Cyber Security Threat Summary:
Trucking and fleet management solutions provider ORBCOMM has confirmed that a ransomware attack is behind recent service outages preventing trucking companies from managing their fleets. ORBCOMM is a solutions provider for freight companies to manage fleets and track transported assets. The company also provides Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) that truckers use to log their hours to adhere to federal safety regulations. Since September 6th, ORBCOMM customers have reported that they cannot track their transported inventory or use Blue Tree ELD devices, forcing truckers to switch to paper logs. As truckers can only use paper logs for eight days out of every 30, truckers were concerned that they would be unable to drive their trucks unless they received a waiver. Customers have told BleepingComputer that ORBCOMM has not shared what was causing the outage and only recently said that they hope to restore services by September 29th. After contacting the company, ORBCOMM confirmed they suffered a ransomware attack on September 6th that impacted the company's FleetManager solution and Blue Tree product line” (Bleeping Computer, 2023).

Security Officer Comments:
In an update today, the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a waiver that would allow truckers to continue using paper logs until ORBCOMM’s services are restored, no later than September 29. Currently, many companies including Kroger and Lowes Food rely on ORBCOMM for monitoring and tracking their shipments. Given the unavailability of ORBCOMM’s tracking services and the reliance on paper-based logs by truckers during this period, it is anticipated that there will be a noticeable delay in the receipt of tracking updates for clients.

Suggested Correction(s):
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.

Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...tack-causes-trucking-fleet-management-outage/