CISA Alert Code AA23-353A: ALPHV BlackCat Alert Notification
Alright, get comfortable and lend me an ear. We’re in for a chat about the twisty, scheming game of cybersecurity and healthcare.
Remember we were chatting about a combined warning from the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Health and Human Services (HHS) back in February last year? Just ordered a round, so no worries if you’ve got a bit of a blank. It’s all focused on this pesky ransomware called ALPHV Blackcat, wreaking havoc in all corners. Now, hold the phone, I know “ransomware” might send your brain to chasing the mists, but worry not. Let’s sort of imagine it as some bloke who picks your pocket, nabs your keys and then locks himself in your house, demanding a pretty penny to let you back in. Not a welcome guest, I say!
The unfortunate news on this side of the rainbow is that the healthcare industry has been on the receiving end of this unwelcome houseguest more often than others as of late. Lots of folks think it might be because the boss man behind this ALPHV Blackcat business nudged his chums in that direction. They reckon it’s retaliation for some action against them back in December 2023. They’ve even been posing behind victim-specific emails to get things started. It’s sneaky, underhanded, no doubt about it my friend.
Now, cast your minds back to April 2022, when the FBI first gave us a nod about some indicators associated with this Blackcat business. This was followed by an update in December 2023. The new information is a bit more unsettling as it states that from mid-December 2023, out of nearly 70 victims leaked, the healthcare sector has been the usual target.
It was in February last year when these ALPHV Blackcat fellas announced their big bad Ransomware 2.0 Sphynx update. They funkified it with some flash trinkets, defence evasion features and extra tooling, making it more of a challenge to tackle. Even worse, the update enables the encryption of not just Windows, but also Linux devices and VMWare instances. The ALPHV Blackcat lads have a wide network and a wealth of experience in ransomware and data extortion dealings. Not folks you’d happily share a pint with, I daresay.
Now, I’m not one to leave you hanging, so remember that the FBI, CISA, and HHS advise anyone with stakes in critical infrastructure to take requested precautions to reduce the chances and impacts of any ALPHV Blackcat ransomware incidents. They’re fighting the good fight, after all.
To sum it up, this ain’t the Wild West, and your computers ain’t a free-for-all. You don’t want nasty cyber bandits taking everything you’ve got. Keep you and yours safe from that sneaky ALPHV Blackcat. Until next time, mind how you go!
by Parker Bytes