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

New Linux Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi

June 6, 2024
Reading Time: 3 mins read
in Alerts
New Linux Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi

Researchers have discovered a new Linux variant of the TargetCompany ransomware, known for targeting VMware ESXi environments. This variant uses a custom shell script to deliver and execute payloads, ensuring it has administrative privileges before proceeding with its malicious activities. The TargetCompany ransomware, also referred to as Mallox, FARGO, and Tohnichi, has been active since June 2021, primarily attacking database systems in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and India.

In February 2022, antivirus firm Avast released a free decryption tool for TargetCompany ransomware variants available up to that date. Despite this, by September, the ransomware gang resumed its attacks, focusing on vulnerable Microsoft SQL servers and threatening to leak stolen data via Telegram. Trend Micro’s recent report highlights the new Linux variant’s sophisticated methods, including exfiltrating data to two servers and verifying if it runs in a VMware ESXi environment.

Once the ransomware payload is deployed, it creates a “TargetInfo.txt” file containing critical victim information, which is sent to the command and control server. The ransomware then encrypts files with VM-related extensions, appending a “.locked” extension. Victims receive a ransom note named “HOW TO DECRYPT.txt” with instructions on paying the ransom to retrieve a decryption key. After these steps, the shell script deletes the payload to remove traces of the attack.

Trend Micro attributes these recent attacks to an affiliate named “vampire,” likely connected to a previous report by Sekoia. Although the IP addresses used for the attacks were traced to an ISP in China, this information alone is insufficient to determine the attacker’s origin accurately. The shift to targeting Linux systems and VMware ESXi machines demonstrates the ransomware operation’s evolution. Trend Micro advises implementing multifactor authentication, maintaining regular backups, and keeping systems updated to mitigate such threats.

Reference:
  • New Linux Ransomware Variant Targets VMware ESXi Servers

Tags: Cyber AlertCyber Alerts 2024Cyber RiskCyber threatIndiaJune 2024LinuxRansomwareSouth KoreaTaiwanThailandVMware ESXiVulnerabilities
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

New Godfather Trojan Hijacks Banking Apps

Winos 4.0 Malware Hits Taiwan Via Tax Phish

June 20, 2025
New Godfather Trojan Hijacks Banking Apps

New Godfather Trojan Hijacks Banking Apps

June 20, 2025
New Godfather Trojan Hijacks Banking Apps

New Amatera Stealer Delivered By ClearFake

June 20, 2025
Fake Invoices Deliver Sorillus RAT In Europe

Fake Minecraft Mods On GitHub Spread Malware

June 19, 2025
Russian Phishing Scam Bypasses Google 2FA

Russian Phishing Scam Bypasses Google 2FA

June 19, 2025
Fake Invoices Deliver Sorillus RAT In Europe

Fake Invoices Deliver Sorillus RAT In Europe

June 19, 2025

Latest Alerts

Winos 4.0 Malware Hits Taiwan Via Tax Phish

New Amatera Stealer Delivered By ClearFake

New Godfather Trojan Hijacks Banking Apps

Fake Minecraft Mods On GitHub Spread Malware

Fake Invoices Deliver Sorillus RAT In Europe

Russian Phishing Scam Bypasses Google 2FA

Subscribe to our newsletter

    Latest Incidents

    Massive Leak Exposes 16 Billion Credentials

    Tonga Health System Down After Ransomware

    Chinese Spies Target Satellite Giant Viasat

    German Dealer Leymann Hacked Closes Stores

    Hacker Mints $27M From Meta Pool Gets 132K

    UBS and Pictet Hit By Vendor Data Breach

    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