Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 24 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

Human Error and AI Tops Cyber Threats as 70% of CISOs Worry About Risk

According to a survey of 1,600 CISOs, 70% worry about the risk of a material cyber attack over the next 12 months. Additionally, nearly 31% believe an attack is very likely, compared to 25% in 2023.  Amongst the largest concerns were human error, with 75% of CISOs identifying it as their most significant cyber vulnerability, up from 60% in 2023. Furthermore, 80% anticipate that human risk and employee negligence in particular will be major cyber security issues in the next two years.  Additionally, artificial intelligence was identified as an emerging concern for 54% of CISOs.

Sources: [The Register] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Cryptopolitan]

The State of Cyber Security: AI and Geopolitics Mean a Bigger Threat Than Ever

A recent report by Check Point reveals that global organisations faced an average of 1,158 weekly cyber attacks in 2023, an increase from 2022. In the UK, 50% of businesses experienced cyber attacks in the past year, with medium and large-sized businesses more affected at 70% and 74%, respectively. A ClubCISO survey found 62% of CISOs believe organisations are ill-equipped for AI-driven attacks, yet 77% haven't increased cyber security spending.

Additionally, a British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) article highlights cyber threats from geopolitical tensions, with a recent attack on the Ministry of Defence exposing HR and payroll data. The National Cyber Security Centre attributes such attacks to state-affiliated actors like China and Russia. Despite efforts to establish international cyber norms, enforcement remains challenging. Businesses must recognise that cyber security is now deeply intertwined with geopolitics, affecting strategic partnerships and procurement.

Sources: [Verdict] [BFPG]

Threat Research Highlights Growing Mobile Security Risks

A recent report by a cloud security vendor focusing on the mobile threat landscape found that in the first quarter of 2024, the number of phishing, malicious, denylisted and offensive links delivered to their customers’ mobile devices tripled compared to Q1 2023. The report, which bases its data on 220 million devices, 325 million apps and billions of web items, found that the most common misconfiguration in mobiles was out of date operating systems (37%). When it came to the prevalence of attacks, 75% of organisations reported experiencing mobile phishing attempts targeting their employees.

This comes as a representative from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told the Federal Communications Commission earlier this year that there had been “numerous incidents of successful, unauthorised attempts” to steal location data, monitor voice and text messages, and deliver spyware.

Sources: [Economist] [Business Wire]

Family Offices Become Prime Targets for Cyber Hacks and Ransomware

A recent Dentons survey reveals that nearly 80% of family offices perceive a dramatic increase in cyber attack threats, with a quarter experiencing an attack in 2023, up from 17% in 2020. Despite their wealth, family offices often lack the staff and technology to manage these risks effectively. Less than a third report well-developed cyber risk management processes, and only 29% believe their cyber training programs are sufficient. This gap between awareness and action highlights the need for family offices to prioritise comprehensive cyber security measures, including better training, updated policies, and secure communication practices.

Source: [CNBC]

Ransomware Fallout: 94% Experience Downtime, 40% Face Work Stoppage

According to a report by cyber security provider Arctic Wolf, within the last 12 months 48% of organisations identified evidence of a successful breach within their environment and 70% of organisations were the targets of attempted Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, with 29% of these targets becoming victims of one or more successful BEC occurrences.

In its survey, the company says “45% of the organizations we spoke with admitted to being the victim of a ransomware attack within the last 12 months”,  an increase from the prior year. Of those impacted by ransomware, 86% of attacks including successful data exfiltration and 94% of those impacted by a ransom event experienced a significant downtime and delays. 40% of victims stated they experienced a period of total work stoppage due to ransomware.

Source: [Help Net Security]

Employee Discontent: Insider Threat No. 1

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) must integrate human factors into insider risk management (IRM), not just rely on detection technologies. IRM must consider factors such as those raised by recent research where only half of US workers are very satisfied with their jobs, and 28% feel their employers don't care about them. CISOs themselves are affected by job satisfaction; the 2024 IANS/Artico report shows three out of four CISOs are ready to leave their roles. DTEX Systems found 77% of malicious insiders concealed their activities, emphasising the importance of human engagement and feedback in mitigating risks.

Source: [CSO]

Report Reveals 341% Rise in Advanced Phishing Attacks

A recent report has revealed malicious emails increased by 341% over the past 6 months. This included a 217% increase in credential harvesting phishing attacks and a 29% increase in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks. The report highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence, noting that since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, there has been a 4,151% surge in malicious phishing messages.

Source: [Security Magazine] [ Infosecurity Magazine]

Ransomware and GenAI Raise Security Challenges, Driving Cyber Investment

A recent study by Infosecurity Europe reveals that nearly 40% of cyber security leaders are increasing investments to combat the growing threats of ransomware and AI-generated attacks. A separate survey found 94% of organisations have or plan to implement generative AI use policies, and a third strictly forbid AI tech in their environment. This data highlights the ongoing effort to balance AI benefits with security risks, indicating that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for formalising AI adoption and usage policies.

Source: [Security Boulevard] [Infosecurity Magazine]

New Rules Prompt 93% of Organisations to Rethink Cyber Security Plans

A recent report reveals that 93% of organisations have re-evaluated their cyber security strategies due to new regulations, with 58% reconsidering their entire approach. The survey, which included 500 cyber security decision-makers from the US and UK, found that 92% reported increased security budgets, with 36% seeing rises of 20-49% and 23% experiencing over 50% increases. Despite this, only 40% feel confident in their resources to comply with regulations, and just one-third believe they can meet all requirements, highlighting significant gaps in preparedness.

Source: [security magazine]

HR and IT Related Phishing Scams Still Most Popular According to KnowBe4’s Latest Phishing Report

A recent KnowBe4 report reveals that HR-related phishing emails account for 42% of top-clicked phishing attempts, followed by IT-related emails at 30%. These phishing tactics exploit employees' trust and evoke immediate responses by mimicking legitimate business communications about dress code changes, tax updates, and training notifications. The report also highlights that nearly a third of users are vulnerable to phishing, emphasising the need for robust security awareness training. A well-trained workforce is essential in defending against increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks that leverage AI and emotional manipulation.

Source: [IT Security Guru]

80% of Exposures from Misconfigurations, as 15 Vendors Account for 62% of Global Attack Surface

A recent XM Cyber report highlights a significant gap in cyber security focus with identity and credential misconfigurations accounting for 80% of security exposures. The study, based on hundreds of thousands of attack path assessments, found that 62% of the global attack surface is concentrated in just 15 vendors. Furthermore, 41% of organisations had at least one compromised device, and 11% experienced ransomware incidents. The report underscores the need for a shift from patching all vulnerabilities to addressing high-impact exposures, especially those around identity management and critical asset protection.

Sources: [Security Magazine] [The Hacker News]

UK to Propose Mandatory Reporting for Ransomware Attacks and Licensing Regime for all Payments

A forthcoming proposal in Britain aims to overhaul the response to ransomware by mandating victims to report incidents and obtain a license before making extortion payments. This initiative, part of a public consultation, includes a ban on ransom payments for critical national infrastructure to deter attacks. The National Cyber Security Centre has highlighted concerns over underreporting, with a 2023 increase in ransomware-related data breaches. The plan’s success hinges on replacing the delayed Action Fraud reporting platform. This proposal marks a significant step in global ransomware policy, with Britain leading international efforts against cyber criminals.

Source: [The Record Media]

UK’s Legal Sector Needs to Improve its Cyber Security, Says Experts

One in ten UK data breaches in 2023 occurred in the legal sector, highlighting that UK law firms are attractive targets for cyber criminals. A recent analysis of the UK’s Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) data found that the legal sector is one of the worst performing sectors for data breaches, with nearly 86 per cent of the incidents within the legal sector involving breaches of personal identifiable information, including instances also affecting sensitive economic and financial data.

Sources [CITY AM]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• 70% of CISOs Expect Cyber Attacks in Next Year, Report Finds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK's legal sector needs to improve its cyber security, say experts (cityam.com)

• How to stay on top of evolving cyber security legislation | RSM UK

• New rules prompt 93% of organisations to rethink cyber security plans | Security Magazine

• Ransomware and AI-Powered Hacks Drive Cyber Investment - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• One CISO Can’t Fill Your Board’s Cyber Security Gaps (mit.edu)

• Security Compliance 101: What It Is and How to Master It - Security Boulevard

• Family offices become prime targets for cyber hacks and ransomware (cnbc.com)

• Worried about job security, cyber teams hide security incidents - Help Net Security

• Law firms warn global risks on the rise (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Financial companies must have data breach incident plans, SEC says | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Businesses must overcome security communication roadblocks – Channel EYE

• Why Culture is the Bedrock of Cyber Security - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 10 Leadership Challenges For An AI World (forbes.com)

• IT Security Leaders Are Failing to Close a Boardroom Credibility Gap (prnewswire.com)

• Effective GRC programs rely on team collaboration - Help Net Security

• Are AI and Cyber Security the New Driving Forces Behind Mergers and Acquisitions in the Coming Years? - The Global Treasurerputty

• Understanding cyber risks beyond data breaches - Help Net Security

• De-risking the business - how to evolve your approach to security | TechRadar

• IT and security data is siloed in most organisations (betanews.com)

• Can Cyber Security Be a Unifying Factor in Digital Trade Negotiations? (darkreading.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Family offices become prime targets for cyber hacks and ransomware (cnbc.com)

• Ransomware fallout: 94% experience downtime, 40% face work stoppage - Help Net Security

• Ransomware Attacks Evolve as Average Ransom Demand Tops $1.26 Million - Security Boulevard

• UK to propose mandatory reporting for ransomware attacks and licensing regime for all payments (therecord.media)

• Ransomware gang targets Windows admins via PuTTy, WinSCP malvertising (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber criminals shift tactics to pressure more victims into paying ransoms - Help Net Security

• Unpatched vulnerabilities making bad ransomware outcomes worse: What you need to know | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Cyber Attacks Over Work Email Most Used; Ransomware Hits Victims Hard: Artic Wolf (insurancejournal.com)

• This wiper malware takes data destruction to a whole new level | TechRadar

• A Surge in Ransomware: Insights from Our 2024 Cyber Threat Report | Huntress

• New ransomware group abusing BitLocker | Securelist

• Ransomware, BEC, GenAI Raise Security Challenges - Security Boulevard

• LockBit takedown taking toll as gang plummets down rankings • The Register

• First LockBit, now BreachForums: Are cops winning the war? • The Register

• 2024 sees continued increase in ransomware activity - Help Net Security

• Ransomware Attacks Exploit VMware ESXi Vulnerabilities in Alarming Pattern (thehackernews.com)

• What role does an initial access broker play in the RaaS model? | TechTarget

• Casino cyber attacks put a bullseye on Scattered Spider • The Register

• Ransomware innovation slowdown a product of crims' success • The Register

Ransomware Victims

• National Records of Scotland reveals its data stolen in 'distressing' NHS health board cyber attack (scotsman.com)

• OmniVision Says Personal Information Stolen in Ransomware Attack - Security Week

• Blackbasta group claims to have hacked Atlas, one of the largest US oil distributors (securityaffairs.com)

• LockBit says they stole data in London Drugs ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• HR and IT related phishing scams still most popular according to KnowBe4’s latest Phishing Report - IT Security Guru

• Report Reveals 341% Rise in Advanced Phishing Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Grandoreiro Banking Trojan Resurfaces, Targeting Over 1,500 Banks Worldwide (thehackernews.com)

• Phishing statistics that will make you think twice before clicking - Help Net Security

• Cyber Attacks Over Work Email Most Used; Ransomware Hits Victims Hard: Artic Wolf (insurancejournal.com)

• Q1 2024 Global Phishing Report (knowbe4.com)

• Phishing, BEC, and Beyond: Tackling the Top Cyber Threats to UK Banks (prnewswire.co.uk)

• Two-stage Dropbox spear phishing | Kaspersky official blog

• Latrodectus Malware Loader Emerges as IcedID's Successor in Phishing Campaigns (thehackernews.com)

• Only 60 percent of brands can protect their customers from digital impersonation (betanews.com)

• A phish by any other name should still not be clicked – Computerworld

• Active Chinese Cyber espionage Campaign Rifling Email Servers (inforisktoday.com)

• YouTube has become a significant channel for cyber crime - Help Net Security

BEC

• The last six months shows a 341% increase in malicious emails | Security Magazine

• Phishing, BEC, and Beyond: Tackling the Top Cyber Threats to UK Banks (prnewswire.co.uk)

• Ransomware, BEC, GenAI Raise Security Challenges - Security Boulevard

• 10 Years in Prison for $4.5 million BEC Scammer Who Bought Ferrari to Launder Money | Tripwire

Other Social Engineering

• ‘Unblockable’ HMRC scam message on iPhones sparks warning (yahoo.com)

• Cyber criminals Exploit Cloud Storage For SMS Phishing Scams - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• The state of cyber security: AI and geopolitics mean a bigger threat than ever - Verdict

• Three Questions Every Leader Needs To Ask About AI Cyber Security (forbes.com)

• Ransomware, BEC, GenAI Raise Security Challenges - Security Boulevard

• Beware – Your Customer Chatbot is Almost Certainly Insecure: Report - Security Week

• Human Error and AI Tops Cyber Security Threats in CISO Survey | Cryptopolitan

• Consumers continue to overestimate their ability to spot deepfakes - Help Net Security

• CIO’s 2024 Checklist: Generative AI, Digital Transformation And More (forbes.com)

• Are AI and Cyber Security the New Driving Forces Behind Mergers and Acquisitions in the Coming Years? - The Global Treasurer

• Deepfakes Rank As the Second Most Common Cyber Security Incident for US Businesses (darkreading.com)

• Data regulator looking into Microsoft’s AI Recall feature | The Independent

• New Microsoft Recall feature is a 'security nightmare' and could make Copilot+ PCs a top target for cyber criminals | ITPro

• Why We Need to Get a Handle on AI - Security Week

• CISOs pursuing AI readiness should start by updating the org’s email security policy - Help Net Security

• 10 Leadership Challenges For An AI World (forbes.com)

• US Intelligence Agencies’ Embrace of Generative AI Is at Once Wary and Urgent - Security Week

• User Outcry as Slack Scrapes Customer Data for AI Model Training - Security Week

• Balancing generative AI cyber security risks and rewards | TechTarget

• AI Is The Past, Present And Future Of Cyber Security (forbes.com)

• US AI Experts Targeted in SugarGh0st RAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• The ‘dead internet theory’ makes eerie claims about an AI-run web. The truth is more sinister (theconversation.com)

• Transparency is sorely lacking amid growing AI interest | ZDNET

• UK Government in £8.5m Bid to Tackle AI Cyber Threats - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

2FA/MFA

• Microsoft to Mandate Multi-Factor Authentication for All Azure Users (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Here's why you should get a YubiKey (xda-developers.com)

• Zero-Day Attacks and Supply Chain Compromises Surge, MFA Remains Underutilized: Rapid7 Report - Security Week

Malware

• Grandoreiro Banking Trojan Resurfaces, Targeting Over 1,500 Banks Worldwide (thehackernews.com)

• Ukraine blackouts caused by malware attacks warn against evolving cyber security threats to the physical world (techxplore.com)

• 400K Linux Servers Recruited by Resurrected Ebury Botnet (darkreading.com)

• Another nasty Mac malware is spoofing legitimate software to target macOS users | TechRadar

• Foxit PDF Reader Flaw Exploited by Hackers to Deliver Diverse Malware Arsenal (thehackernews.com)

• What Does Malware Look Like? Check Out These Real-World Examples (pcmag.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploit GitHub and FileZilla to Deliver Malware Cocktail (thehackernews.com)

• Dangerous nostalgia: Taking Windows XP online will result in auto-installed viruses in a matter of minutes | TechSpot

• Malware Delivery via Cloud Services Exploits Unicode Trick to Deceive Users (thehackernews.com)

• MS Exchange Server Flaws Exploited to Deploy Keylogger in Targeted Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Keylogger Embedded Microsoft Exchange Server Steals Login Credentials (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Latrodectus Malware Loader Emerges as IcedID's Successor in Phishing Campaigns (thehackernews.com)

• Researchers spot cryptojacking attack that disables endpoint protections | Ars Technica

• US AI Experts Targeted in SugarGh0st RAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• New BiBi Wiper version also destroys the disk partition table (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Novel EDR-Killing 'GhostEngine' Malware Is Built for Stealth (darkreading.com)

• Malicious actors are cat-phishing targets in order to spread malware | Security Magazine

Mobile

• It is dangerously easy to hack the world’s phones (economist.com)

• How often should you turn off your phone? Here's what the NSA says | PCWorld

• New Android Banking Trojan Mimics Google Play Update App - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• North Korea-linked Kimsuky APT attack targets victims via Messenger (securityaffairs.com)

• US Official Warns a Cell Network Flaw Is Being Exploited for Spying | WIRED

• How to recognise if the security of your work device has been breached (siliconrepublic.com)

• Vultur Malware Mimic As Mobile Antivirus Steals Login Credentials (cybersecuritynews.com)

• ‘Unblockable’ HMRC scam message on iPhones sparks warning (yahoo.com)

• Lookout Threat Research Highlights Growing Mobile Security Risks | Business Wire

Internet of Things – IoT

• Teslas Can Still Be Stolen With a Cheap Radio Hack—Despite New Keyless Tech | WIRED

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Aon reveals cyber attack/data breach as top risk for financial institutions - Reinsurance News

• PSNI Faces £750,000 Data Breach Fine After Spreadsheet Leak - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• NYSE parent fined $10M for breach reporting failure • The Register

• Were The Ashley Madison Hackers Ever Caught? (screenrant.com)

• 2.4 Million Impacted by WebTPA Data Breach - Security Week

• National Records of Scotland reveals its data stolen in 'distressing' NHS health board cyber attack (scotsman.com)

• 49 Million Customers Impacted by API Security Flaw - Security Boulevard

• Army personnel fear for their jobs after huge MoD cyber attack | The Independent

• Criminal record database of millions of Americans dumped online | Malwarebytes

• Optus denies claims of ‘cloaking’ Deloitte cyber attack report findings - Lawyers Weekly

• Record breaking number of data breaches reported | Bailiwick Express

• 400,000 Impacted by CentroMed Data Breach - Security Week

• 55,000 Impacted by Cyber Attack on California School Association  - Security Week

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Were The Ashley Madison Hackers Ever Caught? (screenrant.com)

• HP Catches Cyber Criminals 'Cat-Phishing' Users (darkreading.com)

• Cyber crime on the rise as account takeovers become leading method (investmentnews.com)

• Moroccan cyber crime group impersonates nonprofits and abuses cloud services to rake in gift card cash | CyberScoop

• YouTube has become a significant channel for cyber crime - Help Net Security

• Ransomware innovation slowdown a product of crims' success • The Register

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Kinsing Hacker Group Exploits More Flaws to Expand Botnet for Cryptojacking (thehackernews.com)

• Chinese Nationals Arrested for Laundering $73 Million in Pig Butchering Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

• Researchers spot cryptojacking attack that disables endpoint protections | Ars Technica

• Dutch police tracked a crypto theft to one of world’s worst botnets (thenextweb.com)

• He Trained Cops to Fight Crypto Crime—and Allegedly Ran a $100M Dark-Web Drug Market | WIRED

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Human Error and AI Tops Cyber Security Threats in CISO Survey | Cryptopolitan

• Employee discontent: Insider threat No. 1 | CSO Online

• Can we fix the human error problem in cyber security? (siliconrepublic.com)

Insurance

• Cyber insurance Company Offers MDR to MSPs | MSSP Alert

• Should You Buy Cyber Insurance in 2024? Pros & Cons (techopedia.com)

• Cyber insurance trends: reshaping the industry - SiliconANGLE

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Implementing Third-Party Risk Management Workflows | UpGuard

• Managing third-party risk with cyber security | RSM UK

• Zero-Day Attacks and Supply Chain Compromises Surge, MFA Remains Underutilized: Rapid7 Report - Security Week

• JAVS courtroom recording software backdoored in supply chain attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Critical Bug Allows DoS, RCE, Data Leaks in All Major Cloud Platforms (darkreading.com)

• Veeam 2024 Cloud Protection Trends Report Provides New Insight into Cloud‑Powered Data Protection Strategies | Business Wire

• Security concerns impeding cloud migration | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Malware Delivery via Cloud Services Exploits Unicode Trick to Deceive Users (thehackernews.com)

• Are Your SaaS Backups as Secure as Your Production Data? (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber Criminals Exploit Cloud Storage For SMS Phishing Scams - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Report: Organisations Are Scrambling to Overhaul Their Identity Security Frameworks Amidst Surge in Recent Attacks (globenewswire.com)

• 77 percent of organisations suffer cyber attacks due to identity issues (betanews.com)

Encryption

• Yet more ransomware uses BitLocker to encrypt victims' files • The Register

Linux and Open Source

• The economic model that made the internet, and the hack that almost broke it : Planet Money : NPR

• 400K Linux Servers Recruited by Resurrected Ebury Botnet (darkreading.com)

• Are all Linux vendor kernels insecure? A new study says yes, but there's a fix | ZDNET

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Cyber crime on the rise as account takeovers become leading method (investmentnews.com)

Social Media

• YouTube has become a significant channel for cyber crime - Help Net Security

• How Secure Is The Metaverse? (A Look At Cyber Threats And Defences) (forbes.com)

• Russia’s DoppelGänger Campaign Manipulates Social Media - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malvertising

• Ransomware gang targets Windows admins via PuTTy, WinSCP malvertising (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The mystery of the targeted ad and the library patron • The Register

• Windows admins targeted with clever malvertising scam | TechRadar

Training, Education and Awareness

• Three Psychological Theories to Ensure Cyber Security Training Sticks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• PSNI Faces £750,000 Data Breach Fine After Spreadsheet Leak - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• NYSE parent fined $10M for breach reporting failure • The Register

• Intercontinental Exchange Will Pay $10 Million to Resolve SEC Cyber Probe (wsj.com)

• UK considering mandatory reporting for ransomware attacks (computing.co.uk)

• How to stay on top of evolving cyber security legislation | RSM UK

• SEC requires financial institutions to notify customers of breaches within 30 days - Help Net Security

• Security Compliance 101: What It Is and How to Master It - Security Boulevard

• Singapore updates cyber security law to expand regulatory oversight | ZDNET

• Avoiding Cyber Security Incident Overdisclosure:  Helpful Guidance | Mayer Brown Free Writings + Perspectives - JDSupra

• Counting Down to the EU NIS2 Directive - Security Boulevard

• The Dawn of DORA: Building a Resilient Financial Infrastructure (finextra.com)

• What American Enterprises Can Learn From Europe's GDPR Mistakes (darkreading.com)

• Preparing Your Organisation for Upcoming Cyber Security Deadlines (darkreading.com)

Backup and Recovery

• Are Your SaaS Backups as Secure as Your Production Data? (thehackernews.com)

Data Protection

• 87% of medical practice data is digital | Security Magazine

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• The IT skills shortage situation is not expected to get any better - Help Net Security

• UK Government ramps up efforts to bridge cyber security skills gap (holyrood.com)

• IT Essentials: Sun, stress and security (computing.co.uk)

• Persistent Burnout Is Still a Crisis in Cyber Security (darkreading.com)

• 5 Ways SMBs Can Bridge the Cyber Security Skills Gap | Mimecast

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Dutch police tracked a crypto theft to one of world’s worst botnets (thenextweb.com)

• Chinese Nationals Arrested for Laundering $73 Million in Pig Butchering Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

• Police caught circumventing city bans on face recognition • The Register

• 10 Years in Prison for $4.5 million BEC Scammer Who Bought Ferrari to Launder Money | Tripwire

• LockBit takedown taking toll as gang plummets down rankings • The Register

• He Trained Cops to Fight Crypto Crime—and Allegedly Ran a $100M Dark-Web Drug Market | WIRED

• Casino cyber attacks put a bullseye on Scattered Spider • The Register

• First LockBit, now BreachForums: Are cops winning the war? • The Register

• No time to take eye of the ball despite recent cyber success – report (emergingrisks.co.uk)

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• World War War III May Already Have Started—in the Shadows (reason.com)

• Britons should have three days' worth of tinned food and water, government says | Politics News | Sky News

• The Balance of Power in Cyber Space – What it Means for UK Business - British Foreign Policy Group (bfpg.co.uk)

• The state of cyber security: AI and geopolitics mean a bigger threat than ever - Verdict

Nation State Actors

China

• The Security Interviews: What is the real cyber threat from China? | Computer Weekly

• UK not heeding warning over China threat, says ex-cyber security chief (yahoo.com)

• Newly Detected Chinese Group Targeting Military, Government Entities - Security Week

• Escalating Chinese cyber threats drive US efforts to secure critical infrastructure | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Inside Operation Diplomatic Specter: Chinese APT Group's Stealthy Tactics Exposed (thehackernews.com)

• Spies, trade and tech: China’s relationship with Britain (economist.com)

• Chinese, Iranian, and Russian gangs are attacking the U.S's drinking water and officials are alarmed | Fortune

