Introduction
A recent joint report by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reveals that affiliates associated with the Black Basta ransomware breach the networks of over 500 organizations worldwide. This alarming figure highlights the significant threat posed by Black Basta, a ransomware variant that has been in operation since April 2022. The report highlights the critical need for proactive strategies to reduce the risks associated with Black Basta and other ransomware threats targeting essential infrastructure sectors.
Origins and Evolution of Black Basta Ransomware
Black Basta was first seen in operational capacity in April 2022, shortly after the demise of the Conti ransomware gang. The rise of Black Basta was concurrent with the decline of Conti, whose operations ceased after a series of embarrassing data leaks crippled the gang. Black Basta emerged as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, allowing it to quickly spread and target a wide range of organizations. The model of cybercriminals creating and distributing ransomware has gained popularity due to its simplicity and lucrative potential.
What happened?
Following the joint report by CISA and the FBI, Black Basta ransomware operatives infiltrate over 500 organizations from April 2022 to May 2024, encrypting and exfiltrating data from at least 12 critical infrastructure sectors. his collaborative effort, which also involved the Department of Health and Human Services and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), shed light on Black Basta’s strategic focus on private industry and critical infrastructure spanning North America, Europe, and Australia. Notably, a recent ransomware incident targeting healthcare behemoth Ascension was attributed to Black Basta, intensifying concerns within the healthcare domain.
Originating as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) entity in April 2022, the gang has successfully breached a multitude of high-profile entities, including German defense contractor Rheinmetall, Hyundai’s European division, U.K. technology outsourcing company Capita, industrial automation company ABB, the Toronto Public Library, the American Dental Association, Sobeys, Knauf, and Yellow Pages Canada.
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The advisory issued delineates the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by Black Basta affiliates, underscoring the criticality of maintaining updated systems, deploying phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA), and cultivating user awareness to identify and report phishing endeavors.
Healthcare organizations must implement prescribed mitigations to avoid cybercriminals and disruptions to patient care. The advisory stresses preemptive actions against Black Basta and ransomware threats to critical infrastructure sectors.
Furthermore, the joint advisory advocates for the regular updating of operating systems, software, and firmware, the widespread implementation of phishing-resistant MFA, and user training to recognize and report potential phishing attacks, thereby diminishing the risk of falling victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by this group. Defenders fortify remote access per CISA’s guidelines and regularly back up configurations to speed up repairs when needed.
CISA and the FBI highlighted that “healthcare organizations are attractive targets for cybercrime actors due to their size, technological reliance, access to personal health information, and the unique repercussions stemming from disruptions to patient care.”
Tactics and Techniques of Black Basta
Black Basta affiliates use common initial access techniques such as phishing and exploiting known vulnerabilities. They then employ a double-extortion model, both encrypting systems and exfiltrating data. Ransom notes do not generally include an initial ransom demand or payment instructions. Instead, the notes provide victims with a unique code and instruct them to contact the ransomware group via a .onion URL (reachable through the Tor browser). Typically, the ransom notes give victims between 10 and 12 days to pay the ransom before the ransomware group publishes their data on the Black Basta TOR site, Basta News.
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Impact on Organizations
The impact of Black Basta on organizations has been significant. In the first two weeks of operations, at least 20 victims were posted to its leak site, Basta News. The sector that proved favorable for targeting was organizations in healthcare. Black Basta has also claimed the scalps of several other multinational organizations, including German defense contractor Rheinmetall, U.K. technology outsourcing company Capita, industrial automation company ABB, and the Toronto Public Library.
Defensive Strategies Against Black Basta
Given that Black Basta affiliates will use several techniques and tactics to infect targeted networks, organizations should apply several proven attack mitigation strategies, particularly in the healthcare sector. CISA has published a comprehensive mitigation guide that should be treated as required reading for an admin or IT staff looking to prevent ransomware attacks. The guide emphasizes the importance of keeping software up-to-date, installing multi-factor authentication mechanisms, and educating users on spotting phishing schemes.
Healthcare Network Ascension Suffers Possible Black Basta Attack
As if to highlight the serious threat posed by Black Basta, US Healthcare Network Ascension reported it had suffered a cyber incident. The incident resulted in hospitals diverting ambulances to other locations following clinical operation disruptions due to system outages. The attack also took down some phone systems and systems for ordering tests, procedures, and medications. In a statement issued by Ascension, the company said, “On Wednesday, May 8, we detected unusual activity on select technology network systems, which we now believe is due to a cyber security event. We responded immediately, initiated our investigation and activated our remediation efforts. Access to some systems have been interrupted as this process continues. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending that business partners temporarily suspend the connection to the Ascension environment. We will inform partners when it is appropriate to reconnect into our environment.”
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Conclusion
The emergence of RaaS operations like Black Basta exacerbates the threat landscape, allowing cybercriminals with varying levels of expertise to execute sophisticated attacks. The scale of the threat is immense, with over 500 organizations breached between April 2022 and May 2024. The joint advisory from CISA, the FBI, and other agencies highlights the urgency for companies to reinforce their digital security procedures by keeping software up-to-date, installing multi-factor authentication mechanisms, and educating users on spotting phishing schemes.
FAQS
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): RaaS is a model where cybercriminals create and distribute ransomware to other criminals. In this model, the creators of the ransomware (often technically skilled individuals or groups) provide the malicious software to affiliates or subscribers, who may have less technical expertise. This model has become increasingly popular among cybercriminals due to its ease of use and potential for significant financial gains.
- Why it Matters: The emergence of RaaS operations like Black Basta exacerbates the threat landscape, allowing cybercriminals with varying levels of expertise to execute sophisticated attacks. This is demonstrated by the concerning surge and consequences of ransomware attacks orchestrated by Black Basta and similar groups.
- What is a Ransomware: Ransomware attack deploys malicious software (ransomware) to infect computer systems or networks, constituting a type of cyber attack. Once infected, the ransomware encrypts the victim’s files or locks them out of their system, rendering them inaccessible. The attacker demands ransom, typically in cryptocurrency, for providing decryption key or restoring system access.
- Why are Healthcare Organizations at an Increased Risk of Cyberattacks?: The healthcare industry faces diverse cyber threats that can have severe consequences for organizations and patients. The healthcare industry is an ideal target for cyber threat actors because of its vast amounts of sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
