The Linux version of Qilin, a new ransomware strain that debuted in January, has been spotted in the wild. It's also one of the first ransomware families to target VMware ESXi. . Qilin targets users and organizations that run ESXi hypervisors. The malware encrypts files on connected USB devices with AES-256 encryption and a randomly generated RSA public key. It also creates an HTML file in each folder containing encrypted files containing instructions on paying the ransom and where to get decryption keys. The malware doesn't appear very sophisticated and is likely not targeting any specific industry or organization; it's just another opportunistic infection for any user connecting a USB device infected with Qilin to their machine. I found the article linked below very helpful in understanding the specifics of this attack, and I wanted to share it with you! . Qilin specializes in supporting users and organizations leveraging ESXi virtualization technologies, safeguarding information with the robustness of AES-256 encryption.. Qilin Ransomware, ESXi Hypervisor Security, AES-256 Encryption, Cyber Threats, Linux Malware. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
A new ransomware-as-service (RaaS) operation called MichaelKors has become the latest file-encrypting malware to target Linux and VMware ESXi systems as of April 2023. . The development points to cybercriminal actors increasingly setting their eyes on the ESXi, cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said in a report shared with The Hacker News. "This trend is especially noteworthy given the fact that ESXi, by design, does not support third-party agents or AV software," the company said. "In fact, VMware goes as far as to claim it's not required. This, combined with the popularity of ESXi as a widespread and popular virtualization and management system, makes the hypervisor a highly attractive target for modern adversaries." The link for this article located at The Hacker News is no longer available. . Cybercrime trends for 2023 show "FashionComplete" launching ransomware-as-a-service attacks aimed at Windows and Hyper-V environments, emphasizing rising digital threats this year.. Ransomware as a Service,Linux Malware,ESXi Security,Cyber Threats. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Royal Ransomware is the latest ransomware operation to add support for encrypting Linux devices to its most recent malware variants, specifically targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines. . BleepingComputer has been reporting on similar Linux ransomware encryptors released by multiple other gangs, including Black Basta , LockBit , BlackMatter , AvosLocker , REvil , HelloKitty , RansomEXX , and Hive . The new Linux Royal Ransomware variant was discovered by Will Thomas of the Equinix Threat Analysis Center (ETAC), and is executed using the command line. . Sovereign Malware is now directed at Linux environments through VMware ESXi, posing serious security challenges. Discover more about this risk.. Royal Ransomware, Linux Encryption, VMware Threat, ESXi Malware. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.