The CL0P ransomware group recently announced that they have attacked Procter & Gamble (P&G), a renowned multinational corporation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, the claim over the P&G cyber attack is yet to be confirmed, as there are no samples added along with the thread.
Clop ransomware, which operates under the Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, was first observed in 2019. It quickly gained notoriety in the market for its highly sophisticated techniques and focus on larger organizations with a revenue of $5 million US dollars (USD) or more.
P&G cyber attack
Putting the company to the victim list is a significant development, as P&G is one of the largest consumer goods corporations in the world, with a diverse range of products and a vast customer base. About two dozen of P&G’s brands are billion-dollar sellers, including Always, Braun, Crest, Fusion, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Mach3, Olay, Oral-B, and Pantene.
The attack’s potential impact on the company’s operations and reputation could be substantial, and the company’s response to the attack will be closely watched.
P&G cyber attack and rise of CL0P ransomware group
The CL0P ransomware group is known for its attacks on various organizations and institutions, including universities, government agencies, and private companies.
They use sophisticated techniques to gain access to their targets’ systems and encrypt their files, demanding a ransom in exchange for the decryption key.
However, the authenticity of P&G cyber attack claim is yet to be verified, as no samples are added along with the thread.
The Cyber Express team has reached out to P&G to confirm the security incident and validate whether the claims by the threat actor are true. However, we are yet to receive a response from them.
According to recent reports, Hitachi Energy, Japanese technology giant Hitachi subsidiary, also fell victim to a Clop ransomware attack, resulting in a data breach. Hitachi Energy confirmed the incident via a vulnerability (CVE-2023-0669) in Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT (Managed File Transfer).
In recent past, the CL0P ransomware group has attacked multiple organizations and runs free in the wild. Moreover, the notorious Cl0p ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for multiple new attacks.
Among the victims are Shell Global, a major player in the energy industry, Bombardier Aviation, a high-end jet manufacturer, and several well-known universities in the US, including Stanford, Colorado, and Miami.
However, the full extent of the damage caused is not yet clear, and it remains to be seen if any data was stolen or compromised. What is clear is that these attacks serve as a reminder of the need for companies and institutions to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to secure their networks against these types of threats.