Ethical Hacking News
Qantas Discovers Cyberattack Amidst Scattered Spider Aviation Breaches: A Growing Concern for Airline Security
Qantas detected a cyberattack on Monday after threat actors gained access to a third-party platform containing customer data.A significant amount of data was stolen from 6 million customers, including names, email addresses, and frequent flyer numbers.No credit card or personal financial information was exposed, but frequent flyer account passwords were not impacted.The attack is linked to the "Scattered Spider" group, known for conducting social engineering and identity-based attacks against organizations worldwide.Organizations should prioritize cybersecurity and harden defenses against advanced threats like Scattered Spider by gaining complete visibility across their infrastructure and systems.
In a recent press release, Australian airline Qantas disclosed that it had detected a cyberattack on Monday after threat actors gained access to a third-party platform containing customer data. The breach is believed to have begun after a threat actor targeted a Qantas call centre and gained access to a third-party customer servicing platform.
Qantas states that the attack has been contained, but a "significant" amount of data is believed to have been stolen. The breach affected 6 million customers who had service records stored on the compromised platform, with the stolen data including some customers' names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers.
Fortunately, no credit card or personal financial information was exposed, and frequent flyer account passwords, PINs, and login details were not impacted. However, this incident highlights a growing concern for airline security in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The attack on Qantas comes as cybersecurity firms warn that hackers known as "Scattered Spider" have begun targeting the aviation and transportation industries. Scattered Spider is a group of threat actors known for their conducting social engineering and identity-based attacks against organizations worldwide, commonly using phishing, SIM swapping, MFA bombing, and help desk phone calls to gain access to employee credentials.
In recent months, Scattered Spider has escalated their attacks by breaching MGM Resorts and encrypting over 100 VMware ESXi hypervisors using BlackCat ransomware after gaining access by impersonating an employee. They've also partnered with other ransomware operations, such as RansomHub, Qilin, and DragonForce. Other organizations targeted by Scattered Spider include Twilio, Coinbase, DoorDash, Caesars, MailChimp, Riot Games, and Reddit.
After recently focusing on retail and insurance companies, cybersecurity firms warned on Friday that Scattered Spider had shifted its attention to aviation, with recent attacks on Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet believed to be linked to the threat actors. The threat actors have been employing a sector-by-sector approach to their attacks, and it is unclear if they are done with the aviation sector and what industry will be targeted next.
Organizations defending against this type of threat should start by gaining complete visibility across the entire infrastructure, identity systems, and critical management services. This includes securing self-service password reset platforms, help desks, and third-party identity vendors, which have become common targets of these threat actors.
Both Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) and Palo Alto Networks have released guides on hardening defenses against the known "Scattered Spider" tactics, which admins should familiarize themselves with. By understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by Scattered Spider, organizations can take proactive steps to protect their networks and systems from these types of attacks.
The Qantas breach serves as a reminder that even well-established companies like airlines are not immune to cyber threats. As the aviation industry continues to rely on complex networks and systems, it is essential for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and maintain robust defenses against advanced threats like Scattered Spider.
In conclusion, the Qantas cyberattack highlights the growing concern for airline security in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By understanding the tactics used by threat actors like Scattered Spider and taking proactive steps to harden defenses, organizations can reduce their risk of being targeted and minimize the impact of a successful attack.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Shadow-of-Scattered-Spider-Qantas-Discloses-Cyberattack-and-Highlights-Industry-Wide-Concerns-Over-Aviation-Security-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/qantas-discloses-cyberattack-amid-scattered-spider-aviation-breaches/
https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/qantas-says-6-million-aussies-caught-up-in-cyberattack-20250702-p5mbup
Published: Wed Jul 2 07:14:23 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