• Google, Meta warned that undersea internet cables at risk for Chinese espionage: report (nypost.com)

• UK military in data breach - and other cyber security news | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Researchers Warn of Chinese-Aligned Hackers Targeting South China Sea Countries (thehackernews.com)

• Active Chinese Cyberespionage Campaign Rifling Email Servers (inforisktoday.com)

• State hackers turn to massive ORB proxy networks to evade detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New Frontiers, Old Tactics: Chinese Espionage Group Targets Africa & Caribbean Govts (thehackernews.com)

• Stronger critical infrastructure defence aimed by Army Cyber Command | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Chinese Nationals Arrested for Laundering $73 Million in Pig Butchering Crypto Scam (thehackernews.com)

• Former Royal Marine charged with spying for China found dead (thetimes.co.uk)

Russia

• Ukraine blackouts caused by malware attacks warn against evolving cyber security threats to the physical world (techxplore.com)

• Chinese, Iranian, and Russian gangs are attacking the U.S's drinking water and officials are alarmed | Fortune

• Russia’s DoppelGänger Campaign Manipulates Social Media - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US says Russia likely launched space weapon - BBC News

• New Star Wars Plan: Pentagon Rushes to Counter Threats in Orbit - The New York Times

• British man, 64, charged with assisting Russian intelligence service | The Independent

Iran

• Chinese, Iranian, and Russian gangs are attacking the U.S's drinking water and officials are alarmed | Fortune

• Iranian MOIS-Linked Hackers Behind Destructive Attacks on Albania and Israel (thehackernews.com)

North Korea

• North Korea-linked Kimsuky APT attack targets victims via Messenger (securityaffairs.com)

• US Official Warns a Cell Network Flaw Is Being Exploited for Spying | WIRED

• North Korea-linked IT workers infiltrated hundreds of US firms (securityaffairs.com)

• High-ranking military officials' e-mail hacked, possibly by N. Korea (koreaherald.com)

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

• The state of cyber security: AI and geopolitics mean a bigger threat than ever - Verdict

• Government tells Britons to stockpile as part of emergency planning

• Spyware found on US hotel check-in computers | TechCrunch

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Vulnerability Management

• New XM Cyber Research: 80% of Exposures from Misconfigurations, Less Than 1% from CVEs (thehackernews.com)

• Unpatched vulnerabilities making bad ransomware outcomes worse: What you need to know | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Over 60% of Network Security Appliance Flaws Exploited as Zero Days - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 93% of vulnerabilities unanalysed by NVD since February | TechTarget

• Zero-Day Attacks and Supply Chain Compromises Surge, MFA Remains Underutilized: Rapid7 Report - Security Week

• How AI-driven patching could transform cyber security | TechTarget

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Edge gets fixes for five more security vulnerabilities - Neowin

• Over 60% of Network Security Appliance Flaws Exploited as Zero Days - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Critical Bug Allows DoS, RCE, Data Leaks in All Major Cloud Platforms (darkreading.com)

• Veeam warns of critical Backup Enterprise Manager auth bypass bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft Has Yet to Patch 7 Pwn2Own Zero-Days (darkreading.com)

• Critical Flaw in AI Python Package Can Lead to System and Data Compromise - Security Week

• This devious Wi-Fi security flaw could let hackers eavesdrop on your network with ease | TechRadar

• Foxit PDF Reader Flaw Exploited by Hackers to Deliver Diverse Malware Arsenal (thehackernews.com)

• Intel's Max Severity Flaw Affects AI Model Compressor Users (govinfosecurity.com)

• 15 QNAP NAS bugs and one PoC disclosed, update ASAP! (CVE-2024-27130) - Help Net Security

• Keylogger Embedded Microsoft Exchange Server Steals Login Credentials (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Chrome 125 Update Patches High-Severity Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Ivanti Patches Critical Code Execution Vulnerabilities in Endpoint Manager - Security Week

• Unauthenticated RCE Vulnerability in Fortinet FortiSIEM: PoC Published (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Ransomware Attacks Exploit VMware ESXi Vulnerabilities in Alarming Pattern (thehackernews.com)

• VMware Abused in Recent MITRE Hack for Persistence, Evasion - Security Week

• High-severity GitLab flaw lets attackers take over accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CISA Warns of Actively Exploited Apache Flink Security Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

Tools and Controls

• Network Outages Hit 59% of Multi-Site Businesses Monthly - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New rules prompt 93% of organisations to rethink cyber security plans | Security Magazine

• Ransomware and AI-Powered Hacks Drive Cyber Investment - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft to Mandate Multi-Factor Authentication for All Azure Users (cybersecuritynews.com)

• What is a Third-Party Risk Assessment in Cyber Security? | UpGuard

• Should You Buy Cyber Insurance in 2024? Pros & Cons (techopedia.com)

• The Critical Role Of Web Filtering To Secure A Modern Workplace (forbes.com)

• We put too much faith in our web browsers, here's why we shouldn't (xda-developers.com)

• Windows 11 to Deprecate NTLM, Add AI-Powered App Controls and Security Defences (thehackernews.com)

• Google says Microsoft can’t be trusted after email security blunders | ITPro

• CISOs pursuing AI readiness should start by updating the org’s email security policy - Help Net Security

• Fighting identity fraud? Here's why we need better tech - Help Net Security

• Report: Organisations Are Scrambling to Overhaul Their Identity Security Frameworks Amidst Surge in Recent Attacks (globenewswire.com)

• 77 percent of organisations suffer cyber attacks due to identity issues (betanews.com)

• Researchers spot cryptojacking attack that disables endpoint protections | Ars Technica

• Microsoft's latest Windows 11 security features aim to make it 'more secure out of the box' | ZDNET

• Are Your SaaS Backups as Secure as Your Production Data? (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber insurance trends: reshaping the industry - SiliconANGLE

• The Evolution of Security Operations Centres in the Past Decade | Information Security Buzz

• Incident response: a useful guide - Tech Monitor

• Here's why you should get a YubiKey (xda-developers.com)

• Mastercard Doubles Speed of Fraud Detection with Generative AI - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• When to Automate and When Not to Automate Security - Security Boulevard

• Critical Capabilities of Cyber Security Risk Assessment Tools (cybersaint.io)

• How AI-driven patching could transform cyber security | TechTarget

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• 2024 Cloud Protection Trends (veeam.com)

• Arctic Wolf Labs 2024 Threat Report | Arctic Wolf

• Q1 2024 Global Phishing Report (knowbe4.com)

• 2024 Cyber Threat Report | Huntress

• 2024 Q1 Mobile Landscape Threat Report (lookout.com)

• State of Cyber Security Trends Report 2024 | Ivanti

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Other News

• Aon reveals cyber attack/data breach as top risk for financial institutions - Reinsurance News

• 15 companies account for 62% of global attack surface | Security Magazine

• Google Deletes $125 Billion UniSuper Pension Fund Account; Impacts Over Half a Million Australians - Goodreturns

• Cyber attacks are soaring—treat them as an 'act of war', health care exec warns | Fortune Well

• If the Lights Went Out: Exploring a Power Grid Failure (greydynamics.com)

• Wars in Ukraine and Gaza raise UK infrastructure cyber threat level | New Civil Engineer

• Malware power threat real and growing – researchers (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Microsoft’s President to Testify to House Panel on Cyber Security (bloomberglaw.com)

• Microsoft outage affects Bing, Copilot, DuckDuckGo and ChatGPT internet search (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 5 Ways SMBs Can Bridge the Cyber Security Skills Gap | Mimecast

• Why cyber security is front and centre for rail - Railway Technology (railway-technology.com)

• Mitigating cyber security risks in the technology sector | TechRadar

• New EU tool to counter hybrid threats - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland - Gov.pl website (www.gov.pl)

• Cyber attacks on construction firms jump, new report finds | News | Building

• FUD: How Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt can ruin your security program - Security Boulevard

• Cyber Security in the legal sector | Law Gazette

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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 10 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

China Suspected of Hacking UK Ministry of Defence, Through Its Payroll Provider

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that over 270,000 personal details have been leaked after the MoD was hacked through its third-party payroll provider, SSCL. The affected systems have been pulled offline since the attack. SSCL’s website describes that it manages HR for the armed forces, the Metropolitan Police and other areas of British government. The commercial supply chain, and in particular HR and payroll providers, is increasing being used as the soft underbelly to attack larger and better protected organisations.

Sources: [LBC] [The Register] [Sky News]

Security Tools Fail to Translate Risks for Executives

Organisations are struggling with internal communication barriers, hindering their ability to address and mitigate cyber security threats, according to a report which found that seven out of 10 C-suite executives said their security teams talk in technical terms without providing business context. However, in contrast, 75% of CISO’s highlight the issue is rooted in security tools that cannot generate the insights C-level executives and boards can use to understand business implications. The role of a good CISO should be to take the output of these tools and turn that data into metrics the Boards can understand.

The issues highlight the necessity for organisations to have someone in their organisation, whether an employee or a third-party, who is able to ingest technical results and translate them into a style that the C-suite can understand for business risk management.

Source: [Help Net Security]

Gang Accused of MGM Hack Shifts Attacks to Finance Sector

The hacking group responsible for the infamous hack on MGM and Caesar’s Palace resorts is engaged in a new campaign targeting the financial sector. The group known as Scattered Spider has targeted 29 companies since 20 April this year, compromising at least 2 insurance companies so far. The research has stated that the attackers are purchasing lookalike domains that match the name of target companies, hosting fake log-in pages. Links to these are sent to employees, in an attempt to direct them there. The most recent attack took place just days ago, with more expected.

Sources: [Bloomberg Law] [Claims Journal]

Are SMEs Paving the Way for Cyber Attacks on Larger Companies?

A recent study highlights the escalating cyber threats facing businesses, particularly SMEs and supply chains. The study found that 32% of UK businesses, including 69% of large and 59% of mid-sized organisations, suffered a cyber attack last year. The situation is worse for SMEs, with weaker security systems and 77% lacking in-house cyber security. SMEs can become entry points for hackers targeting larger partners through interconnected supply chains. Meanwhile, Verizon’s latest data breaches report revealed a 68% increase in supply chain breaches, accounting for 15% of all breaches in 2023, up from 9% in 2022. These breaches are primarily driven by third-party software vulnerabilities exploited in ransomware and extortion attacks. Experts emphasise proactive cyber policies, vulnerability scans, and employee education for SMEs to bolster defences. They also urge organisations to consider third-party bugs as both vulnerability and vendor management problems, make better vendor choices, and use external signals like SEC disclosures in the United States to guide decisions. These measures can help prevent SMEs from becoming gateways for larger attacks and manage the rising threat of supply chain breaches.

Sources: [Insurance Times] [Dark Reading]

Misconfigurations Drive 80% of Security Exposure, Report Finds

A recent report has found that 80% of security exposures are caused by identity and credential misconfigurations, with a third of these putting critical assets at risk of a breach. According to the report, the majority of this is within an organisation’s network user management (Active Directory) and 56% of breaches that impact critical assets are within cloud platforms. There is often the misconception that cloud-based environments are secure by default, but misconfigurations can undo any security benefits and still leave you exposed. Just because someone else built and maintains your house, it is still your responsibility to lock the doors and windows.

Sources: [Security Magazine]

Only 45% of Organisations Employ MFA Protections

A recent report of IT decision-makers has found that 97% are facing challenges with identity verification and 52% are very concerned about credential compromise, followed by account takeover (50%). When it comes to reinforcing identity verification, only 45% used multi-factor authentication (MFA). By using MFA, organisations are forcing two identification verifications: simply knowing a username and password is not enough, especially given the speeds with which attackers can crack passwords, with average 8 character passwords able to be cracked in less than a minute. Whilst no control is 100% impenetrable, enabling MFA will aid in increasing your organisation's cyber resilience.

Source: [Help Net Security]

You Cannot Protect What You Do Not Know You Have, as Criminals are Exploiting Vulnerabilities Faster Than Ever

For many organisations, visibility of their information assets can be incredibly hard to obtain and maintain, with different tools, under-reporting and shadow IT contributing to the problem. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are getting faster at exploiting vulnerabilities, and if you do not know you have the vulnerability in your estate then you cannot patch against it. In their recent report, Fortinet found that attacks started on average 4.76 days after new exploits were publicly disclosed.

Interestingly though, while zero-day threats garner much attention (these are ‘new’ vulnerabilities that are being exploited by attackers but for which there are no security patches yet available), one third of all exploits are for older vulnerabilities. This highlights the need for a comprehensive and robust approach to network security and vulnerability management, beyond simply patching what Microsoft puts out once a month. To have effective patch management, organisations must know what they need to patch and therefore must have visibility of the corporate environment. A good starting block is the creation of a robust information asset register.

Sources: [Security Brief] [Help Net Security] [IT Security Guru]

The Rise and Stealth of The Socially Engineered Insider

Social engineering has become increasingly prevalent as the preferred tactic for foreign adversaries. Insiders are prime targets due to their privileged access to sensitive data. This is particularly affecting the technology, pharma, and critical infrastructure sectors. Advances in AI and social platforms have made it easier to exploit these vulnerabilities. These advances allow threat actors to tailor attacks with unprecedented speed and realism. Using methods like coercion or deception, these actors exploit employees to gain high-value data that can be weaponised. As a result, the threat landscape has become more complex, blurring the lines between internal and external risks. To bolster their defences, organisations are now investing in insider risk management and AI. They are also emphasising employee education and cross-sector collaboration.

Source: [Forbes]

Over 70% of Staff Use AI At Work, But Only 30% of European Organisations Provide AI Training

An ISACA study and the AI Security & Governance Report reveal a complex landscape of AI adoption and security. 73% of European organisations and 54% of global organisations use AI, with 79% increasing their AI budgets, however training and policy development lag behind. Only 30% offer limited training, 40% provide none, and a mere 17% have a comprehensive AI policy. Despite AI’s potential, 80% of data experts find it complicates security, with concerns high around generative AI exploitation (61% of respondents) and AI-powered attacks (over 50% of business leaders). Data poisoning and privacy issues persist, yet 85% of leaders express confidence in their data security strategies, with 83% revising privacy and governance guidelines. With 86% recognising a need for AI training within two years, the call for dynamic governance strategies and formal education is clear to manage evolving threats.

Sources: [Help Net Security] [IT Security Guru]

Don't Be the Weakest Link – You and Your Team's Crucial Role in Cyber Security

Cyber security success depends on more than just technology. Bad actors are always looking for the easiest entry point, meaning that employees’ everyday actions are crucial, when even one careless click or a weak password can be an open door for hackers. However, empowered with the right knowledge and tools, staff can become a robust defence. Nearly 80% of organisations have reported an increase in phishing attacks, but training programs like role-playing exercises and phishing simulations significantly reduce these risks. Effective cyber security also hinges on C-suite leaders promoting a security-first culture, ensuring all employees understand the risks and follow strict protocols like MFA and strong password policies. Consistent training and open communication are vital in fostering a resilient, security-aware workforce.

Source: [JDSupra]

Ransomware Activity Thrives, Despite Law enforcement Efforts

Despite the recent law enforcement takedowns on ransomware groups, ransomware remains rife. Whilst the takedown of a group can come as an initial relief in that the group has gone, it simply forces ransomware affiliates to diversify. This is reflected in ransomware continuing its growth in the first quarter of 2024, with 18 new leak sites, the largest number in a single quarter, emerging over this period. When comes to those at risk, both financial services and healthcare remain a prominent target.

Sources: [Help Net Security ] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Help Net Security]

NATO Warns of Russian Hybrid Warfare

NATO has issued a statement in which it describes it is “deeply concerned about Russia's hybrid actions and the threat that they constitute to NATO security”.  The actions are described to include sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interference, and disinformation campaigns. This comes as many countries including the UK and US are due to have elections this year.

Sources: [EU Reporter] [Financial Times]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• You cannot protect what you do not understand (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Why 2024 will be the year of the CISO | CSO Online

• Security tools fail to translate risks for executives - Help Net Security

• It Costs How Much?!? The Financial Pitfalls of Cyber Attacks on SMBs (thehackernews.com)

• Now More Than Ever, it's Crucial for Companies to Get Cyber Security Right (newsweek.com)

• Why SMBs are facing significant security, business risks - Help Net Security

• Are SMEs paving the way for cyber attacks on larger companies? | Insurance Times

• Don't Be the Weakest Link – Your Team's Crucial Role in Cyber Security | NAVEX - JDSupra

• The Art Of Cyber Security Governance: Safeguarding Beyond Code (forbes.com)

• CISOs Are Worried About Their Jobs & Dissatisfied With Their Incomes (darkreading.com)

• 92% of CISOs Question the Future of Their Role Amidst Growing AI Pressures | Business Wire

• What's the Future Path for CISOs? (darkreading.com)

• RSAC: How CISOs Should Protect Themselves Against Indictments - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Three strategies for winning the cyber security arms race | Fintech Nexus

• Why Cyber Security Is More Important Than Ever | Inc.com

• Rethinking Cyber Security Investment Amid Rising Threats (govinfosecurity.com)

• CIOs and CFOs, two parts of the same whole - IT Security Guru

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Gang Accused of MGM Hack Turns Its Sights on Finance Sector (bloomberglaw.com)

• The State of Ransomware 2024 - InfoRiskToday

• Cybercrime Unicorns: What Everyone Needs to Know About Ransomware Gangs (pcmag.com)

• Why Paying Should Be A Last Resort In Ransomware Attacks (forbes.com)

• Ransomware activity is back on track despite law enforcement efforts - Help Net Security

• Ransomware evolves from extortion to 'psychological attacks' • The Register

• Russian Hacker Dmitry Khoroshev Unmasked as LockBit Ransomware Administrator (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware attacks impact 20% of sensitive data in healthcare orgs - Help Net Security

• An overwhelming majority of organisations paid ransomware last year - eCampus News

• Global ransomware crisis worsens - Help Net Security

• The Growing Threat of Advanced Ransomware Attacks (inforisktoday.com)

• Law enforcement seized Lockbit group's website again (securityaffairs.com)

• Consultant charged with $1.5M extortion of IT giant • The Register

• IT chiefs plan to spend and innovate their way out of ransomware swamp | TechRadar

• Alleged Russian hacker unmasked as Bermuda joins sanctions effort - The Royal Gazette | Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community |

• Ransomware crooks SIM swap kids to pressure parents • The Register

• Scattered Spider group a unique challenge for cyber cops, FBI leader says (therecord.media)

• 97% of Organisations Hit by Ransomware Worked with Law Enforcement (globenewswire.com)

• Tips for Protecting Active Directory From Ransomware Attacks | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

• CISA boss: Secure software needed to stop ransomware • The Register

• Shields Up: How to Minimize Ransomware Exposure - Security Week

• How financial services organisations can protect valuable data in the age of ransomware (finextra.com)

• Defenders assemble: Time to get in the game – Sophos News

Ransomware Victims

• UnitedHealth’s 'egregious negligence' led to that ransomware • The Register

• Ascension healthcare takes systems offline after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• London Drugs president tight-lipped over recent cyber attack | CBC News

• Boeing confirms attempted $200 million ransomware extortion attempt | CyberScoop

• Cyber attack disrupts operations at major US health care network | CNN Business

• City of Wichita Shuts Down Network Following Ransomware Attack - Security Week

• Patient appointments imperilled by cyber attack on French radiologist (therecord.media)

• Ransomware attack hits Brandywine Realty Trust | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• NSA, FBI Alert on N. Korean Hackers Spoofing Emails from Trusted Sources (thehackernews.com)

Other Social Engineering

• The Rise And Stealth Of The Socially Engineered Insider (forbes.com)

• Iranian hackers harvest credentials through advanced social engineering campaigns | CSO Online

• What is social engineering penetration testing? | Definition from TechTarget

Artificial Intelligence

• Over 70% of Staff Use AI At Work, But Only 30% of European Organisations Provide AI Training - IT Security Guru

• Organisations go ahead with AI despite security risks - Help Net Security

• Innovation, Not Regulation, Will Protect Corporations From Deepfakes (darkreading.com)

• Strategies for preventing AI misuse in cyber security - Help Net Security

• AI is changing the game when it comes to cyber security | ITPro

• Why the Cyber Security Industry Is Obsessed With AI Right Now - CNET

• LLMs & Malicious Code Injections: 'We Have to Assume It's Coming' (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Security, Deepfakes and the Human Risk of AI Fraud (govtech.com)

• How to detect deepfakes manually and using AI | TechTarget

• Report Shows AI Fraud, Deepfakes Are Top Challenges For Banks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Criminal Use of AI Growing, But Lags Behind Defenders - Security Week

2FA/MFA

• Only 45% of organisations use MFA to protect against fraud - Help Net Security

• UnitedHealth Attack: Stolen Credentials, No MFA | MSSP Alert

Malware

• Hackers Increasingly Abusing Microsoft Graph API for Stealthy Malware Communications (thehackernews.com)

• ZLoader Malware adds Zeus's anti-analysis feature (securityaffairs.com)

• Russia-linked APT28 and crooks are still using the Moobot botnet (securityaffairs.com)

• Iranian hackers pose as journalists to push backdoor malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New 'Cuckoo' Persistent macOS Spyware Targeting Intel and Arm Macs (thehackernews.com)

• Hackers are using fake apps to distribute this dangerous Mac malware — don’t fall for this | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• Hijack Loader Malware Employs Process Hollowing, UAC Bypass in Latest Version (thehackernews.com)

• Mirai Botnet Exploits Ivanti Connect Secure Flaws for Malicious Payload Delivery (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• Mobile Banking Malware Surges 32% - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Android bug can leak DNS traffic with VPN kill switch enabled (bleepingcomputer.com)

• European Threat To End-To-End Encryption Would Invade Phones (forbes.com)

• Ransomware crooks SIM swap kids to pressure parents • The Register

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• 87% of DDoS Attacks Targeted Windows OS Devices in 2023 (darkreading.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• How does a data breach affect you and why should you care? | TechRadar

• Defence secretary Grant Shapps confirms name of contractor running MoD system hacked by China | Politics News | Sky News

• Dell customer order database stolen, for sale on dark web • The Register

• IT Consulting Firm Blames MSP for Data Breach | MSSP Alert

• 10,000 Customers’ Data Exposed in UK Government Breaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Breach of a Face Recognition Firm Reveals a Hidden Danger of Biometrics | WIRED

• Cyber attack: Large volume of data stolen in attack on Scottish health board (scotsman.com)

• Security breach affects 6,000 German military VC meetings (avinteractive.com)

• Security company exposes 1.2M guard and suspect records • The Register

• Children's mental health records published after cyber attack - BBC News

• Georgia education agency's MOVEit data theft impacted 800K • The Register

• Data Brokers: What They Are and How to Safeguard Your Privacy - IT Security Guru

• Zscaler Investigates Hacking Claims After Data Offered for Sale - Security Week

• UK government departments reveal rise in data breaches & lost devices (datacentrenews.uk)

• 'Sophisticated' cyber attacks involving British Colombia government networks found | CBC News

• Cancer patients' sensitive information accessed by "unidentified parties" after being left exposed by screening lab for years (bitdefender.com)

• Over 380K more NYC students had info leaked, bringing total to over 1M (nypost.com)

• Dating apps kiss'n'tell all sorts of sensitive user info • The Register

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Hackers of all kinds are attacking routers across the world | TechRadar

• Cyber crime stats you can't ignore - Help Net Security

• These Dangerous Scammers Don’t Even Bother to Hide Their Crimes | WIRED

• Threat Actors Weaponize Hacktivism for Financial Gain - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Massive webshop fraud ring steals credit cards from 850,000 people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Scattered Spider group a unique challenge for cyber cops, FBI leader says (therecord.media)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Alexander Vinnik, the operator of BTC-e exchange, pleaded guilty to money laundering (securityaffairs.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• The Rise And Stealth Of The Socially Engineered Insider (forbes.com)

• Don't Be the Weakest Link – Your Team's Crucial Role in Cyber Security | NAVEX - JDSupra

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• UK Military Data Breach a Reminder of Third-Party Risk (darkreading.com)

• Details of UK military personnel exposed in huge payroll data breach | AP News

• Firm at centre of MoD 'China' hack handles data for several Whitehall departments (inews.co.uk)

• DBIR: Supply Chain Breaches Up 68% Year Over Year (darkreading.com)

• IT Consulting Firm Blames MSP for Data Breach | MSSP Alert

• The complexities of third-party risk management - Help Net Security

Cloud/SaaS

• What is Cloud Security in Banking? | HackerNoon

• Does cloud security have a bad reputation? | InfoWorld

Encryption

• Cop complaints won't stop E2EE, says encryption advocate • The Register

• European Threat To End-To-End Encryption Would Invade Phones (forbes.com)

Linux and Open Source

• Open-Source Cyber Security Is a Ticking Time Bomb (gizmodo.com)

• Spies Among Us: Insider Threats in Open Source Environments (darkreading.com)

• A Guide to Open Source Software Security - The New Stack

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Iranian hackers harvest credentials through advanced social engineering campaigns | CSO Online

