Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 17 May 2024

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

Social Engineering is the Biggest Cyber Threat, as Study Finds Most Workers Have Clicked on a Suspicious Email Link

According to a recent report, half of office workers have clicked on a link or attachment within a suspicious email sent to their work address within the last 12 months, and of those that interacted with the email, half of them claimed to be confident in their ability to identify phishing emails.

With 68% of breaches involving the human element, your organisation must be cognisant of its employees. Hackers know that no matter what your tech stack is, you will always have employees and where there is an employee, there is a way into your organisation. It is far cheaper to exploit an employee who already has the access you require, than to develop a new exploit. It only takes one human to make a mistake by granting access to an attacker.  

When it came to training, only 41% of respondents said their employer had provided formal cyber security awareness training and 79% said their previous training is not sufficient to keep pace with modern cyber threats.

Source: [HackerNoon] [BusinessPlus]

Business Leaders are Stressing Out Over Pace of Technological Change, as Cyber Security Incidents Seen as Main Business Disruptor

A recent report commissioned by BT reveals that 86% of UK business leaders suffer from 'tech-related stress,' particularly concerning AI and cyber security, a phenomenon they have termed as 'Bytmares.' The report found that 59% of business leaders worry about the rapid and relentless pace of tech advancement, and whether appropriate controls are in place to protect it.

According to a different survey, 74% of business leaders view cyber security incidents as the main disruptive threat to their organisations either currently or over the next twelve months. This was followed by cloud computing, internet of things and artificial intelligence.

These findings highlight the critical importance of robust cyber security measures in today’s interconnected world. As organisations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, safeguarding sensitive data and systems becomes paramount. Cyber threats can disrupt operations, compromise customer trust, and result in financial losses. Remember, cyber security is not just an IT concern; it is a strategic imperative for every organisation.

Sources: [Beta News] [Telecoms] [Verdict]

ICO Warns That Many UK Businesses Neglect Basic Cyber Security: More Ransomware and Cyber Attacks Last Year Than Ever Before

A recent update from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has revealed that ransomware attacks in the UK have surpassed all previous years, up 52% from the previous year. The report found that finance, retail and education sectors are suffering the most incidents.

The leading causes of breaches include phishing, brute force attacks, errors and supply chain attacks. The ICO noted that many organisations still neglect basic cyber security measures and has called for enhanced efforts to combat the escalating threat, emphasising the importance of foundational controls.

Sources: [Tech Monitor] [Government Business] [The Record Media] [Tech Monitor]

Data Breaches are Getting Worse, Many are Employee Errors or Social Engineering Attacks

The latest Verizon Business Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) highlights that employee error is the leading cause of cyber security incidents in the EMEA region, accounting for 49% of cases. The top reasons for these incidents are “miscellaneous errors, system intrusion, and social engineering,” making up 87% of all breaches. Hackers primarily target personal information (64%), internal data (33%), and login credentials (20%). Despite zero-day vulnerabilities being a significant threat, with exploitation rising to 14% of breaches, the report emphasises the critical need for ongoing employee training and awareness to mitigate these risks.

Source: [TechRadar]

Why Cyber Insurance isn’t a Substitute for Cyber Risk Management

While cyber insurance can be beneficial in mitigating financial loss from cyber attacks, it is not a substitute for comprehensive cyber risk management. Many firms with cyber insurance have still fallen victim to attacks, highlighting that cyber insurance primarily transfers residual risk. Effective cyber risk management includes conducting proper risk assessments and implementing robust cyber security controls. Cyber insurance cannot resolve issues like business disruption, breach of client confidentiality, and compliance with legal obligations; this stresses the need for proactive measures and independent assurance to protect against cyber threats.

Source: [ Law Society of Scotland]

China Presents Defining Challenge to Global Cyber Security, Says GCHQ

A recent speech by the new director of the UK’s GCHQ highlighted China's growing cyber threat, describing it as an "epoch-defining challenge." She warned that China's destabilising actions undermine global internet security. The current head of the UKs’ NCSC echoed these concerns, pointing to the Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Volt Typhoon which has infiltrated critical sectors like energy and transportation. The National Cyber Director at the White House added that China’s cyber capabilities pose a significant threat to global infrastructure, particularly in crisis scenarios, as Chinese hackers increasingly use sophisticated techniques to pre-position within networks.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Botnet Sent Millions of Emails in LockBit Black Ransomware Campaign

Since April, millions of phishing emails have been sent through a botnet known as “Phorpiex” to conduct a large-scale LockBit Black ransomware campaign. In a warning from New Jersey’s Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, it was explained that the attackers use ZIP attachments containing an executable that deploys the LockBit Black payload, which encrypts the recipients' systems if launched. The emails are sent from 1,500 unique IP addresses worldwide.

Sources: [Bleeping Computer]

Global Financial Stability at Risk Due to Cyber Threats, IMF warns

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) report highlights the severe threat cyber attacks pose to global financial stability, revealing that nearly 20% of reported cyber incidents in the past two decades targeted the financial sector, causing $12 billion in direct losses. Since 2020, these attacks have led to an estimated $2.5 billion in direct losses. The report underscores that cyber incidents threaten financial institutions' operational resilience, potentially leading to funding challenges and reputational damage. The IMF calls for bolstered cyber security measures, including stress testing, information-sharing arrangements, and enhanced national cyber security strategies to mitigate these growing risks.

Source: [World Economic Forum]

Ongoing Campaign Bombards Enterprises with Spam Emails and Phone Calls

An ongoing social engineering campaign that is bombarding enterprises with spam calls and emails has been uncovered. The campaign involves a threat actor overwhelming a user’s email with junk, followed by a call offering to assist in removing the junk. From here, the threat actor aims to convince the victim to download remote monitoring and management software such as AnyDesk or Microsoft’s built in Quick Assist feature to allow the attacker remote access to the victim’s machine.

Source: [The Hacker News]

Santander Data Breach via Third-Party Provider Impacted Customers and Employees

A recent disclosure by the Spanish bank Santander revealed a data breach at a third-party provider affecting customers in Chile, Spain, and Uruguay. Unauthorised access to a database hosted by the provider compromised information on all current and some former employees, but did not include transactional data, online banking details, or passwords. Santander said they swiftly implemented measures to contain the incident, blocking access to the compromised database and enhancing fraud prevention controls. The bank assured that its operations and systems remain unaffected, allowing customers to continue transacting securely. The number of impacted individuals remains unspecified.

There is a continued trend in third party providers being used as the soft underbelly to attack larger and better defended organisations, requiring all organisations to consider the security controls of their third parties.

Source: [securityaffairs.com]

40% of Cyber Teams Have Held Back from Reporting Cyber Attacks Over Fear of Losing Jobs

Recent research has revealed that 40% of cyber teams have not reported a cyber attack due to the fear of losing their job. Unfortunately, this leaves businesses at risk of being non-compliant, without even knowing so. When it came to challenges faced by organisations, it was found that nearly 20% of companies say a lack of qualified talent is a key challenge to overcoming cyber attacks and 32% did not have the resources to hire new staff. This is not to say however, they are unable to outsource some of their cyber function to cyber specialists. This lack of allocated resources prevents the organisation from being confident that any incidents have been appropriately remediated.

Source: [Business Wire]

Digital Resilience – a Step Up from Cyber Security

In an increasingly digital world, many organisations are unaware of how truly reliant they are on digital technology, and the accompanying risks. As we move toward an even more digitally dependent future, the need for digital resilience is more critical than ever. Digital resilience refers to the ability to maintain, change, or recover technology-dependent operations. Organisations should begin with an internal audit to assess their digital resilience, involving all departments and ensuring senior management oversight, as board involvement is essential for effective cyber security programmes.

Digital resilience goes beyond cyber security to encompass change management, business resilience, and operational risk. Implementing digital resilience strategies requires continuous adaptation, cross-functional collaboration, and embedding resilience thinking throughout the organisation. Businesses must integrate digital resilience into their strategic planning to ensure ongoing competitiveness and adaptability in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Sources: [CSO Online] [CSO Online]

UK Lags Europe on Exploited Vulnerability Remediation

A new report by Bitsight reveals that UK organisations lag behind their European counterparts in remediating software flaws listed in the US ‘Known Exploited Vulnerability’ (KEV) catalogue. UK organisations take an average of 225 days to address KEVs, compared to 220 days for European entities and just 21 days for German organisations. Non-KEV vulnerabilities are patched at an even slower rate, with UK entities taking over two years (736 days) to patch. Globally, the average time to resolve KEVs is around six months (180 days). Despite fewer KEVs detected in UK environments (30% versus 43% in Europe), the slow remediation poses significant risks, emphasising the need for faster and more proactive cyber security measures, specifically robust vulnerability scanning and patching.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Cyber Threats Demand More Focus Says Zurich, as UK Insurance And NCSC Join Forces to Fight Ransomware Payments

A recent discussion at the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) conference highlighted the increasing importance of cyber security for businesses, driven by the surge in cyber attacks and the use of AI by criminal gangs. Zurich Resilience Solutions UK noted that businesses face greater scrutiny from underwriters over their cyber exposures.

BIBA, together with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the International Underwriting Association (IUA), have united with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in a joint effort to tackle ransom payments. As a result of their collaboration, they have published new best practice guidance, which aims to reduce the number of payments being made by UK victims as well as the disruption businesses face.

Source: [Emerging Risks] [NCSC] [Infosecurity Magazine]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• ICO calls on all organisations to boost their cyber security amid growing threat of cyber attacks | Practical Law (thomsonreuters.com)

• Firms neglecting cyber security basics - ICO - CIR Magazine

• Why cyber insurance isn’t a substitute for cyber risk management. | Law Society of Scotland (lawscot.org.uk)

• Business leaders consider cyber security main disruptor – Q1 2024 survey - Verdict

• 40% of Cyber Teams Have Not Reported Cyber Attacks Over Fear of Losing Jobs, According to New VikingCloud Research | Business Wire

• The Growing Cyber Security Disconnect Leaves Enterprises Exposed (forbes.com)

• Cyber Security Is a Top Investor Concern | HackerNoon

• Cyber threats demand more focus – Zurich (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Digital resilience – a step up from cyber security | CSO Online

• Keep it secret, keep it safe: the essential role of cyber security in document management | CSO Online

• Cyber anxiety on the rise in the UK (betanews.com)

• UK business leaders are stressing out over pace of technological change (telecoms.com)

• Dancing on the Head of a Pin: Corporate Boards, Committees and Cyber Security Risk Management | The Volkov Law Group - JDSupra

• 44% of Cyber Security Professionals Struggle with Regulatory Compliance - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber attacks threaten global financial stability, IMF warns | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• BISO: Enhancing cyber security in modern enterprises - SiliconANGLE

• Dell Data Breach Underscores Cost of Cyber Security Complacency (pymnts.com)

• What Is Cyber Risk Quantification? | HackerNoon

• Cyber and Financial Crime, Through the FBI Lens (govinfosecurity.com)

• A Third of CISOs Have Been Dismissed “Out of Hand” By the Board - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Maximizing cyber security ROI: A strategic approach | TechRadar

• Many CISOs don't feel they get the right respect from their board | TechRadar

• Cyber high on agenda at BIBA amid concerns over threats (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Lloyd’s updates cyber war wordings - Reinsurance News

• Are you meeting your cyber insurance requirements? - Help Net Security

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Botnet sent millions of emails in LockBit Black ransomware campaign (bleepingcomputer.com)

• UK hit by more ransomware and cyber attacks last year than ever before (therecord.media)

• The ups and downs (and ups again) of the ransomware risk - Digital Journal

• Hackers Target Children of Corporate Executives in Ransomware Attacks (businessinsider.com)

• CISA: Black Basta ransomware breached over 500 orgs worldwide (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber attacks leave significant financial impact on hacked organisations (kwch.com)

• As the FBI Closes In, Scattered Spider Attacks Finance, Insurance Orgs (darkreading.com)

• UK Insurance and NCSC Join Forces to Fight Ransomware Payments - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK insurance industry begins to acknowledge role in tackling ransomware (therecord.media)

• The UK may not have a choice on a ransomware payment ban | Computer Weekly

• 64% Jump in Ransomware Claims on Remote Access Tools, Report Shows (claimsjournal.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploiting Microsoft's Quick Assist Feature in Ransomware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Organisations struggle to defend against ransomware - Help Net Security

• Ransomware statistics that reveal alarming rate of cyber extortion - Help Net Security

• Most ransomware-hit enterprises report to authorities, but level of support varies | ZDNET

• Ransomware negotiator weighs in on the payment debate • The Register

• OODA Loop - The Social Engineering Tactics of Ransomware-as-a-Service Operator Black Basta

• INC ransomware source code selling on hacking forums for $300,000 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What is ransomware recovery? | Definition from TechTarget

• Ransomware Defence Strategies: Never Trust a Criminal (inforisktoday.com)

Ransomware Victims

• More than 470 legal actions against HSE over cyber attack (rte.ie)

• It's been a bad week for public cyber security | TechRadar

• Christie's Just Postponed the Rare Watches Auction Due to Cyber Attack (robbreport.com)

• Singing River Health System: Data of 895,000 stolen in ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Repeat Offenders: Black Basta’s Latest Healthcare Cyber Attack (informationweek.com)

• E-prescription provider MediSecure impacted by a ransomware attack (securityaffairs.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Social Engineering is the Biggest Cyber Threat | HackerNoon

• Most Workers Have Clicked on a Suspicious Email Link (businessplus.ie)

• Botnet sent millions of emails in LockBit Black ransomware campaign (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Stay In The Loop On Emerging And Evolving Email Threat Trends (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Collaboration tools are now at the frontline in the battle against phishing (securitybrief.co.nz)

• 5 Common Phishing Vectors and Examples - 2024 (cybersecuritynews.com)

BEC

• Visualizing Global Losses from Financial Scams (visualcapitalist.com)

Other Social Engineering

• Social Engineering is the Biggest Cyber Threat | HackerNoon

• Low-tech tactics still top the IT security risk chart | CSO Online

• Ongoing Campaign Bombards Enterprises with Spam Emails and Phone Calls (thehackernews.com)

• What is vishing and quishing, and how do you protect yourself? | PCWorld

• Beware of fake calls, ward off cyber criminals: Govt - The Statesman

• OODA Loop - The Social Engineering Tactics of Ransomware-as-a-Service Operator Black Basta

Artificial Intelligence

• UK Government Unveils New AI Cyber Security Measures as ICO Details Importance of Data Protection | The Fintech Times

• UK agency releases tools to test AI model safety | TechCrunch

• Security industry struggles to consolidate against AI threats - SiliconANGLE

• Cyber Security Races to Unmask New Wave of AI Deepfakes (darkreading.com)

• Only one-third of firms deploy safeguards against generative AI threats, report finds | CIO Dive

• CISOs Reconsider Their Roles in Response to GenAI Integration - Security Boulevard

• AI's rapid growth puts pressure on CISOs to adapt to new security risks - Help Net Security

• Insider Risk in the Generative AI Era - InfoRiskToday

• AI-driven attacks seen as chief cloud security threat | TechTarget

• Concern over AI cyber threats among UK infrastructure organisations | Security News (sourcesecurity.com)

• The Cyber Security Survival Guide For Generative AI (forbes.com)

2FA/MFA

• How to Prevent Attacks that Bypass MFA - InfoRiskToday

Malware

• Malware was almost 50% of threat detections in Q1 2024 | Security Magazine

• North Korean Hackers Deploy New Golang Malware 'Durian' Against Crypto Firms (thehackernews.com)

• FIN7 Hacker Group Leverages Malicious Google Ads to Deliver NetSupport RAT (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft fixes Windows zero-day exploited in QakBot malware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ebury botnet malware infected 400,000 Linux servers since 2009 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Kimsuky hackers deploy new Linux backdoor via trojanized installers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Man destroys his laptop after downloading 1,000 viruses to see which anti-virus software works the best (unilad.com)

Mobile

• Malicious Android Apps Pose as Google, Instagram, WhatsApp to Steal Credentials (thehackernews.com)

• Google Issues Critical Update For Millions Of Pixel Users (forbes.com)

• Apple Patch Day: Code Execution Flaws in iPhones, iPads, macOS - Security Week

• Threat actors may have exploited a zero-day in older iPhones, Apple warns (securityaffairs.com)

• Apple warns of increased iPhone security risks – Computerworld

• Apple and Google agree on standard to alert people when unknown Bluetooth devices may be tracking them | TechCrunch

• Protect against iPhone trojan GoldPickaxe: How-to - 9to5Mac

• Unwanted Tracking Alerts Rolling Out to iOS, Android - Security Week

• Apple blocked $7 billion in fraudulent App Store purchases in 4 years (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Android boosting security with Theft Detection Lock, factory reset protection  (9to5google.com)

• Data Privacy: All the Ways Your Cellphone Carrier Tracks You and How to Stop It

• Your Android phone could have stalkerware — here’s how to remove it | TechCrunch

Internet of Things – IoT

• Attack makes autonomous vehicle tech ignore road signs • The Register

• Millions of IoT Devices at Risk From Integrated Modem (darkreading.com)

• Prison for cyber security expert selling private videos from inside 400,000 homes (bitdefender.com)

• IoT Vulnerabilities and BotNet Infections: A Risk for Executives - Security Boulevard

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Over 5.3 billion data records exposed in April 2024 | Computer Weekly

• MoD contractor hacked by China failed to report breach for months | Hacking | The Guardian

• Data breaches are getting worse - and many are coming from a familiar source | TechRadar

• Notorious threat actor IntelBroker claims the hack of the Europol (securityaffairs.com)

• Hacker claims another breach into Dell systems | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Dell Data Breach Underscores Cost of Cyber Security Complacency (pymnts.com)

• Hacker claims to have stolen Dell customer data, twice. Here's how to protect yourself | ZDNET

• Santander Data Breach Impacts Customers, Employees - Security Week

• Employee data breaches up 41% - Personnel Today

• The legal sector's data breach conundrum: insights from ICO's latest report - Solicitors Journal

• JPMorgan Chase Suffers Data Breach Affecting Personal Information of 451,809 Customers - The Daily Hodl

• JPMorgan Fixes Security Flaw, Affects 450K Retirement Plans | Entrepreneur

• Europol confirms incident after data break-in claims • The Register

• Largest non-bank lender in Australia warns of a data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Guernsey data breaches: More than 1,000 people affected - BBC News

• Up to 120,000 affected by data breach at City of Helsinki (helsinkitimes.fi)

• Billion-Dollar Bank Sued After Revealing Massive Data Breach Affecting Thousands of Customers, Exposing Account Details, Social Security Numbers and Medical Information: Report - The Daily Hodl

• Okta’s security chief on the company’s own cyber attack and how the ‘battleground’ has shifted (therecord.media)

• Camden Council cyber attack warning after NRS Healthcare cyber attack | Ham & High (hamhigh.co.uk)

• Lessons learned from high-profile data breaches | TechTarget

• Zscaler Confirms Only Isolated Test Server Was Hacked - Security Week

• Nissan North America data breach impacts over 53,000 employees (bleepingcomputer.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• FBI, DoJ Shut Down BreachForums, Launch Investigation (darkreading.com)

• Cyber and Financial Crime, Through the FBI Lens (govinfosecurity.com)

• FBI working towards nabbing Scattered Spider hackers, official says | Reuters

• Low-tech tactics still top the IT security risk chart | CSO Online

• The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape: Insights into State-Sponsored and Criminal Cyber Activities | HackerNoon

• Top 5 Most Dangerous Cyber Threats in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• North Korean Hackers Deploy New Golang Malware 'Durian' Against Crypto Firms (thehackernews.com)

• Tornado Cash cryptomixer dev gets 64 months for laundering $2 billion (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US brothers arrested for stealing $25m in crypto in just 12 seconds - BBC News

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Low-tech tactics still top the IT security risk chart | CSO Online

• Data breaches are getting worse - and many are coming from a familiar source | TechRadar

• Insider Risk in the Generative AI Era - InfoRiskToday

• The Human Element in Cyber Security: Safeguarding your organisation (thebusinessmagazine.co.uk)

• CISOs call to ditch the 'stigma of blame' in cyber security (computing.co.uk)

Insurance

• Why cyber insurance isn’t a substitute for cyber risk management. | Law Society of Scotland (lawscot.org.uk)

• NCSC guide to help businesses facing ransomware demands (biba.org.uk)

• UK insurance industry begins to acknowledge role in tackling ransomware (therecord.media)

• UK Insurance and NCSC Join Forces to Fight Ransomware Payments - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Lloyd’s provides tighter guidance on cyber war wordings | Insurance Insider

• Cyber high on agenda at BIBA amid concerns over threats (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Are you meeting your cyber insurance requirements? - Help Net Security

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Most Companies Affected by Software Supply Chain Attacks in the Last Year, Struggling to Detect and React Effectively - IT Security Guru

• Santander: a data breach at a third-party provider impacted customers and employees (securityaffairs.com)

• MoD contractor hacked by China failed to report breach for months | Hacking | The Guardian

• Okta’s security chief on the company’s own cyber attack and how the ‘battleground’ has shifted (therecord.media)

Cloud/SaaS

• How to create a cloud security policy, step by step | TechTarget

• AI-driven attacks seen as chief cloud security threat | TechTarget

• Singapore Cyber Security Update Puts Cloud Providers on Notice (darkreading.com)

• Secrecy Concerns Mount Over Spy Powers Targeting US Data Centres | WIRED

Encryption

• You want us to think of the children? Couldn't agree more • The Register

Linux and Open Source

• Ebury botnet malware infected 400,000 Linux servers since 2009 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Kimsuky hackers deploy new Linux backdoor via trojanized installers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Establishing a security baseline for open source projects - Help Net Security

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• The 10 most common 4-digit PIN numbers — are you at risk of a cyber attack? (nypost.com)

Social Media

• It’s time to ban TikTok for the sake of our democracy and security (politicshome.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• The Future of Security Awareness - GovInfoSecurity

• The Human Element in Cyber Security: Safeguarding your organisation (thebusinessmagazine.co.uk)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Singapore Cyber Security Update Puts Cloud Providers on Notice (darkreading.com)

• Clock is ticking for companies to prepare for EU NIS2 Directive | CSO Online

• Nigeria Halts Cyber Security Tax After Public Outrage (darkreading.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Clock is ticking for companies to prepare for EU NIS2 Directive | CSO Online

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• The cyber security skills shortage: A CISO perspective | CSO Online

• Why cyber security staff burn out, and what to do about it (computing.co.uk)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• As the FBI Closes In, Scattered Spider Attacks Finance, Insurance Orgs (darkreading.com)

• FBI, DoJ Shut Down BreachForums, Launch Investigation (darkreading.com)

• Most ransomware-hit enterprises report to authorities, but level of support varies | ZDNET

• Prison for cyber security expert selling private videos from inside 400,000 homes (bitdefender.com)

• Tornado Cash cryptomixer dev gets 64 months for laundering $2 billion (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US brothers arrested for stealing $25m in crypto in just 12 seconds - BBC News

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Lloyd’s updates cyber war wordings - Reinsurance News

• Civil society under increasing threats from ‘malicious’ state cyber actors, US (therecord.media)

Nation State Actors

China

• Cyber threat landscape permanently altered by Chinese operations, US officials say (therecord.media)

• GCHQ boss says China's 'genuine' cyber threat 'weakens security of internet for all' | Science & Tech News | Sky News

• Tracking the Progression of Earth Hundun's Cyber espionage Campaign in 2024 | Trend Micro (US)

• When Chinese Nationalist Hackers Go Rogue (globelynews.com)

• Can't blame all Chinese cyber attacks on the government - Asia Times

• How the West has struggled to keep up with China’s spy threat - BBC News

• Stifling Beijing in cyber space big focus for UK operatives • The Register

• China focuses on non-military ways to take Taiwan, reports warn - Washington Times

• It’s time to ban TikTok for the sake of our democracy and security (politicshome.com)

• Asian Threat Actors Use New Techniques to Attack Familiar Targets (darkreading.com)

• Chinese Crime Ring Uses Franchise Model to Grow Fake Online Shops (businessinsider.com)

• Three men charged with aiding Hong Kong intelligence service, says Met | UK news | The Guardian

Russia

• Russia is ramping up sabotage across Europe (economist.com)

• File Not Found: Russia Is Hacking Evidence of Its War Crimes - War on the Rocks

• NATO Draws a Cyber Red Line in Tensions With Russia - Security Week

• Pro-Russia hackers targeted Kosovo government websites (securityaffairs.com)

• Russian Actors Weaponize Legitimate Services in Multi-Malware Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK 'increasingly concerned' about Russian intelligence links to hacktivists (therecord.media)

• To the Moon and back(doors): Lunar landing in diplomatic missions (welivesecurity.com)

• New backdoors on a European government's network appear to be Russian (therecord.media)

• 'Russian' hackers deface potentially hundreds of local British news sites (therecord.media)

• Investigation: How Russia's Warplanes Get Their 'Brain Power' From The West, Despite Sanctions

• The Three Seas Initiative: A Vanguard in Digitization and Cyber Security | Warsaw Institute

Iran

• Iran most likely to launch destructive cyber attack on US • The Register

North Korea

• Asian Threat Actors Use New Techniques to Attack Familiar Targets (darkreading.com)

• North Korean Hackers Deploy New Golang Malware 'Durian' Against Crypto Firms (thehackernews.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Not Just MOVEit: 2023 Was a Banner Year for Zero-Days (inforisktoday.com)

• (Cyber) Risk = Probability of Occurrence x Damage (thehackernews.com)

• Critical vulnerabilities take 4.5 months on average to remediate - Help Net Security

• The Fall of the National Vulnerability Database (darkreading.com)

• Backlogs at National Vulnerability Database prompt action from NIST and CISA | CSO Online

• UK Lags Europe on Exploited Vulnerability Remediation - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Log4J shows no sign of fading, spotted in 30% of CVE exploits - Help Net Security

• NIST Confusion Continues as Cyber Pros Complain CVE Uploads Stopped - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Heartbleed: When Is It Good to Name a Vulnerability? (darkreading.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Google Chrome emergency update fixes 6th zero-day exploited in 2024 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Google patches third exploited Chrome zero-day in a week (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Threat actors may have exploited a zero-day in older iPhones, Apple warns (securityaffairs.com) 

• Microsoft Patches 61 Flaws, Including Two Actively Exploited Zero-Days (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploiting Microsoft's Quick Assist Feature in Ransomware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft fixes Windows zero-day exploited in QakBot malware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Log4J shows no sign of fading, spotted in 30% of CVE exploits - Help Net Security

• D-Link Routers Vulnerable to Takeover Via Exploit for Zero-Day (darkreading.com)

• New Wi-Fi Vulnerability Enables Network Eavesdropping via Downgrade Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Intel Publishes 41 Security Advisories for Over 90 Vulnerabilities  - Security Week

• Google Issues Critical Update For Millions Of Pixel Users (forbes.com)

• Apple Patch Day: Code Execution Flaws in iPhones, iPads, macOS - Security Week

• CISA and FBI Issue Alert on Path Traversal Vulnerabilities - Security Boulevard

• VMware Patches Severe Security Flaws in Workstation and Fusion Products (thehackernews.com)

• Firefox 126: Telemetry, privacy feature, and security fixes - gHacks Tech News

• SAP Patches Critical Vulnerabilities in CX Commerce, NetWeaver - Security Week

• Adobe Patches Critical Flaws in Reader, Acrobat - Security Week

• Cisco Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• Microsoft shares temp fix for Outlook encrypted email reply issues (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Why cyber insurance isn’t a substitute for cyber risk management. | Law Society of Scotland (lawscot.org.uk)

• Digital resilience – a step up from cyber security | CSO Online

• Dancing on the Head of a Pin: Corporate Boards, Committees and Cyber Security Risk Management | The Volkov Law Group - JDSupra

• How To Implement Threat Modeling To Protect Your Business - Minutehack

• How to create a cloud security policy, step by step | TechTarget

• Hackers use DNS tunneling for network scanning, tracking victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AWS CISO: In AI gold rush, folks forget application security • The Register

• What Is Cyber Risk Quantification? | HackerNoon

• Best Practices for Preparing for a Cyber Breach | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

• Ridding your network of NTLM | CSO Online

• Maximizing cyber security ROI: A strategic approach | TechRadar

• What is ransomware recovery? | Definition from TechTarget

• The Human Element in Cyber Security: Safeguarding your organisation (thebusinessmagazine.co.uk)

• Addressing the Cyber Security Vendor Ecosystem Disconnect (darkreading.com)

• The Future of Security Awareness - GovInfoSecurity

• Microsoft Deploys Generative AI for US Spies | WIRED

• How to Think About Foundation Models for Cyber Security | Andreessen Horowitz (a16z.com)

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Learning from the mistakes of others – A retrospective review | ICO

• 2024 Browser Security Report (layerxsecurity.com)

• At-Bay's 2024 InsurSec Report [Download Now]

• Kaspersky’s Incident Response Analyst report 2023 (kasperskycontenthub.com)

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Other News

• Microsoft president summoned to House over security blunders • The Register

• National Cyber Security Centre: Tech market not working - The Business Magazine

• Critical infrastructure security needs everyone's help • The Register

• Your Hospital Is Under Cyber Attack. Now What? (newsweek.com)

• BT, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Vodafone on UK Router Security and Upgrades - ISPreview UK

• Hackers use DNS tunnelling for network scanning, tracking victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• NCSC CTO: Broken market must be fixed to usher in new tech • The Register

• Public Sector IT is Broken: Turning the System Back On - IT Security Guru

• The Cyber Security Implications Of Gen Z’s Tech-Savvy Lifestyle (forbes.com)

• Fortify Your Digital Defences: Top Home Cyber Security Strategies for Personal Protection | HackerNoon

• Classes cancelled as 'sinister' school cyber attacks rise - BBC News

• Irony abounds as UK NCSC’s simple door codes revealed • The Register

• Candidates to get cyber security support amid general election interference fears (nation.cymru)

• NCSC launches Share and Defend capability | UKAuthority

• Too many ICS assets are exposed to the public internet - Help Net Security

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

·         OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 15 May 2024 – Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, SAP and VMware Updates

Executive summary

Microsoft’s May Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 61 security issues across its product range. Notably, the update tackles two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. The zero-days include a security feature bypass and an elevation of privilege vulnerability. Among the updates provided by Microsoft were 1 critical vulnerability, allowing an attacker remote code execution.

In addition to the Microsoft updates this week also saw Adobe, Apple, Firefox, Google Chrome, SAP and VMware all provide updates for vulnerabilities in a variety of their products, including multiple zero-days and critical vulnerabilities.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The actively exploited vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain code execution as well as elevating to system privileges, the highest available. Both of which compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored by an organisation.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerability and all other vulnerabilities that have an available patch should be updated as soon as possible.

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Technical Summary

Microsoft

CVE-2024-30040 – A security feature bypass, in which an unauthenticated attacker can gain code execution through convincing a user to open a malicious document. It is now known how this flaw was abused in attacks.

CVE-2024-30051- A flaw in Windows DWM Core Library which upon exploitation, allows an attacker to elevate to system privileges, the highest available.

Apple

Apple have addressed multiple vulnerabilities in its products, including 16 vulnerabilities on iPhone and iPads. This includes include one vulnerability which the company say “may have been exploited”.

Adobe

Adobe have addressed 37 vulnerabilities in its products, including 9 critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat and Reader, ,  2 critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Commerce, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Experience manager, 1 critical vulnerability in Adobe Media Encoder and Adobe Bridge, 3 critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Illustrator and 2 critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Animate. The company said it was not aware of any exploits in the wild for any of the documented issues.

Firefox

Firefox has upgraded to version 126. The new version addresses 16 unique security issues. None of the vulnerabilities are currently under active exploitation. The release also comes with some quality-of-life changes such as search telemetry changes and copy link without site tracking.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome released an emergency update to fix their 6th zero-day exploited this year, just one week after a previous one. Google are aware that an exploit for the vulnerability exists in the wild. Users are recommended to update as soon as possible.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 17 patches, which include 14 new fixes and 3 updates from previous releases. Two patches and one update have been given the “hot news” priority in SAP, the highest severity. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including CSS Injection, Remote Code Execution, File Upload flaws, and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

VMWare

Multiple security flaws, including one critical vulnerability, have been addressed by VMware after their exploitation was demonstrated at a security event. Some of the vulnerabilities do not have a fix yet and as such, users are advised to disable Bluetooth support and 3D acceleration as temporary workarounds until patches are applied.

---

More info:

Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within Microsoft’s May patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-may-2024-patch-tuesday-fixes-3-zero-days-61-flaws/

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/14/microsoft-releases-the-may-2024-security-updates-for-windows/

Apple

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Apple can be found here:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201222

Adobe

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat and Reader can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-29.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Photoshop can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb24-16.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Commerce can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/magento/apsb24-18.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe InDesign can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/indesign/apsb24-20.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Experience Manager can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/experience-manager/apsb24-21.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Media Encoder can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/media-encoder/apsb24-23.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Bridge can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/bridge/apsb24-24.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Illustrator can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/illustrator/apsb24-25.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Animate can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/security/products/animate/apsb24-26.html

Firefox

Further details on the vulnerabilities addressed in the Firefox release can be found here:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2024-21/

Google Chrome

Further details on the vulnerabilities addressed in the Google Chrome update can be found here:

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_13.html

SAP

Further details on the vulnerabilities addressed in SAP can be found here:

https://support.sap.com/en/my-support/knowledge-base/security-notes-news/may-2024.html

VMware

Further details on the vulnerabilities addressed by VMware can be found here:

https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/24280

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 19 April 2024

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

94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted by Attackers

Organisations that have backed up sensitive data may believe they are safe from the effects of ransomware attacks; however a new study by Sophos reported that cyber criminals attempted to compromise the backups of 94% of companies hit by ransomware in the past year. The research found that criminals can demand a higher ransom when they compromise an organisation’s backup data, and those victims are twice as likely to pay. The median ransom demand is $2.3 million when backups are compromised, compared to $1 million otherwise.

Additionally, sectors like state and local governments, along with media and entertainment, are particularly vulnerable with nearly all affected organisations experiencing backup compromises.

Source: [Tech Republic]

Sharing IT Providers Is a Risk for Financial Services, Says IMF, as Rising Cyber Threats Pose Serious Concerns for Financial Stability

The International Monetary Fund has found that with greater digitalisation and heightened geopolitical tensions comes a greater risk of cyber attack with systemic consequences. The IMF noted that losses more than quadrupled since 2017 to $2.5 billion.

The push for technology has led to a number of financial services institutions relying on third-party IT firms, increasing their susceptibility to cyber disruption on a wider scale and a potential ripple effect were a third party to be hit. Whilst such third parties can increase the cyber resilience of a financial services institution, they also expose the industry to systemwide shocks, the IMF reports.

The IMF recommend institutions should identify potential systematic risks in their third-party IT firms. If the organisation is unable to perform such risk assessments, they should seek the expert support of an independent cyber security specialist.

Sources: [The Banker] [IMF]

Hackers are Threatening to Publish a Huge Stolen Sanctions and Financial Crimes Watchlist

A cyber crime group named GhostR has claimed responsibility for stealing 5.3 million records from the World-Check database, which companies use for "know your customer" (KYC) checks to screen potential clients for financial crime risks. The data theft occurred in March and originated from a Singapore-based firm with access to World-Check. The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), which owns World-Check, confirmed that the breach involved a third-party's dataset and not their systems directly. The stolen data includes sensitive information on individuals identified as high-risk, such as government-sanctioned figures and those linked to organised crime. LSEG is coordinating with the affected third party and authorities to protect the compromised data and prevent its dissemination.

Source: [TechCrunch]

Your Annual Cyber Security Is Not Working, But There is a Solution

Most organisations utilise annual security training in an attempt to ensure every department develops their cyber awareness skills and is able to spot and report a threat. However, this training is often out of date. Additionally, often training has limited interactivity, failing to capture and maintain employees’ attention and retention. On top of this, many training courses fail to connect employees to real-world scenarios that could occur in their specific job.

To get the most return on investment, organisations need to have more regular education, with the aim of long-term behavioural shifts in the work place, nudging employees towards greater cyber hygiene.

Source: [TechRadar]

73% of Security Professionals Say They’ve Missed, Ignored or Failed to Act on a High Priority Security Alert

A new survey from Coro, targeting small medium enterprises (SME) cyber security professionals, reveals that 73% have missed or ignored high priority security alerts due to overwhelming workloads and managing multiple security tools. The 2024 SME Security Workload Impact Report highlights that SMEs are inundated with alerts and responsibilities, which dilute their focus from critical security threats. On average, these professionals manage over 11 security tools and spend nearly five hours daily on tasks like monitoring and patching vulnerabilities. Respondents handle an average of over 2,000 endpoint security agents across 656 devices, more than half dealing with frequent vendor updates.

Source: [Business Wire]

Russia and Ukraine Top Inaugural World Cyber Crime Index

The inaugural World Cybercrime Index (WCI) identifies Russia, Ukraine, and China as the top sources of global cyber crime. This index, the first of its kind, was developed over four years by an international team from the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales, with input from 92 cyber crime experts. These experts ranked countries based on the impact, professionalism, and technical skills of their cyber criminals across five cyber crime categories, including data theft, scams, and money laundering. Russia topped the list, followed by Ukraine and China, highlighting their significant roles in high-tech cyber criminal activities. The index, expected to be updated regularly, aims to provide a clearer understanding of cyber crime's global geography and its correlation with national characteristics like internet penetration and GDP. Of note the UK and US also made the top ten list, so it is not just other countries we need to worry about.

Top ten Countries in full:

1.       Russia

2.       Ukraine

3.       China

4.       United States

5.       Nigeria

6.       Romania

7.       North Korea

8.       United Kingdom

9.       Brazil

10.   India

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Police Takedown Major Cyber Fraud Superstore: Will the Cyber Crime Industry Become More Fragmented?

The London Metropolitan Police takedown of online fraud service LabHost serves as a reminder of the industrial scale on which cyber crimes are being performed, with the service amassing 480,000 debit or credit card numbers and 64,000 PINs: all for the subscription price of £300 a month. The site even included tutorial videos on how to commit crime and offered customer service.

Such takedowns can lead to fragmentation. The 2,000 individuals subscribed to LabHost may have lost access but where there is demand, supply will be found. The takedown of one service allows other, small services to fill the gap. As the saying goes ‘nature abhors a vacuum’ and it is especially true when it comes to cyber crime; there is too much business for empty spaces not to be filled.

Sources: [ITPro] [The Guardian]

Small Businesses See Stable Business Climate; Cite Cyber Security as Top Threat

Small businesses are experiencing a stable business climate, as reflected by the Small Business Index, indicating an increasing optimism about the economy. However, the recent surge in cyber attacks, including major assaults on UnitedHealth Group and MGM Resorts, has underscored the growing vulnerability of these businesses to cyber crime. Despite 80% of small to medium-sized enterprises feeling well-protected by their IT defences, a Devolutions survey reveals that 69% of them still fell victim to cyber attacks last year. This has led to cyber security being viewed as the greatest threat by 60% of small businesses, even surpassing concerns over supply chain disruptions and the potential for another pandemic.

The average cost of these attacks ranges from $120,000 to $1.24 million, leading to 60% of affected businesses closing within six months. This vulnerability is further compounded by a common underestimation of the ransomware threat. While 71% of businesses feel prepared for future threats, the depth of this preparedness varies, with only 23% feeling very prepared for cyber security challenges.

Sources: [Claims Journal] [Inc.com]

The Threat from Inside: Insider Threats Surge 14% Annually as Cost-of-Living Crisis Bites

Employee fraud grew significantly last year thanks to the opportunities afforded by remote working and the pressures of a cost-of-living crisis in the UK, according to Cifas, an anti-fraud non-profit. The number of individuals recorded in its cross-sector Insider Threat Database (ITD) increased 14% year-on-year (YoY) in 2023, with the most common reason being “dishonest action to obtain benefit by theft or deception” (49%).

Insider threats – both by accident or with malicious intent – by their own employees are overlooked, despite accounting for 58% of cybersecurity breaches in recent years. As a result, a large proportion of businesses may lack any strategy to address insider risks, leaving them vulnerable to financial, operational and reputational harm.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine] [TechRadar]

Dark Web Sales Driving Major Rise in Credential Attacks as Attackers Pummel Networks with Millions of Login Attempts

Dark web sales are driving a major rise in credential attacks, with a surge in infostealer malware attacks over the last three years significantly heightening the cyber crime landscape. Kaspersky reports a sevenfold increase in data theft attacks, leading to the compromise of over 26 million devices since 2022. Cyber criminals stole roughly 400 million login credentials last year alone, often sold on dark web markets for as low as $10 per log file. These stolen credentials have become a lucrative commodity, fostering a complex economy of initial access brokers who facilitate broader corporate network infiltrations. The Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions have been particularly affected, with millions of credentials stolen annually.

Simultaneously, Cisco’s Talos team warns of a current credential compromise campaign targeting networks via mass login attempts to VPN, SSH, and web apps. Attackers use a mix of generic and specific usernames with nearly 100 passwords from about 4,000 IP addresses, likely routed through anonymising services (such as TOR). These attacks pose risks like unauthorised access, account lockouts, and potential denial-of-service. The attack volume has increased since 18 March this year mirroring a previous alert by Cisco about a similar campaign affecting VPNs. Despite method and infrastructure similarities, a direct link between these campaigns is yet to be confirmed.

Sources: [Ars Technica] [Data Breach Today]

Large Enterprises Experience Breaches, Despite Large Security Stacks; Report Finds 93% of Breaches Lead to Downtime and Data Loss

93% of enterprises admitting to having had a breach have suffered significant consequences, ranging from unplanned downtime to data exposure or financial loss, according to a recent report. 73% of organisations made changes to their IT environment at least quarterly, however only 40% tested their security at the same frequency. Unfortunately, this means that many organisations are facing a significant gap in which changes in the IT environment are untested, and therefore their risk unknown.

Security tools can aid this, however as the report finds, despite having a large number of security stacks, 51% still reported a breach in the past 24 months. Organisations must keep in mind that security extends beyond the technical realm, and it needs to include people and operations.

