A newly discovered ransomware group known as Mora_001 is carrying out cyberattacks by exploiting security weaknesses found in Fortinet's firewall systems. The group is using a custom ransomware strain named SuperBlack to target organizations and lock their data for ransom.
The attackers are taking advantage of two security loopholes that allow them to bypass login protections on Fortinet devices. These issues, listed as CVE-2024-55591 and CVE-2025-24472, were made public by Fortinet earlier this year. Reports indicate that one of these vulnerabilities had been secretly exploited by attackers even before the company officially disclosed it.
Initially, Fortinet clarified that only one of the two bugs had been misused. However, a recent investigation suggests that the second vulnerability was also being exploited during the same period. Researchers from cybersecurity firm Forescout uncovered this while examining attacks that occurred in January and February 2025.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Attack
The cybercriminals begin their attack by finding exposed Fortinet firewall devices that haven’t been updated. They then use these security flaws to gain full control over the system.
Once inside, the attackers grant themselves the highest level of access, commonly known as 'super admin' rights. They either use web-based tools or direct network requests to make these changes.
After securing control, they create new administrator profiles with names like forticloud-tech, fortigate-firewall, or adnimistrator. These fake accounts are set up in a way that even if someone deletes them, automated tasks will recreate them instantly.
The hackers then scan the network to understand its layout and start moving from one system to another. They use stolen login details, create new VPN accounts, and rely on common tools like WMIC and SSH to spread across connected machines. They also try to break into systems that use security checks like TACACS+ or RADIUS.
Before locking files, the group copies important data using their own tools. Their main targets include file storage systems, database servers, and computers that control user access across networks. Once the data is stolen, the ransomware is triggered, encrypting files and leaving ransom messages behind.
To make it harder for experts to investigate the attack later, the hackers run a program called ‘WipeBlack’. This tool removes all traces of the ransomware from the system, leaving very little evidence.
Possible Links to a Bigger Ransomware Group
During their investigation, Forescout found that SuperBlack ransomware shares several similarities with the well-known LockBit ransomware group. The coding style and methods used appear to have been copied from LockBit’s earlier leaked tools.
However, it looks like SuperBlack is being operated separately and is not officially part of the LockBit group.
This incident is a reminder of the risks that come with outdated software. Organizations using Fortinet firewalls should install security updates immediately to avoid falling victim to such attacks. Staying updated is crucial in protecting sensitive information from advanced ransomware threats.
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