Basement Systems, Inc. Hit by Cicada3301 Ransomware Attack

Incident Date:

June 20, 2024

World map

Overview

Title

Basement Systems, Inc. Hit by Cicada3301 Ransomware Attack

Victim

Basement Systems, Inc.

Attacker

Cicada 3301

Location

Seymour, USA

Connecticut, USA

First Reported

June 20, 2024

Ransomware Attack on Basement Systems, Inc. by Cicada3301

Company Profile: Basement Systems, Inc.

Basement Systems, Inc., established in 1987 and headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut, specializes in basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair services. With an annual revenue of $125 million and a workforce of 151 employees, the company stands out in the construction sector through its innovative solutions and a wide network of authorized dealers across the United States and Canada. Their proprietary products like WaterGuard® and the TripleSafe™ sump pump system have set industry benchmarks for effectiveness and reliability in waterproofing and moisture control.

Details of the Ransomware Attack

On June 18, 2024, Basement Systems, Inc. fell victim to a ransomware attack by the newly emerged group, Cicada3301. The attackers successfully exfiltrated 739 GB of sensitive data, significantly impacting the company's operations and data security. This breach underscores the vulnerabilities even well-established companies face in the digital age, particularly those with extensive digital and operational data crucial for daily operations.

Profile of Cicada3301 Ransomware Group

Cicada3301 has recently surfaced in the cybercrime arena, targeting various organizations with sophisticated ransomware attacks. The group is known for its ability to infiltrate complex network systems and exfiltrate large volumes of data, posing a serious threat to data security across sectors. Their method of operation often involves exploiting network vulnerabilities or phishing to gain unauthorized access to their targets' systems.

Cicada 3301

To clarify, the name “Cicada 3301” was originally associated with an online puzzle that gained notoriety between 2012-2014. However, the name has since been appropriated by a separate and unrelated ransomware group, which has been the focus of recent reports, including ours.

Halcyon fully respects the legacy of the original “Cicada 3301” organization and recognizes their distinction from the activities of the ransomware group using the same name. Our reporting on the ransomware group is consistent with fair use, aiming to inform the public about cybersecurity threats.  For those interested in the original “Cicada 3301” and their official stance on this matter, we encourage you to visit their statement here.

We appreciate your understanding as we strive to maintain clarity and accuracy in our reporting.

Potential Vulnerabilities and Entry Points

For a company like Basement Systems, Inc., the extensive network of dealers and the reliance on digital platforms for operations management could have been the chink in their armor. Cicada3301 likely capitalized on network vulnerabilities or insufficient cybersecurity practices, such as inadequate endpoint security or phishing susceptibility among employees, to orchestrate this breach.

Sources:

Recent Ransomware Attacks

The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.

The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.