What could an open-source toolkit, a cannabis product supplier, an AI startup from China and a UK telecom giant have in common? Not much except they have been all been on the hitlist of cyber criminals. Information of millions of customers has been compromised, operations have been disrupted, and worst of all - healthcare service delivery was yet again impacted at the start of the year.
Get the lowdown on the biggest cyber attacks, data breaches and ransomware attacks that made headlines in January 2025.
U.S. and Dutch law enforcement agencies have announced that they have dismantled 39 domains and their associated servers as part of efforts to disrupt a network of online marketplaces originating from Pakistan.
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Welcome to the December 2024 ransomware update, where we highlight the latest trends, threat actors, and developments in the ransomware ecosystem to keep CISOs and third-party risk managers informed and prepared.
The Black Kite Research & Intelligence Team (BRITE) tracked 535 ransomware incidents in December 2024. While it didn’t surpass the record-breaking 595 victims in November, December still proved to be a significant month. Of these incidents, an overwhelming 244 were in the United States and 27 in Canada, highlighting North America’s ongoing struggle as a primary target for ransomware attacks.
Top Threat Actors in December 2024
1. FunkSec Emerges as a Major Player with 87 Victims
December marked a turning point in the ransomware landscape as FunkSec dethroned RansomHub to become the leading threat actor with 87 victims. What makes FunkSec’s rise particularly remarkable is that it is a relatively new group in the ecosystem. Their operations have not been limited to ransomware; the group has been actively selling admin access and super access for various companies, offering a troubling range of services to their buyers. FunkSec primarily targeted the information sector and public administration industries this month, demonstrating a calculated focus on critical and data-heavy sectors. Their rapid ascent highlights their aggressive strategies and growing influence in the ransomware ecosystem.
FunkSec Ransom Note
2. RansomHub Maintains Stability with 57 Victims
After dominating the leaderboard since July, RansomHub dropped to the second spot with 57 victims in December. Despite losing its leadership position, RansomHub maintained its reputation as a consistent player in the ransomware space, continuing to target high-value organizations globally.
Akira Surges with 46 Victims
The Akira group surged to the third position this month with 46 victims, showcasing one of its most active and aggressive months of the year. Akira’s operations this month highlighted their ability to capitalize on vulnerabilities and expand their victim pool, signaling their intent to climb higher in the ransomware hierarchy.
They Hate Being Forgotten: Clop (Cl0p) Is Back Again
The Clop group added a chaotic twist to the month. Exploiting the CLEO vulnerability in December, they initially promised to release victim data “within 48 hours.” Then they postponed to December 30, only to announce they were “taking a holiday break” and would publish data after their return.
Clop’s statement about CLEO victims
In total, Clop announced 66 victims, but BRITE believes the actual number is higher. Their erratic behavior has left many wondering if the group is losing its grip or simply playing for attention. Regardless, Clop’s actions remind us of the unpredictable nature of threat actors and the challenges of staying ahead of them.
One thing is clear: Clop, despite its chaotic actions, refuses to be forgotten and remains a noteworthy player in the ransomware ecosystem.
LockBit 4.0 Introduces RaaS Pricing Model for Just $777
LockBit, once the industry leader, seems to be struggling to reclaim its former prominence. December saw the launch of LockBit 4.0, a move that many interpreted as an attempt to stay relevant. Along with this update, the group introduced a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) pricing model for just $777, making their tools accessible to smaller players in the ecosystem.
Payment page for access to the LockBit panel
This shift has raised eyebrows across the cybersecurity world. Is it a sign of innovation or desperation? Many believe this move reflects LockBit’s declining influence after facing increased law enforcement pressure and internal challenges.
What stands out most is that LockBit’s struggles highlight a harsh reality: nothing in the ransomware world is unbreakable. Even the strongest groups can fall, showing how unpredictable and tough this space can be.
At the same time, their collapse shows how much it affects the whole ecosystem. It’s also a reminder of how hard it is to keep a group running steadily and stay on top in such a challenging environment.
RaaS Revolutionized Cybercrime in December 2024
The rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has been one of the defining trends of December.
LockBit’s pricing model set off a ripple effect, inspiring other groups like FunkSec to adopt similar strategies.
Smaller threat actors are now able to access sophisticated ransomware tools at lower costs, democratizing cybercrime and complicating defense efforts.
Example RaaS sharing
RaaS not only increases the number of attacks but also lowers the barrier for entry, making it easier for less experienced actors to enter the game. This trend, if it continues, could make 2025 an even more challenging year for cybersecurity professionals.
2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Ransomware
2024 was a record-breaking year for ransomware. As groups continue to grow, tactics evolve, and victims are added to the lists, we can expect more records to be set in the coming months.
At Black Kite, the BRITE team remains committed to tracking threat actors in real time, analyzing their movements, and staying aware of emerging threats. As we enter 2025, staying one step ahead has never been more critical.For weekly updates on emerging cyber threats, please follow our Focus Friday blog series and LinkedIn account.
Learn more about the rising ransomware attacks in the full 2025 Healthcare Ransomware Report — accessible instantly, no download required.
Telemedicine software has become a game changer in the field of healthcare as it revolutionises the process of patient and provider interaction.
Due to the high demand of telehealth solutions, many companies are coming up with better, effective and secure software that suits the needs of the present medical field.
