Key Takeaways

  • The Concept: Instead of hacking the victim directly (which is hard), attackers hack the software vendor that the victim uses (which might be easier).
  • SolarWinds (Sunburst): Russian hackers compromised the "SolarWinds Orion" update server. 18,000 customers (Microsoft, NASA, Pentagon) downloaded the legitimate update, which contained a hidden backdoor.
  • Hard to Defend: You trust your software updates. You are TOLD to update for security. When the update IS the virus, the game changes.

In 2020, the cybersecurity world changed. No one is safe if the tools they use to secure themselves are compromised.

How it works

1. Infiltration: Attackers breach the software company's build environment.
2. Injection: They inject malicious code into the source code just before it is compiled and signed.
3. Distribution: The company digitally signs the software (making it look trusted) and pushes it to millions of users.
4. Activation: The malware sits dormant for 14 days (to avoid detection) before calling home.

SBOM (Software Bill of Materials)

The new defense. It's like an "Ingredients List" for software. It forces vendors to list every open-source library (`log4j`, `openssl`) inside their app, so if one is hacked, you know immediately.

Open Source Supply Chain

It's not just big companies. Attackers target NPM (Node.js) and PyPI (Python) packages. They create packages with names like `reqests` (typo of `requests`) hoping a developer makes a typo and installs the malware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I stop this?
You can't stop the initial infection easily. You rely on "Egress Filtering" (blocking servers from talking to unknown IPs) to stop the command-and-control signal.
Was SolarWinds destroyed?
No. Their stock dropped, but they are still in business. The switching cost for enterprise software is too high.

War in the digital age.
Read Cyber Warfare