• Microsoft introduces Passkeys support for consumer accounts - gHacks Tech News

• Google Announces Passkeys Adopted by Over 400 Million Accounts (thehackernews.com)

• UnitedHealth Attack: Stolen Credentials, No MFA | MSSP Alert

• Hackers can crack average 8-character passwords in under a minute (newsbytesapp.com)

• What is credential stuffing? | Kaspersky official blog

• How secure is the “Password Protection” on your files and drives? - Help Net Security

Social Media

• These Dangerous Scammers Don’t Even Bother to Hide Their Crimes | WIRED

Training, Education and Awareness

• Over 70% of Staff Use AI At Work, But Only 30% of European Organisations Provide AI Training - IT Security Guru

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• The EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox: Shaping Global Cyber Security Standards | UpGuard

• EU plan to force messaging apps to scan for CSAM risks millions of false positives, experts warn | TechCrunch

• The NIS2 Compliance Deadline Is Nearing. Are You Prepared? - Security Boulevard

• Innovation, Not Regulation, Will Protect Corporations From Deepfakes (darkreading.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• The NIS2 Compliance Deadline Is Nearing. Are You Prepared? - Security Boulevard

Data Protection

• Privacy requests increased 246% in two years - Help Net Security

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• How workforce reductions affect cyber security postures - Help Net Security

• One in Four Tech CISOs Unhappy with Compensation - Security Boulevard

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Ransomware activity is back on track despite law enforcement efforts - Help Net Security

• Law Enforcement Takedowns Force Ransomware Affiliates to Diversify - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• LockBit's seized darknet site resurrected by police, teasing new revelations (therecord.media)

• LockBit leader unmasked and sanctioned - National Crime Agency

• Israeli private investigator wanted for hacking in US is arrested in London | The Independent

• German police bust Europe's 'largest' scam call centre – DW – 05/02/2024

• Consultant charged with $1.5M extortion of IT giant • The Register

• 97% of Organisations Hit by Ransomware Worked with Law Enforcement (globenewswire.com)

• Alexander Vinnik, the operator of BTC-e exchange, pleaded guilty to money laundering (securityaffairs.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

• Israeli private investigator wanted for hacking in US is arrested in London | The Independent

• Cyber Attacks on US Utilities: New Trends in Cyber Warfare - ClearanceJobs

• 'The Mask' Espionage Group Resurfaces After 10-Year Hiatus (darkreading.com)

Nation State Actors

China

• Defence secretary Grant Shapps confirms name of contractor running MoD system hacked by China | Politics News | Sky News

• Firm at centre of MoD 'China' hack handles data for several Whitehall departments (inews.co.uk)

• Lessons from LOCKED SHIELDS 2024 cyber exercise | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Geopolitical tensions rise with China. (thecyberwire.com)

• China-Linked Hackers Used ROOTROT Webshell in MITRE Network Intrusion (thehackernews.com)

Russia

• Malice from Moscow: NATO warns of Russian hybrid warfare - EU Reporter

• Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn (ft.com)

• How Nato could respond after wave of Russian spy arrests across Europe (inews.co.uk)

• EU, NATO denounce Russia's cyber attacks on Germany, Czechia (kyivindependent.com)

• Russia Cyber Attack Germany's Ruling Party, Defence | Silicon UK

• Foreign Ministry:  Czech institutions targeted by GRU cyber attacks | Radio Prague International

• Microsoft Outlook Flaw Exploited by Russia's APT28 to Hack Czech, German Entities (thehackernews.com)

• Russia-linked APT28 and crooks are still using the Moobot botnet (securityaffairs.com)

• Russia slammed for cyber attacks (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Ukraine records increase in financially motivated attacks by Russian hackers (therecord.media)

• UK joins partners in condemnation of malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services: UK government statement - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Russian cyber attacks on Germany spur intensified cyber recruitment and training   - Freelance Informer

• Cyber War? EU rages over alleged Russian cyber attack on German’s ruling SPD (brusselssignal.eu)

• Lessons from LOCKED SHIELDS 2024 cyber exercise | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• A (Strange) Interview With the Russian-Military-Linked Hackers Targeting US Water Utilities | WIRED

• Russia says Germany using baseless 'hacker myths' to destroy ties | Reuters

• Highlights of international and Ukrainian cyber security news in April 2024 - National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (rnbo.gov.ua)

• Poland says it too was targeted by Russian hackers – POLITICO

• Kaspersky denies claims it helped Russia with drones • The Register

Iran

• Iranian hackers pose as journalists to push backdoor malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Iranian hackers harvest credentials through advanced social engineering campaigns | CSO Online

North Korea

• NSA, FBI Alert on North Korean Hackers Spoofing Emails from Trusted Sources (thehackernews.com)

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

• Far-right websites hacked and defaced  | CyberScoop

• Threat Actors Weaponise Hacktivism for Financial Gain - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Amnesty International Cites Indonesia as a Spyware Hub (darkreading.com)

• New 'Cuckoo' Persistent macOS Spyware Targeting Intel and Arm Macs (thehackernews.com)

• Apple’s iPhone Spyware Problem Is Getting Worse. Here’s What You Should Know | WIRED

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Vulnerability Management

• Cyber criminals are getting faster at exploiting vulnerabilities - Help Net Security

• Misconfigurations drive 80% of security exposures | Security Magazine

• Cyber Threat Research: Poor Patching Practices and Unencrypted Protocols Continue to Haunt Enterprises - IT Security Guru

• Patch management vs. vulnerability management: Key differences | TechTarget

• How remote work is changing patch management | TechTarget

• What is Risk-Based Vulnerability Management (RBVM)? (techtarget.com)

• CISA’s KEV list improving private and public-sector patching • The Register

• CISA Announces CVE Enrichment Project 'Vulnrichment' - Security Week

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Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Outlook Flaw Exploited by Russia's APT28 to Hack Czech, German Entities (thehackernews.com)

• Citrix Addresses High-Severity NetScaler Servers Flaw (darkreading.com)

• Over 50,000 Tinyproxy servers vulnerable to critical RCE flaw (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Veeam fixes RCE flaw in backup management platform (CVE-2024-29212) - Help Net Security

• LiteSpeed Cache WordPress plugin actively exploited in the wild (securityaffairs.com)

• New Spectre-Style 'Pathfinder' Attack Targets Intel CPU, Leak Encryption Keys and Data (thehackernews.com)

• New BIG-IP Next Central Manager bugs allow device takeover (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft: April Windows Server updates also cause crashes, reboots (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Android bug can leak DNS traffic with VPN kill switch enabled (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mirai Botnet Exploits Ivanti Connect Secure Flaws for Malicious Payload Delivery (thehackernews.com)

• Apple just fixed an iTunes security flaw for Windows users, but they probably have bigger issues to worry about anyway | iMore

• Citrix warns customers to update PuTTY version installed on their XenCenter system manually (securityaffairs.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Behind Closed Doors: The Rise of Hidden Malicious Remote Access (cybereason.com)

• Security tools fail to translate risks for executives - Help Net Security

• Misconfigurations drive 80% of security exposures | Security Magazine

• A Guide to Cyber Threat Intelligence (greydynamics.com)

• NSA, FBI Alert on North Korean Hackers Spoofing Emails from Trusted Sources (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft plans to lock down Windows DNS like never before. Here’s how. | Ars Technica

• Novel attack against virtually all VPN apps neuters their entire purpose | Ars Technica

• Cyber Threat Research: Poor Patching Practices and Unencrypted Protocols Continue to Haunt Enterprises - IT Security Guru

• Strategies for preventing AI misuse in cyber security - Help Net Security

• Shadow APIs: An Overlooked Cyber Risk for Orgs (darkreading.com)

• How to detect deepfakes manually and using AI | TechTarget

• What is social engineering penetration testing? | Definition from TechTarget

• How workforce reductions affect cyber security postures - Help Net Security

• What is biometrics? 10 physical and behavioural identifiers that can be used for authentication | CSO Online

• What is Risk-Based Vulnerability Management (RBVM)? (techtarget.com)

• Top 10 physical security considerations for CISOs | CSO Online

• Three Battle-Tested Tips for Surviving a Cyber Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• IT chiefs plan to spend and innovate their way out of ransomware swamp | TechRadar

• A SaaS Security Challenge: Getting Permissions All in One Place  (thehackernews.com)

• Tips for Protecting Active Directory From Ransomware Attacks | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

• Tips for Controlling the Costs of Security Tools - The New Stack

• Rethinking Cyber Security Investment Amid Rising Threats (govinfosecurity.com)

• Microsoft confirms Windows 11 24H2 turns on Device Encryption by default (windowslatest.com)

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• The State of Ransomware 2024 - Sophos

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Other News

• Microsoft overhaul treats security as ‘top priority’ after a series of failures - The Verge

• Microsoft will base part of senior exec comp on security, add deputy CISOs to product groups – GeekWire

• The EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox: Shaping Global Cyber Security Standards | UpGuard

• Complexity leads to trade-off between risk and innovation (betanews.com)

• When has the UK faced cyber attacks in the past? | The Independent

• Man-in-the-middle attack: The new cyber security threat | YourStory

• Paris 2024 gearing up to face unprecedented cyber security threat | Reuters

• From Warnings to Action: Preparing America’s Infrastructure for Imminent Cyber Threats - Security Week

• 38% of riskiest cyber physical systems neglected, warns Claroty report (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Why undersea cables need high-priority protection • The Register

• GAO: NASA Faces 'Inconsistent' Cyber Security Across Spacecraft (darkreading.com)

• Cyber security regulations: Are non-compliant cars more vulnerable? | Autocar

• Fujitsu sets aside £200m as calls mount for Post Office scandal payout

• eGates across UK airports go down (thelondoneconomic.com)

• FE News | Why the education sector needs to do the homework on cyber security as attacks soar

• Caught with our pants down - The Royal Gazette | Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community |

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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 19 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

World Economic Forum and UN Warn of Growing ‘Cyber Insecurity’ Amid Heightened Threat Landscape

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations (UN) have highlighted “cyber insecurity” as one of the most critical challenges facing organisations worldwide. A recent report reveals that over 80% of surveyed organisations feel more exposed to cyber crime than in the previous year, leading to calls for increased collaboration across sectors and borders to enhance business resilience. The study shows a growing gap in cyber resilience between organisations, with small and medium-sized enterprises facing declines of 30% in cyber resilience. Moreover, the cyber skills shortage continues to widen, with only 15% of organisations optimistic about improvements in cyber education and skills.

The report also underscores the impact of generative AI on cyber security, emphasising the need for ongoing innovation in digital security efforts. According to a separate report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, there has been a significant uptick in the use of large language model-based chatbots, deepfake technology, and automation tools in cyber fraud operations. These technologies pose a significant threat to the formal banking industry and require focused attention from authorities to counter their impact. The convergence of these trends underscores the urgency and complexity of the cyber security landscape.

Sources: [ITPro] [The Debrief]

Cyber Attacks Reveal Fragility of Financial Markets as Attacks on Financial Services Sector Surge

The financial sector is facing an increased risk from cyber attacks, with cyber security now being listed as the top systemic risk according to a Bank of England survey. Cyber attacks rose by 64% in 2023, with a shift towards AI-facilitated ransomware attacks and Vendor Email Compromise (VEC), which rose 137%, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, which rose by 71%, both of which exploit human error and pose a severe threat to the industry.

However, there is a lack of readiness by financial organisations to manage cyber attacks due to sophisticated attacks, talent shortages, and insufficient cyber defence investments. Ransomware incidents reported to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority doubled in 2023, making up 31% of cyber incidents, up from 11% in 2022. The financial sector remains a prime target for cyber criminals, especially ransomware groups.

Sources: [ITPro] [Law Society] [Security Brief] [Financial Times]  [Infosecurity Magazine]

Researcher Uncovers One of The Biggest Password Dumps in Recent History

Researchers have found that nearly 71 million unique stolen credentials for logging into websites such as Facebook, Roblox, eBay, Coinbase and Yahoo have been circulating on the Internet for at least four months. The massive amount of data was posted to a well-known underground market that brokers sales of compromised credentials.

Whilst there is a large number of re-used passwords in the data dump, it appears to contain roughly 25 million new passwords and 70 million unique email addresses. This serves as a crucial reminder about properly securing accounts, such as not reusing passwords, using a password manager and securing accounts with multi factor authentication.

Source: [Ars Technica]

Email Nightmare: 94% of Firms Hit by Phishing Attacks in 2023

Email security remained at the forefront of cyber related issues for decision-makers, with over nine in ten (94%) having to deal with a phishing attack, according to email security provider Egress. The top three phishing techniques used in 2023 were malicious URLs, malware or ransomware attachments, and attacks sent from compromised accounts. 96% of targeted organisations were negatively impacted by these attacks, up 10% from the previous year.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

75% of Organisations Hit by Ransomware in 2023

A recent report found that 75% of participants suffered at least one ransomware attack last year, and 26% were hit four or more times. The report noted that of the 25% who claimed to not have been hit, some could have been a victim but may not have the facilities to detect and therefore be aware as such. Ransomware remains a security threat and no organisation is immune.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

The Dangers of Quadruple Blow Ransomware Attacks

With the introduction of new regulatory requirements like NIS 2.0 and changes to US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) statutes, organisations are now mandated to promptly report cyber incidents, sometimes with deadlines as tight as four days. However, attackers are evolving their tactics to exploit these regulations. They add a new level of coercion by threatening to report non-compliant organisations to the regulator, thereby increasing the pressure on their victims. This was first seen last year as a ransomware gang AlphV reported one of its victims, MeridianLink, to the SEC for failing to report a successful cyber attack.

This coercive strategy places immense pressure on companies, especially as they grapple with data encryption, data exfiltration, and public exposure threats. In response to these evolving threats and regulatory pressures, organisations must invest in cyber resilience. This enables them to effectively respond to attacks, communicate with regulators, and recover services promptly, ultimately fortifying their defences against future threats.

Source: [TechRadar]

Human Error and Insiders Expose Millions in UK Law Firm Data Breaches

UK law firms are falling victim to data breaches primarily because of insiders and human error, according to an analysis of data from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). According to research, 60% of data breaches in the UK legal sector where the result of insider actions. In total, breaches led to the exposure of information of 4.2 million people. Often, even those organisations that implement measures to prevent breaches will still miss insider risk. Insider risk is not always malicious; it can also be negligence or due to a lack of knowledge, and it is important to protect against it.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

It’s a New Year and a Good Time for a Cyber Security Checkup

2023 brought a slew of high-profile vulnerabilities and data breaches impacting various sectors, including healthcare, government, and education. Notable incidents included ransomware attacks, such as the MOVEit, GoAnywhere, and casino operator breaches, along with the exploitation of unpatched legacy vulnerabilities like Log4j and Microsoft Exchange. Furthermore, new regulatory requirements from the likes of the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), and state security and privacy laws, added to the complexity. As we enter 2024, it is crucial for organisations, regardless of size, to reassess their cyber security strategies, incorporating lessons learned and adapting to new requirements. Comprehensive cyber security programs encompass people, operations and technology, addressing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

Black Arrow can help with comprehensive and impartial assessments including gap analyses and security testing. These provide you with the objective assurance you need to understand whether your controls are providing you with your intended security and risk management.

Source: [JDSupra]

Applying the Tyson Principle to Cyber Security: Why Attack Simulations are Key to Avoiding Disaster

Mike Tyson’s famous adage “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face," is something we too often see in the world of security. When it comes to cyber security, preparedness is not just a luxury but a necessity. Far too often, unrealistic expectations in cyber defences create a false sense of security, leading to dire consequences when the reality of an attack hits. No-one wants to be testing their defences and implementing their response plan for the first time during a real incident.

In comes the benefit of incident and attack simulations: a reality check of your defences in a safe environment. Regular tabletop war-gaming exercises that simulate the fall out of an attack for senior leadership, can help to build muscle memory for when something does happen. They make sure everyone knows what to do, and crucially also not to do, when such an event happens for real. A deeper exercise would be a simulated attack that can be systematic and controlled, to mimic a real attacker and then adapted as attackers change their tactics, techniques, and procedures. From simulations, organisations can assess how their defences performed, applying insights and measuring and refining their defences for the event of a real attack.

Source: [The Hacker News]

Cyber Threats Top Global Business Risk Concern for 2024

Cyber related incidents, including ransomware attacks, data breaches and IT disruptions are the biggest concern for companies globally in 2024, according to a recent report by Allianz. The report highlights that these risks are a concern for businesses of all sizes, but the resilience gap between large and small companies is widening, “as risk awareness among larger organisations has grown since the pandemic with a notable drive to upgrade resilience.” Smaller businesses lack the time and resources that larger organisations have available, and as such need to carefully select and prioritise their resilience efforts.

Source: [Insurance Journal]

Generative AI has CEOs Worried About Cyber Security, PwC Survey Says

A recent PwC global survey found that when it comes to generative AI risks, 64% of CEOs said they are most concerned about its impact on cyber security, with over half of the total interviewed stating concerns about generative AI spreading misinformation in their company.  When we think of generative AI, we often worry about outside risk and the impact it can have for attackers, but the risk can also be internal, with things such as accidental disclosure by employees to unregulated generative AI. There is a necessity for organisations to govern the usage of AI in their corporate environment, to prevent such risks.

Source: [Quartz]

With Attacks on the Upswing, Cyber Insurance Premiums Poised to Rise Too

As the threat landscape continues to evolve, the cyber insurance market is experiencing significant changes that will impact businesses in the coming months with experts predicting that cyber insurance costs are on the verge of an upward trend. The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work and the cloud disrupted the cyber insurance market, leading to rising costs and reduced coverage options. In 2022, a temporary respite saw lower premiums, but 2023 has seen a resurgence in attacker activity, making it a challenging year for insurers. Cyber insurance remains a critical component of risk management, with the industry expected to continue growing despite higher rates. For businesses, understanding the evolving landscape of cyber insurance and ensuring adequate coverage is crucial in the face of escalating cyber threats.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Digital Resilience: a Step Up from Cyber Security

In today's digital landscape, the focus on digital resilience is paramount for organisations. While cyber security has garnered attention, digital resilience is the new frontier. Digital resilience involves an organisation's ability to maintain, adapt, and recover technology-dependent operations. As we increasingly rely on digital technology and the internet of things, understanding the critical role of technology in core business processes is vital. It goes beyond cyber security, encompassing change management, business resilience, operational risk, and competitiveness. Digital resilience means being ready to adopt new technology and swiftly recover from disruptions. Recognising its value and managing it at the senior level is crucial for long-term success in our rapidly evolving digital world. Moreover, amid a rising number of cyber attacks, addressing the statistic that only 18% of UK businesses provided cyber security training to employees last year is essential. Bridging this knowledge gap through cyber hygiene, a culture of cyber security, and robust safety measures will strengthen an organisation's cyber resilience against evolving threats.

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. 

Sources: [CSO Online] [Financial Times]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• World Economic Forum warns of growing ‘cyber insecurity’ amid heightened threat landscape | ITPro

• Cyber Threats Top Global Business Risk Concern for 2024: Allianz (insurancejournal.com)

• Geopolitical tensions combined with technology will drive new security risks - Help Net Security

• JPMorgan suffers 45bn cyber attacks a day (ft.com)

• Improving Supply Chain Security, Resiliency (informationweek.com)

• Generative AI has CEOs worried about cyber security, PwC survey says (qz.com)

• As hacks worsen, SEC turns up the heat on CISOs | TechCrunch

• It’s a New Year and a Good Time for a Cyber Security Checkup | Clark Hill PLC - JDSupra

• Over 90 percent of organisations set to increase data protection spending (betanews.com)

• Financial organisations remain in cyber criminals' crosshairs (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• With Attacks on the Upswing, Cyber Insurance Premiums Poised to Rise Too (darkreading.com)

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

• How to Recover After Failing a Cyber Security Audit - Security Boulevard

• Businesses Lack Confidence Overcome Cyber Attacks | Silicon UK

• Cyber incident response impaired by stress | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Key Considerations for Successful Cyber Security Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) - Security Boulevard

• Security considerations during layoffs: Advice from an MSSP - Help Net Security

• Effective Incident Response Relies on Internal and External Partnerships (darkreading.com)

• InfoSec 101: Why Data Loss Prevention is Important to Enterprise Defence (darkreading.com)

• Norton Rose Fulbright’s 19th Annual Litigation Trends Survey reveals heightened risk around cyber security and data protection amid AI boom (globenewswire.com)

• Applying the Tyson Principle to Cyber Security: Why Attack Simulation is Key to Avoiding a KO (thehackernews.com)

• How to improve cyber resilience across your workforce (ft.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• 75% of Organisations Hit by Ransomware in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK finance firms faced a torrent of ransomware attacks in 2023 as threat actors ramped up activities | ITPro

• Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2024 Finds Cyber Attacks the #1 Cause of Business Outages | Business Wire

• Underwriters concerned about ransomware and supply-chain attacks: Woodruff Sawyer - Reinsurance News

• Akira ransomware attackers are wiping NAS and tape backups - Help Net Security

• Medusa Ransomware on the Rise: From Data Leaks to Multi-Extortion (thehackernews.com)

• The Top 10 Ransomware Groups of 2023 - Security Boulevard

• 3 Ransomware Group Newcomers to Watch in 2024 (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware causes mental, physical trauma to security pros • The Register

• The dangers of quadruple blow ransomware attacks | TechRadar

• Ransomware: how financial institutions can prepare to react quickly through regulatory compliance (finextra.com)

• Ransomware: To Pay or Not to Pay — What the Experts Say | MSSP Alert

• Poorly secured PostgreSQL, MySQL servers targeted by ransomware bot - Help Net Security

• Outsmarting Ransomware’s New Playbook - SecurityWeek

• TeamViewer abused to breach networks in new ransomware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware negotiation: When cyber security meets crisis management - Help Net Security

Ransomware Victims

• Ransomware gang targets nonprofit providing clean water to world’s poorest (therecord.media)

• Capita hits back as pension holders look to sue over Russian-linked cyber attack (yahoo.com)

• British Library to share learning from cyber attack - Museums Association

• British Library starts restoring services online after hack - BBC News

• British cosmetics firm Lush confirms cyber attack (therecord.media)

• Delay to Manx Care dental services after cyber attack - BBC News

• Email threats to patients escalate after Fred Hutch cyber attack | The Seattle Times

• Majorca city Calvià extorted for $11M in ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• A key part of Foxconn has been hit by the Lockbit ransomware | TechRadar

• Kansas State University cyber attack disrupts IT network and services (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Microsoft warns of new spearphishing attack targeting workers at top companies | TechRadar

• Email Nightmare: 94% of Firms Hit by Phishing Attacks in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Vendor Email Attacks Surged by 137% in Financial Sector in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Modular laptop maker Framework contacts customers after phishing scheme hooks internal spreadsheet packed with personal data | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• US Secret Service court documents reveal new tactics in antivirus renewal phishing scam | TechRadar

• Threat Actors Team Up for Post-Holiday Phishing Email Surge (darkreading.com)

• Waiting for Your Pay Raise? Cofense Warns Against HR-Related Scams - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Flipping the BEC funnel: Phishing in the age of GenAI - Help Net Security

• US court docs expose fake antivirus renewal phishing tactics (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Email threats to patients escalate after Fred Hutch cyber attack | The Seattle Times

• Shipping-Themed Emails: Not Just for The Holidays - Security Boulevard

Artificial Intelligence

• AI driven cyber threats loom over business in the year ahead says report (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Organised Crime is Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrencies, Concerning New UN Report Says - The Debrief

• How cyber criminals are using AI to attack targets faster - Insurance Post (postonline.co.uk)

• Adversaries exploit trends, target popular GenAI apps - Help Net Security

• The Dual Role AI Plays in Cyber Security: How to Stay Ahead (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The power of AI in cyber security - Help Net Security

• Flipping the BEC funnel: Phishing in the age of GenAI - Help Net Security

• AI Could Make Cyber Threats Harder to Detect (newswise.com)

• If you don’t already have a generative AI security policy, there’s no time to lose | CSO Online

• Norton Rose Fulbright’s 19th Annual Litigation Trends Survey reveals heightened risk around cyber security and data protection amid AI boom (globenewswire.com)

2FA/MFA

• Senators want to know why the SEC’s X account wasn’t secured with MFA (engadget.com)

• Out with the old and in with the improved: MFA needs a revamp - Help Net Security

• MFA Spamming and Fatigue: When Security Measures Go Wrong (thehackernews.com)

Malware

• GitLab Releases Updates to Address Critical Vulnerabilities (darkreading.com)

• Updated Atomic Stealer malware emerges | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Data-theft malware exploits Windows Defender SmartScreen • The Register

• Windows PCs targeted by dangerous new threat that even gets around Defender - and even though there's a fix, you could still be at risk | TechRadar

• MacOS info-stealers quickly evolve to evade XProtect detection (bleepingcomputer.com)Balada Injector continues to infect thousands of WordPress sites (securityaffairs.com)