Sources: [Infosecurity Magazine] [Help Net Security]

Charities Doing Worse than Private Sector in Staving off Cyber Attacks

Recent UK Government data reveals a significant cyber security challenge for charities, with about a third experiencing breaches this past year, equating to nearly 924,000 cyber crimes. Notably, 83% of these incidents involved phishing, with other prevalent threats including fraud emails and malware. The data found that 63% of charities said cyber security was a high priority for senior management, however, charities lag behind the private sector in adopting security monitoring tools and conducting risk assessments.

Additionally, while half of the charities implement basic cyber hygiene defences like malware protection and password policies, only about 40% seek external cyber security guidance.

Source: [TFN]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber attack volumes peak in first quarter | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Annual cyber security training isn’t working, so what’s the alternative? | TechRadar

• Russia and Ukraine Top Inaugural World Cyber Crime Index - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Insider Threats Surge 14% Annually as Cost-of-Living Crisis Bites - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Security breaches are causing more damage than ever before | TechRadar

• 73% of Security Professionals Say They’ve Missed, Ignored or Failed to Act on a High Priority Security Alert | Business Wire

• Small Businesses See Stable Business Climate; Cite Cyber Security as Top Threat (claimsjournal.com)

• Where Are You on the Cyber Security Readiness Index? Cisco Thinks You’re Probably Overconfident | Network Computing

• Experts say shocking level of cyber security breaches revealed in new government report “are avoidable” | LawNews.co.uk

• Report Suggests 93% of Breaches Lead to Downtime and Data Loss - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Hackers are threatening to publish a huge stolen sanctions and financial crimes watchlist | TechCrunch

• 51% of enterprises experienced a breach despite large security stacks - Help Net Security

• Rising Cyber Threats Pose Serious Concerns for Financial Stability (imf.org)

• Ex-Uber security exec Joe Sullivan is advising CISOs on how to avoid his legal fate (axios.com)

• Cyber Security Tips for Small Businesses Now Considered Big Hacking Targets | Inc.com

• The Five Main Steps In A Compliance Risk Assessment Plan (forbes.com)

• Pentesting accounts for an average of 13% of total IT security budgets | Security Magazine

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Sophos Study: 94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted (techrepublic.com)

• New LockBit Variant Exploits Self-Spreading Features - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cheap ransomware for sale on dark web marketplaces is changing the way hackers operate - Help Net Security

• FBI: Akira ransomware raked in $42 million from 250+ victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Infiltrating ransomware gangs on the dark web - CBS News

• What if we made ransomware payments illegal? | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Critical Atlassian Flaw Exploited to Deploy Linux Variant of Cerber Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

• Moldovan charged for operating botnet used to push ransomware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Report Reveals Healthcare Industry is Disillusioned in its Preparedness for Cyber Attacks - IT Security Guru

• Ransomware, meet DRaaS: The future of disaster mitigation (betanews.com)

• A whole new generation of ransomware makers are attempting to shake up the market | TechRadar

• Security Think Tank: Approaches to ransomware need a course correction | Computer Weekly

• Ransomware Victims Who Pay a Ransom Drops to Record Low (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Ransomware Victims

• Change Healthcare’s ransomware attack costs reach nearly $1B • The Register

• Ransomware group Dark Angels claims the theft of 1TB of data from chipmaker Nexperia  (securityaffairs.com)

• Ransomware attacks against food, agriculture industry examined | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Ransomware attack compromises UN agency data | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 840-bed hospital in France postpones procedures after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US think tank Heritage Foundation hit by cyber attack | TechCrunch

• Daixin ransomware gang claims attack on Omni Hotels (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware feared as Octapharma Plasma closes 150+ centers • The Register

• Cyber Attack Takes Frontier Communications Offline (darkreading.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Students turning to cyberfraud as huge phishing site infiltrated, police reveal | Cybercrime | The Guardian

• Microsoft Most Impersonated Brand in Phishing Scams - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• North Korean Group Kimsuky Exploits DMARC and Web Beacons - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• FBI warns of massive wave of road toll SMS phishing attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FIN7 targets American automaker’s IT staff in phishing attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Other Social Engineering

• Quishing: The New Cyber Threat to the Cleared Workplace - ClearanceJobs

• FBI warns of massive wave of road toll SMS phishing attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Countering Voice Fraud in the Age of AI (darkreading.com)

• Cyber criminals pose as LastPass staff to hack password vaults (bleepingcomputer.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• CISOs not changing priorities in response to AI threats (betanews.com)

• 92% of enterprises unprepared for AI security challenges - Help Net Security

• AI Copilot: Launching Innovation Rockets, But Beware of the Darkness Ahead (thehackernews.com)

• Enterprise Endpoints Aren't Ready for AI (darkreading.com)

• Best Practices & Guidance For AI Security Deployment 2024 (gbhackers.com)

• Countering Voice Fraud in the Age of AI (darkreading.com)

• C-suite weighs in on generative AI and security (securityintelligence.com)

2FA/MFA

• Cisco Duo warns third-party data breach exposed SMS MFA logs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Roku Mandates 2FA for Customers After Credential-Stuffing Compromise (darkreading.com)

Malware

• LockBit 3.0 Variant Generates Custom, Self-Propagating Malware (darkreading.com)

• TA558 Hackers Weaponize Images for Wide-Scale Malware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• A sneaky new steganography malware is exploiting Microsoft Word — hundreds of firms around the world hit by attack | TechRadar

• Evil XDR: Researcher Turns Palo Alto Software Into Perfect Malware (darkreading.com)

• Firebird RAT creator and seller arrested in the US and Australia (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Destructive ICS Malware 'Fuxnet' Used by Ukraine Against Russian Infrastructure - Security Week

• New SteganoAmor attacks use steganography to target 320 orgs globally (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Russian APT Deploys New 'Kapeka' Backdoor in Eastern European Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Malicious Google Ads Pushing Fake IP Scanner Software with Hidden Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• New Cyber Threat MadMxShell Exploits Typosquatting and Google Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fake cheat lures gamers into spreading infostealer malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Mobile

• Government spyware is another reason to use an ad blocker | TechCrunch

• iPhone users warned to disable iMessage temporarily to avoid getting hacked - PhoneArena

• Enterprises face significant losses from mobile fraud - Help Net Security

• SoumniBot malware exploits Android bugs to evade detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• DDoS attacks saw a huge surge in the first part of 2024, with one particular country badly hit | TechRadar

• 68% of Companies are More Vulnerable to DDoS Than They Think - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• DDoS attacks are still growing and there are new threats on the horizon | ITPro

Internet of Things – IoT

• How to protect IP surveillance cameras from Wi-Fi jamming - Help Net Security

• CISA warns of critical vulnerability in Chirp smart locks • The Register

• New rules for security of connected products in the UK and EU - Lexology

Data Breaches/Leaks

• CISA orders agencies impacted by Microsoft hack to mitigate risks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US Government on High Alert as Russian Hackers Steal Critical Correspondence From Microsoft - Security Week

• Report Suggests 93% of Breaches Lead to Downtime and Data Loss - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft's 'cascade of security failures' allowed hackers to access US government employee emails | Windows Central

• Hackers are threatening to publish a huge stolen sanctions and financial crimes watchlist | TechCrunch

• Panama Papers: Money laundering trial of 27 defendants begins

• Over half a million Roku subscribers are the victims of the latest cyber security attack - PhoneArena

• Giant Tiger data breach may have impacted millions of customers (securityaffairs.com)

• Wells Fargo Says It Has Suffered Data Breach, Blames Employee for Exposing Personal Information on Pair of Customers - The Daily Hodl

• 5 Ways Your Personal Information May End Up On The Dark Web (slashgear.com)

• Law Firm to Pay $8M to Settle Health Data Hack Lawsuit (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• After a string of high profile cyber gang takedowns, is the cyber crime industry about to get a lot more fragmented? | ITPro

• Students turning to cyberfraud as huge phishing site infiltrated, police reveal | Cybercrime | The Guardian

• Russia and Ukraine Top Inaugural World Cyber Crime Index - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Chinese fraud victims seek return of £3bn in bitcoin seized in UK (ft.com)

• Ex-Amazon engineer gets 3 years for hacking crypto exchanges (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Security engineer jailed for 3 years for $12M crypto hacks | TechCrunch

• Hackers hijack OpenMetadata apps in Kubernetes cryptomining attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Insider Threats Surge 14% Annually as Cost-of-Living Crisis Bites - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Underestimating the dangers within: mitigating the insider cyber threat | TechRadar

Insurance

• Cyber threats increase as insurance costs fall - report (emergingrisks.co.uk)

Cloud/SaaS

• Exposing the top cloud security threats - Help Net Security

• What Is Microsoft's Role in the Shared Responsibility Model for Data Security? (prweb.com)

• For Service Accounts, Accountability Is Key to Security (darkreading.com)

• The cloud is benefiting IT, but not business | InfoWorld

Identity and Access Management

• Identity in the Shadows: Shedding Light on Cyber Security's Unseen Threats (thehackernews.com)

Linux and Open Source

• Open source groups say more software projects may have been targeted for sabotage (yahoo.com)

• Critical Atlassian Flaw Exploited to Deploy Linux Variant of Cerber Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Attackers are pummelling networks around the world with millions of login attempts | Ars Technica

• Roku Mandates 2FA for Customers After Credential-Stuffing Compromise (darkreading.com)

• Threat actors look to stolen credentials | Computer Weekly

• Cisco warns of large-scale brute-force attacks against VPN and SSH services (securityaffairs.com)

• Bad Bots Drive 10% Annual Surge in Account Takeover Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• For Service Accounts, Accountability Is Key to Security (darkreading.com)

• Dark Web Sales Driving Major Rise in Credential Attacks (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Social Media

• Pro-Russian Campaign Exploits Meta’s Failure to Moderate Political Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• EU tells Meta it can't paywall privacy • The Register

• Google to crack down on third-party YouTube apps that block ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malvertising

• Government spyware is another reason to use an ad blocker | TechCrunch

• New Cyber Threat MadMxShell Exploits Typosquatting and Google Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Google to crack down on third-party YouTube apps that block ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Annual cyber security training isn’t working, so what’s the alternative? | TechRadar

• Cyber security training: How to make it more motivating (hrexecutive.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• US Supreme Court ruling suggests change in cyber security disclosure process | CSO Online

• New rules for security of connected products in the UK and EU - Lexology

• Congress votes to kick Uncle Sam’s data broker habit • The Register

• Cops can force suspect to unlock phone with thumbprint, US court rules | Ars Technica

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Rebalancing NIST: Why 'Recovery' Can't Stand Alone (darkreading.com)

Backup and Recovery

• Sophos Study: 94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted (techrepublic.com)

Data Protection

• 5 Common Data Protection Challenges That Businesses Face (techtarget.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• IT and security professionals demand more workplace flexibility - Help Net Security

• National Security at Risk as Essential Cyber Security Roles Face Sharp Decline (prnewswire.com)

• Break Security Burnout: Combining Leadership With Neuroscience (darkreading.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• UK Police Lead Disruption of £1m Phishing-as-a-Service Site LabHost - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• After a string of high profile cyber gang takedowns, is the cyber crime industry about to get a lot more fragmented? | ITPro

• Firebird RAT creator and seller arrested in the US and Australia (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Moldovan charged for operating botnet used to push ransomware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Pro-Russian Campaign Exploits Meta’s Failure to Moderate Political Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US Election Officials Told to Prepare for Nation-State Influence Campa - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Preparing for Cyber Warfare: 6 Key Lessons From Ukraine (darkreading.com)

• State-sponsored cyber attacks: The new frontier | ITPro

China

• Chinese, Russian Hackers Keep Getting Past Microsoft's Security (businessinsider.com)

• Leaked FBI document shows MPs were kept in dark over China hack for two years (inews.co.uk)

• US Election Officials Told to Prepare for Nation-State Influence Campa - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Risks are higher than ever for US- China cyber war | Responsible Statecraft

• State-Sponsored Hackers Exploit Zero-Day to Backdoor Palo Alto Networks Firewalls - Security Week

• Singapore infosec boss: splinternet hinders interoperability • The Register

• FBI says Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure | Reuters

• Chinese fraud victims seek return of £3bn in bitcoin seized in UK (ft.com)

Russia

• Chinese, Russian Hackers Keep Getting Past Microsoft's Security (businessinsider.com)

• CISA orders agencies impacted by Microsoft hack to mitigate risks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft's 'cascade of security failures' allowed hackers to access US government employee emails | Windows Central

• US Government on High Alert as Russian Hackers Steal Critical Correspondence From Microsoft - Security Week

• Microsoft breach allowed Russia to steal Feds' emails • The Register

• State-Sponsored Hackers Exploit Zero-Day to Backdoor Palo Alto Networks Firewalls - Security Week

• How Ukraine’s cyber police fights back against Russia’s hackers | TechCrunch

• Russian 'Cyber Sabotage' A Global Threat: Security Firm | IBTimes

• Mandiant upgrades Sandworm to APT44 due to increasing threat | TechTarget

• Russia's Sandworm 'cyber attacked US, EU water utilities' • The Register

• Sandworm Group Shifts to Espionage Attacks, Hacktivist Personas | Decipher (duo.com)

• Russia and Ukraine Top Inaugural World Cyber Crime Index - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russia is trying to sabotage European railways, Czech minister said (securityaffairs.com)

• Pro-Russian Campaign Exploits Meta’s Failure to Moderate Political Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Singapore infosec boss: splinternet hinders interoperability • The Register

• US Election Officials Told to Prepare for Nation-State Influence Campa - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russian APT Deploys New 'Kapeka' Backdoor in Eastern European Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Destructive ICS Malware 'Fuxnet' Used by Ukraine Against Russian Infrastructure - Security Week

Iran

• Iranian MuddyWater Hackers Adopt New C2 Tool 'DarkBeatC2' in Latest Campaign (thehackernews.com)

• Middle East Cyber Ops Intensify, With Israel the Main Target (darkreading.com)

• Iran-Backed Hackers Blast Out Threatening Texts to Israelis (darkreading.com)

• Israel Holds Hybrid Cyber & Military Readiness Drills (darkreading.com)

North Korea

• DPRK Exploits 2 MITRE Sub-Techniques: Phantom DLL Hijacking, TCC Abuse (darkreading.com)

• North Korean Group Kimsuky Exploits DMARC and Web Beacons - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Other Nation State Actors, Hacktivism, Extremism, Terrorism and Other Geopolitical Threat Intelligence

• Geopolitical tensions escalate OT cyber attacks - Help Net Security

• “There are no borders in cyber space. We have to fight global terrorism together.” | Ctech (calcalistech.com)

• Furry Hackers Target Far-Right Outlet 'Real America's Voice' (dailydot.com)

• Government spyware is another reason to use an ad blocker | TechCrunch

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Vulnerability Management

• Cyber Security Pros Urge US Congress to Help NIST Restore NVD Operation - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How to conduct security patch validation and verification | TechTarget

• Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: A Beginner’s Guide - The New Stack

• The importance of the Vulnerability Operations Centre for cyber security | TechRadar

Vulnerabilities

• State-Sponsored Hackers Exploit Zero-Day to Backdoor Palo Alto Networks Firewalls - Security Week

• “Highly capable” hackers root corporate networks by exploiting firewall 0-day | Ars Technica

• Cisco discloses root escalation flaw with public exploit code (bleepingcomputer.com)

• PuTTY SSH client flaw allows recovery of cryptographic private keys (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Citrix Releases Security Updates for XenServer and Citrix Hypervisor | CISA

• Yubico Issues YubiKey Security Alert For Windows Users (forbes.com)

• Samsung Issues Update Now Warning For Millions Of Galaxy Users (forbes.com)

• Juniper Networks Publishes Dozens of New Security Advisories - Security Week

• Ivanti warns of critical flaws in its Avalanche MDM solution (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Oracle Patches 230 Vulnerabilities With April 2024 CPU - Security Week

• iPhone users warned to disable iMessage temporarily to avoid getting hacked - PhoneArena

• Delinea Fixes Flaw After Analyst Goes Public With Disclosure First (darkreading.com)

• Critical Atlassian Flaw Exploited to Deploy Linux Variant of Cerber Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

• Telegram fixes Windows app zero-day used to launch Python scripts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical RCE Vulnerability in 92,000 D-Link NAS Devices - Security Boulevard

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Tools and Controls

• Sophos Study: 94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted (techrepublic.com)

• Evil XDR: Researcher Turns Palo Alto Software Into Perfect Malware (darkreading.com)

• CISA's Malware Analysis Platform Could Foster Better Threat Intel (darkreading.com)

• Pentesting accounts for an average of 13% of total IT security budgets | Security Magazine

• Annual cyber security training isn’t working, so what’s the alternative? | TechRadar

• 6 Ways Businesses Can Boost Their Cloud Security Resilience - Compare the Cloud

• North Korean Group Kimsuky Exploits DMARC and Web Beacons - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Dark Web Monitoring: What's the Value? (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 5 Steps Toward Military-Grade API Security - The New Stack

• Ransomware, meet DRaaS: The future of disaster mitigation (betanews.com)

• Cyber security training: How to make it more motivating (hrexecutive.com)

• The Five Main Steps In A Compliance Risk Assessment Plan (forbes.com)

• AI set to enhance cyber security roles, not replace them - Help Net Security

• Why You Still Shouldn't Trust Zero Trust (forbes.com)

• Stateful vs. stateless firewalls: Understanding the differences | TechTarget

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Rising Cyber Threats Pose Serious Concerns for Financial Stability (imf.org)

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Other News

• Why home cyber security is important (xda-developers.com)

• Microsoft remains in the US government's good graces despite its high susceptibility to attacks | Windows Central

• Charities doing worse than private sector in staving off cyber attacks - TFN

• Private companies operating critical infrastructure are not taking cyber security threats seriously enough. | USAPP (lse.ac.uk)

• The US counterintelligence head says the list of threats is long and getting longer (cfpublic.org)

• Critical Infrastructure Security: Observations From the Front Lines (darkreading.com)

• Geopolitical tensions escalate OT cyber attacks - Help Net Security

• Microsoft, Beset by Hacks, Grapples With Problem Years in the Making - BNN Bloomberg

• The invisible seafaring industry that keeps the internet afloat (theverge.com)

• Do we have a plan on how to deal with subsea cables sabotage? | Euronews

• Ex-GCHQ chief: Cyber attacks could target fragile trust in utilities - Utility Week

• Trust in Cyber Takes a Knock as CNI Budgets Flatline - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• University chiefs to get security service Cobra briefing on hostile states | The Argus

• SAP Applications Increasingly in Attacker Crosshairs, Report Shows - Security Week

• Emergency services a likely target for cyber attacks, warns DHS - ABC News (go.com)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

·         OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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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 ‘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 12 April 2024

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

UK Cyber Breaches Survey Finds Business Falling Short on Cyber, as Half Suffer Breach and Many Fail to Report

Half of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach last year, according to a survey by the UK Government. The figure could be much higher however, as the survey found only 34% report breaches externally.

It is said that a cyber incident is a matter of when, not if. Nonetheless, 78% of organisations lack a dedicated response plan outlining actions to be taken in the event of a cyber incident and only 11% review their immediate suppliers for risks. To improve cyber resilience, there needs to be a paradigm shift.

Sources: [Computer Weekly] [Computing] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Info Risk Today]

Cyber Attacks Cost Financial Firms $12bn Says IMF

A recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has highlighted significant financial losses in the financial services sector, totalling $12 billion over the last two decades due to cyber attacks, with losses accelerating post-pandemic. The number of incidents and the scale of extreme losses have sharply increased, prompting the IMF to urge enhanced cross-border cooperation to uphold the stability of the global financial system.

The report underscores the critical threat that cyber attacks pose to financial stability, particularly for banks in advanced economies which are more exposed to such risks. With major institutions like JP Morgan facing up to 45 billion cyber threats daily, the IMF emphasises the need for international collaboration to effectively manage and mitigate these risks.

Source: [Finextra]

The Cyber Attack Stopped by a Microsoft Engineer Was Scarier Than We Realise

A critical security breach was narrowly avoided when a Microsoft developer detected suspicious activity in XZ Utils, an open-source library crucial to internet infrastructure. This discovery revealed that a new developer had implanted a sophisticated backdoor in the software, potentially giving unauthorised access to millions of servers worldwide. This incident has intensified scrutiny on the vulnerabilities of open-source software, which is largely maintained by unpaid or underfunded volunteers and serves as a backbone for the internet economy. The situation has prompted discussions among government officials and cyber security experts about enhancing the protection of open-source environments. This close call, described by some as a moment of "unreasonable luck," underscores the pressing need for sustainable support and rigorous security measures in the open-source community.

Source: [Inc.com]

UK Government Urged to Get on ‘Front Foot’ with Ransomware Instead of ‘Absorbing the Punches’

Amidst a rising tide of ransomware attacks affecting wide range of UK services, officials in Westminster are being pressured to enhance funding for operations aimed at disrupting ransomware gangs. The current strategy focuses on bolstering organisational cyber security and recovery preparedness, a stance under the second pillar of the UK's National Cyber Strategy known as resilience. However, this approach has not curbed the frequency of incidents, which have steadily increased over the past five years, impacting sectors including the NHS and local governments. In contrast to the proactive disruption efforts seen in the US, the UK has yet to allocate new funds for such measures, despite successful disruptions like the recent takedown of the LockBit gang by the US National Crime Agency, which underscored the potential benefits of increased resources for cyber crime disruption.

Source: [The Record Media]

74% of Employees Falling Victim to Phishing Attacks Hit with Disciplinary Actions

The Egress 'Email Threat Landscape 2024' report reveals a surge in phishing attacks, with 94% of companies falling victim to this type of crime in this past year alone, leading to increasingly complex cyber security challenges. According to the report, 96% of these companies suffered significant repercussions, including operational disruption and data breaches, with common attack vectors being malicious URLs, and malware or ransomware attachments.

The human cost is also notable, with 74 per cent of employees involved in attacks having faced disciplinary actions, dismissals, or voluntary departures, underscoring the severity of the issue and the heightened vigilance among companies in addressing the phishing threat. Financial losses primarily stem from customer churn, which accounts for nearly half of the total impact. Amidst rising attacks through compromised third-party accounts, Egress advocates for stronger monitoring and defence strategies to protect critical data and reduce organisational and individual hardships.

Source: [The Fintech Times]

Why Are Many Businesses Turning to Third-Party Security Partners?

In 2023, 71% of organisations reported being impacted by a cyber security skills shortage, leading many to scale back their cyber security initiatives amid escalating threats. To bridge the gap, businesses are increasingly turning to third-party security partnerships, reflecting a shift towards outsourcing crucial cyber security operations to handle complex challenges more efficiently. This approach is driven by the need to fill technical and resource gaps in the face of a severe workforce shortfall, with an estimated 600,000 unfilled security positions in the US alone. Moreover, these strategic partnerships allow organisations to leverage external expertise for scalable and effective security solutions, alleviating the burden of staying updated with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Source: [Help Net Security]

74% of Businesses with up to 500 Employees are Concerned About Cyber Security as Attacks Rise

According to a recent poll by the US Chamber of Commerce, 60% of small businesses expressed concerns about threats, with 58% concerned about a supply chain breakdown. The highest concern came from businesses with 20-500 employees (74%). Despite such concern, only 49% had trained staff on cyber security. When it came to the impact of a cyber event, 27% of respondents say they are one disaster or threat away from shutting down their business.

Sources: [Malwcv arebytes][Marketplace] [US Chamber]

LastPass: Hackers Targeted Employee in Failed Deepfake CEO Call

LastPass recently reported a thwarted voice phishing attack targeting one of its employees using deepfake audio technology to impersonate CEO Karim Toubba. The attack, conducted via WhatsApp, was identified by the employee as suspicious due to the unusual communication channel and clear signs of social engineering, such as forced urgency. Despite the failure of this particular attempt, LastPass has shared the incident publicly to highlight the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes in executive impersonation schemes. This incident underscores a broader trend, as indicated by alerts from both the US Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI, pointing to an increase in sophisticated cyber attacks employing deepfake technology for fraud, social engineering, and potential influence operations.

Source: [Bleepingcomputer]

Most Cyber Criminal Threats are Concentrated in Just a Few Countries

Oxford researchers have developed the world's first cyber crime index to identify global hotspots of cyber criminal activity, ranking countries based on the prevalence and sophistication of cyber threats. The index reveals that a significant portion of cyber threats is concentrated in a few countries, with Russia and Ukraine positioned at the top, with the USA and the UK also ranking prominently. The results indicate that countries like China, Russia, Ukraine, the US, Romania, and Nigeria are among the top hubs for activities ranging from technical services to money laundering. This tool aims to refine the focus for cyber crime research and prevention efforts, although the study acknowledges the need for a broader and more representative sample of expert opinions to enhance the accuracy and applicability of the findings. The index underscores that while cyber crime may appear globally fluid, it has pronounced local concentrations.

Sources: [ThisisOxfordshire] [Phys Org]

Why Incident Response is the Best Cyber Security ROI

The Microsoft Incident Response Reference Guide predicts that most organisations will encounter one or more major security incidents where attackers gain administrative control over crucial IT systems and data. While complete prevention of cyber attacks may not be feasible, prompt and effective incident response is essential to mitigate damage and protect reputations. However, many organisations may not be adequately budgeting for incident response, and the recent UK Government report found that 78% of organisations do not have formalised incident response plans, risking prolonged recovery and increased costs. Cyber crime damages hit $23b in 2023, but the true costs of incidents includes non-financial damage such as reputational harm. If a cyber incident is a matter of when, not if, then a prepared incident response plan is the best cyber security ROI.

Black Arrow works with organisations of all sizes and sectors to design and prepare for managing a cyber security incident; this can include an Incident Response Plan and an educational tabletop exercise for the leadership team that highlights the proportionate controls to help the organisation prevent and mitigate an incident.

Source: [CSO Online]

Ransomware Attacks are the Canaries in the Cyber Coal Mine

A recent report has found that ransomware attacks were up 110% compared to the prior month, stating that unreported attacks were up to 6 times higher. The report found that tactics are increasingly using data extortion, with 92% of attacks utilising this method.

Sources: [Silicon Republic] [The Hill]

Cyber Security is Crucial, but What is Risk and How do You Assess it?

Cyber security is an increasingly sophisticated game of cat and mouse, where the landscape is constantly shifting. Your cyber risk is the probability of negative impacts stemming from a cyber incident, but how do you assess risk?

One thing to understand is that there are a multitude of risks: risks from phishing, risks from insiders, risks from network attacks, risks of supply chain compromise, and of course, nation states. To understand risk, an organisation must first identify the information that it needs to protect, to avoid only learning of the information asset’s existence from a successful attacker. Once all assets are identified, then organisations should conduct risk assessments to identify threats and an evaluation the potential damage that can be done.

Sources: [Security Boulevard] [International Banker]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber attacks cost financial firms $12bn says IMF (finextra.com)

• UK business falling short on cybersecurity warns government report (computing.co.uk)

• Half of UK Businesses Hit by Cyber Incident in Past Year - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 60% of small businesses are concerned about cyber security threats | Malwarebytes

• Cyber attacks on small businesses are on the rise - Marketplace

• What is cyber security risk & how to assess - Security Boulevard

• Cyber Security Regulations Aren’t Static—Your Practices Can’t Be Either (forbes.com)

• Why Cyber Security Is More Crucial Today Than Ever Before (internationalbanker.com)

• Large cyber attack could cause 'cyber run' or market sell-offs, warns IMF - FStech Financial Sector Technology

• Why are many businesses turning to third-party security partners? - Help Net Security

• CISO Perspectives on Complying with Cyber Security Regulations (thehackernews.com)

• Why incident response is the best cyber security ROI | CSO Online

• Why Intelligence Sharing Is Vital to Building a Robust Collective Cyber Defence Program -  Security Week

• Privacy Versus Cyber – What is the Bigger Risk? | Jackson Lewis P.C. - JDSupra

• Large businesses struggle to tackle cyber threats (betanews.com)

• Resilience And Antifragility Are The Best Strategies For 2024 (forbes.com)

• The state of secrets security: 7 action items for better managing risk - Security Boulevard

• Board Oversight and Cyber Breach Response: What Involvement Strikes the Right Balance? | Alston & Bird - JDSupra

• Compliance & Cyber Security – Working and Worrying Together About the Intersection of People and Technology | NAVEX - JDSupra

• Former Uber CSO Joe Sullivan and lessons learned from the infamous 2016 Uber breach | CSO Online

• Why cyberpsychology is such an important part of effective cyber security | CSO Online

• Cyber Security in the Evolving Threat Landscape (securityaffairs.com)

• How CISOs can make themselves ready to serve on the board | CSO Online

• CISOs Need A Data-Driven Approach To Offensive Security (forbes.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransomware surged 110pc last month, report claims (siliconrepublic.com)

• UK government urged to get on ‘forward foot’ with ransomware instead of ‘absorbing the punches’ (therecord.media)

• Ransomware attacks are the canaries in the cyber coal mine | The Hill

• Ransomware gang’s new extortion trick? Calling the front desk | TechCrunch

• Frameworks, Guidelines & Bounties Alone Won't Defeat Ransomware (darkreading.com)

• Ransomware group maturity should influence ransom payment decision - Help Net Security

• Proactive and Reactive Ransomware Protection Strategies - Security Boulevard

• How can the energy sector bolster its resilience to ransomware attacks? - Help Net Security

• CL0P's Ransomware Rampage - Security Measures for 2024 (thehackernews.com)

• Should You Pay a Ransomware Attacker? - Security Boulevard

• LockBit struggles to maintain relevance amid rise of impersonators and new ransomware groups - SiliconANGLE

• DragonForce Ransomware - What You Need To Know | Tripwire

• LockBit copycat DarkVault spurs rebranding rumour | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Ransomware payouts hit all-time high, but that’s not the whole story (securityintelligence.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Vet chain CVS hit by cyber attack | Evening Standard

• Second ransomware gang says it’s extorting Change Healthcare • The Register

• Targus says it is facing major cyber attack, global operations hit | TechRadar

• Optics giant Hoya hit with $10 million ransomware demand (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Panera Bread week-long IT outage caused by ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Attackers Using Obfuscation Tools to Deliver Multi-Stage Malware via Invoice Phishing (thehackernews.com)

• 74% of Employees Falling Victim to Phishing Attacks Hit With Disciplinary Actions; Egress Reveals | The Fintech Times

• Honeytrap sext scandal MP William Wragg will keep Tory whip (thetimes.co.uk)

• How malicious email campaigns continue to slip through the cracks - Help Net Security

• TA547 Phishing Attack Hits German Firms with Rhadamanthys Stealer (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber Criminals Invade Inboxes: What Small Businesses Can Do (pymnts.com)

• Phishing Detection and Response: What You Need to Know - Security Boulevard

Other Social Engineering

• Cyber Criminals Target Victims Using Social Engineering Techniques (ic3.gov)

• Honeytrap sext scandal MP William Wragg will keep Tory whip (thetimes.co.uk)

• LastPass: Hackers targeted employee in failed deepfake CEO call (bleepingcomputer.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• UK Warned Of AI Misinformation Targeting 2024 Polls, Nation-State Hackers Raise Stakes - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) - Benzinga

• China is using generative AI to carry out influence operations (securityaffairs.com)

• What Lies Ahead for Cyber Security in the Era of Generative AI? - IT Security Guru

• AI risks under the auditor's lens more than ever - Help Net Security

• Speed of AI development is outpacing risk assessment | Ars Technica

• AI and GDPR: How is AI being regulated? | TechTarget

• Malicious PowerShell script pushing malware looks AI-written (bleepingcomputer.com)

• LastPass: Hackers targeted employee in failed deepfake CEO call (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AI-as-a-Service Providers Vulnerable to PrivEsc and Cross-Tenant Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• How Artificial Intelligence Is Fuelling Incel Communities (yahoo.com)

2FA/MFA

• How Hackers Can Hijack 2FA Calls with Sneaky Call Forwarding (404media.co)

Malware

• Attackers Using Obfuscation Tools to Deliver Multi-Stage Malware via Invoice Phishing (thehackernews.com)

• From PDFs to Payload: Bogus Adobe Acrobat Reader Installers Distribute Byakugan Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Urgent Security Alert! Hackers Hijacked Notepad++ Plugin (gbhackers.com)

• 1.2 million people fooled by fake MidJourney Facebook page used to spread malware — don’t fall for this | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Sophisticated Latrodectus Malware Linked to 2017 Strain (inforisktoday.com)

• Critical Flaws Leave 92,000 D-Link NAS Devices Vulnerable to Malware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Famous YouTube Channels Hacked to Distribute Infostealers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Bing ad posing as NordVPN aims to spread SecTopRAT malware | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• ScrubCrypt used to drop VenomRAT along with many malicious plugins (securityaffairs.com)

• Hackers Use Malware to Hunt Software Vulnerabilities - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Unit 42: Malware-initiated scanning attacks on the rise | TechTarget

• RUBYCARP hackers linked to 10-year-old cryptomining botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Raspberry Robin Returns: New Malware Campaign Spreading Through WSF Files (thehackernews.com)

• Malicious PowerShell script pushing malware looks AI-written (bleepingcomputer.com)

• TA547 Phishing Attack Hits German Firms with Rhadamanthys Stealer (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• Our phones are under threat more than ever — but many of us still don't have mobile security protection | TechRadar

• Apple Warns of iPhone "Mercenary Attack" Across 92 Countries (cnet.com)

• The next wave of mobile threats - Help Net Security

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• How Nation-State DDoS Attacks Impact Us All (darkreading.com)

• DDoS Protection Needs Detective and Preventive Controls (darkreading.com)

• French cities knocked offline by 'large-scale cyber attack' • The Register

Internet of Things – IoT

• Amazon Removes a Feature From Fire TVs Over Security Concerns | Cord Cutters News

• Over 90,000 LG Smart TVs may be exposed to remote attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• EV Charging Stations Still Riddled With Cyber Security Vulnerabilities (darkreading.com)

• UK town halls given green light to use Chinese CCTV — despite Westminster ban – POLITICO

• Hotel check-in terminal leaks rafts of guests' room codes • The Register

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Many of the world's biggest companies reported data breaches last year | TechRadar

• US Data Breach Reports Surge 90% Annually in Q1 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 37% of publicly shared files expose personal information - Help Net Security

• Acuity confirms hackers stole non-sensitive govt data from GitHub repos (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Home Depot confirms third-party data breach exposed employee info (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AT&T now says data breach impacted 51 million customers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• DOJ data on 340,000 individuals stolen in consulting firm hack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Taxi software vendor exposes personal details of nearly 300K • The Register

• Employee credentials leaked in Microsoft security lapse (techmonitor.ai)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Russia ranked biggest cyber crime threat to rest of the world | Tech News | Metro News

• Oxford research uncovers world cyber crime hotspots | thisisoxfordshire

• Cyber crooks poison GitHub search to fool developers | Computer Weekly

• Zambia Busts 77 People in China-Backed Cyber Crime Op (darkreading.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Google sues crypto investment app makers over alleged massive "pig butchering" scam (bitdefender.com)

• Fugitive CEO at the center of 2022 crypto crash found liable for fraud | Cryptocurrencies | The Guardian

• Hackers deploy crypto drainers on thousands of WordPress sites (bleepingcomputer.com)

• RUBYCARP hackers linked to 10-year-old cryptomining botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• 74% of Employees Falling Victim to Phishing Attacks Hit With Disciplinary Actions; Egress Reveals | The Fintech Times

• Microsoft employees exposed internal passwords in security lapse | TechCrunch

• Insider Threats Surge Amid Growing Foreign Interference - Security Boulevard

Insurance

• US insurers using drones to deny home insurance policies • The Register

• Cyber Insurance: Sexy? No. Important? Critically yes. - Security Boulevard

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Why a near-miss cyber attack put US officials and the tech industry on edge - The Japan Times

• DOJ data on 340,000 individuals stolen in consulting firm hack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Combatting Supply Chain Cyber Threats: Safeguarding Data and Protecting Digital Supply Chains | Foley & Lardner LLP - JDSupra

Encryption

• How cryptographers finally cracked one of the Zodiac Killer’s hardest codes | Popular Science (popsci.com)

Linux and Open Source

• The Cyber Attack Stopped by a Microsoft Engineer Was Scarier Than We Realize | Inc.com

• Supply chain attack sends shockwaves through open-source community | CyberScoop

• German state ditches Microsoft for Linux and LibreOffice | ZDNET

• Open source foundations unite on common standards for EU’s Cyber Resilience Act | TechCrunch

• Who’s the bigger cyber security risk – Microsoft or open source? (reason.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Reusing passwords: The hidden cost of convenience (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft employees exposed internal passwords in security lapse | TechCrunch

• CISA says Sisense hack impacts critical infrastructure orgs (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• A TikTok Whistleblower Got DC’s Attention. Do His Claims Add Up? | WIRED

• 1.2 million people fooled by fake MidJourney Facebook page used to spread malware — don’t fall for this | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Famous YouTube Channels Hacked to Distribute Infostealers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Cyber Security Regulations Aren’t Static—Your Practices Can’t Be Either (forbes.com)

• Open source foundations unite on common standards for EU’s Cyber Resilience Act | TechCrunch

• Understanding CISA’s New Draft Rules for Cyber Attack Reporting | Morgan Lewis - Tech & Sourcing - JDSupra

• Spy Law Needs Fixing Now to Stop Overreach—Not a Backdoor Boost (bloomberglaw.com)

• AI and GDPR: How is AI being regulated? | TechTarget

• CISA: 300,000+ Small Entities Covered By Proposed Cyber Reporting Regs | MSSP Alert

• CISO Perspectives on Complying with Cyber Security Regulations (thehackernews.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• HIPAA Fundamentals for Providers | Tucker Arensberg, P.C. - JDSupra

• Process and Control Today | NIS2 – cyber security directive from the EU. Get ready! (pandct.com)

• DORA Compliance Checklist | UpGuard

Backup and Recovery

• Seven ways to be sure you can restore from backup | Computer Weekly

Data Protection

• 37% of publicly shared files expose personal information - Help Net Security

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Want to make cyber security much stronger? Become a mentor | CSO Online

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Zambia Busts 77 People in China-Backed Cyber Crime Op (darkreading.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• UK Warned Of AI Misinformation Targeting 2024 Polls, Nation-State Hackers Raise Stakes - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) - Benzinga

• State-backed cyber attacks, AI deepfakes: Top UK election cyber risks (cnbc.com)

• China is using generative AI to carry out influence operations (securityaffairs.com)

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Nation State Actors

• How Nation-State DDoS Attacks Impact Us All (darkreading.com)

• Foreign Interference Drives Record Surge in IP Theft - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

China

• A TikTok Whistleblower Got DC’s Attention. Do His Claims Add Up? | WIRED

• Chinese Groups Deploy New TTPs to Exploit Ivanti Vulnerabilities - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• China is using generative AI to carry out influence operations (securityaffairs.com)

• Zambia Busts 77 People in China-Backed Cyber Crime Op (darkreading.com)

• Honeytrap sext scandal MP William Wragg will keep Tory whip (thetimes.co.uk)

• How China is Hacking America (newsweek.com)

• UK town halls given green light to use Chinese CCTV — despite Westminster ban – POLITICO

• China flooding Britain with fake stamps in act of 'economic warfare' (telegraph.co.uk)

Russia

• Germany to launch cyber military branch to combat Russian threats (therecord.media)

• US says Russian hackers stole federal government emails during Microsoft cyber attack | TechCrunch

• Macron: Russia will target Paris Olympics (insidethegames.biz)

• Cyber attack on TV channel BabyTV: Toddlers suddenly exposed to Russian propaganda | NL Times

• Czechia explains how Russia is trying to arrange sabotage on European railways | European Pravda (eurointegration.com.ua)

• Cyber security in 2023: Estonia's year of advanced threats (e-estonia.com)

• Oxford research uncovers world cyber crime hotspots | thisisoxfordshire

• Most cyber criminal threats are concentrated in just a few countries, new index shows (phys.org)

• Extensive Russian criminal record leak conducted by hacktivist group | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Other Nation State Actors, Hacktivism, Extremism, Terrorism and Other Geopolitical Threat Intelligence

• Top Israeli spy chief exposes his true identity in online security lapse | Israel | The Guardian

• Extensive Russian criminal record leak conducted by hacktivist group | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Apple Updates Spyware Alert System to Warn Victims of Mercenary Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Apple mercenary spyware attack: Exclusive: Apple warns users of "mercenary spyware" attack; India, 91 other countries impacted - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

• Apple Warns of iPhone "Mercenary Attack" Across 92 Countries (cnet.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Zero-Day Attacks on the Rise: Google Reports 50% Increase in 2023 - Security Boulevard

• How exposure management elevates cyber resilience - Help Net Security

• Company Offering $30 Million for Android, iOS, Browser Zero-Day Exploits -  Security Week

• Hackers Use Malware to Hunt Software Vulnerabilities - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Unit 42: Malware-initiated scanning attacks on the rise | TechTarget

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Fixes 149 Flaws in Huge April Patch Release, Zero-Days Included (thehackernews.com)

• Patch Tuesday: Code Execution Flaws in Multiple Adobe Software Products -  Security Week

• Chinese Groups Deploy New TTPs to Exploit Ivanti Vulnerabilities - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• SAP's April 2024 Updates Patch High-Severity Vulnerabilities -  Security Week

• Microsoft Plugs Gaping Hole in Azure Kubernetes Service Confidential Containers -  Security Week

• Two new bugs can bypass detection and steal SharePoint data | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• New SharePoint flaws help hackers evade detection when stealing files (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers Claiming of Working Windows 0-Day LPE Exploit (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Microsoft fixes five security vulnerabilities in Edge 123 - Neowin

• Cisco Warns of Vulnerability in Discontinued Small Business Routers -  Security Week

• Urgent Security Alert! Hackers Hijacked Notepad++ Plugin (gbhackers.com)

• +16K Ivanti VPN gateways still vulnerable to RCE CVE-2024-21894 (securityaffairs.com)

• Over 92,000 exposed D-Link NAS devices have a backdoor account (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Company Offering $30 Million for Android, iOS, Browser Zero-Day Exploits -  Security Week

• Critical 'BatBadBut' Rust Vulnerability Exposes Windows Systems to Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Intel and Lenovo servers impacted by 6-year-old BMC flaw (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical Flaws Leave 92,000 D-Link NAS Devices Vulnerable to Malware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Fortinet Patches Critical RCE Vulnerability in FortiClientLinux -  Security Week

• Researchers Resurrect Spectre v2 Attack Against Intel CPUs -  Security Week

• AI-as-a-Service Providers Vulnerable to PrivEsc and Cross-Tenant Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Severe Vulnerabilities Discovered in Software to Protect Internet Routing (prleap.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Seven ways to be sure you can restore from backup | Computer Weekly

• Why incident response is the best cyber security ROI | CSO Online

• Why Intelligence Sharing Is Vital to Building a Robust Collective Cyber Defence Program -  Security Week

• Improving Dark Web Investigations with Threat Intelligence | Recorded Future

• What Lies Ahead for Cyber Security in the Era of Generative AI? - IT Security Guru

• What is cyber security risk & how to assess - Security Boulevard

• Your Guide to Threat Detection and Response - Security Boulevard

• Report finds 90% of cyber attacks in 2023 exploited RDP (securitybrief.co.nz)

• How exposure management elevates cyber resilience - Help Net Security

• Phishing Detection and Response: What You Need to Know - Security Boulevard

• The state of secrets security: 7 action items for better managing risk - Security Boulevard

• How Red Team Exercises Increases Your Cyber Health | Trend Micro (US)

• How Google’s 90-day TLS certificate validity proposal will affect enterprises - Help Net Security

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Cyber security breaches survey 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Other News

• Third of charities experienced a cyber breach last year, government reports (civilsociety.co.uk)

• Hackers Exploit Magento Bug to Steal Payment Data from E-commerce Websites (thehackernews.com)

• OODA Loop - The Water Sector Is Being Threatened.  That Should Worry Everyone

• Anticipated Cyber Threats During the 2024 Olympics & How to Proactively Secure Your Business - Security Boulevard

• France Bracing for Cyber Attacks During Summer Olympics - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

• Risk & Repeat: Cyber Safety Review Board takes Microsoft to task | TechTarget

• The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is a Warning | Proceedings - April 2024 Vol. 150/4/1,454 (usni.org)

• Report finds 90% of cyber attacks in 2023 exploited RDP (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Scandal and cyber security in Westminster | Crooked Media

• Financial sector cyber security at the helm of investor protection | Mint (livemint.com)

• US Health Dept warns hospitals of hackers targeting IT help desks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Only 1% Singapore companies are “mature” in cyber threat readiness but 99% plan to increase their cyber security budget in the next 12 months - Singapore News (theindependent.sg)

• Former Uber CSO Joe Sullivan and lessons learned from the infamous 2016 Uber breach | CSO Online

• Software-Defined Vehicle Fleets Face a Twisty Road on Cyber Security (darkreading.com)

• Independent Pharmacies Must Prioritize Cyber Security (drugtopics.com)

• Devious 'man in the middle' hacks on the rise: How to stay safe | PCWorld

• Top 10 Attacker Techniques: What do They Mean for MSSPs? | MSSP Alert

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·       Automotive

·       Construction

·       Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·       Defence & Space

·       Education & Academia

·       Energy & Utilities

·       Estate Agencies

·       Financial Services

·       FinTech

·       Food & Agriculture

·       Gaming & Gambling

·       Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·       Health/Medical/Pharma

·       Hotels & Hospitality

·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 10 April 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe and SAP Updates

Executive Summary

In Microsoft’s April Patch Tuesday, updates were released to rectify 149 security issues across its product range. Notably, the update tackles two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities which are being exploited in to deploy malware. The exploited zero-day vulnerabilities allow for the bypassing of security feature prompts on SmartScreen and malicious drivers to deploy backdoors. Among these, 67 specifically addressed Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities. Among the updates provided by Microsoft were 3 critical vulnerabilities.

