Ransomware Attack on Alvin Independent School District by Fog Ransomware Group
Incident Date:
July 16, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Alvin Independent School District by Fog Ransomware Group
Victim
Alvin Independent School District
Attacker
Fog
Location
First Reported
July 16, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Alvin Independent School District by Fog Ransomware Group
Overview of Alvin Independent School District
Alvin Independent School District (Alvin ISD) is a public school district located in Alvin, Texas. Established in 1925, the district serves a diverse student population and is dedicated to providing high-quality education. Alvin ISD operates multiple elementary, middle, and high schools, focusing on academic excellence and holistic development. The district employs approximately 3,507 individuals, making it a significant employer in the region.
Details of the Ransomware Attack
On July 17, 2024, Alvin ISD discovered it had fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the threat actor known as Fog. The attack resulted in a data leak of 60GB, compromising sensitive information associated with the district's operations and potentially affecting students, staff, and other stakeholders. The district is currently assessing the full impact of the breach and working on measures to mitigate further damage and restore its systems.
About Fog Ransomware Group
Fog ransomware is a malicious software variant that emerged in November 2021, primarily targeting Windows systems. It is known for encrypting files and appending the extensions ".FOG" or ".FLOCKED" to the affected filenames. The ransomware drops a ransom note named "readme.txt" or "HELP_YOUR_FILES.HTML," informing victims that their files have been encrypted and urging them to contact the attackers for file recovery.
Fog ransomware has been particularly disruptive, with a significant focus on the education sector, where 80% of its victims are located. Attackers typically gain access to systems by exploiting compromised VPN credentials from two different vendors, allowing for remote infiltration. Once inside, Fog ransomware can disable Windows Defender, encrypt Virtual Machine Disk (VMDK) files, delete backups from Veeam, and remove volume shadow copies, making recovery extremely difficult.
Vulnerabilities and Penetration
Alvin ISD, like many educational institutions, is vulnerable to ransomware attacks due to the extensive use of digital systems and the storage of sensitive data. The district's reliance on VPNs for remote access may have been a critical vulnerability exploited by the Fog ransomware group. The attackers likely used compromised VPN credentials to infiltrate the district's network, disable security measures, and execute the ransomware payload.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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