The Ransomhouse Ransomware Attack on DCGX

The Ransomhouse ransomware gang has attacked the DCGX. The DCGX, or the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, is a commodities derivatives exchange headquartered in Dubai, UAE, founded in 2005. Ransomhouse uploaded the DCGX to its data leak site on January 13th, claiming to have stolen 100GB of data. Ransomhouse never posted the allegedly stolen data, suggesting that The DCGX paid the ransom.

RansomHouse's Modus Operandi

RansomHouse is a relatively new cybercrime operation that focuses on breaching networks by exploiting vulnerabilities to steal valuable data from their targets. Unlike typical ransomware groups, RansomHouse doesn't encrypt the compromised systems. Instead, they simply steal the data and demand payment for its return. Interestingly, they shift the blame onto their victims, claiming that the organizations' poor security posture is responsible for the attacks.

Comparisons and Connections

Many of RansomHouse's tactics resemble those of another data extortion group called Lapsus$. Some classify RansomHouse as a ransomware group, but both groups don't actually encrypt the data they target. RansomHouse's origins remain unconfirmed, although references to RansomHouse were found in ransom notes associated with White Rabbit, a ransomware strain possibly connected to the financial crime ring FIN8. RansomHouse, however, asserts that they only partnered with White Rabbit. Nevertheless, some experts, like Brett Callow, suspect that RansomHouse and White Rabbit share the same operators.