The FBI has warned hackers deployed the Mamba ransomware against several public and private organizations, but a flaw in the malware could allow companies to get their encrypted data back.
In an alert, the feds said hackers used the ransomware against local governments, public transportation agencies, legal services, technology services, and industrial, commercial, manufacturing and construction businesses.
Mamba encrypts data using DiskCryptor — an open source full-disk encryption software — to restrict victim access by encrypting an entire drive, including the operating system. While this software isn’t inherently malicious, the FBI warned hackers have weaponized it.
Sierra Wireless halts production after ransomware attack Acer falls victim to $50 million ransomware attack The most popular ransomware strains targeting UK businesses What is ransomware?
Once data has been encrypted, the system displays a ransom note including the hacker’s email address, ransomware file name, the host system name, and a place to enter the decryption key.
However, the FBI noted that installing DiskCryptor requires a system restart to add essential drivers. The ransomware program restarts the system about two minutes after the installation to complete the driver installation. The encryption key and the shutdown time variable are saved to a configuration file (myConf.txt) and are readable until the second restart about two hours later, concluding the encryption and displays the ransom note.
“If any of the DiskCryptor files are detected, attempts should be made to determine if the myConf.txt is still accessible. If so, organizations can recover the password without paying the ransom. This opportunity is limited to the point in which the system reboots for the second time,” a statement from the FBI read.
The alert provided details on the ransomware’s key artifacts that could help organizations detect such a ransomware attack.
“If DiskCryptor is not used by the organization, add the key artifact files used by DiskCryptor to the organization’s execution blacklist. Any attempts to install or run this encryption program and its associated files should be prevented,” the FBI said.
The FBI recommended that organizations carry out regular data backups and air gap and password protect this data offline. Organizations should also make copies of critical data inaccessible for modification or deletion from the system where the data resides.
The Bureau also recommended organizations implement a recovery plan to maintain and retain multiple copies of sensitive or proprietary data and servers in a physically separate, segmented, secure location.
-
Licensed mmWave: Opportunity or overhead?Industry Insights Ofcom’s latest mmWave auction unlocks major new capacity for 5G and FWA, offering a faster, more flexible complement to fiber - especially in dense urban areas
-
CISA issues alert as China-linked hackers exploit Brickstorm malware to target VMware serversNews Organizations, particularly in the critical infrastructure, government services, and facilities and IT sectors, need to be wary of Brickstorm
-
15-year-old revealed as key player in Scattered LAPSUS$ HuntersNews 'Rey' says he's trying to leave Scattered LAPSUS$ Hunters and is prepared to cooperate with law enforcement
-
The Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters group is targeting Zendesk customers – here’s what you need to knowNews The group appears to be infecting support and help-desk personnel with remote access trojans and other forms of malware
-
Impact of Asahi cyber attack laid bare as company confirms 1.5 million customers exposedNews No ransom has been paid, said president and group CEO Atsushi Katsuki, and the company is restoring its systems
-
The US, UK, and Australia just imposed sanctions on a Russian cyber crime group – 'we are exposing their dark networks and going after those responsible'News Media Land offers 'bulletproof' hosting services used for ransomware and DDoS attacks around the world
-
A notorious ransomware group is spreading fake Microsoft Teams ads to snare victimsNews The Rhysida ransomware group is leveraging Trusted Signing from Microsoft to lend plausibility to its activities
-
Volkswagen confirms security ‘incident’ amid ransomware breach claimsNews Volkswagen has confirmed a security "incident" has occurred, but insists no IT systems have been compromised.
-
The number of ransomware groups rockets as new, smaller players emergeNews The good news is that the number of victims remains steady
-
Teens arrested over nursery chain Kido hacknews The ransom attack caused widespread shock when the hackers published children's personal data
