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Severity
High
Analysis Summary
Akira ransomware is a sophisticated cyber threat that first emerged in March 2023 and operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. It allows affiliates to conduct ransomware attacks by encrypting and stealing data from victim organizations. The group behind Akira is believed to have ties to the defunct Conti ransomware gang, based on overlapping techniques, infrastructure, and ransom payment patterns. Akira initially targeted Windows systems with its original C++ variant, but it quickly evolved, releasing a Linux variant in April 2023 aimed at VMware ESXi systems, followed by a Rust-based version called “Megazord” and a more advanced variant known as Akira_v2.
The ransomware has been used to target various sectors including healthcare, education, manufacturing, finance, construction, and legal services. It has been particularly active in North America, Europe, and Australia. Akira’s attack methodology involves exploiting VPN vulnerabilities—particularly those lacking multi-factor authentication—and using tools like Mimikatz, LaZagne, and Advanced IP Scanner for lateral movement and credential harvesting. Once inside a network, it exfiltrates sensitive data before encrypting files using strong encryption methods like ChaCha20 and RSA. Victims are then extorted under the threat of public data leaks unless a ransom—ranging from $200,000 to several million—is paid.
As of early 2024, Akira has affected over 250 organizations and is estimated to have earned more than $42 million in ransom payments. Notable victims include Stanford University, Nissan Australia, Tietoevry, and the Toronto Zoo. Akira’s consistent evolution and aggressive targeting make it a major concern for cybersecurity professionals, emphasizing the need for strong defenses such as multi-factor authentication, timely patching, and comprehensive incident response strategies.
Impact
- Lateral Movement
- Data Exfiltration
- Credential Theft
- Financial Loss
Indicators of Compromise
MD5
54dd1e7adb8d5440cfed65c9646f2529
19f3fabf03519cc60e89ceb950f0cdc2
b666ea987c7dff545e984ad88ce80a9b
a9c7be14e01b219a1e237412464260b5
SHA-256
1bf45e64429f10dd0978551f06c92af4ebe38e27c2e18fcb60e7c8145f54ead6
1bc4c339b1c0773a649234d4b85dd1929c0b5d2d0cd9836c7ad1d7491372f9ec
1ba1ccfacffbb6be9480380f5535a30d3eee1dd7787f3c649ebf8ea2a6a5de51
176493de8de0284f0dc05ee75fb849ba27ee4a246666c508eaf003c2ea83a6e7
SHA1
b2734396e30f7afd1f71581bb08ad33f9cb21bee
d439e8162053bffd87b38d848d78acfa06bed6ff
77abcfd111c8ca024c2d8f1f8faf22723c03fbfc
0df843d0ec956ddef16312929610893d8d1dc055
Remediation
- Block all threat indicators at your respective controls.
- Search for indicators of compromise (IOCs) in your environment utilizing your respective security controls.
- Disconnect infected devices from the internet and local networks immediately to prevent the ransomware from spreading.
- Do not pay the ransom, paying does not guarantee file recovery and may encourage further attacks.
- Use reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove the ransomware from your system.
- Restore files from clean backups if available, ensure backups are not connected to the infected network during restoration.
- Update all software, operating systems, and firmware to their latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the spread of ransomware within your organization.
- Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.
- Implement strict user access controls, granting permissions based on the principle of least privilege.
- Develop and regularly update an incident response plan to effectively respond to ransomware attacks.
- Monitor network traffic for unusual activity that may indicate a ransomware infection.
- Regularly back up critical data and store backups offline or in a secure, isolated environment.