Sodinokibi, also known as REvil, is one of the most notorious ransomware families, responsible for multi-million-dollar cyber extortion campaigns across the globe. First identified in April 2019, REvil quickly became one of the leading ransomware families, targeting large enterprises in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance.
REvil’s operators use double extortion tactics, where they not only encrypt files but also exfiltrate sensitive data, threatening to leak it if the ransom is not paid. The number of infections caused by REvil ransomware is estimated in the thousands, and ransom demands often exceed $10 million. REvil’s global reach and impact on North America, Europe, and Asia have made it one of the most dangerous ransomware families in the world.
What is Sodinokibi (REvil) Ransomware?
Sodinokibi (REvil) is a ransomware family that encrypts files and demands a ransom payment for the decryption key. Like other modern ransomware strains, REvil uses double extortion tactics, where the attackers steal sensitive data before encrypting the victim’s files.
If the ransom is not paid, the attackers threaten to release the stolen data to the public or sell it on the dark web. REvil is part of a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, meaning that affiliates can use the ransomware to carry out attacks in exchange for a share of the ransom profits.
How does Sodinokibi work?
REvil typically spreads through phishing emails, exploited vulnerabilities, and remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks. Once inside the network, the attackers map out critical systems and deploy the ransomware to encrypt essential files.
Victims are presented with a ransom note, demanding payment in Bitcoin or Monero to recover the encrypted files and prevent the release of stolen data. REvil’s double extortion tactics make it especially dangerous, as victims face both data encryption and the threat of a public data leak. The ransom demands often range from $500,000 to over $10 million, depending on the size and resources of the victim.
History and Evolution
Sodinokibi (REvil) first appeared in April 2019, following the decline of GandCrab, another major ransomware family. REvil quickly gained prominence due to its ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model, allowing affiliates to distribute the ransomware in exchange for sharing the ransom payments with the core operators.
In 2020, REvil became one of the most active ransomware families, orchestrating high-profile extortion campaigns targeting large enterprises. The ransomware operators demanded record-breaking ransom payments, including a $70 million ransom in the Kaseya attack. By 2021, REvil’s operations had started to decline due to increased law enforcement pressure, but its legacy continues to influence modern ransomware groups.
Notable Attacks
REvil ransomware has been responsible for several of the most significant ransomware attacks in recent years:
- Kaseya Attack (July 2021): In July 2021, REvil targeted Kaseya, an IT management company, in a massive supply chain attack. The ransomware affected thousands of businesses globally, with REvil demanding a $70 million ransom for a universal decryption key.
- JBS Foods (May 2021): In May 2021, JBS Foods, one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, was hit by REvil, forcing the company to halt operations. JBS paid a ransom of $11 million to restore access to its systems and prevent the release of sensitive data.
- Travelex (January 2020): REvil ransomware attacked Travelex, a global foreign exchange company, encrypting critical financial data. Travelex paid a ransom of $2.3 million to regain access to its systems and avoid a data leak.
Impact and Threat Level
REvil’s impact on large enterprises and critical sectors has been devastating. The financial losses from REvil attacks include ransom payments, operational downtime, and data recovery costs, with ransom demands often exceeding $10 million.
REvil’s double extortion tactics create additional pressure on victims, as they must not only worry about recovering encrypted files but also about the potential release of sensitive information. The ransomware’s focus on sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance has made it a persistent threat to organizations across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Mitigation and Prevention
To protect against REvil ransomware and similar threats, organizations should implement the following cybersecurity strategies:
- Email Security: Use advanced email filtering to block phishing emails and malicious attachments that may carry ransomware.
- RDP Security: Secure remote desktop access with strong passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and restricted access to essential personnel only.
- Vulnerability Management: Regularly update and patch systems to close vulnerabilities that could be exploited by ransomware attackers.
- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data at rest to minimize the impact of data exfiltration during a ransomware attack.
- Backup Strategy: Maintain regular, offline backups of critical files to ensure data recovery without paying the ransom.
FAQs
- What industries are most affected by REvil ransomware?
REvil primarily targets technology, healthcare, and financial sectors, where the potential for high-value ransom payments is greater. - How much does REvil typically demand in ransom?
Ransom demands for REvil attacks typically range from $500,000 to over $10 million, depending on the size and resources of the victim organization. - What makes REvil ransomware unique compared to other ransomware?
REvil’s double extortion tactics, combined with its ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model, make it a highly organized and dangerous ransomware family. - How does REvil’s double extortion tactic work?
REvil encrypts the victim’s files and steals sensitive data, threatening to release or sell the data if the ransom isn’t paid. This creates extra pressure on the victim to comply with the ransom demands. - Can files encrypted by REvil be recovered without paying the ransom?
In some cases, organizations may be able to restore their files from offline backups, but without the decryption key, it is difficult to recover the encrypted files without paying the ransom. - What is ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS)?
RaaS is a model where ransomware operators provide the malware to affiliates, who then distribute the ransomware and share the ransom payments with the core operators.
Conclusion
Sodinokibi (REvil) ransomware has become one of the most dangerous ransomware families in recent years, primarily due to its use of double extortion tactics and its focus on large enterprises. By targeting sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance, REvil has caused millions of dollars in ransom payments and operational disruptions.
Although law enforcement efforts have slowed REvil’s activities, its tactics continue to influence modern ransomware groups. To defend against REvil and similar threats, organizations must adopt strong email security, RDP security, and backup strategies to mitigate the risk of infection and ensure business continuity.
