Russia-linked hackers threaten Asus with 1TB leak after dark-web countdown appears

The multinational electronics giant’s name has appeared on a dark web forum, with attackers claiming to have obtained a treasure trove of Asus information. Hours remain until the data is supposedly leaked.

Asus was posted on Everest Ransomware’s dark web forum, which the infamous gang uses to showcase its latest victims. According to the attackers, they managed to syphon a terabyte of the company’s data, including what they describe as “camera source code.”

We have reached out to Asus for comment and will update this article once we receive a reply.

The attackers didn’t include any data samples, which makes verifying the claims virtually impossible. However, Everest did include a countdown clock, which supposedly marks the time until attackers begin leaking information – a common tactic to pressure victims into paying ransom.

While there’s no information on what type of data may have been accessed, the “camera source code” theft, if confirmed, could have some ramifications for the company.

“Attackers could be referring to firmware source code, or it could be camera-related software source code as well – both of which could be used for vulnerability discovery,” Cybernews researchers explained.

In theory, this could allow skilled attackers to craft tailor-made malware that specifically targets certain components of Asus products. However, as of now, the claims are just that: claims.

However, Everest Ransomware is among the most active currently operating ransomware cartels, which often delivers on its malicious promises. Just last month, the gang targeted Money Mart, the US check-cashing and instant loan giant, and the Brazilian petroleum giant Petrobras.

Cybernews’s Ransomlooker monitoring tool shows Everest has over 250 victims posted to its leak list since 2023, claiming more than 100 victims in the past twelve months alone.

Meanwhile, Asus is a major global player in electronics, making everything from desktop computers and laptops to graphics cards and optical storage. The company is the world’s fifth-largest personal computer vendor, with reported revenue exceeding $17 billion and an over 17,000-strong workforce.

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