Exclusive: WA-based Pressure Dynamics confirms DragonForce ransomware attack
Hackers publish more than 100 gigabytes of data exfiltrated from an Australian hydraulics company.
The DragonForce ransomware-as-a-service operation has listed Western Australia-based Pressure Dynamics as a victim on its darknet leak site, with the company acknowledging it has experienced a cyber incident.
DragonForce listed the company in a June 17 update, where it claimed to have stolen 106.84 gigabytes of data from the company.
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The data has already been published in full and appears to consist of two folders, labelled Engineering and Operations, respectively. The documents include historical site and customer reports, as well as detailed technical drawings of equipment. One folder, however, contains pathology and medical reports relating to several of Pressure Dynamics’ employees.
Pressure Dynamics has said it is aware of the hackers’ claims. A company spokesperson told Cyber Daily that it has been in touch with staff and clients impacted by the event and that the relevant authorities have been informed.
DragonForce runs a ransomware-as-a-service where affiliates of the operation can hire the gang’s ransomware platform in return for a cut of any profits. The gang passes on up to 80 per cent of ransom payments and commonly advertises its services on Russian-language hacking forums.
The group is believed to have links to the LockBit ransomware operation and engages in double-extortion tactics, both locking victims out of their data and threatening to publish it online if a ransom payment isn’t received. It has claimed 187 victims to date, with the most recent Australian victim being lottery broker TheLotter in April.
The gang is also thought to be linked to a recent string of attacks on UK retailers by the Scattered Spider hacking collective.
DragonForce appears to be going through a significant expansion of its RaaS operations, and may soon be joining forces with the prominent, though somewhat quiet of late, RansomHub hacking group.
Pressure Dynamics provides “hydraulic, lifting and electro-mechanical integrity solutions” via four offices in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. It provides services to oil and gas companies, offshore production, and the defence sector.
David Hollingworth
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
