A newly-discovered strain of ransomware is using Java to target Windows and Linux PCs belonging to software and education-focused organisations.
The malware, named Tycoon, was uncovered and analysed by BlackBerry’s Research and Intelligence and KPMG’s UK Cyber Response Services teams. Their researchers believe that the malware has been active since December 2019, yet was able to “fly under the radar” due to using “an obscure Java image format”.
Tycoon is known to be deployed as a trojanised Java Runtime Environment, being compiled in a Java image file (Jimage) in order to conceal its malicious intent. The malware is spread by connecting to a system using a remote desktop protocol (RDP) server.
KPMG’s and BlackBerry’s researchers explained that “the threat actors behind Tycoon were observed using highly targeted delivery mechanisms to infiltrate small to medium-sized companies and institutions in education and software industries, where they would proceed to encrypt file servers and demand a ransom,” which is paid in bitcoins.
However, the researchers claim that because of the reuse of a fairly common RSA private key, it may be possible to recover encrypted data without having to pay.
Tycoon uses encrypted files extension such as “thanos”, “grinch”, and “redrum”, and its encrypted files signatures include “happyny3.1” and “redrum3_0”.
Although KPMG and BlackBerry’s teams are familiar with “a substantial increase in ransomware written in languages such as Java and Go”, they said that Tycoon “is the first sample we've encountered that specifically abuses the Java JIMAGE format to create a custom malicious JRE build”.
RELATED RESOURCE
How enterprises are embracing cyber security challenges
Enterprises across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are undergoing a significant transformation
“Malware writers are constantly seeking new ways of flying under the radar,” they explained. “They are slowly moving away from conventional obfuscation and shifting towards uncommon programming languages and obscure data formats.”
It has not been revealed how many organisations had fallen victim to the Tycoon malware. The number is believed to be limited as hackers appear to be choosing their targets carefully.
-
Using DeepSeek at work is like ‘printing out and handing over your confidential information’News Thinking of using DeepSeek at work? Think again. Cybersecurity experts have warned you're putting your enterprise at huge risk.
-
Can cyber group takedowns last?ITPro Podcast Threat groups can recover from website takeovers or rebrand for new activity – but each successful sting provides researchers with valuable data
-
Average ransom payment doubles in a single quarterNews Targeted social engineering and data exfiltration have become the biggest tactics as three major ransomware groups dominate
-
BlackSuit ransomware gang taken down in latest law enforcement sting – but members have already formed a new groupNews The notorious gang has seen its servers taken down and bitcoin seized, but may have morphed into a new group called Chaos
-
Google cyber researchers were tracking the ShinyHunters group’s Salesforce attacks – then realized they’d also fallen victimNews In an update to an investigation on the ShinyHunters group, Google revealed it had also been affected
-
Nearly one-third of ransomware victims are hit multiple times, even after paying hackersNews Many ransomware victims are being hit more than once, largely thanks to fragmented security tactics
-
75% of UK business leaders are willing to risk criminal penalties to pay ransomsNews A ransom payment ban is a great idea - until you're the one being targeted...
-
The Scattered Spider ransomware group is infiltrating Slack and Microsoft Teams to target vulnerable employeesNews The group is using new ransomware variants and new social engineering techniques - including sneaking into corporate teleconferences
-
Hackers breached a 158 year old company by guessing an employee password – experts say it’s a ‘pertinent reminder’ of the devastating impact of cyber crimeNews A Panorama documentary exposed hackers' techniques and talked to the teams trying to tackle them
-
The ransomware boom shows no signs of letting up – and these groups are causing the most chaos
News Thousands of ransomware cases have already been posted on the dark web this year
