Ransomware Attack on Houston Waste Solutions by RansomHub
Incident Date:
May 17, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Houston Waste Solutions by RansomHub
Victim
Houston Waste Solutions LLC
Attacker
Ransomhub
Location
First Reported
May 17, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Houston Waste Solutions by RansomHub
Victim Overview
A waste management company based in the USA, Houston Waste Solutions, was targeted by a ransomware attack orchestrated by the cybercriminal group known as RansomHub. The company offers waste management solutions to residential and commercial customers in the Greater Houston Area, with expertise in waste hauling, recycling, equipment rentals, and document destruction services.
Company Profile
Houston Waste Solutions LLC is an independent waste management company with almost 55 years of combined experience in the industry. The company stands out for its tailored waste management plans, superior customer service, and guaranteed next-day hauling services. The company has around 13 employees, according to RocketReach, and generates revenue of approximately $6 million, as reported by ZoomInfo.
Vulnerabilities
Being in the waste management sector, the company may have been targeted due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle, such as contracts and engineers' information. Additionally, the company's reliance on digital systems for operations could have made them susceptible to cyber attacks.
Attack Details
The ransomware attack on Houston Waste Solutions by RansomHub involved the exfiltration of 120.7 GB of data, including contracts, engineers' information, and other miscellaneous data. Some of the stolen data was leaked as a sample on the dark web leak site operated by RansomHub.
Ransomware Group - RansomHub
RansomHub is a new ransomware group known for making claims and backing them up with data leaks. The group operates as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, with affiliates receiving a significant portion of the ransom money. RansomHub's ransomware strains are written in Golang, a language choice that sets them apart in the cyber threat landscape.
Penetration Method
RansomHub may have penetrated Houston Waste Solutions' systems through phishing emails, exploiting vulnerabilities in the company's network, or through other means of social engineering. The use of AI technology in ransomware attacks has made them more effective, increasing the volume of attacks on organizations like Houston Waste Solutions.
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.