Apple Repair Partner CSAT Solutions Ransomware Attack
CSAT Solutions, Apple's repair partner, was recently hit by a ransomware attack, causing product servicing delays and resulted in some devices to go missing. (Photo: Michael Geiger/Unsplash(BY CC 2.0))

CSAT Solutions, Apple's repair partner, was recently hit by a ransomware attack, causing product servicing delays and resulted in some devices to go missing.

The recent ransomware attack on CSAT Solutions, the repair partner of Apple, gave rise to questions about its overall security. The digital onslaught also caused huge delays of mailed-in products and in some instances, resulted in customer hardware going missing. At this time, it is uncertain whether the missing products are actually lost or were safely diverted somewhere else. What is clear, at this point is that the Apple depot repair vendor may not start or finish the repairs of the mailed-in products on time.

   

The attackers also took a dig at Symantec, a digital security specialist, and belittled the firm's capability in protecting companies through its security software. Those responsible for the recent ransomware attack on CSAT Solutions, the repair partner of Apple, took screenshots of Symantec's security software status on the CSAT site they breached. The attackers released the screenshots showing that the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager software is working and recently updated. The first screenshot appeared to indicate some licensing issue with protection disabled on some 42 end-points. The second screenshot, however, appears to indicate that protection was only disabled on one particular end-point.

Aside from pointing out the security software is up-to-date when they initiated the attack, and posting screenshots of the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager status, those responsible for the recent ransomware attack on CSAT Solutions, the repair partner of Apple, also posted screenshots of CSAT computer directories. Security experts say that the ransomware used by the attackers is NetWalker, one of the many hacking software that works only on Microsoft Windows.

Reports did not indicate whether attackers initiated the digital onslaught in both offices of CSAT Solutions in Salem, New Hampshire and Houston, Texas, or only in one of them. Online media outfits already sent requests for comment regarding the recent ransomware attack on CSAT Solutions, the repair partner of Apple, but company officials have not yet replied.

Apart from the recent ransomware attack on CSAT Solutions, the repair partner of Apple, industry observers say that there are several other instances of major ransomware attacks involving NetWalker this year. This includes the ransomware attack on the Indiana-based KYB Corporation, reportedly the biggest OEM automotive equipment supplier of companies located in different parts of the world. Attackers also used NetWalker in initiating ransomware attacks on US security software-as-a-service provider Cygilant, Italian energy giant Enel, Australian workforce design and delivery firm Tandem Corp, data center giant Equinix, and Jands, another Australian firm responsible for distributing premier audio, lighting, and staging brands for installation, production, and retail sectors throughout Australia, as well as New Zealand.