Riley Pope & Laney Hit by 380GB Data Leak in Cicada3301 Ransomware Attack
Incident Date:
August 14, 2024
Overview
Title
Riley Pope & Laney Hit by 380GB Data Leak in Cicada3301 Ransomware Attack
Victim
Riley Pope & Laney
Attacker
Cicada 3301
Location
First Reported
August 14, 2024
Riley Pope & Laney Ransomware Attack by Cicada3301
Riley Pope & Laney, a prominent law firm specializing in civil litigation and legal services, has become the latest victim of a ransomware attack orchestrated by the notorious threat actor group Cicada3301. The breach, discovered on August 15, resulted in a significant data leak amounting to 380GB.
About Riley Pope & Laney
Founded in 2001 by Ted Riley, Lowndes Pope, and Roy Laney, Riley Pope & Laney operates across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The firm employs between 11 to 50 individuals and offers a wide range of legal services, including government relations, default services, litigation, business transactions, real estate, and estate and probate law. The firm is recognized for its strategic advocacy and practical approach to resolving complex legal issues, particularly in business and financial interests.
Attack Overview
The ransomware attack targeted the firm's website, rplfirm.com, leading to the exfiltration of 380GB of sensitive data. Cicada3301, known for its data broker operations, claimed responsibility for the attack via their dark web leak site. The group focuses on stealing and selling sensitive data rather than encrypting it for ransom, marking a shift in ransomware tactics.
About Cicada3301
Cicada3301 emerged in June 2024 and has quickly gained notoriety for its unique approach to cybercrime. Unlike traditional ransomware groups, Cicada3301 operates as a data broker, stealing sensitive information and selling it on dark web marketplaces. This method causes long-term damage to victims, including identity theft, corporate espionage, and reputational harm.
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.
Penetration and Vulnerabilities
While specific details of how Cicada3301 penetrated Riley Pope & Laney's systems are not disclosed, common vulnerabilities in law firms include outdated software, weak passwords, and insufficient network security measures. Given the firm's extensive handling of sensitive client information, it is a prime target for data theft and exploitation by cybercriminals.
Impact on Riley Pope & Laney
The attack on Riley Pope & Laney underscores the growing threat of data broker operations in the ransomware landscape. The exposure of 380GB of sensitive data could lead to severe consequences for the firm, including loss of client trust, financial penalties, and long-term reputational damage. As the legal sector continues to be a lucrative target for cybercriminals, firms must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect against such sophisticated threats.
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.