Remote access, real cargo: cybercriminals targeting trucking and logistics

SUMMARY :

Cybercriminals are targeting trucking and logistics companies to steal cargo freight through elaborate attack chains. They compromise companies and use their access to bid on cargo shipments, which they then steal and sell. The threat actors typically deliver remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools as a first-stage payload. This cyber-enabled theft is part of a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise that has increased due to digital transformation. The attackers use tactics such as compromising load boards, email thread hijacking, and direct targeting via email campaigns. They deliver RMM tools like ScreenConnect, SimpleHelp, and PDQ Connect, which grant full control of compromised machines. The activity has been observed since at least June 2025, with nearly two dozen campaigns in the last two months alone.

OPENCTI LABELS :

simplehelp,fleetdeck,pdq connect,n-able,logistics,netsupport,danabot,supply chain,lumma stealer,cybercrime,phishing,social engineering,stealc,screenconnect,remote monitoring tools,logmein resolve,cargo theft,trucking


AI COMMENTARY :

1. Remote access, real cargo: a new frontier in cargo theft Cybercriminals have evolved their tactics to target the trucking and logistics industry with unprecedented sophistication. In an era defined by digital transformation, threat actors are exploiting remote monitoring and management solutions such as ScreenConnect, SimpleHelp, PDQ Connect, N-Able, NetSupport, LogMeIn Resolve and FleetDeck to gain a foothold within transportation networks. By leveraging social engineering and phishing campaigns they compromise corporate endpoints and rapidly escalate privileges, turning legitimate tooling against their victims.

2. The anatomy of the attack chain The campaign typically begins with a carefully crafted phishing email aimed at logistics personnel or freight brokers. Attackers hijack email threads to hide malicious payloads or deploy lumma stealer and Danabot malware to harvest credentials. Once credentials are compromised they deliver RMM tools under the guise of routine software updates. With remote monitoring tools installed, attackers maintain persistent access and observe convoy schedules, shipment manifests and load board entries, setting the stage for real-world cargo theft.

3. Exploiting digital touchpoints to facilitate cargo theft After establishing control of the victim environment, criminals use their access to place fraudulent bids on cargo loads or manipulate load board data. They appear as legitimate carriers in order management systems, secure pick-up authorizations and access physical dock schedules. The stolen freight is then redirected to warehouses controlled by the criminal enterprise before being redistributed to black-market buyers. This fusion of cybercrime and cargo theft has yielded multi-million-dollar returns and highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains.

4. The role of remote monitoring tools in modern supply-chain attacks The integration of remote monitoring and management solutions has brought efficiency to fleet operators but also expanded the attack surface. Tools such as PDQ Connect and N-Able enable full desktop control, file transfer and remote scripting, making them powerful enablers for attackers. When misused these platforms facilitate lateral movement and data exfiltration, while logging mechanisms often fail to alert defenders to suspicious activity. Adversaries exploiting these systems can remain undetected for weeks or months as they plan and execute physical asset hijacking.

5. Strategies for defense and resilience Defenders must adopt a layered approach to secure remote management environments. Continuous monitoring of RMM usage, threat-focused email filtering and anomaly detection can reveal the early signs of compromise. Employing multi-factor authentication for remote access, segmenting operational technology networks from IT systems and enforcing strict software inventory policies will limit attacker dwell time. Collaborative threat-intelligence sharing among logistics firms can expose emerging phishing lures and malware strains such as Stealc before they propagate across the supply chain.

6. Conclusion As cybercriminals fuse traditional cargo theft with advanced cyber-intrusion techniques, the trucking and logistics sector faces a rapidly evolving threat. By understanding the role of remote monitoring tools and the specific tactics—ranging from phishing and load-board compromise to email hijacking and malware deployment—organizations can harden their defenses. Proactive risk management, continuous monitoring and cross-industry information sharing remain critical to safeguarding global supply chains against this real-world digital menace.




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Remote access, real cargo: cybercriminals targeting trucking and logistics