Historic Haulage Firm Falls to Cyber Attack

Historic Haulage Firm Hit by Cyber-Attack

In a striking reminder of how no business is too old to fall prey to modern cyber threats, the venerable 160‐year-old haulage giant, Knights of Old, was forced into administration in 2023 after a crippling cyber-attack. The director’s urgent warning highlights that even firms steeped in history can be caught off guard by today’s sophisticated digital dangers. For organisations of every size, this event reinforces the necessity of reviewing cybersecurity defences alongside traditional business operations. Companies across the UK – including those in Yorkshire where Synergos Consultancy operates – are well advised to take note of lessons learned here.

WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities in the Spotlight

The latest round of vulnerabilities has hit several popular WordPress plugins, posing serious risks to sites that haven’t yet updated to safe versions. Here’s a brief overview:

• CVE-2025-3605: The Frontend Login and Registration Blocks plugin is vulnerable to privilege escalation. Attackers can potentially change user email addresses – even for administrators – and leverage this to reset passwords.
• CVE-2025-3455: The popular 1 Click WordPress Migration Plugin could allow authenticated users (even with Subscriber-level access) to upload arbitrary files, opening up the risk for remote code execution.
• CVE-2025-2253: Vulnerability in the IMITHEMES Listing Plugin again points to account takeover risks by failing to properly validate verification codes.
• CVE-2024-11617: The Envolve Plugin suffers from missing file type validation, permitting unauthenticated attackers to upload files that could lead to remote code execution.
• CVE-2025-3811 & CVE-2025-3810: Two critical vulnerabilities have been discovered in the WPBookit plugin that also lead to privilege escalation through account takeover.

Website administrators relying on these plugins are strongly urged to check for updates and security patches to safeguard their sites from potential exploits.

New Warnings on Ransomware and Outdated Network Devices

Cybercriminals seem to be shifting tactics – steering clear of high-profile targets and aiming their ransomware campaigns at medium-sized businesses instead. Meanwhile, the FBI has issued a caution over hackers exploiting outdated, end-of-life routers to hide their tracks, a reminder that neglecting legacy hardware can open dangerous backdoors. In a related note, critical vulnerabilities such as the TOTOLINK N150RT buffer overflow issue underline the ever-present need for timely patching and diligent network management.

Emerging Threats Across Devices and Cloud Platforms

From network devices to cloud services, security researchers are flagging multiple critical vulnerabilities:

• Several D-Link DIR devices are facing remote buffer overflow issues, dangerously exposing legacy hardware no longer supported by the vendor.
• Cloud platforms like Microsoft Power Apps, Azure, and even Visual Studio’s pipeline tokens have shown cracks in their defences, with issues ranging from Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) to privilege escalation.
• Arista CloudVision and H3C devices have seen vulnerabilities with severity ratings reaching as high as 10.0, calling for urgent attention from organisations using these technologies.

These emerging threats are a clear sign: thorough patch management and proactive risk assessments are not optional, but essential cornerstones of a robust security strategy.

Retail, Energy, and the Wider Market Pulse

The ripple effects of cyber-attacks extend beyond IT. Retailers are now facing premium hikes of nearly 10% following recent ransomware incidents, while energy companies like Cenovus Energy have made headlines with steady production figures and dividend increases, despite facing share price fluctuations. Such wider market movements remind us that cybersecurity is a business-critical issue, not just an IT problem.

Looking Ahead

As the digital realm continues to evolve, so too do the creative tactics of cyber adversaries. Whether it’s the sophisticated attacks on legacy systems like Knights of Old or the rapid-fire vulnerabilities in essential WordPress plugins, the message is clear – vigilance is key. For businesses seeking to keep pace with these ever-shifting threats, keeping systems updated and adhering to robust compliance standards is an absolute must. At Synergos Consultancy, we understand that combining strong cybersecurity practices with industry-specific compliance requirements can provide that extra shield of confidence. Now, more than ever, it’s time for organisations to act, secure their digital perimeters, and steer clear of potential cyber mishaps.