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Date: 05/01/2023
The RTM group has developed a new ransomware binary that targets Linux-based machines, including ESXi and NAS hosts. The ransomware is inspired by the leaked source code of Babuk ransomware and uses both asymmetric and symmetric encryption, making decryption without the private key impossible.
The initial infection vector is unknown, but victims are instructed to contact the support team via Tox within 48 hours after successful encryption or risk getting their data published. RTM Locker targets ESXi hosts by aborting all virtual machines before the encryption process starts, and it is statically stripped and compiled, making reverse engineering challenging.
The RTM Locker ransomware poses a significant threat to companies using Linux-based machines, particularly ESXi or NAS hosts. The encryption used is impossible to decrypt without the private key, making data recovery extremely difficult or impossible. The ransomware group also leverages affiliates for its attacks, potentially widening the scope of its targets.
Companies should use third-party tools or YARA to scan dubious processes to stay protected from RTM Locker ransomware attacks. They should also deploy security solutions that come with advanced detection capabilities. It is essential to keep software up to date, conduct regular backups, and use two-factor authentication to mitigate the risks of ransomware attacks.
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GuidePoint Security’s GRIT Ransomware Report for Q1 2023 highlights the current state of the ransomware threat landscape. The report shows a 27% increase in publicly disclosed ransomware victims compared to Q1 2022 and a 25% increase compared to Q2 2022. The manufacturing and technology sectors continue to be the most impacted by ransomware, but the legal industry saw a significant increase in publicly posted victims in Q1 2023. U.S.-based organizations accounted for the majority of ransomware victims, followed by the U.K. and Germany. Additionally, there has been an increase in innovative coercive strategies employed by ransomware groups, such as leaking sensitive information and launching DDoS attacks.
Potential Impact
The rising number of ransomware attacks indicates a persistent and industry-agnostic threat that companies must address. Companies in the manufacturing and technology sectors may be particularly vulnerable to these attacks, but the legal industry is now also at risk. Ransomware attacks can have significant financial and reputational consequences, and using innovative coercive strategies could exacerbate these impacts. Companies must remain vigilant and proactively take measures to protect their systems and data.
Companies should take a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, including implementing strong access controls, regularly updating software, and conducting employee training on identifying and preventing phishing attacks. They should also consider implementing backup and recovery systems to mitigate the effects of a potential ransomware attack. Companies should stay informed about the latest ransomware trends and adjust their security strategies accordingly. Additionally, companies should have a response plan in place to quickly and effectively respond to a ransomware attack if one occurs.
Sources
https://www.guidepointsecurity.com/blog/quarterly-grit-ransomware-report-q1-2023/
Threat actor groups are leveraging a recent vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-27532 that impacts Veeam backup servers. The vulnerability exposes encrypted credentials stored in configuration to unauthenticated users, which could be used to access the backup infrastructure hosts. Attackers could also potentially run code with elevated privileges.
Attackers are leveraging this vulnerability to establish a foothold within a victim environment. Attackers are likely to deploy malware, perform network reconnaissance, and move laterally. A possible end goal would be to deploy ransomware.
Patches are available to fix the vulnerability. A workaround is to block or limit connections to port 9401 (used by Veeam backup service). Note that backup services should never be publicly exposed to the Internet. It is also recommended to perform regular vulnerability assessments to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Sources
Zyxel Firewall devices are affected by a critical vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-28771 (CVSS 9.8), which could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute some OS commands remotely by sending crafted packets to an affected device due to Improper error message handling. The latest patches also addressed other vulnerabilities such as CVE-2023-27991, which allows for post-authentication command injection.
Attackers could potentially take over firewall devices or use them as a pivot point to launch other attackers. Credentials or other sensitive network information found on these devices is potentially at risk if successful exploitation occurs.
The latest vendor patches should be applied as soon as possible. CVE-2023-28771 affects ATP, USG FLEX, and VPN version ZLD V4.60 to V5.35 and ZyWALL/USG version ZLD V4.60 to V4.73. Steps should also be taken to limit connectivity to management interfaces. It is also recommended to perform regular vulnerability assessments to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner.
Sources
https://thehackernews.com/2023/04/zyxel-firewall-devices-vulnerable-to.html
Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) published a report on a new strain of malware sold on Telegram. According to the report, this malware can steal information from the Mac OS keychain, file stores, and browsers, including cookies and site passwords. The sample analyzed by Cyble was undetectable on Virustotal.
Malware infections like this can result in sensitive information leakage, identity theft, and corporate network compromise.
Ensure that Mac OS machines are included in your organization’s cybersecurity program, and deploy EDR agents to these systems.
