The Week in Ransomware – November 12th 2021 – Targeting REvil
This week, law enforcement struck a massive blow against the REvil ransomware operation, with multiple arrests announced and the seizure of cryptocurrency.
On Monday, the US Department of Justice, Europol, and Interpol announced arrests of REvil affiliates and members in Kuwait and Romania. The FBI also announced the arrest of the REvil affiliate behind the July Kaseya attack that encrypted over 1,500 organizations.
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In addition, the US announced that $6 million in ransom payments was seized from the REvil ransomware operation.
After REvil shut down in October, it was expected that the group would rebrand as a new operation shortly. However, with the recent news of the arrests and that the FBI hijacked their server, it is possible that they may call it quits as other cybercriminals will likely not want want to work with them again.
This week, the other big news is a massive attack on the European electronics retailer MediaMarkt by the Hive Ransomware operation.
Other news this week is the Clop gang using the Serv-U vulnerability to breach networks and a new US bill laying out ransomware response steps for financial organizations.
Contributors and those who provided new ransomware information and stories this week include: @serghei, @FourOctets, @BleepinComputer, @struppigel, @billtoulas, @fwosar, @malwrhunterteam, @jorntvdw, @Ionut_Ilascu, @LawrenceAbrams, @Seifreed, @VK_Intel, @malwareforme, @demonslay335, @DanielGallagher, @PolarToffee, @douglasmun, @John_Fokker, @tsrc_team, @cybereason, @NCCGroupInfosec, @kpoulsen, @bobmcmillan, @pcrisk, and @Amigo_A_.
November 7th 2021
Operation Cyclone deals blow to Clop ransomware operation
A thirty-month international law enforcement operation codenamed ‘Operation Cyclone’ targeted the Clop ransomware gang, leading to the previously reported arrests of six members in Ukraine.
November 8th 2021
Electronics retail giant MediaMarkt hit by ransomware attack
Electronics retail giant MediaMarkt has suffered a ransomware attack causing IT systems to shut down and store operations to be disrupted in Netherlands and Germany.
REvil ransomware affiliates arrested in Romania and Kuwait
Romanian law enforcement authorities have arrested two suspects believed to be Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware affiliates on November 4, both of them allegedly responsible for infecting thousands of victims.
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US seizes $6 million from REvil ransomware, arrest Kaseya hacker
The United States Department of Justice today has announced charges against a REvil ransomware affiliate responsible for the attack against the Kaseya MSP platform on July 2nd and seizing more than $6 million from another REvil partner.
US sanctions Chatex cryptoexchange used by ransomware gangs
The US Treasury Department announced today sanctions against the Chatex cryptocurrency exchange for helping ransomware gangs evade sanctions and facilitating ransom transactions.
U.S. offers $10 million reward for leaders of REvil ransomware
The U.S. is offering up to $10 million for identifying or locating leaders in the REvil (Sodinokibi) ransomware operation, including $5 million leading to the arrest of affiliates.
November 9th 2021
Clop gang exploiting SolarWinds Serv-U flaw in ransomware attacks
The Clop ransomware gang, also tracked as TA505 and FIN11, is exploiting a SolarWinds Serv-U vulnerability to breach corporate networks and ultimately encrypt its devices.
November 10th 2021
TrickBot teams up with Shatak phishers for Conti ransomware attacks
A threat actor tracked as Shatak (TA551) recently partnered with the ITG23 gang (aka TrickBot and Wizard Spider) to deploy Conti ransomware on targeted systems.
New STOP Ransomware variant
PCrisk found a new STOP ransomware variant that appends the .qdla extension.
November 11th 2021
Magniber ransomware gang now exploits Internet Explorer flaws in attacks
The Magniber ransomware gang is now using two Internet Explorer vulnerabilities and malicious advertisements to infect users and encrypt their devices.
New bill sets ransomware attack response rules for US financial orgs
New legislation introduced this week by US lawmakers aims to set ransomware attack response “rules of road” for US financial institutions.
New BlackCocaine Ransomware
Amigo-A found a new ransomware that appends the .BlackCocaine extension and drops the HOW_TO_RECOVER_FILES.BlackCocaine.txt ransom note.
November 12th 2021
U.S. Accuses Russian of Money Laundering for Ryuk Ransomware Gang
A Moscow entrepreneur was detained during a vacation abroad this month and is now facing extradition to the U.S. on charges that he helped a notorious Russian ransomware group launder payments.
New STOP Ransomware variant
PCrisk found a new STOP ransomware variant that appends the .qmak extension.
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