In addition to the Microsoft updates this week also saw Adobe and SAP provide updates for vulnerabilities in a variety of their products, with multiple rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities allow for an attacker to distribute malware to a vulnerable system, gain remote code execution, cause a denial of service and impact the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.

What can I do?

All vulnerabilities with an available patch should be updated as soon as possible.

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Technical Summary

Microsoft

CVE-2024-26234: This vulnerability is caused by a malicious driver that has been signed with a valid Microsoft Hardware Publisher Certificate. The driver is used to deploy a backdoor.

CVE-2024-29988: This vulnerability, if actively exploited, allows a malicious attachment to bypass Microsoft Defenders SmartScreen prompts when a file is opened. This has been recorded as exploited by financially motivated Water Hydra hacking group.

Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 24 vulnerabilities, of which 5 were rated critical, across Adobe After Effects, 2 critical vulnerabilities impacting Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Commerce and Adobe InDesign, a critical vulnerability impacting Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Media Encoder, Adobe Bridge and Adobe Illustrator and 2 critical vulnerabilities impacting Adobe Animate. At current, Adobe is not aware of any of these vulnerabilities being actively exploited. The vulnerabilities include Out of Bounds Read, Improper Input Validation, Cross-site Scripting (Stored XSS), Information Exposure and Arbitrary code execution.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 12 patches, which include 10 new releases and 2 updates from previous releases. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Security misconfiguration, Information disclosure, Directory traversal, Denial of Service and Missing authorisation checks.

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further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/09/microsoft-releases-the-april-2024-security-updates-for-windows/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-fixes-two-windows-zero-days-exploited-in-malware-attacks/

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe After Effects can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb24-09.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Photoshop can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb24-16.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Commerce can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/magento/apsb24-18.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe InDesign can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb24-20.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Experience Manager can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/experience-manager/apsb24-21.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Media Encoder can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/media-encoder/apsb24-23.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Bridge can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/bridge/apsb24-24.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Illustrator can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb24-25.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed by SAP can be found here:

https://support.sap.com/en/my-support/knowledge-base/security-notes-news/april-2024.html

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 15 March 2024

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

Mind The Gap: Mimecast Report Finds Humans Are Biggest Security Flaw

A global report from Mimecast has found that 74% of all cyber breaches are caused by human factors, including errors, misuse of access privileges or social engineering. Email remains the primary attack vector for cyber threats. Further, 67% of respondents expect AI-driven attacks to soon be the norm and 69% believe their company will be harmed by an attack.

No matter the size, sector or budget of an organisation, people remain a consistent risk factor. Even with strong technology controls, people can still be the risk that brings down the organisation. It is therefore important for organisations to integrate people into their cyber security investments. This should include awareness and education training, and fostering a cyber secure culture in the organisation.

Sources: [IT Security Guru] [Beta News] [Verdict]

Three-Quarters of Cyber Victim Are SMBs: Why SMBs are Becoming More Vulnerable

According to a recent Sophos report, over three-quarters of cyber incidents impacted smaller businesses in 2023, with ransomware having the largest impact. The research also found that in 90% of attacks, data or credential theft was involved and in 43%, data theft was the main focus.

The report found significant usage of initial access brokers; these are attackers whose speciality is to break into computer networks and sell ready-to-go access to other attackers. In fact, the report found that almost half of all malware detected in SMBs were malicious programs used to steal sensitive data and login credentials. Unfortunately, many SMBs struggle to keep up due to a lack of resources and budget; instead, they must be able to prioritise their cyber security efforts to get the most return on investment.

Sources: [Infosecurity Magazine]  [Help Net Security] [TechRadar] [Nairametrics] [TechTarget]

Cyber Security Skills Gap and Lack of Boardroom Engagement Invite Hacker Havoc

The Ipsos report on Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2023 sheds light on the persistent challenges faced in recruiting, training, and retaining cyber security professionals across various domains. With approximately 739,000 businesses lacking basic cyber skills and 487,000 facing advanced skills gaps, the demand for trained professionals is escalating. The shortage of incident response skills highlights the need for comprehensive education and training programs. Senior management and board-level executives must also be equipped with the knowledge to manage incidents effectively, emphasising reporting, seeking external assistance, and maintaining a no-blame culture. Understanding cyber risks at the business level is crucial, as cyber crime has evolved into a well-organised industry with distinct roles and profit-sharing mechanisms among cyber criminal groups. Conducting tabletop incident response exercises can effectively prepare senior leadership for cyber incidents, ensuring a proactive and coordinated response to mitigate risks and safeguard organisational resilience.

Source: [TechRadar]

UK Government’s Ransomware Failings Leave Country ‘Exposed and Unprepared’

The recent response from the British government to warnings about the looming ransomware threat has sparked criticism, with accusations of adopting an "ostrich strategy" by downplaying the severity of the national cyber threat. Despite alarming assessments from the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) regarding the high risk of a catastrophic ransomware attack, the government's formal response has been met with scepticism. Key recommendations, such as reallocating responsibility for tackling ransomware away from the Home Office, were rejected, with the government arguing that its existing regulations and the current National Cyber Strategy were sufficient. This argument has raised concerns about the government's preparedness and resource allocation. With ransomware attacks escalating in the UK, the Committee underscores the urgency for a proactive national security response to mitigate the potentially devastating impacts on the economy and national security.

Source: [The Record Media]

Data Breaches up 72% to New Record High: Cyber Security Incidents Rank as #1 Global Business Threat in 2024

Research conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) found that 2023 set an all time high in data breaches, 72% more than the prior year. Separately, the Allianz Risk Barometer identified cyber incidents as the biggest global business threat for 2024, ranking above regulatory concerns, climate change and a shortage of skilled workers. It is crucial that the severity of this risk is reflected in the actions taken by organisations, who must effectively govern and implement their cyber security strategy.

Sources: [JDSupra]

Finance Sector Facing Huge Number of Cyber Attacks That Could Leave It On its Knees, Highlights the Need to Build a Robust Security Culture

Cyber security has become a pressing issue on financial institutions due to the rise in cyber attacks, as highlighted by the February attack on Bank of America via a third-party service. The involvement of the LockBit ransomware group underlines the persistent nature of these threats, particularly targeting the financial sector. These attacks disrupt services and undermine trust in the financial system, necessitating robust cyber security frameworks. The new US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requiring immediate disclosure of cyber security incidents presents both benefits and challenges, calling for clear guidelines and industry-wide collaboration. BlackBerry’s Global Threat Intelligence Report revealed a staggering million attacks globally in just 120 days last year. These attacks, often using commodity malware, make up almost two-thirds of all industry-related incidents. The 27% increase in novel malware samples highlights the need for improved defences. These findings emphasise the need for AI-driven detection and defence strategies. While critical infrastructure remains a primary focus, commercial enterprises must remain vigilant, with a third of threats targeting various sectors, emphasising the pervasive nature of cyber threats across industries.

Source:[ SC Media] [TechRadar]

Microsoft Confirms Russian Hackers Stole Source Code, Some Customer Secrets

In a recent revelation, Microsoft disclosed that the Kremlin-backed threat group known as Midnight Blizzard successfully accessed some of Microsoft’s source code repositories and internal systems following a hack in January 2024. The breach, believed to have originally occurred in November 2023, exploited a legacy test account lacking multi-factor authentication by employing a password spray attack. Microsoft assured no compromise to customer-facing systems but warned of ongoing attempts by Midnight Blizzard to exploit stolen corporate email data. The extent of the breach remains under investigation, with concerns raised over the potential accumulation of attack vectors by the threat actor. The incident underscores the escalating sophistication of nation-state cyber threats and prompts a re-evaluation of security measures, highlighting the imperative for robust defences against such adversaries.

Source: [The Hacker News]

Independent Cyber Security Audits Are Powerful Tools for Boards

Board members are increasingly held accountable for their organisation's cyber posture, facing personal liability for lapses. To gain insight and demonstrate proactive leadership, independent cyber security audits have become indispensable. These audits not only aid in regulatory compliance but also uncover blind spots in the organisation's security measures. Recent regulations, such as by  the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) underscore the imperative for robust cyber security oversight at the board level. The audit process involves defining the scope, conducting assessments, validating findings through simulations, and presenting comprehensive reports to leadership. By embracing cyber security audits, boards can fulfil their duty of overseeing and enhancing the organisation's cyber resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Source: [Bloomberg Law]

Navigating Cyber Security in The Era of Mergers

In today's landscape of frequent mergers and acquisitions (M&A), organisations grapple with the challenge of aligning cyber security measures across subsidiaries, posing a risk to overall security. According to an IBM survey, over one in three executives attribute data breaches to M&A activity during integration. This complexity arises as security teams may lack insight into subsidiary infrastructure, hindering risk assessment and mitigation efforts. Historical incidents like the NotPetya attack on Merck and the Talk Talk hack highlight vulnerabilities post-acquisition, emphasising the need for a proactive approach to subsidiary cyber security. To address these challenges, organisations must conduct comprehensive risk assessments, standardise security protocols, foster collaboration, and consider unified security platforms. By proactively addressing visibility gaps and implementing standardised protocols, organisations can fortify their defences against evolving cyber threats amidst M&A activities.

Source: [Forbes]

Phishing Tactics Evolve as Sophisticated Vishing and Image-based Phishing Take World by Storm

According to a recent report, 76% of organisations were compromised by QR-code phishing in the last 12 months. Along with this, there has also been a rise in the number of sophisticated vishing attacks, with recent attacks costing organisations millions. The introduction of artificial intelligence has only added fuel to this fire already impacting security controls such as call-back procedures. With the tactics of phishing evolving, organisations need to ensure they are up-to-date and that employees are trained effectively to mitigate the risk of these.

Sources: [Help Net Security] [Dark Reading]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber Security skills gap and boardroom blindness invite hacker havoc | TechRadar

• Three-Quarters of Cyber Incident Victims Are Small Businesses - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Mimecast report finds cyber criminals capitalise on businesses’ biggest flaw: Human risk - IT Security Guru

• Independent Cyber Security Audits Are Powerful Tools for Boards (bloomberglaw.com)

• Still on Top: Cyber Security Incidents Ranked #1 Global Business Threat in 2024 | Dinsmore & Shohl LLP - JDSupra

• Navigating Cyber Security In The Era Of Mergers (forbes.com)

• SMEs invest in tech opportunities but risk missing security safeguards (betanews.com)

• Your tech tools won’t save you from cyber threats | TechRadar

• The CISO Role Is Changing. Can CISOs Themselves Keep Up? (darkreading.com)

• New Risk for Weary CISOs: Becoming the Scapegoat After Cyber Criminals Strike | Corporate Counsel (law.com)

• Cyber Insurance Strategy Requires CISO-CFO Collaboration (darkreading.com)

• How enterprises can tackle risky cyber security behavior and improve workforce resilience | ITPro

• Building a Security Culture of Shared Responsibility - Security Boulevard

• More Critical Than Ever: Cyber Risk "Tabletop Exercises" in the AI Infused Workplace | Epstein Becker & Green - JDSupra

• OODA Loop - How To Properly Cut Your Cyber Security Budget

• MDR Metrics that Matter – From Analysts to the Board of Directors | Binary Defense

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Sophos: Remote ransomware attacks on SMBs increasing | TechTarget

• UK government’s ransomware failings leave country ‘exposed and unprepared’ (therecord.media)

• Prescribing Security: Why Healthcare Companies Should Take Note of Recent Ransomware Attack | Dinsmore & Shohl LLP - JDSupra

• BianLian Threat Actor Shifts Focus to Extortion-Only Tactics - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Understanding the multi-tiered impact of ransomware. (thecyberwire.com)

• Ransomware tracker: The latest figures [March 2024] (therecord.media)

• Cyber attack costing hospitals millions - The Boston Globe

• British authorities have never detected a breach of ransomware sanctions — but is that good or bad news? (therecord.media)

• The effects of law enforcement takedowns on the ransomware landscape - Help Net Security

• UK Conservatives Say 'No' to Cyber Insurance Backstop (inforisktoday.com)

• Businesses leaving their Kubernetes containers exposed to ransomware | TechRadar

• StopCrypt: Most widely distributed ransomware now evades detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Member of LockBit ransomware group sentenced to 4 years in prison | Ars Technica

Ransomware Victims

• British Library’s legacy IT blamed for lengthy rebuild • The Register

• British Library shares lessons from cyber attack | UKAuthority

• Third-Party Breach and Missing MFA Led to British Library Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Stanford University failed to detect intruders for 4 months • The Register

• Stanford says data from 27,000 people leaked in September ransomware attack (therecord.media)

• Law Firm Sues MSP Over Black Basta Ransomware Attack | MSSP Alert

• Play ransomware group stole 65,000 Swiss government files • The Register

• Switzerland’s cyber security experts still can’t Xplain how federal documents made it to the dark web | TechRadar

• Cancer Clinics Face Cash Crunch After Hack Rocks US Health Care (claimsjournal.com)

• Ransomware Attacks: Death Threats, Endangered Patients and Millions of Dollars in Damages (voanews.com)

• UnitedHealth Sets Timeline to Restore Change Healthcare Systems - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Belgian village whose brewery was hit by cyber attack faces another on its coffee roastery (therecord.media)

• Nissan confirms ransomware attack exposed data of 100,000 people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Child protection among critical services affected by cyber attack on English council (therecord.media)

• Equilend warns employees their data was stolen by ransomware gang (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• New Mimecast report finds cyber criminals capitalise on businesses’ biggest flaw: Human risk - IT Security Guru

• Image-based phishing tactics evolve - Help Net Security

• Phishing Threats Rise as Malicious Actors Target Messaging Platforms - Security Boulevard

• Dropbox Used to Steal Credentials and Bypass MFA in Phishing Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• MiTM phishing attack can let attackers unlock and steal a Tesla (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What is phishing? Examples, types, and techniques | CSO Online

• New email standards: what you need to know | TechRadar

Other Social Engineering

• New Mimecast report finds cyber criminals capitalise on businesses’ biggest flaw: Human risk - IT Security Guru

• Humans represent the biggest security gap (betanews.com)

• Sophisticated Vishing Campaigns Take World by Storm (darkreading.com)

• Your tech tools won’t save you from cyber threats | TechRadar

• Weakest links in an age of novel threats | ITPro

Artificial Intelligence

• AI Poses Extinction-Level Risk, State-Funded Report Says | TIME

• Cyber crime underworld has removed all the guardrails on AI frontier

• Critical ChatGPT Plug-in Vulnerabilities Expose Sensitive Data (darkreading.com)

• Security Flaws within ChatGPT Ecosystem Allowed Access to Accounts On Third-Party Websites and Sensitive Data - Security Boulevard

• Cyber attackers are threatening businesses with AI, says Microsoft (qz.com)

• Intelligence officials warn pace of innovation in AI threatens US | CyberScoop

• How advances in AI are impacting business cyber security - Help Net Security

• NCSC Blog - AI and cyber security: what you need to know (techuk.org)

• Are Global Companies Equipped to Tackle Emerging AI-Driven Cyber Threats? New Study Reveals Insights | Cryptopolitan

• 4 types of prompt injection attacks and how they work | TechTarget

• How data poisoning attacks work | TechTarget

• Former Google engineer charged with stealing AI trade secrets | TechTarget

• How to craft a generative AI security policy that works | TechTarget

2FA/MFA

• Third-Party Breach and Missing MFA Led to British Library Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Dropbox Used to Steal Credentials and Bypass MFA in Phishing Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malware

• Keyloggers, spyware, and stealers dominate SMB malware detections - Help Net Security

• SMBs are being hit with more malware attacks than ever, and many can't keep up | TechRadar

• Magnet Goblin hackers use 1-day flaws to drop custom Linux malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers exploit WordPress plugin flaw to infect 3,300 sites with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Botnets: The uninvited guests that just won’t leave | CSO Online

• Hackers using Weaponized PDF Files to Deliver Remcos RAT (cybersecuritynews.com)

• RedLine malware top credential stealer of last 6 months | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Windows SmartScreen Bypass Flaw Exploited to Drop DarkGate RAT (darkreading.com)

Mobile

• Blog: Why Hackers Love Phones - Keep your Eye on the Device - Security Boulevard

• SIM swappers hijacking phone numbers in eSIM attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• PixPirate Android malware uses new tactic to hide on phones (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• French government sites disrupted by très grande DDOS • The Register

• Alabama Under DDoS Cyber Attack by Russian-Backed Hacktivists (darkreading.com)

• RIA: Estonia's state institutions hit by largest cyber attack to date | News | ERR

• The Growing Threat of Application-Layer DDoS Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• DDoS attacks reach critical levels in 14 seconds | Security Magazine

Internet of Things – IoT

• Internet of Risks: Cyber Security Risk in the Internet of Things | UpGuard

• Unpatched Sceiner Smart Lock Vulnerabilities Allow Hackers to Open Doors - Security Week

• The S in IoT stands for security • The Register

• Heated Seats? Advanced Telematics? Software-Defined Cars Drive Risk (darkreading.com)

• Chinese spies want to steal IP by backdooring safe locks • The Register

• Experts Say Chinese Safes Pose Risks to US National Security (inforisktoday.com)

• MiTM phishing attack can let attackers unlock and steal a Tesla (bleepingcomputer.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Data Breaches up 72% From Record High: Cyber Incident Readiness Must be Top of Mind | Epiq - JDSupra

• Jersey regulator's data breach leaks names and addresses - BBC News

• Over 15,000 hacked Roku accounts sold for 50¢ each to buy hardware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Okta denies it was hacked again after data appears on hacking site | TechRadar

• Over 12 million auth secrets and keys leaked on GitHub in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• French unemployment agency data breach impacts 43 million people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 23andMe sparks rethink about safeguarding data: on-premises vs. hybrid cloud strategies - IT Security Guru

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• How to Identify a Cyber Adversary: Standards of Proof (darkreading.com)

• How to Identify a Cyber Adversary: What to Look For (darkreading.com)

• Broke Cyber Pros Flock to Cyber Crime Side Hustles (darkreading.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Crypto phishers stole $47M last month, impersonators on X to blame (cointelegraph.com)

• Bitcoin Fog mixer operator convicted for laundering $400 million (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US Seizes $1.4 Million in Cryptocurrency From Tech Scammers - Security Week

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• New Mimecast report finds cyber criminals capitalise on businesses’ biggest flaw: Human risk - IT Security Guru

• Humans represent the biggest security gap (betanews.com)

• Insider threats can damage even the most secure organisations - Help Net Security

• Your tech tools won’t save you from cyber threats | TechRadar

• Former Google engineer charged with stealing AI trade secrets | TechTarget

• Meta Sues Former VP After Defection to AI Startup - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US Army intelligence analyst charged with selling classified military information to China - BBC News

• How enterprises can tackle risky cyber security behaviour and improve workforce resilience | ITPro

• Building a Security Culture of Shared Responsibility - Security Boulevard

• How to Battle Cyber Security Burnout and Protect Your People | Entrepreneur

Insurance

• Cyber Insurance Strategy Requires CISO-CFO Collaboration (darkreading.com)

• UK Conservatives Say 'No' to Cyber Insurance Backstop (inforisktoday.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Play ransomware group stole 65,000 Swiss government files • The Register

• Switzerland’s cyber security experts still can’t Xplain how federal documents made it to the dark web | TechRadar

• Third-Party Breach and Missing MFA Led to British Library Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Industry: Act Now To Secure the Solutions You Offer the Military | AFCEA International

Cloud/SaaS

• NSA Launches Top 10 Cloud Security Mitigation Strategies - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• EU’s use of Microsoft 365 found to breach data protection rules | TechCrunch

• Guide: On-Prem is Dead. Have You Adjusted Your Web DLP Plan? (thehackernews.com)

• How Not to Become the Target of the Next Microsoft Hack (darkreading.com)

• Cloud Account Attacks Surged 16-Fold in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Dropbox Used to Steal Credentials and Bypass MFA in Phishing Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Mastering SANS Security Principles: A Deep Dive (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• 23andMe sparks rethink about safeguarding data: on-premises vs. hybrid cloud strategies - IT Security Guru

• Cloud security vs. network security: What's the difference? | TechTarget

Encryption

• Building The Defence Sector's Quantum Threat Resilience (forbes.com)

• Are private conversations truly private? A cyber security expert explains how end-to-end encryption protects you (theconversation.com)

Linux and Open Source

• How to Ensure Open Source Packages Are Not Landmines (darkreading.com)

• Magnet Goblin hackers use 1-day flaws to drop custom Linux malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Russian Hackers Are Weaponizing Stolen Microsoft Passwords (claimsjournal.com)

• Overcoming the threat of account takeover fraud (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Dropbox Used to Steal Credentials and Bypass MFA in Phishing Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Threat actors leverage document publishing sites for ongoing credential and session token theft (talosintelligence.com)

• LastPass suffers worldwide outage causing site 404 error - 9to5Mac

Social Media

• Crypto phishers stole $47M last month, impersonators on X to blame (cointelegraph.com)

• Meta sues “brazenly disloyal” former exec over stolen confidential docs | Ars Technica

• TikTok Ban Raises Data Security, Control Questions (darkreading.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• New Mimecast report finds cyber criminals capitalise on businesses’ biggest flaw: Human risk - IT Security Guru

• Humans represent the biggest security gap (betanews.com)

• Staff training far more cost-effective than going through a cyber compromise – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security | Calgary Herald

• Your tech tools won’t save you from cyber threats | TechRadar

• Weakest links in an age of novel threats | ITPro

• How enterprises can tackle risky cyber security behaviour and improve workforce resilience | ITPro

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Everything you need to know about the EU's Cyber Solidarity Act | ITPro

• Cyber Security: European Parliament adopts Cyber Resilience Act at first reading | Practical Law (thomsonreuters.com)

• Ready for DORA? It applies to you! (cms-lawnow.com)

• The New Hacker Playbook: Weaponizing the SEC’s Cyber Disclosure Rules | Woodruff Sawyer - JDSupra

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• 4 Security Tips From PCI DSS 4.0 Anyone Can Use (darkreading.com)

• Ready for DORA? It applies to you! (cms-lawnow.com)

• Mastering SANS Security Principles: A Deep Dive (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Backup and Recovery

• Immutability: A boost to your security backup (betanews.com)

Data Protection

• EU’s use of Microsoft 365 found to breach data protection rules | TechCrunch

• How do you lot feel about Pay or OK model, ICO asks Brits • The Register

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Half of firms struggling to hire cyber security experts (securitybrief.co.nz)

• UK Council's Vision: Set High Standards in Cyber Security (govinfosecurity.com)

• How to Battle Cyber Security Burnout and Protect Your People | Entrepreneur

• Cyber security skills gap and boardroom blindness invite hacker havoc | TechRadar

• Broke Cyber Pros Flock to Cyber Crime Side Hustles (darkreading.com)

• How To Overcome The Machismo Problem In Cyber Security (forbes.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• The effects of law enforcement takedowns on the ransomware landscape - Help Net Security

• Member of LockBit ransomware group sentenced to 4 years in prison | Ars Technica

• WEF effort to disrupt cyber crime moves into operations phase • The Register

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Nation State Actors

China

• TikTok Ban Raises Data Security, Control Questions (darkreading.com)

• Five Eyes publish report on Volt Typhoon. Volt Typhoon targets emergency management services in the US. (thecyberwire.com)

• Chinese company at the centre of Biden's US port crane order denies it's a security threat | Fortune Asia

• Lithuania security services warn of China's espionage against the country (securityaffairs.com)

• Chinese Cyber Crime: Discretion Is the Better Part of Valor (databreachtoday.co.uk)

• US Army intelligence analyst charged with selling classified military information to China - BBC News

• Chinese spies want to steal IP by backdooring safe locks • The Register

• Experts Say Chinese Safes Pose Risks to US National Security (inforisktoday.com)

Russia

• Microsoft says Russian hackers stole source code after spying on its executives - The Verge

• Microsoft says Russian hackers breached its systems, accessed source code (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft: Russians are using stolen information to breach company’s systems (therecord.media)

• Microsoft says it hasn't been able to evict Russian state hackers | AP News

• Why Cyber Attacks on Ukrainians Aren’t Working the Way Russia Expected - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

• Kremlin accuses US of plotting election-day cyber attack • The Register

• Major operation under way to identify source of Russian attack that 'jammed signals' on... - LBC

• First-ever South Korean national detained for espionage in Russia (securityaffairs.com)

• Alabama Under DDoS Cyber Attack by Russian-Backed Hacktivists (darkreading.com)

North Korea

• Japan Blames North Korea for PyPI Supply Chain Cyber Attack (darkreading.com)

---

Vulnerability Management

• How to Streamline the Vulnerability Management Life Cycle - Security Boulevard

• Researchers expose Microsoft SCCM misconfigs usable in cyber attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Former CISA Dir. Krebs on cyber threats: Microsoft and others are 'hanging on by a thread' right now (cnbc.com)

• Vulnerability management, its impact and threat modeling methodologies (securityintelligence.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft's March Updates Fix 61 Vulnerabilities, Including Critical Hyper-V Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• Adobe Patches Critical Flaws in Enterprise Products - Security Week

• Major CPU, Software Vendors Impacted by New GhostRace Attack - Security Week

• Critical Fortinet flaw may impact 150,000 exposed devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fortinet Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• SAP Patches Critical Command Injection Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Cisco addressed severe flaws in its Secure Client (securityaffairs.com)

• 5M WordPress Websites At Risk Amid LiteSpeed Plugin Flaw - Security Boulevard

• New cyber crime crew Magnet Goblin caught exploiting Ivanti • The Register

• Stealth Bomber: Atlassian Confluence Exploits Drop Web Shells In-Memory (darkreading.com)

• CISA confirms compromise of its Ivanti systems | TechTarget

• Threat actors breached two crucial systems of the US CISA (securityaffairs.com)

• Researchers found multiple flaws in ChatGPT plugins (securityaffairs.com)

• QNAP warns its NAS devices are facing a critical security flaw — but a patch is available, so update now | TechRadar

• Exploited Building Access System Vulnerability Patched 5 Years After Disclosure - Security Week

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Tools and Controls

• Independent Cyber Security Audits Are Powerful Tools for Boards (bloomberglaw.com)

• NSA's Zero-Trust Guidelines Focus on Segmentation (darkreading.com)

• NSA Launches Top 10 Cloud Security Mitigation Strategies - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Expert Cyber Security Strategies For Protecting Remote Businesses (forbes.com)

• Staff training far more cost-effective than going through a cyber compromise – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security | Calgary Herald

• Guide: On-Prem is Dead. Have You Adjusted Your Web DLP Plan? (thehackernews.com)

• 10 cloud security tips every IT leader should know | ITPro

• Cyber Insurance Strategy Requires CISO-CFO Collaboration (darkreading.com)

• How enterprises can tackle risky cyber security behaviour and improve workforce resilience | ITPro

• More Critical Than Ever: Cyber Risk "Tabletop Exercises" in the AI Infused Workplace | Epstein Becker & Green - JDSupra

• Cloud security vs. network security: What's the difference? | TechTarget

• Immutability: A boost to your security backup (betanews.com)

• MDR Metrics that Matter – From Analysts to the Board of Directors | Binary Defense

• How teams can improve incident recovery time to minimize damages - Help Net Security

• New email standards: what you need to know | TechRadar

• Creating Security Through Randomness (darkreading.com)

• AI and the future of corporate security - Help Net Security

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• The State of Email & Collaboration Security 2024 | Mimecast

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Other News

• The rise of cyber attacks on financial institutions highlight the need to build a security culture   | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Finance sector facing huge amount of cyber attacks that could leave it on its knees | TechRadar

• French state services hit by cyber attacks of 'unprecedented intensity' (france24.com)

• US Intelligence Predicts Upcoming Cyber Threats for 2024 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Better Safe Than Sorry: Making Cyber Security a Priority | HealthLeaders Media

• How Dangerous Is the Cyber Attack Risk to Transportation? (securityintelligence.com)

• Pi Day: How Hackers Slice Through Security Solutions - Security Boulevard

• 78% of MSPs state cyber security is a prominent IT challenge | Security Magazine

• No, 'Leave the World Behind' and 'Civil War' Aren’t Happening Before Your Eyes | WIRED

• Maritime cyber security: threats and challenges - Port Technology International

• What resources do small utilities need to defend against cyber attacks? | CyberScoop

• 10 free cyber security guides you might have missed - Help Net Security

• Using the wrong font could be a major security problem — and possibly not for the reason you might think | TechRadar

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

·         OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 13 March 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe, Fortinet and SAP Security Updates Summary

Executive summary

Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 60 security issues across its product range. Among the updates provided by Microsoft were 2 critical vulnerabilities allowing remote code execution and denial of service; both of these vulnerabilities relate to Windows Hyper-V. Microsoft’s March 2024 Patch Tuesday has not identified any zero-day vulnerabilities.

In addition to the Microsoft updates this week also saw Adobe, FortiGuard and SAP all provide updates for vulnerabilities in a variety of their products, with multiple rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain remote code execution, cause a denial of service and impact the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerability and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating.

---

Technical Summary

Microsoft

CVE-2024-21407- This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows a threat actor to gain remote code execution on the host server of a guest virtual machine. It requires an authenticated attacker to send specially crafted file operation requests.

CVE-2024-21408- This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows a threat actor to perform a denial of service. Microsoft have not disclosed how this could be exploited.

Adobe

Adobe have addressed multiple vulnerabilities in its products, including at least 46 in Adobe Experience Manager, 2 critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Premier Pro, a critical vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion,  and 4 vulnerabilities, of which 3 are critical in Adobe Bridge.

Fortinet

Fortinet have released three updates, of which 1 is critical impacting FortiOS and FortiProxy, 1 vulnerability impacting FortiClientEMS, 1 vulnerability impacting FortiWLM MEA for Fortimanager and 1 critical vulnerability in the DAS component.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 12 patches, which include 10 new releases and 2 updates from previous releases. 1 patch and 1 update have been given the “hot news” priority in SAP, the highest severity.. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Denial of Service, Information Disclosure, and Improper Authorisation.

---

further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-march-2024-patch-tuesday-fixes-60-flaws-18-rce-bugs/

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Experience Manager can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/experience-manager/apsb24-05.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Premier Pro can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/premiere_pro/apsb24-12.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe ColdFusion can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb24-14.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in Adobe Bridge can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/bridge/apsb24-15.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities in FortiOS and FortiProxy can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-328

Further details of the vulnerability in FortiClientEMS can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-390

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-013

Further details of the vulnerability in FortiManager can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-103

Further details of the vulnerability impacting the DAS component can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-007

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed by SAP can be found here:

https://support.sap.com/en/my-support/knowledge-base/security-notes-news/march-2024.html

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity 

Black Arrow Cyber Advisory 14 February 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday (inc 2 exploited zero-days), Adobe, and SAP Security Updates

Executive summary

It is Valentine’s, and what better way to spend it than reading about Microsoft’s latest patch Tuesday. In this months patch Tuesday, Microsoft has provided updates to address 73 security issues across its product range, including two exploited zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-21351and CVE-2024-21412). Microsoft is classifying these as a flaw that is publicly disclosed or actively exploited with no official fix available. The two exploited vulnerabilities affect Windows Smart Screen and Internet Shortcut File, allowing security bypasses. They have both been added to the known ‘exploited vulnerabilities catalog’ by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

In addition to the updates from Microsoft, this week also saw Adobe fixing 38 vulnerabilities and SAP issued 13 new patches for its range of products, in which three of the patches were rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited could allow an attacker to bypass security features and inject malicious code, impacting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

Microsoft

There is no official fix for the exploited vulnerabilities, however they both require a user to interact with a malicious file. As such, it is important to make sure users remain vigilant when interacting with their emails. Organisations should follow the vulnerabilities closely, so that they can apply any patches immediately. Other available updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerability and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-21351: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to bypass Windows SmartScreen. It relies on an authorised attacker sending a malicious file and convincing a user to open it.

CVE-2024-21412: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker bypass Windows security features and send malicious files to users. The attacker would still need to user to interact with the file.

Adobe

This month, Adobe has released fixes vulnerabilities impacting Adobe Acrobat and Reader (13, of which 5 are critical), Commerce (9, of which 6 are critical), Substance 3D Painter (13, of which 5 are critical), FrameMaker Publishing Server (1 critical), Audition (1 critical) and Substance 3D Designer (1 critical). Currently, Adobe is not aware of any active exploitation of these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities include issues such as arbitrary code execution and memory leaks.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 13 patches, which include 10 new releases and 3 updates from previous releases. These patches address 8 critical vulnerabilities affecting a variety of SAP products. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Denial of Service, Information Disclosure, and Improper Authorisation.

---

Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-february-2024-patch-tuesday-fixes-2-zero-days-73-flaws/

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/13/the-windows-security-updates-for-february-2024-are-here/

Adobe

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Acrobat and Reader be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-07.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Painter be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_painter/apsb24-04.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe FrameMaker be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-07.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Audition be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/audition/apsb24-11.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Designer be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_designer/apsb24-13.html

SAP

https://support.sap.com/en/my-support/knowledge-base/security-notes-news/february-2024.html

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity.

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 12 January 2024

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

Boardrooms on Notice: Cyber Security Oversight More Important Than Ever

In 2023, the rise in security breaches and cyber attacks caused cyber security to transcend its usual confines and emerge as a critical boardroom concern, prompting executives to recognise the need for proactive engagement. The current landscape has necessitated executive decision-makers to proactively engage in cyber security, instead of just passively observing. It is no surprise that in a survey from KMPG of over 300 CEO’s, dealing with cyber risk was designated as the top priority for the foreseeable three to five years.

When a company faces a substantial fine or penalty from a breach, it serves two crucial purposes. Firstly, it sets a precedent for ensuring companies across the board understand the repercussions of lax cyber security measures and secondly, it pushes organisations towards proactive investment in robust cyber security frameworks. Many organisations are beginning to realise that the cost of a breach, both financial and reputational, far outweighs that of prevention. Furthermore, many frameworks are now placing the board as directly responsible.

Sources: [Lexology] [Security Brief]

Ransomware Incidents Reported to UK Financial Regulator Doubled in 2023

Ransomware reported to the UK financial regulator in 2023 doubled, and the impact is clear. In a survey of CISOs based in the UK, one-third confessed to paying ransomware groups millions in recent years in a bid to alleviate the impact of an attack. The minimum ransom paid by UK businesses across a five year period stood at around $250,000, the study found. Ransomware is the dominant threat that continues to plague organisations, and it is important that your organisation is doing all it can to prevent such an attack, and has plans in place to recover when such an attack happens.

Sources: [Data Breaches] [UK mortgage news] [The Hacker News]

Businesses Can’t Survive Without Their IT Systems – and They’re Under Attack More Than Ever

As organisations find themselves more and more reliant on digital technology than ever before, the impact of not having it becomes greater and greater. As reliance on these systems grows, the level of cyber threat grows as well. A recent report found 68% of those surveyed believed they would not survive more than a single day without their IT systems, up from 46% in 2017. The report found that 54% of organisations said they experienced some form of cyber attack last year, with ransomware cited as the most disruptive.

Source: [TechRadar]

Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List

In the latest report by the World Economic Forum, misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the most severe global risk anticipated over the next two years, with the risk becoming more likely as elections in several economies take place this year. As artificial intelligence models become easier to use and more accessible to the general population, this will enable an explosion of false information and synthetic content such as cloned voices and fake websites.

Another top concern identified in the report is the risk of cyber attacks and cyber insecurities. Currently the production of AI technologies is highly concentrated; this creates a significant supply chain risk, as the reliance of one or two models could give rise to systemic cyber vulnerabilities, paralysing critical infrastructure.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Why Effective Cyber Security and Risk Management are Crucial for Business Growth

Technology has changed, enhanced and transformed how business is conducted. However, these new advancements such as cloud, IoT and AI have introduced a range of new cyber security risks. It is crucial for leaders to grasp the accompanying risks to ensure the safety of their organisations, customers and products. Given the inevitability of business risk, particularly cyber risk, leaders should focus on managing it by identifying mission-critical aspects of their organisation and then determining how best to protect them. The first step to a proactive approach to cyber security is to devise a robust and tailored cyber security strategy aligned to the organisation’s risk profile. This not only improves the safety and security of the organisation, but also the trust of its customers and products in an increasingly digital world.

Source: [World Economic Forum]

The Cost of Dealing with a Cyber Attack Doubled Last Year

New research by Dell claims that the cost of global cyber attacks reached a new high in 2023, topping out at $1.41 million per attack, up $660,000 from the previous year. It was found that almost half (48%) of UK based organisations reported suffering either a cyber attack or incident that prevented access to company data.

Over half of global respondents report that malicious links in spam or phishing emails, hacked devices, and stolen credentials are the most common entry points for cyber attacks.

Source: [TechRadar]

Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim – Leaving Cyber Warfare Definition Unresolved

Merck’s long legal battle with its insurers over the damage caused by the infamous NotPetya attack has finally come to an end, with the Merck agreeing to settle with their insurer providers who had refused to pay $699 million of the $1.4 million that was claimed in damages.

The legal battle began when Merck, who did not have cyber insurance, had made a claim under its ‘all-risks’ coverage. In 2022, it was stated that the NotPetya attack “is not sufficiently linked to a military action or objective as it was a non-military cyber attack against an accounting software provider” and in May 2023, this decision was upheld, forcing the insurers to settle.

Source: [Security Week] [Dark Reading]

Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA

While security teams are focused on preventing the gamut of different levels of cyber attack sophistication, it can be easy for even the sharpest teams to overlook the simple stuff. This was recently seen when Google’s cyber security operation, Mandiant, temporarily lost control of its account on X (formerly known as Twitter) due to not having two-factor authentication (2FA). A separate high-profile incident also occurred this week, as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) account on X was hijacked to post a fake announcement about bitcoin, raising its value by 5%.

In March of 2023, X changed the way multi-factor authentication (MFA) worked, so that only premium subscribers have access to it. The two high-profile attacks, which were due to accounts not having MFA, show that cyber criminals are taking advantage of these changes. These incidents serve as a clear reminder that organisations must prioritise even the most fundamental security practices, such as MFA, to protect their digital assets.

Further, the attack on the SEC has opened them to criticism from firms such as SolarWinds who the SEC had previously reprimanded for cyber security failures.

Source: [Dark Reading]

If you Prepare, a Data Security Incident Should Not Cause an Existential Crisis

A question to ask is why, in the event of a data security incident, is there an overwhelming feeling that the company is doomed? Yet when there are other issues, such as internal investigations, the feeling is not as strong. For a lot of companies, these cyber incidents are the first time that their cyber response plan (if they have one at all) is enacted and it is this lack of preparation that causes such a feeling.  Companies looking to increase their cyber resilience should look to have and regularly test a cyber incident response plan; you do not want to be in the position of having to learn your plan and deal with a cyber incident at the same time.

