New Threat on the Prowl: Investigating Lynx Ransomware
Summary:
Security firm Darktrace has shined light on an emerging ransomware group dubbed Lynx which is known for targeting organizations in the finance, architecture, retail, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Operating under a ransomware-as-a-service model, Lynx provides affiliates a portion of the ransom after gaining initial access and deploying Lynx's encryptor. The group's malware shares code similarities with the INC ransomware variant, suggesting that Lynx may have repurposed the readily available INC code to create its own strain. Researchers also note that Lynx employs a hybrid encryption approach, utilizing AES-128 in CTR mode for symmetric encryption and Curve25519 Donna for asymmetric key exchange. This dual-layer strategy ensures that even if one encryption layer is compromised, the data remains secure, as access still requires the private key.
Security Officer Comments:
Despite initiating operations in mid-2024, Lynx has quickly become a dominant player in the ransomware landscape, compromising dozens of organizations in a short span. In January 2025, the IT-ISAC attributed 42 attacks to Lynx, making it the most active ransomware group of the month, ahead of Akira (37) and RansomHub (35).
The group typically gains initial access through phishing campaigns that deploy malicious links or attachments, and maintains persistence using tools like AnyDesk for remote control of victim systems. Lateral movement is facilitated by compromised administrative credentials, likely obtained through credential stuffing or brute-force attacks.
Lynx ransomware appends the .lynx extension to encrypted files and, upon successful encryption, drops a Base64-encoded ransom note. In addition to encryption, the group exfiltrates files using tools like WinSCP and rclone, threatening to release the stolen data on their data leak site if the ransom is not paid. Researchers have observed Lynx operators using cloud storage services, such as AWS S3, to exfiltrate data, leveraging these legitimate platforms to avoid detection. To complicate recovery, Lynx terminates backup-related processes and deletes shadow volume copies.
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 on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://darktrace.com/blog/new-threat-on-the-prowl-investigating-lynx-ransomware
Security firm Darktrace has shined light on an emerging ransomware group dubbed Lynx which is known for targeting organizations in the finance, architecture, retail, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Operating under a ransomware-as-a-service model, Lynx provides affiliates a portion of the ransom after gaining initial access and deploying Lynx's encryptor. The group's malware shares code similarities with the INC ransomware variant, suggesting that Lynx may have repurposed the readily available INC code to create its own strain. Researchers also note that Lynx employs a hybrid encryption approach, utilizing AES-128 in CTR mode for symmetric encryption and Curve25519 Donna for asymmetric key exchange. This dual-layer strategy ensures that even if one encryption layer is compromised, the data remains secure, as access still requires the private key.
Security Officer Comments:
Despite initiating operations in mid-2024, Lynx has quickly become a dominant player in the ransomware landscape, compromising dozens of organizations in a short span. In January 2025, the IT-ISAC attributed 42 attacks to Lynx, making it the most active ransomware group of the month, ahead of Akira (37) and RansomHub (35).
The group typically gains initial access through phishing campaigns that deploy malicious links or attachments, and maintains persistence using tools like AnyDesk for remote control of victim systems. Lateral movement is facilitated by compromised administrative credentials, likely obtained through credential stuffing or brute-force attacks.
Lynx ransomware appends the .lynx extension to encrypted files and, upon successful encryption, drops a Base64-encoded ransom note. In addition to encryption, the group exfiltrates files using tools like WinSCP and rclone, threatening to release the stolen data on their data leak site if the ransom is not paid. Researchers have observed Lynx operators using cloud storage services, such as AWS S3, to exfiltrate data, leveraging these legitimate platforms to avoid detection. To complicate recovery, Lynx terminates backup-related processes and deletes shadow volume copies.
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 on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Link(s):
https://darktrace.com/blog/new-threat-on-the-prowl-investigating-lynx-ransomware