Ransomware Attack on Delaware Libraries by RansomHub Group
Incident Date:
September 24, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Delaware Libraries by RansomHub Group
Victim
Delaware Division of Libraries
Attacker
Ransomhub
Location
First Reported
September 24, 2024
RansomHub Targets Delaware Division of Libraries in Ransomware Attack
The Delaware Division of Libraries, a pivotal institution in the state's educational sector, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the notorious RansomHub group. This attack underscores the vulnerabilities faced by public service organizations in the digital age.
About the Delaware Division of Libraries
Located in Dover, the Delaware Division of Libraries serves as the official library agency for the state, overseeing a network of public, academic, and special libraries. With a workforce of 11 to 50 employees, the Division is instrumental in providing access to approximately 2.6 million items through the Delaware Library Catalog. Its mission extends beyond traditional library services, emphasizing community engagement and partnerships to address social issues. This makes the Division a standout in its field, but also a potential target for cybercriminals due to its extensive data repositories and public service mandate.
Details of the Ransomware Attack
RansomHub claims to have exfiltrated 56 GB of data from the Delaware Division of Libraries, threatening to release the information if their ransom demands are not met by September 30. The attack highlights the group's strategy of double extortion, combining data encryption with the threat of data exposure to maximize pressure on victims.
RansomHub's Modus Operandi
RansomHub, a Ransomware-as-a-Service group, is known for its aggressive affiliate model and sophisticated attack techniques. Emerging as a successor to the Cyclops and Knight ransomware variants, the group has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the cybercrime landscape. RansomHub's operations are characterized by their speed and efficiency, often exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched systems and employing phishing campaigns to gain initial access. The group's use of advanced encryption techniques and modular architecture allows for rapid adaptation and evasion of detection.
Potential Vulnerabilities and Impact
The Delaware Division of Libraries, like many public institutions, may have been targeted due to its critical role in providing information services and its reliance on interconnected systems. The attack not only threatens the confidentiality of sensitive data but also poses a risk to the Division's ability to deliver essential services to the community. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of effective cybersecurity measures in safeguarding public sector organizations.
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.