Source: [Help Net Security]

82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure, with 28,000 New Vulnerabilities Reported Last Year

A substantial 82% of companies have reported a widening gap between security exposures and their ability to manage them according to a recent report. For many, the issue is caused by a lack of proper remediation solutions; this formed part of the reason why 87% of surveyed organisations reported plans to enhance vulnerability and exposure remediation within the next year. The need increases when considering last year there were more than 28,000 new vulnerabilities; that is the equivalent of nearly 80 every day.

Sources: [Infosecurity Magazine] [SecurityWeek]

Cyber Security is the Number One Priority for the Financial Sector Again

In Softcat's annual Business Tech Priorities Report, the financial sector's tech investments for the coming year have been unveiled. Notably, cyber security remains the top priority for the sector with 55% prioritising cyber security before anything else, reflecting the critical need to protect against the escalating threat landscape. It's important to understand that cyber security is not merely an IT problem; it is a business imperative. As consumers increasingly embrace digital banking, the impact of digitalisation on the financial sector is evident. With cyber incidents on the rise, investment in cyber security, including zero-trust security and AI threat hunting, is imperative for safeguarding not only data but the entire business.

Sources: [The Fintech Times] [Islamic Finance News]

Cyber Crime Marketplaces Soar in 2024: All Threats Now Available ‘As-a-Service’

In 2024, cyber crime marketplaces are expected to surge even more, transitioning every cyber threat further into the “as-a-service” model. The term “as-a-service” refers to the provision of specific functionalities or tools as a service, typically offered on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. This allows malicious actors with limited technical skills to launch sophisticated attacks. This trend was already being spotted at the end of 2023 as a report found that 73% of all internet traffic is currently composed of malicious bots and related fraud farm activities. This highlights the need for organisations to have accurate threat intelligence and analysis to understand the digital terrain ahead of these continued and expanding “as-a-service” threats.

Source: [Security Boulevard]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Businesses can't survive without their IT systems - and they're under attack more than ever | TechRadar

• If you prepare, a data security incident will not cause an existential crisis - Help Net Security

• 82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• IFN – Cyber Security: Not an IT problem, but a business one (islamicfinancenews.com)

• Cyber incidents hit 15% of global firms (tribune.com.pk)

• The cost of dealing with a cyber attack doubled last year | TechRadar

• Board Priorities 2024: Cyber preparedness & resilience - Lexology

• Boardrooms on notice: Cyber security oversight more important than ever (securitybrief.co.nz)

• What the Board Needs to Know About Exponential Disruption, Cyber Security, Risk Management and Strategy - OODA Loop

• Why cyber security and risk management are crucial for growth | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• XM Cyber's 2024 Survey on the State of Security Posture Reveals Remediation Efforts Falling Behind Surging Exposures (prnewswire.com)

• How to Plan Your Security Budget Without Compromising Your Security Stack - Security Boulevard

• The expanding scope of CISO duties in 2024 - Help Net Security

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• 2023 was a big year for cyber crime – here’s how we can make our systems safer | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• The Reality Of Cyber In 2024: What Dangers Do Businesses Face? - Minutehack

• Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Global legal risks in cyber security investigations (iapp.org)

• The power of basics in 2024's cyber security strategies - Help Net Security

• Here's how to build a more inclusive cyber security strategy | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• DSIT launches UK Cyber Governance Project | UKAuthority

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

• British Library ransomware cyber attack ‘set to cost £7million’ (yahoo.com)

• Richard Osman among authors missing royalties amid ongoing cyber attack on British Library | British Library | The Guardian

• There is a Ransomware Armageddon Coming for Us All (thehackernews.com)

• UK CISO’s are cowing to ransomware demands more than you think, here’s why they shouldn’t pay up (databreaches.net)

• Ransomware incidents reported to UK financial regulator doubled in 2023 - The Intermediary - Latest UK mortgage news

• Ransomware victims targeted in follow-on extortion attacks • The Register

• Swatting: The new normal in ransomware extortion tactics • The Register

• Another top US mortgage firm hit by major cyber attack | TechRadar

• Capital Health attack claimed by LockBit ransomware, risk of data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Babuk ransomware decryptor updated with Tortilla support • The Register

• "Security researcher" offers to delete data stolen by ransomware attackers - Help Net Security

• Pikabot Malware Surfaces As Qakbot Replacement for Black Basta Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Finland warns of Akira ransomware wiping NAS and tape backup devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Diving deep into Phobos ransomware. (thecyberwire.com)

• Ransomware payment ban: Wrong idea at the wrong time • The Register

Ransomware Victims

• In $1.4B coverage over cyber attack, Merck settles with insurers (fiercepharma.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• British Library says final cost of cyber attack is ‘not confirmed’ | Evening Standard

• 'Totally and utterly bereft' — the devastating repercussions of the British Library cyber attack (yahoo.com)

• Ransomware attackers threaten to send SWAT teams to patients of hacked hospitals - Neowin

• Mortgage firm loanDepot cyber attack impacts IT systems, payment portal (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Toronto Zoo: Ransomware attack had no impact on animal wellbeing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• LockBit ransomware gang claims the attack on Capital Health (securityaffairs.com)

• Fidelity National Financial says hackers stole data on 1.3 million customers | TechCrunch

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

• HMG Healthcare Says Data Breach Impacts 40 Facilities - Security Week

• Full reopening of Isle of Man dentist delayed by 'serious cyber attack' | iomtoday.co.im

• Ransomware wrecks Paraguay’s largest telco (databreaches.net)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Uncovering the hidden dangers of email-based attacks - Help Net Security

• Inside a $20 Million Coinbase Phishing Ring (404media.co)

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Female cyber pros group targeted in phishing scam | IT Business

Artificial Intelligence

• Hackers are deliberately "poisoning" AI systems to make them malfunction, and there's no way to defend against it | ITPro

• Adapting Security to Protect AI/ML Systems (darkreading.com)

• AI-Powered Misinformation is the World’s Biggest Short-Term Threat, Davos Report Says - Security Week

• NIST identifies AI cyber security vulnerabilities (iapp.org)

• NIST: No Silver Bullet Against Adversarial Machine Learning Attacks - Security Week

• Why Cyber Security Is Foundational To AI Safety (forbes.com)

• FTC offers $25,000 prize for detecting AI-enabled voice cloning (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The growing challenge of cyber risk in the age of synthetic media - Help Net Security

• Securing AI systems against evasion, poisoning, and abuse - Help Net Security

• Staying One Step Ahead of Hackers When It Comes to AI | WIRED

• New AI tools spawn fears of greater 2024 election threats, survey finds - Nextgov/FCW

• AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique (techxplore.com)

• VW AI move is greeted with caution as risks still real says expert (emergingrisks.co.uk)

2FA/MFA

• Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA (darkreading.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

Malware

• Malware Takedowns Show Progress, But Fight Against Cyber Crime Not Over - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• This new macOS backdoor lets hackers take over your Mac remotely — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• A new macOS backdoor could let hackers hijack your device without you knowing | TechRadar

• Stealthy AsyncRAT malware attacks targets US infrastructure for 11 months (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Korea Debuts 'SpectralBlur' Malware Amid macOS Onslaught (darkreading.com)

• SpectralBlur: New macOS Backdoor Threat from North Korean Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Threat Group Using Rare Data Transfer Tactic in New RemcosRAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• Stuxnet: The malware that cost a billion dollars to develop? • Graham Cluley

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Linux devices are under attack by a never-before-seen worm | Ars Technica

• Pikabot Malware Surfaces As Qakbot Replacement for Black Basta Attacks (darkreading.com)

• ‘Yet another Mirai-based botnet’ is spreading an illicit cryptominer (therecord.media)

• Atomic Stealer Gets an Upgrade - Targeting Mac Users with Encrypted Payload (thehackernews.com)

• Pro-Iranian Hacker Group Targeting Albania with No-Justice Wiper Malware (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• CISA warns agencies of fourth flaw used in Triangulation spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Android's January 2024 Security Update Patches 58 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

Internet of Things – IoT

• Russia Hacked Residential Cameras in Ukraine to Spy on Air Defence, Critical Infrastructure - Security Week

• Coming Soon to a Network Near You: More Shadow IoT - Security Week

• The Connection Between Alaska Airlines, Blown Out Windows, and IoT Security - Security Boulevard

• Surveyed drivers prefer low-tech cars over data-sharing ones • The Register

• VW AI move is greeted with caution as risks still real says expert (emergingrisks.co.uk)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Law Firm Orrick Reveals Extensive Data Breach, Over Half a Million Affected - Security Week

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Swiss Air Force sensitive files stolen in the hack of Ultra Intelligence & Communications (securityaffairs.com)

• 2.2 billion records compromised by security incidents In Dec 2023 (itsecuritywire.com)

• Texas-based care provider HMG Healthcare says hackers stole unencrypted patient data | TechCrunch

• Midwives clinic takes nine months to deliver news of data breach (bitdefender.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Cyber Crime Marketplaces Soar in 2024: All Threats Now Available ‘As-a-Service’ - Security Boulevard

• 19 xDedic Cyber Crime Market Users and Admins Face Prison - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 2023 was a big year for cyber crime – here’s how we can make our systems safer | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Cyber Attacks Drain $1.84bn from Web3 in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• BreachForums admin jailed again for using a VPN, unmonitored PC (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Nigerian Gets 10 Years For Laundering Scam Funds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Move Over, APTs: Common Cyber Criminals Begin Critical Infrastructure Targeting (darkreading.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Inside a $20 Million Coinbase Phishing Ring (404media.co)

• What Is Cryptojacking, and Why Is Higher Education Being Targeted? | EdTech Magazine

• UK politician criticizes X (formerly Twitter) after account hijacked by crypto scam (therecord.media)

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Korea's Cyber Heist: DPRK Hackers Stole $600 Million in Cryptocurrency in 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian crypto exchange Bit24.cash leaks user passports and IDs (securityaffairs.com)

• Netgear, Hyundai latest X accounts hacked to push crypto drainers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cryptocurrency community lost over $100 million last week (coinpaper.com)

• ‘Yet another Mirai-based botnet’ is spreading an illicit cryptominer (therecord.media)

• Child Abusers Are Getting Better at Using Crypto to Cover Their Tracks | WIRED

• Cryptominers Targeting Misconfigured Apache Hadoop and Flink with Rootkit in New Attacks (thehackernews.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Bribed US Navy sailor sold secrets to China for just $14k • The Register

Insurance

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• 2024 Cyber Insurance Requirements Predictions (trendmicro.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Major IT, Crypto Firms Exposed to Supply Chain Compromise via New Class of CI/CD Attack  - Security Week

Cloud/SaaS

• SaaS cyber crime levels are expected to rise this year - Digital Journal

• Widening Disparities and Growing Threats Cloud Global Cyber security Outlook for 2024 > Press releases | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Microsoft Lets Cloud Users Keep Personal Data Within Europe to Ease Privacy Fears - Security Week

• Why Public Links Expose Your SaaS Attack Surface (thehackernews.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Authentication is more complicated than ever. 4 ways to improve cyber defences for our new reality | ZDNET

Linux and Open Source

• Linux devices are under attack by a never-before-seen worm | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Mandiant's X Account Was Hacked Using Brute-Force Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

• What is credential stuffing and how do you keep your accounts safe from it (engadget.com)

Social Media

• SEC's Twitter account hacked to say Bitcoin ETFs approved. Politicians and lawyers demand investigation into security breach (bitdefender.com)

• Mandiant's X Account Was Hacked Using Brute-Force Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fake Recruiters Defraud Facebook Users via Remote Work Offers (darkreading.com)

• Sexual assault in the metaverse investigated by British police • Graham Cluley

• Netgear, Hyundai latest X accounts hacked to push crypto drainers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• UK politician criticizes X (formerly Twitter) after account hijacked by crypto scam (therecord.media)

• Serious New Facebook Warning For Apple iPhone and Google Android Users (forbes.com)

• Why You Shouldn't Opt In to Facebook's Link History Feature (makeuseof.com)

• Coinbase Offers SEC Security Assistance After X Account Hack (beincrypto.com)

Malvertising

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Serious New Facebook Warning For Apple iPhone and Google Android Users (forbes.com)

• Why You Shouldn't Opt In to Facebook's Link History Feature (makeuseof.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

• US DOD’s CMMC 2.0 rules lift burdens on MSPs, manufacturers | CSO Online

• SEC Speech on Cyber Security Disclosure | Paul Hastings LLP - JDSupra

• What does the EU’s Cyber Security Regulation aim to achieve? (siliconrepublic.com)

• SEC Had a Fraught Cyber Record Long Before X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• SolarWinds Hits Back at SEC After Agency’s X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Criminal Whistleblowers will Get Smarter - Security Boulevard

• Ofcom poaches Big Tech staff in push to enforce new internet curbs (ft.com)

• Cyber Security | UK Regulatory Outlook January 2024 - Osborne Clarke | Osborne Clarke

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• NIST Fortifies Chatbots and Self-Driving Cars Against Digital Threats - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• NIST identifies AI cyber security vulnerabilities (iapp.org)

• NIST: No Silver Bullet Against Adversarial Machine Learning Attacks - Security Week

Data Protection

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• 68% of organizations face risks due to cyber security skills shortage | Security Magazine

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Malware Takedowns Show Progress, But Fight Against Cyber Crime Not Over - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 19 xDedic Cyber Crime Market Users and Admins Face Prison - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• BreachForums admin jailed again for using a VPN, unmonitored PC (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Watchdog finds ‘sufficient’ cyber threat sharing at agencies, but barriers remain - Government Executive (govexec.com)

• Nigerian Gets 10 Years For Laundering Scam Funds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• AI-Powered Misinformation is the World’s Biggest Short-Term Threat, Davos Report Says - Security Week

• Only 4% of US States Fully Prepared for Cyber Attacks Targeting Electi - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New AI tools spawn fears of greater 2024 election threats, survey finds - Nextgov/FCW

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• Merck settles with insurers regarding a $1.4 billion claim (securityaffairs.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Nation State Actors

China

• AI is helping US spies catch stealthy Chinese hacking ops, NSA official says | CyberScoop

• Bribed US Navy sailor sold secrets to China for just $14k • The Register

• China Claims It Caught a Foreign Consultant Spying for UK’s MI6 | TIME

• Volexity Catches Chinese Hackers Exploiting Ivanti VPN Zero-Days - Security Week

• China-Linked Volt Typhoon Hackers Possibly Targeting Australian, UK Governments - Security Week

Russia

• Merck settles with insurers regarding a $1.4 billion claim (securityaffairs.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• Russia Hacked Residential Cameras in Ukraine to Spy on Air Defence, Critical Infrastructure - Security Week

• Threat Group Using Rare Data Transfer Tactic in New RemcosRAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• Military briefing: Russia has the upper hand in electronic warfare with Ukraine (ft.com)

• Russia's Sandworm blamed for Kyivstar telecom cyber attack • The Register

• Media: Ukrainian hackers hit Russian internet provider, claim they are preparing 'revenge for Kyivstar' (kyivindependent.com)

• Ukraine is on the front lines of global cyber security - Atlantic Council

Iran

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Who Is Behind Pro-Ukrainian Cyber Attacks on Iran? (darkreading.com)

• Pro-Iranian Hacker Group Targeting Albania with No-Justice Wiper Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian crypto exchange Bit24.cash leaks user passports and IDs (securityaffairs.com)

• Dutch Engineer Used Water Pump to Get Billion-Dollar Stuxnet Malware Into Iranian Nuclear Facility: Report - Security Week

• Investigation on Stuxnet malware triggers doubt | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

North Korea

• North Korea Debuts 'SpectralBlur' Malware Amid macOS Onslaught (darkreading.com)

• North Korea's Cyber Heist: DPRK Hackers Stole $600 Million in Cryptocurrency in 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• South Korea's technological superiority challenged by North Korea's cyber attacks - The Korea Times

Other Nation State Actors, Hacktivism, Extremism, Terrorism and Other Geopolitical Threat Intelligence

• Sea Turtle Cyber Espionage Campaign Targets Dutch IT and Telecom Companies (thehackernews.com)

• Turkish Hackers Target Microsoft SQL Servers in Americas, Europe - Security Week

• Turkish Cyber Spies Targeting Netherlands - Security Week

• Young Britons exposed to online radicalisation following Hamas attack - BBC News

• Who Is Behind Pro-Ukrainian Cyber Attacks on Iran? (darkreading.com)

• Media: Ukrainian hackers hit Russian internet provider, claim they are preparing 'revenge for Kyivstar' (kyivindependent.com)

• Hackers Dox Lawmakers Behind North Carolina Age Verification (dailydot.com)

• CISA warns agencies of fourth flaw used in Triangulation spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Vulnerability Handling in 2023: 28,000 New CVEs, 84 New CNAs - Security Week

• Researchers develop technique to prevent software bugs - Help Net Security

• Best Practices for Vulnerability Scanning: When and How Often to Perform - Security Boulevard

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft January 2024 Patch Tuesday fixes 49 flaws, 12 RCE bugs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft Patch Tuesday for January 2024 fixed 2 critical flaws (securityaffairs.com)

• Patch Now: Critical Windows Kerberos Bug Bypasses Microsoft Security (darkreading.com)

• Ivanti warns of Connect Secure zero-days exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cisco Patches Critical Vulnerability in Unity Connection Product - Security Week

• This new macOS backdoor lets hackers take over your Mac remotely — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• KyberSlash attacks put quantum encryption projects at risk (bleepingcomputer.com)

• QNAP Patches High-Severity Flaws in QTS, Video Station, QuMagie, Netatalk Products - Security Week

• CISA Adds Six Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA

• Attacks aimed at vulnerable Apache RocketMQ servers underway | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Flaw in AI Plugin Exposes 50,000 WordPress Sites to Remote Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fortinet Releases Security Updates for FortiOS and FortiProxy | CISA

• Alert: New Vulnerabilities Discovered in QNAP and Kyocera Device Manager (thehackernews.com)

• Android's January 2024 Security Update Patches 58 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• SAP's First Patches of 2024 Resolve Critical Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Volexity Catches Chinese Hackers Exploiting Ivanti VPN Zero-Days - Security Week

• CISA Flags 6 Vulnerabilities - Apple, Apache, Adobe, D-Link, Joomla Under Attack (thehackernews.com)

• CISA Urges Patching of Exploited SharePoint Server Vulnerability - Security Week

• Over 150k WordPress sites at takeover risk via vulnerable plugin (bleepingcomputer.com)

• SQLi vulnerability in Cacti could lead to RCE (CVE-2023-51448) - Help Net Security

• Cryptominers Targeting Misconfigured Apache Hadoop and Flink with Rootkit in New Attacks (thehackernews.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Why Red Teams Can't Answer Defenders' Most Important Questions (darkreading.com)

• Continuity in Chaos: Applying Time-Tested Incident Response to Modern Cyber Security - Security Week

• Why Public Links Expose Your SaaS Attack Surface (thehackernews.com)

• APIs are increasingly becoming attractive targets - Help Net Security

• Whodunit in Cyber Space: The Rocky Road from Attribution to Accountability • Stimson Center

• Insufficient Internal Network Monitoring in Cyber Security - Security Boulevard

• Threat Actors Increasingly Abusing GitHub for Malicious Purposes (thehackernews.com)

• 4 ways data and AI tip the cyber security scales towards the defenders | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• How to Plan Your Security Budget Without Compromising Your Security Stack - Security Boulevard

• Authentication is more complicated than ever. 4 ways to improve cyber defences for our new reality | ZDNET

• Embracing offensive cyber security tactics for defence against dynamic threats - Help Net Security

• Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Global legal risks in cyber security investigations (iapp.org)

• Here's how to build a more inclusive cyber security strategy | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• 2024 Cyber Insurance Requirements Predictions (trendmicro.com)

• Exposed Secrets are Everywhere. Here's How to Tackle Them (thehackernews.com)

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Other News

• SEC Had a Fraught Cyber Record Long Before X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• SolarWinds Hits Back at SEC After Agency’s X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• Cyber Security is the Number One Priority for the Financial Sector Again, Says Softcat | The Fintech Times

• Cyber Focused FBI Agents Deploy to Embassies Globally (darkreading.com)

• A cyber attack hit the Beirut International Airport (securityaffairs.com)

• Cyber attacks on Island ‘are mostly from Russia’ - Jersey Evening Post

• Whodunit in Cyber Space: The Rocky Road from Attribution to Accountability • Stimson Center

• Hackers Dox Lawmakers Behind North Carolina Age Verification (dailydot.com)

• Threat Actors Increasingly Abusing GitHub for Malicious Purposes (thehackernews.com)

• XM Cyber's 2024 Survey on the State of Security Posture Reveals Remediation Efforts Falling Behind Surging Exposures (prnewswire.com)

• It’s 2024. Time to Have Attribution Standards in Cyber Space - OODA Loop

• Protecting Critical Infrastructure Means Getting Back to Basics (darkreading.com)

• 6 of the biggest threats banks faced in 2023 | American Banker

• Study reveals cyber risks to US elections | Computer Weekly

• US to hospitals: Meet security standards or no federal money • The Register

• After Barrage of Hacks, Hospitals Will Face New Federal Cyber Security Rules Tied to Funding (databreaches.net)

• Hospitals Must Treat Patient Data and Health With Equal Care (darkreading.com)

• Softcat reveals cyber security is top IT priority for the retail sector in 2024 | Retail Technology Review

• Cyber Security Risk Mitigation for Law Firms in 2024 | US Legal Support - JDSupra

• Cyber security challenges escalate for renewable energy amidst geopolitical crises - NS Energy (nsenergybusiness.com)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

·         OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 11 January 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe, Android, Cisco, and SAP Updates

Executive summary

In its first Patch Tuesday of 2024, Microsoft has provided updates to address 49 security issues across its product range, including two critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-20700 and CVE-2024-20674). None of these vulnerabilities are listed as publicly known or under active exploitation. The two critical vulnerabilities affect Hyper-V, allowing remote code execution, and Kerberos, enabling attackers to bypass security features.

In addition to the updates from Microsoft, this week also saw Adobe fixing 6 vulnerabilities, Cisco patching 2 vulnerabilities, and Android addressing 59 vulnerabilities, none of which were critical. SAP also issued 12 new patches for its range of products, three of the patches were rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution, the other vulnerability allows an attacker to perform a man in the middle attack and send a malicious message to impersonate themselves as the Kerberos authentication server, bypassing security features.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the critical vulnerabilities. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-20700: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to impersonate the Kerberos authentication server and bypass security features.

CVE -2024-20674: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to perform remote code execution. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to gain access to the restricted network before running an attack.

Adobe

This month, Adobe has released fixes for six vulnerabilities that affect Adobe Substance 3D Stage 2.1.3 and earlier versions. None of these vulnerabilities were rated as critical. Currently, Adobe is not aware of any active exploitation of these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities include issues such as arbitrary code execution and memory leaks.

Android

In Google’s January Security Bulletin for Android, 59 vulnerabilities are addressed, including three that are critical in the Qualcomm section. None of these vulnerabilities appear to have been discovered and exploited by criminals prior to the release of the patches. The vulnerabilities include issues such as elevation of privileges and information disclosure.

Cisco

Cisco has released an update to address two privilege escalation CVEs in its Identity Services Engine (ISE). These vulnerabilities, which were disclosed in September, necessitate administrator-level privileges for exploitation. At present, Cisco has provided patches to rectify these issues, and no other workaround is available.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 12 patches, which include 10 new releases and 2 updates from previous releases. These patches address 3 critical vulnerabilities affecting a variety of SAP products. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Denial of Service, Information Disclosure, and Improper Authorisation.

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Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/09/january_patch_tuesday/

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/09/the-first-windows-security-updates-of-2024-are-here/

Adobe

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Stager be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_stager/apsb24-06.html

Android

Further details on the Android patches can be found here:

https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2024-01-01

Cisco

Further details on the Cisco patch can be found here:

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2Aw

SAP

Further information of the vulnerabilities address by SAP can be found here:
https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 15 December 2023

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

MPs say UK Could be Brought to Standstill ‘At Any Moment’ as Scathing Report Calls for Greater Security Investment

According to the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS), the UK is one of the most targeted countries in the world for cyber attacks, predominantly coming from Russian-linked threat actors. The report describes the UK as being at high risk from catastrophic ransomware attacks, and warns that the country could face significant challenges in managing future attacks.

Further, the report noted that the UK’s regulatory frameworks are insufficient and large amounts of national infrastructure are still vulnerable to ransomware because of their reliance on legacy IT systems.

Sources: [ITPro] [Emerging Risks Media Ltd]

Gartner Finds 45% of Organisations Experienced Third Party-Related Business Interruptions

Despite increased investments in third-party cyber security risk management (TPCRM) over the last two years, 45% of organisations experienced third party-related business interruptions, according to a new Gartner survey. This is reinforced by a separate survey, in which 97% of respondents reported having suffered negative impacts from a breach in a third party or supplier partner in the last year; a figure that has remained unchanged for the past three years.

The results show that despite the increase in attention and investments in third party risk management, organisations are not carrying these out in a way that is decreasing the risk.

Sources: [CIR Magazine] [Gartner]

Major Cyber Attack Paralyzes Ukraine's Largest Telecom Operator; Russia Expected to Ramp Up Attacks on Ukraine’s Allies

Ukraine's biggest telecom operator Kyivstar has become the victim of a "powerful hacker attack," disrupting customer access to mobile and internet services. Its mobile app and website were down but they managed to restore some of its landline services on the same day of the attack. 24 million Kyivstar users have been urged to change all passwords following the attack.

So far, two Russia-aligned hacker groups have claimed responsibility for the hack: Killnet and Solntsepek. While Killnet have not provided any evidence of the attack, Solntsepek posted several screenshots of Kyivstar systems that it allegedly hacked, on its Telegram channel. The group said it “destroyed 10 thousand computers, more than 4 thousand servers, all cloud storage, and backup systems”.

Further, Russia is expected to ramp up their cyber campaign efforts targeting Ukraine’s allies as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. Last winter saw an increase in attacks that is likely to be repeated this year. The use of wiper malware to target critical national infrastructure (CNI) outside of Ukraine), similar to the attack on Kyivstar above, is just one tactic that could be deployed to disrupt Western allies’ ability, and motivation, to continue military support to Ukraine.

Sources: [Record Media] [New Voice of Ukraine] [Hacker news] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Gov Info Security]

81% of Companies had Malware, Phishing and Password Attacks in 2023

According to Verizon, 81% of organisations faced malware, phishing and password attacks last year, and these attacks were mainly targeted at users. Further, it was found that 62% percent of companies suffered a security breach connected to remote working. Certainly, attacks are not limited to particular sectors or organisations. Everyone can be a target and it is important to keep that in mind when focusing on securing the organisation; yet despite cyber security affecting everyone, 91% of CEOs/CFOs put the responsibility for cyber security squarely with IT.

Source: [Security Magazine]

Cyber Criminals Hit SMEs With Skills Once Limited to Nation State Actors

According to SentinelOne, mid-sized businesses are being targeted by cyber criminals who are displaying skills previously limited to expert government hackers. Cyber criminals are more organised than ever and have a better understanding of how businesses run; this, paired with technical acumen and AI, has created a difficult environment for medium-sized businesses who don’t possess the budget of a large organisation.

Sources: [Washington Times] [SiliconANGLE]

Russian Cyber Actors are Exploiting a Known Vulnerability with Worldwide Impact

The US National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and co-authoring agencies warn that the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) cyber actors are exploiting a publicly known vulnerability to compromise victims globally, including in the United States and allied countries. To raise awareness and help organisations identify, protect, and mitigate this malicious activity, the authoring agencies have jointly released a Cyber Security Advisory (CSA) on SVR’s exploiting of JetBrain’s TeamCity software, widely used by developers and software providers.

The advisory warns that APT29, the notorious Russian group behind the 2020 SolarWinds hack, are actively exploiting this vulnerability, joining state-sponsored actors from North Korea. The exploit in TeamCity could give attackers enough access to manipulate a software's source code, sign certificates, and compile and deploy processes.

Sources: [NSA] [Dark Reading] [The Register]

Why Cyber Security Is a Competitive Advantage: Reaching Digital Success

In the tech-driven world, cyber security’s importance is paramount for protecting sensitive data and critical systems. Significant increases in vulnerabilities and breaches have led to stricter guidelines and regulations for most sectors; a trend we expect to see increasing with regulations becoming more and more stringent. Increased regulation can only be good for affected industries and sectors to drive increased security.

However, beyond regulatory compliance, cyber security is a critical competitive differentiator and should be seen as such, rather than simply as a tick box exercise to satisfy a regulator or viewed as an increase in regulatory burden. Data breaches can lead to severe financial setbacks and damage to a company's reputation and customer trust. The legal and financial consequences of non-compliance with cyber security regulations are significant.

Building a comprehensive cyber security strategy that includes risk assessments, incident response plans, and proactive measures is essential in this era of rapid vulnerability exploitation. Embracing cyber security is not just a choice but a necessity for success in the digital age.

Source: [Forbes]

Ransomware-as-a-Service: The Growing Threat You Can't Ignore

Ransomware attacks have become a significant and pervasive threat in the ever-evolving realm of cyber security. Among the various iterations of ransomware, one trend that has gained prominence is Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This latest ransomware business model allows inexperienced hackers to use on-demand tools for attacks, reducing time and cost. They pay a fee, choose a target, and launch an attack with the provider’s tools. The effects of RaaS are starting to be noticed, as a recent survey showed the time from network breach to file encryption has dropped below 24 hours for the first time.

Source: [Hacker News]

66% of Employees Prioritise Daily Tasks Over Cyber Security

According to a recent survey, 66% of respondents stated that completing daily tasks is more crucial than cyber security, such as cyber security training. The tasks that were being prioritised over cyber security training include monthly targets, manager-assigned tasks and emails.

The survey highlights the need for improved cyber security training in organisations, with 64% of employees wanting time for this training during work hours, and 43% referring more engaging methods like videos and interactive sessions. The data suggests a shift from the annual training model, with 29% receiving quarterly training, 13% semi-quarterly, and 11% monthly. Addressing these needs is crucial for cyber security readiness.

Source: [Security Magazine]

Cyber Attack on Irish Utility Cuts Off Water Supply for Two Days

Last week, a cyber attack on a small Irish water utility disrupted the water supply for two days, affecting 180 people. The water utility’s representatives said the hackers may have breached the system due to their firewall not being “strong enough”. However, in most cases, hackers target internet-exposed devices or controllers that are either not protected at all or protected by a default password. This follows a warning from the US Government about the CyberAv3ngers group, an Iranian affiliated threat actor, which has been actively attacking water facilities in multiple US states.

Source: [Security Week]

Who Is Responsible for Cyber Security? You.

Cyber security is a concern that should resonate with every member of the C-suite and senior staff because when it fails, the entire business is impacted. Recent examples like the “bleach breach” at Clorox and the cyber attack on MGM Resorts illustrate the financial and reputational consequences of cyber security incidents, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. To effectively address this, C-suite executives and their teams must actively support cyber security initiatives led by CIOs and CISOs. The introduction of new government regulations, such as those from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), require organisations to swiftly report and manage cyber security incidents, impacting various departments beyond just the security team. To succeed in this environment, organisations must make cyber security information accessible across teams, allocate budgets for cyber security, and view cyber security as a catalyst for innovation and growth rather than a burden. For this to happen every single person within an organisation, from the very top to the very bottom, has a role to play in keeping the organisation secure and no one can think that security is someone else’s job.

Source: [Forbes]

Many Popular Websites Still Cling to Password Creation Policies From 1985

Website security, particularly password creation policies and login practices, requires immediate attention. A study of over 20,000 websites uncovers significant vulnerabilities with 75% of websites permitting passwords even shorter than 8 characters (which was the recommendation all the way back in 2012), and 12% even allow single-character passwords. Furthermore, 40% limit password length to being far shorter than current recommendations, and worse 72% permit dictionary words or known breached passwords.

The study also reveals that a third of websites do not support special characters in passwords. Remarkably, many websites continue to adhere to outdated password policies from 2004 or even 1985, and only 5.5% comply with stricter modern guidelines. This underscores the immediate need for standardising and strengthening password policies across the web, as well as enhancing education and outreach efforts to address these critical security weaknesses. Such passwords can influence people’s password choice, which can then enter the corporate environment. This can lead to their account having a higher risk of compromise, and in turn, risks to the data belonging to the organisation.

Source: [Help Net Security]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Who Is Responsible For Cyber Security? You. (forbes.com)

• How C-Level Executives Can Increase Cyber Resilience (forbes.com)

• Increased Cyber Regulation in the Offing as Attacks Mount (darkreading.com)

• Ex-Uber CSO: Lessons Learned from the Breach and Legal Case (darkreading.com)

• The SEC action against SolarWinds highlights how tough it can get for CISOs | CSO Online

• How to Enlist the CFO as a Cyber Security Budget Ally | Mimecast

• 7 Must-Ask Questions for Leaders on Security Culture | MSSP Alert

• Why Cyber Security Is A Competitive Advantage: Reaching Digital Success (forbes.com)

• Cyber Security Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

• Tech prediction #2: Businesses will turn to Cyber Security as a Service - Digital Journal

• Is Cyber Security as a Service (CSaaS) the Answer? (automation.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• UK ransomware attack could bring country to a "standstill" as scathing report calls for greater security investment | ITPro

• UK Downplays Ransomware Threat at Its Peril, Says Committee (inforisktoday.com)

• Ransomware Surge is Driving UK Inflation, Says Veeam - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Ransomware Groups' Latest Tactic: Weaponized Marketing (inforisktoday.com)

• CNI 'vulnerable to ransomware' | Professional Security

• Ransomware-as-a-Service: The Growing Threat You Can't Ignore (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware most wanted — part 2, LockBit & Clop (techinformed.com)

• The end of ransomware payments: how businesses fit into the fight | ITPro

• Vulnerabilities Now Top Initial Access Route For Ransomware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• OpenText Cyber Security 2023 Global Ransomware Survey | MSSP Alert

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

• US reveals email addresses used to send ransomware demands • The Register

• Virtual Kidnapping: The Dark World of Cyber Extortion (govinfosecurity.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Kraft Heinz launches investigation after ransomware gang claims to have stolen data - SiliconANGLE

• Norton Healthcare disclosed a data breach after ransomware attack (securityaffairs.com)

• US healthcare giant Norton says hackers stole millions of patients’ data during ransomware attack | TechCrunch

• Insomniac Reportedly Hacked, Blackmailed With Game Leaks And Doxing (thegamer.com)

• BAUER Group is operational again after cyber attack | Corporate - EQS News (eqs-news.com)

• Nissan dealerships in ANZ crippled by cyber attack - Drive

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• 39% of security leaders cite phishing as most feared cyber attack | Security Magazine

• Quishing is the new phishing: Why you need to think before you scan that QR code | ZDNET

• Cyber Criminals Exploit OAuth Apps for BEC, Phishing Attacks (petri.com)

• Google Forms Used in Call-Back Phishing Scam | Tripwire

• Approval Phishing Scams Drain $1bn of Cryptocurrency from Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US reveals email addresses used to send ransomware demands • The Register

• Dental Plan Administrator Fined $400K for Phishing Breach (govinfosecurity.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• SMEs "losing" battle against AI-powered cyber attacks, say experts - Tech Monitor

• ICO Warns of Fines for “Nefarious” AI Use - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• AI in 2024: More business use, more fraud risks | Premium | Compliance Week

• Europe Reaches a Deal on the World’s First Comprehensive AI Rules - Security Week

• The White House's private fears over the rise of AI in the Middle East (telegraph.co.uk)

• Holiday Scams Propelled By Artificial Intelligence | Foodman CPAs & Advisors - JDSupra

• Responsibly Implementing AI, the Unstoppable Force (darkreading.com)

• How to stop Dropbox from sharing your personal files with OpenAI (cnbc.com)

• Israel's AI can produce 100 bombing targets a day in Gaza. Is this the future of war? (theconversation.com)

Malware

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• Researchers Unveal GuLoader Malware's Latest Anti-Analysis Techniques (thehackernews.com)

• Hacker Uses Infostealer Data to Gain Access to Brazil’s Police Portal | Info Stealers

• Stealthy Linux rootkit found in the wild after going undetected for 2 years | Ars Technica

• Lazarus Group Using Log4j Exploits to Deploy Remote Access Trojans (thehackernews.com)

• Recruiters, beware of cyber crooks posing as job applicants! - Help Net Security

• How criminals disguise URLs | Kaspersky official blog

• Iranian State-Sponsored OilRig Group Deploys 3 New Malware Downloaders (thehackernews.com)

• 29 malware families targeted 1800 banking apps in 61 countries | Security Magazine

• Stealthy new botnet targets VPN devices and routers while staying disguised | TechRadar

• Ten new Android banking trojans targeted 985 bank apps in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Surge in deceptive simplicity exploitation by cyber attackers (securitybrief.co.nz)

Mobile

• Apple Releases Security Updates to Patch Critical iOS and macOS Security Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• Apple Testing New Stolen Device Protection Feature for iPhones - Security Week

• Hackers outsmart Apple to install keyloggers on iPhones - PhoneArena

• Android barcode scanner app exposes user passwords (securityaffairs.com)

• New 5G Modem Flaws Affect iOS Devices and Android Models from Major Brands (thehackernews.com)

• Six of the most popular Android password managers are leaking data | ZDNET

• SpyLoan Scandal: 18 Malicious Loan Apps Defraud Millions of Android Users (thehackernews.com)

• '5Ghoul' Vulnerabilities Haunt Qualcomm, MediaTek 5G Modems - Security Week

• WhatsApp, Slack, Teams, and other messaging platforms face constant security risks - Help Net Security

• 29 malware families targeted 1800 banking apps in 61 countries | Security Magazine

• Ten new Android banking trojans targeted 985 bank apps in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Websites down as Newsquest hit by cyber attack - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage

Internet of Things – IoT

• How Cyber Security Can Build Consumer Trust In Self-Driving Vehicles (forbes.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Apple: 2.5B Records Exposed, Marking Staggering Surge in Data Breaches (darkreading.com)

• UK Ministry of Defence Fined For Afghan Data Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• DNA companies should receive severe penalties for losing our data | TechCrunch

• Why the 23andMe Data Breach Is Such a Disaster (gizmodo.com)

• US nuclear research lab data breach impacts 45,000 people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ubiquiti users claim to have access to other people’s devices (securityaffairs.com)

• 2.5m people's data lost in Norton hospital ransomware hit • The Register

• Dubai’s largest taxi app exposes 220K+ users (securityaffairs.com)

• Toyota Financial Services discloses data breach (securityaffairs.com)

• US Air Force Disciplines 15 as IG Finds That Security Failures Led to Massive Classified Documents Leak - Security Week

• DonorView exposes 1M records for unknown time frame • The Register

• Dental Plan Administrator Fined $400K for Phishing Breach (govinfosecurity.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Cyber criminals hit businesses with skills once limited to Chinese, Russian government hackers - Washington Times

• Cyber Crime Orgs Increasingly Use Human Trafficking to Staff Scam Mills (darkreading.com)

• Interpol strikes slavers who force people to scam you online • The Register

• Microsoft goes after a cyber criminal group that sold millions of fraudulent accounts online - Neowin

• Cyber criminals and nation states up their game in persistent global attacks - SiliconANGLE

• Dark web forums reveal next year’s cyber security threats - Digital Journal

• Trafficking for cyberfraud an increasingly globalized crime, Interpol says (nbcnews.com)

• Kelvin Security hacking group leader arrested in Spain (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware most wanted — part 2, LockBit & Clop (techinformed.com)

• New cyber crime market 'OLVX' gains popularity among hackers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How cyber criminals are using Wyoming shell companies for global hacks | Reuters

• Exploitation of the internet and the mind: How cyber criminals operate | TechRadar

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Approval Phishing Scams Drain $1bn of Cryptocurrency from Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Crypto Startup Ledger Users’ Wallets Drained in Hack - Bloomberg

• Ledger says attacker conducted phishing attack on former employee - Blockworks

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• 66% of employees prioritize daily tasks over cyber security | Security Magazine

• Privilege elevation exploits used in over 50% of insider attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Prison for man who wiped bank's data after being fired for accessing porn in the office (bitdefender.com)

• Employees are weaponizing private emails with colleagues | Fortune

Insurance

• Making Cyber Insurance Available for Small Biz, Contractors (darkreading.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Gartner Survey Finds 45% of Organisations Experienced Third Party-Related Business Interruptions During the Past Two Years

• UK firms increasing their focus on supply chain cyber risk – report - CIR Magazine

• US officials say Russian targeting JetBrains servers for potential SolarWinds-style operations | Reuters

• Manchester Public Schools Lose $180K to Hacked Vendor (govtech.com)

• Software & Security: How to Move Supply Chain Security Up the Agenda (darkreading.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Multi-Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud: The Main Difference (techtarget.com)

• SAP's attempt to migrate security tools to cloud failed • The Register

• Cloud engineer wreaks havoc on bank's network after firing • The Register

Linux and Open Source

• Stealthy Linux rootkit found in the wild after going undetected for 2 years | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• Almost 90 percent say they're prepared for password-based attacks -- but half still fall for them (betanews.com)

• Android barcode scanner app exposes user passwords (securityaffairs.com)

• Six of the most popular Android password managers are leaking data | ZDNET

• Many popular websites still cling to password creation policies from 1985 - Help Net Security

Social Media

• How a social engineering hack turned these Facebook pages into a dumping ground for spam (engadget.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Increased Cyber Regulation in the Offing as Attacks Mount (darkreading.com)

• ICO Warns of Fines for “Nefarious” AI Use - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How European countries are implementing new cyber security framework – EURACTIV.com

• Cyber Solidarity Act moves ahead in EU Parliament with key committee vote – EURACTIV.com

• Europe Reaches a Deal on the World’s First Comprehensive AI Rules - Security Week

• FBI Issues Guidance for Delaying SEC-Required Data Breach Disclosure  - Security Week

• The SEC action against SolarWinds highlights how tough it can get for CISOs | CSO Online

