The Akira ransomware group is actively exploiting vulnerabilities in SonicWall SSL VPN devices to target companies involved in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). They are stealing sensitive financial data to extort victims, threatening to leak deal details to derail negotiations.
Business Impact
M&A transactions are highly sensitive and time-critical. A data leak during this process can devalue the deal, trigger regulatory investigations, or cause the transaction to collapse entirely. Akira is leveraging this pressure to demand higher ransom payments.
Why It Happened
Akira exploits known, often unpatched vulnerabilities in legacy VPN appliances to gain initial access. They target M&A firms specifically because IT integration periods during mergers often result in temporary security gaps and reduced visibility.
Recommended Executive Action
If your organization is undergoing M&A, prioritize a security audit of the target company’s perimeter, specifically VPNs. Mandate MFA on all external access points immediately and monitor for large data exfiltration events during the due diligence phase.
Hashtags: #Ransomware #Akira #SonicWall #MergersAndAcquisitions #VPN #CyberAttack #DataBreach #InfoSec