Ransomware attacks have become a pervasive threat to organizations worldwide, with cyber criminals constantly evolving their tactics to gain unauthorized access and extort sensitive data. While most ransomware attacks traditionally target a single organization, a concerning trend has emerged in recent years – the use of supply chain breaches to gain access to multiple companies through a single point of compromise. This tactic has several advantages for ransomware actors, amplifying the attack’s impact and evading security measures in the targets’ networks.
The year 2023 has already witnessed notable examples of supply chain breaches resulting in large-scale security incidents that are still unfolding. In February, Clop ransomware announced that it exploited a zero-day vulnerability in the GoAnywhere secure MFT file transfer tool by Fortra, breaching 130 organizations and stealing sensitive data from their systems. This has led to extortion and threats of public exposure of confidential data from organizations such as CHS, Hatch Bank, Rubrik, and others. Notably, Clop had previously used a similar zero-day flaw in the Accellion FTA in December 2020 to breach 100 companies, including Shell and Kroger.
Another recent example involves 3CX, a popular vendor of VoIP services, whose customers fell victim to a supply chain attack at the end of March. A trojanized version of the vendor’s desktop VoIP client was used to deliver malware that attempted to steal account information from web browsers. 3CX serves over 12 million users in high-profile companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Mercedes-Benz, making this breach particularly concerning. While analysts suspect North Korean state-backed cyberspies, the attribution of the attack to any known threat groups remains unclear.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have also become prime targets for supply chain ransomware attacks. MSPs provide IT services to multiple clients, making them potential entrance points to numerous organizations. Previous examples of such attacks include the SolarWinds and Kaseya breaches, which had a widespread impact on companies and government agencies globally. Recent reports from cyber-intelligence firm KELA highlight a rising trend on the dark web, where initial access brokers increasingly target, compromise, and sell access to MSP networks. The prices for accessing MSP networks range from $1,000 to $15,000, significantly higher than the median price of $300 for accessing a single organization.
Organizations targeted in these attacks can take steps to minimize the risk of falling victim to supply chain breaches and ransomware attacks. This includes improving logging systems, enforcing multifactor authentication, following the least privilege user access principle, conducting risk assessments by independent experts, and having a robust incident response plan in place.
In light of these emerging threats, it’s crucial for organizations to work with experts in ransomware removal and data restoration. MonsterCloud, a trusted name in the field, possesses the expertise to handle wide-impact attacks and mitigate the effects of supply chain breaches. With a comprehensive approach that addresses both the compromised vendor and the impacted clients, MonsterCloud can assist in speedy system cleanup and restoration, minimizing the damage caused by ransomware attacks.
In conclusion, the role of supply chain breaches in ransomware attacks cannot be ignored. Cyber criminals are leveraging vulnerabilities in service or software providers to gain access to multiple organizations, amplifying the impact of their attacks and evading security measures. Organizations must take proactive measures to safeguard against these threats and work with trusted experts in the field to effectively respond to and mitigate the effects of ransomware attacks.