OSINT - Locky Ransomware Domains – Followup Analysis Uncovers 130 New Indicators
OSINT - Locky Ransomware Domains – Followup Analysis Uncovers 130 New Indicators
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The provided information pertains to an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) report focused on Locky ransomware-related domains. Locky ransomware is a well-known malware family that encrypts victims' files and demands ransom payments for decryption. This particular report is a follow-up analysis that uncovered 130 new indicators, specifically domains associated with Locky ransomware infrastructure. These domains are typically used for command and control (C2), distribution of the ransomware payload, or for ransom payment processing. The report originates from CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg), a reputable source for cybersecurity intelligence. Although the report is dated April 2016 and lists the severity as low, it provides valuable insight into the infrastructure used by Locky ransomware operators, which can aid in detection and prevention efforts. The lack of affected versions or patch links suggests this is not a vulnerability but rather intelligence on malicious domains. No known exploits in the wild are indicated, and the threat level is moderate (3 out of an unspecified scale). The absence of specific technical details or indicators in the provided data limits the depth of analysis but confirms the focus on domain-based indicators related to Locky ransomware campaigns.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the presence of Locky ransomware domains represents a persistent threat vector. If these domains remain active or are reused by threat actors, they can facilitate ransomware infections leading to data encryption, operational disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage. Locky ransomware historically targeted a wide range of sectors including healthcare, finance, and public administration, all critical in Europe. The impact is compounded by the potential for lateral movement within networks once infected, risking widespread data loss and downtime. Although the severity is marked low in this report, the broader Locky ransomware family has caused significant incidents globally, including in Europe. Organizations that fail to detect or block communications with these domains may be vulnerable to infection or reinfection. Additionally, the intelligence on these domains can help European CERTs and SOC teams improve their detection capabilities and incident response readiness.
Mitigation Recommendations
European organizations should integrate the newly identified Locky ransomware domains into their network security controls, including DNS filtering, firewall rules, and intrusion detection/prevention systems. Regularly updating threat intelligence feeds with such OSINT reports is critical. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block Locky ransomware behaviors, including suspicious file encryption activities and known ransomware payload signatures. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of phishing emails, which are a common Locky infection vector. Network segmentation can limit ransomware spread if an infection occurs. Organizations should maintain robust, tested backups stored offline or in immutable storage to enable recovery without paying ransom. Collaboration with national CERTs and sharing of threat intelligence can enhance collective defense. Finally, monitoring for any resurgence or reuse of these domains in current campaigns is essential to maintain proactive defenses.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Luxembourg
OSINT - Locky Ransomware Domains – Followup Analysis Uncovers 130 New Indicators
Description
OSINT - Locky Ransomware Domains – Followup Analysis Uncovers 130 New Indicators
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The provided information pertains to an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) report focused on Locky ransomware-related domains. Locky ransomware is a well-known malware family that encrypts victims' files and demands ransom payments for decryption. This particular report is a follow-up analysis that uncovered 130 new indicators, specifically domains associated with Locky ransomware infrastructure. These domains are typically used for command and control (C2), distribution of the ransomware payload, or for ransom payment processing. The report originates from CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg), a reputable source for cybersecurity intelligence. Although the report is dated April 2016 and lists the severity as low, it provides valuable insight into the infrastructure used by Locky ransomware operators, which can aid in detection and prevention efforts. The lack of affected versions or patch links suggests this is not a vulnerability but rather intelligence on malicious domains. No known exploits in the wild are indicated, and the threat level is moderate (3 out of an unspecified scale). The absence of specific technical details or indicators in the provided data limits the depth of analysis but confirms the focus on domain-based indicators related to Locky ransomware campaigns.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the presence of Locky ransomware domains represents a persistent threat vector. If these domains remain active or are reused by threat actors, they can facilitate ransomware infections leading to data encryption, operational disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage. Locky ransomware historically targeted a wide range of sectors including healthcare, finance, and public administration, all critical in Europe. The impact is compounded by the potential for lateral movement within networks once infected, risking widespread data loss and downtime. Although the severity is marked low in this report, the broader Locky ransomware family has caused significant incidents globally, including in Europe. Organizations that fail to detect or block communications with these domains may be vulnerable to infection or reinfection. Additionally, the intelligence on these domains can help European CERTs and SOC teams improve their detection capabilities and incident response readiness.
Mitigation Recommendations
European organizations should integrate the newly identified Locky ransomware domains into their network security controls, including DNS filtering, firewall rules, and intrusion detection/prevention systems. Regularly updating threat intelligence feeds with such OSINT reports is critical. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block Locky ransomware behaviors, including suspicious file encryption activities and known ransomware payload signatures. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of phishing emails, which are a common Locky infection vector. Network segmentation can limit ransomware spread if an infection occurs. Organizations should maintain robust, tested backups stored offline or in immutable storage to enable recovery without paying ransom. Collaboration with national CERTs and sharing of threat intelligence can enhance collective defense. Finally, monitoring for any resurgence or reuse of these domains in current campaigns is essential to maintain proactive defenses.
Technical Details
- Threat Level
- 3
- Analysis
- 2
- Original Timestamp
- 1460358659
Threat ID: 682acdbcbbaf20d303f0b3b5
Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:44 AM
Last enriched: 7/3/2025, 3:54:45 AM
Last updated: 2/7/2026, 3:56:32 AM
Views: 39
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Related Threats
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
External Links
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console in Console -> Billing for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.