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CISA Warns of Devastating Impact of Medusa Ransomware Operation on Critical Infrastructure Organizations in the United States
CISA has issued a joint advisory with the FBI and MS-ISAC, warning of the devastating impact of the Medusa ransomware operation on over 300 critical infrastructure organizations in the United States.The Medusa ransomware operation is considered a significant threat to national security and has been linked to over 400 victims worldwide.The gang behind the malware employs its signature tactics, including the launch of a blog leak site to pressure victims into paying ransoms.Organizations targeted by this malware must take immediate action to protect themselves from further attacks.The Medusa ransomware operation is believed to be a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, with initial access brokers recruited from cybercriminal forums and marketplaces.
CISA has issued a joint advisory in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), warning of the devastating impact of the Medusa ransomware operation on over 300 critical infrastructure organizations in the United States.
According to the advisory, which was issued in February 2025, the Medusa developers and affiliates have successfully targeted a wide range of industries, including medical, education, legal, insurance, technology, and manufacturing. The affected organizations are located across various sectors, with the most notable being critical infrastructure companies that provide essential services such as healthcare, transportation, and energy.
The Medusa ransomware operation is considered a significant threat to national security and has been linked to over 400 victims worldwide. The gang behind the malware has gained notoriety in recent years for its relentless attacks on organizations and individuals, using stolen data and other forms of coercion to extort victims into paying large sums of money.
In this latest wave of attacks, the Medusa developers have employed their signature tactics, including the launch of a blog leak site to pressure victims into paying ransoms. The gang has also been known to share videos of stolen data with its affiliates and other groups, providing them with leverage in negotiations with potential targets.
The Medusa ransomware operation is believed to be a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, where a single group of threat actors handles all development and operations. However, the gang has expanded its operations over time, recruiting initial access brokers (IABs) from cybercriminal forums and marketplaces to obtain initial access to potential victims.
In exchange for their services, the IABs are paid with payments ranging from $100 USD to $1 million USD, depending on the complexity of the attack and the level of cooperation required. This model has enabled the Medusa developers to expand their operations rapidly, making them one of the most prolific ransomware gangs in recent years.
The CISA advisory warns that organizations targeted by Medusa should take immediate action to protect themselves from further attacks. The agency recommends that defenders implement a range of measures, including:
* Mitigating known security vulnerabilities to ensure operating systems, software, and firmware are patched within a reasonable timeframe
* Segmenting networks to limit lateral movement between infected devices and other devices within the organization
* Filtering network traffic by blocking access from unknown or untrusted origins to remote services on internal systems
The FBI and MS-ISAC have also joined forces with CISA to issue this warning, emphasizing the importance of prompt action in defending against Medusa ransomware attacks. The agency notes that multiple malware families and cybercrime operations have adopted the name "Medusa" in recent years, highlighting the complexity of the threat landscape.
In conclusion, the Medusa ransomware operation represents a significant threat to organizations across various sectors, including critical infrastructure companies. The gang's tactics and tactics are relentless, using stolen data and other forms of coercion to extort victims into paying large sums of money. Organizations targeted by this malware must take immediate action to protect themselves from further attacks.
Summary:
CISA has issued a joint advisory in coordination with the FBI and MS-ISAC, warning of the devastating impact of the Medusa ransomware operation on over 300 critical infrastructure organizations in the United States. The gang behind the malware has been linked to over 400 victims worldwide and employs its signature tactics, including the launch of a blog leak site to pressure victims into paying ransoms. Organizations targeted by this malware must take immediate action to protect themselves from further attacks.
CISA Warns of Medusa Ransomware Attack on Over 300 Critical Infrastructure Orgs
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/CISA-Warns-of-Medusa-Ransomware-Attack-on-Over-300-Critical-Infrastructure-Orgs-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-medusa-ransomware-hit-over-300-critical-infrastructure-orgs/
Published: Wed Mar 12 21:17:42 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
