The Hive ransomware, also known as the“Hive ransomware group“, was a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS ) operation run by the eponymous cybercriminal organization between June 2021 and January 2023. Its main objective was to attack mainly public institutions and then demand a ransom in exchange for the release of the hijacked data.
Historical background to Hive ransomware
Hive first appeared in June 2021. Two months later, ZDNet reported that Hive had attacked at least 28 healthcare organizations in the USA, including clinics and hospitals across Ohio and West Virginia. In December 2021, analysts at Group-IB Threat Intelligence determined that the Hive ransomware group was communicating in Russian, although there was no information on its operational location.
Hive’s operational mode
Hive employed a wide variety of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), creating significant challenges for defense and mitigation. According to the FBI, it operated as an affiliate-based ransomware, using several mechanisms to compromise corporate networks, including phishing emails with malicious attachments to gain access, and remote desktop protocol (RDP) once a network was infiltrated.
Cybercriminals use Hive to compromise victims’ devices, exfiltrate sensitive data and encrypt business files.
But what sets Hive apart is its ability to evolve. For example, after the release of a public decryptor, they may have adopted Rust, particularly version 5, to create new versions of their malware.
Major incidents and impact of Hive ransomware
Hive has had a significant impact on the digital landscape. According to the FBI, this ransomware operation has extorted around $100 million from over 1,500 businesses since June 2021. In addition, the group is particularly notorious for targeting hospitals and schools. One of their notable attacks was against a Midwestern hospital in 2021, preventing it from accepting new patients and forcing it to operate entirely with paper records.
FBI investigation and legal action
In January 2023, following a joint US-German investigation involving 13 law enforcement agencies, the US announced that the FBI had been “hacking the hackers” for several months, culminating in the seizure of the Hive ransomware group’s servers, putting an end to the criminal enterprise.
Protection and attack mitigation
In February 2022, four researchers from Kookmin University in South Korea discovered a vulnerability in the Hive ransomware’s encryption algorithm, enabling them to obtain the master key and recover the hijacked information. In November 2022, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a cybersecurity advisory detailing mitigation methods for the Hive ransomware.
SOS Ransomware is a recognized expert in helping organizations deal with ransomware incidents.
Cybersecurity is more important than ever in today’s digital age. Ransomware attacks like Hive show just how essential it is to protect our systems and data. If you or your organization has been the victim of a ransomware attack, don’t hesitate to contact SOS ransomware, experts in helping organizations deal with ransomware incidents.
