The Rhysida Ransomware Gang Attacks Hollywood Forever

The Rhysida ransomware gang has attacked Hollywood Forever. Hollywood Forever is a famous cemetery located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the city and has become an iconic cultural landmark. Originally known as "Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery," it was later renamed "Hollywood Forever" to reflect its enduring presence.

Rhysida posted Hollywood Forever to its data leak site on July 3rd, threatening to publish all stolen data by July 10th if the organization refuses to cooperate. The Rhysida ransomware group emerged in May 2023 and introduced a victim support chat portal on the TOR network. They present themselves as a "cybersecurity team" and claim to be helping their victims by targeting their systems and exposing potential security issues.

Ransomware Deployment and Characteristics

Rhysida deploys its ransomware through various methods, including Cobalt Strike or similar frameworks, as well as phishing campaigns. Analysis of Rhysida ransomware samples suggests that the group is still in the early stages of development. The ransomware lacks certain common features seen in contemporary ransomware, such as VSS removal. However, the group follows the practices of modern multi-extortion groups by threatening to distribute the stolen data publicly.

Upon execution, Rhysida displays a cmd.exe window and scans all files on local drives. Victims are instructed to contact the attackers using the TOR-based portal and their unique identifier provided in the ransom notes. The group only accepts payment in Bitcoin (BTC) and provides victims with instructions on purchasing and using BTC through the victim portal. Victims are also given an additional form on the payment portal to provide authentication and contact details to the attackers.

The Rhysida ransom notes are written as PDF documents and placed in the affected folders on the targeted drives.