• SEC Cyber Security Breach Rule: What it Means for MSSPs | MSSP Alert

• Ex-Uber CSO Joe Sullivan on why he ‘had to get over’ shock of data breach conviction | TechCrunch

• Government plans to regulate to tackle datacentre threats | Computer Weekly

• eIDAS: EU’s internet reforms will undermine a decade of advances in online security - Help Net Security

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• MITRE Launches Critical Infrastructure Threat Model Framework - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• UK IT staff working nearly as much overtime as law enforcement | ITPro

• Getting Into Cyber Security: A Guide for IT Security Careers | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Cloud engineer wreaks havoc on bank's network after firing • The Register

• Kelvin Security hacking group leader arrested in Spain (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft goes after a cyber criminal group that sold millions of fraudulent accounts online - Neowin

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Threats/Activity

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Another Cyber Attack on Critical Infrastructure and the Outlook on Cyberwarfare (informationweek.com)

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• International justice – France offers support to the International Criminal Court to step up cyber security (12 Dec. 2023) - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.gouv.fr)

• Debate Roils Over Extent of Nation-State Cyber Involvement in Gaza (darkreading.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

Nation State Actors

• What CISOs Need to Know About Nation State Actors (informationweek.com)

China

• Warning: Russia and China Target Cyber Security Weak Points (govinfosecurity.com)

• China's Cyber Attacks Target US Infrastructure In Preparation For Potential Conflict: Report - Benzinga

• Microsoft: Mystery Group Targeting Telcos Linked to Chinese APTs (darkreading.com)

• China’s cyber intrusions have hit ports and utilities, officials say - The Washington Post

• CISA unveils Google Workspace guidelines informed by Chinese breach of Microsoft | CyberScoop

• Chinese APT Volt Typhoon Linked to Unkillable SOHO Router Botnet  - Security Week

• Stealthy new botnet targets VPN devices and routers while staying disguised | TechRadar

• China warns its geographic data breach puts industry at risk (techinformed.com)

Russia

• Major Cyber Attack Paralyzes Kyivstar - Ukraine's Largest Telecom Operator (thehackernews.com)

• Ukraine’s Largest Phone Operator Hacked in “Act of War” - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 24 million Kyivstar users urged to change all passwords due to cyber attack / The New Voice of Ukraine (nv.ua)

• Hackers damaged some infrastructure of Ukraine’s Kyivstar telecom company (therecord.media)

• Warning: Russia and China Target Cyber Security Weak Points (govinfosecurity.com)

• Russia Set to Ramp Up Attacks on Ukraine’s Allies This Winter - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK government takes steps to thwart Russia's FSB hackers (techmonitor.ai)

• Cyber criminals hit businesses with skills once limited to Chinese, Russian government hackers - Washington Times

• Russian APT28 Hackers Targeting 13 Nations in Ongoing Cyber Espionage Campaign (thehackernews.com)

• US officials say Russian targeting JetBrains servers for potential SolarWinds-style operations | Reuters

• Global TeamCity Exploitation Opens Door to SolarWinds-Style Nightmare (darkreading.com)

• NCSC warning on Russian targeting | Professional Security

• Iranian Parliament Approves Information Security Deal With Russia | Iran International (iranintl.com)

• Ukrainian intelligence takes down Russia's tax system in major cyber warfare operation

• MI6 chief thanks Russian state television for its 'help' in encouraging Russians to spy for the UK | AP News

• Russian foreign intelligence service spotted exploiting JetBrains vulnerability (therecord.media)

• User activity showed greater increase in traffic on 3G network compared to 4G (LTE) network / The New Voice of Ukraine (nv.ua)

• Leader of Russian hacktivist group Killnet ‘retires,' appoints new head (therecord.media)

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

Iran

• Another Cyber Attack on Critical Infrastructure and the Outlook on Cyberwarfare (informationweek.com)

• Two-day water outage in remote Irish region caused by pro-Iran hackers (therecord.media)

• Iranian Parliament Approves Information Security Deal With Russia | Iran International (iranintl.com)

• Iranian State-Sponsored OilRig Group Deploys 3 New Malware Downloaders (thehackernews.com)

North Korea

• Stronger action against North Korean cyber threats pushed by US, South Korea, Japan | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lazarus sub-group targets South Korean defence firms | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lazarus hackers drop new RAT malware using 2-year-old Log4j bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Lazarus Operation Blacksmith Attacking Organisations Worldwide (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

Other Nation State Actors, Hacktivism, Extremism, Terrorism and Other Geopolitical Threat Intelligence

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Debate Roils Over Extent of Nation-State Cyber Involvement in Gaza (darkreading.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

• Leader of Russian hacktivist group Killnet ‘retires,' appoints new head (therecord.media)

• Cyber Attack Disrupts TV Services Across UAE, AI Anchor Broadcasts Graphic Content from Gaza | Metaverse Post (mpost.io)

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Vulnerability Management

• Vulnerabilities Now Top Initial Access Route For Ransomware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Over 30% of Log4J apps use a vulnerable version of the library (bleepingcomputer.com)

• One in four apps remain exposed to Log4Shell • The Register

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft's Final 2023 Patch Tuesday: 33 Flaws Fixed, Including 4 Critical (thehackernews.com)

• New RCE vulnerability in Apache Struts 2 fixed, upgrade ASAP (CVE-2023-50164) - Help Net Security

• Apple Releases Security Updates to Patch Critical iOS and macOS Security Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• SAP Security Patch Day December 2023 | SAP Blogs

• Adobe Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• Chrome 120 Update Patches High-Severity Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• 50K WordPress sites exposed to RCE attacks by critical bug in backup plugin (bleepingcomputer.com)

• '5Ghoul' Vulnerabilities Haunt Qualcomm, MediaTek 5G Modems - Security Week

• Lazarus hackers drop new RAT malware using 2-year-old Log4j bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Sophos backports RCE fix after attacks on unsupported firewalls (bleepingcomputer.com)

• One in four apps remain exposed to Log4Shell • The Register

• Russian foreign intelligence service spotted exploiting JetBrains vulnerability (therecord.media)

• This is how to protect your computers from LogoFAIL attacks | ZDNET

• Over 1,450 pfSense servers exposed to RCE attacks via bug chain (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Attacks abuse Microsoft DHCP to spoof DNS records • The Register

• Balancing AI advantages and risks in cyber security strategies - Help Net Security

• What is Cyber security threat intelligence sharing (att.com)

• The Cyber Security Conundrum: Best-Of-Breed Vs. Single Pane Of Glass (forbes.com)

• Discord adds Security Key support for all users to enhance security (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Modern Attack Surface Management (ASM) for SecOps (trendmicro.com)

• Cyber Security Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

• Are business cyber security measures really fit for purpose? - Digital Journal

• New Microsoft Incident Response team guide shares best practices for security teams and leaders | Microsoft Security Blog

• Which cyber security controls are organisations struggling with? - Help Net Security

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Other News

• UK must improve cyber risk management in face of catastrophic threats - Emerging Risks Media Ltd

• Positive Technologies: successful cyber attacks on financial organisations have doubled (zawya.com)

• Sellafield nuclear plant: I pray fears of a leak at the site are being taken seriously | The Independent

• Is macOS as secure as its users think? | Kaspersky official blog

• The 3 Most Prevalent Cyber Threats of the Holidays (darkreading.com)

• Over 3,800 Ministry of Defence passes lost or stolen (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

• My home, my castle: Only 1 in 6 Brits are concerned about cyberthreats at home – PCR (pcr-online.biz)

• NCSC CEO Lindy Cameron to step down in 2024 | Computer Weekly

• Reflecting On The Evolution Of Cyber Security In 2023 (forbes.com)

• Unveiling the Cyber Threats to Healthcare: Beyond the Myths (thehackernews.com)

• This is how to protect your computers from LogoFAIL attacks | ZDNET

• Polish train maker denies claims it geofenced trains • The Register

• Positive Technologies: successful cyber attacks on financial organisations have doubled (zawya.com)

• Cyber criminals continue targeting open remote access products - Help Net Security

• Threat actors misuse OAuth applications to automate financially driven attacks | Microsoft Security Blog

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

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·       Construction

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·       Defence & Space

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·       Financial Services

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·       Food & Agriculture

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·       Health/Medical/Pharma

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·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 14 December 2023 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe and SAP Security Updates

Executive summary

Microsoft’s December Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 36 security issues across its product range, including 4 critical vulnerabilities and 1 zero-day. The zero-day, which impacts AMD processors, was originally disclosed in August 2023 with no patches provided by AMD.

In addition to the Microsoft updates this week, Adobe and SAP fixed multiple vulnerabilities across their product range. 

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited, can allow an attacker to escalate privileges, remotely execute code, cause sensitive data leaks and cause a denial of service. All of which can result in an impact to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data in your organisation.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

Microsoft

CVE-2023-20588: A vulnerability in AMD processors that could potentially return speculative and sensitive data if exploirted.

CVE-2023-36019- A vulnerability in Microsoft Power Platform and Azure Logic Apps that allows spoofing.

CVE-2023-35630- A vulnerability in Internet Connection Sharing that if exploited, allows remote code execution.

CVE-2023-35628- A vulnerability in Internet Connection Sharing that if exploited, allows remote code execution.

CVE-2023-35641- A Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Windows MSHTML, which is used for Internet Explorer.

Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 212 vulnerabilities, of which 13 were rated critical, across Adobe Illustrator (3), Substance3D Sampler (6), After Effects (3) and Designer (1). The critical vulnerabilities include arbitrary code execution and memory leak.

SAP

Enterprise software vendor SAP has addressed 17 vulnerabilities, including 4 critical, in several of its products.

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Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/13/the-windows-december-2023-security-updates-fix-a-0-day-vulnerability/

Adobe

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Illustrator can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb23-68.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D Sampler can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d-sampler/apsb23-74.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D After Effects can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb23-75.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D Designer can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_designer/apsb23-76.html

SAP

Further information of the vulnerabilities address by SAP can be found here:

https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10

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Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 17 November 2023

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

Cyber Resilience Requires Maturity, Persistence & Board Engagement

Cyber resilience is more important than ever, particularly with the added dimensions of deepening geopolitical threats and risks coming from new technology like AI. In cyber security, it is commonly accepted that it is a matter of when, not if, an organisation will experience an attack. It is imperative to ensure there is an ability across the organisation to bounce back.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Security is a Process, not a Tool

The cyber security industry is constantly seeing tools that claim to make organisations 100% secure, despite this never being achievable. A recent report found 55% of all security tools are not put into operation or are not actively managed. Additionally, the report found that 33% of all security incidents are identifiably traced to process errors. The findings are further evidence that cyber security is more than just technology tools: it requires a mindset that aligns controls across people, operations and technology.

Source: [Dark Reading]

46% of SMBs and Enterprises Have Experienced a Ransomware Attack

A recent report found that 46% of small and medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprises have experienced ransomware attacks. In addition, 90% of SMBs and 87% of enterprises are extremely or somewhat concerned about ransomware attacks, and 64% of SMBs and 70% of enterprises don’t believe in paying a ransom.

Despite the fact that nearly 50% of the firms have suffered ransomware, too many businesses still seem to think this is something that will not happen to them and is something only other businesses need to worry about.

Source: [Security Magazine] [IT Business]

Cyber Threat Intelligence: Getting on the Front Foot Against Adversaries

In the realm of cyber security, threat intelligence (TI) is a crucial yet often underused asset for countering sophisticated cyber attacks. TI involves gathering, analysing, and contextualising information about potential cyber threats, including advanced ones, thus enabling organisations to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risks effectively. The TI market, expected to exceed $44 billion by 2033, offers four main types: Strategic, Tactical, Technical, and Operational.

Each type serves different organisational needs, from informing senior leadership to aiding security operations teams. When thinking about TI, organisations should focus on completeness, accuracy, relevance, timeliness, scalability, vendor reputation, and integration capabilities. The rapidly evolving nature of TI demands a careful, long-term approach to choosing the right services, considering an organisation's maturity and specific needs. Effective TI not only aids in countering immediate threats but also builds long-term resilience. With 80% of the top 2000 global companies projected to increase their TI investment in 2024, it's crucial for organisations to find a trusted vendor to ensure their cyber security success.

Black Arrow conducts daily threat intelligence analyses from trusted specialist sources, and interprets the TI in the context of our client organisations to support them in proactively addressing risks. In addition to our weekly Threat Briefing and subscription email, we offer tailored briefings for organisations in various sectors and geographies.  

Source: [welivesecurity]

67% of Workers Put Businesses at Risk by Downloading Applications and Software Without Permission

New research has found that 67% of UK employees are endangering their business by downloading applications and software without the knowledge of IT or security teams.

Other key findings included 39% of respondent organisations lacked total visibility of applications and software on company owned assets, and 77% lacked visibility over employee owned assets connected to the corporate environment. Of total respondents, 69% acknowledged their organisations required better policies and procedures in order to deal with security vulnerabilities, with 39% of total respondents feeling challenged by UK and other jurisdictions’ increasingly complicated regulations and governance requirements.

Black Arrow help organisations of all sizes to design and deliver comprehensive asset visibility programmes that lay the foundation for proportionate and credible cyber security controls to protect the organisation. We enable organisations to adhere to regulatory and governance requirements, by providing expert cyber security resources on a flexible basis for technical, governance and transformational positions.

Sources: [Tech Radar] [the HR Director]

The Persistent Menace: Understanding and Combating Ransomware, as New Ransomware Groups Account for Quarter of All Leaks in 2023

In 2023, the landscape of cyber threats, particularly ransomware, has significantly evolved, remaining a primary concern for businesses.  

This change has been further facilitated by the emergence of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) and the increased sophistication of phishing attacks, supported by advancements in AI. This has led at least in part to almost half (29) of the ransomware groups tracked by WithSecure in 2023 having begun operations this year. These groups accounted for 25% of data leaks in this period, helping to drive a 50% year-on-year increase in data leaks.

Businesses face not only the immediate costs of ransom demands but also indirect impacts such as operational downtime and damage to reputation. Key trends include the exploitation of basic security vulnerabilities, the role of access brokers in facilitating attacks, and innovative evasion techniques used by ransomware groups.  Ransomware is not going away, and organisations need to ensure they are prepared given the realistic probability of an attack.

Black Arrow works with organisations of all sizes and sectors to design and prepare for managing a cyber security incident such as ransomware; this can include an Incident Response Plan and an educational tabletop exercise for the leadership team that highlights the proportionate controls to help the organisation prevent and mitigate an incident.

Sources: [Forbes] [Infosecurity Magazine] [ITPro]

Financial Services Still Stubbornly Vulnerable to Cyber Disruption

A recent report found the UK financial system remains stubbornly vulnerable to disruption caused by cyber and IT-related incidents, and that regulated firms are not acting quickly enough to affect required changes designed to ensure firms’ systems are resilient against significant operational shocks.

According to the UK FCA’s records, the total number of cyber incidents reported between January 2018 to May 2023 was 4,192. In general terms, incidents are reportable where they are of a certain level of materiality; for instance, where there has been a “significant failure in the firm's systems or controls.

Source: [FTAdviser]

World’s Biggest Bank Hit by Ransomware; Workers Forced to Trade with USB Sticks

The US subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) experienced a ransomware attack earlier this month, which reportedly forced the bank (ICBC Financial Services) to handle trades through messengers carrying USB thumb drives. This attack has sent shockwaves through financial services and banking and has prompted an increase in vigilance within the financial sector. The US Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) has urged financial services organisations to ensure their systems are protected and vulnerabilities are immediately resolved.

Sources: [SC Media] [Bit Defender]

NCSC Warns UK Over Significant Threat to Critical Infrastructure

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has once again sounded its concern over the rising threat level to the nation's critical national infrastructure (CNI), with its annual review admitting the level of cyber security resilience in the UK’s most critical areas is not in a satisfactory place.

The NCSC stated that CNI in the UK faces an “enduring and significant” threat from state-aligned threat actors aggressively ramping up activity, and the UK must therefore work more closely with allies and industry in countering “epoch-defining” cyber challenges.

They noted a 64% increase on last year’s voluntary report figures; to note, this refers to organisations voluntarily self-reporting suffering a cyber incident.

For wider context, the Russian cyber attacks on Ukraine began a month and a half before the invasion. In 2022 Ukraine’s national incident response team dealt with 2,194 cyber incidents, followed by another 2,054 attacks in the first 10 months of this year and Ukraine’s defence chief warns that Russia will soon attack companies that provide services to Ukraine as part of their larger cyber efforts.

This comes as Russian hackers were linked to what is being described as the largest ever cyber attack on Danish critical infrastructure. The attack involved 22 companies associated with the operation of Denmark’s energy sector.

Sources: [Computer Weekly] [The Register] [The Record Media] [The Irish Times] [The Hacker News]

Ransomware Gang Files SEC Complaint Over Victim’s Undisclosed Breach

The ALPHV ransomware group, also known as BlackCat, has taken extortion to a new level by filing a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) complaint against one of their alleged victims, MeridianLink, for not complying with the four-day rule to disclose a cyber attack. The ransomware group said it compromised the digital lending solutions provider on November 7 and told the SEC the victim suffered a “significant breach and did not disclose it as required in Form 8-k”. While many ransomware and extortion gangs have threatened to report breaches and data theft to the SEC, this may be the first public confirmation that they have done so. Previously, ransomware actors exerted pressure on victims by contacting customers to let them know of the intrusion. Sometimes, they would also try to intimidate the victim by contacting them directly over the phone.

Sources: [Infosecurity Magazine] [Bleeping Computer]

Businesses are Losing Huge Chunks of Their Revenue to Cyber Attacks

A new report has found that businesses are paying a huge price for not properly securing their digital assets. The report found that businesses on average suffered 46 attacks (successful and unsuccessful) over the last year, resulting in the loss of 9% of their annual income. Cyber attacks are hurting their businesses in other ways such as network outages (34%), data loss (29%), web apps going offline (24%) and customer account compromises (22%).

Firms are reevaluating their cyber security approaches, with 76% planning increased spending despite concerns about current investment efficiency, as 35% feel they've overspent and only 55% of tools are fully utilised. A significant talent gap is also a challenge, with 30% attributing recent issues to a shortage of skilled personnel, and 33% expecting this trend to continue. Nearly half are seeking to address this by boosting recruitment budgets. Additionally, 51% of respondents are focusing on investing in Generative AI tools for cyber security in the next two years.

Source: [TechRadar]

Phishing Emails Are More Believable Than Ever. Here's What to Do About It.

Phishing is not new. This social engineering tactic has existed in the attack toolbox for decades, with threat actors posing as trusted contacts and then targeting unsuspecting victims through email or text messages to steal sensitive data. According to a recent report by Fortinet, phishing is the top tactic (56%) malicious actors use to infiltrate a network and launch ransomware successfully. With the turn of AI-driven content tools, cyber criminals are using them to make their phishing emails and texts appear more realistic than ever before.

It is crucial to focus on employee education to protect organisations. Customised training programs are essential. Security awareness training is fundamental in creating a cyber-aware culture, keeping employees informed about current security threats and meeting compliance requirements.

Black Arrow supports organisations of all sizes in designing and delivering proportionate user education and awareness programmes, including in-person and online training as well as simulated phishing campaigns. Our programmes help secure employee engagement and build a cyber security culture to protect the organisation. 

Source: [CSO Online]

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Top Cyber Stories of the Last Week

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Financial sector on edge after LockBit attack on major Chinese bank's US unit | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 29% of organisations cite data loss as top security breach result | Security Magazine

• Financial services still 'stubbornly vulnerable' to cyber disruption - FTAdviser

• Cyber Resilience Requires Maturity, Persistence & Board Engagement (darkreading.com)

• Businesses are losing huge chunks of their revenue to cyber attacks | TechRadar

• Security Is a Process, Not a Tool (darkreading.com)

• 6% of companies have not had a digital risk cyber attack since 2020 | Security Magazine

• Cyber threat intelligence: Getting on the front foot against adversaries (welivesecurity.com)

• Organisations should prepare for the inevitability of cyber attacks on their infrastructure - Help Net Security

• Should cyber security overconfidence be on your threat radar? | TechRadar

• Insiders and outsiders: Why cyber security strategies need to look all ways - Digital Journal

• Navigating the complex role of the CISO under SEC disclosure rules (betanews.com)

• Every Business Owner Should Be Thinking About Improving Online Security | Inc.com

• The Role of Cyber Wellness in Safeguarding Businesses - IT Security Guru

• The cultural shift that’s needed to see greater ROI in cyber | Federal News Network

• Business urged to increase cyber resilience as 2024 set to deliver new threats (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• How to withstand the onslaught of cyber security threats - Help Net Security

• 8 ways to cope with cyber security budget cuts | TechTarget

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Financial sector on edge after LockBit attack on major Chinese bank's US unit | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Financial services still 'stubbornly vulnerable' to cyber disruption - FTAdviser

• Law practices and government agencies experience the largest ransomware spikes - Digital Journal

• Orgs still losing logs, powerless to speedy ransomware • The Register

• Ransomware gang files SEC complaint over victim’s undisclosed breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 29 new ransomware groups have emerged in 2023 | ITPro

• 46% of SMBs and enterprises have experienced a ransomware attack | Security Magazine

• Many organisations don’t believe they are targets of ransomware gangs: OpenText | IT Business

• Half of Ransomware Groups Operating in 2023 Are New - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• LockBit ransomware exploits Citrix Bleed in attacks, 10K servers exposed (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The Persistent Menace: Understanding And Combating Ransomware (forbes.com)

• Phishing emails are more believable than ever. Here’s what to do about it. | CSO Online

• Ransomware tracker: The latest figures [November 2023] (therecord.media)

• Nuclear and Oil & Gas are Major Targets of Ransomware Groups in 2024 (securityaffairs.com)

• LockBit ransomware group assemble strike team to breach banks, law firms and governments. | by Kevin Beaumont | Nov, 2023 | DoublePulsar

• Ransomware Gang LockBit Revises Its Tactics as Payouts Slip (bloomberglaw.com)

• Fast-acting cyber gangs increasingly disabling telemetry logs | Computer Weekly

• Uncovering the ransomware threat from global supply chains | ITPro

• Business leaders need help in getting off the ransomware merry-go-round (thetimes.co.uk)

• Hackers Could Exploit Google Workspace and Cloud Platform for Ransomware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• BlackCat affiliate seen using malvertising to spread ransomware | Computer Weekly

• The Rise of Ransomware in Healthcare: What IT Leaders Need to Know (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What Do You Do When You’re Hit by Russian Ransomware? - Bloomberg

• Success eludes the International Counter Ransomware Initiative - Help Net Security

• New Ransomware Group Emerges with Hive's Source Code and Infrastructure (thehackernews.com)

• How to combat ransomware in the face of tight security staffing | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Ransomware attacks: Cyber criminals tout their ‘honesty’ in negotiating ransoms (afr.com)

• New approaches to fighting ransomware are emerging | Mimecast

• Why backup matters more than ever - Help Net Security

• FBI 'Knows Identities' Of MGM, Caesars Hacking Gang | Silicon UK

• FBI and CISA warn of opportunistic Rhysida ransomware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ALPHV/BlackCat Ransomware Gang Targets Businesses Via Google Ads - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• FBI pumping 'significant' resources into Scattered Spider • The Register

• New BiBi-Windows Wiper Targets Windows Systems in Pro-Hamas Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• It ain’t what you store, it’s the way you restore it. • The Register

Ransomware Victims

• Ransomware gang files SEC complaint over victim’s undisclosed breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How a cyber attack crippled the world's largest bank for hours | Euronews

• ICBC -- China's biggest bank -- paid ransom: Lockbit hackers (nypost.com)

• FBI: Royal ransomware asked 350 victims to pay $275 million (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Rackspace Ransomware Costs Soar to Nearly $12M (darkreading.com)

• Major cyber attack on Australian ports suggests sabotage by a 'foreign state actor' (theconversation.com)

• Tri-City Medical Center cyber attack impacting patient care (10news.com)

• Maine govt notifies 1.3 million people of MOVEit data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• LockBit leaks Boeing files after failed ransom negotiations • The Register

• 'CitrixBleed' Linked to Ransomware Hit on China's State-Owned Bank (darkreading.com)

• World's biggest bank hit by ransomware, forced to trade via USB stick (bitdefender.com)

• Mortgage giant Mr. Cooper says customer data exposed in breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• British Library’s Halloween cyber scare was ransomware | Computer Weekly

• Royal Mail ransomware recovery to cost at least $12 million • The Register

• 9 million patients had data stolen after US medical transcription firm hacked | TechCrunch

• Clorox CISO flushes self after multimillion-dollar attack • The Register

• Toyota confirms breach after Medusa ransomware threatens to leak data (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Government doesn't know details behind cyber hack that shut down port operator DP World - ABC News

• Lorenz ransomware gang hit Texas-based Cogdell Memorial Hospital (securityaffairs.com)

• Dragos Says No Evidence of Breach After Ransomware Gang Claims Hack via Third Party - Security Week

• Long Beach, California turns off IT systems after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Stellantis production affected by cyber attack at auto supplier - The Columbian

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Phishing emails are more believable than ever. Here’s what to do about it. | CSO Online

• Major Phishing-as-a-Service Syndicate 'BulletProofLink' Dismantled by Malaysian Authorities (thehackernews.com)

• From Scanning to Scamming: The Rise of QR Codes in Phishing - VMRay

• Zero-Day Flaw in Zimbra Email Software Exploited by Four Hacker Groups (thehackernews.com)

• APTs Swarm Zimbra Zero-Day to Steal Government Info Worldwide (darkreading.com)

• FBI Warns: Five Weeks In, Gaza Email Scams Still Thriving (darkreading.com)

• Police takes down BulletProftLink large-scale phishing provider (bleepingcomputer.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• UK told of significant threat as state actors seek to use AI attack systems (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• UK NCSC Warns Of Threat To Critical Infrastructure | Silicon UK

• AI disinformation campaigns pose major threat to 2024 elections - Help Net Security

• AI poses growing threat to next general election, warns UK cyber security agency | UK News | Sky News

• Microsoft blocks internal access to ChatGPT over security • The Register

• ChatGPT's New Code Interpreter Has Giant Security Hole, Allows Hackers to Steal Your Data | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• This new ChatGPT-powered infostealer is targeting cloud platforms | TechRadar

• The US and 30 Other Nations Agree to Set Guardrails for Military AI | WIRED

• CISA Has a New Road Map for Handling Weaponized AI | WIRED

• Mitigating Deepfake Threats in the Corporate World | MSSP Alert

• A Closer Look at ChatGPT's Role in Automated Malware Creation (trendmicro.com)

• Organisations Rush to Use Generative AI Tools Despite Risks (globenewswire.com)

• How scammers' use of AI is affecting fintech investment | PaymentsSource | American Banker

• Top 5 Risks of Artificial Intelligence - IT Security Guru

• Balancing Innovation and Security: Exploring the AI Pin's Potential Risks and Safeguards | HackerNoon

Malware

• This new ChatGPT-powered infostealer is targeting cloud platforms | TechRadar

• Infostealers and the high value of stolen data - Help Net Security

• CherryBlos, the malware that steals cryptocurrency via your photos - what you need to know | Tripwire

• Alert: 'Effluence' Backdoor Persists Despite Patching Atlassian Confluence Servers (thehackernews.com)

• Malware was downloaded over 600 million times in 2023 from the Google Play Store - PhoneArena

• This fake Windows news site is spreading malware via hacked Google ads | TechRadar

• Google Play Store is making a big upgrade to fight malware — what you need to know | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• A Closer Look at ChatGPT's Role in Automated Malware Creation (trendmicro.com)

• Russian-Moldovan National Admits to Infecting 23,000 Devices with Botnet Malware (occrp.org)

• Children’s tablet has malware and exposes kids’ data, researcher finds | TechCrunch

• Ducktail Malware Targets the Fashion Industry (darkreading.com)

Mobile

• CherryBlos, the malware that steals cryptocurrency via your photos - what you need to know | Tripwire

• Malware was downloaded over 600 million times in 2023 from the Google Play Store - PhoneArena

• Temu Sued in Class Action for Risking User Data to Chinese Government Control | Law.com

• Apple and Google have made phones the key to your digital life. Here’s what to do if you lose it. - Vox

• Google Play Store is making a big upgrade to fight malware — what you need to know | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Children’s tablet has malware and exposes kids’ data, researcher finds | TechCrunch

• How to spot a fake data blocker that could hack your computer in seconds | ZDNET

• Balancing Innovation and Security: Exploring the AI Pin's Potential Risks and Safeguards | HackerNoon

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Misconfigured Docker API endpoints allow attackers to deliver DDoS botnet agent | CSO Online

• How DDoS attacks are taking down even the largest tech companies (bleepingcomputer.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• UK Privacy Regulator Issues Black Friday Smart Device Warning - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How to protect your organisation from IoT malware | TechTarget

• Defending Against Attacks on Vulnerable IoT Devices (darkreading.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Infostealers and the high value of stolen data - Help Net Security

• 29% of organisations cite data loss as top security breach result | Security Magazine

• McLaren Health Care revealed that a data breach impacted 2.2 million people (securityaffairs.com)

• Hacker Leaks 800,000 Scraped Chess.com User Records (hackread.com)

• Hacker Leaks 35 Million Scraped LinkedIn User Records (hackread.com)

• Fourth time unlucky: Okta hit by new cyber attack - Digital Journal

• Maine govt notifies 1.3 million people of MOVEit data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The real cost of healthcare cyber security breaches - Help Net Security

• Mortgage giant Mr. Cooper says customer data exposed in breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Pharmacy provider Truepill data breach hits 2.3 million customers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Samsung warns some customers their data may have been stolen by hackers | TechRadar

• Hackers Claim Major Data Breach at Smart WiFi Provider Plume (hackread.com)

• Vietnam Post exposes 1.2TB of data, including email addresses (securityaffairs.com)

• Morgan Stanley fined over computers with personal data (cnbc.com)

• Samsung says hackers accessed customer data during year-long breach | TechCrunch

• A Spy Agency Leaked People's Data Online—Then the Data Was Stolen | WIRED

• Electric Ireland Confirms Compromise of 8,000 Customers’ Personal and Financial Data - IT Security Guru

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Major Phishing-as-a-Service Syndicate 'BulletProofLink' Dismantled by Malaysian Authorities (thehackernews.com)

• Russian admits building now-dismantled IPStorm proxy botnet • The Register

• Australian Intelligence Report Identifies China as Major Backer of Cyber Crime (voanews.com)

• 'AlphaLock' Hackers Launch 'Pen-Testing Training' Group (darkreading.com)

• Cyber crime Victims Can Turn to New Nonprofit, Intelligence for Good | MSSP Alert

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• CherryBlos, the malware that steals cryptocurrency via your photos - what you need to know | Tripwire

• Ethereum hacked to steal millions from users across the world | TechRadar

• Fraudsters make $50,000 a day by spoofing crypto researchers (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Employees putting businesses at risk downloading apps and software without consent | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)

• Insiders and outsiders: Why cyber security strategies need to look all ways - Digital Journal

• The Role of Cyber Wellness in Safeguarding Businesses - IT Security Guru

• 3 Ways Behavioural Economics Obstructs Cyber security (darkreading.com)

Insurance

• Beyond re/insurance – protecting society from an unprecedented cyber incident | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• Bridging the Gap: The Vital Role of Skilled Brokers in Cyber Insurance

• Aon president warns insurers against ‘walking away’ from major risks (ft.com)

• Cyber insurance predictions for 2024 - Help Net Security

• Cyber ‘Catastrophe Bonds’ Move Step Closer to Hitting Public Debt Markets | Tech News (hindustantimes.com)

• Cyber insurance market attractive despite ransomware uptick: JP Morgan - Reinsurance News

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Uncovering the ransomware threat from global supply chains | ITPro

• SaaS Vendor Risk Assessment in 3 Steps (darkreading.com)

• How top CISOs are transforming third-party risk management | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• This new ChatGPT-powered infostealer is targeting cloud platforms | TechRadar

• Hackers Could Exploit Google Workspace and Cloud Platform for Ransomware Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• SaaS Vendor Risk Assessment in 3 Steps (darkreading.com)

• Traditional cloud security isn't up to the task - Help Net Security

• Transforming cyber security from reactive to proactive with attack path analysis - Help Net Security

Identity and Access Management

• As perimeter defences fall, the identify-first approach steps into the breach | CSO Online

Encryption

• The new frontier in online security: Quantum-safe cryptography (techxplore.com)

• In a first, cryptographic keys protecting SSH connections stolen in new attack | Ars Technica

• TETRA encryption algorithms entering the public domain • The Register

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• 70% of passwords can be cracked in less than a second, shows NordPass study (business-standard.com)

• Top Passwords Used By Business Executives | NordPass

• Google Workspace security flaws could see hackers easily snaffle your password | TechRadar

• Stop using weak passwords for streaming services - it's riskier than you think | ZDNET

• The worst passwords of 2023 are also the most common, "123456" comes in first | TechSpot

Social Media

• Meta and YouTube face criminal surveillance complaints • The Register

• How Much Your Social Media Profile Data Is Worth on the Dark Web (makeuseof.com)

Malvertising

• BlackCat affiliate seen using malvertising to spread ransomware | Computer Weekly

• This fake Windows news site is spreading malware via hacked Google ads | TechRadar

• Adware activity doubles in Q3 (betanews.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Phishing emails are more believable than ever. Here’s what to do about it. | CSO Online

• The Role of Cyber Wellness in Safeguarding Businesses - IT Security Guru

• 3 Ways Behavioural Economics Obstructs Cyber security (darkreading.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• EU Tightens Cyber security Requirements for Critical Infrastructure and Services (darkreading.com)

• MPs Dangerously Uninformed About Facial Recognition – Report - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Meta and YouTube face criminal surveillance complaints • The Register

• SEC Suit Ushers in New Era of Cyber Enforcement (darkreading.com)

• Make Changes to be Ready for the New SEC Cyber security Disclosure Rule (darkreading.com)

• Navigating the complex role of the CISO under SEC disclosure rules (betanews.com)

• Clorox CISO flushes self after multimillion-dollar attack • The Register

• Morgan Stanley fined over computers with personal data (cnbc.com)

• White House is ‘working on version 2.0’ of cyber implementation plan | CyberScoop

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• What You Need to Know About NIST CSF 2.0 | Accelerynt, Inc. - JDSupra

• Modelling organisations' defensive mechanisms with MITRE D3FEND - Help Net Security

Backup and Recovery

• Why backup matters more than ever - Help Net Security

• It ain’t what you store, it’s the way you restore it. • The Register

Data Protection

• Web browsing data collected in more detail than previously known, report finds (ft.com)

• Online ad auction data harms national security – claim • The Register

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• The challenges and opportunities of working in cyber security | TechRadar

• How US SEC legal actions put CISOs at risk and what to do about it | CSO Online

• Is ‘overwork’ culture a problem for cyber security professionals? (siliconrepublic.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Serbian pleads guilty to running ‘Monopoly’ dark web drug market (securityaffairs.com)

• Major Phishing-as-a-Service Syndicate 'BulletProofLink' Dismantled by Malaysian Authorities (thehackernews.com)

• Russian admits building now-dismantled IPStorm proxy botnet • The Register

• European Police Take Down $9m Vishing Gang - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russian-Moldovan National Admits to Infecting 23,000 Devices with Botnet Malware (occrp.org)

• Private Investigator Aviram Azar Gets Almost 7 Years for Hedge Fund Hacking Ring - Bloomberg

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Geopolitical Activity

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• NCSC Annual Review on 'state-aligned actors' | Professional Security

• Zero-Days in Edge Devices Become China's Cyber Warfare Tactic of Choice (darkreading.com)

• Deputy Prime Minister reviews national security powers to respond to geopolitical and tech threats - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• UK plans U-turn on powers to halt company takeovers on national security grounds | Mergers and acquisitions | The Guardian

• Israel and Ukraine Face Shared Cyber Threats (fdd.org)

• Cyber espionage operation on embassies linked to Russia’s Cozy Bear hackers (therecord.media)

• New NATO cyber forum to support collective response to cyber attacks – EURACTIV.com

Nation State Actors

China

• China's Lending Giant Paid Ransom To Russia-Linked Group After It Got Hacked Last Week - Benzinga

• ICBC/ransomware: China’s cyber security industry moves out of the shadows

• Cyber attack shines light on role of China’s largest lender in US Treasury market (ft.com)

• The alarming cyber hack at ICBC (ft.com)

• China proposes auditors undergo cyber security checks if national security involved - CNA (channelnewsasia.com)

• Australian Intelligence Report Identifies China as Major Backer of Cyber Crime (voanews.com)

• Zero-Days in Edge Devices Become China's Cyber Warfare Tactic of Choice (darkreading.com)

• Labour warns against watering down of UK’s takeover screening powers

Russia

• China's Lending Giant Paid Ransom To Russia-Linked Group After It Got Hacked Last Week - Benzinga

• ICBC pays ransom after US hack (finextra.com)

• Cyber attack shines light on role of China’s largest lender in US Treasury market (ft.com)

• Danish Energy Attacks Portend Targeting More Critical Infrastructure (darkreading.com)

• Could Russia’s Ukraine Cyber attacks Clue Global Threat? | MSSP Alert

• Russian Hackers Linked to 'Largest Ever Cyber Attack' on Danish Critical Infrastructure (thehackernews.com)

• Russia will target other countries for web attacks, Ukraine cyber defence chief warns – The Irish Times

• Major hack by Russian gang steals social security numbers and health information from 1.3 million in Maine | Daily Mail Online

• EU Formalizes Cyber security Support For Ukraine - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Meet the Unique New "Hacking" Group: AlphaLock (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Israel and Ukraine Face Shared Cyber Threats (fdd.org)

• Cyber espionage operation on embassies linked to Russia’s Cozy Bear hackers (therecord.media)

• What Do You Do When You’re Hit by Russian Ransomware? - Bloomberg

• Ukraine at D+670: GRU may be expanding its targeting. (thecyberwire.com)

Iran

• Israel and Ukraine Face Shared Cyber Threats (fdd.org)

• New BiBi-Windows Wiper Targets Windows Systems in Pro-Hamas Attacks (thehackernews.com)

North Korea

• Microsoft Warns of Fake Skills Assessment Portals Targeting IT Job Seekers (thehackernews.com)

• Novel social engineering attack infrastructure established by BlueNoroff | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Other Nation State Actors, Hacktivism, Extremism, Terrorism and Other Geopolitical Threat Intelligence

• New NATO cyber forum to support collective response to cyber attacks – EURACTIV.com

• Deputy Prime Minister reviews national security powers to respond to geopolitical and tech threats - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• UK plans U-turn on powers to halt company takeovers on national security grounds | Mergers and acquisitions | The Guardian

• Danish Energy Attacks Portend Targeting More Critical Infrastructure (darkreading.com)

• FBI Warns: Five Weeks In, Gaza Email Scams Still Thriving (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploit Gaza Crisis With Fake Charity - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Israel and Ukraine Face Shared Cyber Threats (fdd.org)

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Vulnerabilities

• 'CitrixBleed' Linked to Ransomware Hit on China's State-Owned Bank (darkreading.com)

• LockBit ransomware exploits Citrix Bleed in attacks, 10K servers exposed (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Zero-Day Flaw in Zimbra Email Software Exploited by Four Hacker Groups (thehackernews.com)

• APTs Swarm Zimbra Zero-Day to Steal Government Info Worldwide (darkreading.com)

• Juniper networking devices under attack - Help Net Security

• CISA warns of actively exploited Juniper pre-auth RCE exploit chain (bleepingcomputer.com)

• WP Fastest Cache plugin bug exposes 600K WordPress sites to attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft November 2023 Patch Tuesday fixes 5 zero-days, 58 flaws (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft fixes critical Azure CLI flaw that leaked credentials in logs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Adobe Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• Alert: 'Effluence' Backdoor Persists Despite Patching Atlassian Confluence Servers (thehackernews.com)

• ICS Patch Tuesday: 90 Vulnerabilities Addressed by Siemens and Schneider Electric - Security Week

• Chipmaker Patch Tuesday: Intel, AMD Address Over 130 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Fortinet Releases Security Updates for FortiClient and FortiGate | CISA

• Urgent: VMware Warns of Unpatched Critical Cloud Director Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

• New PoC Exploit for Apache ActiveMQ Flaw Could Let Attackers Fly Under the Radar (thehackernews.com)

• SAP Patches Critical Vulnerability in Business One Product - Security Week

• Critical flaw fixed in SAP Business One product (securityaffairs.com)

• ChatGPT's New Code Interpreter Has Giant Security Hole, Allows Hackers to Steal Your Data | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Citrix Releases Security Updates for Citrix Hypervisor | CISA

• Fortinet warns of critical command injection bug in FortiSIEM (bleepingcomputer.com)

• An email vulnerability let hackers steal data from governments around the world (engadget.com)

• Experts Uncover DarkCasino: New Emerging APT Threat Exploiting WinRAR Flaw (thehackernews.com)

• Some AMD EPYC server CPUs have a serious security flaw, so patch now | TechRadr

• Microsoft Extends Windows Server 2012 ESUs Until 2026 (petri.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Building resilience to shield your digital transformation from cyber threats - Help Net Security

• Against the Clock: Cyber Incident Response Plan (trendmicro.com)

• Fast-acting cyber gangs increasingly disabling telemetry logs | Computer Weekly

• Overview of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) (eweek.com)

• Cyber threat intelligence: Getting on the front foot against adversaries (welivesecurity.com)

• The New 80/20 Rule for SecOps: Customize Where it Matters, Automate the Rest (thehackernews.com)

• Beyond re/insurance – protecting society from an unprecedented cyber incident | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• Phishing emails are more believable than ever. Here’s what to do about it. | CSO Online

• Web Application Attacks | Types of Web Application Attacks | Mimecast

• Traditional cloud security isn't up to the task - Help Net Security

• Top 10 API Security Threats for Q3 2023 - Security Week

• National security at risk from web browsing data collection, report finds (ft.com)Zero-Days in Edge Devices Become China's Cyber Warfare Tactic of Choice (darkreading.com)

• The cultural shift that’s needed to see greater ROI in cyber | Federal News Network

• 82% of Attacks Show Cyber Criminals Targeting Telemetry Data - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Importance of Continuous Security Monitoring for a Robust Cyber security Strategy (thehackernews.com)

• NCSC backs use of security.txt for cyber resilience | UKAuthority

• New approaches to fighting ransomware are emerging | Mimecast

• Why backup matters more than ever - Help Net Security

• Hackers are wiping out traces of data traffic to remove attack traces: Sophos - The Hindu BusinessLine

• Telemetry gaps leave networks vulnerable as attackers move faster - Help Net Security

• The new imperative in API security strategy - Help Net Security

• How to Automate the Hardest Parts of Employee Offboarding (thehackernews.com)

• Steps CISOs Should Take Before, During & After a Cyber attack (darkreading.com)

• Threat Intel: To Share or Not to Share is Not the Question - Security Week

• As perimeter defences fall, the identify-first approach steps into the breach | CSO Online

• The Role of Cyber Wellness in Safeguarding Businesses - IT Security Guru

• OODA Loop - A Model for Cyber security Threat Sharing: Embracing the USA PATRIOT Act & FinCEN

• How to speak the board's language with cyber security ROI so it makes sense | Fierce Electronics

• Three Ways Generative AI Can Bolster Cyber security | NVIDIA Blogs

• 8 ways to cope with cyber security budget cuts | TechTarget

• Hackers breach healthcare orgs via ScreenConnect remote access (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Kubernetes adoption creates new cyber security challenges - Help Net Security

• Aon president warns insurers against ‘walking away’ from major risks (ft.com)

• CISOs vs. developers: A battle over security priorities - Help Net Security

• Cyber insurance predictions for 2024 - Help Net Security

• Hundreds of websites cloned to run ads for Chinese gambling • The Register

• AI helps leaders optimize costs and mitigate risks - Help Net Security

• It ain’t what you store, it’s the way you restore it. • The Register

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• NCSC Annual Review 2023 - NCSC.GOV.UK

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Other News

• Organisations should prepare for the inevitability of cyber attacks on their infrastructure - Help Net Security

• 97% of Consumers Predict Cyber attacks Will Get Worse – or at Best, Stay Consistent – in 2024: ThreatX Data Reveals | Business Wire

• 'Alarming': big gaps in organisations' cyber security | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

• 82% of Attacks Show Cyber Criminals Targeting Telemetry Data - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• National security at risk from web browsing data collection, report finds (ft.com)

• CISOs vs. developers: A battle over security priorities - Help Net Security

• Collaborative strategies are key to enhanced ICS security - Help Net Security

• Web Application Attacks | Types of Web Application Attacks | Mimecast

• Hackers are wiping out traces of data traffic to remove attack traces: Sophos - The Hindu BusinessLine

• Telemetry gaps leave networks vulnerable as attackers move faster - Help Net Security

• Cyber crime Victims Can Turn to New Nonprofit, Intelligence for Good | MSSP Alert

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

·         OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 13 September 2023 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday fixes 59 Vulnerabilities, including Two Actively Exploited, also Adobe, Chrome, Mozilla and SAP Updates

Executive summary

Microsoft’s September Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 59 security issues across its product range, including two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. The exploited zero-days have both been added to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) “Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog”. Of the 59 security issues addressed by Microsoft , 5 were rated critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The actively exploited vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM privileges or capture and relay hashes of user passwords to gain access to that users account. Both compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored by an organisation.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerabilities and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating.

