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Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 08 October 2021
Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 08 October 2021
-Half of Regulated Firms See Pandemic Spike in Financial Crime
-Large Ransom Demands And Password-Guessing Attacks Escalate
-How Insurers Play a Big Role in Spurring Cyber Crime
-How Fraudsters Can Use The Forgotten Details Of Your Online Life To Reel You In
-Malicious Hackers Are Exploiting Known Vulnerabilities Because Organisations Aren’t Quick Enough To Patch – Report
-Ransomware: Cyber Criminals Are Still Exploiting These Old Vulnerabilities, So Patch Now
-Why Today’s Cyber Security Threats Are More Dangerous
-One In Three IT Security Managers Don’t Have A Formal Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
-Cyber Security Best Practices Lagging, Despite People Being Aware Of The Risks
Welcome to this week’s Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing – a weekly digest, collated and curated by our cyber experts to provide senior and middle management with an easy to digest round up of the most notable threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber related news from the last week.
Top Cyber Stories of the Last Week
Half of Regulated Firms See Pandemic Spike in Financial Crime
Around half of firms in the financial services, property and legal sectors have reported rising levels of financial crime over the past 12 months, according to new data from an anti-money laundering (AML) specialist which polled 500 regulated businesses in the UK to better understand the levels of risk facing players in each vertical.
Overall, 48% of respondents said they’d seen a rise in financial crime, and a quarter (26%) admitted they’d been a victim of attacks. Legal firms, including conveyancers, experienced the most significant number of compromises, with a third (33%) saying they had been a victim of financial crime.
The sector is an increasingly attractive target for both state-backed and financially motivated cyber-criminals, given the wealth of sensitive client information that legal practices typically hold. https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/half-firms-pandemic-spike/
Large Ransom Demands And Password-Guessing Attacks Escalate
ESET released a report that summarizes key statistics from its detection systems and highlights notable examples of its cyber security research.
The latest issue of the report highlights several concerning trends that were recorded by ESET telemetry, including increasingly aggressive ransomware tactics, intensifying brute-force attacks, and deceptive phishing campaigns targeting people working from home who have gotten used to performing many administrative tasks remotely.
Ransomware, showing three major detection spikes during T2, saw the largest ransom demands to date. The attack shutting down the operations of Colonial Pipeline – the largest pipeline company in the US – and the supply-chain attack leveraging a vulnerability in the Kaseya VSA IT management software, sent shockwaves that were felt far beyond the cybersecurity industry. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/10/05/large-ransom-demands/
Malicious Hackers Are Exploiting Known Vulnerabilities Because Organizations Aren’t Quick Enough To Patch – Report
Organizations are urged to be more proactive when it comes to protecting against vulnerabilities, after a report found that malicious attackers routinely exploit unpatched systems.
The 2021 Trustwave SpiderLabs Telemetry Report, released this week, found that a huge number of companies are falling foul to cyber-attacks despite having ready access to suitable fixes.
This is happening because malicious actors are using Shodan to scan for networks that are exposed to known vulnerabilities and exploit them before the victim can apply the patch. https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/malicious-hackers-are-exploiting-known-vulnerabilities-because-organizations-arent-quick-enough-to-patch-report
Ransomware: Cyber Criminals Are Still Exploiting These Old Vulnerabilities, So Patch Now
Some of the cyber security vulnerabilities most commonly exploited by cybercriminals to help distribute ransomware are years old -- but attackers are still able to take advantage of them because security updates aren't being applied.
Cybersecurity researchers at Qualys examined the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) most used in ransomware attacks in recent years. They found that some of these vulnerabilities have been known for almost a decade and had vendor patches available. But because many organizations still haven't applied the available security updates, they remain vulnerable to ransomware attacks. https://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-cyber-criminals-are-still-exploiting-years-old-vulnerabilities-to-launch-attacks/
How Insurers Play a Big Role in Spurring Cyber Crime
Ransomware extracted $18 billion in payments last year, and it’s expected there will be an attack every 11 seconds by this year’s end, a problem that some security experts and academic researchers say is exacerbated by the system meant to protect against cybercrime: the insurance industry.