This article highlights the leading telemedicine software development firms in 2025, demonstrating their skills and offerings.
Today’s hyper-connected world demands robust cybersecurity measures. With data breaches and cyber attacks making headlines every day, organisations must stay vigilant against ever-evolving threats. Proactive protection is no longer optional; it’s essential for business continuity.
Email marketing is now a key element of business communication, providing an effective way to engage with audiences and support growth. However, as businesses increasingly depend on email marketing platforms, these tools have become prime targets for cyber attacks.
With threats like phishing and data breaches growing more advanced, strict cybersecurity measures are more important than ever today. To protect the integrity of email marketing campaigns, businesses must not only understand these risks but also implement strong security practices to stay ahead of potential threats.
The healthcare sector is under attack, and the numbers paint a stark picture of the growing ransomware crisis. Our latest infographic, drawn from the 2025 Healthcare Ransomware Report, uncovers the alarming rise in ransomware incidents targeting healthcare organizations and the reasons behind this surge.
Key insights from the infographic:
Healthcare is now the 3rd most targeted industry for ransomware.
Rising from 7th place in just one year, the sector now accounts for 8% of all ransomware attacks—up from 5% in 2023. Overall, ransomware incidents in healthcare surged by 32.16% in the last year.
High-stakes operations make healthcare a lucrative ransomware target.
Ransomware groups are drawn to healthcare’s sensitive patient data and the urgency to restore disrupted services. Ransom demands in the sector can reach as high as $20 million, with both large hospitals and small practices feeling the impact.
Ransomware groups have evolved to target healthcare.
Disruptions in the ransomware ecosystem, including the takedown of groups like LockBit and AlphV (BlackCat), and the growth in affiliates’ power, have led to the emergence of aggressive new players who don’t consider healthcare off-limits. For example, RansomHub offered affiliates a 90% payout with greater control over targets.
Patient safety is at risk from ransomware attacks.
These attacks are not just financial concerns—they jeopardize patient care and trust. Delayed surgeries, blocked medical records, and spillover effects on supply chains are just a few of the devastating consequences.
An early ransomware warning system is critical.
Black Kite’s Ransomware Susceptibility Index® (RSI™) offers healthcare organizations vital insights into ransomware risks, enabling them to prioritize and address vulnerabilities before attackers strike.
This infographic provides a detailed look at how ransomware attackers are zeroing in on the healthcare sector, from the tactics they use to the far-reaching impacts of their attacks. Whether you’re part of a major hospital system or a small clinic, the stakes are too high to ignore.
In today’s interconnected digital landscape, the rapid emergence of critical vulnerabilities demands an agile and informed approach to Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). This week’s Focus Friday blog highlights high-profile incidents involving vulnerabilities in FortiGate firewalls, QNAP NAS systems, Mongoose, and the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin. Each of these vulnerabilities poses unique challenges, from authentication bypasses enabling unauthorized access to database manipulation and SSRF attacks.
Leveraging Black Kite’s FocusTags™, we delve into the impact of these vulnerabilities from a TPRM perspective. This article offers detailed insights into the risks, remediation strategies, and questions TPRM professionals should be asking vendors to protect their ecosystems against potential breaches.
Filtered view of companies with FortiGate Leakage FocusTag™ on the Black Kite platform.
CVE-2022-40684 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting Fortinet’s FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager products. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform administrative operations via specially crafted HTTP or HTTPS requests. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating its critical severity, and an EPSS score of 97.26%, reflecting the significant likelihood of exploitation. First identified in October 2022, this vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild, with reports of threat actors leveraging it to download device configurations and add unauthorized super_admin accounts. Notably, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added CVE-2022-40684 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on October 11, 2022.
As part of Black Kite Research & Intelligence Team (BRITE), we have proactively addressed the exposure of configuration files, IP addresses, and VPN credentials belonging to over 15,000 FortiGate devices identified and analyzed on the dark web.
Why Should TPRM Professionals Be Concerned About CVE-2022-40684?
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) professionals should be particularly vigilant regarding CVE-2022-40684 due to its potential impact on network security. The recent leak of configuration files and VPN credentials for over 15,000 FortiGate devices underscores the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive systems. If a vendor utilizes vulnerable FortiGate products, their compromised systems could serve as entry points for attackers, leading to data breaches and disruptions that may cascade to connected organizations. Given the critical role of firewalls in protecting network perimeters, any compromise can have far-reaching consequences.
What Questions Should TPRM Professionals Ask Vendors Regarding CVE-2022-40684?
To assess and mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability, TPRM professionals should inquire:
Have you updated all instances of FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager products to the latest firmware versions where CVE-2022-40684 has been patched?
Can you confirm if you have implemented IP restrictions, enhanced network activity monitoring, and deactivated the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface as recommended in the advisory to mitigate the risk of CVE-2022-40684?
Have you reset all VPN and administrative credentials, especially those previously configured, and reviewed your firewall rules and configurations to ensure they align with current security best practices following the FortiGate firewall configuration leak?
Have you verified if your FortiGate devices are among the compromised by reviewing the leaked data and taken necessary actions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Remediation Recommendations for Vendors
Vendors using affected Fortinet products should:
Update Firmware: Upgrade to the latest firmware versions that address CVE-2022-40684.
