FBI Alert: Scattered Spider Cyber Threat Looms Over Airline Industry

TL;DR

The FBI has warned that the cybercrime group Scattered Spider is now targeting the airline sector using sophisticated social engineering techniques. The group aims to steal sensitive data and deploy ransomware, posing a significant threat to large corporations and their third-party IT providers. Early reporting of incidents is crucial for mitigating the risks.

FBI Warns of Scattered Spider Targeting Airline Sector

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a critical alert regarding the cybercrime group Scattered Spider, which is now targeting the airline sector. This group employs advanced social engineering tactics to infiltrate organizations by impersonating employees or contractors. Their methods often involve bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA) by manipulating IT help desks into adding unauthorized MFA devices to compromised accounts.

Modus Operandi of Scattered Spider

Scattered Spider’s primary objective is to steal sensitive data for extortion purposes and subsequently deploy ransomware. The FBI’s alert highlights the group’s reliance on social engineering to gain unauthorized access:

“These actors rely on social engineering techniques, often impersonating employees or contractors to deceive IT help desks into granting access. These techniques frequently involve methods to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as convincing help desk services to add unauthorized MFA devices to compromised accounts.” ¹

The cybercriminals are targeting large corporations and their third-party IT providers, making every organization within the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, a potential target.

FBI’s Response and Recommendations

The FBI is actively collaborating with aviation industry partners to combat this threat and assist affected victims. Early reporting of incidents is crucial as it enables the FBI to act swiftly, share intelligence across the industry, and prevent further damage.

“Once inside, Scattered Spider actors steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploy ransomware. The FBI is actively working with aviation and industry partners to address this activity and assist victims. Early reporting allows the FBI to engage promptly, share intelligence across the industry, and prevent further compromise.” ¹

Additional Threats: Muddled Libra

Recently, Unit 42, a threat intelligence team at Palo Alto Networks, also warned about Muddled Libra (another alias for Scattered Spider) targeting the aviation industry with advanced social engineering and fake MFA reset attempts.

“Unit 42 has observed Muddled Libra (also known as Scattered Spider) targeting the aviation industry. Organizations should be on high alert for sophisticated and targeted social engineering attacks and suspicious MFA reset requests.” ²

Global Impact

In May, Google warned that Scattered Spider, the group behind the UK retailer attacks, has shifted its focus to targeting U.S. companies, indicating a broader global threat³.

Stay Informed

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Conclusion

The cyber threats posed by Scattered Spider to the airline industry highlight the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in detecting and reporting suspicious activities to mitigate potential risks. The FBI’s collaboration with industry partners is a crucial step in safeguarding the aviation sector from these evolving threats.

References

1. FBI (June 2025). “Alert on X”. FBI. Retrieved 2025-06-28. ↩︎ ↩︎²

2. Sam Rubin (June 2025). “LinkedIn Post”. LinkedIn. Retrieved 2025-06-28. ↩︎

3. Google (May 2025). “Shields Up: US Retailers Targeted by Scattered Spider”. Security Affairs. Retrieved 2025-06-28. ↩︎