Organizations with cyber insurance are more than twice as likely to pay ransoms as those without, according to a global survey commissioned by UK-based cyber security and software firm Sophos of 1,823 companies, governments, health systems, and other organizations that had been hit by ransomware. This is one of the first times such data have been gathered that show the extent of the relationship between cyber insurance and ransomware payments. Critics say that relationship helps fuel a ransomware economy that the federal government estimates causes $445 billion in damages to the global economy every year. https://www.barrons.com/articles/ransomware-attack-cyber-insurance-industry-51633075202
Why Today’s Cyber Security Threats Are More Dangerous
Over the past two years, the rise of big-ticket ransomware attacks and revelations of harmful software supply chain infections have elevated cyber security to the top of governments’ and corporate agendas.
The opportunities for threat actors are growing faster than firms are able to mitigate them.
Unlike 20 years ago, when even extensive IT systems were comparatively standalone and straightforward, the interdependencies of systems now make dealing with and defending against threats a much more difficult proposition. The core problems being complexity and interdependence and neither are going away because that is what is providing organisations with the flexibility, functionality and all these other critical functions that they need. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3635097/why-today-s-cybersecurity-threats-are-more-dangerous.html
How Fraudsters Can Use The Forgotten Details Of Your Online Life To Reel You In
You may think you’ve been careful, but a determined scammer can probably find enough to manipulate you. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/oct/03/how-fraudsters-can-use-the-forgotten-details-of-your-online-life-to-reel-you-in
One In Three IT Security Managers Don’t Have A Formal Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
Regardless of industry, information security incidents have become more of a targeted threat for businesses, increasing in amount and efficacy, according to a new report.
Of all the security incidents identified by over 900 surveyed employees at U.S. businesses, the three most threatening incidents were: increasingly severe ransomware attacks, more effective phishing schemes, and rampant reusing of passwords.
· Respondents reported phishing emails have nearly tripled in effectiveness over the past two years. Phishing emails are rapidly becoming more difficult to spot and thus far more destructive.
· Over the past year, ransomware attacks have increased by 25%. Ransom demands were significantly higher than average for businesses in specific industries, such as banking and financial services and construction, with higher payouts.
· The report found that password reuse is strongly associated with higher incidences of security breaches. Reported account takeovers were three times as common among people who reuse passwords as those who don’t.
Alarmingly, 23% of the IT security managers surveyed say their company doesn’t have protocols in place to report a suspected cyberattack and 33% don’t have a formal cybersecurity incident response plan. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/10/06/response-plan-cybersecurity/
Cyber Security Best Practices Lagging, Despite People Being Aware Of The Risks
The National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe announced the release of a report which polled 2,000 individuals across the U.S. and UK. The report examined key cybersecurity trends, attitudes, and behaviours ahead of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this month.
The daily headlines of data breaches and ransomware attacks is a testament to the problem getting worse, yet most people aren’t aware of the simple steps they can take to be a part of the solution. It’s critical to have a deeper understanding of both the challenges we face and the prevailing attitudes and behaviors among the public.
Too often people are forgotten in cybersecurity conversations and this is borne out by cyber crime being more common among Millenials and Gen Z, and the public not embracing cyber security best practices.
The report also found that many users had limited access to cyber training, with 64% of respondents having no access to cybersecurity training, while 27% of those who do have access choose not to use it. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/10/07/cybersecurity-best-practices-lagging/
Threats
Ransomware
Ransomware: Cyber Criminals Are Still Exploiting These Old Vulnerabilities, So Patch Now | ZDNet
Revil Alone Accounts For A Significant Portion Of Q2 2021 Ransomware Attacks | Techspot
Behind the Crypto Broker Accused of Enabling Ransomware Hackers - Bloomberg
Atom Silo ransomware actors use Confluence exploit, DLL side-load for stealthy attack – Sophos News
US Ransomware Law Would Require Victims To Disclose Ransom Payments Within 48 Hours | ZDNet
Ransomware Group FIN12 Aggressively Going After Healthcare Targets (thehackernews.com)
Other Social Engineering
Malware
Researchers Discover UEFI Bootkit Targeting Windows Computers Since 2012 (thehackernews.com)
91.5% Of Malware Arrived Over Encrypted Connections During Q2 2021 - Help Net Security
IOT
BYOD
Vulnerabilities
Data Breaches/Leaks
Cryptocurrency/Cryptojacking
Insider Threats
Dark Web
Nation State Actors
Chinese Hackers Used a New Rootkit to Spy on Targeted Windows 10 Users (thehackernews.com)
Microsoft: 58% of Nation-State Cyber Attacks Come From Russia (darkreading.com)
Google Warns 14,000 Gmail Users Targeted By Russian Hackers (Bleepingcomputer.Com)
Solarwinds Hack Saw Russia Steal Us Anti-Spy Probe Details • The Register
A New APT Hacking Group Targeting Fuel, Energy, and Aviation Industries (thehackernews.com)
New Study Links Seemingly Disparate Malware Attacks to Chinese Hackers (thehackernews.com)
Iranian APT Targets Aerospace And Telecom Firms With Stealthy ShellClient Trojan | CSO Online
Cloud
Reports Published in the Last Week
Other News
The Cyber Security Issues Organizations Deal With Remain Complex And Numerous - Help Net Security
Company That Routes SMS For All Major US Carriers Was Hacked For Five Years | Ars Technica
New £5 Billion GCHQ Digital Warfare Centre Capable Of 'Cyber Attacks' Set For Lancashire - Lancslive
Superhero Passwords Pose Serious Risk to Personal, Enterprise Accounts | SecurityWeek.Com
As usual, contact us to help assess where your risks lie and to ensure you are doing all you can do to keep you and your business secure.
