Ransomware Attack on Ardenbrook: Play Ransomware Group
Incident Date:
May 22, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Ardenbrook: Play Ransomware Group
Victim
Anchorage Daily News
Attacker
Play
Location
First Reported
May 22, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Ardenbrook by Play Ransomware Group
Victim Overview
Ardenbrook, a real estate investment and property management company based in the USA, was targeted by the cybercrime group Play in a ransomware attack. The company has over 70 years of successful real estate experience, indicating a significant size and presence in the industry. Ardenbrook specializes in acquiring and managing residential properties, focusing on providing high-quality housing options for tenants and maximizing returns for investors. The company's long history and extensive experience in the Bay Area and Western United States make it a standout in the real estate development sector.
Attack Details
The attackers exfiltrated an unspecified amount of sensitive data from Ardenbrook, including private and personal confidential information, client documents, budget details, payroll records, accounting data, contracts, tax information, IDs, and financial data. This incident highlights the ongoing risks that businesses face from sophisticated ransomware attacks, which threaten the security of both corporate and personal information. Details about the ransom demand have not been disclosed.
Ransomware Group Profile
The Play ransomware group, operated by Ransom House, is known for targeting Linux systems and has evolved to deploy cryptographic lockers. The group distinguishes itself by transitioning from data theft to deploying ransomware tactics, showcasing a sophisticated evolution in its operations. Play ransomware shares similarities with Baseline Babuk in terms of encryption methods and technical details, using Sosemanuk for encryption. The group has been observed submitting binaries containing various hack tools and utilities associated with ransomware techniques after achieving initial access.
Company Vulnerabilities
Ardenbrook's vulnerabilities in being targeted by threat actors may stem from the sensitive nature of the data they handle, including financial records, client information, and confidential documents. The company's substantial size and presence in the real estate development industry make it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit valuable data for financial gain.
Sources:
SentinelOne - Play Ransomware Group
Ardenbrook Inc. - Company Profile
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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