Underground ransomware group lists synology.com on its leak site

• Ransomware group: Underground
• Country: Germany
• Sector: Technology
• Announcement date: May 1, 2024

The threat actor group known as Underground has listed synology.com on its leak site, claiming to possess 51 GB of data belonging to the organization.

The claimed attack and event details

According to the announcement made on May 1, 2024, the Underground group has listed synology.com on its dedicated leak site. The threat actor claims to have successfully exfiltrated data belonging to the organization. While the announcement was made in May 2024, the group claims the attack itself took place on May 30, 2023.

Ransomware leak sites are platforms used by cybercriminals to pressure victims into paying ransoms. In many modern cyberattacks, threat actors employ a strategy known as double extortion. In this scenario, attackers do not just encrypt an organization's systems to disrupt operations; they also steal sensitive information before the encryption occurs. The threat actors then threaten to publish this stolen data on these public leak sites if their demands are not met, using the threat of public exposure as leverage.

Details regarding the alleged leaked data

The Underground group has provided limited information regarding the specifics of the alleged breach. While the group has provided a screenshot indicating a data size of 51 GB, there is no information regarding the specific file types involved in the claim. No specific details regarding the content of the alleged leaked data have been provided, and the listing names no specific data types.

Organization profile

Synology is a Taiwan-based technology company specializing in network-attached storage (NAS) devices, IP surveillance solutions, and networking equipment. The company provides data management, backup, and cloud storage solutions.

Impact assessment and industry considerations

This incident may pose risks to the organization's operational continuity and data privacy. Depending on the nature of the alleged leaked data, the organization may face legal obligations under GDPR. The publication of such data could lead to identity theft and targeted phishing attacks against employees or customers. Furthermore, such a leak may negatively impact the organization's supply chain security. Public information about this group is limited.

For organizations operating within the technology sector, particularly those providing critical infrastructure like storage and networking equipment, maintaining robust security postures is essential. Common defensive steps for organizations to mitigate the risks of data exfiltration include implementing strict access controls, utilizing multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all services, and maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized data movement. Additionally, regular security audits and the implementation of zero-trust architectures can help reduce the potential impact of a successful breach. As threat actors continue to use leak sites to exert pressure, organizations must prepare for the complexities of managing both operational recovery and the legal and reputational challenges associated with data exposure.