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Inside the Evolution of a Cybercriminal Powerhouse
Since its emergence in late 2023, DragonForce Ransomware has undergone a dramatic transformation, evolving from ideologically driven cyberattacks into one of the most sophisticated and dangerous Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operations in the world. This transition to profit-oriented targeting has redefined its role in the cybercrime ecosystem. By providing an advanced and modular toolkit to affiliates, DragonForce empowers cybercriminals to create highly tailored ransomware payloads capable of breaching industries across North America, Europe, and Asia.
What sets DragonForce apart is its polished infrastructure: a modular payload builder, multilingual victim portals, and CRM-style control panels. Affiliates can craft ransomware that adapts to the targetās environment, fine-tune lateral movement, and manage negotiations in real time through a sleek .onion-based interface. The platform’s encrypted data-leak site, DragonLeaks, is used to publicly shame victims and force payment through double extortion tactics.
Affiliates benefit from a highly incentivized revenue-sharing structure and in-depth technical resources, mimicking the usability of legitimate SaaS platforms. Their capabilities are bolstered by features like intermittent encryption, evasion of EDR/XDR tools, and support for advanced techniques like BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver).
Technically, DragonForce integrates elements from LockBit 3.0 and a customized Conti fork. It also employs SystemBC for persistent C2 control and uses industry-standard tools like Cobalt Strike and Mimikatz during post-exploitation phases. Entry vectors range from phishing and brute-force attacks to exploiting vulnerabilities like Log4Shell and stolen credentials from previous breaches.
The group has not only grown in capability but in reputation, exploiting the downfall of rivals like RansomHub in early 2025 to recruit affiliates and expand its reach. This sparked speculations of turf wars and even insider sabotage, all while DragonForce kept refining its tradecraft.
Targeting industries where disruption yields the greatest pressureālike manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and public servicesāDragonForce continues to evolve as a professionalized and APT-level threat. Security teams are strongly advised to fortify digital perimeters and remain vigilant against DragonForceās growing influence.
What Undercode Say:
Modular Weaponry Driving Customized Chaos
DragonForce’s modular payload builder is the engine of its adaptability. Unlike one-size-fits-all ransomware variants, affiliates can configure every elementāfrom encryption strategy to ransom notesābased on each targetās digital environment. This flexibility maximizes infection rates and impact.
SaaS-Like Affiliate Platform Offers Criminal Convenience
The infrastructure behind DragonForce mimics top-tier SaaS platforms. With CRM-like dashboards, affiliates can monitor victim activity, negotiate in real time, and even preview leaked data. The inclusion of revenue analytics, support documentation, and crypto laundering tips shows how deeply commercialized this cybercrime operation has become.
Advanced Obfuscation Techniques to Evade Detection
DragonForce doesnāt just rely on brute force. Its encryption is intermittently applied to delay detection, while anti-analysis routines and BYOVD tactics allow it to bypass modern security tools. The use of LockBit 3.0 and a modified Conti codebase gives DragonForce one of the most sophisticated malware arsenals in the RaaS scene.
SystemBC Ensures Long-Term Persistence
DragonForceās inclusion of SystemBC highlights its focus on persistence and stealth. SystemBC acts as a covert backchannel, enabling prolonged presence in compromised environments, supporting lateral movement, and coordinating multi-stage payloadsāhallmarks of advanced persistent threats.
Multi-Vector Initial Access Strategy
DragonForce exploits a broad array of entry points: phishing emails with weaponized attachments, brute-force attacks on RDP/VPN services, and zero-day vulnerabilities. The usage of leaked credentials from infostealers shows an efficient reuse of existing cybercrime infrastructure.
Tactical Opportunism Amid RansomHubās Collapse
The April 2025 fallout of RansomHub provided DragonForce with a rare recruitment opportunity. By publicly inviting defectors, it positioned itself as a dominant RaaS player and likely absorbed both talent and tactics from its rivalādemonstrating strategic thinking often unseen in decentralized cybercrime networks.
Pause in Affiliate Onboarding Signals Internal Turbulence
Despite its growth, DragonForce briefly halted new affiliate onboardingālikely due to the influx of RansomHub migrants or to manage internal trust after allegations of betrayal. This decision reveals a rare moment of vulnerability and hints at a complex operational hierarchy.
Sector-Specific Targeting for Maximum Leverage
DragonForce aims at industries where downtime costs are high: logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and even public services. This maximizes the likelihood of ransom payment, especially when paired with threats of public data leaks via DragonLeaks.
Double Extortion as a Psychological Weapon
Encrypting data is only half the strategy. By threatening to leak sensitive files, DragonForce doubles the pressure on victims, turning data privacy laws and reputational fears into leverage. The fear of regulatory fallout and public exposure is often enough to push organizations into negotiation.
Geopolitical and Financial Motivations Intersect
While originally ideologically driven, DragonForce now merges profit motives with disruption tactics, hinting at the groupās potential geopolitical roots. This duality complicates attribution and raises concerns about nation-state involvement or alignment.
š Fact Checker Results:
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DragonForce does offer a modular, customizable RaaS platform for affiliates.
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The group actively recruits affiliates through .onion panels and leaked data portals.
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Their malware integrates techniques from LockBit 3.0, Conti, and uses tools like SystemBC and Mimikatz.
š Prediction:
DragonForce is poised to solidify its place as a dominant force in the cybercriminal underground throughout 2025 and beyond. Expect further technical innovation, especially around AI-driven evasion and autonomous payloads. With its ability to absorb rival talent and continually adapt its tactics, DragonForce may soon redefine the boundaries between organized cybercrime and state-level digital warfare. š§ š»
References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
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