• 5 malware mistakes most people make while traveling and trying to charge (nypost.com)

• Inferno Drainer Spoofs Over 100 Crypto Brands to Steal $80m+ - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Remcos RAT Spreading Through Adult Games in New Attack Wave (thehackernews.com)

• Botnet activity surges as criminals get braver - can your business stand strong? | TechRadar

• JinxLoader Malware: Next-Stage Payload Threats Revealed - Security Boulevard

• $80M in Crypto Disappears Into Drainer-as-a-Service Malware Hell (darkreading.com)

• Bigpanzi botnet infects 170,000 Android TV boxes with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Stealthy New macOS Backdoor Hides on Chinese Websites (darkreading.com)

• Securing Public Sector Against IoT Malware in 2024 - Security Boulevard

Mobile

• 5 malware mistakes most people make while traveling and trying to charge (nypost.com)

• New Tool Identifies Pegasus and Other iOS Spyware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Environmental Websites Hit by DDoS Surge in COP28 Crossfire - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Vulnerability Puts Bosch Smart Thermostats at Risk of Compromise - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Your washing machine could be sending 3.7 GB of data a day — LG washing machine owner disconnected his device from Wi-Fi after noticing excessive outgoing daily data traffic | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Bigpanzi botnet infects 170,000 Android TV boxes with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Modernising print security for today’s working world | TechRadar

• Securing Public Sector Against IoT Malware in 2024 - Security Boulevard

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Human Error and Insiders Expose Millions in UK Law Firm Data Breaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Israeli civil servants' personal data latest casualty Iranian cyber war - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

• Insufficient cyber security caused PSNI data breach  (iapp.org)

• Cyber Attack On Insurer Compromised Over 64K, Suit Says - Law360

• Modular laptop maker Framework contacts customers after phishing scheme hooks internal spreadsheet packed with personal data | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Email threats to patients escalate after Fred Hutch cyber attack | The Seattle Times

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Just ten groups were responsible for nearly half of all cyber attacks last year | TechRadar

• Organised Crime is Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrencies, Concerning New UN Report Says - The Debrief

• Threat Actors Team Up for Post-Holiday Phishing Email Surge (darkreading.com)

• GitLab Releases Updates to Address Critical Vulnerabilities (darkreading.com)

• Stupid Human Tricks: Top 10 Cyber Crime Cases of 2023 - Security Boulevard

• Illegal online casinos spread crypto-crime across Asia • The Register

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Senators Demand Probe into SEC Hack After Bitcoin Price Spike - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Organised Crime is Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrencies, Concerning New UN Report Says - The Debrief

• Hacker spins up 1 million virtual servers to illegally mine crypto (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Inferno Drainer Spoofs Over 100 Crypto Brands to Steal $80m+ - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 29-Year-Old Ukrainian Cryptojacking Kingpin Arrested for Exploiting Cloud Services (thehackernews.com)

• Crypto Heists Surge in 2023, $16.93m Already Stolen in 2024 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Illegal online casinos spread crypto-crime across Asia • The Register

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Human Error and Insiders Expose Millions in UK Law Firm Data Breaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Preventing insider access from leaking to malicious actors - Help Net Security

Insurance

• Underwriters concerned about ransomware and supply-chain attacks: Woodruff Sawyer - Reinsurance News

• Munich Re secures cyber war exclusions at 1.1 as wording tension dissipates | Insurance Insider

• With Attacks on the Upswing, Cyber Insurance Premiums Poised to Rise Too (darkreading.com)

• Re-writing the underwriting story: How to navigate the complexities of modern risks (allianz.com)

• Fighting ransomware: A guide to getting the right cyber security insurance | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Underwriters concerned about ransomware and supply-chain attacks: Woodruff Sawyer - Reinsurance News

• Capita hits back as pension holders look to sue over Russian-linked cyber attack (yahoo.com)

• Improving Supply Chain Security, Resiliency (informationweek.com)

• Key Considerations for Successful Cyber Security Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) - Security Boulevard

Cloud/SaaS

• Insurance website's buggy API leaked Office 365 password • The Register

• As Enterprise Cloud Grows, So Do Challenges (darkreading.com)

• 29-Year-Old Ukrainian Cryptojacking Kingpin Arrested for Exploiting Cloud Services (thehackernews.com)

• 3 ways to combat rising OAuth SaaS attacks - Help Net Security

• FBI: Beware of cloud-credential thieves building botnets • The Register

• Weaponised AWS SES Accounts Anchor Massive Stealth Attack (darkreading.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Digital nomads amplify identity fraud risks - Help Net Security

Encryption

• New Report Charts Roadmap To A Quantum-Secure Financial System – Eurasia Review

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Researcher uncovers one of the biggest password dumps in recent history | Ars Technica

• GitHub scrambles to rotate keys after credentials in production containers were potentially exposed | ITPro

• Insurance website's buggy API leaked Office 365 password • The Register

• FBI: Beware of cloud-credential thieves building botnets • The Register

Social Media

• Senators Demand Probe into SEC Hack After Bitcoin Price Spike - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malvertising

• Latest Adblock update causes massive YouTube performance hit (bleepingcomputer.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• The right strategy for effective cyber security awareness - Help Net Security

• Before starting your 2024 security awareness program, ask these 10 questions - Security Boulevard

• How to improve cyber resilience across your workforce (ft.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Senators Demand Probe into SEC Hack After Bitcoin Price Spike - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• As hacks worsen, SEC turns up the heat on CISOs | TechCrunch

• IT consultant in Germany fined for exposing shoddy security • The Register

• Data regulator fines HelloFresh £140K for sending 80M+ spams • The Register

• A Look at UK Domain and IP Address Seizures in the Criminal Justice Bill - ISPreview UK

• Why the US Needs Comprehensive Cyber Security Legislation - Security Boulevard

• Home improvement marketers dial up trouble from regulator • The Register

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• 10 cyber security frameworks you need to know about - Help Net Security

• NIST Offers Guidance on Measuring and Improving Your Company’s Cyber Security Program | NIST

Backup and Recovery

• Akira ransomware attackers are wiping NAS and tape backups - Help Net Security

Data Protection

• Over 90 percent of organisations set to increase data protection spending (betanews.com)

• Data regulator fines HelloFresh £140K for sending 80M+ spams • The Register

• Norton Rose Fulbright’s 19th Annual Litigation Trends Survey reveals heightened risk around cyber security and data protection amid AI boom (globenewswire.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Ransomware causes mental, physical trauma to security pros • The Register

• Protecting the protectors: combating stress in the cyber security industry | The Independent

• Best practices to mitigate alert fatigue - Help Net Security

• Universities not delivering the right skills for cyber security (betanews.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• 29-Year-Old Ukrainian Cryptojacking Kingpin Arrested for Exploiting Cloud Services (thehackernews.com)

• A Look at UK Domain and IP Address Seizures in the Criminal Justice Bill - ISPreview UK

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Staying cyber secure in the age of misdirection | The Independent

• FBI Warns of More Election Chaos in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• Election Security 2024: Biggest Cyber Threats and Practical Solutions - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• OODA Loop - Elections Are Coming: Time to Sound Misinformation’s Clarion Call… Again

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• World Economic Forum warns of growing ‘cyber insecurity’ amid heightened threat landscape | ITPro

• Geopolitical tensions combined with technology will drive new security risks - Help Net Security

• Munich Re secures cyber war exclusions at 1.1 as wording tension dissipates | Insurance Insider

• Cyberwar continues to underperform (reason.com)

Nation State Actors

China

• End-of-life Cisco routers targeted by China’s Volt Typhoon group (therecord.media)

• Stealthy New macOS Backdoor Hides on Chinese Websites (darkreading.com)

• Feds warn China-made drones pose risk to US critical infrastructure | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• China warns of AirDrop de-anonymisation flaw • The Register

Russia

• FBI Warns of More Election Chaos in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• Pro-Russia group hit Swiss govt sites after Zelensky visit in Davos (securityaffairs.com)

• Cyber Attack on Ukraine’s largest telecom provider will cost it about $100 million (therecord.media)

• Russia finds way around sanctions on battlefield tech: report – POLITICO

• Moscow imports a third of battlefield tech from western companies (ft.com)

• Prolific Russian hacking unit using custom backdoor for the first time | CyberScoop

• Ukrainian hackers successfully attack payment website of one of Russia's regional energy companies (yahoo.com)

Iran

• Israeli civil servants' personal data latest casualty Iranian cyber war - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

• Threat-hunter says Iran is stepping up the sophistication of its cyber attacks (therecord.media)

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

• World Economic Forum warns of growing ‘cyber insecurity’ amid heightened threat landscape | ITPro

• Geopolitical tensions combined with technology will drive new security risks - Help Net Security

• Ukrainian hackers successfully attack payment website of one of Russia's regional energy companies (yahoo.com)

• Israeli civil servants' personal data latest casualty Iranian cyber war - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

• Pro-Russia group hit Swiss govt sites after Zelensky visit in Davos (securityaffairs.com)

• New Tool Identifies Pegasus and Other iOS Spyware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Why we must bring order to cyber vulnerability chaos | TechRadar

Vulnerabilities

• CISA: Critical SharePoint vuln is under active exploitation • The Register

• Ivanti Connect Secure zero-days now under mass exploitation (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Juniper warns of critical RCE bug in its firewalls and switches (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Over 178,000 SonicWall next-generation firewalls (NGFW) online exposed to hack (securityaffairs.com)

• VMware Urges Customers to Patch Critical Aria Automation Vulnerability  - SecurityWeek

• Zero-Day Alert: Update Chrome Now to Fix New Actively Exploited Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

• Two more Citrix NetScaler bugs exploited in the wild • The Register

• Atlassian warns of critical RCE flaw in older Confluence versions (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Millions of GPUs from Apple, AMD and Qualcomm have a serious security flaw — and it could put literally all your data at risk if it isn't fixed | TechRadar

• End-of-life Cisco routers targeted by China’s Volt Typhoon group (therecord.media)

• Apple Magic Keyboards are at risk from security attacks – update now to protect your Mac or iPad | TechRadar

• Windows 10 security update requires some major changes - experts only need apply | TechRadar

• GitLab Patches Critical Password Reset Vulnerability - SecurityWeek

• Balada Injector continues to infect thousands of WordPress sites (securityaffairs.com)

• Vulnerabilities Expose PAX Payment Terminals to Hacking - SecurityWeek

• Government, Military Targeted as Widespread Exploitation of Ivanti Zero-Days Begins - SecurityWeek

• Most older iPhones, Macs, and iPads are vulnerable to GPU flaw (appleinsider.com)

• New UEFI vulnerabilities send firmware devs across an entire ecosystem scrambling | Ars Technica

• China warns of AirDrop de-anonymisation flaw • The Register

• Drupal Releases Security Advisory for Drupal Core | CISA

• Vulnerability Puts Bosch Smart Thermostats at Risk of Compromise - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Opera MyFlaw Bug Could Let Hackers Run ANY File on Your Mac or Windows (thehackernews.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Akira ransomware attackers are wiping NAS and tape backups - Help Net Security

• Underwriters concerned about ransomware and supply-chain attacks: Woodruff Sawyer - Reinsurance News

• Munich Re secures cyber war exclusions at 1.1 as wording tension dissipates | Insurance Insider

• How to improve your organisation's cyber hygiene score | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• With Attacks on the Upswing, Cyber Insurance Premiums Poised to Rise Too (darkreading.com)

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

• If you don’t already have a generative AI security policy, there’s no time to lose | CSO Online

• Key elements for a successful cyber risk management strategy - Help Net Security

• Preventing insider access from leaking to malicious actors - Help Net Security

• Applying the Tyson Principle to Cyber Security: Why Attack Simulation is Key to Avoiding a KO (thehackernews.com)

• Over 90 percent of organisations set to increase data protection spending (betanews.com)

• As Enterprise Cloud Grows, So Do Challenges (darkreading.com)

• Best practices to mitigate alert fatigue - Help Net Security

• Modernising print security for today’s working world | TechRadar

• APIs in peril: Wallarm's latest report exposes uptick in API attacks and highlights security predictions for 2024 | Business Wire

• MFA Spamming and Fatigue: When Security Measures Go Wrong (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber incident response impaired by stress | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Effective Incident Response Relies on Internal and External Partnerships (darkreading.com)

• InfoSec 101: Why Data Loss Prevention is Important to Enterprise Defence (darkreading.com)

• Digital nomads amplify identity fraud risks - Help Net Security

• Out with the old and in with the improved: MFA needs a revamp - Help Net Security

• The right strategy for effective cyber security awareness - Help Net Security

• SOC-as-a-Service: The Five Must-Have Features - Security Boulevard

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Other News

• Post Office scandal latest: MPs 'shocked' by evidence from Fujitsu and Post Office boss - as victims Alan Bates and Jo Hamilton say they were 'gaslit' | UK News | Sky News

• Post Office syndrome: why we’re more vulnerable than ever to Horizon-like computer systems | The Independent

• What’s on the Smartest Cyber Security Minds for 2024? (cybereason.com)

• How news organisations became a prime target for cyber attacks (pressgazette.co.uk)

• UK doubles spending on overseas cyber security projects (ft.com)

• Huge boost for global security with almost £1 billion government investment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• NCSC Builds New “Cyber League” Threat Tracking Community - 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.

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 29 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

UK Ministers Publicly State Fears of Potential Widescale Power Grid Disruptions

The UK’s power network has long been an attractive target for enemies of the state and that remains true today. In fact, according to the UK Government, the risk of the whole country’s electricity system being shut down is growing. So are the dangers to citizens if it happens.

The UK’s National Risk Register, the official document assessing 89 different possible threats to the country, explains that a cyber attack on the National Grid could be launched by culprits “encrypting, stealing or destroying data upon which critical systems depend, or via disruption to operational systems”.

Source: [iNews]

Countries Brace for Influence Operations, AI and Hacking Campaigns Ahead of Historic 2024 Election Year, Could Upset World Balance

Billions of people around the world are expected to go to the polls and vote in 2024, in what will be the most significant election year in recent memory, and cyber security and government officials have already warned about countries using technology to influence operations. This includes disinformation campaigns and hacking attempts. Officials have further warned that artificial intelligence will likely be used to fuel such campaigns.

Sources: [The Record] [Security Affairs]

The Most Popular Passwords of 2023 are Easy to Guess and Crack

NordPass released a list of the top 200 common passwords recently, which included “123456” and “admin” as the top two. Of particular note, the top 40 passwords were all deemed to take less than 12 seconds to crack, or could be determined by an actor with no knowledge of the password. Many people would argue that there are so many passwords needed these days that it becomes hard to remember, hence their choice of easier passwords, and often reusing or recycling them across multiple sites and services. The use of a password manager can greatly reduce this need, requiring the user to only remember one password whilst also allowing for more complex and harder to crack passwords.

Source: [gHacks]

Dangerous Malware Pretends to be Some of Your Most Used Business Software

Hackers are using an old form of banking malware, known as Carbanak, to launch damaging ransomware attacks. Hackers are using compromised websites to host the malware, impersonating popular business-related software such as HubSpot, Veeam, or Xero.

Source: [TechRadar]

MFA Helps You Stay Resilient, But Nothing is a Silver Bullet

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a great resource for improving your organisation’s cyber resilience, but no technology is 100% secure and the human element will nearly always remain. With notable security breaches bypassing MFA to compromise organisations including Uber, games company EA, and authentication business Okta, organisations need to be aware that it is a possibility. As such, organisations need to ensure they implement MFA effectively and educate their users in their implementation; even the strongest of controls are rendered useless if they can be bypassed with one social engineering phone call.

Source: [Help Net Security]

Ransomware Leak Site Victims Reached Record-High in November

Corvus Threat Intel observed 484 new ransomware victims posted to leak sites in November. This represents a 39% increase from October and a 110% increase compared with November 2022. Further, this is the eleventh consecutive month in which there has been a year-on-year increase in ransomware victims, and the ninth with a victim count over 300.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

MOVEit, Capita, CitrixBleed and More: The Biggest Data Breaches of 2023

2023 was a colossal year for data breaches, with the likes of MOVEit, Capita, Citrix, Royal Mail, MGM resorts and 3CX among some of the most significant victims. Such attacks have involved a number of vectors, such as file transfer vulnerabilities, social engineering, supply chain attacks and zero-day exploits. The result? Millions of people’s data compromised, and hundreds of millions paid out to attackers; the attack on MGM resorts alone is reported to have costed upwards of $100 million.

Source: [TechCrunch]

Europol Warns 443 Online Shops Infected with Credit Card Stealers

Europol has notified over 400 websites that their online shop had been hacked, with malicious scripts that steal card information from paying customers. The scripts are designed to intercept and steal payment card numbers, expiration dates, verification numbers, names, and shipping addresses, which are then uploaded to an attacker. This information is then used, or sold on the dark web to be used. Unfortunately, some of these attacks can go undetected for weeks or even several months.

Source: [Bleeping Computer]

Physical Access Systems Open Door to IT Networks

Cyber attackers can exploit access control measures installed on supposedly secure facility doors to gain unauthorised building access to sensitive locations, as well as breach internal IP networks directly from these systems, research has shown. At a recent leading security conference, analysts demonstrated this is an attack. Assets such as these can often be forgotten about and therefore omitted from protections, highlighting the need for organisations to have an up to date and accurate asset register.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Simple Hacking Techniques Prove Successful in 2023 Cyber Attacks

Hacking can be sophisticated, but often it is not sophisticated at all. Some of the biggest hacks this year started with what seemed like an innocent phone call, but which in fact were fairly simple social engineering attacks. Additionally, hackers continued to target companies that failed to promptly update their systems, even after patches were released to fix critical vulnerabilities. The best first step to protect an organisation is to establish a culture of good cyber security hygiene across people, operations and technology.

Source: [Pymnts]

Daily Malicious Files Rise to 411,000 a day in 2023

Cyber criminals unleashed an average of 411,000 malicious files every day in 2023, representing a 3% increase from the previous year, according to Kaspersky. Malicious desktop files in particular rose by 53%. Cyber criminals favoured Microsoft Office services’ vulnerabilities, which represented 69% of all exploited vulnerabilities.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Android Malware Actively Infecting Devices to Take Full Control

Android Malware is actively being used to take control of devices for illicit purposes, such as stealing sensitive information and enabling remote attacks, and least 327,000 devices are reported to have been infected with such malware. Research has found that amongst the most targeted countries are the UK and US. Often, for the malware to work, users need to allow it access to information such as contacts, email. In some cases, the user would only be aware they have consented if they were to manually check the apps settings. For organisations, this can mean employees bringing personal or work phones into the corporate environment, with malware potentially along for the ride.

Source: [GBhackers]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Third-party issues disrupt 45% of firms despite cyber security spends (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Strengthening Resilience: Navigating the Cyber Security Landscape (darkreading.com)

• 8 big IT failures of 2023 | CIO

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransomware Leak Site Victims Reached Record-High in November - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Rethinking data security in the age of ransomware and AI - SiliconANGLE

• Carbanak Banking Malware Resurfaces with New Ransomware Tactics (thehackernews.com)

• Do the casino ransomware attacks make the case to pay? • The Register

• Windows CLFS and five exploits used by ransomware operators | Securelist

• Cyber crime experts reveal how to infiltrate ransomware gangs • The Register

• How ransomware operators try to stay under the radar | Malwarebytes

• How many times are you going to think about ransomware in 2024? (betanews.com)

• The Most Dangerous People on the Internet in 2023 | WIRED

Ransomware Victims

• MOVEit, Capita, CitrixBleed and more: The biggest data breaches of 2023 | TechCrunch

• Lockbit ransomware disrupts emergency care at German hospitals (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Integris Health patients get extortion emails after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware Group Claims 100 Gb of Data Stolen From Nissan Australia - Security Week

• Indian IT services giant HCL Technologies hit by ransomware | TechRadar

• LockBit gang claims to have breached accountancy firm Xeinadin (securityaffairs.com)

• Rockstar Employee Details Reportedly Leaked By Hackers (thegamer.com)

• Australia’s Largest Auto Dealer Group Hit By Massive Cyber Attack | Carscoops

• After cyber attack, New York hospitals find stolen patient info stored in Massachusetts, look for its return (databreaches.net)

Artificial Intelligence

• Elections 2024, Artificial Intelligence could upset world balances (securityaffairs.com)

• Justice Secretary in Deepfake General Election Warning - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• H2 2023 Threat Landscape Dominated by AI and Android Spyware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Malicious GPT Can Phish Credentials, Exfiltrate Them to External Server: Researcher - Security Week

• Rethinking data security in the age of ransomware and AI - SiliconANGLE

• Largest Dataset Powering AI Images Removed After Discovery of Child Sexual Abuse Material (404media.co)

• GenAI Tools Will Permeate All Areas of the Enterprise (darkreading.com)

• Why data, AI, and regulations top the threat list for 2024 - Help Net Security

• 5 Ways that AI Is Set To Transform Cyber Security (informationweek.com)

• The Emerging Landscape of AI-Driven Cyber Security Threats: A Look Ahead - Security Week

• Skynet Ahoy? What to Expect for Next-Gen AI Security Risks (darkreading.com)

• Ethical Implications of AI in Cyber Security | HackerNoon

2FA/MFA

• 3 main tactics attackers use to bypass MFA - Help Net Security

Malware

• Carbanak Banking Malware Resurfaces with New Ransomware Tactics (thehackernews.com)

• This dangerous malware pretends to be some of your most-used business software tools, so watch out | TechRadar

• Iran's 'Peach Sandstorm' Cyber Attackers Target Global Defence Network (darkreading.com)

• Decoy Microsoft Word Documents Used to Deliver Nim-Based Malware (thehackernews.com)

• This growing malware threat actor is set to unleash a surge of attacks, experts warn | TechRadar

• 'BattleRoyal' Hackers Deliver DarkGate RAT Using Every Trick (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft disables MSIX protocol handler abused in malware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• UAC-0099 Using WinRAR Exploit to Target Ukrainian Firms with LONEPAGE Malware (thehackernews.com)

• New Sneaky Xamalicious Android Malware Hits Over 327,000 Devices (thehackernews.com)

• Russian military hackers target Ukraine with new MASEPIE malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fake VPN Chrome extensions force-installed 1.5 million times (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Chinese Hackers Deliver Malware to Barracuda Email Security Appliances via New Zero-Day - Security Week

• Daily Malicious Files Soar 3% in 2023, Kaspersky Finds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Kimsuky Group Using Weaponized file Deploy AppleSeed Malware (cybersecuritynews.com)

• New Rugmi Malware Loader Surges with Hundreds of Daily Detections (thehackernews.com)

• Game mod on Steam breached to push password-stealing malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How the new Instegogram threat creates liability for organisations | CSO Online

Mobile

• TikTok makes users give iPhone passwords, reasons unclear (nypost.com)

• 'Most sophisticated' iPhone attack chain 'ever seen' used four 0-days to create a 0-click exploit - 9to5Mac

• Android Malware Actively Infecting Devices to Take Full Control (gbhackers.com)

• Chameleon Android Malware Can Bypass Biometric Security - Security Week

• H2 2023 Threat Landscape Dominated by AI and Android Spyware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Apple reportedly faces pressure in India after sending out warnings of state-sponsored hacking (engadget.com)

• SMS Scams Set to Peak on Saturday in UK - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Essential DDoS statistics for understanding attack impact - Help Net Security

• How to Prepare for DDoS Attacks During Peak Business Times (darkreading.com)

• In Cyber Security and Fashion, What's Old Is New Again (darkreading.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Tech gifts you shouldn’t buy your family and friends for the holidays | TechCrunch

• Physical Access Systems Open Door to IT Networks (darkreading.com)

• Ho Ho Home For Christmas? Tips For Avoiding Tech Terrors This Festive Season - IT Security Guru

Data Breaches/Leaks

• MOVEit, Capita, CitrixBleed and more: The biggest data breaches of 2023 | TechCrunch

• Mortgage firm LoanCare warns 1.3 million people of data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Real estate agency exposes details of 690k customers (securityaffairs.com)

• First, Rockstar Games Got Hacked, Then Sony's Insomniac, and now Ubisoft… Who's Next? - autoevolution

• Insomniac Games Releases Statement Over Recent Cyber Attack - Gameranx

• Ubisoft says it's investigating reports of a new security breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Rockstar Employee Details Reportedly Leaked By Hackers (thegamer.com)

• Inmate, Staff Information Stolen in Rhode Island Prison Data Breach - Security Week

• Mint Mobile discloses new data breach exposing customer data (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers steal customer data from Europe’s largest parking app operator | Hacking | The Guardian

• Yakult Australia confirms 'cyber incident' after 95 GB data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CBS, Paramount owner National Amusements says it was hacked | TechCrunch

• Panasonic discloses data breach after December 2022 cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Customers warned after major car dealership group Eagers Automotive hacked | The West Australian

• Cyber Attacks Impacts Two Major Australian Companies Including Leaked Passports | The Epoch Times

