Authors: Stephanie Kille, Customer Success Manager and Austin Foster, Customer Success Manager
Working in cybersecurity we have all seen our fair share of cyber incidents, but this recent attack where an unknown malware took down 600,000 routers from just a single ISP (Internet Service Provider) in a short 72-hour span stands out. This incident emphasizes the urgent need for robust security measures to protect our digital infrastructure.
The Attack: What Happened and What We Know?
The specifics of the malware remain unclear, but the impact was immediate and devastating. A security firm Lumen Technologies’ Black Lotus Labs released a report that suggested that an unknown threat actor used malware to brick more than 600,000 routers belonging to an unnamed ISP. While researchers aren’t naming the ISP, the attack and report match a message from Windstream Subscribers in October where users flooded message boards reporting that their routers suddenly stopped working and remained unresponsive despite reboots and other attempts to revive them.
This malware, identified as Chalubo, permanently overwrote the routers firmware which disconnected approximately 179,000 ActionTec routers and more than 480,000 routers sold by Sagemcom. The threat actor’s motivations remain unknown, but the researchers believe that the initial infection was deliberate.
How We Could Have Helped: Leveraging Plixer
In such a crisis, implementing advanced network security tools and practices in places could have made a significant difference in both prevention and response strategies. Here’s how tools from Plixer could have been both precented and responded to the attack:
- Combining proactive measures such as; continuous monitoring, regular security assessments, and real-time threat intelligence
- Robust reactive capabilities like rapid incident response, thorough forensic analysis, and automated remediation can significantly enhance our defenses.
Other Malware Attacks on Routers
- Mirai Botnet Attacks (2016)
- DNSChanger Malware (2016)
- CoinHive Crypto-Mining Malware (2018)
Moving Forward
This malware attack serves as a clear reminder of the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for an in-depth proactive approach to cybersecurity. As cybersecurity professionals, it is imperative to apply proactive measures and leverage advanced security solutions like those provided by Plixer to stay ahead of potential threats.
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, using comprehensive solutions like those from The Plixer One Platform ensures that we are prepared to effectively defend against and quickly recover from even the most complex cyber-attacks. Join us in safeguarding our digital future. By sharing this knowledge and empowering others, Plixer can create a more secure digital landscape for everyone. Get started today and protect what matters most.