Ransomware

Co-op and Harrods ransomware attacks (DragonForce / Scattered Spider) 2025

📅 2025-04-01 🏢 Co-op Group (UK retailer/food/funeral); Harrods (UK luxury retailer) 🦠 DragonForce ransomware
Primary Source ↗

Incident Details

Scattered Spider (UNC3944) affiliates acting as DragonForce ransomware-as-a-service operators conducted a wave of attacks against UK retailers in April–May 2025. Co-op confirmed system disruptions and data exfiltration affecting member and employee data. Harrods confirmed a cyberattack on 1 May 2025 requiring restriction of internet access. Combined financial impact of M&S, Co-op, and Harrods attacks assessed at £270–440 million ($363–592 million). NCA arrested four suspects (three teenagers and one 20-year-old Latvian national) on 10 July 2025. Attacks represent a coordinated Scattered Spider campaign against UK retail using DragonForce RaaS.

Technical Details

Initial Attack Vector
CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function / social engineering (Scattered Spider affiliates used vishing and employee impersonation to bypass MFA and conduct service-desk password resets)
Vendor / Product
Co-op Group (UK retailer/food/funeral); Harrods (UK luxury retailer)
Malware Family
DragonForce ransomware

Timeline

  1. 2025-04-01 Breach occurred
  2. 2025-04-30 Publicly disclosed
  3. 2025-05-07 Customers notified