Ransomware Group

BlackSuit

Also known as: BlackSuit Ransomware, Royal rebrand

Status: active • First seen 2023-05200+ known victims

BlackSuit is basically Royal ransomware with a new name. Same experienced hackers, same tactics, just rebranded. They still go after hospitals and schools, and they're still dangerous. The FBI and CISA have warned about them specifically because they keep hitting critical infrastructure.

Overview

BlackSuit is believed to be a rebrand of the Royal ransomware operation, sharing significant code overlap. The group targets critical infrastructure with a focus on healthcare and education. They employ sophisticated tactics and are operated by experienced ransomware veterans.

Target Industries

Healthcare, Education, Government, Manufacturing, Critical Infrastructure, Commercial Facilities

How They Attack

  • Callback phishing (initial contact via phone)
  • SEO poisoning with fake software installers
  • Using legitimate remote access tools (AnyDesk)
  • Exploiting public-facing applications
  • GootLoader for initial access

Notable Victims

CDK Global (2024) - impacting 15,000+ car dealerships, Multiple healthcare systems, Various school districts, Several government entities

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How to Protect Against BlackSuit

  1. 1.

    Train staff on callback phishing (fake tech support calls)

  2. 2.

    Block or alert on AnyDesk and similar remote tools

  3. 3.

    Verify software downloads only from official sources

  4. 4.

    Apply Royal/BlackSuit specific detection rules

  5. 5.

    Auto dealerships: ensure backups are air-gapped

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques

T1566, T1608.006, T1219, T1486, T1048

Related Groups

Royal, Conti, Lockbit

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