Ransomware Targets Transit and Goverment Organizations in Ukraine, Russia

Ransomware Targets Transit and Goverment Organizations in Ukraine, Russia

A new ransomware called Bad Rabbit (variant of Petya) is spreading through Ukraine and Russia.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Oct 24, 2017

[UPDATE: Oct. 25, 2017 9:00 AM]

Bad Rabbit has continued to spread overnight in places like Russia, Ukraine and Poland. CrowdStrike has been following the ransomware closely and has provided Security Today with their expert insight on the wide spread cyberattack.

“CrowdStrike Intelligence has observed that a cyber attack leveraging ransomware-style malware called BadRabbit was targeting entities in Eastern Europe," VP of Intelligience Adam Meyers said. "Initial investigation of this activity suggests several parallels with the destructive NotPetya malware that targeted Ukrainian interests in June 2017, although verification of these overlaps is ongoing at this time.

"To date, CrowdStrike Intelligence has found that BadRabbit and NotPetya DLL (Dynamic Link Library) share 67% of the same code, giving us reason to believe the same actor is likely behind both attacks. Bad Rabbit is likely delivered via the website argumentiru[.]com which is a current affairs, news and celebrity gossip website focusing on Russian and near-abroad topics.

"CrowdStrike Intelligence can confirm that this website was hosting a malicious JavaScript inject as part of a Strategic Web Compromise (SWC) attack on 24 October 2017.”

Original story posted below.

A new wave of ransomware has hit several targets in Russia and Eastern Europe on Tuesday, according to media reports and several security companies.

The malware, named "Bad Rabbit," has hit three Russian media outlets, including the news agency Interfax, according to Russian security firm Group-IB. Once it infects a computer, Bad Rabbit displays a message in red letters on a black background, a similar scene to those who were impacted by the massive NotPetya breach.


The ransom message asks victims to log into a hidden service website to make a payment of 0.5 bitcoins, valued at $282. The site also displays a countdown of over 40 hours before the price of decryption goes up.

The airport of Odessa, in Ukraine was also hit by a damaging cyberattack on Tuesday, but at this point it is unclear if it was hit by Bad Rabbit.

The Ukrainian computer emergency agency CERT-UA posted an alert warning of a new wave of cyberattacks, but it did not clearly mention Bad Rabbit.

Kaspersky Lab said in a blog post that that "most" Bad Rabbit infections are in Russia. Some also in Ukraine, Turkey and Germany. The company called Bad Rabbit "a targeted attack against corporate networks."

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • From the Most Visible to the Less Apparent

    The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) states “There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, and national public health or safety or any combination thereof.” Read Now

  • Work Anywhere, Secure Everywhere: 2025 Tech Predictions

    Five years after the pandemic, organizations need a flexible work reset to stay productive and support any work arrangement. Despite the pandemic-fueled workplace shift that began five years ago, companies across industries and geographies continue to increase flexible work configurations. However, many tools adopted during COVID onset remain in place today, and they now need a reset to keep employees productive and secure regardless of location. Security leaders must re-evaluate existing practices and reinvest in zero trust security, passwordless environments, and automation adoption to improve efficiency and productivity. Read Now

  • Guiding Principles

    Construction sites represent a unique sector of perimeter security, especially amidst a steady increase in commercial construction. As in any security environment, assessing weaknesses and threats remains paramount and modern technology, coupled with sound access control principles, are critical in addressing vulnerabilities at even the most secure construction sites around the world. Read Now

  • Empowering 911

    In the wake of the tragic murder of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson, media coverage flooded the airwaves with images, videos and detailed timelines of the suspect’s movements. While such post-incident analysis is not new, today’s 911 centers now have access to similar data in real-time. This technological evolution marks a pivotal transformation in emergency response, transitioning from analog calls to a digital ecosystem capable of saving more lives. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.