Royal Ransomware Targets Linux Devices
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Targeting Vmware ESXi virtual machines
Royal Ransomware is the latest ransomware operation to support the encryption of Linux devices, specifically targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines.
The Linux Royal Ransomware variant was discovered by the Equinix Threat Analysis Center and is executed using the command line.
It comes with support for multiple flags that allow the ransomware operators to control the encryption process. The ransomware appends the “.royal_u” extension to encrypted files on the VM.
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What is Royal Ransomware?
Royal Ransomware is a private operation comprised of threat actors who previously worked with the Conti ransomware operation.
The gang demands ransom payments ranging from $250,000 to tens of millions after encrypting their targets’ enterprise network systems.
In December, the US Department of Health and Human Services warned of Royal ransomware attacks targeting organizations in the healthcare sector. The shift towards targeting ESXi virtual machines aligns with a trend where enterprises have transitioned to VMs for improved device management and efficient resource handling.
Royal ransomware submissions (ID Ransomware)
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Thousands of VMware ESXi servers reached EOF in October last year
Tens of thousands of VMware ESXi servers exposed on the Internet reached end-of-life in October and are now only receiving technical support, exposing them to ransomware attacks.
A new ransomware strain known as ESXiArgs was used to scan for and encrypt unpatched servers in a massive campaign targeting ESXi devices worldwide. Over 100 servers worldwide were compromised in just a few hours.
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Source: bleepingcomputer.com
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