PFSbrands Hit by Abyss Ransomware: 1.3TB Data Breach Detailed
Incident Date:
August 30, 2024
Overview
Title
PFSbrands Hit by Abyss Ransomware: 1.3TB Data Breach Detailed
Victim
PFSbrands
Attacker
Abyss
Location
First Reported
August 30, 2024
PFSbrands Targeted by Abyss Ransomware Group: A Detailed Analysis
PFSbrands, a prominent player in the foodservice industry, has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Abyss ransomware group. The attackers claim to have exfiltrated 1.3 terabytes of sensitive data from the company's systems, marking a significant breach in the cybersecurity defenses of this well-established firm.
About PFSbrands
Headquartered in Holts Summit, Missouri, PFSbrands specializes in providing high-quality food products and services primarily to convenience stores and supermarkets. Founded in 1998 by Shawn Burcham, the company has grown to supply over 30 million pounds of frozen and dry food products annually to more than 1,000 retail locations across the United States. PFSbrands is known for its popular brands such as Champs Chicken, Cooper's Express, and BluTaco, which cater to the growing demand for convenient meal solutions in retail settings.
The company employs approximately 125 to 200 individuals and operates under an employee ownership model implemented in January 2017. This structure fosters a culture of accountability and engagement among employees, aligning their interests with the company's success. PFSbrands has been recognized multiple times as a "Great Place to Work" and has been listed among the "Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in the USA" by INC. Magazine for eight consecutive years.
Attack Overview
The Abyss ransomware group, known for targeting VMware ESXi environments, has claimed responsibility for the attack on PFSbrands. The group operates a TOR-based website where they list victims and exfiltrated data if ransom demands are not met. The attack on PFSbrands reportedly resulted in the exfiltration of 1.3 terabytes of sensitive data, posing a significant threat to the company's operations and reputation.
About Abyss Ransomware Group
The Abyss ransomware group emerged in March 2023 and has quickly become a significant threat across various sectors, including finance, manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare. The group primarily targets the United States, with a focus on the medical, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Abyss Locker ransomware campaigns often begin with weak SSH configurations, exploiting these vulnerabilities through SSH brute force attacks to gain initial access to exposed servers.
The ransomware payloads for Linux systems are derived from the Babuk codebase and function similarly, with encrypted files marked by the ".crypt" extension. The group employs a multi-extortion strategy, threatening to release exfiltrated data on their TOR-based blog if ransom demands are not met.
Potential Vulnerabilities
PFSbrands' extensive distribution network and reliance on digital systems for managing supply chains and retail partnerships may have made it an attractive target for the Abyss ransomware group. The company's rapid growth and significant data handling requirements could have introduced vulnerabilities that threat actors exploited. The attack underscores the importance of comprehensive cybersecurity measures, particularly for companies operating in data-intensive industries.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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