Freshstart Credit Repair Faces Major Ransomware Breach
Incident Date:
September 30, 2024
Overview
Title
Freshstart Credit Repair Faces Major Ransomware Breach
Victim
Freshstart Credit Repair
Attacker
Meow
Location
First Reported
September 30, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Freshstart Credit Repair by Meow Group
Freshstart Credit Repair, a reputable credit service organization based in Corpus Christi, Texas, has recently been targeted by the notorious Meow Ransomware group. Known for its ethical practices and customer satisfaction, Freshstart Credit Repair offers comprehensive credit repair services, including credit report analysis, dispute resolution, and debt management strategies. The company prides itself on maintaining an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has garnered numerous positive reviews from satisfied clients.
Company Profile and Vulnerabilities
Freshstart Credit Repair operates with a moderate workforce, including Spanish-speaking representatives, to cater to diverse client needs. The company emphasizes a personalized approach to credit repair, offering free initial consultations and tailored programs to improve clients' credit scores. Despite its strong reputation, the company's reliance on sensitive client data, such as scanned drivers' licenses and credit card details, makes it a prime target for cybercriminals.
Details of the Ransomware Attack
The Meow Ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Freshstart Credit Repair, listing over 3 GB of confidential data for sale on their dark web leak site. The stolen data includes sensitive information such as military IDs, client contracts, and customer credit card details. The attackers are marketing this data to business professionals and other stakeholders, promising a smooth and confidential transaction process.
About Meow Ransomware Group
Meow Ransomware emerged in late 2022 and has been active in targeting organizations primarily in the United States. The group is associated with the Conti v2 ransomware variant and employs various infection methods, including phishing emails and RDP vulnerabilities. Meow Ransomware distinguishes itself by targeting industries with sensitive data, such as healthcare and financial services, and posting victim data on their leak site if the ransom is not paid.
Potential Penetration Methods
The Meow Ransomware group likely penetrated Freshstart Credit Repair's systems through common vulnerabilities such as phishing emails or exploiting RDP weaknesses. Once inside, the ransomware encrypted files using a combination of the ChaCha20 and RSA-4096 algorithms, leaving behind a ransom note instructing victims to contact the group for decryption.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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