Crain Group Hit by Major Play Ransomware Attack
Incident Date:
September 4, 2024
Overview
Title
Crain Group Hit by Major Play Ransomware Attack
Victim
Crain Group
Attacker
Play
Location
First Reported
September 4, 2024
Crain Group Targeted by Play Ransomware Attack
Crain Group, a multifaceted organization based in Pearland, Texas, has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Play ransomware group. The attack has compromised a significant amount of sensitive information, including private and personal data, client documents, tax records, identification details, and other confidential information.
About Crain Group
Crain Group operates primarily in the Holding Companies & Conglomerates sector, focusing on investment activities, philanthropy, and community support. Their investment arm, Crain Group Investments, LLC, manages a diverse portfolio across various asset classes, including securities and commodity contracts. The company is also known for its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, actively supporting nonprofit initiatives and community organizations through its "Crane on Board" program.
Crain Group stands out in its industry for its holistic approach to business, blending financial growth with a strong emphasis on social impact. The organization has a notable presence in the community, with leaders serving on over 80 nonprofit boards and contributing more than 125,000 volunteer hours.
Attack Overview
The Play ransomware group, also known as PlayCrypt, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Crain Group via their dark web leak site. The group has been active since June 2022 and has targeted a diverse range of industries, including IT, transportation, construction, materials, government entities, and critical infrastructure. The attack on Crain Group has exposed a significant amount of sensitive data, posing a severe threat to the company's operations and reputation.
About Play Ransomware Group
Play ransomware distinguishes itself by employing various sophisticated methods to gain entry into networks. These methods include exploiting RDP servers, FortiOS vulnerabilities, and Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities. The group uses tools like Mimikatz for privilege escalation and employs custom tools to enumerate users and computers on compromised networks. Unlike typical ransomware groups, Play ransomware does not include an initial ransom demand or payment instructions in its ransom notes, directing victims to contact them via email instead.
Penetration and Vulnerabilities
The Play ransomware group likely penetrated Crain Group's systems through vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure, such as unpatched RDP servers or reused VPN accounts. The group's ability to disable antimalware and monitoring solutions further facilitated the attack. Crain Group's extensive involvement in various sectors and its handling of sensitive financial and personal data made it an attractive target for the ransomware group.
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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