Samsung Hit by Lapsus$ Ransomware

  • By David Lukic
  • Published: Mar 09, 2022
  • Last Updated: Mar 18, 2022

Samsung public relations representatives are admitting the company has been struck by Lapsus$ ransomware. The attack comes merely one week after NVIDIA was attacked by the same ransomware.  

What Information was Released After the Breach?

Samsung’s media statement notes that a security breach occurred, exposing internal data from the company. The attack on the tech giant resulted in the leaking of employee credentials to the public. However, Samsung representatives were also quick to point out customer data was not affected by the breach.

Is Lapsus$ Admitting It Launched the Attack?

Indeed, Lapsus$ is taking credit for the hack. Lapsus$ used its Telegram channel to announce the breach of the tech powerhouse. Lapsus$ even went as far as including biometric authentication information along with source code from Samsung and one of its primary suppliers, Qualcomm, to the web. These details were gleaned from Security Affairs, a digital security specialist that recently published a screen capture of the Samsung Lapsus$ data leak.


Why is the Attack a Problem?

Aside from exposing employee credentials to the web, the Lapsus$ ransomware attack is problematic as it might leak Samsung keys. If those keys are leaked, the TrustZone environment for Samsung devices will be compromised. This environment is important as it contains highly sensitive information, including passwords, biometrics, and additional details. The environment provides functional utility as it generates a robust digital security defense against Android malware attacks.  

If the leaked information permits malware to tap into the TrustZone environment, the entirety of the information stored in that space might be susceptible to theft and use for illegal purposes. The question is whether Samsung still has control over its signing keys. If the company no longer controls those keys, it won’t be possible to update phones to thwart digital attacks on the environment. Hackers’ use of the keys would make the attack even more impactful than that levied on NVIDIA, as Samsung has many more customers and devices with highly sensitive data.

What can Organizations do to Prevent Similar Attacks?

Though ransomware attacks are on the rise, businesses are empowered to take important steps to safeguard their digital information. Aside from implementing patches, email protection, and endpoint protection, organizations should also incorporate a zero-trust approach. It will also help to train employees on digital security threats. Businesses are encouraged to implement robust authentication, including multi-factor authentication.

Is Samsung Still Vulnerable?

Indeed, Samsung is not out of the woods yet. Even if the company shores up the digital weakness that opened the door for the ransomware attack, it is still susceptible to compromise down the line. The Lapsus$ digital security breach ultimately makes Samsung that much more vulnerable to being compromised a second time as it publicizes the fact that the company’s digital defenses are lacking.  

The successful Lapsus$ attack on Samsung also has the potential to lead to additional problems across posterity as it creates a pathway into Samsung devices. Those pathways make Samsung phones and other devices that much more vulnerable. Samsung’s attention will likely shift to protecting customers’ sensitive data on their mobile devices.


 

About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

Hot Topic plays in the fashion, apparel, and shoe industry as a retailer of music-influenced apparel and accessories, such as jeans, tops, belts, dresses, pajamas, sunglasses, jewelry, and tees.

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice scams continue to pose a risk for users of this service. Scammers continuously attempt to lure users into divulging their verification PIN code.

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

Have you ever received a text from someone you do not know? Did you become alarmed by the message? Did the message contain information about you and the people you know?

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close