The growing concern over nation-state threat actors targeting physical device supply chains and tampering with hardware and firmware integrity has been highlighted in recent reports by HP Wolf Security and HP, Inc.

Description

A recent report from HP Wolf Security and a global survey by HP, Inc. have emphasized the increasing threat of nation-state actors targeting physical device supply chains [3]. According to the report, 19% of organizations have experienced attacks on their hardware supply chains, with concerns about verifying the integrity of PC [6], laptop [2] [3] [6] [7] [8], and printer hardware in transit [6]. State-sponsored attackers are targeting enterprise IT administrators to penetrate the supply chain [5], with 19% of respondents reporting attacks on networks [5], PCs [2] [5] [6] [8], and internet-facing printers [5]. HP Wolf stresses the importance of strong supply chain security to prevent tampering with devices during transit [5], as attackers gaining access at the firmware or hardware level can have unparalleled control over the machine [5]. Many organizations struggle to detect tampering in their supply chains, leading to concerns about the security of devices during manufacturing and transit. Password management for firmware configurations remains a challenge, as weak passwords and lack of protection leave devices vulnerable to tampering [2]. To enhance security [2] [3] [6] [8] [9], strong supply chain measures such as platform certificates, utilizing vendor factory services for security configurations [4], and tools like HP Sure Admin are essential for protecting hardware integrity and preventing physical tampering. Organizations are overwhelmingly concerned with physical targets like PCs [6], laptops [2] [3] [6] [7] [8], and printers within the supply chain [6], with 91% believing that nation-state actors will use malicious components to attack hardware [6]. Hardware and firmware attacks are difficult to detect and remediate [6], as security tools sit within the operating system [6], making tampered devices hard to identify [6]. Notable examples of such attacks include breaches at companies like SolarWinds and Snowflake [5], resulting in compromised records and serious data breaches for client companies [5]. IT and security decision makers express growing attention to software and hardware supply chain security, with 78% expecting increased focus as attackers try to infect devices during transit [7]. Threat actors are increasingly targeting physical supply chains and tampering with device hardware and firmware integrity [1] [2] [7] [8] [9], drawing alarm from enterprise leaders [2] [8]. One in five businesses have been impacted by attacks on hardware supply chains [2] [8], and 91% of IT and security decision makers believe that nation-state threat actors will target physical PCs [2] [3] [8], laptops [2] [3] [6] [7] [8], printers [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8], and other devices [2] [8]. Nation-state actors have targeted physical PC [2] [3] [8], laptop [2] [3] [6] [7] [8], and printer supply chains [3] [7] [8], with 35% of respondents believing they or others have been impacted by attempts to insert malicious hardware or firmware into devices [8]. There is a growing concern about the security of software and hardware supply chains [8], with 63% of respondents expecting the next major nation-state attack to involve poisoning hardware supply chains to sneak in malware [8]. Password hygiene around managing firmware configurations is a significant issue [2] [8], with weak passwords and lack of password management posing risks to device security [8]. Hardware config management is described as the “last frontier” of password hygiene [8], with password-based mechanisms controlling access to firmware not being well done [8].

Conclusion

The impacts of attacks on hardware supply chains are significant, with organizations facing challenges in detecting and mitigating tampering. Strong supply chain security measures [2] [3] [5], such as platform certificates and vendor factory services, are essential for protecting hardware integrity. Future implications include the need for increased focus on software and hardware supply chain security, as threat actors continue to target physical supply chains and tamper with device hardware and firmware integrity [1] [2] [7] [8] [9].

References

[1] https://www.securityinfowatch.com/cybersecurity/press-release/55130813/hp-hp-one-in-five-businesses-impacted-by-hardware-supply-chain-attacks
[2] https://venturebeat.com/security/hp-wolf-not-just-software-attacks-hackers-are-coming-for-enterprise-hardware-too/
[3] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/nationstate-attacks-target/
[4] https://cybermagazine.com/articles/hp-businesses-fear-physical-supply-chains-posing-cyber-risk
[5] https://www.scmagazine.com/news/one-in-five-companies-claim-state-sponsored-attacks
[6] https://www.techradar.com/pro/attacks-from-nation-states-that-target-physical-device-supply-chains-pose-rising-threat
[7] https://vmblog.com/archive/2024/08/05/hp-wolf-security-study-finds-growing-concern-about-attacks-on-hardware-supply-chains-as-one-in-five-businesses-impacted.aspx
[8] https://dnyuz.com/2024/08/05/hp-wolf-not-just-software-attacks-hackers-are-coming-for-enterprise-hardware-too/
[9] https://www.channele2e.com/news/channel-brief-monday