Change Credentials: Reset all VPN and administrative credentials, especially those previously configured.
Review Configurations: Assess and modify firewall rules and configurations to align with current security best practices.
Disable Administrative Interface: Deactivate the HTTP/HTTPS administrative interface to reduce the attack surface.
Implement IP Restrictions: Limit access to the administrative interface by allowing only trusted IP addresses.
Monitor Network Activity: Enhance monitoring to detect any unauthorized access or anomalies.
How Can TPRM Professionals Leverage Black Kite for This Vulnerability?
Black Kite has proactively addressed this issue by publishing the “FortiGate Leakage” FocusTag™ on January 17, 2025. This tag enables TPRM professionals to identify vendors potentially affected by the FortiGate data leak. By providing detailed asset information, including IP addresses and subdomains associated with the compromised devices, Black Kite empowers organizations to assess and mitigate risks efficiently. This actionable intelligence allows for targeted inquiries and remediation efforts, ensuring a robust third-party risk management strategy.
Black Kite’s FortiGate Leakage FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
CVE-2024-53691 and CVE-2023-39298 in QNAP QTS and QuTS Hero
What are CVE-2024-53691 and CVE-2023-39298?
CVE-2024-53691 is a link following a vulnerability in QNAP’s QTS and QuTS hero operating systems. It allows remote attackers with user access to traverse the file system to unintended locations, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files and system compromise. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.7.
CVE-2023-39298 is a missing authorization vulnerability affecting several QNAP operating system versions. It permits local authenticated users to access data or perform actions they should not be allowed to via unspecified vectors. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8. As of January 23, 2025, neither vulnerability has been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Why Should TPRM Professionals Be Concerned About These Vulnerabilities?
QNAP NAS devices are widely used for storing and managing critical business data. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromises. For Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) professionals, it’s crucial to assess whether vendors utilize vulnerable QNAP systems, as a compromise could indirectly affect your organization’s data integrity and security.
What Questions Should TPRM Professionals Ask Vendors Regarding These Vulnerabilities?
To evaluate the risk associated with these vulnerabilities, TPRM professionals should inquire:
Can you confirm if you have upgraded all instances of QNAP QTS and QuTS hero to versions QTS 5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 and QuTS hero h5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 or later to mitigate the risk of CVE-2024-53691 and CVE-2023-39298?
Have you implemented the recommended actions such as monitoring system logs, applying security patches promptly, implementing MFA, and restricting network access to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access due to the link following vulnerability in QNAP QTS and QuTS hero operating systems?
Can you confirm if you have taken measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files and potential system compromise due to the link following vulnerability (CVE-2024-53691) in QNAP QTS and QuTS hero operating systems?
Have you taken any additional steps to protect your QNAP devices from data theft, ransomware attacks, or malware deployment that could result from exploiting the vulnerabilities CVE-2024-53691 and CVE-2023-39298?
Remediation Recommendations for Vendors
Vendors utilizing affected QNAP systems should:
Update Firmware: Upgrade to QTS 5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 or QuTS hero h5.2.0.2802 build 20240620 or later.
Restrict Network Access: Configure firewalls and network settings to allow only trusted IP addresses access to NAS devices.
Monitor System Logs: Regularly review logs for unusual activity indicating attempted exploitation.
Apply Security Patches Promptly: Ensure all security patches are applied as soon as they become available.
How Can TPRM Professionals Leverage Black Kite for These Vulnerabilities?
Black Kite released the “QNAP QTS – Jan2025” FocusTag™ on January 23, 2025, to help organizations identify vendors potentially affected by these vulnerabilities. This tag provides detailed information, including the specific assets (IP addresses and subdomains) associated with vulnerable QNAP systems within a vendor’s infrastructure. By utilizing this intelligence, TPRM professionals can prioritize assessments and remediation efforts, ensuring that vendors have addressed these critical vulnerabilities.
Black Kite’s QNAP QTS – Jan2025 FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
CVE-2025-23061 in Mongoose
Mongoose is specifically an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library designed for Node.js, enabling easy interaction with MongoDB databases. It simplifies the management, validation, and modeling of data in MongoDB, providing developers with a more structured and secure working environment.
What is CVE-2025-23061?
CVE-2025-23061 is a critical code injection vulnerability affecting Mongoose, a MongoDB object modeling tool widely used for Node.js and Deno applications. It has a CVSS score of 9.0, emphasizing its severity, while the EPSS score is 0.05%, suggesting a lower probability of exploitation at present. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of nested $where filters used with the populate() function’s match option, enabling attackers to manipulate search queries and access sensitive data.
This flaw is linked to an incomplete fix for CVE-2024-53900, another critical issue involving the $where operator’s improper handling. The vulnerability impacts Mongoose versions prior to 8.9.5. Although PoC exploit code is unavailable and it has not been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, its potential impact is significant due to Mongoose’s wide adoption, with over 2.7 million weekly downloads.
Why Should TPRM Professionals Be Concerned About CVE-2025-23061?
TPRM professionals should consider this vulnerability a high-priority concern due to Mongoose’s extensive use in applications that store sensitive data. If a vendor utilizes an unpatched version of Mongoose, their database integrity could be compromised, resulting in data manipulation, unauthorized access, or even larger breaches affecting downstream partners and customers. The prevalence of Mongoose as a dependency in critical systems underscores the potential ripple effect of an exploit.
