Ransomware Attack Disrupts Mercado Mineiro's Price Comparison Platform

Incident Date:

August 8, 2024

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Overview

Title

Ransomware Attack Disrupts Mercado Mineiro's Price Comparison Platform

Victim

Mercado Mineiro

Attacker

DarkVault

Location

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

, Brazil

First Reported

August 8, 2024

Ransomware Attack on Mercado Mineiro by DarkVault

Overview of Mercado Mineiro

Mercado Mineiro is a prominent online platform based in Minas Gerais, Brazil, specializing in price comparison and offer research for various consumer products and services. The platform aggregates prices from multiple retailers, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. It also features user-generated content, allowing consumers to post their own deals and offers, fostering a collaborative community. The platform is accessible via mobile applications for both Android and iOS, enhancing its usability for on-the-go price comparisons.

Details of the Ransomware Attack

On August 8, 2024, Mercado Mineiro fell victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the DarkVault group. The extent of the data leak remains unknown at this time. The attack has disrupted the platform's operations, potentially compromising sensitive user data and the integrity of its price comparison services.

About DarkVault Ransomware Group

DarkVault is a relatively new ransomware group that has gained notoriety for its dark web leak site, which mirrors the design of the LockBit leak site. The group has published data from 19 victims on its site, raising concerns about its growing influence and capabilities. DarkVault's tactics and operational model suggest a sophisticated approach to exploiting vulnerabilities in cybersecurity defenses.

Potential Vulnerabilities and Penetration Methods

Mercado Mineiro's extensive database of consumer and retailer information makes it a lucrative target for ransomware groups like DarkVault. The platform's reliance on user-generated content and mobile applications could present multiple entry points for cyber attackers. DarkVault may have exploited these vulnerabilities through phishing attacks, weak password policies, or unpatched software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to Mercado Mineiro's systems.

Impact on Mercado Mineiro

The ransomware attack has significant implications for Mercado Mineiro, potentially eroding consumer trust and disrupting its core services. The platform's reputation as a reliable source for price comparison and offer research is at stake, and the company may face legal and financial repercussions if sensitive user data has been compromised.

Sources

Recent Ransomware Attacks

The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.

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.