Look out for our weekly ‘Cyber Tip Tuesday’ video blog and on our YouTube channel.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Links to articles are for interest and awareness and linking to or reposting external content does not endorse any service or product, likewise we are not responsible for the security of external links.
Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing - 30 October 2020
Welcome to this week’s Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing – a weekly digest, collated and curated by our cyber experts to provide senior and middle management with an easy to digest round up of the most notable threats, vulnerabilities and cyber related news from the last week.
Threats
Ransomware
Furniture Giant Steelcase Hit by Suspected Ransomware Attack
Steelcase, the world’s largest maker of office furniture, revealed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it had become the latest big name to be hit by a major ransomware attack.
The firm claimed to have detected a cyber-attack on its IT systems last Thursday, October 22.
“The company promptly implemented a series of containment measures to address this situation including temporarily shutting down the affected systems and related operations,” it continued. “The company is actively engaged in restoring the affected systems and returning to normal levels of operations.”
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/furniture-giant-steelcase/
Multinational energy company Enel Group hit by ransomware again, Netwalker demands $14 million
Multinational energy company Enel Group has been hit by a ransomware attack for the second time this year. This time by Netwalker, who is asking a $14 million ransom for the decryption key and to not release several terabytes of stolen data.
Enel is one of the largest players in the European energy sector, with more than 61 million customers in 40 countries. As of August 10, it ranks 87 in Fortune Global 500, with a revenue of almost $90 billion in 2019.
Ransomware vs WFH: How remote working is making cyber attacks easier to pull off
The unique conditions of 2020 mean businesses are more reliant on being digitally connected than ever before. Cyber criminals know this, which is why ransomware attacks have become even more pervasive – and effective during the course this year.Hackers are breaking into networks of organisations ranging from tech companies to local governments and almost every other sector; encrypting servers, services and files with ransomware before demanding a bitcoin ransom that can be measured in hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
REvil ransomware gang claims over $100 million profit in a year
REvil ransomware developers say that they made more than $100 million in one year by extorting large businesses across the world from various sectors.
They are driven by profit and want to make $2 billion from their ransomware service, adopting the most lucrative trends in their pursuit of wealth.
Phishing
Remote Workers Ignore Training to Open Suspicious Emails
Remote workers are increasingly putting corporate data and systems at risk by failing to follow best practice security, according to new research from Mimecast.
The email security vendor polled over 1000 global respondents working from corporate machines to compile its latest report, Company-issued computers: What are employees really doing with them?
It found a litany of risky behaviour: for example, 73% of respondents frequently use their company-issued device for personal matters such as checking webmail (47%), carrying out financial transactions (38%) and online shopping (35%).
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/remote-workers-ignore-training/
Malware
Emotet campaign used parked domains to deliver malware payloads
Researchers tracking malicious use of parked domains have spotted the Emotet botnet using such domains to deliver malware payloads as part of a large scale phishing campaign.
Domain owners park their domains using parking service providers to monetize them via advertisement networks while they're not being used to host an active website or online service.
The world of malware has a new rising star - and that's a big problem
A fast-spreading malware-as-a-service offering could be providing an alternative to other well-known malware loaders like Emotet and BazarLoader, experts have warned.
