Free decryptor key for REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware released
The key was made possible thanks to a collaboration between law enforcement and Bitdefender
Cyber security firm Bitdefender has collaborated with a law enforcement agency to create a free decryptor for REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware.
Researchers at the company worked with an unnamed agency to release a free, universal decryptor key capable of unlocking the data of any organizations affected by the ransomware, according to a blog post.
The company said that the tool will help victims encrypted by REvil ransomware to restore their files and recover from attacks made before July 13, 2021. This date was when parts of REvil’s infrastructure went offline, leaving infected victims who had not paid the ransom unable to recover their encrypted data.
Bitdefender said that the investigation into the ransomware gang is “ongoing” and would not be able to comment on details related to this case until authorized by the lead investigating law enforcement partner.
“Both parties believe it is important to release the universal decryptor before the investigation is completed to help as many victims as possible,” the firm said in a statement.
Researchers warned that new REvil attacks are imminent after the ransomware gang’s servers and supporting infrastructure recently came back online after a two-month hiatus.
“We urge organizations to be on high alert and to take necessary precautions,” the researchers added.
RELATED RESOURCE
The business guide to ransomware
Everything you need to know to keep your company afloat
REvil is regarded as a ransomware as a service (RaaS) operator, mostly likely based in a country in Eastern Europe, or Russia. The gang surfaced in 2019 as a successor of the now-defunct GandCrab ransomware. REvil is one of the most prolific examples of ransomware on the dark web as affiliates have targeted thousands of organizations worldwide.
The affiliates encrypt data before demanding huge ransoms, sometimes up to $70 million in exchange for a decryptor key.
Victims of REvil ransomware can download the new decryption tool for free to recover their data from Bitdefender’s website. A step-by-step tutorial on how to use the REvil decryption tool is available here.
-
US claims Chinese hackers breached Justice Department, Federal Reserve, NASA in lengthy threat campaignNews The state-backed QTFY group has been identified as the culprit behind the campaign
-
Google targets AI cost efficiency with new FinOps features for Gemini EnterpriseNews New cost control features and subscription options for Gemini Enterprise look to bring down spiralling AI costs
-
Companies are still paying ransoms to cyber criminals despite official adviceNews A Proofpoint survey found evolving ransomware techniques and the use of AI is exacerbating the situation for victims
-
This one cyber crime group accounted for nearly a fifth of all ransomware attacks in JuneNews The Gentlemen, a ransomware a service operator, now accounts for 17% of published attacks
-
Working with the enemy: Ransomware negotiator-turned cyber criminal jailed after working with hackers to extort clientsNews Angelo Martino was supposed to be negotiating on behalf of victims, but was secretly working for ransomware operators
-
Hackers are posing as Interpol to target small businesses – here's what you need to knowNews Small businesses are warned to think twice before clicking on links
-
‘Every hour ransomware goes undetected drastically increases its potential blast radius’: Hackers are breaching networks and laying low for longer – and nearly half of firms don’t realize until data is stolenNews An ExtraHop survey found more intrusions are going undetected, leading to longer dwell times
-
Ransomware cartels are fragmenting into volatile splinter groups, warns Met Police cyber chiefNews Commoditized "cyber crime bazaars" and AI data mining are forcing law enforcement to rewrite its playbook
-
New ransomware threat group, The Gentlemen, has become one of the most active ransomware operators, accounting for 10% of all attacksNews NTT researchers warn that the RaaS group is leveraging SystemBC malware to establish covert tunnelling, evade detection, and support rapid lateral movement across enterprise environments
-
Instructure chose to a pay ransom following the Canvas cyber attack – research shows more than half of security leaders would follow suitAnalysis Opting to pay ransoms creates huge risks for enterprises – you’re relying on the word of criminals
