Major Ransomware Attack Hits French Fintech Harvest SAS: Sensitive Data Exposed

In a significant cyberattack, French fintech giant Harvest SAS has fallen victim to a sophisticated ransomware operation carried out by the emerging cybercriminal group, Run Some Wares. The breach, which exposed critical business and client data, shines a spotlight on the increasing vulnerability of the financial technology sector to such targeted cyber threats. Harvest SAS, well-known for its digital wealth management solutions, became the latest high-profile target in a worrying surge of ransomware attacks.

A Detailed Look at the Harvest SAS Breach

Harvest SAS, based in Paris, is a leader in providing digital platforms tailored to wealth management professionals. Their portfolio spans across asset management software, CRM tools, and business solutions for various industries including finance, real estate, and technology. However, on April 10, 2025, the company was thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons when the cybercriminal group Run Some Wares claimed responsibility for compromising Harvest’s systems.

The attack was first detected on February 27, but it wasn’t until April that Harvest SAS disclosed the breach after internal investigations confirmed it had indeed been a “cyber incident.” The timing of the public revelation came after the group released a sample of stolen files to demonstrate their control over Harvest’s sensitive data. The full leak followed as ransom negotiations faltered.

How the Attack Unfolded

The breach followed a textbook ransomware kill chain, beginning with attackers exploiting a third-party virtual machine, bypassing key security systems such as endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), and patch management protocols. Notably, multi-factor authentication (MFA) was not consistently enforced, which left certain accounts open to attack.

Run Some Wares applied their typical double extortion strategy. After encrypting Harvest’s internal systems, they exfiltrated vast amounts of sensitive data. The group demanded payment in Bitcoin under the threat of releasing the stolen data on dark web sites, adding immense pressure on the company.

Exposed Data: A Devastating Leak

The data breach resulted in the release of a wide range of sensitive documents that have now been exposed to the public and, likely, to various threat actors. Among the most concerning leaks were:

Corporate Documents: Strategic project plans, organizational charts, and internal communications.
Financial and Accounting Records: Payroll data, financial statements, and accounting documents were all at risk.
HR and Personnel Files: Employment contracts, evaluations, and other confidential employee information were compromised.
Encryption Keys & Credentials: Password vaults and internal credentials were accessed, posing significant risk to the company’s infrastructure.
Technical Assets: Proprietary AI models, source code, and configurations were also exfiltrated.
Client and Third-party Data: Documents related to clients and external partners were leaked, potentially affecting a wide range of stakeholders.

The breach paints a stark picture of the vulnerabilities companies in the financial sector face, with immense risks not only to their own operations but also to their clients and partners.

Run Some Wares: The Ransomware Group Behind the Attack

Run Some Wares is a relatively new but rapidly emerging ransomware group that has made waves since its first public appearance in February 2024. Known for their ruthless double extortion tactics, they specialize in targeting sectors like finance and manufacturing. Their growing operational maturity has allowed them to execute sophisticated attacks across the globe, with Harvest SAS being just one of their victims.

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The Ripple Effect: Implications for the Industry

This attack on Harvest SAS underscores the increasing frequency and sophistication of ransomware attacks in 2025, particularly those utilizing double extortion tactics. For businesses, especially in the financial sector, it is a wake-up call about the importance of robust cybersecurity frameworks. Companies must take proactive steps such as enforcing universal multi-factor authentication (MFA), conducting regular credential audits, and investing in dark web monitoring to safeguard against the growing threat of data breaches.

The Harvest SAS attack highlights the vulnerability of not just individual companies, but the entire industry. With a growing number of attacks on fintech firms, the sector must reassess its cybersecurity policies and work closely with experts to fortify defenses.

What Undercode Say:

This attack is a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of cybercrime, especially in the high-stakes world of fintech. As ransomware groups like Run Some Wares continue to refine their methods, the financial sector faces an increasingly difficult challenge in staying one step ahead. One key takeaway from the Harvest SAS breach is the critical importance of multi-layered cybersecurity defenses. While the company had robust security measures in place, the attack still managed to succeed, partly due to vulnerabilities in MFA enforcement and third-party systems.

The growing trend of double extortion tactics also adds complexity to the response strategies. Companies can no longer rely solely on ransomware recovery; they must also prepare for the possibility of data exposure and the subsequent reputational and financial damage.

Furthermore, the attack on Harvest SAS should spur companies to reconsider how they manage third-party risks. Many breaches occur through vulnerabilities in third-party systems or relationships, which underscores the need for comprehensive risk assessments and secure partnerships across the supply chain.

On a broader scale, the Harvest breach signals that ransomware groups are becoming more adept at bypassing traditional security measures and are targeting organizations that store high-value data. As ransomware attacks increase in volume and sophistication, companies, particularly those in the fintech space, must invest heavily in both proactive and reactive cybersecurity strategies.

The consequences of such breaches extend far beyond immediate operational disruption. The stolen data, especially proprietary code, legal documents, and client information, can have long-term repercussions. It’s essential for organizations to not only secure their digital assets but also to develop detailed incident response plans that include quick communication with clients and stakeholders, minimizing reputational damage.

Fact Checker Results:

The breach at Harvest SAS was confirmed by multiple reliable sources and publicly attributed to Run Some Wares, a growing cybercriminal group known for its double extortion tactics.
Exposed data includes a wide range of sensitive business and client information, making this one of the most significant ransomware attacks of the year.
As ransomware tactics evolve, it is evident that businesses must adapt their security infrastructure to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated threats.