Unscrupulous vendors peddling online access to unwitting Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have become a lucrative target for cyber threat actors, according to recent research from Huntress. Initial access brokers are selling access to these providers for potential ransomware attacks.
The FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Five Eyes intelligence services have previously warned about MSPs being targeted by advanced persistent threat actors. This is due to the fact that MSPs can provide access to additional downstream customers, making a successful attack potentially devastating.
MSPs may not have the resources or expertise to operate a 24/7 security operations team on their own, making them potentially vulnerable to cyber attacks. Gaining access to a single MSP may provide a threat actor with access to systems and data belonging to dozens of organizations at the same time.
Researchers have disclosed solicitations for access to MSPs in online criminal hacker forums. These solicitations provide detailed information on access methods, administrative privileges, and whether the targeted organization has ransomware insurance.
To mitigate these risks, organizations should take several measures. Firstly, networks should be monitored for suspicious activity. An accurate inventory of physical systems, running services, and user accounts should be maintained. Offline backups are also essential to ensure data recovery in the event of an attack.
Basic hygiene measures, including the implementation of multi-factor authentication, least privileged access, security updates, and patches, should be taken. Organizations should also limit their online visibility and take inventory of specific systems.
Notably, the management service provider Sophos has been specifically targeted by Initial Access Brokers in recent months. Sophos has reported ongoing, highly targeted attacks involving remote access trojans and sophisticated rootkits since 2018. These attacks have evolved into stealthy and narrowly focused campaigns against selected organizations as of 2024.
In light of these threats, it is crucial for MSPs and the organizations they serve to take proactive measures to protect their systems and data. By implementing robust security measures and staying vigilant, they can help reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack.
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