Technical Summary

CVE-2023-36802: The actively exploited allows a local attacker to gain SYSTEM privileges.

CVE-2023-36761: This actively exploited vulnerability can allow an attacker to steal user password NTLM hashes of users who open a document, even if just in the preview plane.

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Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 5 vulnerabilities, including 1 critical vulnerability, across Adobe Acrobat & Reader (1), Adobe Connect (2) and Adobe Experience Manager (2).  The critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-26369, impacts both Windows and macOS versions of Adobe Acrobat & Reader and if exploited, can allow an attacker to execute malicious code.

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Chrome

A new update for Google Chrome is available for Windows, Linux and macOS. The update addresses 16 security fixes, including one critical and actively exploited vulnerability which could cause for denial of service or allow code execution.

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Mozilla

Mozilla released fixes for two critical vulnerabilities, impacting Firefox and Thunderbird. The vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to perform code execution.

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SAP

Enterprise software vendor SAP has addressed 13 vulnerabilities in several of its products, including two critical-severity vulnerabilities that impact SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform. 66Including remote execution and authentication bypass. A total of 5 vulnerabilities were given the “Hot News” priority, which is the highest priority according to SAP.

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further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/12/the-windows-september-2023-security-updates-are-now-available/

Further information on Adobe Acrobat and Reader can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-34.html

Further information on Adobe Connect can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/connect/apsb23-33.html

Further information on Adobe Experience Manager can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/experience-manager/apsb23-43.html

Further information on the patches by SAP can be found here:

https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10

Further information on Google Chrome can be found here:

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_12.html

Further information on Mozilla can be found here:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2023-40/

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

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Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 30 June 2023

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

• Zurich Insurance Group Secures Data Leak After Leaving Sensitive Data Publicly Accessible

Zurich Insurance Group is a major player in the insurance game, with over 55 million clients. They have recently just fixed a sensitive file that they had left publicly accessible. The file in question contained a range of credentials including database credentials, admin credentials, credentials for the actively exploited MOVEit software, credentials for their HR system and more. All of which could be utilised by threat actors to inflict serious damage. This was not the only vulnerability stemming from the insurance group; researchers found that Zurich were also running an outdated website, which contained a large number of vulnerabilities.

The case is alarming as Zurich Insurance Group provides cyber insurance and the instance above reinforces the need for organisations to be proactive in identifying cyber risks in their environment; it is simply not enough to rely on having insurance or meeting insurance requirements.

https://cybernews.com/zurich-insurance-data-leak/

• Employees Worry Less About Cyber Security Best Practices in the Summer

IT teams are struggling to monitor and enforce BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies during summer months according to a new report. The report found that 55% of employees admitted to relying solely on their mobile devices while working remotely in the summer. 25% of all respondents claim that they aren’t concerned about ensuring network connections are secure when accessing their company’s data.

In the same report, 45% of employees in the US and UK said no specific measures to educate and remind employees on security best practices are taken during the summer, with only 24% of UK respondents receiving access to online cyber security training and guides and even less (17%) in the US. This comes as a separate report found that the number of phishing sites targeting mobile devices increased from 75% to 80% year-on-year in 2022, and this is likely to continue rising. Worryingly, it was also found that the average user is between six and ten times more likely to fall for an SMS phishing attack than email.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/30/summer-byod-policies/

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/mobile-malware-and-phishing-surge/

• Businesses are Ignoring Third-Party Security Risks

With 58% of companies managing over 100 vendors, 8% of which manage over 1,000, the need for a robust Third-Party Security Risk Management process becomes abundantly clear. Despite this, only 13% of organisations continuously monitor the security risks of their third parties. This is worrying, when considering the knock-on effects of third party breaches from the likes of Capita, SolarWinds and 3CX, and the recent MOVEit attack, impacting organisations whose only relationship with MOVEit was that their supplier used it.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/30/third-party-relationships-risks/

• Fear Trumps Anger When It Comes to Data Breaches – Angry Customers Vent, But Fearful Customers Don’t Come Back

When a person is notified of a data breach involving their personal information, if they react with a feeling of fear, as opposed to anger, they’re more likely to stop using the site. A report found that positive attitudes toward the website before the breach did not meaningfully affect whether consumers reengaged with the website after the breach, as some prior research has indicated. Instead, the emotional response of fear weighed heavily on customers and outweighed any earlier positive sentiment towards the organisation.

When a company has been breached in the past they have dealt with angry customers and negative press. To do so, companies may engage crisis managers to contain the damage, partner with identity protection services, pay fines or settlements, or try to lure back customers with free services. However, the study shows that companies need to address fearful customers differently after a data breach has occurred if they want to avoid customer loss. To do this, companies can work with their IT departments to identify customers who are no longer active after a breach and then reach out to them directly to assuage their fears.

https://theconversation.com/fear-trumps-anger-when-it-comes-to-data-breaches-angry-customers-vent-but-fearful-customers-dont-come-back-203109

• Over 130 Organisations and Millions of Individuals Believed to be Impacted by MOVEit Hack, it Keeps Growing

The dramatic fallout continues in the mass exploitation of a critical vulnerability in a widely used file-transfer program, with at least three new victims coming to light in the past few days. They include the New York City Department of Education and energy companies Schneider Electric and Siemens Electric. These join others, including PwC, Sony and EY. If the attack has shown us one thing, it’s that any organisation can be a victim.

https://www.securityweek.com/over-130-organizations-millions-of-individuals-believed-to-be-impacted-by-moveit-hack/

https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/06/casualties-keep-growing-in-this-months-mass-exploitation-of-moveit-0-day/

• Widespread BEC Attacks Threaten European Organisations

Based on an analysis of email attack trends between June 2022 and May 2023, total email attacks in Europe increased by 7 times and the US 5 times. For business email compromise (BEC) specifically, Europe saw an alarming 10 times the amount it had previously and the US saw a 2 times increase.

BEC continues to remain a high priority threat for many organisations and if someone already has a legitimate business email which they have compromised to use for BEC attacks on your organisation, it is very likely that your technical processes will be ineffective, leaving your people and operational processes to stop an attack. Is your organisation cyber aware? Are they undergoing regular awareness training?

This is one of many areas that Black Arrow can help improve your organisation’s security through robust employee cyber security Awareness Behaviour and Culture training.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/27/bec-attacks-frequency/

• Lloyd’s Syndicates Sued Over Cyber Insurance

The University of California (UCLA) is suing a number of insurance firms for refusing to pay out on cyber policies nearly 10 years after hackers breached data on millions of patients at its health system. The dispute is over a cyber attack from 2014 through 2015 that exposed personal information of patients at UCLA Health.

UCLA Health allege that the syndicates refused to engage in dispute resolution by asserting that the statue of limitations applying to the claims had expired. The insurers, who could not be named, are said to have refused every claim saying that UCLA Health failed to satisfy cyber security requirements under the contract terms. It’s important for organisations with cyber insurance to understand their insurance in detail and to know where they stand in the event of a cyber incident.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/university-of-california-sues-lloyds-syndicates-over-cyber-insurance-da4675f5

• 95% Fear Inadequate Cloud Security Detection and Response

A recent report found 95% of respondents expressed concern in their organisation’s ability to detect and respond to a security event in their cloud environment. The same study also found that 50% of total respondents had reported a data breach due to unauthorised access to their cloud environment.

It is often the case that issues in the cloud come from the perception of the responsibility of the cloud environment. Organisations must realise that they share responsibility for securing their cloud environment, including its configuration. The report found that, despite the number of breaches and concerns in their organisation’s ability, more than 80% of respondents still felt their existing tooling and configuration would sufficiently cover their organisation from an attack. Organisations must ask themselves what they are doing to protect their cloud environment.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/27/cloud-environment-security/

• The Growing Use of Generative AI and the Security Risks They Pose

A recent survey by Malwarebytes revealed 81% of people are concerned about the security risks posed by ChatGPT and generative AI, and 52% of respondents are calling for a pause on ChatGPT for regulations to catch up, while 7% think it will improve internet security. A key concern about the data produced by generative AI platforms is the risk of "hallucinations" whereby machine learning models produce untruths. This becomes a serious issue for organisations if its content is heavily relied upon to make decisions, particularly those relating to threat detection and response.

Another recent report on the risks brought by Large Language Model AIs showed that the rise in opensource AI adoption is developed insecurely; this results in an increased threat with substantial security risks to organisation.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/643516/survey-reveals-mass-concern-over-generative-ai-security-risks.html

https://www.darkreading.com/operations/malwarebytes-chatgpt-survey-reveals-81-are-concerned-by-generative-ai-security-risks

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/generative-ai-projects-cybersecurity-risks-enterprises

• The CISO’s Toolkit Must Include Political Capital Within The C-Suite

Over the past 18 months, there has been a sea change in the chief information security officer (CISO) role. Fundamentally, the CISO is responsible for the protection of an entity's information. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a proposed rule change on cyber security risk management, strategy, governance, and incident response disclosure by public companies that requires publicly traded companies to provide evidence of the board's oversight of cyber security risk. Couple this with the former CISO of Uber being found guilty on charges of "obstruction of the proceedings of the Federal Trade Commission" and it is clear that the hand at the helm must be able to navigate all types of seas in their entity's political milieu. In this regard, the CISO needs to acquire political capital. CISO’s should have the capability to talk in understandable terms and clearly demonstrate value to the other board members.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/643199/the-cisos-toolkit-must-include-political-capital-within-the-c-suite.html

• Microsoft Warns of Widescale Credential Stealing Attacks by Russian Hackers as War Ministers Reliant on Cyber Crime

Russia's diminishing position on the world stage has limited its physical options on the ground, leaving Putin's regime increasingly reliant on cyber crime to carry out its oppositional activities against Ukraine and Europe. Microsoft has disclosed that it has detected a spike in credential-stealing attacks conducted by the Russian state-affiliated hacker group known as Midnight Blizzard.

This comes as Switzerland's Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) released its 2023 security assessment, predicting that Russia will increasingly launch cyber attacks as part of its war strategy not just in Ukraine, but against NATO member states as well.

https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/russia-reliant-on-cybercrime-as-international-pariah

https://thehackernews.com/2023/06/microsoft-warns-of-widescale-credential.html

• SMB’s Plagued as Cyber Attackers Still Rely on Decades Old Security Weaknesses and Tactics

Despite best cyber security efforts, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) continue to struggle to thwart attacks and harden defences in response to remote working and other newer challenges.

This future focus can lead to a neglection of older weaknesses. Cyber attackers are typically relying on tried-and-tested tactics and old security weaknesses to target organisations, a recent Barracuda threat spotlight found. Hackers are returning to proven methods to gain remote control of systems, install malware, steal information and disrupt or disable business operations through denial-of-service attacks, Barracuda reports. The report found that between February to April 2023, the top malicious tactics found to be used were vulnerabilities from 2008.

The report highlights the fact that there are no cutoff dates for vulnerabilities and attackers will use whatever is at their disposal to try and infiltrate your organisation. This can be protected by having strong policies and controls in place alongside frequent penetration testing to ensure these vulnerabilities are being patched.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/cyberattackers-still-rely-on-decades-old-security-weaknesses-tactics-barracuda-reports/

https://www.scmagazine.com/news/malware/smbs-plagued-by-exploits-trojans-and-backdoors

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Businesses are ignoring third-party security risks - Help Net Security

• Employees worry less about cyber security best practices in the summer - Help Net Security

• Digital-First Economy Has Transformed Role of CISO- IT Security Guru

• SEC Alleges SolarWinds CFO, CISO Violated US Securities Laws (bankinfosecurity.com)

• Companies Call for Changes to UK’s Cyber Essentials Scheme - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fear trumps anger when it comes to data breaches – angry customers vent, but fearful customers don't come back (theconversation.com)

• The CISO’s toolkit must include political capital within the C-suite | CSO Online

• NCSC Launches Cyber Risk Management Toolbox - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Over 130 Organisations, Millions of Individuals Believed to Be Impacted by MOVEit Hack - SecurityWeek

• MOVEit hackers may have found simpler business model beyond ransomware | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Dozens of Businesses Hit Recently by '8Base' Ransomware Gang - SecurityWeek

• UK cyber spies warn ransomware criminals targeting law firms • The Register

• How Dangerous Is Smartphone Ransomware? (makeuseof.com)

• Cl0p in Your Network? Here's How to Find Out (darkreading.com)

• Sixth anniversary of NotPetya - IT Security Guru

• July is Ransomware Month: Reminder to Prepare, Defend Against Hijackers - MSSP Alert

• LockBit Dominates Ransomware World, New Report Finds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Trickbot/Conti Crypters: Where Are They Now? (securityintelligence.com)

• Linux version of Akira ransomware targets VMware ESXi servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 'Wagner' Ransomware Targets Computers in Russia | PCMag

Ransomware Victims

• Casualties keep growing in this month’s mass exploitation of MOVEit 0-day | Ars Technica

• Manchester University Breach Victims Hit with Triple Extortion - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 8 Tech And IT Companies Targeted In The MOVEit Attacks | CRN

• MOVEIt breach impacts Genworth, CalPERS as data for 3.2 million exposed (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Clop names PWC, Ernst & Young, and Sony in MOVEit hack | Cybernews

• UCLA, Siemens Among Latest Victims of Relentless MOVEit Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric Targeted by Ransomware Group in MOVEit Attack - SecurityWeek

• Clop ransomware gang obtained personal data of 45,000 New York City students in MOVEit hack | Engadget

• 10 banks alleged victims of ransomware attacks on file transfer software | American Banker

• Almost 770,000 Calpers members hit by cyber attack | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Ransomware and phishing attacks continue to plague businesses in Singapore | ZDNET

• K-12 schools are revisiting their cyber strategies after year of ransomware attacks (axios.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Mobile Malware and Phishing Surge in 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How a Layered Security Approach Can Minimise Email Threats - MSSP Alert

• Less than half of UK banks implement most secure DMARC level | CSO Online

• Over Half of UK Banks Are Exposing Customers to Email Fraud - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• Widespread BEC attacks threaten European organisations - Help Net Security

• The Current State of Business Email Compromise Attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Cyber Crime Group 'Muddled Libra' Targets BPO Sector with Advanced Social Engineering (thehackernews.com)

• How scammers use psychology to create some of the most convincing internet cons – and what to watch out for (theconversation.com)

• Unmasking Pig-Butchering Scams and Protecting Your Financial Future - Security News (trendmicro.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• Malwarebytes ChatGPT Survey Reveals 81% are Concerned by Generative AI Security Risks (darkreading.com)

• Sharing Your Business’ Data With ChatGPT: How Risky Is It? - MSSP Alert

• ChatGPT users at risk for credential theft | TechTarget

• OpenAI lawsuit: Maker of ChatGPT sued over alleged data usage | CNN Business

• Lawyers who cited fake cases invented by ChatGPT must pay • The Register

• Generative AI Projects Pose Major Cyber security Risk to Enterprises (darkreading.com)

• How to Deploy Generative AI Safely and Responsibly (trendmicro.com)

• Generative-AI apps & ChatGPT: Potential risks and mitigation strategies (thehackernews.com)

• Does the world need an arms control treaty for AI? | CyberScoop

• When It Comes to Secure Coding, ChatGPT Is Quintessentially Human (darkreading.com)

• AI-Enabled Voice Cloning Anchors Deepfaked Kidnapping (darkreading.com)

2FA/MFA

• LastPass users furious after being locked out due to MFA resets (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malware

• SMBs plagued by exploits, trojans and backdoors | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• OpenSSH Trojan Campaign Targets IoT and Linux Systems - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Hackers Use Weaponized PDF Files to Attack Organisations (cybersecuritynews.com)

• New Mockingjay Process Injection Technique Could Let Malware Evade Detection (thehackernews.com)

• Fileless attacks surge as cyber Criminals evade cloud security defences | CSO Online

• NSA warns of ‘false sense of security’ against BlackLotus malware (therecord.media)

• Chinese state-backed hackers accidentally infected a European hospital with malware (therecord.media)

• Trojanized Super Mario Bros game spreads malware- - Security Affairs

• New PindOS JavaScript dropper deploys Bumblebee, IcedID malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• NPM Plagued with ‘Manifest Confusion’ Malware-Hiding Weakness (darkreading.com)

• Newly Uncovered ThirdEye Windows-Based Malware Steals Sensitive Data (thehackernews.com)

• North Korean Andariel APT used a new malware named EarlyRat - Security Affairs

Mobile

• Mobile Malware and Phishing Surge in 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Apple says proposed UK law ‘poses a serious threat’ to end-to-end encryption - The Verge

• Anatsa Android trojan now steals banking info from users in US, UK (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How Dangerous Is Smartphone Ransomware? (makeuseof.com)

• Aussie PM says, “Shut down your phone every 24 hours for 5 mins” – but that’s not enough on its own – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Fluhorse: Flutter-Based Android Malware Targets Credit Cards and 2FA Codes (thehackernews.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Global rise in DDoS attacks threatens digital infrastructure - Help Net Security

• Pro-Russia DDoSia hacktivist project sees 2,400% membership increase (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Diablo IV video game hit by DDoS attacks • Graham Cluley

Internet of Things – IoT

• OpenSSH Trojan Campaign Targets IoT and Linux Systems - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Someone sent mysterious smartwatches to US Military personnel - Security Affairs

• The tech flaw that lets hackers control surveillance cameras - BBC News

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Fear trumps anger when it comes to data breaches – angry customers vent, but fearful customers don't come back (theconversation.com)

• Latitude hit with $1 million lawsuit over data breach (9news.com.au)

• Recruitment portal exposes data of US pilot candidates • The Register

• Genworth Financial Reports Data Breach Leaking SSNs Belonging to 2.7M Policyholders and Customers (darkreading.com)

• 3 Steps to Successfully & Ethically Navigate a Data Breach (darkreading.com)

• Sensitive Information Stolen in LetMeSpy Stalkerware Hack - SecurityWeek

• US Patent Office Data Spill Exposes Trademark Applications (darkreading.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• 2,700 People Tricked Into Working for Cyber Crime Syndicates Rescued in Philippines - SecurityWeek

• Security analyst wanted by both Russia and the US • The Register

• Former Group-IB manager has been arrested in Kazahstan - Security Affairs

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Twitter Hacker Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $120,000 Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

• JOKERSPY used to target a cryptocurrency exchange in Japan - Security Affairs

• Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchange Falls Victim to JokerSpy macOS Backdoor Attack (thehackernews.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Employees worry less about cyber security best practices in the summer - Help Net Security

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• How scammers use psychology to create some of the most convincing internet cons – and what to watch out for (theconversation.com)

• Twitter Hacker Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $120,000 Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

• Unmasking Pig-Butchering Scams and Protecting Your Financial Future - Security News (trendmicro.com)

• Safety checks run down and boom time for criminals: this is why the UK is becoming the ‘dustbin of Europe’ | Polly Toynbee | The Guardian

• This Chatbot Gives Phone Call Scammers a Taste of Their Own Medicine (pcmag.com)

• The robotic falcon maker who was targeted by cyber criminals - BBC News

Deepfakes

• AI-Enabled Voice Cloning Anchors Deepfaked Kidnapping (darkreading.com)

Insurance

• University of California Sues Lloyd’s Syndicates Over Cyber Insurance - WSJ

• Second Wave of Cyber Insurance | Arctic Wolf

• Insurance companies using AI for underwriting and due diligence amid cyber threats | Fox Business

• How Big Is the Cyber Insurance Market? Can It Keep Growing? | Lawfare (lawfaremedia.org)

Dark Web

• Citizen of Croatia charged with running the Monopoly Market drug marketplace - Security Affairs

• Inside Threat Actors: Dark Web Forums vs. Illicit Telegram Communities (bleepingcomputer.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Businesses are ignoring third-party security risks - Help Net Security

Cloud/SaaS

• 95% fear inadequate cloud security detection and response - Help Net Security

• The unhappy reality of cloud security in 2023 | InfoWorld

• Fileless attacks surge as cyber Criminals evade cloud security defences | CSO Online

• 5 Pitfalls in Cloud Cyber security’s Shared Responsibility Model - MSSP Alert

• Uncovering attacker tactics through cloud honeypots - Help Net Security

• How hardening Microsoft 365 tenants mitigates potential cloud attacks - Help Net Security

• Outlook for the web outage impacts users across America (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 3 Tips to Increase Hybrid and Multicloud Security (darkreading.com)

Identity and Access Management

• 10 things every CISO needs to know about identity and access management (IAM) | VentureBeat

• Human vs Machine Identity Risk Management (trendmicro.com)

Encryption

• Apple says proposed UK law ‘poses a serious threat’ to end-to-end encryption - The Verge

• Iran finally admits its 'quantum processor' was in fact not quantum at all | PC Gamer

• How to stop quantum computers from breaking the internet’s encryption (sciencenews.org)

Open Source

• Linux version of Akira ransomware targets VMware ESXi servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• OpenSSH Trojan Campaign Targets IoT and Linux Systems - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Exploring The Anatomy Of A Linux Kernel Exploit | Hackaday

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• A New Era Of Security: Are Passwords No Longer Fit For Purpose? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Social Media

• Twitter Hacker Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $120,000 Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

Travel

• Employees worry less about cyber security best practices in the summer - Help Net Security

Cyber Bullying, Cyber Stalking and Sextortion

• Sensitive Information Stolen in LetMeSpy Stalkerware Hack - SecurityWeek

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• SEC Alleges SolarWinds CFO, CISO Violated US Securities Laws (bankinfosecurity.com)

• US firm 'breached GDPR' by reputation-scoring EU citizens • The Register

• JP Morgan accidentally deletes 47 million comms records • The Register

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Companies Call for Changes to UK’s Cyber Essentials Scheme - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How to Reach Compliance with HIPAA (trendmicro.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• SEC notice to SolarWinds CISO and CFO roils cyber security industry | CSO Online

• Skill gap plagues cyber security industry as jobs go unfilled | Mint (livemint.com)

• Experts Unconvinced by Upskill in UK Cyber Program - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Hacker responsible for 2020 Twitter breach sentenced to prison | TechCrunch

• Citizen of Croatia charged with running the Monopoly Market drug marketplace - Security Affairs

• 2,700 People Tricked Into Working for Cyber Crime Syndicates Rescued in Philippines - SecurityWeek

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Someone sent mysterious smartwatches to US Military personnel - Security Affairs

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Nation State Actors, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

Russia

• Microsoft Warns of Widescale Credential Stealing Attacks by Russian Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Russian Spies, War Ministers Reliant on Cyber Crime in Pariah State (darkreading.com)

• What is Cyberwar? - SecurityWeek

• Pro-Russia DDoSia hacktivist project sees 2,400% membership increase (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Sachkov's Revenge: Jailed On Treason Charges, A Russian Cyber security Exec Goes On The Offensive (rferl.org)

• Microsoft hackers say they work for Sudan, not Russia | Fortune

• 'Chinese spy balloon' was 'crammed' with US hardware • The Register

• 'Wagner' Ransomware Targets Computers in Russia | PCMag

• Hackers attack Russian satellite telecom provider, claim affiliation with Wagner Group | CyberScoop

China

• Chinese Hackers Using Never-Before-Seen Tactics for Critical Infrastructure Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• China's 'Volt Typhoon' APT Now Exploits Zoho ManageEngine (darkreading.com)

• Ministers accused of ‘letting Huawei off the hook’ after scrapping release of security report (telegraph.co.uk)

• Chinese state-backed hackers accidentally infected a European hospital with malware (therecord.media)

• 'Chinese spy balloon' was 'crammed' with US hardware • The Register

Iran

• The potent cyber adversary threatening to further inflame Iranian politics | CyberScoop

• From MuddyC3 to PhonyC2: Iran's MuddyWater Evolves with a New Cyber Weapon (thehackernews.com)

• Charming Kitten’s PowerStar Malware Evolves with Advanced Techniques - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Iran finally admits its 'quantum processor' was in fact not quantum at all | PC Gamer

North Korea

• New EarlyRAT malware linked to North Korean Andariel hacking group (bleepingcomputer.com)

Misc/Other/Unknown

• Someone sent mysterious smartwatches to US Military personnel - Security Affairs

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Vulnerability Management

• SMBs plagued by exploits, trojans and backdoors | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Cyber attackers Still Rely on Decades-Old Security Weaknesses & Tactics, Barracuda Reports - MSSP Alert

• Remediation Ballet Is a Pas de Deux of Patch and Performance (darkreading.com)

• Micropatches: What they are and how they work - Help Net Security

• MITRE Unveils Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses of 2023: Are You at Risk? (thehackernews.com)

• When It Comes to Secure Coding, ChatGPT Is Quintessentially Human (darkreading.com)

• It's 2023 and out-of-bounds write bugs are still number one • The Register

Vulnerabilities

• VMware fixed five memory corruption issues in vCenter Server - Security Affairs

• US Cyber security Agency Adds 6 Flaws to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (thehackernews.com)

• CISA Says Critical Zyxel NAS Vulnerability Exploited in Attacks - SecurityWeek

• Serious IDOR Vulnerability Found In Microsoft Teams (latesthackingnews.com)

• Fortinet fixes critical FortiNAC RCE, install updates asap - Security Affairs

• Details Disclosed for Critical SAP Vulnerabilities, Including Wormable Exploit Chain - SecurityWeek

• Critical flaw in VMware Aria Operations for Networks sees mass exploitation | CSO Online

• Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) fixed three DoS flaw in BIND - Security Affairs

• Chrome 114 Update Patches High-Severity Vulnerabilities - SecurityWeek

• Critical Security Flaw in Social Login Plugin for WordPress Exposes Users' Accounts (thehackernews.com)

• Grafana warns of critical auth bypass due to Azure AD integration (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The tech flaw that lets hackers control surveillance cameras - BBC News

• Exploit released for new Arcserve UDP auth bypass vulnerability (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• 95% fear inadequate cloud security detection and response - Help Net Security

• How a Layered Security Approach Can Minimize Email Threats - MSSP Alert

• ITDR Combines and Refines Familiar Cyber security Approaches (darkreading.com)

• How API gateways improve API security | TechTarget

• Uncovering attacker tactics through cloud honeypots - Help Net Security

• How Active Directory Bridging Extends Security Automation to Hybrid IT Environments (darkreading.com)

• Are GPT-Based Models the Right Fit for AI-Powered Cyber security? - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 10 things every CISO needs to know about identity and access management (IAM) | VentureBeat

• FIDO Alliance Publishes Guidance for Deploying Passkeys in the Enterprise (darkreading.com)

• 3 Tips to Increase Hybrid and Multicloud Security (darkreading.com)

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Other News

• Submarine Cables at Growing Risk of Cyber-Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Businesses count the cost of network downtime - Help Net Security

• Exploring the persistent threat of cyber attacks on healthcare - Help Net Security

• How Can Manufacturers Stop Being The Top Target For Cyber Crime? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Ex-FBI employee jailed for mishandling classified material • The Register

• Rapid7: Japan Threat Landscape Takes on Global Significance - SecurityWeek

• Over 1500 gas stations disrupted in Canada, after energy giant hacked (bitdefender.com)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·       Automotive

·       Construction

·       Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·       Defence & Space

·       Education & Academia

·       Energy & Utilities

·       Estate Agencies

·       Financial Services

·       FinTech

·       Food & Agriculture

·       Gaming & Gambling

·       Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·       Health/Medical/Pharma

·       Hotels & Hospitality

·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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 ‘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 23rd June 2023

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

• Cyber Security Industry Still Fighting to Recruit and Retain Talent

Cyber security teams are struggling to find the right talent, with the right skills, and to retain experienced employees. The situation is only likely to worsen, as inflation and a tight labour market push up wages. Universities produce graduates with a strong focus on technical knowledge, but not always the broader skills they need to operate in a business environment. This includes the lack of communications skills, understanding of how businesses operate and even emotional intelligence. One solution is to outsource to a corporate cyber security provider or outsource to infill shortages whilst trying to recruit permanent staff.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/cybersecurity-industry-recruit/

• How the MOVEit Breach Shows Hackers' Interest in Corporate File Transfer Tools

The world of managed file transfer (MFT) software has become a lucrative target for ransom-seeking hackers, with significant breaches including those of Accellion Inc's File Transfer Appliance in 2021 and Fortra's GoAnywhere MFT earlier this year. These MFT programs, corporate versions of popular file sharing programs like Dropbox or WeTransfer, are highly desirable to hackers for the sensitive data they often transfer between organisations and partners. The recent mass compromise tied to Progress Software Corp's MOVEit transfer product has prompted governments and companies worldwide to scramble in response.

Hackers are shifting their tactics, with an increasing focus on MFT programs which typically face the open internet, making them more vulnerable to breaches. Once inside these file transfer points, hackers have direct access to a wealth of data. In addition, there's a noticeable shift from ransomware groups encrypting a company's network and demanding payment to unscramble it, to a simpler tactic of pure extortion by threatening to leak the data.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/how-moveit-breach-shows-hackers-interest-corporate-file-transfer-tools-2023-06-16/

• Attackers Discovering Exposed Cloud Assets within Minutes

The shift to cloud services, increased remote work, and reliance on third-parties has led to widespread use of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. This has also opened avenues for attackers to exploit weak security configurations and identities. Over the past year, attackers have intercepted authorisation tokens, bypassed multifactor authentication, and exploited misconfigured systems, targeting critical applications like GitHub, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, and Okta. A study revealed alarmingly fast rates of breach discovery and compromise of exposed cloud assets, with assets being discovered within as little as two minutes for some and others within an hour.

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/366542352/Attackers-discovering-exposed-cloud-assets-within-minutes

https://www.darkreading.com/dr-tech/growing-saas-usage-means-larger-attack-surface

• Majority of Users Neglect Best Password Practices

The latest Password Management Report by Keeper Security has shed light on the concerning state of password security practices. The survey found that only 25% of respondents used solid and unique passwords. In comparison, 34% admitted to using repeat variations of passwords, and 30% still relied on simple and easily guessable passwords. The survey also found that 44% of individuals who claimed to have well-managed passwords still admitted to using repeated variations, while 20% acknowledged having had at least one password involved in a data breach or available on the dark web. The document also revealed that 35% of respondents feel overwhelmed when it comes to improving their cyber security. Furthermore, 10% admitted to neglecting password management altogether. More generally, Keeper Security said the survey’s findings highlight a significant gap between perception and reality regarding password security.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/users-neglect-best-password/

• One in Three Workers Susceptible to Phishing

More than one in three workers in the UK and Ireland are susceptible to falling for phishing attacks, according to the new 2023 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report by KnowBe4. The study found that 35% of users who had received no security training were prone to clicking on suspicious links or engaging in fraudulent actions. Regular training and continual reinforcement can get this figure down but even with training very few organisations ever get click rates down to zero, and you only need one person to click to cause potentially devastating consequences.

Globally, ransomware was responsible for 24% of all data breaches in 2023, with human error accounting for 74% of these incidents. Phishing attacks can often lead to significant reputational damage, financial loss and disruption to business operations.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/one-in-three-phishing/

• Ransomware Misconceptions Abound, to the Benefit of Attackers

There is a common ransomware misperception that there's no capability to fight this all too common hostage taking of business data. This is not true. Proactive organisations are increasingly making more strategic use of threat intelligence to prevent or disrupt attacks.

Ransomware has evolved into a massive, often state-sponsored, industry where operators buy, develop, and resell ransomware code, infiltrate networks, and collect ransoms. The perception that a speedy response is critical to prevent data encryption and loss is outdated; attackers now focus on data exfiltration, using ransomware as a distraction. They often target smaller organisations that are linked to larger ones through supply chains, using them as stepping stones. It is important to use in-depth defence measures, including email security to prevent phishing and efficient detection and response systems to identify and recover from changes.

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/ransomware-misconceptions-abound-to-the-benefit-of-attackers

• Threat Actors Scale and Commoditise Uncommon Tools and Techniques

Proofpoint’s 2023 Human Factor report highlights significant developments in the cyber attack landscape in 2022. Following two years of pandemic-induced disruption, cyber criminals returned to their usual operations, honing their social engineering skills and commoditising once sophisticated attack techniques. There was a noticeable increase in brute-force and targeted attacks on cloud tenants, conversational smishing attacks, and multifactor authentication (MFA) bypasses. Microsoft 365 formed a large part of organisations' attack surfaces and faced broad abuse, from Office macros to OneNote documents.

Despite some advances in security controls, threat actors continue to innovate and scale their bypasses. Techniques like MFA bypass and telephone-oriented attack delivery are now commonplace. Attackers consistently exploit people, who remain the most critical variable in the attack chain.

https://www.proofpoint.com/uk/newsroom/press-releases/proofpoints-2023-human-factor-report-threat-actors-scale-and-commoditise

• Goodbyes are Difficult, IT Offboarding Processes Make Them Harder

A recent survey found that 68% of organisations recognise the offboarding process as a major cyber security risk, but only 36% have adequate controls in place to secure data access when employees depart. The study revealed that 60% of organisations have discovered former employees still had access to corporate applications after leaving, and 52% have had security incidents linked to former employees. Interestingly, IT professionals are not always alerted when employees leave, leading to access not being revoked and IT assets being mishandled 34% of the time.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/19/it-offboarding-processes/

• Security Budget Hikes are Missing the Mark, CISOs Say

Misguided expectations on security spend are causing problems for CISOs despite notable budget increases. A recent report found that while most CISOs are experiencing noteworthy increases in security funding, impractical expectations of budget holders are leading to significant amounts being spent on what’s hitting the headlines instead of strategic, business-centric investment in security defences. This lack of understanding shows that a lot of work needs to be done to ensure that information security receives the attention it deserves, especially in the boardroom.

The report found that just 9% of CISOs said information security is always in the top three priorities on the boardroom’s meeting agenda, and less than a quarter (22%) of CISOs are actively participating in business strategy and decision-making processes. Talking to the board about cyber security in a way that is productive can be a significant challenge for CISOs, and failing to do so effectively can result in confusion, disillusionment, and a lack of cohesion among directors, the security function, and the rest of the organisation.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3700073/security-budget-hikes-are-missing-the-mark-cisos-say.html

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/06/22/average-cybersecurity-budget-increase/

• Understanding Cyber Resilience: Building a Holistic Approach to Cyber Security

In today’s interconnected world, the threat of cyber attacks is a constant concern for organisations of all sizes and across all industries. Cyber resilience entails not only making it difficult for attackers to infiltrate your systems but also ensuring that your organisation can bounce back quickly and continue operations successfully.

Cyber resilience offers a holistic approach to cyber security, emphasising the ability to withstand and recover from cyber attacks. By adopting the right mindset, leveraging advanced technology, addressing cyber hygiene, and measuring key metrics, organisations can enhance their cyber resilience. Additionally, collaboration within industries and proactive board engagement are crucial for effective risk management. As cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations must prioritise cyber resilience as an ongoing journey, continuously adapting and refining their strategies to stay ahead of malicious actors.

https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/understanding-cyber-resilience-building-a-holistic-approach-to-cybersecurity/

• Emerging Ransomware Group 8Base Releasing Confidential Data from SMBs Globally

A ransomware group that operated under the radar for over a year has come to light in recent weeks, thanks to a series of business data leaks on the Dark Web. Since at least April 2022, 8base has been conducting double-extortion attacks against small and midsized businesses (SMBs). It all came to a head in May, when the group dumped data belonging to 67 organisations on the cyber underground.

Not much is known yet about the group's tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), likely due to the low profile of their victims. The victims span science and technology, manufacturing, retail, construction, healthcare, and more, with victims from as far afield as India, Peru, Madagascar and Brazil, amongst others.

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/emerging-ransomware-8base-doxxes-smbs-globally

• Financial Firms to Build Resilience in Face of Growing Cyber-Threats

Cyber resilience is now a key component of operational resilience for the UK’s financial markets, according to a Bank of England official. Cyber attacks have increased by 38% in 2022, and the range of firms and organisations being impacted seems to grow broader and broader.

