RansomHub Ransomware Attacks Over 210 Organizations in Various Sectors

Scope and impact of RansomHub attacks

Affected sectors and organizations

• Wide-ranging impact: RansomHub's ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors have breached critical infrastructure, including:

  • IT
  • Government services
  • Healthcare
  • Emergency services
  • Food and agriculture
  • Financial services
  • Critical manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • Critical communications infrastructure

• Government agencies: RansomHub's cybercrime impact on multiple industries includes targeting government services and facilities, posing a significant threat to public sector organizations

• Healthcare sector: Notable ransomware-as-a-service targeting critical infrastructure includes attacks on Dynasty Healthcare Management in Texas and potentially Change Healthcare, highlighting the vulnerability of healthcare organizations

Timeline and growth

• Rapid expansion: RansomHub emerged in February 2024 and quickly grew to become a major threat, with ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors, partly due to the absorption of criminal talent from disrupted groups like ALPHV and LockBit

• Ongoing threat: As of September 2024, RansomHub continues to be an active and evolving threat, with its cybercrime impact on multiple industries spanning across various sectors

RansomHub tactics and techniques

Attack methodology

• Double extortion strategy: RansomHub's ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors employ a two-pronged approach:

  1. Encrypting victim data
  2. Exfiltrating sensitive information and threatening to publish it if ransom demands are not met

• Initial access methods:

  • Phishing emails
  • Exploiting known vulnerabilities
  • Password spraying attacks

• Evasion techniques: RansomHub affiliates rename ransomware executables with innocuous file names and place them in common user folders to avoid detection

Ransomware-as-a-Service model

• Affiliate structure: RansomHub operates on an infrastructure-as-a-service model, allowing affiliates to use their tools and infrastructure for ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors

• Profit sharing: The group offers a 90/10 split for affiliates, making it an attractive option for cybercriminals and contributing to its cybercrime impact on multiple industries

Mitigation strategies

Immediate actions

• Update and patch: Install OS, software, and firmware updates as soon as they are released to address known vulnerabilities and protect against ransomware-as-a-service targeting critical infrastructure

• Implement strong authentication: Require phishing-resistant, non SMS-based multi-factor authentication for all user accounts to mitigate RansomHub's ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors

• Employee training: Educate users to recognize and report phishing attempts, reducing the risk of initial compromise and RansomHub's cybercrime impact on multiple industries

Defensive measures

• Network monitoring: Implement a network monitoring tool that logs and reports all traffic, including lateral movement activity, to detect ransomware-as-a-service targeting critical infrastructure

• Antivirus protection: Continuously update antivirus software with real-time detection enabled on all hosts to prevent RansomHub's ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors

• Password best practices: Adopt CISA password guidelines, including using strong, unique passwords and implementing account lockouts for failed attempts

Organizational policies

• Ransom payment policy: The FBI recommends not paying ransoms, as it does not guarantee file recovery and may encourage further ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors

• Data backup: Implement regular, secure data backups to mitigate the impact of potential encryption attacks and reduce RansomHub's cybercrime impact on multiple industries

• Third-party access: Implement stringent regulations around third-party access to sensitive systems and data to protect against ransomware-as-a-service targeting critical infrastructure

FAQ

What is RansomHub and how many organizations has it attacked?

RansomHub is a ransomware-as-a-service group that has attacked over 210 organizations in various sectors since February 2024. Their ransomware attacks have targeted critical infrastructure across multiple industries, including IT, government, healthcare, and financial services.

Which sectors have been most affected by RansomHub's attacks?

RansomHub's cybercrime impact on multiple industries has been widespread, with the most affected sectors including IT, government services, healthcare, emergency services, food and agriculture, financial services, critical manufacturing, transportation, and critical communications infrastructure.

How does RansomHub carry out its attacks?

RansomHub's ransomware attacks over 210 organizations in various sectors employ a double extortion strategy. They encrypt victim data and exfiltrate sensitive information, threatening to publish it if ransom demands are not met. Initial access methods include phishing emails, exploiting vulnerabilities, and password spraying attacks.

What makes RansomHub's ransomware-as-a-service model attractive to cybercriminals?

RansomHub operates on an infrastructure-as-a-service model, allowing affiliates to use their tools and infrastructure for attacks. They offer a 90/10 profit split for affiliates, making it an attractive option for cybercriminals and contributing to their extensive impact on various sectors.

How can organizations protect themselves against RansomHub and similar threats?

To defend against ransomware-as-a-service targeting critical infrastructure, organizations should implement strong authentication measures, regularly update and patch systems, provide employee training on phishing recognition, implement network monitoring tools, use up-to-date antivirus software, and maintain secure data backups. Additionally, adopting stringent policies around ransom payments and third-party access can help mitigate risks.