The FBI has issued a warning about LockBit 2.0, a popular ransomware strain that emerged last summer with more sophisticated capabilities than its predecessor.
LockBit's authors updated it to automatically encrypt devices across Windows domains by abusing Active Directory group policies, the FBI said in an advisory on Friday. This enables it to trigger encryption with a single command, according to an analysis from security company Cybereason.
The ransomware uses bitwise operations for its encryption, which are bit-level operations directly supported by the processor.
The criminal gang behind LockBit 2.0 have also begun advertising for insiders to help them gain access to victims' networks by promising them a cut of the profits, according to the FBI advisory. Finally, the group developed a piece of Linux malware targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines.
LockBit 2.0 operates on an affiliate model, with separate groups paying a fee to the authors for its use. Consequently, each group's usage techniques vary. Alongside the new insider access approach, the FBI has seen perpetrators buy access to compromised systems from initial access brokers and target systems with unpatched capabilities, it said.
Once inside a network, the FBI has seen perpetrators escalate privileges using the Mimikatz password-stealing tool. They then often use StealBit, a custom data exfiltration tool included in LockBit 2.0, to steal data before the ransomware encrypts it. They typically select from a range of independent file sharing services.
In a sign that multi-factor authentication is becoming increasingly crucial, the FBI advised its use "to the extent possible" in its list of mitigations. It also recommended the use of strong passwords for those with password logins, software patching, and a host-based firewall. Administrators should enable protected files in Windows and remote unnecessary access to administrative shares, it added.
Time-based access is also a useful method to protect administrative accounts, the advisory said. This locks admin accounts until needed, unlocking them only in response to individual requests, and only for a limited time.
LockBit 2.0 was the busiest ransomware group in the third quarter of 2021, according to a report by security company Digital Shadows.
-
M&S suspends online sales as 'cyber incident' continuesNews Marks & Spencer (M&S) has informed customers that all online and app sales have been suspended as the high street retailer battles a ‘cyber incident’.
-
Manners cost nothing, unless you’re using ChatGPTOpinion Polite users are costing OpenAI millions of dollars each year – but Ps and Qs are a small dent in what ChatGPT could cost the planet
-
Ransomware attacks are rising — but quiet payouts could mean there's more than actually reportedNews Ransomware attacks continue to climb, but they may be even higher than official figures show as companies choose to quietly pay to make such incidents go away.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolen – and security experts say it won't be the lastNews Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
-
‘Phishing kits are a force multiplier': Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25 – and experts warn it’s lowering the barrier of entry for amateur hackersNews Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
Healthcare systems are rife with exploits — and ransomware gangs have noticedNews Nearly nine-in-ten healthcare organizations have medical devices that are vulnerable to exploits, and ransomware groups are taking notice.
-
Alleged LockBit developer extradited to the USNews A Russian-Israeli man has been extradited to the US amid accusations of being a key LockBit ransomware developer.
-
February was the worst month on record for ransomware attacks – and one threat group had a field day
News February 2025 was the worst month on record for the number of ransomware attacks, according to new research from Bitdefender.
-
CISA issues warning over Medusa ransomware after 300 victims from critical sectors impactedNews The Medusa ransomware as a Service operation compromised twice as many organizations at the start of 2025 compared to 2024
-
Warning issued over prolific 'Ghost' ransomware groupNews The Ghost ransomware group is known to act fast and exploit vulnerabilities in public-facing appliances
