This ransomware spreads across hundreds of devices in no time at all
The LockBit ransomware contains a feature that allows attackers to encrypt hundreds of devices in just a few hours once they’ve breached a corporate network.
LockBit is a fairly new Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) that was launched in September of last year. The developers of the ransomware are in charge of maintaining its payment site and updates while affiliates sign up to distribute the malware. LockBit’s developers then earn around 25-40 percent of the ransom payments received while the affiliates earn a slightly larger share at 60-75 percent.
Researchers from McAfee Labs and the cybersecurity firm Northwave have published a joint report revealing how a LockBit ransomware affiliate hacked into a corporate network and encrypted 25 servers and 255 workstations in just three hours.
The hackers began their attack by brute-forcing an administrator account through an outdated VPN service. This gave them the administrative credentials they needed in order to deploy the LockBit ransomware on the network.
Self-spreading ransomware
According to analysis by McAfee, the LockBit ransomware includes a feature that allows it to spread to the rest of the computers on a network by itself.
In addition to encrypting a target device’s files, LockBit also performs ARP requests to find other active hosts on a network and attempts to connect to them over Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. If the ransomware is successfully able to connect to a computer via SMB, it then issues a remote PowerShell command to download the ransomware and execute it.
As LockBit spreads to more computers on a network, these computers are then used to help speed up the deployment of the ransomware to the remaining devices on the network. This feature is what makes LockBit so dangerous because unlike other kinds of ransomware, it can spread by itself and at a much greater pace.
Since LockBit doesn’t require a great deal of skill to deploy, expect this ransomware to continue to grow and expand as more cybercriminals become affiliates.
Via BleepingComputer
The LockBit ransomware contains a feature that allows attackers to encrypt hundreds of devices in just a few hours once they’ve breached a corporate network. LockBit is a fairly new Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) that was launched in September of last year. The developers of the ransomware are in charge of maintaining…
Recent Posts
- Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat Premium is nearly matching its all-time low
- The 9 best early Memorial Day TV deals: up to $1,000 off 4K, QLED and OLED TVs
- iPad Pro 2024 teardown video reveals some of Apple’s internal design changes
- X-Men ‘97 didn’t have to go that hard
- Razer Fujin Pro Gaming Chair Review: Giving My Back an Extra Life
Archives
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- December 2011