The Growing Threat of IoT Supply Chain Attacks

By: Vanna karthik; Vel Tech University, Chennai, India

Abstract

The intense growth of Internet of Things technology has driven industrial revolution by creating advanced network capabilities and automated systems. Modern IoT networks have grown yet supply chain weaknesses are now the focus for cybercriminal activity. IoT supply chain attacks take advantage of all the weak points found inside components from production through distribution to final deployment. This work examines the evolving IoT supply chain attack danger through studio of actual incidents and their pathways and the fundamental necessity for better cybersecurity solutions. The safety of IoT ecosystems against expanding cyber threats depends on destiny together with secure sourcing and robust firmware validation and compliance with regulatory standards.

Introduction

The growth of IoT devices in every industrial field has created new cybersecurity threats but supply chain weaknesses represent a major external security threat. Supply chain attacks against IoT systems start when attackers breach components at various stages from production through delivery and deployment implementation. The unique nature of these threats allows cybercriminals to take over IoT networks through built-in malware and hardware vulnerabilities along with firmware tampering to conduct enduring attacks[1]. The security and privacy of networks depend directly on secure supply chain management because billions of IoT devices are currently deployed globally.

How IoT Supply Chain Attacks Work

Multiple forms of attacks exist within IoT supply chains which exploit vulnerabilities that occur throughout the procurement of manufacturing and distribution process. These are among the most typical methods that attackers use for their attacks:

1. Hardware Manipulation

During manufacture attackers embed damaging chips alongside infected microcontrollers which they install into new IoT devices before release to customers[2]. Such modified components establish unauthorized access routes for cybercriminals who seek to reach network systems and breach data.

2. Firmware Tampering

Enemy firmware updates inserted either during manufacturing or distribution enable remote control of IoT devices through which attackers steal sensitive data while conducting massive cyber-attacks[2].

3. Third-Party Software Vulnerabilities

Security flaws exist in the third-party software components used by numerous IoT manufacturers since they remain hidden in their products. Attackers make use of unsecured vulnerabilities to inject malware and take advantage of backdoors thus endangering the entirety of an IoT network[3].

4. Counterfeit and Unauthorized Devices

The supply chain presence of counterfeited IoT devices creates vulnerabilities to security threats because unauthorized products often hide malicious code along with deleting essential security measures which makes them attractive targets for cyberattacks[4].

5. Compromised Logistics and Distribution

Attackers prevent secure IoT supply by redirecting deliveries to receive modified versions with embedded malware which results in security breaches at installation time[4].

Examples of IoT Supply Chain Attacks in the Real World [5]
The 2018 Supermicro Hardware Attack: According to reports, Chinese agents may have created a hardware-level backdoor for cyber espionage by inserting tiny microchips into Supermicro motherboards used by significant American corporations.

The 2020 SolarWinds Attack: This sophisticated supply chain attack, which affected large enterprises and government organizations globally, illustrated the dangers of compromised software updates, even though it was not specifically tied to the Internet of Things.

Backdoor Zyxel (2021): Zyxel IoT networking devices were found to have a hardcoded backdoor that gave hackers remote control over enterprise firewalls and VPN gateways.

Mitigating IoT Supply Chain Attacks

Increasing security approaches across all phases of IoT supply chain activities are fundamental to stopping security threats. Key strategies include:

1. Companies need to work with respected suppliers who maintain strict security practices while conducting thorough quality examination of their products[6].

2. Corporations must regularly test firmware and software through signature authentication to stop unauthorized changes from entering their systems.

3. Supply Chain Transparency involves auditing vendors alongside ensuring industry-dependent cybersecurity standards remain followed in every supply chain segment[6].

4. A monitoring system with AI threat detection features tracks IoT networks for irregularities as well as offender activities in supply chain networks.

5. Organizations should maintain regulatory compliance by following NIST requirements together with the European Union Cybersecurity Act which helps lower supply chain security challenges[6].

Conclusion

Supply chain attacks against IoT systems have become an escalating enterprise security matter that strikes product manufacturing and distribution vulnerabilities to infect gadgets before user acquisition. The increase in sophistication of cybercriminal techniques requires businesses and governments to establish complete security measures to defend IoT networks. To reduce supply chain security risks organizations, need to follow safe acquiring practices and support firmware testing while they improve their supply chain visibility. Supplementing supply chain security efforts leads organizations to establish a protected IoT space and defend major infrastructures against emerging cyber-attacks.

References

1. K. Tsiknas, D. Taketzis, K. Demertzis, and C. Skianis, “Cyber Threats to Industrial IoT: A Survey on Attacks and Countermeasures,” IoT, vol. 2, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.3390/iot2010009.
2. M. Zhang and S. Zonouz, “Control Corruption without Firmware Infection: Stealthy Supply Chain Attacks via PLC Hardware Implants (MalTag),” in 2024 ACM/IEEE 15th International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems (ICCPS), May 2024, pp. 247–258. doi: 10.1109/ICCPS61052.2024.00029.
3. X. Feng, X. Zhu, Q.-L. Han, W. Zhou, S. Wen, and Y. Xiang, “Detecting Vulnerability on IoT Device Firmware: A Survey,” IEEECAA J. Autom. Sin., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 25–41, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1109/JAS.2022.105860.
4. A. K. Junejo, M. Breza, and J. A. McCann, “Threat Modeling for Communication Security of IoT-Enabled Digital Logistics,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 23, Art. no. 23, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/s23239500.
5. “What are Supply Chain Attacks? Examples and Countermeasures,” Fortinet. Accessed: Feb. 07, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/supply-chain-attacks
6. U. Agarwal et al., “Exploring Blockchain and Supply Chain Integration: State-of-the-Art, Security Issues, and Emerging Directions,” IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 143945–143974, 2024, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3471340.
7. Blockchain-based Supply Chain Solution Using IPFS and QR Technology for Traditional Weave in West Nusa Tenggara H Wijayanto, MJ Andara, D Wiraguna, N Agitha… – JURNAL INFOTEL, 2024
8. Xu, M., Peng, J., Gupta, B. B., Kang, J., Xiong, Z., Li, Z., & Abd El-Latif, A. A. (2021). Multiagent federated reinforcement learning for secure incentive mechanism in intelligent cyber–physical systems. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 9(22), 22095-22108.
9. Tewari, A., & Gupta, B. B. (2017). A lightweight mutual authentication protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography for IoT devices. International Journal of Advanced Intelligence Paradigms, 9(2-3), 111-121.
10. KEE S.N. (2024) Blockchain for Decentralized IoT Security: Protection Against Phishing and Data Breaches, Insights2Techinfo, pp.1

Cite As

Karthik V. (2025) The Growing Threat of IoT Supply Chain Attacks, Insights2techinfo pp.1

830200cookie-checkThe Growing Threat of IoT Supply Chain Attacksyes