Hot on the heels of 'Dearcry'[1], yet another ransomware threat has been observed as targeting Microsoft Exchange servers vulnerable to recently reported critical vulnerabilities[2]. Dubbed 'Black KingDom', this ransomware threat has reportedly been deployed through a web-shell that is installed on vulnerable Microsoft Exchange servers following the exploitation of the vulnerability chain that results in both remote code execution (RCE) and elevated privileges.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a London-based environmental group aiming at disruptive and nonviolent civil resistance. Launching their first public campaign in October 2018, XR centers their motives on resisting structures that dismiss climate change and degradation of natural resources[1]. XR has been notable in eliciting mass arrest, a Ghandian tactic that garnered them press coverage, funding, and attention from government agencies and policy bodies.

Following high profile headlines of critical vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Exchange servers, as detailed in our previous blog/bulletin[1], proof-of-concept exploits have become publicly available and appear to have been utilized by a financially-motivated threat actor in the seemingly manual deployment of a new ransomware threat dubbed 'Dearcry'.

Microsoft have recently shared [1][2] details of active threats targeting on-premise Microsoft Exchange servers worldwide by exploiting chained vulnerabilities that lead to the threat actor gaining full control of the affected email server.