Understanding the dynamics of cybersecurity requires a grasp of various underlying concepts, one of which includes the phenomenon of software supply chain attacks. These attacks pose a vast threat to organizations, with attackers exploiting vulnerabilities in supply chains to introduce malicious software. This blog post explores some real-world instances to illuminate the complexity and seriousness of software supply chain attacks examples.

What are Software Supply Chain Attacks?

Before we delve into the software supply chain attacks examples, it is crucial to establish precisely what constitutes a software supply chain attack. In a nutshell, this type of cyber attack targets software developers or suppliers, intending to access sensitive information or disrupt operations. By exploiting weak points in a software supply chain or third-party services, attackers compromise legitimate software or hardware, contaminating it with malware or malicious code.

Notoriety and Consequences of Software Supply Chain Attacks

Over the years, there have been numerous high-profile cases of software supply chain attacks, causing catastrophic fallout for businesses globally. Cybersecurity firm Risk Based Security found that 2020 had the highest number of reported vulnerabilities in history, partly due to an increase in software supply chain attacks.

Notable Software Supply Chain Attacks Examples

SolarWinds Orion Breach

The most notable recent example of a software supply chain attack is the SolarWinds breach. Occurring in late 2020, malicious actors managed to infiltrate the build system for SolarWinds' Orion software. They injected malicious code into the software updates, leading it to be distributed to thousands of customer systems. This breach resulted in several U.S. government agencies and Fortune 500 companies being compromised, marking this attack as one of the most major cybersecurity incidents in history.

CCleaner Attack

In 2017, CCleaner, a popular software used for cleaning unwanted files from a computer, fell victim to a software supply chain attack. Hackers breached the company's systems, introducing malicious code into the CCleaner software. It resulted in over 2 million devices downloading the malware-infected update, potentially exposing their sensitive data to cybercriminals. The landscape of cybersecurity was irrevocably altered after this attack, emphasizing the importance of regularly updating and patching software applications.

ShadowHammer

The ShadowHammer supply chain attack exemplifies another avenue that attackers may exploit. Perpetrators infiltrated the ASUS Live Update tool in 2018 and injected a backdoor into it. The compromised utility was then used by ASUS to distribute updates to its devices, leading to thousands of computers unknowingly downloading and installing the corrupted software. Ironically, this malware infection demonstrated that even components designed to enhance cybersecurity can become a conduit for cyber threats.

NotPetya Attacks

An earlier but still relevant instance is the NotPetya attack from June 2017. Initially appearing as a ransomware strain, NotPetya was later classified as a cyberweapon. This malware primarily spread via the compromised M.E.Doc accounting software popular in Ukraine. NotPetya caused widespread damage globally, affecting major corporations and causing over $10 billion in damages.

Learning from Past Attacks for Better Defense

These incidents attune us to the fact that cyber threats are evolving continuously, with attackers exploiting new avenues for scheduling their attacks. Supply chain attacks are especially threatening because they exploit trusted relationships and introduced undetected vulnerabilities. These aforementioned cases underscore the importance of robust, enterprise-wide, and continuous monitoring of cybersecurity apparatus for organizations of every size.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, software supply chain attacks represent a significant shift to our understanding of cybersecurity threats. From the SolarWinds breach to the CCleaner attack, these software supply chain attacks examples spotlight the magnitude of potential disruption and damage. They necessitate robust, active measures such as threat hunting, privileged access management, and identity and access management to help mitigate such risks.