How to Prevent Supply Chain Attacks

What are supply chain attacks?

Supply chain attacks are cyberattacks that target the weak links in an organization's supply chain, rather than going after the organization itself.

Imagine a series of businesses that rely on each other, like a manufacturer, a software provider, and the end customer.

A supply chain attack would target the software provider, because it might be an easier entry point than attacking the manufacturer's security directly.

Once the attacker compromises the software provider, they can infect all the manufacturer's customers with malware through software updates, for example.

What are the types of supply chain attacks?

There are two main types of supply chain attacks:

Software supply chain attacks

Software supply chain attacks target vulnerabilities in the software development process to infiltrate and inject malicious code into legitimate software. This way, attackers can infect a vast number of users who trust and download the compromised software, often unknowingly. In these attacks, attackers don't directly target the end users, but rather software vendors that develop and distribute applications. Attackers can infiltrate the vendor's network at various stages of the software development lifecycle, such as during design, development, deployment, or updates. Once inside, they tamper with the software by injecting malicious code. This code can perform various actions depending on the attacker's goals, like stealing data, deploying ransomware, or creating backdoors for further attacks. Since the software is trusted and downloaded by many users, the compromised version infects a large number of systems, potentially causing significant damage.

Hardware supply chain attacks

Hardware supply chain attacks differ from software attacks by targeting the physical components themselves, rather than software vulnerabilities. In this scenario, attackers tamper with hardware during the manufacturing or distribution process to embed malicious functionality. These attacks target the physical hardware components used in electronic devices, such as servers, routers, or even personal computers. Attackers can manipulate hardware in various ways, including inserting malicious chips, modifying existing circuitry, or installing hidden firmware. These modifications can be very subtle and difficult to detect. The malicious hardware can then be used for various purposes, such as eavesdropping on network traffic, stealing data, or even gaining remote control of the compromised system.

How common are supply chain attacks?

Supply chain attacks are on the rise because they can be very effective. Organizations tend to have strong security measures in place, but their vendors might not. By attacking a vendor, attackers can gain access to many organizations at once.

According to a recent report by BlueVoyant a 26% increase in supply chain breaches impacting organizations in 2023. Studies suggest that in the US, a large portion of businesses are affected, roughly 61% of businesses encountered some form of supply chain threat in 2023. Experts anticipate a continued increase. Predictions suggest that by 2025, nearly half of organizations worldwide might experience a software supply chain attack.

How supply chain attacks work?

Supply chain attacks exploit the trust relationships between different organizations.

Imagine a supply chain for delivering packages. A thief could target the delivery trucks themselves (hardware attack), or they could tamper with packages at a sorting facility (software attack). In both cases, the attack targets a weaker point in the chain to reach the final destination (the target organization). Supply chain attacks target vulnerabilities in an organization's network, but with a twist: instead of attacking the main target directly, they exploit weaknesses in the target's suppliers or vendors.

Third-party software attacks

Attackers compromise legitimate software from a vendor by injecting malicious code during development, updates, or distribution. When users install the software, the malicious code is unknowingly executed on their systems.

Open-source attacks

Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in open-source code libraries or frameworks. They might tamper with popular code packages or create malicious versions to infiltrate systems that rely on them.

Magecart attacks

These attacks target e-commerce platforms and inject malicious JavaScript code into checkout pages. This code skims credit card information from unsuspecting customers during transactions.

Counterfeit parts attacks

Malicious actors create fake hardware components that appear legitimate but contain hidden functionality. These components can be used for eavesdropping, data manipulation, or even remote control.

Physical tampering

Attackers tamper with hardware during manufacturing or distribution. This could involve inserting malicious chips, modifying existing circuitry, or installing hidden firmware on devices. Other Types of Supply Chain Attacks:

Watering hole attacks

Attackers compromise websites frequented by a target organization's employees. When employees visit these sites, malware is downloaded onto their devices, potentially granting access to the organization's network.

Island hopping attacks

Attackers gain access to a low-security network within the supply chain and use it as a stepping stone to reach the target organization's more secure network. These are just some of the examples of what supply chain attacks usually target.

By understanding these different methods, organizations can be more vigilant and implement security measures to mitigate these risks.

How to prevent supply chain attacks?

Supply chain attacks can be tricky to defend against, but there are several steps organizations can take to mitigate the risk. Here are some key strategies:

Vendor Risk Management:

Thorough Vetting: Carefully assess the security posture of potential vendors before establishing partnerships. Look for vendors with strong security practices and a commitment to supply chain security. Security Contracts: Include clauses in contracts that hold vendors accountable for maintaining good security hygiene and notifying you of any security breaches. Regular Audits: Conduct periodic security audits of your vendors to ensure they are adhering to agreed-upon security controls.

Software Security Practices:

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM): Maintain a detailed SBOM that lists all the components used in your software. This helps identify vulnerabilities within your software and its dependencies. Code Signing and Verification: Implement code signing and verification processes to ensure the integrity of software during development, updates, and distribution. Patch Management: Have a rigorous patch management system in place to promptly address vulnerabilities in your software and third-party components.

Security Awareness and Training:

Employee Training: Educate employees about supply chain attacks and how to identify phishing attempts or suspicious software downloads. Least Privilege Access: Implement the principle of least privilege, granting users only the minimum access level required for their job functions. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all user accounts to add an extra layer of security during login attempts.

Security Tools and Technologies:

Continuous Monitoring: Utilize security tools that continuously monitor your network for suspicious activity and potential threats within your software supply chain. Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan your systems and software for vulnerabilities to identify and patch them before attackers can exploit them. Zero Trust Architecture: Consider implementing a Zero Trust architecture that assumes no user or device is inherently trustworthy and requires continuous verification.

Additionally:

Diversification: Try to diversify your vendor base to avoid relying on a single supplier for critical components or services.

Information Sharing: Collaborate with industry partners and security organizations to share threat intelligence and stay informed about the latest attack techniques.

By implementing a multi-layered approach that combines vendor risk management, strong software security practices, user awareness training, and security tools, organizations can significantly reduce their susceptibility to supply chain attacks.

Supply chain security is an ongoing process, and it's essential to continuously adapt your defenses as new threats emerge.

The Future of Supply Chain Attacks

As technology evolves, so too will the tactics of cybercriminals. The future may see AI-powered attacks that exploit vulnerabilities more efficiently or social engineering tactics targeting supply chain personnel.

Read also: Types of Computer Security Threats

Conclusion

Supply chain attacks pose a significant threat to businesses of all sizes. By understanding the different types of attacks, their motivations, and implementing robust security measures, organizations can significantly reduce their risk and protect their valuable data. Remember, cybersecurity is a continuous process, and vigilance is key in our increasingly interconnected world.