Sources
https://blog.cyble.com/2023/04/26/threat-actor-selling-new-atomic-macos-amos-stealer-on-telegram
On April 26, TechCrunch reported that attackers have been compromising email accounts of AT&T customers by making “mail keys,” are intended to allow some applications to access email. The impacted domains referenced in the report include att.net, sbcglobal.net, bellsouth.net. Other AT&T email domains are likely affected.
The TechCrunch article references cryptocurrency theft as the major impact of this activity, but an email compromise can have a broad range of implications, including identity theft and wire fraud.
Closely monitor email accounts, and ensure that all sensitive accounts have appropriate security and recovery mechanisms configured.
Sources
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Ho Chin is Chief Financial Officer at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Ho leads Finance, HR, IT and Professional Development. As part of the executive leadership team, Ho works to establish the company’s overall strategy and ensure proper execution of the supporting initiatives pertaining to the above areas of responsibility.
Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Ho led finance and administrative functions at multiple private equity and venture-backed portfolio companies across multiple industries. Ho holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University in Centre County, Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Prior to becoming CEO, Dan served as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, during which he supported multiple acquisitions and helped the organization achieve substantial sales growth. In addition to serving as CEO at GreyCastle Security, Dan continues to hold the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Assured information Security (AIS) in Rome, New York, a company he co-founded in 2001.
Over the course of the last 22 years, Dan has been committed to advancing the state of cybersecurity and has played an instrumental role in the identification and development of critical, next-generation cyber capabilities. He has held positions in almost every facet of cybersecurity, beginning as a computer forensic examiner and progressing through the management and executive leadership ranks. In addition to co-founding AIS, Dan has facilitated multiple cybersecurity startups, raised investment capital and has served in various lead and support roles toward the acquisition of five companies in the last eight years.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Utica College in Utica, New York.
Michael Stamas is an entrepreneur, board member, Vice President and a founder of GreyCastle Security. With more than two decades of experience in the technology sector, Mike pairs his management and business development skills with a deep understanding of cybersecurity. Mike brings a unique brand of risk-based advising to GreyCastle clients and prospects.
Mike holds certifications in numerous security and technology related areas, including the Department of Homeland Security and other security technologies like Symantec, Cisco and Microsoft.
Mike plays an active role in his community and serves as a board member and Vice President of InfraGard Albany as well as an advisory board position with the Capital Region YMCA.
Mike has been recognized for his numerous achievements through various honors including the Albany Business Review’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award.
Dan Maynard serves as GreyCastle Security’s Chief Operating Officer, where he currently leads Sales, Marketing and Legal.
Dan has enjoyed a 30+ year career in the Information Technology and Telecommunications industry, during which time he has held various leadership positions for organizations such as Rochester Tel/RCI, Citizens Communications (Frontier), PAETEC Communications, IntegraOptics, tw telecom/Level3 and Centurylink.
In addition to various voice and data technology platforms, he possesses a strong background in leadership development, sales and marketing leadership, transformational leadership and strategic planning. Dan has a thirst for knowledge and as a committed lifelong learner, he encourages and supports professional development initiatives for his teams and continues his involvement with Vistage International.
Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was selected as a member of their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
When not at work, Dan enjoys traveling, golfing, attending Utica Comets hockey games and relaxing in the Adirondacks on beautiful Canada Lake with family and friends.
Dan Didier is the Vice President of Solutions and board member at GreyCastle Security.
Dan has been a cybersecurity practitioner for more than 20 years and uses his knowledge and experience to develop cybersecurity solutions that ensure readiness and preparedness.
Dan received his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
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Before joining GreyCastle Security, Francesca worked as an OD consultant and focused on strategic culture change at The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. for more than six years. There, she facilitated client education sessions, coached leaders and teams, developed and executed consulting interventions and served as strategy project leader on various client engagements. Her work has taken her into Fortune 100 companies and across borders including Panama, Singapore and beyond.
Francesca is a Lean Six Sigma–certified Green Belt, a proud YWCA-GCR board member and in 2013, she coordinated and emceed the inaugural TEDx Troy—a livestream of TEDCity 2.0. Since 2012, she has coordinated and emceed the Troy 100 Forum, a biannual forum for government, religious and community leaders to discuss issues vital to the future of Troy, New York.
Bilingual in English and Italian, Francesca holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Technology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management & Technology. She was awarded Cybersecurity Recruiter of the year North America in 2017 by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.
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Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Jamie has held leadership positions with Annese and Associates, ConvergeOne and BlueSky IT Partners with a focus on delivering cost effective information technology solutions for companies across multiple verticals.
Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.