Akira

Overview

Akira is a ransomware variant and ransomware deployment entity active since at least March 2023. Akira uses compromised credentials to access single-factor external access mechanisms such as VPNs for initial access, then various publicly-available tools and techniques for lateral movement. Akira operations are associated with "double extortion" ransomware activity, where data is exfiltrated from victim environments prior to encryption, with threats to publish files if a ransom is not paid. Technical analysis of Akira ransomware indicates variants capable of targeting Windows or VMWare ESXi hypervisors and multiple overlaps with Conti ransomware.

Naming & attribution

Akira is tracked under 4 names across the industry. It uses 17 documented ATT&CK techniques — more than 48% of the 174 groups tracked here.

Distinctive techniques

Techniques this group uses that are rare across the other 173 tracked groups — these carry more signal than the near-universal ones.

• T1558 Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets — used by 1 of 174 groups
• T1531 Account Access Removal — used by 2 of 174 groups

Closest groups by technique overlap

Computed from shared ATT&CK techniques. Overlap is not attribution — distinct actors converge on the same tradecraft — but a high share is a useful pivot.

• INC Ransom — 8 shared techniques (24% overlap)
• Indrik Spider Russia — 8 shared techniques (19% overlap)
• Play — 7 shared techniques (19% overlap)
• Chimera China — 10 shared techniques (15% overlap)
• FIN8 — 7 shared techniques (15% overlap)
• Medusa Group — 9 shared techniques (14% overlap)

Capabilities

• Custom malware/implant development — ATT&CK: 3 attributed custom malware families

TTPs — 17 techniques across 11 tactics

Tools & malware (8)

Mimikatz · PsExec · AdFind · Akira _v2 · Akira · Megazord · LaZagne · Rclone

Reporting (3)

• Threat Assessment: Howling Scorpius (Akira Ransomware) — Zemah, Y
• Akira ransomware continues to evolve — Nutland, J. and Szeliga, M
• #StopRansomware: Akira Ransomware — CISA et al