Regulators want to see how financial firms will cope with an attack, and its impact on the wider financial services ecosystem. Similar work is being done at an international level by the G7, which has its own cyber expert group. In the UK, the main tools for improving resilience are threat intelligence sharing, better coordination between firms, regulators, the Bank and the Treasury, and penetration testing including CBEST. Financial services firms should have scenario specific playbooks, to set out how to contain intruders and stop them spreading to clients and counterparties. In the past, simulation exercises have been used to model terrorist incidents and pandemics and they are now being used to model cyber attacks.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/financial-firms-to-build-resilience/

• Fulfilling Expected SEC Requirements for Cyber Security Expertise at Board Level

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to introduce a rule requiring demonstration of cyber security expertise at the board level for public companies. A recent study found that currently up to 90% of companies in the Russell 3000 lack even a single director with the necessary cyber expertise. The simplest and speediest solution would be to promote the existing CISO, provided they have the appropriate qualities and experience, to the board but that would require transplanting a focused operational executive into a strategic business advisory role. A credible alternative is to bring in a cyber focused Non-Executive Director with the appropriate skills and experience.

https://www.securityweek.com/fulfilling-expected-sec-requirements-for-cybersecurity-expertise-at-board-level/

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Why assessing third parties for security risk is still an unsolved problem | CSO Online

• How DORA Will Force Financial Firms to Adopt Cyber Resilience - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Navigating the Complex World of Cyber security Compliance - MSSP Alert

• Security budget hikes are missing the mark, CISOs say | CSO Online

• Understanding Cyber Resilience: Building A Holistic Approach To Cyber security (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• How to Weather the Coming Cyber security Storm - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Certifications are no guarantee of security - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Increased spending doesn't translate to improved cyber security posture - Help Net Security

• Placing People & Realism at the Center of Your Cyber security Strategy (darkreading.com)

• CISOs’ New Stressors Brought on by Digitalization: Report - SecurityWeek

• Fulfilling Expected SEC Requirements for Cyber security Expertise at Board Level - SecurityWeek

• Decrypting Cyber Risk Quantification (trendmicro.com)

• From details to big picture: how to improve security effectiveness | CIO

• IT Staff Increasingly Saddled with Data Protection Compliance (darkreading.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Explainer: How MOVEit breach shows hackers' interest in corporate file transfer tools | Reuters

• Embattled consulting firm PwC swept up in global cyber breach of file service MOVEit by cyber crime group C10p (afr.com)

• Ransomware Misconceptions Abound, to the Benefit of Attackers (darkreading.com)

• US Offers $10m Reward For MOVEit Attackers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Data leak at Australian law firm spooks government, business • The Register

• Moveit hack: attack on BBC and BA offers glimpse into the future of cyber crime (theconversation.com)

• Fresh Ransomware Gangs Emerge As Market Leaders Decline (darkreading.com)

• Emerging Ransomware Group 8Base Doxxes SMBs Globally (darkreading.com)

• A Russian national charged for committing LockBit Ransomware attacks - Security Affairs

• Rorschach Ransomware: What You Need to Know (darkreading.com)

• Ransomware is only getting faster: Six steps to a stronger defence (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware gang preys on cancer centers, triggers alert | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Ransomware attacks pose communications dilemmas for local governments | CSO Online

• LockBit Developing Ransomware for Apple M1 Chips, Embedded Systems (darkreading.com)

Ransomware Victims

• MOVEit victim list | KonBriefing.com

• PwC and EY impacted by MOVEit cyber attack (cshub.com)

• Australian Government Says Its Data Was Stolen in Law Firm Ransomware Attack - SecurityWeek

• Hackers threaten to release photos of Beverly Hills plastic surgery patients (bitdefender.com)

• Norton Parent Says Employee Data Stolen in MOVEit Ransomware Attack - SecurityWeek

• BlackCat gang threatens to leak plastic surgery photos • The Register

• Reddit confirms BlackCat ransomware gang stole its data • The Register

• Adur and Worthing Councils investigating after contractor data breach | The Argus

• Iowa’s largest school district confirms ransomware attack, data theft (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers warn University of Manchester students’ of imminent data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

• MOVEit cyber attack: US Energy Department gets two ransom notices as MOVEit hack claims more victims - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

• USDA is investigating a 'possible data breach' related to global Russian cyber criminal hack | CNN

• Avast, Norton Parent Latest Victim of MOVEit Ransomware Attacks (darkreading.com)

• MOVEit Vulnerability Breaches Targeted Fed Agencies (trendmicro.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• One in Three UK&I Workers Susceptible to Phishing - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber crime: what does psychology have to do with phishing? – podcast | Science | The Guardian

• Hackers Will Be Quick to Bypass Gmail's Blue Check Verification System (darkreading.com)

• UPS discloses data breach after exposed customer info used in SMS phishing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Insurance companies neglect basic email security - Help Net Security

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• The Simplest Social Engineering Hack Of Them All | Hackaday

• Attackers Create Synthetic Security Researchers to Steal IP (darkreading.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• Civil servants told not to share state secrets with ChatGPT, leaked guidance reveals (telegraph.co.uk)

• How generative AI is creating new classes of security threats | VentureBeat

• Over 100,000 Stolen ChatGPT Account Credentials Sold on Dark Web Marketplaces (thehackernews.com)

• ‘With hackers adopting AI, it’s a cat-and-mouse game’ | Mint (livemint.com)

• ChatGPT and data protection laws: Compliance challenges for businesses - Help Net Security

• Biden Discusses Risks and Promises of Artificial Intelligence With Tech Leaders in San Francisco - SecurityWeek

• The next wave of cyber threats: Defending your company against cyber criminals empowered by generative AI | VentureBeat

• Google Tells Employees to Stay Away from Its Bard Chatbot (gizmodo.com)

Malware

• Experts Uncover Year-Long Cyber Attack on IT Firm Utilising Custom Malware RDStealer (thehackernews.com)

• Attacker seizes abandoned S3 bucket to launch malicious payloads | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Hackers use fake OnlyFans pics to drop info-stealing malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Researchers Discover New Sophisticated Toolkit Targeting Apple macOS Systems (thehackernews.com)

• Mysterious Mystic Stealer Spreads Like Wildfire in Mere Months (darkreading.com)

• Hackers infect Linux SSH servers with Tsunami botnet malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• To kill BlackLotus malware, patching is a good start, but... • The Register

• Microsoft Teams bug allows malware delivery from external accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• APT37 hackers deploy new FadeStealer eavesdropping malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ScarCruft Hackers Exploit Ably Service for Stealthy Wiretapping Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Chinese Hacker Group 'Flea' Targets American Ministries with Graphican Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• USB Drives Spread Spyware as China's Mustang Panda APT Goes Global (darkreading.com)

• NSA shares tips on blocking BlackLotus UEFI malware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Chinese malware accidentally infects networked storage • The Register

• ChamelDoH: New Linux Backdoor Utilising DNS-over-HTTPS Tunneling for Covert CnC (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• New Version of Android GravityRAT Spyware Targets WhatsApp Backups - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• SMS delivery reports can be used to infer recipient's location (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Apple fixes zero-days used to deploy Triangulation spyware via iMessage (bleepingcomputer.com)

• This Android app with over 50,000 installs steals your files and microphone recordings — what to do | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Android spyware camouflaged as VPN, chat apps on Google Play (bleepingcomputer.com)

Botnets

• Romanian cyber crime gang Diicot builds DDoS botnet with Mirai variant | CSO Online

• New Condi malware builds DDoS botnet out of TP-Link AX21 routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers infect Linux SSH servers with Tsunami botnet malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mirai botnet targets 22 flaws in D-Link, Zyxel, Netgear devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Police crack down on DDoS-for-hire service active since 2013 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers behind Microsoft outage most likely Russian-backed group aiming to ‘drive division’ in the west | Cyber crime | The Guardian

• European Investment Bank hit by cyber attack after Russian hackers vow to bring down financial system (telegraph.co.uk)

• New Condi malware builds DDoS botnet out of TP-Link AX21 routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Zeeland port website hit by DDOS attack, possibly by Russian hackers | NL Times

• From Cryptojacking to DDoS Attacks: Diicot Expands Tactics with Cayosin Botnet (thehackernews.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Thousands left vulnerable after severe weakness is discovered in home security system's mobile app | TechSpot

• Romanian cyber crime gang Diicot builds DDoS botnet with Mirai variant | CSO Online

• Smart Pet Feeders Expose Personal Data - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Security for embedded devices is ignored by too many companies, expert says | Fierce Electronics

• Our cities are becoming increasingly automated—and we’re not ready (fastcompany.com)

• US Military Personnel Receiving Unsolicited, Suspicious Smartwatches - SecurityWeek

• Mirai botnet targets 22 flaws in D-Link, Zyxel, Netgear devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Data leak at Australian law firm spooks government, business • The Register

• Australian Government Says Its Data Was Stolen in Law Firm Ransomware Attack - SecurityWeek

• 3CX data exposed, third-party to blame - Security Affairs

• Mondelez says crooks stole staff data in security breach • The Register

• UPS discloses data breach after exposed customer info used in SMS phishing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Reddit hackers threaten to leak data stolen in February breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Australia Inc roiled by raft of cyber attacks since late 2022 - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

• SSD missing from SAP datacenter turns up on eBay • The Register

• Millions of UK University Credentials Found on Dark Web - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Smart Pet Feeders Expose Personal Data - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Hackers warn University of Manchester students’ of imminent data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Darknet Parliament is now a thing | Cybernews

• Crypto and Cyber Security: A Complex Relationship (analyticsinsight.net)

• Moveit hack: attack on BBC and BA offers glimpse into the future of cyber crime (theconversation.com)

• Cyber attackers Got More Creative Post-Pandemic, Proofpoint Study Finds - MSSP Alert

• The Great Exodus to Telegram: A Tour of the New Cyber crime Underground (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber crime Doesn't Take a Vacation (darkreading.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Crypto and Cyber Security: A Complex Relationship (analyticsinsight.net)

• Blockchain security: Everything you should know for safe use | TechTarget

• From Cryptojacking to DDoS Attacks: Diicot Expands Tactics with Cayosin Botnet (thehackernews.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Cost-of-Living Crisis increasing chances of Insider threats - IT Security Guru

• Preventing breaches through cyber awareness: How every federal employee contributes to cyber security | Federal News Network

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Influencers in firing line as France tackles scams - BBC News

• Keep Job Scams From Hurting Your Organisation (darkreading.com)

• Job Seekers, Look Out for Job Scams (darkreading.com)

Impersonation Attacks

• Attackers Create Synthetic Security Researchers to Steal IP (darkreading.com)

AML/CFT/Sanctions

• EU agrees new sanctions against Russia, targeting Chinese companies suspected of circumvention | Euronews

Dark Web

• Darknet Parliament is now a thing | Cybernews

• Over 100,000 Stolen ChatGPT Account Credentials Sold on Dark Web Marketplaces (thehackernews.com)

• Millions of UK University Credentials Found on Dark Web - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Capita faces first legal Letter of Claim over mega breach • The Register

• Why assessing third parties for security risk is still an unsolved problem | CSO Online

• 3CX data exposed, third-party to blame - Security Affairs

• Mondelez says crooks stole staff data in security breach • The Register

• Untangling the web of supply chain security with Tony Turner - Help Net Security

Software Supply Chain

• CISA SBOM standards efforts stymied by confusion, inertia | TechTarget

Cloud/SaaS

• Growing SaaS Usage Means Larger Attack Surface (darkreading.com)

• Explainer: How MOVEit breach shows hackers' interest in corporate file transfer tools | Reuters

• A new threat to financial stability lurks in the cloud | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Cloud CISO Perspectives: Early June 2023 | Google Cloud Blog

• Hackers behind Microsoft outage most likely Russian-backed group aiming to ‘drive division’ in the west | Cyber crime | The Guardian

• Western Digital Blocks Unpatched Devices From Cloud Services - SecurityWeek

• Attacker seizes abandoned S3 bucket to launch malicious payloads | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Attackers discovering exposed cloud assets within minutes | TechTarget

• Cloud-native security hinges on open source - Help Net Security

• Hybrid Microsoft network/cloud legacy settings may impact your future security posture | CSO Online

• US cyber ambassador says China can win on AI, cloud • The Register

Hybrid/Remote Working

• Home working puts confidential data at risk, GCHQ warns law firms (telegraph.co.uk)

Shadow IT

• Ending the ‘forever war’ against shadow IT | CIO

Identity and Access Management

• The future of passwords and authentication - Help Net Security

Encryption

• Intel to start shipping a quantum processor | Ars Technica

• Quantum hacking alert: Critical vulnerabilities found in quantum key distribution (techxplore.com)

• The US Navy, NATO, and NASA are using a shady Chinese company’s encryption chips | Ars Technica

• Physics - Long-Range Quantum Cryptography Gets Simpler (aps.org)

API

• Why API Security Could Be the Next Big Thing in Cyber - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Open Source

• Hackers infect Linux SSH servers with Tsunami botnet malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Beware bad passwords as attackers co-opt Linux servers into cyber crime – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Cloud-native security hinges on open source - Help Net Security

• ChamelDoH: New Linux Backdoor Utilising DNS-over-HTTPS Tunneling for Covert CnC (thehackernews.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Majority of Users Neglect Best Password Practices: Keeper Security - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Forging a Path to Account Takeover: Copy Password Reset Link Vulnerability worth $$$$. | by Manav Bankatwala | Jun, 2023 | InfoSec Write-ups (infosecwriteups.com)

• The future of passwords and authentication - Help Net Security

• These are the most hacked passwords. Is yours on the list? | ZDNET

• Beware bad passwords as attackers co-opt Linux servers into cyber crime – Naked Security (sophos.com)

Social Media

• Influencers in firing line as France tackles scams - BBC News

• Reddit hackers threaten to leak data stolen in February breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Preventing breaches through cyber awareness: How every federal employee contributes to cyber security | Federal News Network

• Security Training Fail Impacting Digital Transformation - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Security Training Needs to Nudge, Not Nag - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Digital Transformation

• Security Training Fail Impacting Digital Transformation - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• ChatGPT and data protection laws: Compliance challenges for businesses - Help Net Security

• Bill allowing CISA to assist foreign governments passes Senate committee | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Fulfilling Expected SEC Requirements for Cyber security Expertise at Board Level - SecurityWeek

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• The significance of CIS Control mapping in the 2023 Verizon DBIR - Help Net Security

• What is PCI Compliance? 12 Requirements and More Explained | Definition from TechTarget

Secure Disposal

• SSD missing from SAP datacenter turns up on eBay • The Register

Data Protection

• ChatGPT and data protection laws: Compliance challenges for businesses - Help Net Security

• Consumer Data: The Risk and Reward for Manufacturing Companies (darkreading.com)

• IT Staff Increasingly Saddled with Data Protection Compliance (darkreading.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• 8 notable entry-level cyber security career and skills initiatives in 2023 | CSO Online

• UK military is struggling to recruit tech experts, says report | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Certifications are no guarantee of security - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Quintessential Toolkit: Five Essential Skills For Advancing In The Cyber security Realm (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Cyber security Industry Still Fighting to Recruit and Retain Talent - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• It’s Time to Think Creatively to Combat Skills Shortages - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Google announces $20 million investment for cyber clinics | CyberScoop

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Police crack down on DDoS-for-hire service active since 2013 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Megaupload duo will go to prison at last, but Kim Dotcom fights on… – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• A Russian national charged for committing LockBit Ransomware attacks - Security Affairs

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• SMS delivery reports can be used to infer recipient's location (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US Military Personnel Receiving Unsolicited, Suspicious Smartwatches - SecurityWeek

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Killnet Threatens Imminent SWIFT, World Banking Attacks (darkreading.com)

• A Newly Named Group of GRU Hackers is Wreaking Havoc in Ukraine | WIRED

• Hackers behind Microsoft outage most likely Russian-backed group aiming to ‘drive division’ in the west | Cyber crime | The Guardian

• UK Pledges Millions in Cyber-Defence Aid to Ukraine - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• European Investment Bank hit by cyber attack after Russian hackers vow to bring down financial system (telegraph.co.uk)

• Russia sent its reserve team to wipe Ukrainian hard drives • The Register

• Russian APT Group Caught Hacking Roundcube Email Servers - SecurityWeek

• Hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan a ‘bear in wolf’s clothing’ | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Russian APT28 hackers breach Ukrainian govt email servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Strategies for staying ahead of modern cyber warfare - CyberTalk

• German intelligence services point to increased hybrid security threats – EURACTIV.com

Nation State Actors

• Microsoft Pins Early June DDoS Attacks on Russian-linked Cyber Crew - MSSP Alert

• US DOJ Launches Cyber Unit to Prosecute Nation-State Threat Actors - SecurityWeek

• Cooperation or Competition? China’s Security Industry Sees the US, Not AI, as the Bigger Threat - SecurityWeek

• US Military Personnel Receiving Unsolicited, Suspicious Smartwatches - SecurityWeek

• USB Drives Spread Spyware as China's Mustang Panda APT Goes Global (darkreading.com)

• CISA orders govt agencies to patch bugs exploited by Russian hackers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US Cyber Ambassador says China can win on AI, cloud • The Register

• Cadet Blizzard emerges as a novel and distinct Russian threat actor | Microsoft Security Blog

• State-Backed Hackers Employ Advanced Methods to Target Middle Eastern and African Governments (thehackernews.com)

• The Israeli weapons and spyware falling into the hands of despots | Financial Times (ft.com)

• The US Navy, NATO, and NASA are using a shady Chinese company’s encryption chips | Ars Technica

• Zeeland port website hit by DDOS attack, possibly by Russian hackers | NL Times

• A Russian national charged for committing LockBit Ransomware attacks - Security Affairs

• Hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan a ‘bear in wolf’s clothing’ | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• APT37 hackers deploy new FadeStealer eavesdropping malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ScarCruft Hackers Exploit Ably Service for Stealthy Wiretapping Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• 20-Year-Old Chinese APT15 Finds New Life in Foreign Ministry Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Chinese Hacker Group 'Flea' Targets American Ministries with Graphican Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• North Korean APT targets defectors, activists with infostealer malware | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• RedEyes Group Targets Individuals with Wiretapping Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US Justice Department Launches New National Security Cyber Section - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• China-sponsored APT group targets government ministries in the Americas | CSO Online

• Chinese malware accidentally infects networked storage • The Register

• Trellix Detects Leading Threat Actor Countries Behind Nation-State Activity - MSSP Alert

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Vulnerability Management

• Guess what happened to this US agency that didn't patch? • The Register

• EU Council mulls pan-European platform to handle cyber vulnerabilities – EURACTIV.com

• The Benefits of Red Zone Threat Intelligence - SecurityWeek

Vulnerabilities

• VMware warns of critical vRealize flaw exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft Teams Vulnerability: The GIFShell Attack (latesthackingnews.com)

• Zero-Day Alert: Apple Releases Patches for Actively Exploited Flaws in iOS, macOS, and Safari (thehackernews.com)

• Patch Now: Cisco AnyConnect Bug Exploit Released in the Wild (darkreading.com)

• Zyxel addressed critical flaw CVE-2023-27992 in NAS Devices - Security Affairs

• Microsoft Teams bug allows malware delivery from external accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Chrome and Its Vulnerabilities - Is the Web Browser Safe to Use? - SecurityWeek

• Critical WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities Impact Thousands of Sites - SecurityWeek

• SMB Edge Devices Walloped With Asus, Zyxel Patch Warnings (darkreading.com)

• VMware fixes vCenter Server bugs allowing code execution, auth bypass (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Azure AD 'Log in With Microsoft' Authentication Bypass Affects Thousands (darkreading.com)

• Western Digital Blocks Unpatched Devices From Cloud Services - SecurityWeek

• Risk & Repeat: Mandiant sheds light on Barracuda ESG attacks | TechTarget

• ASUS warns router customers: Patch now, or block all inbound requests – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Firmware Backdoor Discovered in Gigabyte Motherboards, Hundreds of Models Affected - CPO Magazine

• Apple fixes zero-days used to deploy Triangulation spyware via iMessage (bleepingcomputer.com)

• A (cautionary) tale of two patched bugs, both under exploit • The Register

• Millions of GitHub repos likely vulnerable to RepoJacking, researchers say (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Windows 11 KB5027231 also breaks Chrome for Cisco, WatchGuard EDR users (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Gaps in Azure Service Fabric’s Security Call for User Vigilance (trendmicro.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Getting Over the DNS Security Awareness Gap (darkreading.com)

• Zscaler CEO: Firewalls Are Going The Way Of The Mainframe | CRN

• The future of passwords and authentication - Help Net Security

• Understanding Cyber Resilience: Building A Holistic Approach To Cyber security (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Increased spending doesn't translate to improved cyber security posture - Help Net Security

• Placing People & Realism at the Center of Your Cyber security Strategy (darkreading.com)

• Security investments that help companies navigate the macroeconomic climate - Help Net Security

• The Benefits of Red Zone Threat Intelligence - SecurityWeek

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Proofpoint’s 2023 Human Factor Report: Threat Actors Scale and Commoditise Uncommon Tools and Techniques | Proofpoint UK

• Trellix Detects Leading Threat Actor Countries Behind Nation-State Activity - MSSP Alert

• The Threat Report: June 2023 | Trellix

• Navigating The Cyber Threat Landscape: Key Insights From Trellix ARC's Q1 2023 Report (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

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Other News

• Boris Johnson’s notebooks cause national security alarm (thetimes.co.uk)

• ‘It could be taken down by an enthusiastic child’: Whitehall wide open to cyber attack, warn campaigners | Cyber crime | The Guardian

• Keep it, Tweak it, Trash it – What to do with Aging Tech in an Era of Consolidation - SecurityWeek

• Cyber attacks on OT, ICS Lay Groundwork for Kinetic Warfare (darkreading.com)

• Why CISOs should be concerned about space-based attacks | CSO Online

• Legal firms urged to strengthen cyber defences with latest... - NCSC.GOV.UK

• 6 Attack Surfaces You Must Protect (darkreading.com)

• GCHQ’s top hacker James Babbage quits to join NCA in blow to UK cyber force (telegraph.co.uk)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·       Automotive

·       Construction

·       Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·       Defence & Space

·       Education & Academia

·       Energy & Utilities

·       Estate Agencies

·       Financial Services

·       FinTech

·       Food & Agriculture

·       Gaming & Gambling

·       Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·       Health/Medical/Pharma

·       Hotels & Hospitality

·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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 ‘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 12 May 2023

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

• 79% of Cyber Pros Make Decisions Without Threat Intelligence

In a recent report, 79% of security pros say they make decisions without adversary insights “at least the majority of the time.” Why aren’t companies effectively leveraging threat intelligence? And does the C-Suite know this is going on?

Threat intelligence helps organisations stay informed about the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities. By gathering and analysing information about potential attacks, threat intelligence can provide organisations with valuable insights into the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) used by cyber criminals.

Given the deep value provided by threat intelligence, why aren’t more cyber pros taking advantage of it?

https://securityintelligence.com/articles/79-percent-of-cyber-pros-make-decisions-without-threat-intelligence/

• 61% of Business Leadership Overlook the Role of Cyber Security as a Business Enabler and as being Key to Business Success

A recent report found only 39% of respondents think their company's leadership has a sound understanding of cyber security's role as a business enabler. Cyber security can be a huge business enabler; executive leaders need to think of cyber security in terms of the value it can deliver at a more strategic level.

https://www.darkreading.com/risk/global-research-from-delinea-reveals-that-61-of-it-security-decision-makers-think-leadership-overlooks-the-role-of-cybersecurity-in-business-success

• Risk Managers Warn Cyber Insurance Could Become ‘Unviable Product’

The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA), an umbrella body representing 22 trade associations, said the cyber insurance market is “evolving in isolation from the industries it serves”.

It highlighted a move by Lloyd’s of London, the specialist insurance market and hub for cyber insurance, demanding that standard cyber policies have an exemption for big state-backed attacks.

“Without a more collaborative approach to cyber balancing the risk appetite of the insurance market with the coverage requirements of the corporate buyers, there is a risk that cyber insurance becomes an unviable product for many organisations,” FERMA said in a statement shared with the Financial Times.

The intervention is the strongest yet by the business lobby over the controversial exemption and wider concerns about cyber insurance.

https://www.ft.com/content/401629cc-e68a-41a4-8d50-e7c0d3e27835

• Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: Don’t Give up on Cyber Security

In today’s increasingly hostile environment, every enterprise, big or small, should be concerned about cyber security and have access to protection from hackers, scammers, phishers, and all the rest of the host of bad actors who seem to be sprouting up around the world.

Yet time and again, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are left out in the cold, an unaddressed market segment that finds real protection either too expensive or far too complex to adopt. Thus, cyber security becomes an “afterthought” or “add when we can” kind of service that leaves SMBs far more vulnerable than the corporate giants — just reading the news every day shows even they aren’t immune to ransomware, intrusions, and data theft. If you haven’t already, start thinking about security now.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3695593/small-and-medium-sized-businesses-don-t-give-up-on-cybersecurity.html

• AI Has Been Dubbed a 'Nuclear' Threat to Cyber Security, but It Can Also Be Used for Defence

Hackers using ChatGPT are faster and more sophisticated than before, and cyber security analysts who don’t have access to similar tools can very quickly find themselves outgunned and outsmarted by these AI-assisted attackers. However, corporations are stumbling to figure out governance around AI, and while they do so, their employees are clearly defying rules and possibly jeopardising company operations. According to a study of 1.6 million workers, 3.1% input confidential company information into ChatGPT. Although the number seems small, 11% of users' questions include private information. This is a fatal flaw for corporate use considering how hackers can manipulate the system into giving them previously hidden information. In another study, it was found that 80% of security professionals used AI, with 46% of these giving specialised capabilities as a reason.

https://www.euronews.com/2023/05/04/ai-has-been-dubbed-a-nuclear-threat-to-cybersecurity-but-it-can-also-be-used-for-defence

• Paying Cyber Hijackers’ Ransoms Doubles Cost of Recovery, Sophos Study Shows

In three out of four cyber attacks, the hijackers succeeded in encrypting victims’ data, cyber security provider Sophos said in its newly released State of Ransomware 2023 report.

The rate of data encryption amounted to the highest from ransomware since Sophos first issued the report in 2020. Overall, roughly two-thirds of the 3,000 cyber security/IT leaders’ organisations were infected by a ransomware attack in the first quarter of 2023, or the same percentage as last year.

Much advice has been doled out by cyber security providers and law enforcement urging organisations to not pay a ransom. According to Sophos’ survey, the data shows that when organisations paid a ransom to decrypt their data, they ended up doubling their recovery costs. On average, those organisations paying ransoms for decryption forked out $750,000 in recovery costs versus $375,000 for organisations that used backups to recover their data.

Moreover, paying the ransom usually meant longer recovery times, with 45% of those organisations that used backups recovering within a week, compared to 39% of those that paid the ransom.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/paying-cyber-hijackers-ransoms-doubles-cost-of-recovery-sophos-study-shows/

• Majority of US, UK CISOs Unable to Protect Company 'Secrets'

A recent study found 75% of organisations have experienced a data leak involving company secrets, including API keys, usernames, passwords, and encryption keys, in the past. It was found that about 52% of chief information and security officers (CISOs) in the US and UK organisations are unable to fully secure their company secrets. The study showed that a huge chunk of the IT sector realises the danger of exposed secrets. Seventy-five percent said that a secret leak has happened in their organisation in the past, with 60% acknowledging it caused serious issues for the company, employees, or both. The report has pointed out that even though secrets management practice across the US and the UK has seen some maturity, it still needs to go a long way.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3695583/majority-of-us-uk-cisos-unable-to-protect-company-secrets-report.html

• Company Executives Can’t Afford to Ignore Cyber Security Anymore

In a recent survey, when asked about the Board and C-Suite‘s understanding of cyber security across the organisation, only 36% of respondents believe that it is considered important only in terms of compliance and regulatory demands, while 17% said it is not seen as a business priority. The disconnect between business and security goals appears to have caused at least one negative consequence to 89% of respondents’ organisations, with 26% also reporting it resulted in an increased number of successful cyber attacks at their company. On the misalignment of cyber security goals, respondents believed it contributed to delays in investments (35%), delays in strategic decision making (34%), and unnecessary increases in spending (27%).

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/05/10/cybersecurity-business-goals-alignment/

• BEC Campaign via Israel Spotted Targeting Multinational Companies

An Israel-based threat group was discovered carrying out a business email compromise (BEC) campaign primarily targeting large and multinational enterprises. The group has conducted 350 BEC campaigns since February 2021, with email attacks targeting employees from 61 countries across six continents. The group operate through two personas — a CEO and an external attorney and spoofed email addresses using real domains.

https://www.darkreading.com/remote-workforce/bec-attacks-out-of-israel-target-multinational-corporations

• CISOs Worried About Personal Liability for Breaches

Over three-fifths (62%) of global CISOs are concerned about being held personally liable for successful cyber attacks that occur on their watch, and a similar share would not join an organisation that fails to offer insurance to protect them, according to Proofpoint annual ‘Voice of the CISO’ survey for 2023. The security vendor polled 1600 CISOs from organisations of 200 employees or more across different industries in 16 countries to compile the report.

It revealed that CISOs in sectors with high volumes of sensitive data and/or heavy regulation such as retail (69%), financial services (65%) and manufacturing (65%) are most likely to demand insurance coverage.

Such concerns only add to the mental load on corporate IT security bosses. A combination of high-stress working environments, shrinking budgets and personal liability could be harming CISOs’ quality of life. Some 60% told Proofpoint they’ve experienced burnout in the past 12 months.

CISOs are most likely to experience burnout in the retail (72%) and IT, technology and telecoms (66%) industries.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/cisos-worried-personal-liability/

• UK, US and International Allies Uncover Russian Snake Malware Network in 50+ Countries

The UK NCSC along with the US National Security Agency (NSA) and various international partner agencies have discovered infrastructure connected with the sophisticated Russian cyber-espionage tool Snake in over 50 countries worldwide. Snake operations have been attributed to a specific unit within Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Center 16.

Cyber criminals reportedly used Snake to retrieve and remove confidential documents related to international relations and diplomatic communications.

According to an advisory published by the agencies on Tuesday, the FSB targeted various industries, including education, small businesses, media, local government, finance, manufacturing and telecommunications. The Snake malware is installed on external infrastructure nodes for further exploitation.

According to the NSA Russian government actors have used this tool for years for intelligence collection and it is hoped that the technical details shared in the advisory will help many organisations find and shut down the malware globally.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/nsa-uncovers-russian-snake-malware/

• Plug-and-Play Microsoft 365 Phishing Tool 'Democratizes' Attack Campaigns

A new phishing-as-a-service tool called "Greatness" is being used in attacks targeting manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and other sectors.

Researchers at Cisco Talos detailed their findings on "Greatness," a one-stop-shop for all of a cyber criminal's phishing needs. With Greatness, anyone with even rudimentary technical chops can craft compelling Microsoft 365-based phishing lures, then carry out man-in-the-middle attacks that steal authentication credentials — even in the face of multifactor authentication (MFA) — and much more.

The tool has been in circulation since at least mid-2022 and has been used in attacks against enterprises in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology, among other sectors. Half of the targets thus far have been concentrated in the US, with further attacks occurring around Western Europe, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa.

https://www.darkreading.com/cloud/plug-and-play-microsoft-365-phishing-tool-democratizes-attacks

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Make them pay: Hackers devise new tactics to ensure ransomware payment | CSO Online

• Ransomware gangs display ruthless extortion tactics in April | TechTarget

• Our appetite for data increases the risk of being held to ransom (thetimes.co.uk)

• Paying Cyber Hijackers’ Ransoms Doubles Cost of Recovery, Sophos Study Shows - MSSP Alert

• Ransomware review: May 2023 (malwarebytes.com)

• Ransomware Attacks Adapt With New Techniques: Kaspersky Report - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The new ransomware strain is picking off big businesses one by one - and yours could be next | TechRadar

• Refined methodologies of ransomware attacks - Help Net Security

• Ranking ransomware: The gangs, the malware and the ever-present risks | CyberScoop

• Ransomware Encryption Rates Reach New Heights - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK ‘increasingly concerned’ ransomware victims are keeping incidents secret (therecord.media)

• Royal ransomware gang quickly expands reign | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Legitimate Software Abuse: A Disturbing Trend in Ransomware Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Ransomware attack confirmed at Rochester Public Schools, FBI alerted - Bring Me The News

• Constellation Struck By Ransomware Attack, ALPHV Lays Claim (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• New Ransomware Strain 'CACTUS' Exploits VPN Flaws to Infiltrate Networks (thehackernews.com)

• New Akira Ransomware Operation Hits Corporate Networks | Black Hat Ethical Hacking

• Babuk code used by 9 ransomware gangs to encrypt VMWare ESXi servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• $1.1M Paid to Resolve Ransomware Attack on California County - SecurityWeek

• Western Digital store offline due to March breach - Help Net Security

• Western Digital Confirms Ransomware Group Stole Customer Information - SecurityWeek

• Former Conti members are behind latest Royal ransomware hacking spree, report finds (axios.com)

• Hackers Contacted Dragos CEO’s Son, Wife in Extortion Attempt - Bloomberg

• Multiple Ransomware Groups Adapt Babuk Code to Target ESXi VMs (darkreading.com)

• Australian software giant won’t say if customers affected by hack | TechCrunch

• Multinational tech firm ABB hit by Black Basta ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Smashing Pumpkins frontman paid ransom to a hacker who threatened to leak the band's songs -Security Affairs

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Q1 Cofense Phishing Intelligence Report - Cofense

• "Greatness" Phishing Tool Exploits Microsoft 365 Credentials - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• This dangerous phishing attack is targeting Microsoft users everywhere, so be on your guard | TechRadar

• Gmail gets blue verification checks to protect against spoofing and phishing | ZDNET

• Phishing Ring Bust, Spanish Police Have Arrested 40 People (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• Exploring the Rise of Israel-Based BEC Attacks | Abnormal (abnormalsecurity.com)

2FA/MFA

• Microsoft enforces number matching to fight MFA fatigue attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malware

• Chrome users, stay alert: Malware may be just one click away - gHacks Tech News

• Microsoft issues optional fix for Secure Boot zero-day used by malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 56,000+ cloud-based apps at risk of malware exfiltration - Help Net Security

• Millions of mobile phones come pre-infected with malware • The Register

• Severe Ruckus RCE Flaws Utilized By Fresh DDoS Botnet Malware (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Fake system update drops Aurora stealer via Invalid Printer loader (malwarebytes.com)

• Stealthier version of Linux BPFDoor malware spotted in the wild (bleepingcomputer.com)

Mobile

• Millions of mobile phones come pre-infected with malware • The Register

• Mobile hacking and spyware – understanding the risks - TechHQ

• Google Announces New Privacy, Safety, and Security Features Across Its Services (thehackernews.com)

• Google Improves Android Security With New APIs - SecurityWeek

• New Android FluHorse malware steals your passwords, 2FA codes (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fleckpe Android Malware Sneaks onto Google Play Store with Over 620,000 Downloads (thehackernews.com)

• New Android updates fix kernel bug exploited in spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Botnets

• Bad Bots Now Account For 30% of All Internet Traffic - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fortinet warns of a spike of the activity linked to AndoryuBot botnet- Security Affairs

• RapperBot DDoS malware adds cryptojacking as new revenue stream (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• FBI seizes 13 more domains linked to DDoS-for-hire services (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Severe Ruckus RCE Flaws Utilized By Fresh DDoS Botnet Malware (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Fortinet warns of a spike of the activity linked to AndoryuBot botnet- Security Affairs

• RapperBot DDoS malware adds cryptojacking as new revenue stream (bleepingcomputer.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• CISA warns of Mirai botnet exploiting TP-Link routers • The Register

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Security researcher finds trove of Capita data exposed online | TechCrunch

• In a new hacking crime wave, more personal data is being held hostage (cnbc.com)

• Why the 'Why' of a Data Breach Matters (darkreading.com)

• OpenAI confirms ChatGPT data breach (cshub.com)

• Western Digital says hackers stole customer data in March cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Leak of MSI UEFI signing keys stokes fears of “doomsday” supply chain attack | Ars Technica

• Boot Guard Keys From MSI Hack Posted, Many PCs Vulnerable | Tom's Hardware(tomshardware.com)

• 1 Million Impacted by Data Breach at NextGen Healthcare - SecurityWeek

• Twitter admits 'security incident' broke Circle privacy • The Register

• Food distribution giant Sysco warns of data breach after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Korean Hackers Stole 830K Data From Seoul's Top Hospital (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Brightly warns of SchoolDude data breach exposing credentials (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Simplify data hack cost the firm almost £7m - Property Industry Eye

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• In a new hacking crime wave, more personal data is being held hostage (cnbc.com)

• How hackers are recruiting on the dark web (thetimes.co.uk)

• 5 Types of Cyber Crime Groups (trendmicro.com)

• The Team of Sleuths Quietly Hunting Cyber attack-for-Hire Services | WIRED

• Briton pleads guilty in US to 2020 Twitter hack - BBC News

• Phishing Ring Bust, Spanish Police Have Arrested 40 People (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Former Ubiquiti Employee Who Posed as Hacker Sentenced to Prison - SecurityWeek

• UK cops score another legal win in EncroChat spying case • The Register

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Cyber Patrols Lead to Seizure of Stolen Artefacts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploit Hardware Wallet to Steal Almost $30,000 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• RapperBot DDoS malware adds cryptojacking as new revenue stream (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Human Error Drives Most Cyber Incidents. Could AI Help? (hbr.org)

• Overlooking These 4 Critical Measures Expose Your Company to Cyber Attacks | Entrepreneur

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Banks warn of big increase in online scams - BBC News

• Fraud victims risk more than money - Help Net Security

• Five Things Scammers Are Hoping You Google (lifehacker.com)

• UK’s new fraud strategy too weak to tackle soaring crime, say experts | Financial Times (ft.com)

• The true numbers behind deepfake fraud - Help Net Security

• Your voice could be your biggest vulnerability - Help Net Security

• QR codes used in fake parking tickets, surveys to steal your money (bleepingcomputer.com)

Deepfakes

• The true numbers behind deepfake fraud - Help Net Security

• Your voice could be your biggest vulnerability - Help Net Security

Insurance

• Risk managers warn cyber insurance could become ‘unviable product’ | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Court Rules in Favour of Merck in $1.4 Billion Insurance Claim Over NotPetya Cyber attack - SecurityWeek

Dark Web

• How hackers are recruiting on the dark web (thetimes.co.uk)

• Google Broadens Dark Web Monitoring To Track All Gmail Users (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Security researcher finds trove of Capita data exposed online | TechCrunch

• Cyber hack to cost UK outsourcer Capita up to $25 mln | Reuters

• Leak of MSI UEFI signing keys stokes fears of “doomsday” supply chain attack | Ars Technica

Software Supply Chain

• The SBOM Bombshell - SecurityWeek

• 5 SBOM tools to start securing the software supply chain | TechTarget

Cloud/SaaS

• 56,000+ cloud-based apps at risk of malware exfiltration - Help Net Security

• How to reduce risk with cloud attack surface management | TechTarget

• ENISA leans into EU clouds with draft cyber security label • The Register

Hybrid/Remote Working

• 8 habits of highly-secure remote workers | ZDNET

Attack Surface Management

• How Attack Surface Management Supports Continuous Threat Exposure Management (thehackernews.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Top 3 trends shaping the future of cyber security and IAM - Help Net Security

• Review your on-prem ADCS infrastructure before attackers do it for you | CSO Online

• Why the FTX Collapse Was an Identity Problem (darkreading.com)

Asset Management

• CISOs confront mounting obstacles in tracking cyber assets - Help Net Security

• How Attack Surface Management Supports Continuous Threat Exposure Management (thehackernews.com)

Encryption

• Tor Project, LGBTQ groups and CDT sound alarm over efforts to weaken encryption | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Europe’s Moral Crusader Lays Down the Law on Encryption | WIRED

API

• Google Improves Android Security With New APIs - SecurityWeek

Open Source

• India bans open source messaging apps on security grounds • The Register

• Stealthier version of Linux BPFDoor malware spotted in the wild (bleepingcomputer.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• 83% of Americans’ Passwords Can Be Hacked in Less Than a Second, Study Shows (thedailybeast.com)

• Top 5 Password Cracking Techniques Used by Hackers (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• Twitter admits 'security incident' broke Circle privacy • The Register

• TikTok tracked UK journalist via her cat's account - BBC News

Parental Controls and Child Safety

• Scanning Plans On Europe's CSAM May Violate International Law (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• EU's Client-Side Scanning Plans Could be Unlawful - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• UK’s new fraud strategy too weak to tackle soaring crime, say experts | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Tor Project, LGBTQ groups and CDT sound alarm over efforts to weaken encryption | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• AI needs superintelligent regulation | Financial Times

• EU parliament report calls for tighter regulation of spyware | Surveillance | The Guardian

• India bans open source messaging apps on security grounds • The Register

• PEGA committee calls for EU level regulation of spyware • The Register

• EU's Client-Side Scanning Plans Could be Unlawful - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ENISA leans into EU clouds with draft cyber security label • The Register

• Europe’s Moral Crusader Lays Down the Law on Encryption | WIRED

• Scanning Plans On Europe's CSAM May Violate International Law (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Risk managers warn cyber insurance could become ‘unviable product’ | Financial Times (ft.com)

• 79% of Cyber Pros Make Decisions Without Threat Intelligence (securityintelligence.com)

• Company executives can't afford to ignore cyber security anymore - Help Net Security

• Majority of US, UK CISOs unable to protect company 'secrets': Report | CSO Online

• Small- and medium-sized businesses: don’t give up on cyber security | CSO Online

• CISOs Worried About Personal Liability For Breaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Global Research From Delinea Reveals That 61% of IT Security Decision Makers Think Leadership Overlooks the Role of Cyber security in Business Success (darkreading.com)

• 5 Types of Cyber Crime Groups (trendmicro.com)

• (ISC)² Calls for Global Cyber security Standards, Collaboration, Frameworks - MSSP Alert

• Organisations Reliant on Social Media For Threat Intelligence - TechRound

• Recognizing Cyberthreat Trends For Effective Defence (forbes.com)

• Digital trust can make or break an organisation - Help Net Security

• ISACA: Companies Still Face Many Barriers to Achieving Digital Trust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Why more transparency around cyber attacks is good for everyone - NCSC

• CISOs face mounting pressures, expectations post-pandemic | TechTarget

• CISOs' confidence in post-pandemic security landscape fades - Help Net Security

• This New Era of Security Requires Secure Networking, Vendor Consolidation, and Focus on OT - SecurityWeek

• Overlooking These 4 Critical Measures Expose Your Company to Cyber Attacks | Entrepreneur

• Key Trends and Insights from RSAC 2023 (trendmicro.com)

• NCSC and ICO Dispel Incident Reporting Myths - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• (ISC)² Calls for Global Cyber security Standards, Collaboration, Frameworks - MSSP Alert

• ENISA leans into EU clouds with draft cyber security label • The Register

Data Protection

• The (Security) Cost of Too Much Data Privacy (darkreading.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• CISOs Worried About Personal Liability For Breaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 7 ways to mitigate CISO liability and risk | TechTarget

• Google Launches New Cyber security Analyst Training Program - SecurityWeek

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Cyber Patrols Lead to Seizure of Stolen Artefacts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• FBI seizes 13 more domains linked to DDoS-for-hire services (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Briton pleads guilty to hacking stars' Twitter accounts to steal Bitcoin | Science & Tech News | Sky News

• Phishing Ring Bust, Spanish Police Have Arrested 40 People (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• UK cops score another legal win in EncroChat spying case • The Register

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• The (Security) Cost of Too Much Data Privacy (darkreading.com)

• Twitter admits 'security incident' broke Circle privacy • The Register

• TikTok tracked UK journalist via her cat's account - BBC News

Artificial Intelligence

• AI has been dubbed a 'nuclear' threat to cyber security. But it can be also used for defence | Euronews

• Top US cyber official warns AI may be the 'most powerful weapon of our time' | CyberScoop

• ‘A race it might be impossible to stop’: how worried should we be about AI? | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

• OpenAI confirms ChatGPT data breach (cshub.com)

• AI needs superintelligent regulation | Financial Times

• Amazon Is Being Flooded With Books Entirely Written by AI (futurism.com)

• Your voice could be your biggest vulnerability - Help Net Security

• The security and privacy risks of large language models - Help Net Security

• Rethinking democracy for the age of AI | CyberScoop

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Killnet, a Pro-Russian Hacktivist Crew, Pivots to Cyber Mercenaries for Hire, Report Says - MSSP Alert

• NCSC and allies expose Snake malware threat - NCSC.GOV.UK

• It’s being called Russia's most sophisticated cyber espionage tool. What is Snake, and why is it so dangerous? (theconversation.com)

• EU parliament report calls for tighter regulation of spyware | Surveillance | The Guardian

• China targets foreign consulting companies in anti-spying raids | China | The Guardian

• Mobile hacking and spyware – understanding the risks - TechHQ

• New Android updates fix kernel bug exploited in spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CERT-UA Warns of SmokeLoader and RoarBAT Malware Attacks Against Ukraine (thehackernews.com)

• Five Takeaways From the Russian Cyber Attack on Viasat’s Satellites - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• GCHQ building under fire from senior Tory for using Chinese surveillance cameras - Gloucestershire Live