What Questions Should TPRM Professionals Ask Vendors Regarding CVE-2025-23061?
To evaluate vendor risk associated with this vulnerability, consider asking:
Have you upgraded Mongoose to version 8.9.5 or later to mitigate the risk of CVE-2025-23061 and the previously related CVE-2024-53900?
Can you confirm if you have reviewed your application’s use of the populate() function and $where filters to ensure no unintended exposure exists, as recommended in the advisory?
Have you implemented robust input validation and sanitization measures to prevent potential search injection attacks related to the Mongoose vulnerability?
Are you regularly auditing and updating all dependencies to incorporate the latest security patches, specifically those related to Mongoose and MongoDB object modeling tools?
Remediation Recommendations for Vendors
Vendors using Mongoose should:
Update Mongoose: Upgrade to version 8.9.5 or later to address the vulnerability.
Audit Codebase: Review the usage of $where filters and the populate() function to identify and mitigate potential exposure.
Implement Input Validation: Enforce robust validation and sanitization mechanisms for all database queries.
Monitor Dependencies: Regularly review and update dependencies to ensure all security patches are applied promptly.
How Can TPRM Professionals Leverage Black Kite for This Vulnerability?
Black Kite published the “Mongoose” FocusTag™ on January 22, 2025, to help organizations identify vendors potentially affected by this vulnerability. This tag provides high-confidence identification of systems using vulnerable Mongoose versions, offering actionable insights into affected assets, including IP addresses and subdomains. TPRM professionals can leverage this intelligence to prioritize their vendor risk assessments and ensure remediation efforts are effectively targeted.
Black Kite’s Mongoose FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
CVE-2024-12365 in W3 Total Cache Plugin
W3 Total Cache (W3TC) is a well-known and powerful caching and performance optimization plugin designed for WordPress websites. This plugin enhances website speed, reduces loading times, and improves the overall user experience. It is particularly effective in delivering significant performance improvements for high-traffic websites.
What is CVE-2024-12365?
CVE-2024-12365 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in the W3 Total Cache plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 2.8.1. With a CVSS score of 8.5 and an EPSS score of 0.09%, this vulnerability allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access to exploit the is_w3tc_admin_page function to retrieve the plugin’s nonce value. Attackers can leverage this to perform unauthorized actions, potentially leading to information disclosure and server-side request forgery (SSRF).
Exploitation of this flaw could allow attackers to query internal services, including metadata on cloud-based applications, and consume service plan limits. While no PoC exploit code is currently available, more than a million WordPress sites using this plugin are at risk. As of January 22, 2025, this vulnerability has not been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Why Should TPRM Professionals Be Concerned About CVE-2024-12365?
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) professionals should be highly attentive to this vulnerability due to its potential to expose sensitive internal data and compromise WordPress-based websites. Many businesses rely on WordPress as their primary web platform, and vulnerabilities in widely-used plugins like W3 Total Cache can create significant risks.
If a vendor’s website is compromised through this flaw, it may lead to:
Data breaches involving sensitive business or customer information.
Unintended exposure of internal application data through SSRF attacks.
Loss of trust and credibility due to website exploitation.
Given the widespread use of WordPress and this specific plugin, the impact of unpatched systems can extend across interconnected organizations and their customers.
What Questions Should TPRM Professionals Ask Vendors Regarding CVE-2024-12365?
To evaluate vendor risk, TPRM professionals can ask the following targeted questions:
Can you confirm if you have updated the W3 Total Cache plugin for WordPress to version 2.8.2 or later, which addresses the CVE-2024-12365 vulnerability?
Have you implemented any additional security measures to monitor for unauthorized access or unusual behavior on your WordPress sites that could indicate exploitation attempts related to the CVE-2024-12365 vulnerability?
Have you conducted an audit of user roles and permissions to ensure that only necessary privileges are granted, minimizing potential exploitation by lower-level users as recommended in the advisory for the CVE-2024-12365 vulnerability?
Can you confirm if you have taken any steps to mitigate the risk of server-side request forgery, such as implementing security best practices or updating the W3 Total Cache plugin, in response to the CVE-2024-12365 vulnerability?
Remediation Recommendations for Vendors
Vendors using the W3 Total Cache plugin should take the following steps:
Update the Plugin: Upgrade to version 2.8.2 or newer, where the vulnerability has been fixed.
Audit User Permissions: Review and minimize privileges for users, ensuring Subscriber-level accounts have limited access.
Monitor Activity: Regularly review website activity logs for unusual or unauthorized behavior.
Enforce Security Best Practices: Maintain strong security protocols for WordPress installations, including strong passwords, regular plugin updates, and security plugins for intrusion detection.
How Can TPRM Professionals Leverage Black Kite for This Vulnerability?
Black Kite released the “W3 Total Cache” FocusTag™ on January 22, 2025, to help organizations identify vendors potentially impacted by this vulnerability. By providing very high-confidence information, such as asset-level details (e.g., IP addresses and subdomains), Black Kite enables TPRM professionals to quickly assess and mitigate risks. This FocusTag™ is instrumental in narrowing down affected vendors and ensuring targeted remediation efforts.
