ensure the script was not a final stage of a larger malware installation that required a reboot to establish persistence (e.g., a rootkit).</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Riskware.Shutdown",
    "Joke.Shutdown",
    "Tool.Reboot",
    "Trojan.Shutdown"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1529",
    "T1489",
    "T1059.003"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:25:05Z",
  "type": "Riskware / Joke Program",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}