• After cyber attack, New York hospitals find stolen patient info stored in Massachusetts, look for its return (databreaches.net)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Simple Hacking Techniques Prove Successful in Cyber Attacks (pymnts.com)

• Hackers stole $2 billion in crypto in 2023, data shows | TechCrunch

• Convicted Thief Reveals Cyber Crime Tactics - DevX

• The Most Dangerous People on the Internet in 2023 | WIRED

• Meet the cyber criminals of 2023 | TechCrunch

• Hacking or Social Engineering? What You Need to Know to Keep Yourself Safe | HackerNoon

• 3 Clues That Hackers May Know More About Your Business Than You Do | Inc.com

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Hackers stole $2 billion in crypto in 2023, data shows | TechCrunch

• Biggest Crypto Exploits and Hacks of 2023 - Decrypt

• Kyber Network Forced to Slash Staff by 50% After $46,500,000 Exploit, According to CEO - The Daily Hodl

• Warning: Poorly Secured Linux SSH Servers Under Attack for Cryptocurrency Mining (thehackernews.com)

• Hacking group Pink Drainer strikes again, pilfering $4.4M from just 1 victim (cointelegraph.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Third-party issues disrupt 45% of firms despite cyber security spends (securitybrief.co.nz)

• MOVEit, Capita, CitrixBleed and more: The biggest data breaches of 2023 | TechCrunch

Cloud/SaaS

• Researchers uncover major security issue in Microsoft Azure - here's what we know | TechRadar

• Data security and cost are key cloud adoption challenges for financial industry - Help Net Security

• The Future of Hybrid Cloud: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond (techtarget.com)

Encryption

• Warning: Poorly Secured Linux SSH Servers Under Attack for Cryptocurrency Mining (thehackernews.com)

Linux and Open Source

• Warning: Poorly Secured Linux SSH Servers Under Attack for Cryptocurrency Mining (thehackernews.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• US water utilities were hacked after leaving their default passwords set to ‘1111,’ cyber security officials say (databreaches.net)

• The most popular passwords of 2023 are easy to guess and crack - gHacks Tech News

• Malicious GPT Can Phish Credentials, Exfiltrate Them to External Server: Researcher - Security Week

Social Media

• The Most Dangerous People on the Internet in 2023 | WIRED

• How the new Instegogram threat creates liability for organisations | CSO Online

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Europe Sees More Hacktivism, GDPR Echoes, and New Security Laws Ahead for 2024 (darkreading.com)

• Why data, AI, and regulations top the threat list for 2024 - Help Net Security

• Europe classifies three adult sites as worthy of its toughest internet regulations • The Register

• Countering Cyber Mercenaries | directions blog

• 5 US cyber security compliance deadlines in 2024 | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• EU updates product liability regime to include software, Artificial Intelligence – EURACTIV.com

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• The US Department of Defence Releases Proposed CMMC Rule | Blank Rome LLP - JDSupra

Backup and Recovery

• 8 big IT failures of 2023 | CIO

Data Protection

• Europe Sees More Hacktivism, GDPR Echoes, and New Security Laws Ahead for 2024 (darkreading.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Cyber Employment 2024: Sky-High Expectations Fail Businesses & Job Seekers (darkreading.com)

• Top Tips from CISOs for CISOs - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How leaders can look after information security professionals | ITPro

• Building Mental Resilience: A CISO's Journey - GovInfoSecurity

• What Does the Future Hold for Today’s Cyber Security Leaders? (huntress.com)

• Will the Cyber Skills Gap Continue to Grow in 2024? - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Countering Cyber Mercenaries | directions blog

• Cyber crime experts reveal how to infiltrate ransomware gangs • The Register

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Countries brace for influence operations, hacking campaigns ahead of historic 2024 election cycle (therecord.media)

• Justice Secretary in Deepfake General Election Warning - 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

• Ministers fear a cyber attack cutting all our electricity – this is why (inews.co.uk)

• Countries brace for influence operations, hacking campaigns ahead of historic 2024 election cycle (therecord.media)

• How Cyber Criminals Will Sway 2024 US Elections, Or Try To (darkreading.com)

• Justice Secretary in Deepfake General Election Warning - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Nation State Actors

China

• Chinese Hackers Deliver Malware to Barracuda Email Security Appliances via New Zero-Day - Security Week

• Chinese Spy Agency Rising to Challenge the CIA - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Russia

• Ukrainian remote workers targeted in new espionage campaign (therecord.media)

• UAC-0099 Using WinRAR Exploit to Target Ukrainian Firms with LONEPAGE Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Russian firms subjected to new cyber espionage campaign | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Cloud Atlas' Spear-Phishing Attacks Target Russian Agro and Research Companies (thehackernews.com)

• Moldova establishes National Cyber Security Agency with help of Estonia's e-Governance Academy (baltictimes.com)

• Inside the World of Deep-Cover Russian Spies Who Are Infiltrating the West (businessinsider.com)

• Russian military hackers target Ukraine with new MASEPIE malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Iran

• Iran's 'Peach Sandstorm' Cyber Attackers Target Global Defence Network (darkreading.com)

• Israel and Iran are waging a cyber war in the shadows - opinion - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

• A cyber attack targets Albanian Parliament’s data system, halting its work | Stars and Stripes

North Korea

• Kimsuky Group Using Weaponized file Deploy AppleSeed Malware (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Kim Jong Un Expected To Conduct Military, Cyber Attacks During US Elections - Benzinga

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

• Apple reportedly faces pressure in India after sending out warnings of state-sponsored hacking (engadget.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 'Tis the Season to Secure: How CVEs Are the Grinch for Cyber Security | HackerNoon

Vulnerabilities

• Researchers uncover major security issue in Microsoft Azure - here's what we know | TechRadar

• Barracuda fixed a new ESG zero-day exploited by Chinese group UNC4841 (securityaffairs.com)

• CISA Warns of FXC Router, QNAP NVR Vulnerabilities Exploited in the Wild - Security Week

• 'Most sophisticated' iPhone attack chain 'ever seen' used four 0-days to create a 0-click exploit - 9to5Mac

• Google Releases Eighth Zero-Day Patch of 2023 for Chrome (darkreading.com)

• Windows CLFS and five exploits used by ransomware operators | Securelist

• Apache OFBiz RCE flaw exploited to find vulnerable Confluence servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Physical Access Systems Open Door to IT Networks (darkreading.com)

• Even cyber security pros don't fully trust AI just yet | TechRadar

• GenAI Tools Will Permeate All Areas of the Enterprise (darkreading.com)

• Verification roadblocks cause frustration for digital nomads - Help Net Security

• Can AI Protect Against Modern Cyber Attacks? | MSSP Alert

• Strengthening Resilience: Navigating the Cyber Security Landscape (darkreading.com)

• API security in 2024: Predictions and trends - Help Net Security

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Other News

• Domain Name Security Challenges - DataBreachToday

• 5 Things You Can Do Today to Prepare for 2024’s Security Threats (informationweek.com)

• 8 big IT failures of 2023 | CIO

• Pensions Regulator publishes updated cyber security guidance for trustees | Mayer Brown - JDSupra

• All I really need to know about cyber security, I learned in kindergarten (venturebeat.com)

• New insights into the global industrial cyber security landscape - Help Net Security

• NASA Releases First Space Cyber Security Best Practices Guide (inforisktoday.com)

• Unveiling the true cost of healthcare cyber security incidents - Help Net Security

• NCSC highlights cyber risk to cultural sector | UKAuthority

• Hackers see wealth of information to steal in kids' school records (cnbc.com)

• A cyber attack targets Albanian Parliament’s data system, halting its work | Stars and Stripes

• How Cyber Criminals Will Sway 2024 US Elections, Or Try To (darkreading.com)

• Post-pandemic Cyber Security: Lessons from the global health crisis (att.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 09 November 2023 – High Severity Veeam ONE Vulnerabilities

Executive summary

Veeam has released patches to fix four vulnerabilities including two critical rated vulnerabilities. If exploited the critical vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated attacker to steal NTLM hashes to accounts and perform remote code execution on their server hosting the product database.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

There is a risk that organisations with vulnerable products are leaving themselves at risk of allowing an attacker to perform remote code execution and stealing NTLM Hashes. This allows an attacker to log in as the stolen users credentials and perform remote code execution impacting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

The following products affected:

·       Veeam ONE 11 – this is fixed in version (11.0.0.1379)

·       Veeam ONE 11a – this is fixed in version (11.0.1.1880)

·       Veeam ONE 12 – this is fixed in version (12.0.1.2591)

What can I do?

Black Arrow recommends applying the patches for the vulnerabilities immediately due to the severity of the vulnerability; there is no workaround available. Further information can be found in the Veeam security update below.

Technical Summary

CVE-2023-38547 – If exploited this allows an unauthenticated attacker to gain information from the SQL server to access its configuration database. This can lead to an attacker to perform remote code execution.

CVE-2023-38548 – If exploited this allows an unprivileged user who has access to the Veeam One Web client to acquire NTLM hash of the account user, allowing them to obtain the users password.

Further information can be found here: https://www.veeam.com/kb4508  

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 25 August 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

Cloud Hosting Firm Loses All Customer Data After Ransomware Attack

CloudNordic, a Danish cloud hosting provider, has told customers to consider all of their data as having been lost following a ransomware infection that encrypted the large Danish cloud provider. The threat actors had destroyed the organisation’s backups, which prevented the firm from recovering effectively. The attack also impacted AzeroCloud, which is owned by the same company.

Worryingly, many organisations believe that having backups and using the cloud is enough for them to be able to recover from any cyber incident; unfortunately, as shown in the CloudNordic and AzeroCloud attacks, it is not enough. Organisations need to have a recovery plan in place which is tested and improved, to best strengthen themselves in the event of a cyber incident.

Sources: [The Register] [Bleeping Computer] [Help Net Security]

Would You Infect Others to Rid Yourself of Ransomware?

Hackers continually develop ransomware with new and creative attack methods that keep internet security professionals on their toes and pose challenges for people trying to detect threats. Victims of ransomware usually see messages asking them to pay for file access restoration; however, the Popcorn Time ransomware group takes a different approach to getting victims involved.

The Popcorn Time ransomware approach works via the referral method. The ransomware group is willing to give victims access to their files if they send the referral link to two other people, extending the attacker’s reach. Most people would hesitate to distribute a ransomware link through email, WhatsApp, or another method that is easy for victims to identify them as the perpetrators. Law enforcement bodies categorise ransomware attacks as crimes that come with hefty fines and prison time. Even those choosing to send the links to people they know face disastrous consequences beyond law enforcement, including the loss of jobs and relationships.

Source: [CyberNews]

Artificial Intelligence and USBs Drive 8% Rise in Cyber Attacks

Checkpoint’s 2023 Mid-Year Security Report shows an 8% surge in global weekly cyber attacks during Q2, marking the most significant increase in two years. The report highlights the fusion of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology with traditional tools like USB devices used for disruptive cyber attacks.

Other significant findings include the evolution of ransomware tactics. The report found that ransomware groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in common corporate software and shifting focus from encrypting data to stealing it. USB devices have resurfaced as threats, employed by both state-affiliated groups and cyber-criminals to distribute malware globally. The misuse of AI has escalated, as attackers use generative AI tools for phishing emails, keystroke monitoring malware and basic ransomware code.

Source: [InfoSecurity Magazine]

Ransomware Attacks Broke Records in July, Mainly Driven By One Group

A number of ransomware actors are utilising the threat of releasing sensitive data to get organisations to pay ransoms; in some cases this is combined with encryption to give the actor two avenues of payment. A report has found there were over 500 attacks last month, an increase of 153% compared to one year ago, and a 16% increase compared to June. Within Europe, there was a 59% increase in ransomware attacks from June to July.

Part of the significant rise is due to the ransomware group called Cl0p, whose attack on the MOVEit software has accounted for hundreds of victims this year. The Cl0p ransomware group has kept its promise to publish files on the clearweb of all its victims if contact was not made. The clearweb is simply what we know as the internet; anyone can access it. As such, there will be many organisations who are now having their sensitive data published and readily viewable for anyone who has access to the internet.

Sources: [Gov Info Seccurity] [Security Week] [ZDNET] [Cyber News]

Cyber Risk in The Boardroom

The relationship between the CISO and the wider boardroom has become increasingly cooperative, with 77% of CEO’s seeing cyber as a strategic function and a potential source of competitive advantage. While it is ultimately up to the board to take steps to keep cybersecurity high on the agenda, the CISO also has a responsibility to press the message and bridge any gaps.

CISOs must deliver concerns, strategies and recommendations in a business-first manner, while avoiding jargon and overly technical language. Attracting and retaining good quality senior security professionals is very challenging in the current market and Black Arrow offer a fractional CISO service, giving access to a whole team of specialists with wider expertise, experience and backgrounds, for less than the cost of hiring one individual.

Sources: [Security Week] [TechRadar]

Malware-Infected Advertising Grows Ever More Sophisticated, And More Damaging

The malware exploits known as malware-infected ads, or malvertising, have been around for decades, but new reports point to a steady rise in efficacy. With malvertising, the infected ads are typically placed on legitimate ad networks, which makes them more difficult to spot and remove. The technique continues to use more and more sophisticated mechanisms for getting their infections spread throughout the web and keeping them running for a long time. The exploits can operate in one of several ways, including intercepting a user’s clickstream on random hyperlinks and substituting them with redirects to advertising websites.

Adblockers either on endpoints or at the network level can also help to prevent malvertising from causing harm.

Source: [SiliconAngle]

Cyber Security is Everyone’s Responsibility

A recent survey found that 41% of respondents said that poor quality training, or a lack of training altogether, and insider threats were impacting their organisation’s security. Cyber security involves everyone as any employee can be an entry point for a cyber incident, but they also have the power to prevent one. It is important to make sure all employees are provided adequate training. Not every role requires the same training however, so it is important for organisations to identify and provide training that is appropriate to employees. Black Arrow provide live in person and online instructor lead cyber security training, both through Cyber Risk and Governance Workshops for Senior Leadership and Awareness, Behaviour and Culture Training for employees and contractors.

Source: [IT Pro Today]

QR Code Hacks Are Another Thing to Worry About Now

One of the upcoming technologies thrust upon us is QR codes. At this point, you can find them at most restaurants and parking sites. You simply scan the code and you are taken to the relevant site, for example, the menu for the restaurant. Attackers have cottoned on to this and started to use QR codes in phishing attacks; the idea being that the victim will scan the code without scrutinising it and be taken to a malicious website instead.

Source: [Bloomberg]

Security Basics Aren’t So Basic Anymore

The basics of cyber security, it turns out, aren’t so basic anymore. What was considered basic has moved way beyond just having firewalls and antivirus, and the most basic controls nowadays include more advanced controls such as robust identity and access management, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and patching and vulnerability management. Many of these now basic controls are lacking or non-existent across the economy according to cyber security experts. A report found that only 28% of Microsoft users had MFA enabled as 2022 closed.

You can’t solve all the problems at once. However, progress on these fronts also relies heavily on the need for a cultural shift. Organisations need to get to the point where they view cyber security in the same light as locks on doors and seatbelts in cars.

Source: [CioDive]

Apple MacOS Security Myths

Apple has maintained a reputation as being more secure than other manufacturers, and whilst Apple has put many different security mechanisms into its operating system, no technology is bulletproof. Assuming an Apple device is invulnerable can lead users to believe that their Mac will not get viruses or be subject to a plethora of other cyber threats. As a result, this can lead to poor cyber hygiene from the individual, as they assume they are safe regardless of what they do. Apple users need to remain every bit as aware of risks, social engineering, keeping devices up to date, and having appropriate security controls.

Source: [Huntress]

Security Leaders Report Misalignment of Investments and Risk Reduction

The cyber risk landscape was analysed in a recent report that examined the amount of risk that organisations are willing to accept, their resource constraints and key priorities for approaching cyber risk in the future. The report found 66% of respondents indicating that they have limited visibility and insight into their cyber risk profiles, hindering their ability to prioritise investments and allocate resources effectively. 67% of organisations experienced a breach requiring attention within the last two years despite having traditional threat-based security measures in place. Further, 61% of security executives expressed concerns over the current misalignment between cyber security investments and their organisation's risk reduction priorities.

Source: [InfoSecurity Magazine]

Many CISOs Tout SaaS (Cloud) Cyber Security Confidence, but 79% Admit to Incidents

Cyber security, IT, and business leaders alike recognise SaaS (cloud) cyber security as an increasingly important part of the cyber threat landscape. And at first glance, respondents appear generally optimistic about their SaaS cyber security as 85% answered that they are confident or very confident in their company's or customer's data security in sanctioned SaaS apps.

Despite the confidence, 79% of respondents confirmed that their organisation had identified SaaS cyber security incidents over the past 12 months. Many of those incidents occurred in environments with cyber security policies in place and enforced, as 66% of respondents claimed in their responses.

Source: [The Hacker News]

If You Ever Used Duolingo, Watch Out for Phishing Email

Users of Duolingo, past and present, should be wary of phishing emails as data on about 2.6 million accounts were scraped through an exposed application programming interface (API), and then offered on a hacking forum back in January. Login and real names, email addresses, phone numbers, and courses studied were part of the collection, which went for $1,500. Now that data has resurfaced on a different forum, and at a substantially lower cost of just a few dollars, users of the service can expect this data to be used in fresh phishing campaigns.

Source: [PCWorld]

91% of Security and IT Professionals: Criminals are Already Using AI in Email Attacks

Recent research found that 91% of security and IT professionals are noticing cyber criminals already using AI as part of email attack campaigns, with 74% indicating they have experienced an increase in the use of AI by cyber criminals in the past six months. This is worrying as 52% reported that email security is among one of their top three concerns.

Organisations need to make sure that their technologies, procedures and policies are updated to factor in AI-enabled email attacks to help reduce the risk they pose to the organisation. Such improvements should also include employees.

Source: [PR Newswire]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber security 'number one on the agenda in boardrooms,' Cramer says (cnbc.com)

• Firms have mere hours to deflect cyber attacks, warns cyber security CEO (cointelegraph.com)

• The End of “Groundhog Day” for the Security in the Boardroom Discussion? - SecurityWeek

• Cyber risk: the view across the boardroom table | TechRadar

• Too many businesses struggling to hire and retain talent, amplifying security risks – Digital Journal

• How Cyber Security Leaders Can Help Lower Expenses While Reducing Risk (informationweek.com)

• Who’s Your Next Cyber Chief? Good Question. (wsj.com)

• Cyber crime: A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry (thecyberwire.com)

• How the downmarket impacted enterprise cyber security budgets - Help Net Security

• What is Risk Analysis? | Definition from TechTarget

• When Leadership Style Is a Security Risk (darkreading.com)

• The Changing Landscape of Cyber Security Education (inforisktoday.com)

• Protect Your Cyber Security Budget and Your Organisation | Dell USA

• Rapid cyber attacks demand modernised security, says Palo Alto CEO (crypto.news)

• Cyber security Is Everyone’s Responsibility | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

• The Cost of 'Good Enough' Security - GovInfoSecurity

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Cl0p dumps all MOVEit victim data on clearnet, threat insiders talk ransom strategy | Cybernews

• Cuba ransomware gang looking for unpatched Veeam installations: Report | IT Business

• Ransomware attacks broke records in July, mainly driven by this one group | ZDNET

• Hosting firm says it lost all customer data after ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FE News | 70% of secondary schools have experienced a cyber incident. BIP shares three ways they can protect against attacks ahead of results day

• Cyber Attacks have left some hospital computers offline for 2 weeks, closing ERs and postponing surgeries

• Continued MOVEit Exploitation Drives Record Ransomware Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Would You Infect Others to Rid Yourself of Ransomware? (makeuseof.com)

• How Application Allowlisting Combats Ransomware Attacks (securityintelligence.com)

• Akira ransomware gang spotted targeting Cisco VPN products to hack organisations-Security Affairs

• Scarab Ransomware Deployed Worldwide Via Spacecolon Toolset - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Why Ransomware Gangs Opt for Encryption-Less Attacks (govinfosecurity.com)

• MOVEit Health Data Breach Tally Keeps Growing (inforisktoday.com)

• British intelligence is tipping off ransomware targets to disrupt attacks (therecord.media)

• What the Hive Ransomware Case Says About RaaS and Cryptocurrency (darkreading.com)

• 6 Ransomware Trends & Evolutions For 2023 (trendmicro.com)

• New Study Sheds Light on ADHUBLLKA Ransomware Network - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• North Korea ready to cash out more than $40 million in Bitcoin after summer of attacks, warns FBI | Tripwire

• Ransomware dwell time hits new low - Help Net Security

• Three trends to watch in the growing threat landscape (betanews.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Cl0p dumps all MOVEit victim data on clearnet, threat insiders talk ransom strategy | Cybernews

• Hosting firm says it lost all customer data after ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber attacks have left some hospital computers offline for 2 weeks, closing ERs and postponing surgeries

• BlackCat ransomware group claims the hack of Seiko network -Security Affairs

• Ransomware gang threatens Raleigh Housing Authority months after devastating attack (therecord.media)

• The Estée Lauder Cos. Addresses Cyber security Attack – WWD

• Mysterious Cyber Attack Shuts Down Yet More Telescopes For Weeks | IFLScience

• St Helens Council hit by suspected Ransomware cyber attack | St Helens Star

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• 91% of security pros say cyber criminals are using AI in email attacks | Security Magazine

• Insurer Denies Coverage Under Professional Liability Policy for Lawyer’s Email Compromise | Robinson+Cole Data Privacy + Security Insider - JDSupra

• Cyber criminals turn to AI to bypass modern email security measures - Help Net Security

• New Generation of Phishing Hides Behind Trusted Services (securityintelligence.com)

• New phishing campaign recognised in Europe and South America | Security Magazine

• If you ever used Duolingo, watch out for phishing emails | PCWorld

• Open redirect flaws increasingly exploited by phishers - Help Net Security

• How to spot phishing on a hacked WordPress website | Kaspersky official blog

• The Dual Role of AI in Email Security - GovInfoSecurity

• New Telegram Bot "Telekopye" Powering Large-scale Phishing Scams from Russia (thehackernews.com)

• eBay Users Beware Russian 'Telekopye' Telegram Phishing Bot (darkreading.com)

• Phish in a Barrel: Real-World Cyber Attack Examples (govinfosecurity.com)

• Email Security: Top 5 Threats and How to Protect Your Business - ReadWrite

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• 91% of security pros say cyber criminals are using AI in email attacks | Security Magazine

• Breaking Down BEC: The Modern CISO’s Framework for Identifying, Classifying and Stopping Email Fraud (govinfosecurity.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Blockchain Capital’s Bart Stephens Lost $6.3 Million In SIM-Swap Hack (forbes.com)

• What Is Virtual Kidnapping and How Can You Fight It? (makeuseof.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• 91% of Security and IT Professionals Agree Cyber Criminals are Already Using AI in Email Attacks, per Report from SlashNext and Osterman Research (prnewswire.com)

• Artificial Intelligence and USBs Drive 8% Rise in Cyber-Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Deceptive AI Bots Spread Malware, Raise Security Concerns - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber criminals turn to AI to bypass modern email security measures - Help Net Security

• Compliance, Risk Management and Security Are Being Impact by Generative AI... But How? | The Fintech Times

• Tricks for making AI chatbots break rules are freely available online | New Scientist

• What Is Virtual Kidnapping and How Can You Fight It? (makeuseof.com)

• Generative AI Is Scraping Your Data. So, Now What? (darkreading.com)

• Fake versions of Google Bard are spreading malware | TechRadar

• AI and the evolution of surveillance systems - Help Net Security

• The Dual Role of AI in Email Security - GovInfoSecurity

• Thinking of Deploying Generative AI? You May Already Have (govinfosecurity.com)

• Three trends to watch in the growing threat landscape (betanews.com)

• Careful -- Hackers are targeting Google Bard ads for malware | Digital Trends

Malware

• Deceptive AI Bots Spread Malware, Raise Security Concerns - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Serious WinRAR Flaw Can Be Exploited to Launch Malware (pcmag.com)

• Hackers use VPN provider's code certificate to sign malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• HiatusRAT Malware Resurfaces: Taiwan Firms and US Military Under Attack (thehackernews.com) Ask the Mac Guy: macOS Security Myths (huntress.com)

• New Variant of XLoader macOS Malware Disguised as 'OfficeNote' Productivity App (thehackernews.com)

• New "Whiffy Recon" Malware Triangulates Infected Device Location via Wi-Fi Every Minute (thehackernews.com)

• Researchers Uncover New Lazarus Group Malware Details | Decipher (duo.com)

Mobile

• New stealthy Android malware stumps antivirus, poses huge threat to phones, study reveals | Tech News (hindustantimes.com)

• Thousands of Android Malware Apps Using Stealthy APK Compression to Evade Detection (thehackernews.com)

• “Snakes in airplane mode” – what if your phone says it’s offline but isn’t? – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Google wants to fight pre-installed Android malware | TechSpot

• Children and smartphones: How to protect and guide them from bullying, phishing and grooming – The Irish Times

