The end of the year brings celebration—but also increased cyber threat activity. For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the holidays often coincide with spikes in malicious campaigns. In a recent Cyber Call, we were joined by security researcher and YouTube personality John Hammond to dissect a major emerging threat: the Clio vulnerability, its exploitation by the Clop ransomware gang, and the broader implications for MSPs managing client infrastructure.
Clio, which includes products like Harmony, VL Trader, and Lexicon, is widely used for secure data transfer. In October, a vulnerability was disclosed, but the real danger emerged in December when exploitation began in the wild. The fix? Delayed and incomplete. This real-world gap between disclosure and protection created a prime opportunity for attackers. The Clop ransomware gang has now taken credit for these attacks, highlighting that this isn’t just a bug—it’s a full-fledged supply chain compromise.
Clio’s functionality makes it a prime target: by compromising it, attackers gain access to sensitive client data across multiple organizations. Initial attacks involved PowerShell script drops and data exfiltration, but Clop’s involvement signals the risk of full-blown ransomware deployment. The situation underscores the critical importance of knowing your clients’ software environments. Are they using Clio products? What versions? Are they patched?
MSPs must take immediate action. Inventory all software across client environments. Prioritize patching, especially when vulnerabilities are known to be exploited in the wild. Segment networks to contain breaches. Reinforce client policies around urgent risk response. And stay informed—follow threat researchers like John Hammond and outlets like Bleeping Computer to keep up with fast-moving developments.
The conversation also touched on a broader shift in the industry: the push for Secure by Design. As liability begins to shift from MSPs toward software vendors, expect legal and regulatory changes to reinforce the need for secure coding and timely patching. But until that happens, MSPs remain the first line of defense.
Heading into 2024, vigilance is non-negotiable. The Clio/Clop incident is a stark reminder that even well-established platforms can become gateways for widespread compromise. Protect your clients by acting quickly, staying informed, and making security a top priority—even during the holiday downtime.
