Lilocked infestations on the rise

Stefan Mileschin · 11th September 2019, 10:45

Eats Linux

Thousands of web servers have been infected and had their files encrypted by a new strain of ransomware named Lilocked (or Lilu).

Infections have been happening since mid-July, and have intensified in the past two weeks.

Based on current evidence, the Lilocked ransomware appears to target Linux-based systems only. The way the Lilocked gang breaches servers and encrypts their content is currently unknown.

A thread on a Russian-speaking forum puts forward the theory that the hackers are targeting systems running outdated Exim (email) software. It mentions that the ransomware managed to get root access to servers by unknown means.

Lilocked doesn't encrypt system files, but only a small subset of file extensions, such as HTML, SHTML, JS, CSS, PHP, INI, and various image file formats. This means infected servers continue to run normally.

According to French security researcher Benkow, Lilocked has encrypted more than 6,700 servers, many of which have been indexed and cached in Google search results.

However, the number of victims is suspected to be much much higher. Not all Linux systems run web servers, and many other infected systems haven't been indexed in Google search results.

https://fudzilla.com/news/49361-lilo...ns-on-the-rise

11th September 2019, 10:45	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 148,597	Lilocked infestations on the rise Eats Linux Thousands of web servers have been infected and had their files encrypted by a new strain of ransomware named Lilocked (or Lilu). Infections have been happening since mid-July, and have intensified in the past two weeks. Based on current evidence, the Lilocked ransomware appears to target Linux-based systems only. The way the Lilocked gang breaches servers and encrypts their content is currently unknown. A thread on a Russian-speaking forum puts forward the theory that the hackers are targeting systems running outdated Exim (email) software. It mentions that the ransomware managed to get root access to servers by unknown means. Lilocked doesn't encrypt system files, but only a small subset of file extensions, such as HTML, SHTML, JS, CSS, PHP, INI, and various image file formats. This means infected servers continue to run normally. According to French security researcher Benkow, Lilocked has encrypted more than 6,700 servers, many of which have been indexed and cached in Google search results. However, the number of victims is suspected to be much much higher. Not all Linux systems run web servers, and many other infected systems haven't been indexed in Google search results. https://fudzilla.com/news/49361-lilo...ns-on-the-rise

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LG sees profits rise	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	8th July 2018 05:42
The rise and rise (and rise) of ’Fortnite'	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	19th March 2018 07:40
Global IT spending on the rise	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	25th October 2016 07:52
The rise of the Linux botnets	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	3rd August 2016 15:30
Apple CEO gets wage rise	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	26th January 2015 07:06
Rise of the Triad for PC	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	2nd August 2013 09:31
The Rise and Fall of AMD	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	22nd November 2012 06:54
The Rise of Tablets @ TechReviewSource.com	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	6th August 2012 07:46
Report: PC Gaming On The Rise	Stefan Mileschin	WebNews	0	8th March 2012 10:22
Memory prices set to rise	jmke	WebNews	0	5th May 2009 16:06