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• DDoS Attacks in H1 2023 Up 200% from 2022 According to New Zayo Data | Business Wire

Internet of Things – IoT

• TP-Link smart bulbs can let hackers steal your WiFi password (bleepingcomputer.com)

• When Your Home Security System Turns the Camera on You | The Epoch Times

• Anticipating the next wave of IoT cyber security challenges - Help Net Security

• The Physical Impact of Cyber Attacks on Cities (darkreading.com)

• Smart Cities: Utopian Dream, Security Nightmare, or Political Gimmick? - SecurityWeek

• Yes, Your Electric Vehicle Could Be Hacked - IEEE Spectrum

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Insurer Denies Coverage Under Professional Liability Policy for Lawyer’s Email Compromise | Robinson+Cole Data Privacy + Security Insider - JDSupra

• Tesla Data Breach Investigation Reveals Inside Job (darkreading.com)

• Leak of 75k staff records was insiders' fault, Tesla claims • The Register

• Guernsey CCTV investigation widened after more footage leaked | Bailiwick Express Jersey

• Scraped data of 2.6 million Duolingo users released on hacking forum (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Thousands of Charity Donors Have Details Leaked Onto Dark Web | The Epoch Times

• How a Christie’s website revealed where people kept their art | The Seattle Times

• Defence contractor Belcan leaks admin password with a list of flaws-Security Affairs

• Critical Insight Report: 15% Drop in Breaches, 31% Surge in Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• What lessons must be learned from the Electoral Register cyber attack? | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)

• 5 Early Warning Indicators That Are Key to Protecting National Secrets (darkreading.com)

• Sensitive Data of 10m at Risk After French Employment Agency Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• University of Minnesota Confirms Data Breach, Says Ransomware Not Involved - SecurityWeek

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Check Point reveals 8% spike in global cyber attacks by mid-2023 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Attack Dwell Times Fall but Threat Actors Are Moving Faster - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK Court Convicts Lapsus$ Hacker for Breaching ISP BT and EE UPDATE - ISPreview UK

• Cyber crime: A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry (thecyberwire.com)

• Bruce Schneier gets inside the hacker's mind | CyberScoop

• Hacking group KittenSec claims to 'pwn anything we see' to expose corruption | CyberScoop

• Ransomware dwell time hits new low - Help Net Security

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Blockchain Capital’s Bart Stephens Lost $6.3 Million In SIM-Swap Hack (forbes.com)

• What the Hive Ransomware Case Says About RaaS and Cryptocurrency (darkreading.com)

• North Korea ready to cash out more than $40 million in Bitcoin after summer of attacks, warns FBI | Tripwire

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Leak of 75k staff records was insiders' fault, Tesla claims • The Register

• Police Insider Tipped Off Criminal Friend About EncroChat Bust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Three trends to watch in the growing threat landscape (betanews.com)

• Phish in a Barrel: Real-World Cyber Attack Examples (govinfosecurity.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Interpol arrest 14 who allegedly scammed $40m from victims • The Register

• Germany Hunts for Cyber Criminals Amid Billion-Euro Scams - Bloomberg

• Billion Dollar Heist: The simple typo that stopped the Bangladesh bank robbers from stealing $1 billion (ladbible.com)

• Sneaky Amazon Google ad leads to Microsoft support scam (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Blockchain Capital’s Bart Stephens Lost $6.3 Million In SIM-Swap Hack (forbes.com)

• Surge in identity crime victims reporting suicidal thoughts - Help Net Security

Impersonation Attacks

• How to spot phishing on a hacked WordPress website | Kaspersky official blog

Deepfakes

• What Is Virtual Kidnapping and How Can You Fight It? (makeuseof.com)

Insurance

• Insurer Denies Coverage Under Professional Liability Policy for Lawyer’s Email Compromise | Robinson+Cole Data Privacy + Security Insider - JDSupra

• Cyber security insurance is missing the risk - Help Net Security

• Cyber Security Insurance Market worth $17.6 billion by 2028 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™ (prnewswire.com)

• Cyber Security Insurance Market Size & Share Analysis - (globenewswire.com)

• The Shifting Dynamics of Cyber Insurance - BankInfoSecurity

• Global Cyber Security Insurance Market to Reach USD 33.4 Billion by 2028, Driven by Rising Cyber Threats and Regulatory Compliance (prnewswire.com)

Dark Web

• Thousands of Charity Donors Have Details Leaked Onto Dark Web | The Epoch Times

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• New Chinese APT Group Launches Supply Chain Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Supply Chain Attack Hit Close to 100 Victims—and Clues Point to China | WIRED

• Supply chain as kill chain | ITPro

Cloud/SaaS

• The Importance Of SaaS Backup And Disaster Recovery: Reasons To Consider (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Cloud hosting firms hit by devastating ransomware attack - Help Net Security

• Warning: Attackers Abusing Legitimate Internet Services (inforisktoday.com)

• How to conduct a cloud security assessment | TechTarget

• Maintaining consistent security in diverse cloud infrastructures - Help Net Security

• How API authentication vulnerabilities are at the center of cloud security concerns | CSO Online

• CISOs Tout SaaS Cyber Security Confidence, But 79% Admit to SaaS Incidents, New Report Finds (thehackernews.com)

• Lack of visibility into cloud access policies leaves enterprises flying blind - Help Net Security

• Cloud services are creating more cyber-risks for telcos   - Mobile Europe

Identity and Access Management

• Ongoing Duo outage causes Azure Auth authentication errors (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cisco's Duo Security suffers major authentication outage • The Register

Encryption

• Apple security updates could be banned by British government (9to5mac.com)

API

• Understanding how attackers exploit APIs is more important than ever - Help Net Security

• How API authentication vulnerabilities are at the centre of cloud security concerns | CSO Online

Biometrics

• ICO publishes guidance on use of biometric data in the UK - Tech Monitor

• Is Facial Recognition Technology Becoming a Privacy Risk? (makeuseof.com)

• Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) Statistics for 2023 (techreport.com)

• Biometric payment systems raise privacy concerns (iapp.org)

Social Media

• Global warning issued on social media data scraping (iapp.org)

Malvertising

• Sneaky Amazon Google ad leads to Microsoft support scam (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Malware-infected advertising grows ever more sophisticated, and lethal - SiliconANGLE

• Careful -- Hackers are targeting Google Bard ads for malware | Digital Trends

Training, Education and Awareness

• 2023 Cyber Security Awareness Month Appeal: Make Online Security Easier (govtech.com)

• The Changing Landscape of Cyber Security Education (inforisktoday.com)

Parental Controls and Child Safety

• Report reveals insights on cyber security conversations with children | Security Magazine

• Children and smartphones: How to protect and guide them from bullying, phishing and grooming – The Irish Times

Cyber Bullying, Cyber Stalking and Sextortion

• Nearly a third of young people preyed on by "text pest" delivery drivers (bitdefender.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Apple security updates could be banned by British government (9to5mac.com)

• How EU lawmakers can make mandatory vulnerability disclosure responsible - Help Net Security

• Cyber Security Laws and Regulations in Germany | UpGuard

• Morgan Stanley Fined for UK Energy Trading WhatsApp Breach (yahoo.com)

• New NCUA Rule Requires Swift Cyber Incident Reporting - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• SEC Cyber Security Rules: Considerations for Incident Response Planning | Holland & Knight LLP - JDSupra

• Controversial Cyber crime Law Passes in Jordan (darkreading.com)

• Experian Pays $650,000 to Settle Spam Claims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Strengthening Cyber Security In Finance: A Look At EU DORA Regulations (forbes.com)

• Proposed bill would require vulnerability disclosure policies for all federal contractors (therecord.media)

Backup and Recovery

• The Importance Of SaaS Backup And Disaster Recovery: Reasons To Consider (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Data Protection

• ICO publishes guidance on use of biometric data in the UK - Tech Monitor

• Experian Pays $650,000 to Settle Spam Claims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Too many businesses struggling to hire and retain talent, amplifying security risks – Digital Journal

• Unrealistic expectations exacerbate the cyber security talent shortage - Help Net Security

• It's Time to Approach The Cyber Security Skills Gap Differently - IT Security Guru

• How To Become Chief Information Security Officer - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

• 4 ways simulation training alleviates team burnout - Help Net Security

• Government Urges More Students to Be Cyber Explorers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Tens of thousands of students receive free training to build cyber skills - The Business Magazine

• 90% of Consumers Worry Cyber Security’s Future Is in Jeopardy if Students Aren’t Exposed to the Field at an Earlier Age - IT Security Guru

• 5 Ways SMBs Can Bridge the Cyber Security Skills Gap | Mimecast

• The Importance of Accessible and Inclusive Cyber Security (securityintelligence.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Interpol arrest 14 who allegedly scammed $40m from victims • The Register

• UK Court Convicts Lapsus$ Hacker for Breaching ISP BT and EE UPDATE - ISPreview UK

• Two dozen arrested, hundreds of malicious IPs taken down in African cyber crime operation | CyberScoop

• Germany Hunts for Cyber Criminals Amid Billion-Euro Scams - Bloomberg

• Police Insider Tipped Off Criminal Friend About EncroChat Bust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Is Facial Recognition Technology Becoming a Privacy Risk? (makeuseof.com)

• When Your Home Security System Turns the Camera on You | The Epoch Times

• Biometric payment systems raise privacy concerns (iapp.org)

• AI and the evolution of surveillance systems - Help Net Security

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

Russia

• Intelligence agencies warn foreign spies are targeting US space companies - Times of India (indiatimes.com)

• Incident response lessons learned from the Russian attack on Viasat | CSO Online

• Ukrainian hackers claim to leak emails of Russian parliament deputy chief (therecord.media)

• New Telegram Bot "Telekopye" Powering Large-scale Phishing Scams from Russia (thehackernews.com)

China

• Mounting Cyber Espionage and Hacking Threat from China - Modern Diplomacy

• Cyberespionage campaign by China's Ministry of State Security. CSRB will look into cyberespionage against Microsoft Exchange. Attacks against industrial systems. Threats to satellite communications. (thecyberwire.com)

• HiatusRAT Malware Resurfaces: Taiwan Firms and US Military Under Attack (thehackernews.com)

• New Chinese APT Group Launches Supply Chain Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Supply Chain Attack Hit Close to 100 Victims—and Clues Point to China | WIRED

• Exposed: the Chinese spy using LinkedIn to hunt UK secrets (thetimes.co.uk)

• FBI: Suspected Chinese actors continue Barracuda ESG attacks | TechTarget

• Microsoft says Chinese hacking crew is targeting Taiwan | CyberScoop

• US space companies face foreign spy threat, intelligence agencies say (usatoday.com) 

North Korea

• N. Korean Kimsuky APT targets S. Korea-US military exercises-Security Affairs

• Researchers Uncover New Lazarus Group Malware Details | Decipher (duo.com)

• North Korea ready to cash out more than $40 million in Bitcoin after summer of attacks, warns FBI | Tripwire

Misc/Other/Unknown

• Syrian Threat Actor EVLF Unmasked as Creator of CypherRAT and CraxsRAT Android Malware (thehackernews.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• NCSC issues warning on cyber vulnerabilities (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

• How EU lawmakers can make mandatory vulnerability disclosure responsible - Help Net Security

Vulnerabilities

• Juniper Networks fixes flaws leading to RCE in firewalls and switches - Help Net Security

• Serious WinRAR Flaw Can Be Exploited to Launch Malware (pcmag.com)

• Ivanti issues fix for third zero-day flaw exploited in the wild | TechTarget

• Ivanti Ships Urgent Patch for API Authentication Bypass Vulnerability - SecurityWeek

• FBI: Patches for Recent Barracuda ESG Zero-Day Ineffective - SecurityWeek

• GDS: Microsoft, Intel confirm "Downfall" of 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Gen CPUs, firmware out - Neowin

• Critical Adobe ColdFusion Flaw Added to CISA's Exploited Vulnerability Catalog (thehackernews.com)

• 3,000 Openfire Servers Exposed to Attacks Targeting Recent Vulnerability - SecurityWeek

• Western Digital patches potentially dangerous security flaw, so update now | TechRadar

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Tools and Controls

• The Importance Of SaaS Backup And Disaster Recovery: Reasons To Consider (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• How Cyber Security Leaders Can Help Lower Expenses While Reducing Risk (informationweek.com)

• Security leaders report misalignment of investments and risk reduction | Security Magazine

• Cyber security insurance is missing the risk - Help Net Security

• Cyber security Insurance Market worth $17.6 billion by 2028

• Bolstering Cyber Security: Why Browser Security Is Crucial (inforisktoday.com)

• How Application Allowlisting Combats Ransomware Attacks (securityintelligence.com)

• The Vanishing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Category - IT Security Guru

• Cyber Security: CASB vs SASE-Security Affairs

• Unveiling the Hidden Risks of Routing Protocols (darkreading.com)

• Hackers use VPN provider's code certificate to sign malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Network detection and response in the modern era - Help Net Security

• What’s Beyond SASE? The Next Steps (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Prevention First: Don’t Neglect Endpoint Security | CSO Online

• More Than Half of Browser Extensions Pose Security Risks (darkreading.com)

• Protect Your Cyber Security Budget and Your Organisation | Dell USA

• How the downmarket impacted enterprise cyber security budgets - Help Net Security

• Compliance, Risk Management and Security Are Being Impact by Generative AI... But How? | The Fintech Times

• SEC Cyber Security Rules: Considerations for Incident Response Planning

• How to conduct a cloud security assessment | TechTarget

• Maintaining consistent security in diverse cloud infrastructures - Help Net Security

• How API authentication vulnerabilities are at the centre of cloud security concerns | CSO Online

• The Needs of a Modernized SOC for Hybrid Cloud (securityintelligence.com)

• 2023 Cyber Security Awareness Month Appeal: Make Online Security Easier (govtech.com)

• The MOVEit hack and what it taught us about application security (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The Changing Landscape of Cyber Security Education (inforisktoday.com)

• The Dual Role of AI in Email Security - GovInfoSecurity

• Akamai Survey Finds Third-Party Defences Help Reduce Risk from Online Threats (prnewswire.com)

• The Shifting Dynamics of Cyber Insurance - BankInfoSecurity

• Global Cyber Security Insurance Market to Reach USD 33.4 Billion by 2028, Driven by Rising Cyber Threats and Regulatory Compliance (prnewswire.com)

• 5 Best Practices for Implementing Risk-First Cyber Security (darkreading.com)

• What's Going on With LastPass, and is it Safe to Use? (securityintelligence.com)

• Malicious web application transactions skyrocket 500% (securitybrief.co.nz)

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Other News

• Our health care system may soon receive a much-needed cyber security boost | Ars Technica

• Swan Retail cyber attack: 300 retailers crippled by breach (techmonitor.ai)

• Cyber Attackers lie in wait as federal tech agencies brace for a mass exit of top officials - Washington Times

• Cyber Attack on Energy One affects corporate systems in Australia and the UK | CSO Online

• Vendors criticize Microsoft for repeated security failings | TechTarget

• Microsoft's become a cyber security titan. That could be a problem - Tech Monitor

• Global Naval Communication Market Research Report (globenewswire.com)

• The CSO guide to top security conferences | CSO Online

• IT's rising role in physical security technology - Help Net Security

• Construction businesses are at risk as nation-state attacks are on the rise - Construction & Civil Engineering magazine (ccemagazine.com)

• Hackers knocked out San Francisco's main real estate database | Fortune

• Microsoft's 6 Biggest Hacks: Is Better Security Needed? (makeuseof.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 26 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

• 50% of UK CEOs see Cyber as a Bigger Business Risk than the Economy

Half of UK CEOs consider cyber security as a bigger risk to their organisation than economic uncertainty, a new study by Palo Alto Networks has found. The findings came from a survey of 2500 CEOs from the UK, Germany, France, Brazil and the UAE at large organisations (500+ employees).

Despite the recognition of the business threats posed by cyber attacks, UK CEOs have a lower level of understanding of cyber security risks than their international counterparts, with just 16% saying they have a complete understanding. This compares to 21% in Brazil, 21% in the UAE, 22% in France and 39% in Germany. Additionally, many UK CEOs feel detached from responsibility for cyber security at their organisations, instead leaving it to the responsibility of IT, although IT is only part of the solution.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uk-ceo-cyber-risk-economy/

• Report Finds 78% of Organisations Felt Prepared for Ransomware Attacks, Yet Half Still Fell Victim

Fortinet has unveiled its 2023 Global Ransomware Report based on a recent global survey and explores cyber security leaders’ perspectives on ransomware, particularly how it impacted their organisations in the last year and their strategies to mitigate an attack. The report found that the global threat of ransomware remains at peak levels, with half of organisations across all sizes, regions and industries falling victim in the last year.

The top challenges to stopping a ransomware attack were people and process related, with many organisations lacking clarity on how to secure against the threat. Specifically, four out of the five top challenges to stopping ransomware were people or process related. The second largest challenge was a lack of clarity on how to secure against the threat as a result of a lack of user awareness and training and no clear chain-of-command strategy to deal with attacks.

Despite the global macroeconomic environment, security budgets will have to increase in the next year with a focus on AI/ML technologies to speed detection, centralised monitoring tools to speed response and better preparation of people and processes.

https://www.itweb.co.za/content/mYZRX79g8gRqOgA8

• SMBs and Regional MSPs are Increasingly Targeted by State-Sponsored APT Groups

Advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks were once mainly a concern for large corporations in industries that presented cyber espionage interest. That's no longer the case and over the past year in particular, the number of such state-sponsored attacks against small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) has increased significantly.

Cyber security firm Proofpoint analysed its telemetry data more than 200,000 SMB customers over the past year and saw a rise in phishing campaigns originating from APT groups, particularly those serving Russian, Iranian, and North Korean interests.

SMBs are also targeted by APT groups indirectly, through the managed services providers (MSPs) that maintain their infrastructure. Proofpoint has seen an increase in attacks against regional MSPs because their cyber security defences could be weaker than larger MSPs yet they still serve hundreds of SMBs in local geographies.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3697648/smbs-and-regional-msps-are-increasingly-targeted-by-state-sponsored-apt-groups.html#tk.rss_news

• IT Employee Piggybacked on Cyber Attack for Personal Gain

A 28-year-old former IT employee of an Oxford-based company has been convicted of blackmailing his employer and unauthorised access to a computer with intent to commit other offences.

The convicted employee was the one who began to investigate the incident and, along with colleagues and the police, tried to mitigate it and its fallout. But he also realized that he could take advantage of the breach to line his own pockets.

“He accessed a board member’s private emails over 300 times as well as altering the original blackmail email and changing the payment address provided by the original attacker. This was in the hope that if payment was made, it would be made to him rather than the original attacker,” the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) revealed. He went as far as creating an almost identical email address to that of the original attacker, using it to pressure his employer into making the payment.

While some insider threats may stem from negligence or ignorance, this case highlights a more sinister scenario involving a malicious, opportunistic individual. Malicious insiders exploit their authorized access and privileges to engage in harmful, unethical, or illegal activities.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/05/24/it-employee-blackmailing-company/

• Ransomware Threats Are Growing, and Targeting Microsoft Devices More and More

Ransomware attacks have never been this popular, a new report from cyber security researchers Securin, Ivanti, and Cyware has stated. New ransomware groups are emerging constantly, and new vulnerabilities being exploited are being discovered almost daily, but out of all the different hardware and software, Microsoft’s products are being targeted the most.

Attackers are now targeting more than 7,000 products built by 121 vendors, all used by businesses in their day-to-day operations. Most products belong to Microsoft, which has 135 vulnerabilities associated with ransomware. In just March 2023, there had been more breaches reported, than in all three previous years combined. Even though most cyber security incidents never get reported, too. In the first quarter of the year, the researchers discovered 12 new vulnerabilities used in ransomware attacks, three-quarters of which (73%) were trending in the dark web.

https://www.techradar.com/news/ransomware-threats-are-growing-and-targeting-microsoft-devices-more-and-more

• Microsoft Reports Jump in Business Email Compromise (BEC) Activity

Thirty-five million business email compromise (BEC) attempts were detected in the last year, according to the latest Microsoft Cyber Signals report. Activity around BEC spiked between April 2022 and April 2023, with over 150,000 daily attempts, on average, detected by Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit.

Rather than targeting unpatched devices for vulnerabilities, BEC operators focus on leveraging the vast volume of daily email and other message traffic to trick victims into sharing financial information or unknowingly transferring funds to money mule accounts. Their goal is to exploit the constant flow of communication to carry out fraudulent money transfers.

Using secure email applications, securing identities to block lateral movement, adopting a secure payment platform and training employees are a few effective methods, according to the report.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3697152/microsoft-reports-jump-in-business-email-compromise-activity.html#tk.rss_news

• Forrester Predicts 2023’s Top Cyber security Threats: From Generative AI to Geopolitical Tensions

The nature of cyber attacks is changing fast. Generative AI, cloud complexity and geopolitical tensions are among the latest weapons and facilitators in attackers’ arsenals. Three-quarters (74%) of security decision-makers say their organisations’ sensitive data was “potentially compromised or breached in the past 12 months” alone. Forrester’s Top Cyber security Threats in 2023 report provides a stark warning about the top cyber security threats this year, along with prescriptive advice to CISOs and their teams on countering them. By weaponising generative AI and using ChatGPT, attackers are fine-tuning their ransomware and social engineering techniques.

Perimeter-based legacy systems not designed with an AI-based upgrade path are the most vulnerable. With a new wave of cyber attacks coming that seek to capitalise on any given business’ weakest links, including complex cloud configurations, the gap between reported and actual breaches will grow.

Forrester cites Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its relentless cyber attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure as examples of geopolitical cyber attacks with immediate global implications. Forrester advises that nation-state actors continue to use cyber attacks on private companies for geopolitical purposes like espionage, negotiation leverage, resource control and intellectual property theft to gain technological superiority.

https://venturebeat.com/security/forrester-predicts-2023-top-cybersecurity-threats-generative-ai-geopolitical-tensions/

• Advanced Phishing Attacks Surge 356% in 2022

A new report published this week observed a 356% growth in the number of advanced phishing attacks attempted by threat actors in 2022, with the total number of attacks having increased by 87%. Among the reasons behind this growth is the fact that malicious actors continue to gain widespread access to new tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-powered tools. These have automated the process of generating sophisticated attacks, including those characterized by social engineering as well as evasion techniques.

The global threat landscape continues to evolve with a meteoric rise in the number of attacks, combined with increasingly sophisticated attack techniques designed to breach and damage organisations.

Additionally, the report highlighted that the changing threat landscape has resulted from the swift adoption of new cloud collaboration apps, cloud storage and productivity services for external collaboration.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/advanced-phishing-attacks-surge/

• Today’s Cyber Defence Challenges: Complexity and a False Sense of Security

Organisations can mistakenly believe that deploying more security solutions will result in greater protection against threats. However, the truth of the matter can be very different. Gartner estimates that global spending on IT security and risk management solutions will exceed $189.7 billion annually in 2023, yet the breaches keep on coming. Blindly purchasing more security tools can add to complexity in enterprise environments and creates a false sense of security that contributes to today’s cyber security challenges.

To add to the dilemma, the new work-from-anywhere model is putting a strain on IT and security teams. Employees shifting between corporate and off-corporate networks are creating visibility and control challenges, which are impacting those teams’ ability to diagnose and remediate end user issues and minimize cyber security risks. In addition, they have to deal with a broad mix of networks, hardware, business and security applications, operating system (OS) versions, and patches.

https://www.securityweek.com/todays-cyber-defense-challenges-complexity-and-a-false-sense-of-security/

• Almost All Ransomware Attacks Target Backups

Data stored in backups is the most common target for ransomware attackers. Almost all intrusions (93%) target backups and in 75% of cases succeed in taking out victims’ ability to recover. In addition, 85% of global organisations suffered at least one cyber attack in the past year according to the Veeam 2023 Ransomware trends report. Only 16% of organisations avoided paying ransom because they were able to recover from backups, down from 19% in last year’s survey.

According to the survey, criminals attempt to attack backup repositories in almost all (93%) cyber events in EMEA, with 75% losing at least some of their backups and more than one-third (39%) of backup repositories being completely lost.

Other key findings included that 21% said ransomware is now specifically excluded from insurance policies; and of those with cyber insurance, 74% saw increased premiums since their last policy renewal.

With most ransomware actors moving to double and triple extortion the days of a backup being all you need to keep you safe are far behind and firms should do more to prevent being the victim of ransomware in the first place.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366538492/Almost-all-ransomware-attacks-target-backups-says-Veeam

• NCSC Warns Against Chinese Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and several other international security agencies have issued a new advisory warning the public against Chinese cyber activity targeting critical national infrastructure networks. According to the document, the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s associated threat actors employed sophisticated tactics to evade detection while conducting malicious activities against targets in the US and Guam. These tactics are expected to be used on critical infrastructure targets outside the US, including the UK.

