Malware

AstraLocker ransomware operators shut down their operations

AstraLocker ransomware operators told BleepingComputer they’re shutting down their operations and are releasing decryptors.

AstraLocker ransomware operators told BleepingComputer they’re shutting down the operation and provided decryptors to the VirusTotal malware analysis platform.

AstraLocker is based on the source code of the Babuk Locker (Babyk) ransomware that was leaked online on June 2021.

BleepingComputer tested the decryptors and confirmed they are legitimate. The threat actors behind Astralocker told BleepingCompyter that they plan to abandon the extortion and switch to cryptojacking.

The real reason behind the decision to cease the operation could be the pressure by law enforcement in response to their recent attacks.

BleepingComputer also confirmed that cyber security firm Emsisoft is working on a universal decryptor for AstraLocker ransomware that will allow victims to recover their files for free.

Recently, researchers from ReversingLabs discovered some samples of the AstraLocker 2.0 malware that have been distributed through malspam campaign using weaponized Microsoft Word documents.

Experts also noticed that a Monero wallet address used by the group for the ransom payment is tied to the Chaos Ransomware group.

“The “smash and grab” attack methodology as well as other features suggest the attacker behind this malware is low-skill and looking to cause disruption, compared with the more patient, methodical, and measured approach to compromises used by Babuk and other, more sophisticated ransomware outfits.” reported ReversingLabs. “This underscores the risk posed to organizations following code leaks like that affecting Babuk, as a large population of low-skill, high-motivation actors leverage the leaked code for use in their own attacks.” 

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook

[adrotate banner=”9″][adrotate banner=”12″]

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, ransomware)

[adrotate banner=”5″]

[adrotate banner=”13″]

Pierluigi Paganini

Pierluigi Paganini is member of the ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) Threat Landscape Stakeholder Group and Cyber G7 Group, he is also a Security Evangelist, Security Analyst and Freelance Writer. Editor-in-Chief at "Cyber Defense Magazine", Pierluigi is a cyber security expert with over 20 years experience in the field, he is Certified Ethical Hacker at EC Council in London. The passion for writing and a strong belief that security is founded on sharing and awareness led Pierluigi to find the security blog "Security Affairs" recently named a Top National Security Resource for US. Pierluigi is a member of the "The Hacker News" team and he is a writer for some major publications in the field such as Cyber War Zone, ICTTF, Infosec Island, Infosec Institute, The Hacker News Magazine and for many other Security magazines. Author of the Books "The Deep Dark Web" and “Digital Virtual Currency and Bitcoin”.

Recent Posts

Cisco addressed high-severity flaws in IOS and IOS XE software

Cisco addressed multiple vulnerabilities in IOS and IOS XE software that can be exploited to…

2 hours ago

Google: China dominates government exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities in 2023

Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG) and Mandiant reported a surge in the number of actively…

9 hours ago

Google addressed 2 Chrome zero-days demonstrated at Pwn2Own 2024

Google addressed two zero-day vulnerabilities in the Chrome web browser that have been demonstrated during…

20 hours ago

INC Ransom stole 3TB of data from the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland

The INC Ransom extortion group hacked the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland and is threatening…

1 day ago

CISA adds Microsoft SharePoint bug disclosed at Pwn2Own to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) adds a Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability disclosed at the…

1 day ago

The DDR Advantage: Real-Time Data Defense

This is the advantage of Data Detection and Response (DDR) for organizations aiming to build…

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.