Buer was first discovered in August 2019, when it was used to compromise Windows PCs, acting as a gateway for further attacks to follow.
Buer comes with bot functionality, specific to each download. The bots can be configured depending on a variety of filters, including whether the infected machine is 32 or 64 bits, the country where the exploit is taking place and what specific tasks are required.
https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/the-world-of-malware-has-a-new-rising-star-and-thats-a-problem
Akamai sees doubling in malicious internet traffic as remote world’s bad actors' boom, too
Akamai Technologies’ CEO Tom Leighton is impressed by the amazing traffic levels on the internet during the coronavirus pandemic, and the world technology infrastructure’s ability to handle it. But during the stay-at-home boom, the web and cyber security expert also has been closely watching a boom in bad actors.
With so many people working from home, hackers are taking advantage, and massively increasing the number of attacks as daily routine changes caused by the pandemic are prolonged and become potentially permanent.
Vulnerabilities
Microsoft warns of ongoing attacks using Windows Zerologon flaw
Microsoft today warned that threat actors are continuing to actively exploit systems unpatched against the ZeroLogon privilege escalation vulnerability in the Netlogon Remote Protocol (MS-NRPC).
Oracle WebLogic Server RCE Flaw Under Active Attack
The flaw in the console component of the WebLogic Server, CVE-2020-14882, is under active attack, researchers warn.
If an organization hasn’t updated their Oracle WebLogic servers to protect them against a recently disclosed RCE flaw, researchers have a dire warning: “Assume it has been compromised.”
https://threatpost.com/oracle-weblogic-server-rce-flaw-attack/160723/
This CMS cyberattack has affected thousands of sites worldwide
Security researchers have tracked and analysed a highly sophisticated botnet which they believe to be responsible for infecting hundreds of thousands of websites by attacking their content management system (CMS) platforms.
The botnet, named Kashmir Black, has been in operation since November of last year and while it started out small, it has now evolved into a sophisticated operation capable of attacking thousands of sites each day.
https://www.techradar.com/news/this-cms-cyberattack-has-affected-thousands-of-sites-worldwide
Cisco routers have another high-risk vulnerability
A security vulnerability found in a number of its carrier-grade routers is actively being exploited in the wild by cyber criminals.
The vulnerability affects ASR 9000 series routers, iOS XRv 9000 router and the 540, 560, 1000, 5000, 5500 and 6000 series routers from its Network Convergence System (NCS) line.
https://www.techradar.com/news/cisco-routers-have-another-high-risk-vulnerability
Other News
Security scam hacker ogled 722 women via webcams
A computer hacker who used webcams to watch women undressing and having sex faces extradition to the US.
Christopher Taylor spied on 772 victims in 39 countries — including 52 in the UK — from his Wigan home.
The labourer, 57, tricked the women into downloading software that allowed him to take control of their webcams, Westminster magistrates’ court heard.
https://www.metro.news/security-scam-hacker-ogled-772-women-via-webcams/2199001/
Amazon Discloses Security Incident Involving Customers’ Email Addresses
Amazon informed some of its customers about a security incident that involved the unauthorized disclosure of their email addresses.
News of the security incident emerged over the weekend of October 23 when multiple users took to Twitter to voice their confusion over an email they had received from Amazon.
In an email notification the tech giant explained that it had fired an employee after they unlawfully disclosed some customers’ email addresses to a third party.
'Act of War' Clause Could Nix Cyber Insurance Payouts
Companies relying on their business interruption or property insurance policies to cover ransomware attacks and other cyber damages are running the risk of not having coverage during a major attack if insurers are successful in shielding themselves using the ubiquitous "act of war" clause, according to cyber security and insurance experts.
Therapy patients blackmailed for cash after clinic data breach
Many patients of a large psychotherapy clinic in Finland have been contacted individually by a blackmailer, after their data was stolen.
The data appears to have included personal identification records and notes about what was discussed in therapy sessions.
As usual, contact us to help assess where your risks lie and to ensure you are doing all you can do to keep you and your business secure.
Look out for our weekly ‘Cyber Tip Tuesday’ video blog and on our YouTube channel.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Links to articles are for interest and awareness and linking to or reposting external content does not endorse any service or product, likewise we are not responsible for the security of external links.