The document further added that the threat actors mainly focused on credential access theft via brute force and password spraying techniques. The NCSC advisory provides network defenders with technical indicators and examples of techniques used by the attacker to help identify any malicious activity.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ncsc-warns-chinese-cyber-attacks/

• Half of All Companies were Impacted by Spearphishing in 2022

Spearphishing is a sliver of all email exploits but the extent to which it succeeds is revealed in a new study from cyber security firm Barracuda Networks, which analysed 50 billion emails across 3.5 million mailboxes in 2022, unearthing around 30 million spearphishing emails and affecting 50% of all companies.

The report identified the top prevalent spearphishing emails were Scamming (47%) used to trick victims into disclosing sensitive information and the other being brand impersonation (42%) attacks mimicking a brand familiar with the victim to harvest credentials.

The report found that remote work is increasing risks. Users at companies with more than a 50% remote workforce report higher levels of suspicious emails — 12 per day on average, compared to 9 per day for those with less than a 50% remote workforce.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/barracuda-networks-spearphishing-study/

• Google's .zip, .mov Domains Give Social Engineers a Shiny New Tool

Two new top-level domain names (.zip and .mov) have caused concern among security researchers, who say they allow for the construction of malicious URLs that even tech-savvy users are likely to miss. While a top-level domain (TLD) that mimics a file extension is only one component in the lookalike attack, the overall combination is much more effective with the .zip or .mov extension.

There's no question that phishing links that involve these TLDs can be used to lure unsuspecting users into accidentally downloading malware. Unlike other kinds of phishing URLs that are intended to lure the user to enter credentials into a phony login page, the lures with the .zip or .mov domains are more suited to drive-by download types of attacks.

https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/google-zip-mov-domains-social-engineers-shiny-new-tool

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Security Pros: Before You Do Anything, Understand Your Threat Landscape - SecurityWeek

• The Rising Threat of Secrets Sprawl and the Need for Action (thehackernews.com)

• Mass resignations, layoffs seen as major threat to corporate cyber security - The Korea Times

• Improving Cyber security Requires Building Better Public-Private Cooperation (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Defence: Council conclusions stress the importance of further strengthening the EU resilience to face cyber threats - Consilium (europa.eu)

• 5 Cyber security Woes That Threaten Digital Growth (analyticsinsight.net)

• Cyber Warfare Lessons From the Russia-Ukraine Conflict (darkreading.com)

• What Security Professionals Need to Know About Aggregate Cyber Risk (darkreading.com)

• Where to Focus Your Company’s Limited Cyber security Budget (hbr.org)

• Realistic Cyber security Simulations Deliver Strongest ROI for Training Programs, Security Innovation Finds - MSSP Alert

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

• CISO Criminalization, Vague Cyber Disclosure Rules Create Angst for Security Teams (darkreading.com)

• Today’s Cyber Defence Challenges: Complexity and a False Sense of Security - SecurityWeek

• The biggest threats are always those we fail to predict - Big Think

• How continuous security monitoring is changing the compliance game - Help Net Security

• Forrester predicts 2023's top cyber security threats: From generative AI to geopolitical tensions | VentureBeat

• 50% of UK CEOs See Cyber as a Bigger Business Risk than the Economy - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Defining CISOs, CTOs, and CIOs' Roles in Cyber security (analyticsinsight.net)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• 3 Common Initial Attack Vectors Account for Most Ransomware Campaigns (darkreading.com)

• 12 vulnerabilities newly associated with ransomware - Help Net Security

• IT employee impersonates ransomware gang to extort employer (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Backup Repositories Targeted in 93% of Ransomware Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Ransomware threats are growing, and targeting Microsoft devices more and more | TechRadar

• Microsoft: Notorious FIN7 hackers return in Clop ransomware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FIN7 gang returned and was spotted delivering Clop ransomware - Security Affairs

• Fortinet survey finds 78% of organisations felt prepared for ransomware attacks, yet half still fell victim | ITWeb

• Bridgestone CISO: Lessons From Ransomware Attack Include Acting, Not Thinking (darkreading.com)

• Cyble — New Ransomware Wave Engulfs over 200 Corporate Victims

• Updated 'StopRansomware Guide' warns of shifting tactics | TechTarget

• The Week in Ransomware - May 19th 2023 - A Shifting Landscape (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US saw 45% fewer ransomware victims posted on the dark web | Security Magazine

• BlackCat ransomware takes control of protected computers via new kernel driver | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Judge Throws Out Ransomware Class-Action Suit Against Rackspace - MSSP Alert

• Ransomware tales: The MitM attack that really had a Man in the Middle – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Here's another great reason to make sure your enterprises is safeguarded from ransomware | TechRadar

• Inside Qilin Ransomware: Affiliates Take Home 85% of Ransom Payouts (thehackernews.com)

• Buhti Ransomware Gang Switches Tactics, Utilizes Leaked LockBit and Babuk Code (thehackernews.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Food Distributor Sysco Says Cyber Attack Exposed 126,000 Individuals - SecurityWeek

• Suzuki motorcycle plant shut down by cyber attack (bitdefender.com)

• February cyber incident will cost molten metal flow engineering firm Vesuvius £3.5 million - Security Affairs

• Iowa hospital discloses breach following Royal ransomware leak | TechTarget

• Arms maker Rheinmetall confirms BlackBasta ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mazars Group allegedly breached by BlackCat | Cybernews

• Dish Network says February ransomware attack impacted +300K - Security Affairs

• Philly Inquirer disputes Cuba ransomware gang's leak claims • The Register

• Dorchester school IT system held to ransom in cyber attack - BBC News

• BlackByte lists city of Augusta after cyber 'incident' • The Register

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Advanced Phishing Attacks Surge 356% in 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 50% of companies had spearphishing puncture wounds in 2022 (techrepublic.com)

• Microsoft 365 phishing attacks use encrypted RPMSG messages (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Phishers use encrypted file attachments to steal Microsoft 365 account credentials - Help Net Security

• Threat actors exploit new channels for advanced phishing attacks - Help Net Security

• Malicious links and misaddressed emails slip past security controls - Help Net Security

• CopperStealer Malware Crew Resurfaces with New Rootkit and Phishing Kit Modules (thehackernews.com)

• Crypto phishing service Inferno Drainer defrauds thousands of victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Phishing campaign targets ChatGPT users - Help Net Security

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• Cyber Signals: Shifting tactics show surge in business email compromise | Microsoft Security Blog

• Microsoft reports jump in business email compromise activity | CSO Online

• Microsoft: BEC Attackers Evade 'Impossible Travel' Flags With Residential IP Addresses (darkreading.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Google's .zip, .mov Domains Give Social Engineers a Shiny New Tool (darkreading.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• Employees are banned from using ChatGPT at these companies | Fortune

• When the tech boys start asking for new regulations, you know something’s up | John Naughton | The Guardian

• BatLoader campaign impersonates ChatGPT and Midjourney to deliver Redline Stealer - Security Affairs

• 6 ChatGPT risks for legal and compliance leaders - Help Net Security

• 5 Ways Hackers Will Use ChatGPT For Cyber attacks (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Simple OSINT techniques to spot AI-fueled disinformation, fake reviews - Help Net Security

• How to avoid shadow AI in your SOC - Help Net Security

• Microsoft urges lawmakers to adopt new guidelines for responsible AI | CyberScoop

• AI Used to Create Malware, WithSecure Observes - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Phishing campaign targets ChatGPT users - Help Net Security

• The Security Hole at the Heart of ChatGPT and Bing | WIRED UK

2FA/MFA

• Cyber criminals masquerading as MFA vendors - Help Net Security

Malware

• New PowerExchange malware backdoors Microsoft Exchange servers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers Use Weaponised DOCX File to Deploy Stealthy Malware (gbhackers.com)

• Meet 'Jack' from Romania! Mastermind Behind Golden Chickens Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Developer Alert: NPM Packages for Node.js Hiding Dangerous TurkoRat Malware (thehackernews.com)

• CopperStealer Malware Crew Resurfaces with New Rootkit and Phishing Kit Modules (thehackernews.com)

• Threat actors leverage kernel drivers in new attacks | TechTarget

• BatLoader campaign impersonates ChatGPT and Midjourney to deliver Redline Stealer - Security Affairs

• Malicious links and misaddressed emails slip past security controls - Help Net Security

• Potentially millions of Android TVs and phones come with malware preinstalled | Ars Technica

• New AhRat Android malware hidden in app with 50,000 installs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Malware turns home routers into proxies for Chinese state-sponsored hackers | Ars Technica

• PyPI open-source code repository deals with manic malware maelstrom – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Legion Malware Upgraded to Target SSH Servers and AWS Credentials (thehackernews.com)

• AI Used to Create Malware, WithSecure Observes - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Mobile

• Warning: Samsung Devices Under Attack! New Security Flaw Exposed (thehackernews.com)

• Smartphones with Qualcomm chips found to be transmitting users' private data without consent - Dimsum Daily

• WhatsApp now lets you hide your messages from prying eyes. But is Chat Lock a cheaters’ charter? | Technology | The Guardian

• Android phones are vulnerable to fingerprint brute-force attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New AhRat Android malware hidden in app with 50,000 installs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Google Unveils Bug Bounty Program For Android Apps - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Predator: Looking under the hood of Intellexa’s Android spyware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Botnets

• How smart bots are infecting and exploiting the internet - Help Net Security

• The Dark Frost Enigma: An Unexpectedly Prevalent Botnet Author Profile | Akamai

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Dark Frost Botnet Launches Devastating DDoS Attacks on Gaming Industry (thehackernews.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Potentially millions of Android TVs and phones come with malware preinstalled | Ars Technica

• How Connected Car Cyber Risk will Evolve (trendmicro.com)

• Malware turns home routers into proxies for Chinese state-sponsored hackers | Ars Technica

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Capita under fire after ‘confidential’ files published online (thetimes.co.uk)

• Luxottica confirms 2021 data breach after info of 70M leaks online (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers steal the SSN of nearly 6 million people (pandasecurity.com)

• Food Distributor Sysco Says Cyber attack Exposed 126,000 Individuals - SecurityWeek

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Inside the Mind of a Cyber Attacker | Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) Every Security Practitioner Should Know

• IT employee piggybacked on cyber attack for personal gain - Help Net Security

• Child hackers: How are kids becoming sophisticated cyber criminals? | Euronews

• UK Fraudster Behind iSpoof Scam Receives 13-Year Jail Term for Cyber Crimes (thehackernews.com)

• The Strange Story of the Teens Behind the Mirai Botnet - IEEE Spectrum

• FBI: Human Trafficking Rings Force Job Seekers Into Cryptojacking Schemes (darkreading.com)

• 'Operation Magalenha' Attacks Gives Window Into Brazil's Cyber crime Ecosystem (darkreading.com)

• Cyber criminals masquerading as MFA vendors - Help Net Security

• The Dark Frost Enigma: An Unexpectedly Prevalent Botnet Author Profile | Akamai

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Crypto phishing service Inferno Drainer defrauds thousands of victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Forex boss Anthony Constantinou guilty of £70m ‘Ponzi’ fraud (thetimes.co.uk)

• FBI: Human Trafficking Rings Force Job Seekers Into Cryptojacking Schemes (darkreading.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• How to prevent against the 5 main types of insider threats - IT Security Guru

• IT employee impersonates ransomware gang to extort employer (bleepingcomputer.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• SMBs Targeted by State-Aligned Actors for Financial Theft and Supply Chain Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Get-rich-quick schemes, pyramids and ponzis: five signs you're being scammed (theconversation.com)

• Uncle Sam tries to wrangle 'money mules' • The Register

• Scammers Using ChatGPT "Fleeceware" Apps to Cash In on AI Hype, Sophos Report - MSSP Alert

• Online scams target bargain-hunting holiday travelers - Help Net Security

• Ads for lucrative jobs in Asia may be tech slavery scams • The Register

• Crypto phishing service Inferno Drainer defrauds thousands of victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 79-year-old woman tricks German scammers into getting arrested (iamexpat.de)

• Forex boss Anthony Constantinou guilty of £70m ‘Ponzi’ fraud (thetimes.co.uk)

• IT employee impersonates ransomware gang to extort employer (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Banking, tech and telecoms groups combine to gather intelligence on scammers | Financial Times (ft.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Capita under fire after ‘confidential’ files published online (thetimes.co.uk)

• SMBs Targeted by State-Aligned Actors for Financial Theft and Supply Chain Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK councils caught in Capita unsecured AWS bucket data leak • The Register

• New Cyber Security Training Packages Launched to Manage Supply Chain Risk - NCSC

Software Supply Chain

• GUAC 0.1 Beta: Google's Breakthrough Framework for Secure Software Supply Chains (thehackernews.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Phishers use encrypted file attachments to steal Microsoft 365 account credentials - Help Net Security

• UK councils caught in Capita unsecured AWS bucket data leak • The Register

• CISO-level tips for securing corporate data in the cloud - Help Net Security

• Google Cloud Bug Allows Server Takeover From CloudSQL Service (darkreading.com)

Attack Surface Management

• The Need to Isolate Branch Offices in High-Risk Countries (darkreading.com)

Identity and Access Management

• 7 access management challenges during M&A - Help Net Security

• Think security first when switching from traditional Active Directory to Azure AD | CSO Online

Encryption

• Quantum attack would trigger Great Depression, think tank warns | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

API

• API bug in OAuth dev tool opened websites, apps to account hijacking | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Are Your APIs Leaking Sensitive Data? (thehackernews.com)

• What is API Security? | Definition from TechTarget

• The fragmented nature of API security ownership - Help Net Security

Open Source

• PyPI open-source code repository deals with manic malware maelstrom – Naked Security (sophos.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Inactive accounts pose significant account takeover security risks | CSO Online

• What’s a Double-Blind Password Strategy and When Should It Be Used (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Netflix's Password-Sharing Ban Offers Security Upsides (darkreading.com)

Biometrics

• Android phones are vulnerable to fingerprint brute-force attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• Meta Hit With $1.3B Record-Breaking Fine for GDPR Violations (darkreading.com)

• Pentagon explosion hoax goes viral after verified Twitter accounts push (bleepingcomputer.com)

• A TikTok ban isn't a data security solution. It will be difficult to enforce – and could end up hurting users (theconversation.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Realistic Cyber security Simulations Deliver Strongest ROI for Training Programs, Security Innovation Finds - MSSP Alert

• A New Look for Risk in Awareness Training (darkreading.com)

• Realistic simulations are transforming cyber security training - Help Net Security

Travel

• Online scams target bargain-hunting holiday travelers - Help Net Security

• Four ways your devices can be hacked in hotels and how to stay safe | This is Money

• Tips to Protect Against Holiday and Airline Scams - IT Security Guru

Parental Controls and Child Safety

• Multiple Vulnerabilities Found in the Kiddoware Kids Place Parental Control Android App - IT Security Guru

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Meta Hit With $1.3B Record-Breaking Fine for GDPR Violations (darkreading.com)

• Two-Thirds of IT Leaders Say GDPR Has Reduced Consumer Trust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft urges lawmakers to adopt new guidelines for responsible AI | CyberScoop

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• NIST Launches Cyber security Initiative for Small Businesses (securityintelligence.com)

• New security model launched to eliminate 95% of cyber breaches - IT Security Guru

Backup and Recovery

• Almost all ransomware attacks target backups, says Veeam | Computer Weekly

• 'Operation Magalenha' Attacks Gives Window Into Brazil's Cyber crime Ecosystem (darkreading.com)

• China hits back after Microsoft says state-sponsored group hacked critical US infrastructure | Financial Times

• Here's another great reason to make sure your enterprises is safeguarded from ransomware | TechRadar

Data Protection

• Meta Hit With $1.3B Record-Breaking Fine for GDPR Violations (darkreading.com)

• Two-Thirds of IT Leaders Say GDPR Has Reduced Consumer Trust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• How to become a bug bounty hunter: Getting started | TechTarget

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• UK Fraudster Behind iSpoof Scam Receives 13-Year Jail Term for Cyber Crimes (thehackernews.com)

• 79-year-old woman tricks German scammers into getting arrested (iamexpat.de)

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Smartphones with Qualcomm chips found to be transmitting users' private data without consent - Dimsum Daily

• WhatsApp now lets you hide your messages from prying eyes. But is Chat Lock a cheaters’ charter? | Technology | The Guardian

• UK police to 'embed' facial recog but oversight is at risk • The Register

• Abuse of government spying powers: What's to worry about? • The Register

• Reflections on Ten Years Past The Snowden Revelations (ietf.org)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Simple OSINT techniques to spot AI-fueled disinformation, fake reviews - Help Net Security

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Opinion: Cyber war and (no) peace (insuranceinsider.com)

• Cyber Warfare Lessons From the Russia-Ukraine Conflict (darkreading.com)

• Russia's War in Ukraine Shows Cyber attacks Can Be War Crimes (darkreading.com)

• The Underground History of Turla, Russia's Most Ingenious Hacker Group | WIRED

• Bad Magic's Extended Reign in Cyber Espionage Goes Back Over a Decade (thehackernews.com)

• North Korean Kimsuky Hackers Strike Again with Advanced Reconnaissance Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber Attacks Strike Ukraine's State Bodies in Espionage Operation (thehackernews.com)

• A deeper insight into the CloudWizard APT's activity revealed a long-running activity - Security Affairs

• What’s Russia Planning? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Mysterious malware designed to cripple industrial systems linked to Russia | CyberScoop

• New Russian-linked CosmicEnergy malware targets industrial systems (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What’s Russia Planning? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• United Nations official and others in Armenia hacked by NSO Group spyware | Hacking | The Guardian

• Predator: Looking under the hood of Intellexa’s Android spyware (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Nation State Actors

• APT attacks: Exploring Advanced Persistent Threats and their evasive techniques (malwarebytes.com)

• SMBs and regional MSPs are increasingly targeted by state-sponsored APT groups | CSO Online

• NCSC Warns Against Chinese Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Underground History of Turla, Russia's Most Ingenious Hacker Group | WIRED

• A TikTok ban isn't a data security solution. It will be difficult to enforce – and could end up hurting users (theconversation.com)

• Malware turns home routers into proxies for Chinese state-sponsored hackers | Ars Technica

• GoldenJackal: Threat Risk For Organisations In Middle East & South Asia (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• North Korean Kimsuky Hackers Strike Again with Advanced Reconnaissance Malware (thehackernews.com)

• N. Korean Lazarus Group Targets Microsoft IIS Servers to Deploy Espionage Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Fata Morgana Watering Hole Attack Targets Shipping, Logistics Firms - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• A deeper insight into the CloudWizard APT's activity revealed a long-running activity - Security Affairs

• Five Eyes and Microsoft accuse China US infrastructure raids • The Register

• Iranian hackers use new Moneybird ransomware to attack Israeli orgs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mysterious malware designed to cripple industrial systems linked to Russia | CyberScoop

• GCHQ warns of fresh threat from Chinese state-sponsored hackers | Hacking | The Guardian

• New Russian-linked CosmicEnergy malware targets industrial systems (bleepingcomputer.com)

• China hits back after Microsoft says state-sponsored group hacked critical US infrastructure | Financial Times

• Five Eyes agencies detail how Chinese hackers breached US infrastructure - Help Net Security

• Lazarus Group Striking Vulnerable Windows IIS Web Servers (darkreading.com)

• 'Volt Typhoon' Breaks Fresh Ground for China-Backed Cyber Campaigns (darkreading.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 12 vulnerabilities newly associated with ransomware - Help Net Security

• Fresh perspectives needed to manage growing vulnerabilities - Help Net Security

• Judge Throws Out Ransomware Class-Action Suit Against Rackspace - MSSP Alert

• How to check for new exploits in real time? VulnCheck has an answer | CSO Online

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Vulnerabilities

• 12 vulnerabilities newly associated with ransomware - Help Net Security

• Vulnerability in WordPress Google Analytics Plugin Hits +3 Million Websites (searchenginejournal.com)

• Hackers target 1.5M WordPress sites with cookie consent plugin exploit (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Barracuda Alerts Of Breaches In Email Gateways From Zero-Day Flaws (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Threat Actors Compromise Barracuda Email Security Appliances (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft: Windows issue causes file copying, saving failures (bleepingcomputer.com)

• GitLab 'strongly recommends' patching max severity flaw ASAP (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 83C0000B: The error code that means a software update bricked your HP printer (bitdefender.com)

• CISA adds iPhone bugs to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog - Security Affairs

• Vulnerability in Zyxel firewalls may soon be widely exploited (CVE-2023-28771) - Help Net Security

• Zyxel warns of critical vulnerabilities in firewall and VPN devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Warning: Samsung Devices Under Attack! New Security Flaw Exposed (thehackernews.com)

• Multiple Vulnerabilities Found in the Kiddoware Kids Place Parental Control Android App - IT Security Guru

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Tools and Controls

• Security Pros: Before You Do Anything, Understand Your Threat Landscape - SecurityWeek

• Malicious links and misaddressed emails slip past security controls - Help Net Security

• Making The Most Of A Penetration Test: The Organisational Perspective (forbes.com)

• Against the Clock: Cyber Incident Response Plan (trendmicro.com)

• CMOs & CISOs: Uniting for Stronger Brands (cmswire.com)

• Investigating Risks Through Threat Hunting Capability Guide (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Realistic Cyber security Simulations Deliver Strongest ROI for Training Programs, Security Innovation Finds - MSSP Alert

• A New Look for Risk in Awareness Training (darkreading.com)

• Almost all ransomware attacks target backups, says Veeam | Computer Weekly

• How continuous security monitoring is changing the compliance game - Help Net Security

• Blacklist untrustworthy apps that peek behind your firewall - Help Net Security

• How generative AI is reshaping the identity verification landscape - Help Net Security

• What is API Security? | Definition from TechTarget

• Are Your APIs Leaking Sensitive Data? (thehackernews.com)

• The fragmented nature of API security ownership - Help Net Security

• Enterprises Must Prepare Now for Shorter TLS Certificate Lifespans (darkreading.com)

• Cutting Through the Noise: What is Zero Trust Security? - SecurityWeek

• CISO-level tips for securing corporate data in the cloud - Help Net Security

• 6 ways generative AI chatbots and LLMs can enhance cyber security | CSO Online

• 'Operation Magalenha' Attacks Gives Window Into Brazil's Cyber crime Ecosystem (darkreading.com)

• China hits back after Microsoft says state-sponsored group hacked critical US infrastructure | Financial Times

• Here's another great reason to make sure your enterprises is safeguarded from ransomware | TechRadar

• Attributes of a mature cyber-threat intelligence program | 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 Threat Briefing 24 March 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

• Majority of SMBs Lack Dedicated Cyber Experts and Cyber Incident Response Plans

A recent report conducted by security provider Huntress found some worrying results regarding SMBs lack of dedicated cyber experts and lack of cyber incident response plans. Some of the reports key findings were 24% of SMBs suffering a cyber attack or unsure if they had suffered a cyber attack in the last 12 months, 61% of SMBs not having a dedicated cyber security expert and 47% having no incident response plan. The report found that SMBs struggled to implement basic training and only 9% of employees adhered to security best practices, potentially due to the previously mentioned training struggles. The report highlights a clear need for SMBs to increase their cyber resilience and conduct effective user education and awareness training.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/majority-of-smbs-lack-dedicated-cyber-experts-incident-response-plan/

• Controlling Third-Party Data Risk Should be a Top Cyber Security Priority

Nearly 60% of all data breaches are initiated via third-party vendors and this is often hard to detect. The ever-increasing use of third party services has led to the average organisation sharing sensitive data with 583 third parties, a worrying number of attack vectors. Due to the impact a third party breach can have on an organisation it is imperative that organisations assess and risk manage their supply chains to increase the organisations cyber resilience.

https://www.darkreading.com/attacks-breaches/controlling-third-party-data-risk-should-be-a-top-cybersecurity-priority-

• IT Security Spending to Reach Nearly $300 Billion by 2026

Worldwide spending on security is forecast to be $219 billion in 2023, an increase of 12.1% compared to 2022. This figure is expected to continually rise, reaching nearly $300 billion by 2026. In Europe, it is predicted that the biggest portion of spending will still be represented by services, which will be increasingly leveraged by organisations with limited cyber security experience. Additionally the finance sector, which will have to constantly ensure regulatory adherence, is predicted to be the largest spending sector. Organisations should perform due diligence and ensure that they are using reputable services.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/03/20/it-security-spending-2026/

• 2023 Cyber Security Maturity Report Reveals Organisational Unpreparedness for Cyber Attacks

In 2022 alone cyber attacks increased by 38%, highlighting the need for organisations to have a high level of cyber maturity; despite this, a recent cyber security maturity report ranked UK organisations as 12th  globally. Some of the findings from the report included that 32% of organisations were found to have weak passwords and 23% had weak authentication systems.

https://thehackernews.com/2023/03/2023-cybersecurity-maturity-report.html

• Board Cyber Shortage: Don’t Get Caught Swimming Naked

The Securities and Exchange Commission recently released their rules on cyber security risk management, strategy governance and incident disclosure by public companies. As part of the rules, the public disclosure of board directors’ cyber risk biographies is mandated. Worryingly, recent research has found that there is a drastic gap in cyber expertise at the board director level, with 90% of companies not having a single director with cyber security expertise. Board directors are able to address this issue by retaining outside expert advisors, upskilling board members or hiring new cyber security board directors. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/03/20/board-cyber-shortage-dont-get-caught-swimming-naked/?sh=6ea732895af8

• Should your Organisation be Worried about Insider Threats?

