FBI Alerts Public to Rising Trend of Dual Ransomware Attacks

The FBI has spotlighted an alarming surge in “dual ransomware attacks,” where victims experience two separate cyberattacks within a close timeframe, often within 48 hours. These strategically deployed attacks utilize various ransomware variants, causing amplified damage through data encryption, exfiltration, and extortion, especially exploiting the victim’s vulnerability post-initial attack. Alongside this, threat actors are increasingly employing malware, data theft, and wiper tools to further manipulate victims. In response, the FBI encourages reporting of suspicious activities and offers mitigation recommendations, such as maintaining encrypted offline backups and implementing secure recovery plans, to fortify defenses against these sophisticated cyber threats.

The FBI has recently highlighted a concerning rise in “dual ransomware attacks,” where separate cyberattacks are executed within hours or days of each other. According to a Private Industry Notification, these attacks target the same victim, typically within a 10-day window, with the majority occurring within 48 hours. Various ransomware variants like AvosLocker, Diamond, and Hive Karakurt are deployed in different combinations during these attacks. The result is a potent mix of data encryption, exfiltration, and extortion, amplifying the impact on the victim.

The logic behind dual ransomware attacks is strategically sound from a malicious standpoint. After an initial cyberattack, organizations are often in a vulnerable state, scrambling to recover and secure their systems. This weakened state makes them particularly susceptible to a second, often more damaging, attack. The second wave of ransomware exploits the chaos and vulnerabilities exposed by the first, maximizing the potential for damage and increasing the likelihood of a payout from the beleaguered victim.

In addition to the dual attack strategy, the FBI notes an uptick in threat actors utilizing malware, data theft, and wiper tools to manipulate and coerce victims into negotiating. This multi-faceted approach applies additional pressure on victims, further complicating their response and recovery efforts. To counteract these malicious trends, the FBI is urging individuals and organizations to report any suspicious activity, providing as much detail as possible about the incident, including timing, affected equipment, and the nature of the event.

To bolster defenses against these sophisticated threats, the FBI has offered several mitigation recommendations. These include maintaining encrypted offline data backups, scrutinizing the security protocols of third-party vendors, and implementing policies that restrict systems to running only known and permitted programs. Furthermore, the bureau advises the implementation of a secure recovery plan and the retention of multiple copies of sensitive data to safeguard against potential future attacks, ensuring a level of preparedness against the evolving tactics of cybercriminals.