An in-depth analysis of the WannaCry ransomware attack, one of the most devastating cyberattacks in modern history that affected over 230,000 computers across 150 countries in May 2017.
Attack Overview
The WannaCry ransomware attack exploited the EternalBlue vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, primarily targeting unpatched legacy systems. It crippled hospitals, corporations, and governments worldwide, demanding ransom payments in Bitcoin. The attack was eventually slowed by a "kill switch" discovered by researcher Marcus Hutchins.
Attack Timeline
· May 12, 2017 - First reported infection
· May 15, 2017 - Ransomware spread to NHS in UK
· May 16, 2017 - Marcus Hutchins disables ransomware via kill switch
Impact Statistics
· 230,000+ infected computers
· $4 Billion+ economic impact
· 150+ affected countries
Security Learnings
Immediate Windows updates became urgent security priority
Encrypted data recovery challenges highlighted backup importance
Attack Vector Analysis
Schematic of the ransomware's file encryption mechanism and propagation via SMB vulnerabilities
Post-Mortem and Lessons Learned
Security Gaps Exposed
Legacy systems remained unpatched despite MS17-010 patch availability
Weak international coordination in malware response
Positive Outcomes
Increased global focus on software update prioritization
Accelerated adoption of cyberattack response frameworks
