The FBI, CISA and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) recently released a joint cybersecurity advisory, warning organizations about indicators of compromise, and tactics, techniques, and procedures that have been associated with LockBit 3.0 ransomware.

The Advisory, #StopRansomware: LockBit 3.0, states that LockBit 3.0 is an affiliate-based ransomware variant that functions as a Ransomware-as-a-Service model that is a continuation of its predecessors, LockBit and LockBit 2.0

LockBit 3.0, also known as LockBit Black, is more evasive than its predecessors, and “shares similarities with Blackmatter and Blackcat ransomware.” The attackers using LockBit 3.0 use remote desktop protocol, drive-by compromise, phishing campaigns, abuse of valid accounts, and exploitation of public-facing applications to access networks. Once inside the victim’s network, the attackers escalate privileges, and then move through the victim’s network. Once inside the network, the attackers exfiltrate data using Stealbit,  use publicly-available legitimate file sharing services, then encrypt the files, and finally send a ransom note to the victim.

The Alert outlines the indicators of compromise, and suggestions for mitigation.  Those suggestions include:

  • Prioritized remediating known exploited vulnerabilities
  • Train users to recognize and report phishing attempts
  • Enable and enforce phishing-resistant multifactor authentication.
Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chair’s the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Team. Linn focuses her practice on…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chair’s the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Team. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.