All Threat Actors

BlackCat

Also known as: ALPHV, Noberus, UNC4466, Scattered Spider affiliate, ALPHV-ng, AlphaV, AlphaVM

InactiveExpertRussia
0Campaigns
17Techniques
5IOCs
17Tools
0Matches
4Infrastructure

Overview

BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware operation executed an exit scam in March 2024 following the Change Healthcare attack, where operators kept the entire $22 million ransom payment and cheated affiliates. The FBI had previously disrupted operations in December 2023, seizing infrastructure and releasing a decryption tool that saved victims ~$99 million. After the March 2024 exit scam with a fake FBI seizure notice, the group announced closure and attempted to sell source code for $5 million. As of early 2025, the group has apparently disappeared. Notable affiliate Scattered Spider continues independent operations with DragonForce and other ransomware variants.

Motivations

Financial GainExtortion

Target Sectors

HealthcareFinancial ServicesGovernmentLegalTechnologyHospitalityManufacturingEnergyEducation

Activity Timeline

First Seen

Nov 2021

Last Seen

Mar 2024

Quick Facts

OriginRussia
Sophisticationexpert
StatusInactive

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques

(17)

Tools & Malware

(17)

BlackCat/ALPHV Ransomware

malwareMalicious

First major ransomware written in Rust for cross-platform capability (Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi). Supports multiple encryption modes and customizable per-victim configurations.

ExMatter

malwareMalicious

Custom .NET data exfiltration tool that selectively steals documents, databases, and sensitive files before encryption. Uploads to attacker-controlled SFTP servers.

Eamfo

malwareMalicious

Custom info-stealer that targets Veeam backup credentials stored in SQL databases. Extracts backup admin credentials to enable deletion of backups before ransomware deployment.

Sphynx

malwareMalicious

Updated BlackCat encryptor variant with built-in tools for network propagation using Impacket's psexec and remcom for lateral movement during encryption.

Cobalt Strike

frameworkLegitimate

Standard post-exploitation framework for lateral movement, persistence, and C2. Affiliates deploy custom Cobalt Strike loaders to evade signature-based detections.

Brute Ratel

frameworkLegitimate

Advanced C2 framework used by BlackCat affiliates as Cobalt Strike alternative. Harder for EDR solutions to detect due to syscall-level operation.

Mimikatz

frameworkLegitimate

Deployed for LSASS memory dumping, DCSync attacks, and Kerberos ticket extraction. Used to achieve domain-wide administrative access before ransomware staging.

AnyDesk

legitimate toolLegitimate

Primary remote access tool installed for persistent hands-on-keyboard access. Multiple affiliates deploy AnyDesk on dozens of systems for redundant access.

ScreenConnect (ConnectWise)

legitimate toolLegitimate

Remote management tool used by affiliates for persistent access. Harder to detect than C2 beacons since it generates legitimate-looking remote access traffic.

Ngrok

legitimate toolLegitimate

Tunneling tool used to create reverse tunnels to compromised systems, enabling access even when direct inbound connections are blocked by firewalls.

Advanced IP Scanner

legitimate toolLegitimate

Network discovery tool used to map internal infrastructure, identify domain controllers, file servers, and backup systems for maximum impact targeting.

BloodHound

frameworkLegitimate

AD attack path mapping tool used to identify privilege escalation routes from initial access to domain admin for rapid domain compromise.

LaZagne

frameworkLegitimate

Credential recovery tool used to extract saved passwords from browsers, email clients, databases, and various Windows credential stores.

Mega.nz

legitimate toolLegitimate

Cloud storage service abused for data exfiltration. Affiliates sync stolen data via MEGAsync client, taking advantage of the service's end-to-end encryption.

PowerShell

os utilityLegitimate

Used for disabling security tools, deleting shadow copies (vssadmin, wmic shadowcopy), modifying boot configuration, and deploying ransomware via scripts.

PsExec

legitimate toolLegitimate

Used for remote ransomware deployment across domain-joined systems. Often combined with compromised domain admin credentials from DCSync attacks.

Scattered Spider TTPs

scriptMalicious

Some BlackCat affiliates (Scattered Spider/UNC3944) specialize in social engineering helpdesk staff for MFA bypass and SIM swapping to gain initial access.

Indicators of Compromise

(5)
IOC values are defanged for safety
TypeValue
ip185[.]220[.]101[.]65
ip193[.]42[.]33[.]14
hash847f5914c43e17748b9d838c1e185b03
hashf8c08d00ff6e8c6adb1a93cd133b19302d0b651afd73ccb54e3b6ac6c60d99c6
domainalphvmmm27o3abo3r2mlmjrpdmzle3rykajqc5xsj7j7ejksbpsa36ad[.]onion

Infrastructure

(4)
Domain values are defanged for safety
Domain / HostStatus
185[.]220[.]101[.]65

BlackCat affiliate Tor exit node used for initial access

offline
193[.]42[.]33[.]14

ExMatter data exfiltration server

offline
alphvmmm27o3abo3r2mlmjrpdmzle3rykajqc5xsj7j7ejksbpsa36ad[.]onion

BlackCat dark web leak site (.onion)

active
he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad[.]onionunknown

Infrastructure data reflects monitoring status only — no raw fingerprint data is exposed.

References

(15)

CISA - ALPHV BlackCat Ransomware

https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-353a

FBI - ALPHV BlackCat Ransomware Indicators of Compromise

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/News/2022/220420.pdf

Microsoft - The many lives of BlackCat ransomware

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2022/06/13/the-many-lives-of-blackcat-ransomware/

DOJ: Two Americans Plead Guilty to ALPHV BlackCat Ransomware Attacks (Dec 2025)

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-americans-plead-guilty-targeting-multiple-us-victims-using-alphv-blackcat-ransomware

FBI Leads Alphv/BlackCat Takedown (Dec 2023)

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/366564014/FBI-leads-Alphv-BlackCat-takedown-decrypts-victims-data

BlackCat Ransomware Exit Scam (Mar 2024)

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/blackcat-ransomware-shuts-down-in-exit-scam-blames-the-feds/

Change Healthcare Attack Analysis (Feb 2024)

https://www.picussecurity.com/resource/blog/alphv-ransomware

FinCEN: ALPHV Most Prevalent Ransomware 2022-2024

https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-issues-financial-trend-analysis-ransomware

Third Ransomware Negotiator Charged (Mar 2026)

https://www.hipaajournal.com/u-s-nationals-indicted-blackcat-ransomware-attacks/

Mandiant: UNC4466 ALPHV Affiliate Targets Veritas Backup (Mar 2024)

https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/alphv-ransomware-backup/

Change Healthcare Cyberattack - AHA Report

https://www.aha.org/change-healthcare-cyberattack-underscores-urgent-need-strengthen-cyber-preparedness-individual-health-care-organizations-and

The Record - Ransomware incident responder gave info to BlackCat cybercriminals during negotiations

https://therecord.media/ransomware-blackcat-doj-incident-responder

BlackCat Ransomware Group Implodes After Apparent $22M Payment - Krebs on Security

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/03/blackcat-ransomware-group-implodes-after-apparent-22m-ransom-payment-by-change-healthcare/

Justice Department Disrupts Prolific ALPHV/Blackcat Ransomware Variant (Dec 2023)

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disrupts-prolific-alphvblackcat-ransomware-variant

Scattered Spider Advisory AA23-320A Updated July 2025 - CISA

https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-320a