Who Is Behind the Recent Global Supply Chain Cyber Attacks?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Understanding Supply Chain Cyber Attacks
• Why Are These Attacks Rising Again in 2025?
• Top Global Supply Chain Attacks in 2025
• How Attackers Operate in the Supply Chain
• AI-Powered Phishing Techniques
• Global Response and Mitigation Efforts
• Table: Key Global Supply Chain Cyber Attacks in 2025
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Introduction

In 2025, supply chain cyber attacks have taken a front seat in global cybersecurity discussions. From tampered software updates to compromised vendors, these attacks have disrupted entire industries. But the biggest question remains—who is behind these calculated, large-scale intrusions? In this blog, we uncover the threat actors, motivations, and tactics behind the recent surge in global supply chain attacks, and explore how businesses can defend against them.

Understanding Supply Chain Cyber Attacks

A supply chain cyber attack occurs when a threat actor targets a third-party vendor or service provider with the intention of breaching a larger organization that relies on that vendor. This method gives attackers a stealthy entry point into otherwise well-secured environments.

Why Are These Attacks Rising Again in 2025?

• Increased adoption of SaaS and cloud platforms
• Expanded remote work ecosystem relying on vendor software
• Emergence of AI-generated code and vulnerabilities
• Focus of APT groups on high-impact, low-visibility vectors

Top Global Supply Chain Attacks in 2025

1. OrionSync Breach – Targeting Financial APIs

A major U.S.-based FinTech vendor, OrionSync, was breached via a vulnerability in its SDK update mechanism. This impacted hundreds of banking institutions worldwide.

• Attackers: Suspected APT41 (China-based group)
• Impact: API keys stolen; financial frauds across Asia and Europe

2. EuroGrid Compromise – Critical Infrastructure at Risk

EuroGrid, a key energy sector software provider, was targeted through a poisoned software patch, affecting multiple energy suppliers across Germany, Austria, and Italy.

• Attackers: Sandworm (linked to Russian military intelligence)
• Impact: Temporary blackout simulations and grid data manipulation

3. MedSecure Cloud Backdoor Incident

A healthcare SaaS provider was discovered to have been distributing a backdoored version of its platform for over 6 months. Hospitals and insurers globally were impacted.

• Attackers: UNC1151 (Belarus-based threat group)
• Impact: Stolen patient records, insurance claim fraud, regulatory scrutiny

4. SkyChain Logistics Breach

SkyChain, a logistics software used by several global shipping firms, was compromised through a third-party GPS module update. This disrupted cargo shipments worldwide.

• Attackers: Lazarus Group (North Korea)
• Impact: Cargo rerouting, shipment delays, financial losses

5. AsiaPay POS Software Infiltration

Point-of-Sale software used by thousands of retail chains in Southeast Asia was found to contain a skimmer module silently added during a vendor partnership transition.

• Attackers: Magecart-style affiliate group
• Impact: Millions of credit cards skimmed; sold on darknet markets

How Attackers Operate in the Supply Chain

Modern attackers focus on weak links in the digital supply chain:

• Compromised developer credentials
• Insecure CI/CD pipelines
• Poisoned updates or fake SDKs
• Insider threats within partner organizations

AI-Powered Phishing Techniques

Global Response and Mitigation Efforts

Governments and cybersecurity agencies are stepping up efforts to combat these breaches:

• U.S. CISA’s Secure by Design initiative for software vendors
• EU Cyber Resilience Act mandates third-party risk assessment
• Mandatory SBOMs (Software Bill of Materials) for critical software

Key Global Supply Chain Cyber Attacks in 2025

Conclusion

The rise of supply chain cyber attacks in 2025 proves that threat actors are no longer relying on direct methods alone. By exploiting indirect digital connections and third-party software, they achieve broader and more persistent breaches. As organizations grow increasingly interdependent, it’s vital to implement stricter vetting of partners, monitor update integrity, and enforce zero-trust architectures to avoid becoming collateral in the next wave of supply chain attacks.

FAQ

What is a supply chain cyber attack?

It’s a cyber attack where hackers infiltrate an organization by compromising a third-party vendor or software that the organization relies on.

Why are supply chain attacks increasing in 2025?

The rise in third-party dependencies, remote software integrations, and sophisticated APTs has made supply chain attacks an attractive vector for hackers.

Who are the main actors behind these attacks?

State-backed APT groups like APT41, Sandworm, Lazarus Group, and private cybercrime syndicates are behind most of the recent attacks.

What sectors are most targeted in supply chain attacks?

Finance, healthcare, energy, logistics, and retail are the most frequently targeted sectors.

How do attackers breach the supply chain?

They exploit vulnerable software updates, CI/CD pipelines, developer credentials, or third-party integrations.

Can AI be used in these attacks?

Yes, AI-generated code and malware obfuscation techniques are increasingly being used in modern supply chain attacks.

What is a poisoned software update?

It refers to a malicious software update that includes backdoors or malware injected by attackers.

What is SBOM?

SBOM stands for Software Bill of Materials. It’s a list of components used in software, improving transparency and risk assessment.

What measures can companies take to prevent such breaches?

Implement strict vendor risk assessments, use endpoint monitoring, enable code signing, and follow zero-trust principles.

Is regulation helping stop these attacks?

Yes, laws like the EU Cyber Resilience Act and CISA's Secure-by-Design guidelines are pushing companies to improve supply chain security.

What role do insiders play in supply chain attacks?

Insiders in partner organizations can be bribed or coerced to plant malware, making them a potent threat vector.

How long do these attacks typically go undetected?

Some attacks persist for months, especially when backdoors are subtle and mimic legitimate traffic.

What are the financial impacts of such attacks?

Impacts range from millions in direct losses to regulatory fines, legal costs, and reputational damage.

What is a CI/CD pipeline and why is it targeted?

CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Deployment) is used for software delivery. If compromised, it allows attackers to inject malware into production code.

What is a third-party risk assessment?

It’s a process of evaluating the cybersecurity posture of vendors before onboarding them into your ecosystem.

Are small businesses affected too?

Yes, even small businesses are vulnerable as they often serve as supply chain links for larger enterprises.

Can endpoint security help?

It helps detect anomalies but isn’t enough. Supply chain security requires layered defense strategies.

What’s the difference between direct and supply chain cyber attacks?

Direct attacks target the organization head-on, while supply chain attacks infiltrate through a third-party provider or vendor.

How often do these incidents involve nation-states?

Very often—nation-state actors are responsible for many high-impact supply chain breaches for espionage or sabotage.

What’s next for supply chain security?

Expect stricter international regulations, wider SBOM adoption, AI-based detection systems, and increased collaboration across sectors.