Black Kite’s W3 Total Cache FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
Enhancing TPRM Strategies with Black Kite’s FocusTags™
Black Kite’s FocusTags™ are transformative tools designed to empower Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) professionals with actionable insights in the face of an ever-evolving threat landscape. With this week’s vulnerabilities spanning multiple platforms and industries, the value of these FocusTags™ becomes especially apparent:
Real-Time Threat Awareness: Instantly pinpoint vendors impacted by vulnerabilities like those in FortiGate firewalls, QNAP NAS systems, Mongoose, and the W3 Total Cache plugin, enabling rapid and targeted action.
Prioritized Risk Management: Evaluate risks based on the criticality of the vulnerabilities and the vendor’s importance, allowing for efficient allocation of resources to mitigate threats.
Tailored Vendor Engagement: Facilitate meaningful conversations with vendors, focusing on their exposure to vulnerabilities and the specific actions they’ve taken to address them.
Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture: Gain a comprehensive view of the threat landscape, supporting the development of robust strategies to defend against future risks.
By translating complex cybersecurity data into practical intelligence, Black Kite’s FocusTags™ help TPRM professionals navigate the complexities of vendor risk management with precision and confidence. These tools are essential for maintaining resilience in today’s fast-paced digital environment, where proactive risk mitigation can mean the difference between security and compromise.
Want to take a closer look at FocusTags™?
Take our platform for a test drive and request a demo today.
Every week, we delve into the realms of critical vulnerabilities and their implications from a Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) perspective. This series is dedicated to shedding light on pressing cybersecurity threats, offering in-depth analyses, and providing actionable insights.
FocusTagsTM in the Last 30 Days:
FortiGate Leakage: CVE-2022-40684, Authentication Bypass Vulnerability, Leaked Configurations and VPN Credentials for 15,000 FortiGate Devices.
QNAP QTS – Jan2025: CVE-2024-53691, CVE-2023-39298, Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, Link Following Vulnerability, Missing Authorization Vulnerability in QNAP QTS.
Mongoose: CVE-2025-23061, Search Injection Vulnerability in Mongoose.
W3 Total Cache: CVE-2024-12365, Missing Authorization Vulnerability in WordPress’ W3 Total Cache Plugin.
Juniper Junos: CVE-2025-21598, Out-of-bounds Read Vulnerability in Juniper’s Junos.
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly bold — and no industry is safe, even those once considered untouchable. Last year, ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry skyrocketed, propelling it from the 7th most targeted industry to 3rd in just one year with attacks increasing by over 32%. The sector now accounts for 8% of ransomware attacks — up from just 5% a year ago — ranking behind only manufacturing and professional services.
What’s driving this surge? Cybercriminals are exploiting vulnerabilities unique to healthcare — making it one of the most lucrative targets. From sensitive patient data to operational disruptions that could jeopardize lives, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With 303 attacks in a single year on major hospitals to small clinics, no corner of healthcare is immune.
Our latest report, Healthcare Under Ransomware Attack, breaks down what’s behind this alarming trend — and what healthcare organizations can do to shore up their defenses.
Healthcare’s ransomware epidemic: The surge explained
Healthcare’s rise as a prime ransomware target marks a turning point in the tactics of cybercriminals. Once considered “off-limits” under an informal (yet twisted) code of conduct, healthcare now finds itself firmly in the crosshairs. Today’s ransomware groups prioritize ease of access and high ransom potential, and the unique pressures within healthcare — where patient safety and operational continuity are at stake — make the sector especially attractive.
This shift can be traced to two main catalysts: the high-profile attack on Change Healthcare and the dismantling of prominent ransomware groups like LockBit and AlphV (BlackCat).
The February 2024 ransomware attack on Change Healthcare disrupted vital services for healthcare facilities across the U.S. Although the company acted quickly to minimize the impact, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare operations. It also revealed growing tensions within the ransomware ecosystem. During the attack, a failed payment to an affiliate (an independent attacker partnering with a ransomware operator) sparked disputes, leading to an uprising by affiliates seeking to shift the power away from large ransomware groups.
The exit of AlphV (BlackCat) in December 2023 and the disruption of LockBit in February 2024 further impacted the ransomware landscape. While these events temporarily reduced attack volumes, the lull was quickly followed by an influx of new groups, many of which now lead attacks and work off an affiliate-led model. Emerging groups like RansomHub attracted many affiliates disillusioned with how ransomware groups were previously structured, offering affiliates greater control and payouts as high as 90%.
The shift in how ransomware groups operate also means affiliates are in high demand. Now, they transition freely between groups, spreading their knowledge further and making attacks by new, more aggressive players more likely. They’re also taking a carefully planned approach to which companies they target next.
Why ransomware groups are targeting healthcare
Healthcare’s ethical responsibility to ensure continuity of care for patients sets it apart from other industries and makes it uniquely vulnerable to attacks. When systems are compromised, the consequences can be a matter of life and death — delayed surgeries, inaccessible medical records, and compromised patient safety. This means that when attacked, healthcare companies are often pressured to pay ransoms to avoid disruptions to life-saving care.
Smaller healthcare providers, with less robust cybersecurity defenses, are especially vulnerable. But no organization — large or small — is immune. Attackers aren’t picking targets at random — they are following a deliberate, calculated strategy based on:
Technical vulnerability: Unpatched systems and outdated software are low-hanging fruit.
