Cloud Europe is a Tier IV carrier-neutral data center based in Rome's Tecnopolo Tiburtino. According to the company's website, it specializes in data center architecture and management, focusing on security and service continuity. The company creates, hosts, and operates modular infrastructure for data centers in both the private and public sectors.
1. Cloud Europe: On June 29, 2024, RansomHub claimed responsibility for infiltrating the servers of Cloud Europe, a prominent Tier IV certified data center in Rome. The attackers allegedly encrypted the servers and exfiltrated 70 terabytes of data. Among the stolen information were 541.41 gigabytes of sensitive data, including client records, financial documents, and proprietary software.
2. Mangimi Fusco: The same day, RansomHub targeted Mangimi Fusco, an animal food manufacturer. The group claimed to have stolen 490 gigabytes of confidential data, including client files, budget details, and payroll information. However, as of now, Mangini Fusco’s website shows no signs of the reported attack, leaving room for skepticism.
3. Francesco Parisi: RansomHouse, another hacking collective, breached the website of Francesco Parisi, a group specializing in freight forwarding and shipping services. The attack occurred on May 29, 2024, and resulted in the theft of 150 gigabytes of company data. Francesco Parisi has acknowledged the breach and is working to restore normalcy while enhancing its cybersecurity defenses.
These attacks raise critical questions about the state of cybersecurity readiness among Italian businesses:
Vulnerabilities: Despite advancements in security protocols, organizations remain vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. The ability of threat actors to infiltrate well-established data centers and corporate websites highlights the need for continuous vigilance.
Data Privacy: The stolen data contains sensitive information that could be exploited for financial gain or used maliciously. Companies must prioritize data privacy and invest in robust encryption, access controls, and incident response plans.
Business Continuity: When ransomware strikes, business operations grind to a halt. Cloud Europe’s experience serves as a stark reminder that even data centers, designed to ensure continuity, are not immune. Organizations must have contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
To safeguard against ransomware and other cyber threats, companies should consider the following strategies:
According to a research conducted by Malwarebytes and NCC Group, as of May, the ransomware group may have been linked with a total of whopping 67 attacks. Among these cyber incidents, around half of the manufacturing, construction, and business services industries together account for around half of the affected firms. The targeted firms are primarily located in the United States and Brazil, indicating a geographic focus by the threat group.
June saw a significant surge in ransomware activities. The fact that the offenders used a dual extortion tactic raised the stakes for their victims is notable.
A list of 35 victims who have been identified has so far been on the 8Base-affiliated dark web extortion site. There have even been occasions where up to six companies have fallen victim to the ransomware operators' nefarious activities at once on specific days.
According to the VMware Carbon Black team, based on its recent activities, and its similarities of ransom notes and content on leak sites along with identical FAQ pages, 8Base could as well be a rebranding of the popular ‘RansomHouse’ ransomware group. RansomHouse, however flexibly promotes its partnership, while 8Base does not.
It is also noteworthy that a Phobos ransomware sample was also discovered by the VMware researchers, that was utilizing the “.8base” file extension, indicating the 8Base could well be the successor of or utilizing the existing ransomware strain.
The researchers concluded that the efficient operations conducted by the 8Base ransomware group may continue to group, which could be an onset of a mature organization. However, it has not yet been made clear whether the group is based on Phobos or RansomHouse.
As for now, there are speculations on 8Base's use of various ransomware strains, whether it be in earlier iterations or as a fundamental component of its typical mode of operation. However, it is commonly known that this organization is very active, with a concentration on smaller firms as a significant target.