AdvisoriesCISAAA23-353ADecember 19, 2023
December 19, 2023
The joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) by the FBI and CISA details the threats posed by the ALPHV BlackCat ransomware. The advisory updates on the BlackCat/ALPHV Ransomware Indicators of Compromise highlight the new Sphynx ransomware update, which targets Windows, Linux, and VMWare instances. The advisory notes over 1,000 global victims, with a majority in the U.S., and underscores the importance of implementing recommended mitigations to reduce the impact of such ransomware and data extortion incidents. It also outlines the sophisticated techniques used by ALPHV BlackCat affiliates for gaining access, data exfiltration, and evasion and their practice of offering cyber remediation advice post-ransom payment.
Malicious actors have been increasingly "living off the land," utilizing built-in tools and libraries within operating systems to facilitate their attacks. This approach minimizes the need for external malicious software, reducing their digital footprint and evading traditional antivirus detection mechanisms. Using native features for malicious purposes, particularly in ransomware campaigns, presents a unique challenge for cybersecurity defenses. It highlights the need for more advanced, behavior-based detection systems to identify and respond to abnormal activities, even when executed through legitimate system processes.
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