Industry: Sectors with sensitive, valuable data, like healthcare.
Likelihood to pay: Organizations with a history of paying ransoms are more likely to pay again.
Geographic area: The U.S. remains the top target for ransomware groups.
Revenue profile: Large enterprises (revenues over $100M and small to mid-sized businesses (revenues below $20 million) are commonly targeted.
While legacy ransomware groups tended to favor negotiation, modern groups are more likely to demand fast payments of a one-time ransom, with no room for negotiation. And sensitive patient data combined with high-stakes operations makes it more likely that affected companies will pay. In healthcare, ransom demands have climbed as high as $20M, driven by the urgent need to restore operations and protect patient outcomes.
The impact of these attacks goes far beyond finances. Attacks ripple through the healthcare ecosystem, exacting a human toll on providers, patients, and their families. The effects can also spill over to vendors and suppliers, putting your entire third-party ecosystem at risk. With no subindustry of healthcare safe — and ransomware groups targeting practices both large and small — maintaining the status quo is no longer an option.
Taking control: How to get ahead of the curve
With the chances of an attack becoming increasingly likely, it’s time to take a proactive approach to protect healthcare organizations and third-party ecosystems from attacks. Here’s how to start building a robust line of defense:
Continuously monitor risk factors
Healthcare organizations need to focus on monitoring risk factors that could increase the chance of an attack. Consider what your ecosystem looks like to attackers. Unpatched systems, outdated defenses, and weak links in your third-party ecosystem are common entry points.
By continuously monitoring for changes in risk factors — both within your organization and across your third-party network — it’s easier to take action before vulnerabilities are exploited.
Use an early warning system
An early warning system is one of the best ways to assess your company’s vulnerability to attack. Proactive tools like Black Kite’s Ransomware Susceptibility Index® (RSI™) provide insights into your organization’s risk of a ransomware attack. RSI™ uses machine learning and data analysis to assess vulnerability on a scale from 0 (low risk) to 1 (high risk). Scores above 0.50 indicate a heightened likelihood of attack, allowing organizations to prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities before they become problematic.
What makes RSI™ particularly powerful is that it mirrors the factors ransomware attackers themselves evaluate when choosing targets. By identifying and addressing any vulnerabilities before they’re picked up on by attackers, you can stay off their radar and keep sensitive patient data safe.
Prevention is the best medicine
Healthcare providers preach the power of preventative care — and the same goes for cybersecurity. Taking a proactive approach to ransomware defense, you can assess the risks to your organization and its third-party ecosystem, protecting against the growing risk of attacks before it’s too late.
With attacks on the healthcare industry becoming more frequent and aggressive, the cost of inaction is too great — not just in financial losses but in disruptions to patient care. Protecting your organization from these threats isn’t just a cybersecurity priority — it’s a critical investment in the safety and well-being of the patients and communities you serve.
Learn more about the rising ransomware attacks in the full 2025 Healthcare Ransomware Report — accessible instantly, no download required.
Cyber attack drills have become an essential component of any robust incident response strategy. These cyber attack simulation exercises recreate real-world attack scenarios to test and improve the readiness of an organisation’s cybersecurity team.
However, one of the most debated aspects of tabletop exercises is whether they should be announced in advance or conducted as a surprise.
Each approach has its pros and cons, and the decision largely depends on an organisation’s goals and maturity level.
Are you overwhelmed by the endless stream of data your organisation generates? Do you find yourself struggling to manage and analyse large datasets effectively? Big data tools can help transform how you handle and interpret vast amounts of data, enabling you to make more informed decisions.
In this article, we'll explore some of the top big data tools that are essential for data experts. These tools are designed to simplify data storage, processing, and analysis, making your job easier and more efficient.
In today’s digital world, ecommerce businesses are thriving exponentially. Taking your business digital is an excellent way to expand and reach new customers. However, digitalising your business comes with unique challenges. One of the foremost digital challenges you’ll deal with is cybersecurity. You must secure your processes and protect your business from all digital threats.
This article recommends five effective cybersecurity strategies to protect your ecommerce business.
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Welcome to this week’s Focus Friday, where we dive into key vulnerabilities impacting widely used technologies. This installment highlights three significant incidents that pose unique challenges to third-party risk management (TPRM) teams. From Juniper Junos OS to Rsync and SimpleHelp, we explore how these vulnerabilities affect the security posture of vendors and their downstream supply chains. By examining these issues, we aim to provide actionable insights and strategies to help organizations mitigate risks and maintain robust third-party relationships.
Filtered view of companies with Juniper Junos FocusTag™ on the Black Kite platform.
Juniper Junos CVE-2025-21598
What is the Juniper Junos BGP Vulnerability (CVE-2025-21598)?
CVE-2025-21598 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the routing protocol daemon (rpd) of Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved. When a device is configured with BGP packet receive trace options, an unauthenticated attacker can send malformed BGP packets that cause the rpd process to crash. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.2, making it a high-severity issue. It was first disclosed on January 14, 2025, and there are currently no reports of active exploitation. CISA’s KEV catalog does not yet list this vulnerability. Proof-of-concept (POC) is not available.
