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Cyber Threat
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Ransomware victim Manufacturing

Model Engineering

Listed by Cicada3301 on · organisation based in UAE

designbymodel.com

Disclosed
Sep 24, 2024
Leak-site listing date
Threat group
Cicada3301
75 victims listed
Country
UAE
#19 most targeted
Sector
Manufacturing

ThreatAI analysis

Compiled from this incident record and the threat intelligence profile for Cicada3301. Figures and technique mappings are quoted from the source data, not inferred.

About the Cicada3301 group

Cicada3301 is a ransomware-as-a-service group (tracked as Repellent Scorpius by Palo Alto) that emerged in mid-2024 using Rust-based ransomware targeting Windows, Linux, and ESXi systems, suspected to be a successor of BlackCat/ALPHV and running an affiliate program with 20% commissions. Cicada3301 has listed 75 victims since June 2024.

Incident analysis

Model Engineering was listed by Cicada3301 ransomware, a group with 75 victims recorded in this database. The listing appeared on the group's leak site on September 24, 2024.

Model Engineering is based in UAE and operates in the Manufacturing sector. UAE ranks #19 worldwide for ransomware disclosures, with 173 victims in this database.

Sector context. Manufacturing companies are frequently targeted because production downtime directly translates to financial loss. Ransomware operators exploit this time-sensitivity to demand higher ransoms and faster payment.

Cicada3301 typically follows a double extortion model: data is exfiltrated from the victim's systems before files are encrypted, so the victim faces two demands at once — pay to restore access, and pay to keep stolen data unpublished. The leak site, where this listing appeared, is the lever for the second demand.

Source. Public leak-site disclosures aggregated via the ransomware.live API. The disclosure date is when the listing was published, which can differ from the date of compromise. This site does not publish or link to stolen data. Last updated .

Frequently asked questions

Was Model Engineering attacked by ransomware?

Yes. Model Engineering was listed as a victim of the Cicada3301 ransomware group on September 24, 2024. The organisation is based in UAE and operates in the Manufacturing sector. The disclosure appeared on the group's dark web leak site.

Which ransomware group attacked Model Engineering?

Model Engineering was attacked by Cicada3301 ransomware. Cicada3301 is one of the most active ransomware groups, having claimed 75 victims globally. The group typically employs a double-extortion model: encrypting the victim's files and threatening to publish stolen data.

When did the Model Engineering ransomware attack occur?

The ransomware attack on Model Engineering was disclosed on September 24, 2024. This date reflects when the victim was published on the threat group's leak site, which may differ from the actual date of initial compromise.

What data was stolen in the Model Engineering ransomware attack?

The specific data stolen from Model Engineering has not been independently verified by this platform. Ransomware groups typically exfiltrate data before encrypting systems and use the threat of publication to pressure victims. As a Manufacturing organisation, Model Engineering likely held sensitive business data, client information, and operational records.

How can organisations protect against Cicada3301 attacks?

To defend against Cicada3301 and similar threat actors, organisations should: maintain regular offline backups tested for restoration; implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement; deploy multi-factor authentication on all remote access; use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools; conduct regular phishing and security awareness training; and monitor threat intelligence feeds for indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with active groups.