CNNVD-202604-5641

Sorry Ransomware Exploits cPanel Vulnerability to Directly Lock Linux Servers in Multiple Chinese Incidents

China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center has issued a warning about the Sorry ransomware, which targets exposed Linux web servers through a cPanel authorization vulnerability. The Go-based malware gains root access without any phishing or user interaction, disguises itself as the legitimate sshd process, and follows a six-stage attack chain that includes data exfiltration before encryption. It terminates databases, security tools, and backup services, then uses AES and RSA to encrypt files with a .sorry extension while demanding ransom via an encrypted communication tool. The campaign specifically affects small and medium-sized enterprises running cPanel on mainstream Linux distributions, including domestic Xinchuang systems. Attackers also scan internal networks for weak SSH credentials to spread laterally. The center urges immediate patching of cPanel, exposure reduction, strong passwords, offline backups, and avoidance of fake decryptors.

China Warns of New 'Sorry' Ransomware Targeting Exposed Linux Web Servers via cPanel Vulnerability CVE-2026-41940

China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center has issued an official alert after multiple incidents of the newly discovered 'Sorry' ransomware family struck Linux Web servers inside the country. The Go-language malware specifically targets internet-exposed servers running vulnerable versions of WebPros cPanel and can also run on domestic Xinchuang operating systems. Attackers exploit authorization flaw CVE-2026-41940 (CNNVD-202604-5641) to gain access, deploy the ransomware disguised as sshd processes, kill backup and security services, exfiltrate data, and encrypt files with AES and RSA before scanning for weak SSH credentials to spread laterally. The advisory states that no reliable decryption method currently exists once files receive the .sorry extension. Organizations are urged to immediately audit cPanel versions, inspect processes, restrict management interfaces, eliminate weak passwords on ports 22/2222/22222, and verify offline backups.