CVE-2025-21599 is a critical vulnerability affecting specific versions of Junos OS Evolved. It requires IPv6 to be enabled and involves attackers sending malformed IPv6 packets persistently to exhaust memory. Exploitation does not require authentication but needs network access to the device. The affected versions are:
From 22.4-EVO: before 22.4R3-S5-EVO
From 23.2-EVO: before 23.2R2-S2-EVO
From 23.4-EVO: before 23.4R2-S2-EVO
From 24.2-EVO: before 24.2R1-S2-EVO, and 24.2R2-EVO.
Versions prior to 22.4R1-EVO are unaffected. This vulnerability was excluded from the FocusTag™ scope due to its limitation to EVO versions and no detection by external clients specific to EVO.
Affected Products for CVE-2025-21598
Why should TPRM professionals care about CVE-2025-21598?
This vulnerability impacts network infrastructure devices, which are critical to business operations. If left unpatched, it could result in significant service interruptions, loss of connectivity, and reduced reliability of the affected network environment. Organizations that rely on these devices could face disruptions in their supply chain communications and business operations, making it essential for TPRM professionals to assess the risk and ensure proper mitigation measures are in place.
What questions should TPRM professionals ask vendors about CVE-2025-21598?
Have you updated all instances of Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved to the fixed versions mentioned in the advisory to mitigate the risk of CVE-2025-21598?
Can you confirm if you have disabled BGP packet receive trace options on your Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved devices to prevent potential exploitation of CVE-2025-21598?
Are you regularly inspecting your system logs for any indications of malformed BGP update messages, which may suggest attempted exploitation of CVE-2025-21598?
For Junos OS Evolved, have you ensured that all versions from 22.4-EVO before 22.4R3-S5-EVO, from 23.2-EVO before 23.2R2-S2-EVO, from 23.4-EVO before 23.4R2-S2-EVO, from 24.2-EVO before 24.2R1-S2-EVO, 24.2R2-EVO have been updated to mitigate the risk of CVE-2025-21599?
Remediation recommendations for vendors subject to this risk
Upgrade all affected Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved devices to the patched versions.
Disable BGP packets receive trace options if updating is not immediately possible.
Implement continuous network monitoring to identify any indications of exploitation attempts.
Maintain up-to-date logging configurations and review logs for signs of malformed BGP packets.
How can TPRM professionals leverage Black Kite for CVE-2025-21598?
Black Kite published this FocusTag™ to help organizations pinpoint the vendors affected by CVE-2025-21598. By providing detailed asset information—including relevant subdomains and vulnerable IPs—Black Kite enables TPRM professionals to rapidly identify which vendors need immediate attention. This targeted approach reduces time spent on outreach and allows more efficient mitigation efforts.
Black Kite’s Juniper Junos FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
Rsync, a widely-used file synchronization tool, has six significant vulnerabilities in versions 3.3.0 and earlier. These flaws pose risks such as arbitrary code execution, information leakage, and unauthorized system access, particularly for organizations relying on Rsync for backups.
Six vulnerabilities have been identified in Rsync, posing significant security risks. These include a heap-buffer overflow (CVE-2024-12084) in the Rsync daemon that allows attackers to execute code by controlling checksum lengths (s2length) and gaining server access. An information leak vulnerability (CVE-2024-12085) exposes uninitialized memory during file checksum comparisons. Additionally, malicious servers can exploit crafted checksums to extract arbitrary files from clients (CVE-2024-12086). Path traversal is possible due to improper symlink checks with the default –inc-recursive option (CVE-2024-12087), while a –safe-links bypass flaw (CVE-2024-12088) allows arbitrary file writes and further path traversal. Finally, a symbolic-link race condition (CVE-2024-12747) could lead to privilege escalation or data leakage by exploiting timing issues during file transfers. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities requires specific conditions, such as server access or manipulated configurations.
Currently, no publicly available POC exists, and these vulnerabilities are not listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Affected versions include Rsync ≥3.2.7 and <3.4.0 for CVE-2024-12084, while other CVEs impact Rsync 3.3.0 and earlier. Organizations relying on Rsync for synchronization or backups should apply patches or mitigations promptly to mitigate risks of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Why should TPRM professionals care about Rsync vulnerabilities?
Many organizations rely on Rsync for critical backup operations. Unaddressed vulnerabilities could lead to severe disruptions, including unauthorized data exposure, system compromise, and operational downtime. These risks demand immediate attention from TPRM professionals to ensure that vendors and their supply chain partners have implemented the necessary remediations.
What questions should TPRM professionals ask vendors about the Rsync vulnerabilities?
Have you upgraded all instances of Rsync to version 3.4.0 or later to mitigate the risk of CVE-2024-12084, CVE-2024-12085, CVE-2024-12086, CVE-2024-12087, CVE-2024-12088, and CVE-2024-12747?
Can you confirm if you have implemented the recommended mitigation measures such as restricting Rsync daemon access to trusted networks and authenticated users, and regularly reviewing and applying security best practices for system and network configurations?
Have you reviewed and updated any backup programs utilizing Rsync, such as Rclone, DeltaCopy, and ChronoSync, in response to these vulnerabilities?
Are you monitoring for any unusual activities that may indicate exploitation attempts related to these Rsync vulnerabilities, specifically those related to heap-buffer overflow, information leak, file leak, path traversal, safe-links bypass, and symbolic-link race condition?
Remediation recommendations for vendors subject to this risk
Upgrade Rsync to version 3.4.0 or higher to eliminate known vulnerabilities.
