Maritime Computer Emergency Response Team ADMIRAL dataset ADMIRAL dataset

Publicly disclosed information for this event

Index Number:
Title:
2022_087
The largest port administration of the country is hit by a ransomware attack.
Day Month Year Country Activity Incident Type
26 December 2022 Portugal Port Virus/Ransomware

Summary

The victim, a crucial hub of maritime activity in Portugal's capital and one of Europe's most accessed ports, experienced a cyberattack on Christmas Day. This port plays a strategic role, with over 3,500 vessel calls and managing more than 13.4 million tons of cargo annually.

According to sources, the port was victim of a ransomware attack that day. The Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of the attack seem to correspond with activities reputed of the LockBit ransomware group.

The attack did not affect the port's operations but led to the shutdown of its website and internal systems. The attacking group has threatened to release a vast array of the port’s confidential data unless their ransom demands are met, claiming to possess sensitive information such as financial reports, audits, contracts, and personal data.

Victim

Port of Lisboa

Claimed/Reported Threat Actor

Lockbit 3.0

Origin

Cybercrime

Main impact

Availability

References

  1. https://www.publico.pt/2022/12/26/sociedade/noticia/porto-lisboa-alvo-ataque-informatico-crime-nao-comprometeu-operacoes-2032713
  2. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lockbit-ransomware-claims-attack-on-port-of-lisbon-in-portugal/
  3. https://maritime-executive.com/article/cyberattack-threatens-release-of-port-of-lisbon-data

Recommendations to Port to reduce Virus/Ransomware risks:

  • Map, understand, patch and secure your exposed assets on the Internet.
  • Implement email filtering systems to detect and block phishing emails.
  • Train your organisation, personnel regularly against these threats.
  • Install efficient Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools.
  • Work with your CSIRT organization to better understand the Tactics, Techniques and Procedures used by threat actors.
  • Monitor your IT and OT systems to quickly detect potential pre-ransomware activity.
  • Implement an efficient offline backup policy.
  • Encrypt all sensitive data to avoid further data leaks.
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Disclaimer: the data are provided as is. France Cyber Maritime and the M-CERT take no responsibility for the soundness, quality, precision, nor the eventual attribution made by the referenced URLs. We give a lot of respect and support to the victims of attacks.
Files generated on Monday, 11th December 2023.
ADMIRAL is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC license. Copyright © France Cyber Maritime 2023.