Cybersecurity researchers have warned about a new wave of ransomware attacks targeting **AWS S3 buckets**, a widely used cloud storage service. Unlike traditional ransomware that encrypts or deletes data, attackers are now abusing **cloud-native encryption and key management services** to render data permanently unrecoverable. By manipulating built-in AWS capabilities like **key rotation and encryption controls**, threat actors can lock organizations out of their own storage without triggering typical breach detection mechanisms.The shift reflects an evolution in ransomware tactics, as defenders strengthen perimeter defenses. Organizations relying on S3 buckets for critical data—including customer records, financial documents, or proprietary assets—face severe operational disruptions if encryption keys are compromised. Recovery may require paying ransoms or accepting irreversible data loss, particularly if backups are also encrypted or inaccessible. The attack method exploits **trusted cloud functionalities**, making it harder to distinguish malicious activity from legitimate administrative actions.Given AWS’s dominance in cloud infrastructure, successful exploits could cascade across dependent services, affecting businesses, governments, and end-users. The technique underscores the growing sophistication of ransomware groups in targeting **cloud environments**, where traditional security models may fall short.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/amazon-web-services
"id": "AMA5032150112125",
"linkid": "amazon-web-services",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "5/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization’s existence"{'affected_entities': [{'type': ['cloud service providers',
'organizations using AWS S3 buckets']}],
'attack_vector': ['abuse of cloud-native encryption services',
'key management service manipulation',
'misconfigured S3 buckets'],
'data_breach': {'data_encryption': ['abuse of cloud-native encryption to '
'render data unrecoverable']},
'description': 'Cybersecurity researchers have warned about ransomware '
'operators shifting focus from traditional on-premises targets '
'to cloud storage services, particularly AWS S3 buckets. A '
'Trend Micro report highlights a new wave of attacks where '
'attackers abuse cloud-native encryption and key management '
'services (e.g., encryption management, key rotation) to '
'render data unrecoverable, rather than merely stealing or '
'deleting it. This evolution reflects attackers adapting to '
'stronger perimeter protections adopted by organizations.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['potential erosion of trust in cloud '
'security practices'],
'operational_impact': ['potential data unrecoverability due to '
'encryption abuse',
'disruption of cloud storage services'],
'systems_affected': ['AWS S3 buckets']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['misconfigured S3 buckets',
'compromised cloud credentials'],
'high_value_targets': ['S3 buckets with '
'critical/sensitive data']},
'lessons_learned': ['Attackers are evolving tactics to abuse legitimate cloud '
'services (e.g., encryption/key management) as perimeter '
'defenses improve.',
'Organizations must monitor cloud-native security '
'controls beyond traditional perimeter protections.'],
'motivation': ['financial gain (ransom)', 'disruption of operations'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Enhance logging and '
'monitoring for cloud '
'encryption/key management '
'services.',
'Enforce least-privilege '
'access for S3 buckets and '
'associated keys.',
'Conduct red-team exercises '
'simulating cloud-native '
'ransomware scenarios.'],
'root_causes': ['Over-reliance on perimeter '
'defenses without monitoring '
'cloud-native services.',
'Misconfigured or weakly managed '
'encryption keys in S3 buckets.',
'Lack of visibility into '
'cloud-specific attack vectors '
'(e.g., key rotation abuse).']},
'ransomware': {'data_encryption': ['cloud-native encryption abuse (e.g., key '
'rotation)']},
'recommendations': ['Implement strict access controls and encryption key '
'management policies for S3 buckets.',
'Monitor for unusual key rotation or encryption '
'activities in cloud environments.',
'Adopt zero-trust principles for cloud storage services.',
'Regularly audit S3 bucket configurations for '
'misconfigurations.'],
'references': [{'source': 'Trend Micro Report'},
{'source': 'Sysdig (Crystal Morin, Senior Cybersecurity '
'Strategist)'}],
'response': {'enhanced_monitoring': ['cloud-native security tools for '
'encryption/key management anomalies'],
'remediation_measures': ['hardening S3 bucket configurations',
'enhancing encryption key management',
'monitoring for abnormal key rotation '
'activities']},
'title': 'Ransomware Operators Targeting AWS S3 Buckets with Cloud-Native '
'Encryption Abuse',
'type': ['ransomware', 'cloud security breach', 'data encryption abuse'],
'vulnerability_exploited': ['misconfigured AWS S3 bucket permissions',
'weak encryption key management practices',
'insufficient cloud-native security controls']}