Museum für Naturkunde listed on Snatch ransomware leak site

• Ransomware group: Snatch
• Country: Germany
• Sector: Retail & E-Commerce
• Announcement date: November 29, 2023

The Snatch ransomware group has announced the listing of data belonging to the Museum für Naturkunde on its dedicated leak site. This announcement, made on November 29, 2023, suggests that the institution has been targeted in a cyberattack, with the threat actor claiming the breach occurred around November 13, 2023.

The claims made by Snatch

According to the announcement on the group's leak site, the threat actor known as Snatch claims to have targeted the Museum für Naturkunde. It is alleged that a data breach occurred within the institution's systems. The Snatch group has been active since 2018 and is recognized for its specific technical methodologies. Specifically, the group is known for its method of rebooting systems into safe mode to perform encryption, a tactic designed to bypass certain security measures during the ransomware deployment process.

Details regarding the leaked data

Regarding the specific content of the alleged breach, there is no information available regarding the nature of the leaked data. The listing does not provide details concerning the volume of files or the total size of the data involved. Furthermore, no screenshots have been provided by the threat actor to substantiate the claim, and no ransom demand has been specified in the announcement.

About the Museum für Naturkunde

Located in Berlin, the Museum für Naturkunde is a research museum focused on natural history, housing extensive collections gathered from all over the world. With a history spanning over two centuries, the institution conducts scientific research and provides public exhibitions.

Risks and organizational implications

This claim may pose a risk to the institution's operational continuity and data security. Given that the institution is located in Germany, a potential data breach could lead to legal and administrative sanctions under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The publication of such data might bring secondary risks for employees and visitors, such as identity theft or targeted phishing attacks.

Considering the past methods of the Snatch group, it may be important for the institution to re-evaluate its network security and implement necessary measures. In general, when organizations face such threats, maintaining robust defensive postures is critical. Ransomware leak sites are often used in double extortion schemes, where attackers not only encrypt data but also threaten to release it to pressure the victim into paying. To mitigate these risks, organizations typically focus on several defensive areas:

• Network security re-evaluation: Regularly assessing network architecture to identify vulnerabilities.
• Access controls: Implementing strict identity and access management to limit lateral movement.
• Endpoint protection: Utilizing tools capable of detecting unusual system behaviors, such as unexpected reboots into safe mode.
• Data protection: Ensuring comprehensive backups and encryption to protect sensitive information.

The potential for secondary attacks, such as phishing or identity theft, highlights the importance of a holistic approach to cybersecurity that extends beyond just preventing the initial breach to protecting the individuals whose data may be compromised.