Akira attacks Development Bank of Southern Africa
Incident Date:
June 23, 2023
Overview
Title
Akira attacks Development Bank of Southern Africa
Victim
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Attacker
Akira
Location
First Reported
June 23, 2023
The Akira Ransomware Gang's Attack on the Development Bank of Southern Africa
The Akira ransomware gang has attacked the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The Development Bank of Southern Africa, founded in 1983, is a development finance institution wholly owned by the South African government. Akira posted Development Bank of Southern Africa to its data leak site on June 23rd but has not provided any other details.
Akira Ransomware Gang's Modus Operandi
The Akira ransomware gang, first identified in May 2023, utilizes the Windows Restart Manager API to effectively close processes or terminate Windows services that might be actively using a file, thereby allowing the encryption process to proceed unhindered. In each computer folder affected by the ransomware, a ransom note named "akira_readme.txt" is placed. This note serves as a communication from the attackers, explaining the situation and providing links to the Akira data leak site and negotiation site.
The ransom note issued by the Akira group contains a chilling warning: "Regarding your data, in the event that we fail to reach an agreement, we will attempt to sell your personal information, trade secrets, databases, source codes, and anything else deemed valuable on the dark market to multiple threat actors simultaneously. Subsequently, all of this compromised information will be publicly exposed on our blog."
Expanding Threat and Extortion Tactics
Similar to other ransomware groups, the Akira gang infiltrates corporate networks and expands its reach to other connected devices. After acquiring Windows domain admin credentials, the threat actors deploy their ransomware across the entire network. Before encrypting the files, the attackers take the additional step of exfiltrating sensitive corporate data. This stolen information is then used as leverage during their extortion tactics, as they warn victims that the data will be made public unless a ransom payment is made.
The Akira gang has invested considerable effort into designing their data leak website, which features a retro aesthetic and allows visitors to navigate through it using command inputs.
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.