Cyber Security Threat Summary:
The ransomware group known as ALPHV or BlackCat has shared screenshots of internal emails and video conferences taken from Western Digital's systems. This suggests that the hackers maintained access to the company's networks even as Western Digital worked to address the cyber attack. The leak occurred after the group had issued a warning to Western Digital on April 17, stating they would escalate their actions until the company paid a ransom or could no longer withstand the consequences.

“On March 26th, Western Digital suffered a cyberattack where threat actors breached its internal network and stole company data. However, no ransomware was deployed and files were not encrypted. In response, the company shut down its cloud services for two weeks, including My Cloud, My Cloud Home, My Cloud Home Duo, My Cloud OS 5, SanDisk ibi, and SanDisk Ixpand Wireless Charger, together with linked mobile, desktop, and web apps. TechCrunch first reported that an "unnamed" hacking group breached Western Digital, claiming to have stolen ten terabytes of data. The threat actor reportedly shared with TechCrunch samples of the stolen data, which included files signed with Western Digital's stolen code-signing keys, unlisted corporate phone numbers, and screenshots of other internal data. The hackers also claimed to have stolen data from the company's SAP Backoffice implementation. While the intruder claimed not to be affiliated with the ALPHV ransomware operation, a message soon appeared on the gang's data leak site, warning that Western Digital's data would be leaked if they did not negotiate a ransom” (Bleeping Computer, 2023).

Security Officer Comments:
The ransomware group released 29 screenshots of emails, documents, and video conferences related to Western Digital's response to the recent cyberattack. Security researcher Dominic Alvieri believes the hackers released the information in an attempt to embarrass and taunt the company. The images suggest that the group may have maintained access to Western Digital's systems even after the attack was detected. The screenshots include a media holding statement, an email about employees leaking information to the press, and a message from the hackers claiming to possess customers' personal information and a backup of Western Digital's SAP Backoffice implementation. Western Digital has not confirmed the authenticity of the data or commented on the situation. The company is not currently negotiating a ransom to prevent the leak of stolen data, prompting further threats from the attackers.

Suggested Corrections:
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.

Update and patch systems promptly:
This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk- based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.

Test your incident response plan:
There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?

Check Your Security Team's Work:
Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.

Segment your networks:
There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.

Train employees:
Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi Factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com