Dish Network Ransomware Attack: Black Basta Breach Exposes 300,000 Employee Records

Executive Summary

In February 2023, Dish Network, a prominent U.S. satellite television provider, fell victim to a significant ransomware attack orchestrated by the Black Basta group. This attack compromised the personal information of nearly 300,000 individuals, primarily affecting employee-related records. The incident led to widespread service outages, impacting Dish's internal communications, customer call centers, and websites. The attack underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for organizations to be prepared for sophisticated ransomware threats.

Technical Information

The Dish Network ransomware attack began on February 23, 2023, and was attributed to the Black Basta ransomware gang, notorious for its double-extortion tactics. This method involves exfiltrating data and demanding a ransom to prevent its publication. The breach primarily impacted employee-related records, including sensitive personal information such as driver's license numbers. Fortunately, customer databases were reportedly not accessed during the attack.

The Black Basta group has been linked to other high-profile ransomware incidents, including an attack on British outsourcing giant Capita. Their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) align with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the areas of data exfiltration and ransom demands. The attack on Dish Network resulted in a multi-day service outage, preventing customers from accessing streams, services, or their accounts.

In response to the attack, Dish Network shut down its internal network, engaged cybersecurity experts, and notified law enforcement. While the company has not confirmed whether a ransom was paid, statements suggest that negotiations may have occurred, as Dish received confirmation that the extracted data was deleted. The incident has also led to legal repercussions, with Dish facing a class action lawsuit related to its handling of the breach and the initial communication about the incident.

Exploitation in the Wild

The Black Basta ransomware group has been associated with several high-profile ransomware incidents, including the attack on Dish Network. Their exploitation methods involve sophisticated techniques for data exfiltration and ransom demands. The group's activities have been observed in various sectors, although specific APT groups have not been directly linked to this particular attack.

APT Groups using this vulnerability

While specific APT groups have not been directly linked to the Dish Network attack, the Black Basta group has been associated with other high-profile ransomware incidents. Their activities have been observed in various sectors, including telecommunications and outsourcing.

Affected Product Versions

The Dish Network ransomware attack primarily affected internal systems and employee-related records. Specific product versions were not disclosed, but the breach impacted Dish's internal communications, customer call centers, and websites.

Workaround and Mitigation

To mitigate the risk of similar ransomware attacks, organizations are advised to enhance their cybersecurity posture by implementing robust incident response plans, conducting regular security audits, and ensuring employee awareness of phishing and social engineering tactics. Dish Network is conducting online monitoring and dark web scanning to ensure the extracted data is not misused. They are also offering two years of free credit monitoring services to those affected.

References

1. TechCrunch - Dish says ransomware gang stole almost 300,000 employee records (https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/22/dish-says-ransomware-gang-stole-almost-300000-employee-records/)
2. The Record - Nearly 300,000 people affected by data breach in DISH ransomware attack (https://therecord.media/people-affected-by-dish-data-breach)
3. SecurityWeek - Dish Ransomware Attack Impacted Nearly 300,000 People (https://www.securityweek.com/dish-ransomware-attack-impacted-nearly-300000-people/)

Rescana is here for you

At Rescana, we understand the complexities and challenges posed by modern cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform is designed to help organizations identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and implement effective mitigation strategies. We are committed to supporting our clients in navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape. For further inquiries or assistance, please contact our cybersecurity team at ops@rescana.com.