Hunters International Ransomware Group Attacks DiVal Safety Equipment

Hunters International ransomware group has attacked DiVal Safety Equipment, although no other details have been divulged. DiVal is a premier B2B distributor of safety equipment, industrial and contractor tools & supplies, and maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products. In addition to the wide range of products the company carries, tests, services and repairs many of the products it supplies. It also provides safety training on topics related to a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) it sells.

Hunters International: A New Threat Emerges

Hunters International, a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) group, emerged in Q3 of 2023 after the discovery of source code bearing resemblances to the infamous Hive ransomware strain. In October 2023, a security researcher's analysis of the ransomware used by Hunters revealed significant code overlaps with Hive ransomware. Subsequent analysis by Bitdefender came to the same findings, leading researchers to conclude that Hive operators have handed off their malicious tool to another threat actor. Despite this, Hunters International has denied any ties to the Hive operation.

Modus Operandi of Hunters International

Intelligence suggests that Hunters International ransomware primarily aims to exfiltrate target data and extort victims with ransom demands for its return. One reported incident involved a plastic surgery clinic in the US, where approximately 248,000 files, including patient names and addresses, were exfiltrated. The ransomware encrypts files with the ".LOCKED" extension and leaves "Contact Us.txt" files in directories, instructing victims on how to initiate negotiation on the dark web. Successful exploitation by Hunters International typically results in significant data exfiltration prior to issuing a ransom demand, often tailored to the perceived value of the compromised organization.