IceFire Ransomware Exploits IBM Aspera Faspex to Attack Linux-Powered Enterprise Networks

A previously known Windows-based ransomware strain known as IceFire has expanded its focus to target Linux enterprise networks belonging to several media and entertainment sector organizations across the world.

The intrusions entail the exploitation of a recently disclosed deserialization vulnerability in IBM Aspera Faspex file-sharing software (CVE-2022-47986, CVSS score: 9.8), according to cybersecurity company SentinelOne.

“This strategic shift is a significant move that aligns them with other ransomware groups that also target Linux systems,” Alex Delamotte, senior threat researcher at SentinelOne, said in a report shared with The Hacker News.

A majority of the attacks observed by SentinelOne have been directed against companies located in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.A.E., countries that are not typically targeted by organized ransomware crews.

IceFire was first detected in March 2022 by the MalwareHunterTeam, but it wasn’t until August 2022 that victims were publicized via its dark web leak site, according to GuidePoint Security, Malwarebytes, and NCC Group.

The ransomware binary targeting Linux is a 2.18 MB 64-bit ELF file that’s installed on CentOS hosts running a vulnerable version of IBM Aspera Faspex file server software.

It’s also capable of avoiding encrypting certain paths so that the infected machine continues to be operational.

“In comparison to Windows, Linux is more difficult to deploy ransomware against–particularly at scale,” Delamotte said. “Many Linux systems are servers: typical infection vectors like phishing or drive-by download are less effective. To overcome this, actors turn to exploiting application vulnerabilities.”

The development comes as Fortinet FortiGuard Labs disclosed a new LockBit ransomware campaign employing “evasive tradecraft” to avoid detection through .IMG containers that bypass Mark-of-the-Web (MotW) protections.

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