The LockBit Ransomware Gang's Attack on SpaceX

The LockBit ransomware gang is claiming to have exfiltrated data from SpaceX by infiltrating a third-party supplier. The group implies the attack originated at a third party called Maximum Industries that contracts with SpaceX for waterjet and laser cutting services.

“LockBit claims it looted ‘3,000 drawings’ certified by SpaceX engineers. As proof, the gang’s website on the Dark Web has published a few of the stolen documents, including a drawing of what appears to be a Raptor V2 engine from the Elon Musk-led company,” reported PC Magazine.

LockBit posted SpaceX to the group’s leaks website with the threat to expose the sensitive data of a ransom demand is not met.

Takeaway:

LockBit is one of the most prolific and dangerous ransomware groups operating today. It's infuriating that LockBit and other ransomware operators revel in the chaos and pain they cause, given that pain increases pressure on victims to pay the ransom demands. Victims' pain is the attackers' gain. And that pain will remain until we can eliminate the financial incentive for ransomware attacks.

Furthermore, LockBit raises concerns because it's a threat to both Windows and Linux systems. In fact, it's surprising there isn't more attention on the multiple ransomware operators who have expanded their capabilities to include Linux distributions. Groups like LockBit, IceFire, Black Basta and Cl0p all have Linux targeting capabilities. Thus, we could expect attacks in the near future to cause widespread disruptions across several key sectors. Most people are unaware that Linux runs about 80% of web servers, most every smartphone, supercomputers, and embedded and IoT devices used in manufacturing and energy.

Linux is favored for large network applications like data centers and drives most of the U.S. government and military networks, our financial systems, and the backbone of the internet. Despite this, we barely see mention of Linux advancements in the media. It's frustrating because anyone running critical Linux distributions should start preparing to defend these systems that, until recently, had rarely been attacked - let alone attacked with ransomware. Linux systems have very few security solution options available to adequately defend them, and virtually none that focus on stopping ransomware specifically. This issue has been overlooked and had the potential to cause a serious crisis - one ensures would make the Colonial Pipeline attack look like a blip - the consequences could be catastrophic.

Additionally, if you examine the variance in LockBit's targeting - with victims today including SpaceX and the L.A. Housing Authority - it's likely that LockBit has automated the early stages of their attacks by scanning for the kinds of vulnerabilities CISA just announced they will be alerting critical infrastructure providers about. The LockBit payload has advanced security tool evasion capabilities and dangerously fast encryption speeds. They continue to improve their attack platform by introducing new capabilities in new version releases, including more advanced anti-analysis features. These factors will all come together soon to potentially create the perfect ransomware storm, where multiple critical infrastructure providers are disrupted simultaneously.

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