New and Traditional Threat Actors Target the Paris 2024 Olympics and Mobility Services

In our previous blog, we discussed the complexities of the current cyber threat landscape and the various malicious actors that organizations must be aware of. New and alarming developments continuously emerge, particularly concerning the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. These developments underline the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures and proactive threat intelligence.

The return of hacking groups: the Paris 2024 Olympics drives a blast from the past

An infamous hacking group known for its disruptive antics in 2011, has made a surprising comeback. Initially, the group claimed to hack for experimental reasons (basically as a joke) rather than for financial or political motives. Although they officially disbanded in June 2011, this group announced their return in 2023 as part of the larger hackers collective. Their re-emergence has been marked by a growing presence on Telegram, where their channel now boasts over 1,500 subscribers.

In February 2024, the group announced a planned campaign targeting the Paris Olympics. This announcement signals a shift from their earlier, more indiscriminate hacking activities to a focused and potentially more disruptive agenda.

The growing coalition of malicious actors

The re-emergence of this group isn’t the only concern for the Paris Olympics. Additional malicious actors have joined the fray, threatening to disrupt the event through coordinated cyber attacks. 

On July 8, 2024, another hacker group announced its support for and collaboration with two other Russian hacker groups we discussed on our previous blog. This coalition is expanding its targets to include French government agencies and services through coordinated Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. 

This new coalition published a detailed list of official French agencies and government websites they plan to target, encouraging DDoS attacks against these critical infrastructure elements.

Malicious activities plan to disrupt the Paris 2024 Olympics by targeting mobility and transportation services

On July 15, 2024, another hacker group announced a collaborative DDoS attack with two other groups, specifically targeting one of Paris’ largest transportation companies. This attack highlights the critical role of mobility services in the seamless operation of the Olympic Games.

The concerted efforts of these hacking groups to target the Paris Olympics underscore the vulnerability of major international events to cyber threats. These coordinated attacks on transportation services, government agencies, and other critical infrastructure components pose significant risks to the smooth execution of the games.

For organizers, sponsors, and participants of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures has never been more urgent. Implementing comprehensive threat intelligence, robust cybersecurity protocols, and real-time monitoring will be essential to safeguarding the event from potential disruptions.

As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about the activities of malicious actors and their allies is crucial. By understanding their tactics and potential targets, organizations can better prepare and protect themselves against these threats. The upcoming Paris Olympics serve as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in ensuring the success and safety of large-scale international events.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor and report on the latest developments in the cyber threat landscape.