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.
-
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