Disable unused options such as –inc-recursive and –safe-links to minimize exposure.
Implement strict access controls, allowing only authenticated and trusted connections.
Conduct regular security audits of your Rsync configuration and logs.
How can TPRM professionals leverage Black Kite for these vulnerabilities?
Black Kite’s FocusTag™ for Rsync, published in January 2025, helps TPRM professionals identify vendors at risk from these vulnerabilities. By providing detailed information on affected versions, associated IPs, and potentially vulnerable assets, Black Kite enables organizations to narrow their outreach to only those vendors requiring immediate action. This targeted approach not only streamlines risk management processes but also helps protect sensitive data and critical systems from emerging threats.
Black Kite’s Rsync FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
Recent security assessments have uncovered critical vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp, a widely used remote support software.
CVE-2024-57726: A privilege escalation flaw that allows users with technician-level access to elevate their privileges to administrator due to missing backend authorization checks. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.2, making it a high-severity issue. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, making it a high-severity issue.
CVE-2024-57727: A path traversal vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to download arbitrary files, including sensitive configuration files. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, making it a high-severity issue.
CVE-2024-57728: An arbitrary file upload vulnerability enabling attackers with administrative privileges to upload malicious files anywhere on the server, potentially leading to remote code execution. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, making it a high-severity issue.
These vulnerabilities can be chained to compromise the entire server, leading to sensitive information disclosure and potential remote code execution. They affect SimpleHelp versions 5.5.7 and earlier. Currently, there are no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild, no available PoC, and no listing in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Why should TPRM professionals care about SimpleHelp vulnerabilities?
SimpleHelp is widely used for remote support, making these vulnerabilities particularly concerning. A compromised SimpleHelp server could expose sensitive client information, provide attackers with persistent remote access, and lead to unauthorized actions such as executing malicious scripts. TPRM professionals must ensure that vendors relying on SimpleHelp have patched their systems and implemented necessary security controls to avoid supply chain disruptions and data breaches.
What questions should TPRM professionals ask vendors about SimpleHelp vulnerabilities?
Have you updated all instances of SimpleHelp to versions 5.5.8, 5.4.10, or 5.3.9 to mitigate the risk of CVE-2024-57727, CVE-2024-57728, and CVE-2024-57726?
Can you confirm if you have implemented IP access restrictions on your SimpleHelp server to accept technician and administrator logins only from trusted IP addresses, as recommended in the advisory?
Have you changed the administrator and technician account passwords after updating SimpleHelp to ensure any previously compromised credentials are invalidated?
Are you regularly reviewing your server logs for any unusual or unauthorized activities that may indicate attempted exploitation of these vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp?
Remediation recommendations for vendors subject to this risk
Update SimpleHelp to the latest secure versions (5.5.8, 5.4.10, or 5.3.9) to address these vulnerabilities.
Change Administrator Passwords. After updating, change the administrator password of the SimpleHelp server to ensure any previously compromised credentials are invalidated.
Update Technician Account Passwords. Reset passwords for all technician accounts, especially those not utilizing third-party authentication services.
Restrict IP Access. Configure the SimpleHelp server to accept technician and administrator logins only from trusted IP addresses to reduce unauthorized access risks.
Monitor System Logs. Regularly review server logs for any unusual or unauthorized activities that may indicate attempted exploitation.
How can TPRM professionals leverage Black Kite for these vulnerabilities?
Black Kite provides a detailed FocusTag™ highlighting these vulnerabilities, including a list of affected versions and mitigation steps. By using Black Kite’s asset information—such as associated IP addresses and potentially vulnerable subdomains—TPRM professionals can quickly identify which vendors require immediate attention, streamlining the risk mitigation process.
Black Kite’s SimpleHelp FocusTagTM details critical insights on the event for TPRM professionals.
Enhancing TPRM Strategies with Black Kite’s FocusTags™
As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, maintaining a resilient Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) framework is more crucial than ever. Black Kite’s FocusTags™ provide a unique advantage, allowing organizations to identify and respond to high-profile vulnerabilities quickly and effectively. By incorporating FocusTags into their TPRM processes, organizations gain:
Timely Vendor Risk Identification: Quickly determine which vendors are impacted by emerging threats, enabling prompt and strategic action. Prioritized Risk Management: Focus on the most critical vulnerabilities and vendors, ensuring that resources are allocated where they’re needed most. Enhanced Vendor Collaboration: Conduct more informed and productive discussions with vendors, addressing their specific exposure and improving overall security measures. Broader Security Insight: Gain a comprehensive view of the current threat landscape, helping TPRM teams anticipate future risks and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.
With Black Kite’s FocusTags™, TPRM professionals have the tools they need to transform complex threat data into actionable intelligence. This capability not only improves risk management efficiency but also helps ensure that organizations can confidently manage their third-party ecosystem in an increasingly unpredictable digital environment.
Want to take a closer look at FocusTags™?
Take our platform for a test drive and request a demo today.
Every week, we delve into the realms of critical vulnerabilities and their implications from a Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) perspective. This series is dedicated to shedding light on pressing cybersecurity threats, offering in-depth analyses, and providing actionable insights.
FocusTagsTM in the Last 30 Days:
Juniper Junos: CVE-2025-21598, Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in Juniper’s Junos.
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