The threat identified as "M2M - new locky" is a variant or new iteration of the Locky ransomware family, which is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt victims' files and demand ransom payments for their decryption. Locky ransomware has historically been distributed via phishing campaigns and exploit kits, encrypting a wide range of file types and rendering data inaccessible to users. This particular variant, referenced as "M2M - new locky," was reported by CIRCL in 2017 and classified with a low severity level at the time, indicating either limited impact or early-stage detection. The technical details are sparse, with no specific affected versions or patch links provided, and no known exploits in the wild have been documented for this variant. The threat level is marked as 3 (on an unspecified scale), and the analysis level is 1, suggesting preliminary or limited technical analysis. The ransomware category is confirmed by tags linking it to malicious code and ransomware families, specifically Locky. Given the lack of detailed technical indicators or exploit mechanisms, it is likely this variant shares common Locky behaviors such as file encryption, ransom note deployment, and propagation through common infection vectors like email attachments or compromised websites. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the low severity rating imply this variant might not have achieved widespread distribution or impact at the time of reporting.

For European organizations, ransomware like Locky poses significant risks including data loss, operational disruption, financial costs from ransom payments or recovery efforts, and reputational damage. Even if this specific variant was assessed as low severity, the general threat of ransomware remains high in Europe due to the prevalence of targeted attacks on critical infrastructure, healthcare, and financial sectors. The encryption of critical files can halt business operations, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR data availability requirements), and cause cascading effects on supply chains. Additionally, ransom payments may fund further criminal activities. The low severity rating and lack of known exploits suggest limited immediate impact from this variant, but organizations should remain vigilant as ransomware families often evolve rapidly. European entities with less mature cybersecurity defenses or insufficient backup strategies are particularly vulnerable to such threats.

Given the nature of ransomware and the limited specific details on this variant, mitigation should focus on robust, ransomware-specific defenses beyond generic advice. Organizations should implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to block phishing vectors commonly used by Locky. Employ advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can identify suspicious encryption behaviors early. Maintain immutable, offline backups with regular testing to ensure rapid recovery without paying ransom. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if infection occurs. User training focused on phishing awareness is critical to reduce infection likelihood. Additionally, organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for updates on this variant or related Locky strains to adapt defenses promptly. Since no patches or exploits are identified, proactive detection and response capabilities are paramount. Finally, incident response plans should include ransomware-specific scenarios to minimize downtime and data loss.