Menu

  • Alerts
  • Incidents
  • News
  • APTs
  • Cyber Decoded
  • Cyber Hygiene
  • Cyber Review
  • Cyber Tips
  • Definitions
  • Malware
  • Threat Actors
  • Tutorials

Useful Tools

  • Password generator
  • Report an incident
  • Report to authorities
No Result
View All Result
CTF Hack Havoc
CyberMaterial
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
Hall of Hacks
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
No Result
View All Result
Hall of Hacks
CyberMaterial
No Result
View All Result
Home Alerts

Cicada3301 Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi

September 2, 2024
Reading Time: 2 mins read
in Alerts
Cicada3301 Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi

A new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation known as Cicada3301 has recently emerged, rapidly making its mark by targeting VMware ESXi systems with a sophisticated Linux encryptor. The operation, which began promoting itself and recruiting affiliates on June 29, 2024, has already listed 19 victims on its extortion portal. Despite sharing its name with a cryptographic puzzle game from 2012-2014, there is no connection between the two, and the original project has denounced the ransomware activities.

Cicada3301 employs double-extortion tactics typical of modern ransomware campaigns. First, it breaches corporate networks to steal valuable data, and then it encrypts files to demand a ransom. The ransomware’s encryptor, written in Rust, utilizes the ChaCha20 stream cipher for file encryption and RSA encryption for the symmetric key. This design is notably similar to that of the now-defunct ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware, suggesting a possible rebranding or a fork from the original team.

One of the notable features of Cicada3301 is its capability to specifically target VMware ESXi environments. The ransomware includes functionality to shut down virtual machines and delete their snapshots before proceeding with encryption, although it can be configured to skip these steps. This focus on virtualized environments highlights the ransomware’s strategic aim to maximize disruption within enterprise infrastructures, making recovery more challenging for affected organizations.

The sophisticated nature of Cicada3301’s operation, combined with its targeted approach, underscores the growing threat of ransomware in the enterprise sector. By disrupting critical virtual infrastructures and employing advanced encryption techniques, Cicada3301 enhances the impact of its attacks, putting significant pressure on victims to comply with ransom demands. This development serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics used by cybercriminals to inflict financial and operational damage on businesses.

Reference:

  • Cicada3301 Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi with Advanced Linux Encryptor
Tags: Cicada3301CryptographicCyber AlertsCyber Alerts 2024Cyber threatsLinuxRaaSRansomwareRansomware-as-a-ServiceSeptember 2024VmwareVMware ESXi
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

APT41 Uses Google Calendar For C2 Operations

APT41 Uses Google Calendar For C2 Operations

May 29, 2025
APT41 Uses Google Calendar For C2 Operations

New PumaBot IoT Botnet Uses SSH Attack

May 29, 2025
APT41 Uses Google Calendar For C2 Operations

New NodeSnake RAT Hits UK Universities

May 29, 2025
Fake DocuSign Alerts Target Corporate Logins

Fake DocuSign Alerts Target Corporate Logins

May 28, 2025
Fake DocuSign Alerts Target Corporate Logins

Fake Bitdefender Site Spreads Venom Malware

May 28, 2025
Fake DocuSign Alerts Target Corporate Logins

Microsoft Void Blizzard Cyber Threat Alert

May 28, 2025

Latest Alerts

New PumaBot IoT Botnet Uses SSH Attack

APT41 Uses Google Calendar For C2 Operations

New NodeSnake RAT Hits UK Universities

Microsoft Void Blizzard Cyber Threat Alert

Fake DocuSign Alerts Target Corporate Logins

Fake Bitdefender Site Spreads Venom Malware

Subscribe to our newsletter

    Latest Incidents

    Cork Protocol Paused After $12M Exploit

    Victoria’s Secret Site Down After Breach

    LexisNexis GitHub Breach Affects 364K People

    Migos IG Hack Blackmails Solana Cofounder

    Tiffany & Co. Faces Data Breach Incident

    MathWorks Crippled by Ransomware Attack

    CyberMaterial Logo
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Legal and Privacy Policy
    • Site Map

    © 2025 | CyberMaterial | All rights reserved

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In

    Add New Playlist

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Definitions
    • Malware
    • Cyber Tips
    • Tutorials
    • Advanced Persistent Threats
    • Threat Actors
    • Report an incident
    • Password Generator
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us

    Copyright © 2025 CyberMaterial