Threat Assessment: Ryuk Ransomware and Trickbot Targeting U.S. Healthcare and Public Health Sector


On Oct. 28, 2020, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a joint cybersecurity alert regarding an increased and imminent cybersecurity threat to the U.S. healthcare system.

Threat operators have displayed a heightened interest in targeting the healthcare and the public health sector, potentially disrupting healthcare services and operations. Activities observed include the use of Trickbot malware, a well-known information stealer that can lead to the installation of other malicious files, including Ryuk ransomware.

This alert comes shortly after Universal Health Services (UHS) reported a Ryuk ransomware attack that disrupted all U.S. UHS sites for weeks. Other U.S.-based hospitals have reported similar ransomware attacks, including a hospital in Oregon and one in New York. Similarly, a health tech organization in Philadelphia was also the target of a ransomware attack.

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Source: Palo Alto