Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC Targeted by Ransomware

Incident Date:

April 8, 2024

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Overview

Title

Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC Targeted by Ransomware

Victim

Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC

Attacker

8base

Location

New Bern, USA

North Carolina, USA

First Reported

April 8, 2024

Ransomware Attack on Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC

Attack by 8Base Ransomware Group

In a recent cyberattack, the 8Base ransomware group targeted the website of Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC, encrypting files and stealing sensitive data. This criminal organization is known for using ransomware strains like Phobos with customized extensions, specifically ".8base". The stolen data from the law firm includes sensitive information such as invoices, receipts, accounting records, personal data, certificates, employment contracts, and confidential files.

Victim Profile

Located in New Bern, North Carolina, Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC, provides legal services to individuals and businesses in the eastern North Carolina region. The firm boasts a team of experienced attorneys, including Rudy Ashton, and specializes in areas such as business law, litigation, real estate law, employment law, and estate planning. With a staff of 12, the firm is dedicated to delivering quality legal services and meeting the objectives of its clients.

8Base Ransomware Group

Since April 2022, the 8Base ransomware group has been actively targeting small and medium-sized businesses across various sectors, including business services, finance, manufacturing, and information technology. Employing double-extortion tactics, the group encrypts files and steals data, leveraging ransomware strains like Phobos customized with a ".8base" extension. Their infiltration methods range from phishing emails to exploit kits and drive-by downloads, contributing to their status as a top-performing ransomware group.

Attack by 8Base Ransomware Group

The recent cyberattack on Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC, orchestrated by the 8Base ransomware group, underscores the organization's modus operandi of encrypting files and exfiltrating sensitive data. This group is notorious for deploying ransomware strains like Phobos, tailored with a ".8base" extension, to coerce victims into paying ransom. The compromised data encompasses a wide array of critical information, including invoices, receipts, accounting records, personal data, certificates, employment contracts, and confidential files.

Victim Vulnerabilities

Given its role as a law firm entrusted with safeguarding confidential client information, Dunn Pittman, Skinner & Cushman, PLLC, stands as an attractive target for ransomware attacks. The firm's steadfast commitment to client service and business objectives, while commendable, may inadvertently expose vulnerabilities in its cybersecurity defenses. Threat actors like 8Base exploit such weaknesses for monetary gain and to inflict reputational harm on the targeted organization.

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.