Top Highlights
- Cybercriminals are exploiting digital tools like Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software to hijack cargo shipments by gaining fraudulent access to trucking and freight companies’ systems, leading to multi-million-dollar thefts and supply chain disruptions.
- Organized crime groups use sophisticated attack chains, including fraudulent load postings, email hijacking, and malicious links, leveraging trusted communications to install RMM tools that give hackers full control over targeted systems.
- RMM tools such as ScreenConnect, SimpleHelp, and N-able are frequently used as first-stage payloads, allowing threat actors to bypass traditional detection methods and conceal malicious activities under legitimate-looking software.
- To mitigate these threats, organizations should restrict unverified RMM installations, enhance network detection capabilities, avoid clicking on suspicious email links, and strengthen cybersecurity training—although the threat landscape continues to grow and evolve.
The Issue
Recent research from Proofpoint uncovers a worrying trend: cybercriminals are systematically exploiting trucking and freight companies through sophisticated attack chains to steal cargo shipments, turning cargo theft into a lucrative multi-million-dollar enterprise. These hackers infiltrate logistics companies by delivering remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools—software often used legitimately in industrial settings—via phishing campaigns and compromised load boards or emails. Once inside, they conduct reconnaissance, harvest credentials, and manipulate shipment bids, ultimately hijacking cargo that is then resold online or shipped overseas. This cyber-enabled theft is driven by organized crime groups with deep industry knowledge, using a variety of tactics such as fake load postings, email hijacking, and malicious links, which allow them to evade detection while maintaining control over targeted systems. The activity, active since at least January 2025, poses serious threats to supply chain stability, operational resilience, and economic security, prompting cybersecurity experts to urge logistics organizations to tighten defenses, restrict unauthorized software, and enhance employee awareness to counter this growing menace.
Security Implications
The escalating threat of cyber-enabled cargo theft, driven by hackers exploiting remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools within the trucking and logistics sector, is a danger that any business dependent on supply chain operations could face, potentially leading to severe financial losses, disruption of deliveries, compromised sensitive data, and diminished customer trust. When malicious actors hijack RMM systems—used for remote management of vehicles, inventory, or logistical software—they can orchestrate stolen cargo, sabotage shipments, or breach operational systems without immediate detection. This vulnerability not only threatens the physical assets and bottom line of logistics firms but also puts any associated company in jeopardy of inventory shortages, delayed deliveries, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage—all of which can have long-lasting, material impacts on your business’s stability and growth.
Fix & Mitigation
In today’s interconnected world, swift action in response to cyber threats is crucial to prevent significant financial loss and operational disruption. When Proofpoint detects a surge in cyber-enabled cargo theft, especially as hackers target Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools within the trucking and logistics sector, timely remediation can be the difference between containment and catastrophe. Rapid mitigation helps protect valuable assets, maintains supply chain integrity, and preserves organizational reputation.
Containment Measures
- Isolate affected systems to prevent malware spread
- Disable compromised RMM tools immediately
Detection and Analysis
- Conduct thorough forensic investigations to identify breach scope
- Monitor network traffic for unusual or unauthorized activity
Patch and Update
- Apply security patches to vulnerable RMM software
- Update systems to latest firmware and security protocols
Credential Management
- Reset all credentials associated with affected RMM accounts
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote access
Communication and Coordination
- Notify stakeholders and law enforcement agencies
- Collaborate with cybersecurity experts for specialized support
Recovery Procedures
- Restore systems from secure backups
- Verify system integrity before bringing systems back online
Prevention Strategies
- Conduct regular security awareness training for staff
- Implement comprehensive cybersecurity policies specific to logistics operations
- Audit and monitor RMM tool activity consistently to detect anomalies early
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Disclaimer: The information provided may not always be accurate or up to date. Please do your own research, as the cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly. Intended for secondary references purposes only.
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