UK Legal Sector Faces Widespread Disruption Following CTS Cyberattack
Incident Overview
CTS, a leading UK-based managed IT services provider for law firms and professional services, is currently grappling with a significant cybersecurity incident. The attack has caused widespread operational disruptions across the legal sector, affecting numerous law firms and their clients.
Current Status and Impact
- Service Outage Confirmed: CTS acknowledged a “service outage” in a website statement, but provided limited details about the breach’s scope or data compromise
- 80+ Law Firms Affected: Industry reports suggest nearly 80 legal practices have been impacted since November 22
- Real Estate Transactions Disrupted: Social media reports indicate house sales and purchases across the UK are facing delays, creating financial pressures for clients
Sector-Wide Consequences
Major law firms relying on CTS services are experiencing significant operational challenges:
- Taylor Rose MW: Confirmed “operations are currently impacted” and is working on alternative solutions for urgent client matters
- O’Neill Patient Solicitors: Posted notices about service disruptions affecting multiple legal organizations
- Talbots Law: Reported technical difficulties due to the sector-wide outage
Potential Attack Vector
While CTS hasn’t confirmed details, security experts suggest:
- Possible exploitation of the critical CitrixBleed vulnerability (CVE-2023-4966)
- Connection to an exposed NetScaler appliance from Sprout Technologies, which merged with CTS in 2020
Regulatory Response
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been notified, as required by data protection laws mandating breach disclosure within 72 hours.
Client Impact Stories
One affected homebuyer, Lindsay (name changed), shared her predicament:
- Missed November 22 exchange date
- Facing potential expiration of mortgage offer on November 30
- Risking significant financial losses if transaction isn’t completed
Recovery Timeline
CTS stated: “While we are confident that we will be able to restore services, we are unable to give a precise timeline for full restoration.”
For affected professionals: TechCrunch invites impacted individuals to share information securely via Signal (+441536 853968) or SecureDrop.
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