Cybercriminals Exploit Remote Monitoring Tools to Infiltrate Logistics and Freight Networks

Hackers are weaponizing legitimate remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools to hijack trucking networks and steal actual cargo shipments in the wild, according to a new warning from cybersecurity firm Proofpoint.

The threat actors are specifically targeting logistics and freight companies, using sophisticated phishing campaigns to deploy RMM software that gives them persistent remote access to corporate systems.

Once inside, they're not just stealing data—they're manipulating shipping manifests, rerouting actual physical cargo, and orchestrating real-world theft of high-value goods from the supply chain.

Proofpoint researchers noted this represents a significant escalation from traditional cybercrime, where attackers are now directly impacting physical logistics operations and causing tangible economic damage beyond digital extortion.

The use of legitimate RMM tools makes detection particularly challenging, as these applications are whitelisted in many corporate environments and don't trigger standard malware alerts.