• PEGA committee calls for EU level regulation of spyware • The Register

• FBI-led Operation Medusa kills Russian FSB malware network • The Register

• How one of Vladimir Putin’s most prized hacking units got pwned by the FBI | Ars Technica

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Nation State Actors

• Killnet, a Pro-Russian Hacktivist Crew, Pivots to Cyber Mercenaries for Hire, Report Says - MSSP Alert

• NSA and Allies Uncover Russian Snake Malware Network in 50+ Countries - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Deterring China isn't all about submarines. Australia's 'cyber offence' might be its most potent weapon (theconversation.com)

• Microsoft warns Iran increasing its cyber-enabled influence operations | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• China labels USA ‘Empire of hacking’ citing old WikiLeaks • The Register

• CERT-UA Warns of SmokeLoader and RoarBAT Malware Attacks Against Ukraine (thehackernews.com)

• LinkedIn shuts service in China, lays off employees | Fortune

• Microsoft: Iranian hacking groups join Papercut attack spree (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FBI-led Operation Medusa kills Russian FSB malware network • The Register

• China targets foreign consulting companies in anti-spying raids | China | The Guardian

• Beijing raids consultancy firm Capvision, promises more • The Register

• Five Takeaways From the Russian Cyber Attack on Viasat’s Satellites - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• GCHQ building under fire from senior Tory for using Chinese surveillance cameras - Gloucestershire Live

• Dragon Breath APT Group Using Double-Clean-App Technique to Target Gambling Industry (thehackernews.com)

• SideWinder Strikes Victims in Pakistan, Turkey in Multiphase Polymorphic Attack (darkreading.com)

• ESET APT Activity Report Q4 2022­–Q1 2023 | WeLiveSecurity

• North Korean Hackers Stole 830K Data From Seoul's Top Hospital (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• People’s Republic of China State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Exploit Network Providers and Devices | CISA

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Vulnerability Management

• The Problem of Old Vulnerabilities — and What to Do About It (darkreading.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft's May Patch Tuesday Fixes 38 Flaws, Including Active Zero-Day Bug (thehackernews.com)

• Easily bypassed patch makes zero-click Outlook flaw exploitable again (CVE-2023-29324) - Help Net Security

• Microsoft warns of two bugs under active exploit • The Register

• Light May Patch Tuesday will weigh heavily on Windows admins | TechTarget

• New Vulnerability in Popular WordPress Plugin Exposes Over 2 Million Sites to Cyber attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Fortinet fixed two severe issues in FortiADC and FortiOS-Security Affairs

• Azure API Management flaws highlight server-side request forgery risks in API development | CSO Online

• New PaperCut RCE exploit created that bypasses existing detections (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft issues optional fix for Secure Boot zero-day used by malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Adobe Patches 14 Vulnerabilities in Substance 3D Painter - SecurityWeek

• Severe Ruckus RCE Flaws Utilized By Fresh DDoS Botnet Malware (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• CyberGhost VPN patches command injection vulnerability | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• A Linux NetFilter kernel flaw allows escalating privileges to 'root'-Security Affairs

• SAP Patches Critical Vulnerabilities With May 2023 Security Updates - SecurityWeek

• Fortinet warns of a spike of the activity linked to AndoryuBot botnet-Security Affairs

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Tools and Controls

• Risk managers warn cyber insurance could become ‘unviable product’ | Financial Times (ft.com)

• 79% of Cyber Pros Make Decisions Without Threat Intelligence (securityintelligence.com)

• Human Error Drives Most Cyber Incidents. Could AI Help? (hbr.org)

• AI has been dubbed a 'nuclear' threat to cyber security. But it can be also used for defence | Euronews

• Identifying Compromised Data Can Be a Logistical Nightmare (darkreading.com)

• Organisations Reliant on Social Media For Threat Intelligence - TechRound

• Recognizing Cyberthreat Trends For Effective Defence (forbes.com)

• Digital trust can make or break an organisation - Help Net Security

• ISACA: Companies Still Face Many Barriers to Achieving Digital Trust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Prevent attackers from using legitimate tools against you - Help Net Security

• Lack of Visibility: The Challenge of Protecting Websites from Third-Party Scripts (thehackernews.com)

• How to implement principle of least privilege in Azure AD | TechTarget

• How to start handling Azure network security | TechTarget

• What is Digital Forensics? Tools, Types, Phases & History (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Microsoft enforces number matching to fight MFA fatigue attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AI Will Take Many Cyber security Jobs, But It's Not a Complete Disaster | PCMag

• Google Broadens Dark Web Monitoring To Track All Gmail Users (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• 5 SBOM tools to start securing the software supply chain | TechTarget

• The Industrywide Consequences of Making Security Products Inaccessible (darkreading.com)

• Top 3 trends shaping the future of cyber security and IAM - Help Net Security

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• ESET APT Activity Report Q4 2022­–Q1 2023 | WeLiveSecurity

• Q1 Cofense Phishing Intelligence Report - Cofense

• 2023 AT&T Cyber security Insights Report: Edge Ecosystem (darkreading.com)

• 2023 Voice of the CISO | Proofpoint UK

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Other News

• The Team of Sleuths Quietly Hunting Cyber attack-for-Hire Services | WIRED

• Why Should You Take IT Security Seriously? - IT Security Guru

• To enable ethical hackers, a law reform is needed - Help Net Security

• How datacentre operators can fend off cyber attacks | Computer Weekly

• US Advances Cyber Defences Since Colonial Pipeline Attack But More Work Remains, CISA Director Says - MSSP Alert

• Evil digital twins and other risks: the use of twins opens up a host of new security concerns | CSO Online

• 'Windows for Gamers' Rolls Dice With Your Security (vice.com)

• Risk of cyber attack is main Eurovision worry, says BBC executive | Eurovision 2023 | The Guardian

• Evil digital twins and other risks: the use of twins opens up a host of new security concerns | CSO Online

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·       Automotive

·       Construction

·       Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·       Defence & Space

·       Education & Academia

·       Energy & Utilities

·       Estate Agencies

·       Financial Services

·       FinTech

·       Food & Agriculture

·       Gaming & Gambling

·       Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·       Health/Medical/Pharma

·       Hotels & Hospitality

·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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 ‘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 Advisory 10 May 2023 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe and SAP Updates

Executive summary

Microsoft’s May patch Tuesday addressed 38 security issues, including one actively exploited zero-day vulnerability used to escalate privileges. Adobe released updates to fix security issues across their products, including one actively exploited vulnerability impacting Acrobat and Reader. SAP have also issued fixes for a number of vulnerabilities within their product range.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s May Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 38 security issues across its product range, including three zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-29336, CVE-2923-24932 and CVE-2023-29325). One of the exploited zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-29336) is a privilege escalation vulnerability which has been added the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) “Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog”. 6 critical vulnerabilities were also patched through updates provided by Microsoft.

Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 43 vulnerabilities, of which 22 were rated critical. The 43 vulnerabilities impact Adobe Experience Manager(1), InDesign(3), Illustrator(5), InCopy(1), Genuine Service(1), Acrobat(14), Magneto(7), Creative Cloud Desktop Application(1), Media Encoder(1), After Effects(security bulletin not available), Medium(1), Animate(7). One vulnerability (CVE-2021-28550) has been recorded as actively exploited.

SAP

Enterprise software vendor SAP has addressed vulnerabilities in several of its products, including two critical-severity vulnerabilities that impact SAP 3D visual Enterprise License Manager and SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform. The updates included fixes for 18 vulnerabilities. Including remote execution and authentication bypass. A total of 2 vulnerabilities were given the “Hot News” priority, which is the highest priority according to SAP.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The actively exploited vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM privileges, remotely execute code and install bootkits. All of which could be used to compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information stored by an organisation.

What can I do?

Regarding Microsoft’s patch Tuesday, security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the zero day vulnerabilities and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating. For CVE-2023-2942, the patch is not enabled by default and as such must be applied. For CVE-2023-29325, Microsoft have recommended that if a patch is not applied, the vulnerability can be mitigated by users viewing emails in plain text format.

The exploited zero-day vulnerability impacting Adobe should be patched immediately. Updates should also be applied immediately for critical vulnerabilities impacting both Adobe and SAP products.

Technical Summary

CVE-2023-29336: The actively exploited vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM privileges, effectively providing them with unlimited permission.

CVE-2023-29432: This zero day vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access or administrative rights to install the Blacklotus UEFI bootkit. The UEFI is usually the first thing to run and the bootkit therefore is invisible to security software running on the impacted device.

CVE-2023-29325: this zero day vulnerability allows an attacker to perform remote code execution in Outlook, through specially crafted emails. These emails only need to be previewed for the exploit to work.

CVE-2021-28550: This is a remote code execution vulnerability impacting Adobe Acrobat and Reader which would allow the attacker to perform commands with the same permissions as the victim would.    

Further details on other specific updates within Microsoft’s patch Tuesday can be found here: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/09/microsoft-patches-several-critical-security-issues-on-the-may-2023-windows-patch-day/

Further details about CVE-2023-29336 can be found here: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2023-29336   

Further details about CVE-2023-24932 can be found here: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2023-24932    

Further details about 2023-29325 can be found here: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2023-29325    

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Experience Manager can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/experience-manager/apsb21-15.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe InDesign can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb21-22.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Illustrator can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb21-24.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe InCopy can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/incopy/apsb21-25.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Acrobat and Reader can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Magento can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/magento/apsb21-30.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-31.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Media Encoder can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/media-encoder/apsb21-32.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Medium can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/medium/apsb21-34.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Animate can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/animate/apsb21-35.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed by SAP can be found here: https://www.sap.com/documents/2022/02/fa865ea4-167e-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html

Need help understanding your gaps, or just want some advice? Get in touch with us.

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 14 April 2023

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

• Almost Half of Former Employees Say Their Passwords Still Work

An alarming number of organisations are not properly offboarding employees when they leave, especially in regard to passwords. In a new survey of 1,000 workers who had access to company passwords at their previous jobs, 47% admitted to using them after leaving the company.

According to the survey one in three respondents said they had been using the passwords for upwards of two years, which is a distressingly long time for organisations not to be aware of who is accessing those accounts and services.

When asked what they use the passwords for, 64% said to access their former email accounts and 44% to access company data. A concerning 10% of respondents said they were trying to disrupt company activities.

https://www.darkreading.com/edge-threat-monitor/almost-half-of-former-employees-say-their-passwords-still-work

• Efficient Risk Based Patch Management Means Eliminating Just 2% of Exposures Could Protect 90% of Critical Assets

A recent cyber security report analysed over 60 million security exposures, or weaknesses that could give an attacker access to systems. The report found that only 2% enabled attackers access to critical assets, while 75% of exposures along attack paths lead to “dead ends”. Further, the report shows that average organisations have 11,000 exploitable security exposures monthly, with techniques targeting credentials and permissions affecting 82% of organisations and exploits accounting for over 70% of all identified security exposures.

The report found that most security alerts were benign and did not lead to critical assets. By applying efficient risk based patch management and reducing unnecessary access to critical assets, organisations can mitigate a significant amount of risk. This isn’t a simple task however, for an organisation to be able to employ efficient risk based patch management it must have a sufficient level of cyber maturity and internal vulnerability scanning accompanied by a dynamic threat intelligence component.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/eliminating-2-exposures-protect-90/

• Printers Pose Persistent Yet Overlooked Threat

A rash of printer-related vulnerabilities in 2023 have punctuated security expert warnings that printers continue to be a significant vulnerability within companies — especially as remote workers require printing resources or access to corporate printers. So far in 2023, Lexmark advised that a publicly available remote exploit had already targeted a code execution flaw in its printers, HP warned of a vulnerable firmware version on some of its enterprise printers, and Microsoft fixed three remote code execution vulnerabilities in its printer drivers.

Printers remain a likely soft spot in most companies’ attack surface area, particularly because they are not always part of a company’s asset management process and are often left out of security assessments and risk registers. Many organisations don’t know where their printers are, their security status, configuration, monitoring or logging activity. Research has shown that 67% of companies are worried about the risk home printers may pose and only 26% of information technology and cyber security professionals are confident in their organisation’s printing infrastructure security.

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/printers-pose-persistent-yet-overlooked-threat

• Employees Are as Likely as Cyber Criminals to Cause Cyber Incidents

Employees and cyber criminals cause similar numbers of data leakages. Kaspersky’s 2022 IT Security Economics survey found cyber-attacks caused 23% of data leakages, while employees caused a similar proportion, at 22%. The rise in employees causing leakages may be linked with more remote working since the pandemic, with new staff laptops, tablets, and virtual private networks (VPNs) featuring among the extra endpoints and systems needing security. Although innocent mistakes or ignoring cyber-security policy were behind most leakages, security managers reported 36% of employee-triggered leakages were deliberate acts of sabotage or espionage. The high number of cyber-incidents stemming from employee action shows all organisations need thorough cyber-security awareness training to teach all staff how to avoid common security mistakes.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/business-reporter/employees-cyber-criminals-cyber-incidents-b2314225.html

• Over 90% of Organisations Find Threat Hunting a Challenge

Executing essential cyber security operations tasks during the threat hunting process is an increasingly challenging proposition to the vast majority of organisations, with 93% of those polled for a Sophos report saying they find basic security operations a chore.

In the report, “The state of cybersecurity 2023: The business impact of adversaries on defenders”, Sophos said these findings were likely the result of the ongoing cyber security skills shortage, which is creating a domino effect in security operations: a lack of skilled personnel makes investigating alerts take longer, which reduces the security team’s capacity and increases the organisation’s exposure to higher levels of risk.

Organisations that suffer the most are those with revenues of less than $10m (£8m), which are more likely to lack the necessary skillsets, followed by organisations with revenues of more than $5bn, where organisational and system complexity likely play a more prominent role.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/365534612/Over-90-of-organisations-find-threat-hunting-a-challenge

• 75% of Organisations Have Suffered a Cyber Security Breach

Most organisations need stronger security controls to stop cyber security breaches and cyber attacks, according to “The Data Dilemma: Cloud Adoption and Risk Report” from security service edge (SSE) company Skyhigh Security. Key takeaways from the report include:

• 97% of organisations indicated they are experiencing private cloud problems.

• 75% have experienced a cyber security breach, threat and/or theft of data.

• 75% said shadow IT “impairs their ability to keep data secure.”

• 60% allow employees to download sensitive data to their personal devices.

• 52% noted their employees are using SaaS services that are commissioned by departments outside of IT and without direct involvement of their IT department.

• 37% said they do not trust the public cloud to secure their sensitive data.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/skyhigh-security-report-75-of-organizations-have-suffered-a-cybersecurity-breach/

• Leak Shows Evolving Russian Cyber War Capabilities

The leak of thousands of pages of secret documentation related to the development of Moscow’s cyber and information operations capabilities paint a picture of a government obsessed with social control and committed to scaling their capacity for non-kinetic interference.

The leaked documents detail methods and training simulations intended to prepare an operator workforce for offensive operations against critical infrastructure targets. Tools revealed by these recent leaks suggest a desire and an ability to extensively map foreign vulnerabilities and make the job of Russia’s cyber conflict operators as accessible and scalable as possible.

This leak reinforces the significant concern regarding the threat posed by Russian cyber forces to firms across the globe.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3692821/ntc-vulkan-leak-shows-evolving-russian-cyberwar-capabilities.html#tk.rss_news

• Outsourced Payroll and HR Services Firm Forced to Shut Down After Cyber Attack

Belgian headquartered HR and payroll giant SD Worx has suffered a cyber attack causing them to shut down all IT systems for their UK and Ireland services. While the login portals for other European countries are working correctly, the company's UK customer portal was not accessible. As a full-service human resources and payroll company, SD Worx manages a large amount of sensitive data for their client's employees.

According to the company's general conditions agreement, this data may include tax information, government ID numbers, addresses, full names, birth dates, phone numbers, bank account numbers, employee evaluations, and more.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/sd-worx-shuts-down-uk-payroll-hr-services-after-cyberattack/

• When a Cyber Criminal Steals Personal Data from Your Organisation What Do You Do and Who Do You Need to Inform?

If that happens it might be time for your management to clear their desks. The prospect of financial penalties and reputational damage is very real. You need to know your obligations — for instance, reporting the breach to applicable authorities and regulators within strict timeframes — understand the breach, and prioritise. Then you communicate and remedy. If you haven’t planned well, it’s going to be tough.

You need to understand the data breach. Who is affected — is it staff or customer data? What exactly have the cyber criminals accessed? Consider the type of information: salary details and passport copies, or customer payment information.

If personal data has been lost or compromised, you will likely have an obligation under data protection regulations to report the breach to your applicable data protection authority within 72 hours, and if you are a regulated business there will likely be similar requirements to report to your regulator within a similar timeframe. Knowing your obligations — ideally before any hack takes place — will guide how well you respond.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-should-i-inform-after-a-data-hack-dcrzvgp2x

• Insider Threat and Ransomware: A Growing Issue

Ransomware is a growing epidemic. 2022 saw a slew of high-profile attacks leading to massive paydays for cyber criminals. Cyber criminals work just as hard to conceal their identities and location as they do to exploit weaknesses and capture valuable data to hold hostage. Organisations not only stand to lose money in this scenario, but the damage to their reputation and trustworthiness in the market can be challenging to recover from. Customers place high trust in the safety of their personal information, and it’s the company they hold accountable – not the thieves – if it slips into the wrong hands.

Even if you have good technical controls, the low-hanging fruit is capitalising on the human element and gaining entrance through a person within your organisation. Insider threats come in all shapes and sizes and roles, including employees, executives, former employees, board members, contractors, and service providers. Insider threats, by their very nature, pose a unique challenge for organisations.

https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/insider-threat-and-ransomware-a-growing-issue/

• How LockBit Changed Cyber Security Forever

LockBit are one of the most prolific ransomware gangs globally, accounting for almost half of ransomware attacks in 2022. They not only maintain a high profile, but they’ve also turned ransom monetisation upside down. Thanks to their innovative approach, the group has claimed 44% of total ransomware attacks launched in 2022. LockBit made history by launching the industry’s first bug bounty program initiated by a ransomware group. The operation invites security experts to uncover vulnerabilities and report them for rewards ranging from $1,000 to a staggering $1 million. This has since been expanded and now offers bounties for creative ways to enhance ransomware operations.

https://securityintelligence.com/articles/how-lockbit-changed-cybersecurity/

• Hybrid Work Environments Are Stressing CISOs

The impact of the hybrid workforce on security posture, as well as the risks introduced by this way of working, are posing concerns for CISOs and driving them to develop new strategies for hybrid work security, according to a new report.

Among the report’s most critical findings is the revelation that browsing-based threats ranked as CISOs’ number one concern, regardless of whether their organisation was operating primarily in an in-office, hybrid, or remote setting.

And as for the risks posed by hybrid and remote workers specifically, insecure browsing also topped the list of CISOs’ concerns.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/04/12/hybrid-work-environments-stressing-cisos/

• Protect Your Data with a USB Condom

USB isn't just a charging protocol, it also allows data to flow back and forth, and while most of the time this data flow is safe, it is possible to create a malicious charging port that can do bad things, such as plant malware on your device or steal your data. Equally, an employee plugging their personal phone into a corporate USB port may present a danger to the corporate network through the phone. A USB condom is a small dongle that adds a layer of protection between your device and the charging point you're attaching it to by blocking the data being transferred through the port. If you must use a charger, cable, or charging port that isn't under your control, it makes sense to use a USB condom.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/protect-your-data-with-a-usb-condom/

• Strategising Cyber Security: Why a Risk-based Approach is Key

By 2027, cyber crime could cost the global economy nearly $24 trillion. Businesses often find themselves at the sharp end of this challenge, and, as such, cyber security is a critical aspect of the modern business landscape. Cyber threats are multiplying and pose serious financial, legal and reputational challenges to organisations.

Modern and effective cyber security management entails more than managing technology risk; it encompasses managing business risk. Organisations must recognise cyber security as a strategic imperative integrated into their overall risk management framework — and this starts at the board level.  In some cases, board members may find it beneficial to seek help in assessing appropriate levels of control.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/strategizing-cybersecurity-why-a-risk-based-approach-is-key/

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Microsoft Issues Patches for 97 Flaws, Including Active Ransomware Exploit (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft patches vulnerability used in Nokoyawa ransomware attacks | CSO Online

• How LockBit Changed Cyber security Forever (securityintelligence.com)

• Iran-Based Hackers Caught Carrying Out Destructive Attacks Under Ransomware Guise (thehackernews.com)

• Insider Threat And Ransomware: A Growing Issue (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Rorschach ransomware deployed by misusing a security tool - Help Net Security

• Medusa ransomware claims attack on Open University of Cyprus (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyble — New Cylance Ransomware with Power-Packed CommandLine Options

• Taiwanese PC Company MSI Falls Victim to Ransomware Attack (thehackernews.com)

• KFC, Pizza Hut owner discloses data breach after ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 7 Things Your Ransomware Response Playbook Is Likely Missing (darkreading.com)

• Cyber crime group exploits Windows zero-day in ransomware attacks-Security Affairs

• Windows zero-day vulnerability exploited in ransomware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware gangs increasingly deploy zero-days to maximize attacks | CyberScoop

• Latitude Financial Refuses to Pay Ransom - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Superyacht-Maker Hit by Easter Ransomware Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Microsoft: Phishing attack targets accountants as Tax Day approaches (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Researchers Uncover Thriving Phishing Kit Market on Telegram Channels (thehackernews.com)

• Phishing Campaign Targeting YouTube Content Creators, Malware Hitting Charging Stations - MSSP Alert

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• 'BEC 3.0' Is Here with Tax-Season QuickBooks Cyber attacks (darkreading.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Simple psychology is the most dangerous form of cyber attack (thetimes.co.uk)

2FA/MFA

• Comparing enabled and enforced MFA in Microsoft 365 | TechTarget

• Rilide browser extension steals MFA codes - Help Net Security

Malware

• New Mirai Variant Employs Uncommon Tactics to Distribute Malware (darkreading.com)

• Typhon Reborn Stealer Malware Resurfaces with Advanced Evasion Techniques (thehackernews.com)

• BlackGuard Stealer Extends its Capabilities in New Variant - MSSP Alert

• Check Point Software Technologies: Qbot Top Malware in March 2023 - MSSP Alert

• Cryptocurrency Stealer Malware Distributed via 13 NuGet Packages (thehackernews.com)

• DEV-0196: QuaDream’s “KingsPawn” malware used to target civil society in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia - Microsoft Security Blog

• Attackers Hide RedLine Stealer Behind ChatGPT, Google Bard Facebook Ads (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft shares guidance to detect BlackLotus UEFI bootkit attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Researchers Uncover 7000 Malicious Open Source Packages - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft, Fortra Gains Legal Rights Against Cobalt Strike Abuse (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Emotet Climbs March 2023's Most Wanted Malware List With OneNote Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Legion Malware Marches onto Web Servers to Steal Credentials, Spam Mobile Users (darkreading.com)

• WhatsApp boosts defence against account takeover via malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Mobile

• Protect your data with a USB condom | ZDNET

• FBI warns about dangers of public USB charging ports | Popular Science (popsci.com)

• Researchers Uncover Thriving Phishing Kit Market on Telegram Channels (thehackernews.com)

• Android phones vulnerable to remote hacking — update right now | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Burglars tunnel through Apple Store’s neighbour, allegedly steal $500K in iPhones | Ars Technica

• 5G connections set to rise past 5.9 billion by 2027 - Help Net Security

• Cyber criminals To Add Android Malware On Google Play Up To $20,000 (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Cyber criminals Turn to Android Loaders on Dark Web to Evade Google Play Security (thehackernews.com)

• Israel-based Spyware Firm QuaDream Targets High-Risk iPhones with Zero-Click Exploit (thehackernews.com)

• WhatsApp boosts defence against account takeover via malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Hackers Flood NPM with Bogus Packages Causing a DoS Attack (thehackernews.com)

• DDoS attacks shifting to VPS infrastructure for increased power (bleepingcomputer.com)

• DDoS threat report for 2023 Q1 (cloudflare.com)

• DDoS alert traffic reaches record-breaking level of 436 petabits in one day - Help Net Security

• DDoS attacks rise as pro-Russia groups attack Finland, Israel (techrepublic.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Printers Pose Persistent Yet Overlooked Threat (darkreading.com)

• There’s a new form of keyless car theft that works in under 2 minutes | Ars Technica

• Special Report: Tesla workers shared sensitive images recorded by customer cars | Reuters

• Default static key in ThingsBoard IoT platform can give attackers admin access | CSO Online

• 5G connections set to rise past 5.9 billion by 2027 - Help Net Security

• New Ultrasonic Acoustic Attack Targeting Microphones and Voice Assistants Gives Remote Access to Most Smart Devices - The Debrief

• Zigbee PRO 2023 introduces new security mechanisms, feature enhancements - Help Net Security

• Critical Vulnerability in Hikvision Storage Solutions Exposes Video Security Data - SecurityWeek

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Samsung employees unwittingly leaked company secret data by using ChatGPT-Security Affairs

• Cloud accounting firm in a pickle after researchers find admin login data | TechRadar

• Service NSW breach exposes personal data affecting thousands of customers | 7NEWS

• Leaked n documents provide rare window into depth of US intelligence on allies and foes | CNN Politics

• Military Intel Leak Investigated By US Officials (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Hyundai data breach exposes owner details in France and Italy (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Over 20,000 Iowa Medicaid Members Affected By Data Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Criminal businesses adopt corporate behaviour as they grow - Help Net Security

• Seized Genesis malware market's infostealers infected 1.5 million computers | CSO Online

• Breached shutdown sparks migration to ARES data leak forums (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FBI: Crooks posing as PRC agents prey on Chinese in the US • The Register

• 5 Types of Cyber Crime Groups (trendmicro.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Sentiment DeFi Hacker Makes Amends by Returning 90% of Funds (beincrypto.com)

• Cryptocurrency Stealer Malware Distributed via 13 NuGet Packages (thehackernews.com)

• EU-Funded Report Calls for Crypto ID Checks, Police Training to Combat Darknet Markets (coindesk.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Employees are as likely as cyber-criminals to cause cyber-incidents | The Independent

• Cyber criminals use simple trick to obtain personal data - Help Net Security

• Nearly Half of Workers Pilfer Former Employers’ Passwords to Access Accounts, Study Says - MSSP Alert

• Insider Threat And Ransomware: A Growing Issue (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Building a human firewall to block cyber attacks | McKinsey

• How to Combat Insider Threats-Security Affairs

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• FBI warns of companies exploiting sextortion victims for profit (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cambodia deports 19 Japanese cyber crime scam suspects | News | Al Jazeera

• ‘Overemployed’ Hustlers Exploit ChatGPT To Take On Even More Full-Time Jobs (vice.com)

• When Banking Laws Don't Protect Consumers From Cybertheft (darkreading.com)

• AI clones child’s voice in fake kidnapping scam | The Independent

• Five arrested after 33,000 victims lose $98M to online investment fraud (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Stolen Card Numbers Plummet 94% Globally - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• 3CX confirms North Korean hackers behind supply chain attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Capita: IT outsourcer reels from being locked out of its own IT (thetimes.co.uk)

Cloud/SaaS

• Western Digital struggles to fix massive My Cloud outage, offers workaround (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Nation-state actors are taking advantage of weak passwords to go after cloud customers, Google says | CyberScoop

• Microsoft Azure Users Warned of Potential Shared Key Authorization Abuse - SecurityWeek

• How and Why to Put Multicloud to Work (darkreading.com)

• Iranian APT group launches destructive attacks in hybrid Azure AD environments | CSO Online

• Cloud accounting firm in a pickle after researchers find admin login data | TechRadar

• Securing the Chaos – Harnessing Dispersed Multi-Cloud, Hybrid Environments - SecurityWeek

Hybrid/Remote Working

• 4 ways to secure your remote work setup | ZDNET

• Hybrid work environments are stressing CISOs - Help Net Security

• ‘Overemployed’ Hustlers Exploit ChatGPT To Take On Even More Full-Time Jobs (vice.com)

Attack Surface Management

• How to Secure Web Applications in a Growing Digital Attack Surface (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The new weakest link in the cyber security chain - Help Net Security

Shadow IT

• How to use a CASB to manage shadow IT | TechTarget

Identity and Access Management

• Identity Management Day: 3 Things MSSPs Need to Know - MSSP Alert

• Centralized vs. decentralized identity management explained | TechTarget

• The Service Accounts Challenge: Can't See or Secure Them Until It's Too Late (thehackernews.com)

Encryption

• The UK government has sparked an encryption row over powers it might never use | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Why the US Needs Quantum-Safe Cryptography Deployed Now (darkreading.com)

API

• How to fix the top 5 API vulnerabilities | TechTarget

• Google launches dependency API and curated package repository with security metadata | CSO Online

• Why Shadow APIs are More Dangerous than You Think (thehackernews.com)

Open Source

• Researchers Uncover 7000 Malicious Open Source Packages - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Almost Half of Former Employees Say Their Passwords Still Work (darkreading.com)

• LastPass Breach Reveals Important Lessons (darkreading.com)

• Why it's time to move towards a passwordless future - Help Net Security

• AI can crack most password in less than a minute | TechRadar

• How an AI tool could crack your passwords in seconds | ZDNET

• Meet PassGAN, the supposedly “terrifying” AI password cracker that’s mostly hype | Ars Technica

Social Media

• Tech layoffs raise new alarms about how platforms protect users | CNN Business

Malvertising

• Attackers Hide RedLine Stealer Behind ChatGPT, Google Bard Facebook Ads (darkreading.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• How to transform cyber security learning and make content more engaging - Help Net Security

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Lagging regulations frustrate protecting data from cyber attacks (themandarin.com.au)

• The UK government has sparked an encryption row over powers it might never use | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Battle could be brewing over new FCC data breach reporting rules | CSO Online

• When Banking Laws Don't Protect Consumers From Cyber Theft (darkreading.com)

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Employees are as likely as cyber-criminals to cause cyber-incidents | The Independent

• Skyhigh Security Report: 75% of Organizations Have Suffered a Cyber security Breach - MSSP Alert

• Strategising cyber security: Why a risk-based approach is key | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Who should I inform after a data hack? (thetimes.co.uk)

• Two-Fifths of IT Pros Told to Keep Breaches Quiet - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Outcome-based cyber security paves way for organizational goals - Help Net Security

• Why reporting an incident only makes the cyber security community stronger | CSO Online

• 6 common challenges facing cyber security teams and how to overcome them | TechCrunch

• Top 10 Cyber security Trends for 2023: From Zero Trust to Cyber Insurance (thehackernews.com)

• Most Security Exposures Do Not Put Organizations' Critical Assets At Risk, Study Shows - MSSP Alert

• Threat hunting programs can save organizations from costly security breaches - Help Net Security

• LastPass Breach Reveals Important Lessons (darkreading.com)

• Gartner: Human-Centric Design Is Top Cyber Security Trend for 2023 (darkreading.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Seized Genesis malware market's infostealers infected 1.5 million computers | CSO Online

• Spanish cops arrest teenage 'Robin Hood hacker' • The Register

• Australia Is Scouring the Earth for Cyber criminals — the US Should Too (darkreading.com)

• Cambodia deports 19 Japanese cyber crime scam suspects | News | Al Jazeera

• Dutch Police mails RaidForums members to warn they’re being watched (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Five arrested after 33,000 victims lose $98M to online investment fraud (bleepingcomputer.com)

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Tesla Sued Over Workers' Alleged Access to Car Video Imagery - SecurityWeek

• Consumers take data control into their own hands amid rising privacy concerns - Help Net Security

Artificial Intelligence

• 5 ChatGPT security risks in the enterprise | TechTarget

• Samsung employees unwittingly leaked company secret data by using ChatGPT - Security Affairs

• Cyber crime: be careful what you tell your chatbot helper… | Chatbots | The Guardian

• US cyber chiefs warn of threats from China and AI • The Register

• When you're talking to a chatbot, who's listening? | CNN Business

• Bad Actors Will Use Large Language Models — but Defenders Can, Too (darkreading.com)

• Fight AI With AI (darkreading.com)

• American investors shouldn’t be ‘arming the enemy’ by helping China create its own version of OpenAI, warns top VC Keith Rabois (yahoo.com)

• GPT-4 tried to escape into the internet today and it ‘almost worked’ | by Cezary Gesikowski | Mar, 2023 | Bootcamp (uxdesign.cc)

• It sounds like science fiction but it’s not: AI can financially destroy your business | Gene Marks | The Guardian

• AI can crack most password in less than a minute | TechRadar

• ‘Overemployed’ Hustlers Exploit ChatGPT To Take On Even More Full-Time Jobs (vice.com)

• AI clones child’s voice in fake kidnapping scam | The Independent

• European privacy watchdog creates ChatGPT task force | Reuters

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Russian hackers linked to widespread attacks targeting NATO and EU (bleepingcomputer.com)

• NTC Vulkan leak shows evolving Russian cyberwar capabilities | CSO Online

• What we know about Russian hackers — and how to stop them — after a year of cyberwar in Ukraine | CyberScoop

• The Discord servers at the center of a massive US intelligence leak | CyberScoop

• Cisco trashed offices and destroyed spares as it quit Russia • The Register

• Another zero-click Apple spyware biz shows up in town again • The Register

• Ukrainian hackers spend $25,000 of pro-Russian blogger's money on sex toys (bitdefender.com)

• DDoS attacks rise as pro-Russia groups attack Finland, Israel (techrepublic.com)

• Russian Hacker Group Zarya Hit Canadian Pipeline—Leaked Docs (gizmodo.com)

• Experts warn of new spyware threat targeting journalists and political figures | Hacking | The Guardian

• Russia's Joker DPR Claims Access to Ukraine Troop Movement Data (darkreading.com)

• Spyware Offered to Cyber attackers via PyPI Python Repository (darkreading.com)

• Russian hackers ‘target security cameras inside Ukraine coffee shops’ | Ukraine | The Guardian

• Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure cause internet outages, cutting off a valuable wartime tool | CyberScoop

• Israel-based Spyware Firm QuaDream Targets High-Risk iPhones with Zero-Click Exploit (thehackernews.com)

Nation State Actors

• Russia-linked APT29 is behind recent attacks targeting NATO and EU-Security Affairs

• North Korean Hackers Uncovered as Mastermind in 3CX Supply Chain Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Nation-state actors are taking advantage of weak passwords to go after cloud customers, Google says | CyberScoop

• Iran-Based Hackers Caught Carrying Out Destructive Attacks Under Ransomware Guise (thehackernews.com)

• US cyber chiefs warn of threats from China and AI • The Register

• Ukrainian hackers spend $25,000 of pro-Russian blogger's money on sex toys (bitdefender.com)

• American investors shouldn’t be ‘arming the enemy’ by helping China create its own version of OpenAI, warns top VC Keith Rabois (yahoo.com)

• Google is on a crusade against cyber security threats from North Korea | TechRadar

• Russian Hacker Group Zarya Hit Canadian Pipeline—Leaked Docs (gizmodo.com)

• Iranian APT group launches destructive attacks in hybrid Azure AD environments | CSO Online

• Leaked US. assessment includes warning about Russian hackers accessing sensitive infrastructure (nbcnews.com)

• FBI: Crooks posing as PRC agents prey on Chinese in the US • The Register

• Lazarus Group's DeathNote Campaign Reveals Shift in Targets - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Eliminating 2% of Exposures Could Protect 90% of Critical Assets - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Most Security Exposures Do Not Put Organizations' Critical Assets At Risk, Study Shows - MSSP Alert

• Ransomware gangs increasingly deploy zero-days to maximize attacks | CyberScoop

• Google Launches New Cyber security Initiatives to Strengthen Vulnerability Management (thehackernews.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Issues Patches for 97 Flaws, Including Active Ransomware Exploit (thehackernews.com)

• Windows admins warned to patch critical MSMQ QueueJumper bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Nokoyawa ransomware attacks with Windows zero-day | Securelist

• Thousands at risk from critical RCE bug in legacy MS service | Computer Weekly

• Apple issues emergency patches for spyware-style 0-day exploits – update now! – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• 1M+ WordPress Sites Hacked via Zero-Day Plug-in Bugs (darkreading.com)

• Sophos Patches Critical Code Execution Vulnerability in Web Security Appliance - SecurityWeek

• Cisco Patches Code and Command Execution Vulnerabilities in Several Products - SecurityWeek

• CISA orders agencies to patch Backup Exec bugs used by ransomware gang (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA

• Data-leak flaw in Qualcomm, HiSilicon-based Wi-Fi AP chips • The Register

• Twitter 'Shadow Ban' Bug Gets Official CVE (darkreading.com)

• Exploit available for critical bug in VM2 JavaScript sandbox library (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft finally gets around to fixing half-decade-old Firefox CPU bug | TechRadar

• SAP releases security updates for two critical-severity flaws (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Adobe Plugs Gaping Security Holes in Reader, Acrobat - SecurityWeek

• Limit Login Attempts Plugin Patches Severe Unauthenticated Stored XSS Vulnerability – WP Tavern

• Fortinet Patches Critical Vulnerability in Data Analytics Solution - SecurityWeek

• How Microsoft’s Shared Key authorization can be abused and how to fix it | CSO Online

• Microsoft shares fix for Outlook issue blocking access to emails (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical Vulnerability in Hikvision Storage Solutions Exposes Video Security Data - SecurityWeek

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Tools and Controls

• Threat hunting programs can save organizations from costly security breaches - Help Net Security

• Stopping criminals from abusing security tools - Microsoft On the Issues

• Most Security Exposures Do Not Put Organizations' Critical Assets At Risk, Study Shows - MSSP Alert

• LastPass Breach Reveals Important Lessons (darkreading.com)

• The Pope's Security Gets a Boost With Vatican's MDM Move (darkreading.com)

• Bad Actors Will Use Large Language Models — but Defenders Can, Too (darkreading.com)

• Fight AI With AI (darkreading.com)

• Cyber crime: be careful what you tell your chatbot helper… | Chatbots | The Guardian

• Detailed Analysis Of The Best Password Managers In 2023 (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• How CIEM Can Improve Identity, Permissions Management for Multicloud Deployments (darkreading.com)

• SD-WAN vs. VPN: How do they compare? | TechTarget

• Centralized vs. decentralized identity management explained | TechTarget

• The Service Accounts Challenge: Can't See or Secure Them Until It's Too Late (thehackernews.com)

• What is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)? (techtarget.com)

• Securing the Chaos – Harnessing Dispersed Multi-Cloud, Hybrid Environments - SecurityWeek

• How to Secure Web Applications in a Growing Digital Attack Surface (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 4 strategies to help reduce the risk of DNS tunnelling | CSO Online

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• DDoS threat report for 2023 Q1 (cloudflare.com)

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Other News

• MSI Confirms Cyber Attack, Issues Firmware Download Guidance - SecurityWeek

• Guidance for investigating attacks using CVE-2022-21894: The BlackLotus campaign - Microsoft Security Blog

• 1M+ WordPress Sites Hacked via Zero-Day Plug-in Bugs (darkreading.com)

• Western Digital restores service; attack details remain unclear | TechTarget

• 5 tips for tackling technical debt | CIO

• The Internet Reform Trilemma (darkreading.com)

• Rapid7 Has Good News for UK Security Posture - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

Contact us to receive tailored reports specific to the industry/sector and geographies you operate in.

·       Automotive

·       Construction

·       Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·       Defence & Space

·       Education & Academia

·       Energy & Utilities

·       Estate Agencies

·       Financial Services

·       FinTech

·       Food & Agriculture

·       Gaming & Gambling

·       Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·       Health/Medical/Pharma

·       Hotels & Hospitality

·       Insurance

·       Legal

·       Manufacturing

·       Maritime

·       Oil, Gas & Mining

·       OT, ICS, IIoT, SCADA & Cyber-Physical Systems

·       Retail & eCommerce

·       Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·       Startups

·       Telecoms

·       Third Sector & Charities

·       Transport & Aviation

·       Web3

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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.

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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 Advisory 12 April 2023 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe and SAP Updates Summary

Executive Summary

Microsoft’s April patch Tuesday addressed 97 security issues including one actively exploited zero-day actively being used to launch ransomware attacks. Adobe released updates to fix security issues across a range of their products including Acrobat and Adobe Reader. SAP have also this week issued fixes for a number of their products including BusinessObjects.

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 Microsoft

Microsoft’s April Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 97 security issues across its product range, including one actively exploited zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2023-28252) being used to launch ransomware attacks. The exploited zero-day vulnerability is a privilege escalation vulnerability which has been added the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) “Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog”. 7 critical vulnerabilities were also patched through updates provided by Microsoft.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The actively exploited vulnerability could allow an attacker with access, to gain SYSTEM privileges and further compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored by an organisation.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerability and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating.

Technical Summary

CVE-2023-28252: The actively exploited vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain SYSTEM privileges, effectively providing the attacker with the highest permissions of access to a system. The vulnerability is a post exploitation vulnerability which an attacker can exploit once they have gained access to a vulnerable target.

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 Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 56 vulnerabilities, of which 49 were rated critical across Adobe Acrobat and Reader (14), InCopy (1), Substance 3D Designer (9), Substance 3D Stager (10), Digital Editions (1) and Dimension (14). At current, Adobe is not aware of any of these vulnerabilities being actively exploited. The vulnerabilities include remote code execution, memory leak, privilege escalation and security bypass.

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SAP

Enterprise software vendor SAP has addressed vulnerabilities in several of its products, including two critical-severity vulnerabilities that impact SAP Diagnostic Agent and SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform. The updates included fixes for 19 vulnerabilities. Including remote execution and authentication bypass. A total of 5 vulnerabilities were given the “Hot News” priority, which is the highest priority according to SAP.

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Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/04/11/microsoft-windows-security-updates-april-2023-what-you-need-to-know-before-installation/

Further details about CVE-2023-28252 can be found here: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2023-28252  

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Acrobat and Reader can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-24.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe InCopy can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/incopy/apsb23-13.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Designer can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_designer/apsb23-28.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Stager can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_stager/apsb23-26.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Digital Editions can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/Digital-Editions/apsb23-04.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Dimension can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/dimension/apsb23-27.html

Further information on the patches by SAP can be found here: https://www.sap.com/documents/2022/02/fa865ea4-167e-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html

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