Unmasking the .7ga9lt4bur7 File: A Mimic/Pay2Key Ransomware Threat
▼ Summary
– Your files have been encrypted and sensitive data was downloaded, with recovery requiring payment for a decryption tool.
– The attackers threaten to publish stolen data, which includes employee information, financial records, and manufacturing documents, if a ransom is not paid.
– Paying the ransom is presented as cheaper than facing potential fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage from a data leak.
– You are instructed not to contact law enforcement, as they are claimed to be unhelpful and to worsen the situation.
– Failure to pay will result in future attacks on your company, according to the message.
A critical cybersecurity threat has emerged involving files with the .7ga9lt4bur7 extension, which signals an infection by Mimic or Pay2Key ransomware. This malicious software encrypts vital information and threatens to publish stolen data unless a ransom is paid. Organizations facing this situation discover a message stating their files are no longer accessible, accompanied by a unique identifier like “YyGv93gHIaY58kPdF1jJ1mvsP3WXJ3GOZZf3SNciGFQ*7ga9lt4bur7”. The attackers claim a significant security vulnerability enabled the breach and insist that purchasing a proprietary decryption tool is the sole solution for data recovery.
Communication is directed to specific email addresses, such as mikazeg@onionmail.org, with a backup contact at cabasetra2030@onionmail.org. The criminals apply pressure by warning that delays will lead to increased ransom demands and the public release of confidential information on a press blog. They issue strict instructions against renaming encrypted files or attempting decryption with third-party software, cautioning that such actions could cause irreversible data loss. The message is framed as a business negotiation, with promises of cooperation and guarantees of decryption to encourage payment.
A particularly alarming aspect of this attack is the exfiltration of sensitive data before encryption. The attackers claim to have downloaded a wide range of proprietary information, including employee personal records, complete network maps with login credentials, private financial documents, and sensitive manufacturing files. The consequences of this data being published are severe. Companies could face substantial government fines under regulations like GDPR, lawsuits from affected clients, and irreparable damage to their reputation. Stolen data could be exploited for identity theft, financial fraud, or even corporate espionage, giving competitors an unfair advantage.
The ransomware note explicitly discourages victims from contacting law enforcement agencies like the police or FBI. It argues that these entities cannot help recover the files and will only complicate the situation. The criminals boast about their operational security, claiming no group members have been apprehended in seven years. They attempt to frame paying the ransom as the most logical and cost-effective choice, suggesting that the expenses associated with data breach fallout—including fines, legal fees, and reputational repair—would far exceed the ransom amount. The threat concludes with a warning that non-payment will result in future attacks against the company, positioning the ransom as a subscription for safety. This tactic underscores the aggressive and persistent nature of the cybercriminal group behind this campaign.
(Source: Bleeping Computer)
