Ransomware Breach Exposes Houston Housing Authority Data
Incident Date:
October 31, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Breach Exposes Houston Housing Authority Data
Victim
Houston Housing Authority
Attacker
Meow
Location
First Reported
October 31, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Houston Housing Authority by Meow Group
The Houston Housing Authority (HHA), a pivotal entity in delivering affordable housing in Houston, Texas, has fallen victim to the Meow ransomware group. This breach, identified on November 1, has compromised over 38 GB of sensitive data, impacting both employees and residents.
About the Houston Housing Authority
HHA is a public agency committed to providing affordable housing and supportive services to low-income residents. With a team of approximately 249 employees, the authority oversees around 2,600 public housing units and 18,900 Housing Choice Voucher units. HHA's unique approach includes educational and economic self-sufficiency programs designed to empower residents. This strategy not only addresses housing needs but also promotes community development and individual empowerment.
Details of the Ransomware Attack
The Meow ransomware attack has exposed a wide range of sensitive information, including personal details of employees, client contact information, rental assistance records, and financial documents. The breach also uncovered liability insurance certificates, tax forms, and personal data such as Social Security numbers and ID scans. This unauthorized access poses significant risks to the privacy and security of both the agency's employees and the residents it serves.
Profile of the Meow Ransomware Group
Meow Ransomware, linked to the Conti v2 variant, surfaced in late 2022 and has been predominantly active in the United States. The group is notorious for targeting sectors with sensitive data, such as healthcare and government. Meow utilizes various infection methods, including phishing emails and exploiting Remote Desktop Protocol vulnerabilities. Once a system is breached, the ransomware encrypts files using a combination of the ChaCha20 and RSA-4096 algorithms.
Potential Vulnerabilities and Penetration Methods
HHA's extensive data management and reliance on digital systems for housing programs make it an attractive target for ransomware groups like Meow. The attack might have been facilitated through phishing emails or exploiting vulnerabilities in remote access protocols. The exposure of sensitive data highlights the critical need for effective cybersecurity measures, especially for organizations handling personal and financial information.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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