Wednesday, February 26, 2025
HomeCyber Security NewsRhysida Ransomware Attacking Government & IT Industries Worldwide

Rhysida Ransomware Attacking Government & IT Industries Worldwide

Published on

SIEM as a Service

Follow Us on Google News

Hackers use ransomware to encrypt victims’ files and demand payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for the decryption key. 

This malicious tactic allows them to extort money from the following entities by exploiting vulnerabilities in their digital systems:-

  • Individuals
  • Businesses
  • Organizations

In May 2023, this new ransomware variant appeared for the first time and has been actively targeting several industries across the world.

In recent campaigns, this new ransomware has targeted several organizations from the following sectors, reads FourCore report.

  • Government
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • IT
  • Manufacturing

Fortinet has released a comprehensive report on the Rhysida ransomware assaults, which are aimed at Windows machines via VPN devices and RDP.

New Rhysida Ransomware

Rhysida entered Ransomware with a bold strike on the Chilean army, listing over 50 victims. It’s an independent group posing as a cybersecurity team since May 23, highlighting security flaws.

Rhysida excludes encrypting some specific files, and it does its further encryption process with:-

  • 4096-bit RSA key
  • ChaCha20 algorithm

Besides this, all the encrypted files get a .rhysida extension, which alters the wallpaper and then leaves a PDF document as a ransom note.

Rhysida ransom note (Source - FourCore)
Rhysida ransom note (Source – FourCore)

The operators of the Rhysida Ransomware hack victims with new exploits or dark web credentials. They use their Rhysida payload or other ransomware like QuantumLocker, and in some cases, using stolen data, they extort without encrypting files.

Rhysida’s Infection Chain (Source - FourCore)
Rhysida’s Infection Chain (Source – FourCore)

Rhysida Operators breach via:-

They use phishing and scripts for payloads. Deploying tools like CobaltStrike, they escalate privileges with injections and exploits. 

Continuously erasing traces, they spread through RDP, SSH, and tools like PsExec. Leaving Anydesk for access, they exfiltrate data with tools like DataGrabber1 for ransom or sale.

Rhysida operators use standard TTPs, lacking novel techniques. Understanding the entire deployment process is crucial.

Tushar Subhra
Tushar Subhra
Tushar is a Cyber security content editor with a passion for creating captivating and informative content. With years of experience under his belt in Cyber Security, he is covering Cyber Security News, technology and other news.

Latest articles

Silver Fox APT Hackers Target Healthcare Services to Steal Sensitive Data

A sophisticated cyber campaign orchestrated by the Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group, Silver...

Ghostwriter Malware Targets Government Organizations with Weaponized XLS File

A new wave of cyberattacks attributed to the Ghostwriter Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group...

LCRYX Ransomware Attacks Windows Machines by Blocking Registry Editor and Task Manager

The LCRYX ransomware, a malicious VBScript-based threat, has re-emerged in February 2025 after its...

Threat Actors Using Ephemeral Port 60102 for Covert Malware Communications

Recent cybersecurity investigations have uncovered a sophisticated technique employed by threat actors to evade...

Supply Chain Attack Prevention

Free Webinar - Supply Chain Attack Prevention

Recent attacks like Polyfill[.]io show how compromised third-party components become backdoors for hackers. PCI DSS 4.0’s Requirement 6.4.3 mandates stricter browser script controls, while Requirement 12.8 focuses on securing third-party providers.

Join Vivekanand Gopalan (VP of Products – Indusface) and Phani Deepak Akella (VP of Marketing – Indusface) as they break down these compliance requirements and share strategies to protect your applications from supply chain attacks.

Discussion points

Meeting PCI DSS 4.0 mandates.
Blocking malicious components and unauthorized JavaScript execution.
PIdentifying attack surfaces from third-party dependencies.
Preventing man-in-the-browser attacks with proactive monitoring.

More like this

Silver Fox APT Hackers Target Healthcare Services to Steal Sensitive Data

A sophisticated cyber campaign orchestrated by the Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group, Silver...

Ghostwriter Malware Targets Government Organizations with Weaponized XLS File

A new wave of cyberattacks attributed to the Ghostwriter Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group...

LCRYX Ransomware Attacks Windows Machines by Blocking Registry Editor and Task Manager

The LCRYX ransomware, a malicious VBScript-based threat, has re-emerged in February 2025 after its...