Ransomware Attack Hits Miami Gardens: Meow Group Strikes Again
Incident Date:
July 26, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack Hits Miami Gardens: Meow Group Strikes Again
Victim
Miami Gardens Florida
Attacker
Meow
Location
First Reported
July 26, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Miami Gardens, Florida by Meow Ransomware Group
Overview of the Attack
The City of Miami Gardens, Florida, has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the notorious Meow ransomware group. Discovered on July 24, 2024, the attack targeted the municipal website miamigardens-fl.gov. The extent of the data leak remains unknown, leaving the potential exposure of sensitive information uncertain.
About Miami Gardens
Incorporated in 2003, Miami Gardens is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. The city operates under a Mayor-Council-Manager form of government and provides a diverse range of services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Key departments include Building Services, Code Enforcement and Business Licensing, Community Services, Finance, Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Planning & Zoning. The city is known for its community engagement initiatives and strategic development plans, such as the construction of the Miami Gardens City Center.
Vulnerabilities and Targeting
Municipal entities like Miami Gardens are often targeted by ransomware groups due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle and the critical services they provide. The city's extensive use of digital platforms for managing permits, licenses, and community services makes it a lucrative target for cybercriminals. The attack on Miami Gardens highlights the vulnerabilities in public sector cybersecurity, particularly in smaller municipalities that may lack robust defenses.
About Meow Ransomware Group
Meow Ransomware emerged in late 2022 and has been particularly active in 2024. The group is associated with the Conti v2 ransomware variant and primarily targets organizations in the United States. Meow Ransomware employs various infection methods, including phishing emails, exploit kits, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) vulnerabilities, and malvertising. Once a system is compromised, the ransomware encrypts files using a combination of the ChaCha20 and RSA-4096 algorithms.
Distinguishing Features of Meow Ransomware
Meow Ransomware is known for its aggressive tactics and high-profile targets. The group maintains a data leak site where they list victims who have not paid the ransom. They frequently target industries with sensitive data, such as healthcare and municipal services. The ransomware leaves behind a ransom note named "readme.txt," instructing victims to contact the group via email or Telegram to negotiate the ransom payment.
Potential Penetration Methods
While the exact method of penetration in the Miami Gardens attack is not yet confirmed, Meow Ransomware typically exploits vulnerabilities in RDP, uses phishing emails, and deploys exploit kits. These methods allow the group to gain unauthorized access to systems and deploy their ransomware payload, leading to the encryption of critical files and services.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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