Cyber Security Threat Summary:
The Akira ransomware operation is gradually expanding its list of victims by infiltrating corporate networks globally, encrypting files, and demanding ransoms amounting to millions of dollars. The operation began in March 2023 and has already targeted 16 companies in diverse industries such as finance, education, real estate, manufacturing, and consulting. Although there was ransomware named Akira released in 2017, there is no connection between these two operations.

MalwareHunterTeam discovered a sample of the new Akira ransomware, which encrypts files with multiple specific file extensions. Akira first deletes Windows Shadow Volume Copies on the device by running a PowerShell command. "While encrypting, the encryptor will skip files found in the Recycle Bin, System Volume Information, Boot, ProgramData, and Windows folders. It will also avoid encrypting the Windows system files with .exe, .lnk, .dll, .msi, and .sys file extensions. When encrypting files, the ransomware encrypts files and appends the .akira extension will be appended to the file's name. For example, a file named 1.doc would be encrypted and renamed to 1.doc.akira, as shown in the encrypted folder below. Akira also uses the Windows Restart Manager API to close processes or shut down Windows services that may be keeping a file open and preventing encryption. Each computer folder will contain a ransom note named akira_readme.txt that includes information on what happened to a victim's files and links to the Akira data leak site and negotiation site. "As for your data, if we fail to agree, we will try to sell personal information/trade secrets/databases/source codes - generally speaking, everything that has a value on the darkmarket - to multiple threat actors at ones. Then all of this will be published in our blog," threatens the Akira ransom note" (Bleeping Computer, 2023).

Security Officer Comments:
Each victim has a unique negotiation password that is entered into the ransomware gang's Tor site, where a chat system is used to negotiate. The attacker also steals corporate data for leverage and warns victims that it will be publicly released if the ransom is not paid. The data leak site has a retro look where visitors can navigate it by typing in commands, and the leaked data sizes range from 5.9 to 259 GB. The ransomware gang is willing to lower ransom demands for companies that do not need a decryptor and just want to prevent the leaking of stolen data. However, it is not advised to pay the ransom until it is determined whether a free decryptor can recover files for free. As of now, the ransomware is being analyzed for weaknesses.

Suggested Corrections:
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.

Update and patch systems promptly:
This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk- based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.

Test your incident response plan:
There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?

Check Your Security Team's Work:
Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.

Segment your networks:
There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.

Train employees: Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi Factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.

Link:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/