Ransomware Attack by Akira Group Hits Power Lube Industrial, Data at Risk
Incident Date:
June 28, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack by Akira Group Hits Power Lube Industrial, Data at Risk
Victim
Power Lube Industrial
Attacker
Akira
Location
First Reported
June 28, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Power Lube Industrial by Akira Group
Overview of Power Lube Industrial
Power Lube Industrial, LLC, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a leading Tier-1 supplier specializing in industrial lubrication equipment solutions. The company is renowned for its automatic lubrication systems, which deliver precise amounts of lubricant to critical points on machinery at regular intervals. This automation ensures consistent lubrication, reduces human error, and maintains optimal equipment performance. Power Lube Industrial also provides high-quality lubricants designed to withstand extreme industrial conditions, along with expert consultation and support services to help clients maintain their machinery efficiently.
Details of the Ransomware Attack
Power Lube Industrial has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Akira ransomware group. The attackers have claimed responsibility on their dark web leak site, threatening to release a significant amount of sensitive information obtained from the company. This data includes financial records, bank details, transactions, project information, customer details, agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and other internal documents. The breach has raised concerns about the potential impact on the company's operations and its clients.
About the Akira Ransomware Group
Akira is a relatively new but rapidly growing ransomware family that first emerged in March 2023. The group has been targeting small to medium-sized businesses across various sectors, including manufacturing, government, technology, education, consulting, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. Akira is believed to be affiliated with the now-defunct Conti ransomware gang, sharing similarities in their code. The group employs double extortion tactics, stealing data before encrypting systems and demanding a ransom for both decryption and data deletion. Their ransom demands typically range from $200,000 to over $4 million.
Distinguishing Features of Akira
Akira's dark web leak site is notable for its retro 1980s-style green-on-black interface, which victims must navigate by typing commands. The group uses various tactics to penetrate systems, including unauthorized access to VPNs, credential theft, and lateral movement. They have been observed using tools like RClone, FileZilla, and WinSCP for data exfiltration. In some cases, Akira has deployed a previously unreported backdoor. As of January 2024, Akira has claimed over 250 victims and amassed $42 million in ransomware proceeds.
Potential Vulnerabilities and Penetration Methods
Power Lube Industrial, like many companies in the manufacturing sector, may have been vulnerable to ransomware attacks due to several factors. These could include outdated software, insufficient cybersecurity measures, and inadequate employee training on recognizing phishing attempts. The Akira group likely exploited these vulnerabilities through unauthorized access to VPNs and credential theft, allowing them to move laterally within the network and deploy their ransomware. The use of data exfiltration tools further enabled the attackers to steal sensitive information before encrypting the company's systems.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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