Rhysida attacks University of Salerno

Incident Date: Jul 27, 2023

Attack Overview
VICTIM
University of Salerno
INDUSTRY
Education
LOCATION
Italy
ATTACKER
Rhysida
FIRST REPORTED
July 27, 2023

Rhysida Ransomware Gang Attacks University of Salerno

The Rhysida ransomware gang has attacked the University of Salerno. The University of Salerno is a public research university located in Salerno, Italy. Established in 1944, it has since become an important educational institution in the Campania region and beyond. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees across various disciplines.

The University of Salerno is known for its commitment to research and academic excellence. It has multiple departments and research centers dedicated to conducting research in various fields, contributing to advancements in knowledge and innovation. The university's research output and collaborations with other institutions have helped establish its reputation within the academic community.

Rhysida Ransomware Group Emergence

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. 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 standard features 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.

Attack Methodology and Victim Response

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.

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