USB Drive Attacks - All You Need To Know

[Prajayblogger]

USB drive attacks constitute a significant cybersecurity risk, taking advantage of the everyday use of USB devices to deliver malware and circumvent traditional network security measures. These attacks lead to data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruptions, with lasting impacts on an organization's reputation.

How USB drive attacks propagate?

Attackers use various methods to deliver malicious payloads via USB drives, targeting individuals and organizations.

• Drop attacks: Infected USB drives are deliberately left in public areas, such as parking lots, to entice victims to plug them in and infect their computers.
• Mail-based attacks: USB drives are sent to targets via mail, disguised as promotional items or legitimate devices, to trick them into plugging them into their systems.
• Social engineering: Attackers use psychological tactics to persuade victims to connect infected USB drives to their computers.
• Unsolicited plugging: Attackers plug infected USB drives into unattended systems, spreading malware without victim interaction.

How USB drive attacks work?

USB drive attacks typically follow a multi-step process to infiltrate systems and cause damage.

• Reconnaissance: Attackers research their target to identify potential vulnerabilities. In this case, they may gather information about the organization, its employees, and its operational environment to determine the likelihood of someone using a USB drive.
• Weaponization: Threat actors prepare the USB drive by embedding malware. This can be achieved by directly infecting the drive or crafting a seemingly benign file, such as a document, video, or image, which contains hidden malicious code.
• Delivery: Attackers distribute the infected USB drive to targets by dropping it in public areas, giving it away as a promotional item, or using social engineering to deliver it.
• Exploitation: When the target connects to the USB drive, the malware is activated automatically or through user interaction, exploiting system vulnerabilities.
• Installation: The malware is installed on the target system, gaining persistence. This step allows the attacker to maintain control of the infected device even if it is rebooted or disconnected.
• Command and Control (C2): The malware communicates with the attacker's server. This enables the attacker to issue commands, exfiltrate data, or deploy additional payloads.
• Actions on Objectives: The attackers achieve their goals, such as stealing sensitive data, deploying ransomware, or establishing persistent access for future exploitation.

To read more, and how to defend such attack read here: https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/defen ... tacks.html

[Warrior]

To avoid USB drive attacks follow these effective tips:

1. Disable AutoPlay/AutoRun: Turn off AutoPlay and AutoRun features on your computer to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious software from USB drives.
2. Use Antivirus Software: Keep your antivirus software up to date and enable real-time protection to detect malicious files from USB drives.
3. Encrypt Sensitive Data: Encrypt files on your USB drive to protect them in case the drive is lost or stolen.
4. Avoid Untrusted USB Drives: Do not plug in USB drives from unknown or untrusted sources.
5. Use USB Security Software: Consider using software that can restrict or control USB device access on your computer.
6. Regularly Update Software: Keep your operating system and security software updated to patch vulnerabilities.

[Stayalive]

51% of malware attacks are designed for USB devices, according to 2024 data, which is a nearly six-fold increase from 9% reported in the 2019 report.

Source: https://hcenews.honeywell.com/CYB-2024-Threat-Report-LP