Cyber crime is predicted to reach $10.5 trillion worth, making it a lucrative business venture for opportunist criminals. One of the threats companies face is insider threat; this is where the threat comes from within the organisation. Insider threat can include third-party vendors, business partners and others with access to an organisations systems and networks. The threat an insider poses is commonly thought of as malicious but it can also be negligent, where insiders haven’t received proper user education and awareness training. Worryingly, insider threat is rising and research has shown a significant amount of under-reporting; over 70% of insider attacks never reach the headlines. As such, it is difficult for organisations to gauge the risk of insider threats.

https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2023/03/17/should-your-organization-be-worried-about-insider-threats/

• UK Ransomware Incident Volumes Surge 17% in 2022

According to recent research, attacker-reported ransomware incidents increased by 17% annually in the UK last year and 2023 is showing signs of a continual rise. With this continual rise, it is important for organisations to assess and build upon their cyber resilience.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uk-ransomware-incident-surge-17/

• Financial Industry Hit by Rising Ransomware Attacks and BEC

According to a recent report by the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) ransomware remained the biggest concern for the financial industry with an increase in attacks due to ransomware-as-a-service. Furthermore, FS-ISAC found a 300% increase in the number of business email compromise attacks from 2021 to 2022. Artificial intelligence was identified as an upcoming area of concern due to its ability to obfuscate detection.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-21/banks-financial-industry-buffeted-by-rising-ransomware-attacks?

• 55 zero-day Flaws Exploited Last Year Show the Importance of Security Risk Management

According to a report from intelligence provider Mandiant 55 zero-days were exploited in 2022 and 13 of those were used in cyber espionage attacks. Of the espionage attacks, 7 related to Chinese threat actors and 2 related to Russian threat actors. The report found that effective security management and patching remained the best protections for organisations.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3691609/55-zero-day-flaws-exploited-last-year-show-the-importance-of-security-risk-management.html#tk.rss_news

• Security Researchers Spot $36m BEC Attack

Security experts recently identified a single business email compromise attack which amounted to $36.4m. The attack in question contained an invoice, payment instructions, a forged letterhead and even cc’d a legitimate and well known company. The attacker also changed “.com” to “.cam” to imitate a domain. The total cost of BEC based on reported incidents is around $2.7 billion and this is excluding unreported incidents. Organisations should ensure that staff are adequately trained in identifying and reporting such attacks.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/security-researchers-spot-36m-bec/

• New Victims Come Forward After Mass Ransomware Attack

Russia-linked Ransomware gang “Clop” has claimed a mass hack of 130 organisations via the vendor GoAnywhere, with more victims coming forward. Clop adds names of victims to its dark web site, which is used to extort companies further by threatening to publish the stolen files unless a ransom is paid.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/22/fortra-goanywhere-ransomware-attack/

• Ransomware Gangs’ Harassment of Victims is Increasing

Analysis by Palo Alto Networks found that harassment was a factor in 20% of ransomware cases, a significant jump from less than 1% in mid 2021. The harassment campaign by threat attackers is intended to make sure that ransom payments are met. This adds to the stress that organisations already face with ransomware incidents.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ransomware-gangs-harassment-victims-increasing/

• Wartime Hacktivism is Spilling Over into the Financial Services Industry

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) has identified that financial firms in countries that Russia considers hostile have been singled out for attacks and these attacks are going to continue if the Russia and Ukraine war persists.

https://www.scmagazine.com/analysis/risk-management/report-wartime-hacktivism-is-spilling-over-into-the-financial-services-industry

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• LockBit 3.0 Ransomware: Inside the Cyberthreat That's Costing Millions (thehackernews.com)

• UK Ransomware Incident Volumes Surge 17% in 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Banks, Financial Sector Hit By Rising Ransomware Attacks - Bloomberg

• BianLian ransomware crew swaps encryption for extortion • The Register

• New victims come forward after mass-ransomware attack | TechCrunch

• Ransomware Gangs' Harassment of Victims Is Increasing (techrepublic.com)

• LockBit ransomware gang now also claims City of Oakland breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Free decryptor released for Conti-based ransomware following data leak | Tripwire

• New 'Trigona' Ransomware Targets US, Europe, Australia - SecurityWeek

• Ransomware Strongly Influencing SOC Modernization Strategies, Cybereason Research Shows - MSSP Alert

• US govt agencies released an alert on the Lockbit 3.0 ransomware- Security Affairs

• Security News This Week: Ring Is in a Standoff With Hackers | WIRED UK

• CISA kicks off ransomware vulnerability pilot to help spot ransomware-exploitable flaws | CSO Online

• Clop ransomware claims Saks Fifth Avenue, retailer says mock data stolen (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Researchers Shed Light on CatB Ransomware's Evasion Techniques (thehackernews.com)

• Why CISOs Are Looking to Lateral Security to Mitigate Ransomware | CIO

• Dole discloses employee data breach after ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware Attacks Double in Europe's Transport Sector - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Prevent Ransomware with Cyber security Monitoring (trendmicro.com)

• Getting Ahead of the Ransomware Epidemic: CISA’s Pre-Ransomware Notifications Help Organisations Stop Attacks Before Damage Occurs | CISA

• Ferrari in a spin as crims steal customer data • The Register

• Play ransomware gang hit Dutch shipping firm Royal Dirkzwager- Security Affairs

• Hitachi Energy confirms data breach after Clop GoAnywhere attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• City of Toronto confirms data theft, Clop claims responsibility (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• 7 guidelines for identifying and mitigating AI-enabled phishing campaigns | CSO Online

• Just 1% of Dot-Org Domains Are Fully DMARC Protected - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• Security Researchers Spot $36m BEC Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Vishing Campaign Targets Social Security Administration - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Threat actors are experimenting with QR codes - Help Net Security

• Over 2400 Fake Pages Found Targeting Job Seekers in Middle East, Africa - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

2FA/MFA

• Massive Phishing Campaign Bypasses MFA and Mimics Microsoft Office (techrepublic.com)

• How Cyber-Criminals are Circumventing Multifactor Authentication - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malware

• Emotet malware now distributed in Microsoft OneNote files to evade defences (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ChatGPT Polymorphic Malware Bypasses Endpoint Detection Filters (cybersecuritynews.com)

• RAT developer arrested for infecting 10,000 PCs with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Google flags apps made by popular Chinese e-commerce giant as malware | TechCrunch

• Mispadu Banking Trojan Targets Latin America: 90,000+ Credentials Stolen (thehackernews.com)

• Custom 'Naplistener' Malware a Nightmare for Network-Based Detection (darkreading.com)

• New ShellBot DDoS Malware Variants Targeting Poorly Managed Linux Servers (thehackernews.com)

• ScarCruft's Evolving Arsenal: Researchers Reveal New Malware Distribution Techniques (thehackernews.com)

• Python info-stealing malware uses Unicode to evade detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

Mobile

• Nexus: A New Rising Android Banking Trojan Targeting 450 Financial Apps (thehackernews.com)

• The FBI Warns SIM Swapping Attacks Are Rising. What's That? - ReHack

• Android apps are spying on you — with no easy way to stop them | Digital Trends

• Your Samsung phone may have a big security flaw – here's how to stay safe | TechRadar

• UK emergency alert system launched to warn of life-threatening events - with test set for next month | UK News | Sky News

• Google Pixel phones had a serious data leakage bug – here’s what to do! – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• How to keep your phone safe from the scary Exynos modem vulnerability (androidpolice.com)

Botnets

• New GoLang-Based HinataBot Exploiting Router and Server Flaws for DDoS Attacks (thehackernews.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• New ‘HinataBot’ botnet could launch massive 3.3 Tbps DDoS attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• KillNet Group Uses DDoS Attacks Against Azure-Based Healthcare Apps - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Mirai Hackers Use Golang to Create a Bigger, Badder DDoS Botnet (darkreading.com)

• New ShellBot DDoS Malware Variants Targeting Poorly Managed Linux Servers (thehackernews.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Eufy security cam 'stored unique ID' of everyone filmed • The Register

• Google sounds alarm on Samsung modem bugs in Android devices • The Register

• EU Council extends product lifetime, clarifies scope in cyber security law – EURACTIV.com

• Tesco to ditch Chinese-made CCTV cameras over security and human rights fears (telegraph.co.uk)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Complacency of staff to blame for data breaches (thesundaily.my)

• Hitachi Energy confirms data breach after Clop GoAnywhere attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Latitude customers are furious: some have had data hacked before through Medibank and Optus - ABC News

• Data breaches cost businesses nearly $6M on average: Mastercard | CTV News

• Healthcare provider ILS warns 4.2 million people of data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• NBA is warning fans of a data breach after a third-party newsletter service hack- Security Affairs

• Lowe’s Market chain leaves client data up for grabs- Security Affairs

• Ferrari discloses data breach after receiving ransom demand (bleepingcomputer.com)

• South Korea fines McDonalds for data leak from raw SMB share • The Register

• A million at risk from user data leak at Korean beauty platform PowderRoom- Security Affairs

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• New York Man Arrested for Running BreachForums Cyber crime Website - SecurityWeek

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Fireblocks Discloses Critical Vulnerability in BitGo Ethereum Wallets - Decrypt

• General Bytes Bitcoin ATMs hacked using zero-day, $1.5M stolen (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Linus Tech Tips' YouTube Channel has been hacked by Crypto Scammers | OC3D News (overclock3d.net)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Should Your Organisation Be Worried About Insider Threats? - IT Security Guru

• Top 5 Insider Threats to Look Out For in 2023- Security Affairs

• Preventing Insider Threats in Your Active Directory (thehackernews.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Voice deepfakes are calling – here's what they are and how to avoid getting scammed (theconversation.com)

• Detecting face morphing: A simple guide to countering complex identity fraud - Help Net Security

• ‘My bank did not stop £6,500 payment to holiday scammers despite my pleas’ | Scams | The Guardian

• The FBI Warns SIM Swapping Attacks Are Rising. What's That? - ReHack

• Hackers inject credit card stealers into payment processing modules (bleepingcomputer.com)

Deepfakes

• Voice deepfakes are calling – here's what they are and how to avoid getting scammed (theconversation.com)

• Detecting face morphing: A simple guide to countering complex identity fraud - Help Net Security

Insurance

• SMBs don't see need for cyber insurance since they won't experience security incidents | ZDNET

• Cyber insurance carriers expanding role in incident response | TechTarget

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Controlling Third-Party Data Risk Should Be a Top Cyber security Priority (darkreading.com)

• Companies vulnerable to cyber-attack via suppliers - research | RNZ News

• Why you should treat ChatGPT like any other vendor service - Help Net Security

• MITRE Rolls Out Supply Chain Security Prototype (darkreading.com)

Software Supply Chain

• Why Business Software Buyers Are Demanding Baked-in Security - MSSP Alert

Cloud/SaaS

• How access management helps protect identities in the cloud | VentureBeat

• Bitcoin ATM maker shuts cloud service after user hot wallets compromised (cointelegraph.com)

• The cloud backlash has begun: Why big data is pulling compute back on premises | TechCrunch

• Shouldering the Increasingly Heavy Cloud Shared-Responsibility Model (darkreading.com)

• 4 cloud API security best practices | TechTarget

• 8 cloud detection and response use cases | TechTarget

• How to Transfer Data Securely When Moving to the Cloud - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The hidden danger to zero trust: Excessive cloud permissions • Graham Cluley

• New CISA tool detects hacking activity in Microsoft cloud services (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 4 Tips for Better AWS Cloud Workload Security (trendmicro.com)

Hybrid/Remote Working

• Bridging the cyber security readiness gap in a hybrid world - Help Net Security

Identity and Access Management

• How access management helps protect identities in the cloud | VentureBeat

• The impact of AI on the future of ID verification - Help Net Security

• Preventing Insider Threats in Your Active Directory (thehackernews.com)

• CISA, NSA push identity and access management framework as risks grow | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

API

• 4 cloud API security best practices | TechTarget

Open Source

• New ShellBot DDoS Malware Variants Targeting Poorly Managed Linux Servers (thehackernews.com)

• Open Source Vulnerabilities Still Pose a Big Challenge for Security Teams (darkreading.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Okta Post-Exploitation Method Exposes User Passwords (darkreading.com)

Social Media

• BBC presses staff to uninstall TikTok from corporate kit • The Register

• TikTok cannot be considered a private company: report • The Register

• TikTok CEO plans rigorous defences in Congress against claims the app is a US security threat | CyberScoop

• Five brutal hours for TikTok: CEO raked over coals amid privacy, security concerns | CyberScoop

• Linus Tech Tips' YouTube Channel has been hacked by Crypto Scammers | OC3D News (overclock3d.net)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Complacency of staff to blame for data breaches (thesundaily.my)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Board Cyber Shortage: Don’t Get Caught Swimming Naked (forbes.com)

• ICO Reprimands Metropolitan Police for Data Snafu - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• EU Council extends product lifetime, clarifies scope in cyber security law – EURACTIV.com

• India’s infosec reporting rules observed by just 15 orgs • The Register

• Why Organisations Need To Go Beyond Federal Cyber security Compliance Standards (forbes.com)

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• How CISOs Can Work With the CFO to Get the Best Security Budget (darkreading.com)

• CIOs Build New Bonds With CISOs - WSJ

• How to best allocate IT and cyber security budgets in 2023 - Help Net Security

• IT security spending to reach nearly $300 billion by 2026 - Help Net Security

• Board Cyber Shortage: Don’t Get Caught Swimming Naked (forbes.com)

• How Your Cyber security Strategy Enables Better Business (trendmicro.com)

• 55 zero-day flaws exploited last year show the importance of security risk management | CSO Online

• How Can CISOs Connect With the Board of Directors? (darkreading.com)

• Achieving The Five Levels Of Information Security Governance (forbes.com)

• Enhance security while lowering IT overhead in times of recession - Help Net Security

• Why organisations shouldn't fold to cyber criminal requests - Help Net Security

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Meta Proposes Revamped Approach to Online Kill Chain Frameworks (darkreading.com)

• MITRE Rolls Out Supply Chain Security Prototype (darkreading.com)

Backup and Recovery

• Data backup, security alerts, and encryption viewed as top security features - Help Net Security

• Top 5 security risks for enterprise storage, backup devices - Help Net Security

Data Protection

• Use of Meta tracking tools found to breach EU rules on data transfers | TechCrunch

• ICO Reprimands Metropolitan Police for Data Snafu - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• How training and recognition can reduce cyber security stress and burnout | CSO Online

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• RAT developer arrested for infecting 10,000 PCs with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New York Man Arrested for Running BreachForums Cyber crime Website - SecurityWeek

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Eufy security cam 'stored unique ID' of everyone filmed • The Register

• Use of Meta tracking tools found to breach EU rules on data transfers | TechCrunch

• How to protect online privacy in the age of pixel trackers - Help Net Security

• Windows 11 Snipping Tool privacy bug exposes cropped image content (bleepingcomputer.com)

• French govt clears AI facial scans for Paris Olympics • The Register

Artificial Intelligence

• EU's AI regulation vote looms. We’re still not sure how unrestrained AI should be | Euronews

• ChatGPT Leaves Governments Scrambling for AI Regulations - Bloomberg

• ‘We are a little bit scared’: OpenAI CEO warns of risks of artificial intelligence | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

• ChatGPT Polymorphic Malware Bypasses Endpoint Detection Filters (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Detecting face morphing: A simple guide to countering complex identity fraud - Help Net Security

• We need to create guardrails for AI | Financial Times (ft.com)

• GPT-4 devises plan to ‘escape’ by gaining control of a user's computer | Mint (livemint.com)

• Mastercard strengthens customer security with new AI ‘Cyber Shield’ | Mastercard Newsroom

• The impact of AI on the future of ID verification - Help Net Security

• 7 guidelines for identifying and mitigating AI-enabled phishing campaigns | CSO Online

• AI news latest: Google lets people talk to ‘Bard’ bot as ChatGPT taken offline after it goes haywire | The Independent

• Why you should treat ChatGPT like any other vendor service - Help Net Security

• Mozilla launches a new startup focused on ‘trustworthy’ AI | TechCrunch

• French govt clears AI facial scans for Paris Olympics • The Register

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Financial cyber threats heightened by ideologically motivated hacktivism amidst geopolitical tension | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Threat actors linked to nation-states exploited zero-days the most in 2022 | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• New Espionage Group 'YoroTrooper' Targeting Entities in European, CIS Countries - SecurityWeek

• Pro-Russian Winter Vivern APT Targets Governments and Telecom Firm - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Palantir: NHS trusts ordered to share patient data with US ‘spy-tech’ firm | openDemocracy

• Tesco to ditch Chinese-made CCTV cameras over security and human rights fears (telegraph.co.uk)

• Purported Chinese warships interfering with passenger planes • The Register

• Putin to staffers: throw out your iPhones over security • The Register

• Russia-backed Iridium Hackers Set to Launch Attacks on Ukrainian Government Sites - MSSP Alert

• Facebook Security Exec Seaford Hacked by Greek Predator Spyware (gizmodo.com)

• BBC presses staff to uninstall TikTok from corporate kit • The Register

• New 'Bad Magic' Cyber Threat Disrupt Ukraine's Key Sectors Amid War (thehackernews.com)

• Hacker tied to DC Health Link breach says attack 'born out of Russian patriotism' | CyberScoop

• Unknown actors target orgs in Russia-occupied Ukraine • The Register

• Xi, Putin, declare intent to rule the world of AI, infosec • The Register

• North Korean hackers using Chrome extensions to steal Gmail emails (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fact or fiction, hacktivists' claims of industrial sabotage in Russia or Ukraine get attention online | CyberScoop

• Stealthy hacks show advancements in China's cyberespionage operations, researchers say | CyberScoop

• China-Aligned "Operation Tainted Love" Targets Middle East Telecom Providers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Nation State Actors

• Financial cyber threats heightened by ideologically motivated hacktivism amidst geopolitical tension | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Threat actors linked to nation-states exploited zero-days the most in 2022 | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• New Espionage Group 'YoroTrooper' Targeting Entities in European, CIS Countries - SecurityWeek

• Pro-Russian Winter Vivern APT Targets Governments and Telecom Firm - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Huawei Has Replaced Thousands of US-Banned Parts With Chinese Versions: Founder - SecurityWeek

• Tesco to ditch Chinese-made CCTV cameras over security and human rights fears (telegraph.co.uk)

• Purported Chinese warships interfering with passenger planes • The Register

• TikTok cannot be considered a private company: report • The Register

• Five brutal hours for TikTok: CEO raked over coals amid privacy, security concerns | CyberScoop

• BBC presses staff to uninstall TikTok from corporate kit • The Register

• Google flags apps made by popular Chinese e-commerce giant as malware | TechCrunch

• Putin to staffers: throw out your iPhones over security • The Register

• Russia-backed Iridium Hackers Set to Launch Attacks on Ukrainian Government Sites - MSSP Alert

• New 'Bad Magic' Cyber Threat Disrupt Ukraine's Key Sectors Amid War (thehackernews.com)

• Hacker tied to D.C. Health Link breach says attack 'born out of Russian patriotism' | CyberScoop

• Unknown actors target orgs in Russia-occupied Ukraine • The Register

• Xi, Putin, declare intent to rule the world of AI, infosec • The Register

• Chinese-linked hackers deployed the most zero-day vulnerabilities in 2022, researchers say | CyberScoop

• Fact or fiction, hacktivists' claims of industrial sabotage in Russia or Ukraine get attention online | CyberScoop

• The pressing threat of Chinese-made drones flying above US critical infrastructure  | CyberScoop

• Stealthy hacks show advancements in China's cyberespionage operations, researchers say | CyberScoop

• China-Aligned "Operation Tainted Love" Targets Middle East Telecom Providers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russian hacktivists deploy new AresLoader malware via decoy installers | CSO Online

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Vulnerability Management

• 55 zero-day flaws exploited last year show the importance of security risk management | CSO Online

• Hackers mostly targeted Microsoft, Google, Apple zero-days in 2022 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Move, Patch, Get Out the Way: 2022 Zero-Day Exploitation Continues at an Elevated Pace | Mandiant

• From Ransomware to Cyber Espionage: 55 Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Weaponized in 2022 (thehackernews.com)

• Threat actors linked to nation-states exploited zero-days the most in 2022 | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 10 Vulnerabilities Types to Focus On This Year (darkreading.com)

• Vulnerability vs. Risk: How MSSPs Can Prioritize Remediating Cyber security Vulnerabilities - MSSP Alert

• What Is the Microsoft Print Spooler Vulnerability? - ReHack

• Chinese-linked hackers deployed the most zero-day vulnerabilities in 2022, researchers say | CyberScoop

• Windows 11, Tesla, Ubuntu, and macOS hacked at Pwn2Own 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Top 5 security risks for enterprise storage, backup devices - Help Net Security

• Open Source Vulnerabilities Still Pose a Big Challenge for Security Teams (darkreading.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Outlook Vulnerability Could Be 2023's 'It' Bug (darkreading.com)

• CVE-2023-23397 Outlook exploit: "A proliferation event" (thestack.technology)

• Patch CVE-2023-23397 Immediately: What You Need To Know and Do (trendmicro.com)

• Cisco fixed severe vulnerabilities in its IOS and IOS XE software- Security Affairs

• Exploit released for Veeam bug allowing cleartext credential theft (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Experts published PoC exploit code for Veeam Backup & Replication bug- Security Affairs

• WordPress force patching WooCommerce plugin with 500K installs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Windows 11 bug warns Local Security Authority protection is off (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Bitwarden addresses autofill issue that could be exploited to steal logins - gHacks Tech News

• Hackers mostly targeted Microsoft, Google, Apple zero-days in 2022 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft’s blunders with new Windows 10 update are causing serious headaches | TechRadar

• Microsoft: Defender update behind Windows LSA protection warnings (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ZenGo uncovers 'red pill attack' vulnerability in popular Web3 apps (cointelegraph.com)

• Windows 11 Snipping Tool privacy bug exposes cropped image content (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Patch Tuesday -> Exploit Wednesday: Pwning Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock (afd.sys) in 24 Hours (securityintelligence.com)

• If your Netgear Orbi router isn’t patched, you’ll want to change that pronto | Ars Technica

• Attackers Are Probing for Zero-Day Vulns in Edge Infrastructure Products (darkreading.com)

• Chinese-linked hackers deployed the most zero-day vulnerabilities in 2022, researchers say | CyberScoop

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Tools and Controls

• Data backup, security alerts, and encryption viewed as top security features - Help Net Security

• Majority of SMBs Lack Dedicated Cyber Experts, Incident Response Plan - MSSP Alert

• 55 zero-day flaws exploited last year show the importance of security risk management | CSO Online

• Complacency of staff to blame for data breaches (thesundaily.my)

• How access management helps protect identities in the cloud | VentureBeat

• Why CISOs Should Prioritize Extended Detection & Response (XDR) - VMware Security Blog - VMware

• The Ethics of Network and Security Monitoring (darkreading.com)

• Fighting VPN criminalization should be Big Tech’s top priority, activists say | Ars Technica

• Just 1% of Dot-Org Domains Are Fully DMARC Protected - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How network perimeters secure enterprise networks | TechTarget

• Top 5 security risks for enterprise storage, backup devices - Help Net Security

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• State of Cybersecurity for Mid-Sized Businesses in 2023 | Huntress

• Move, Patch, Get Out the Way: 2022 Zero-Day Exploitation Continues at an Elevated Pace | Mandiant

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Other News

• Web Fingerprinting gets frighteningly good: sees through VPNs and Incognito Mode - gHacks Tech News

• Journalist plugs in unknown USB drive mailed to him—it exploded in his face | Ars Technica

• What Is Shoulder Surfing? How Does It Affect Cyber security (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Inside the DEA Tool Hackers Allegedly Used to Extort Targets (vice.com)

• Top ways attackers are targeting your endpoints - Help Net Security

• What Is a Dirty IP Address and How Does It Affect Your Security? (makeuseof.com)

• 5 rules to make security user-friendly - Help Net Security

• Techno-nationalism explained: What you need to know (techtarget.com)

• How Emerging Trends in Virtual Reality Impact Cyber security - IT Security Guru

• Pipeline Cyber security Rules Show the Need for Public-Private Partnerships (darkreading.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 10 March 2023

Welcome to this week’s Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing – a weekly digest, collated and curated by our cyber threat intelligence 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

Business Email Compromise Attacks Can Take Just Hours

Microsoft’s security intelligence team found that Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks are moving rapidly, with some taking mere minutes. Microsoft found the whole process, from signing in using compromised credentials to registering typo squatting domains and hijacking an email thread, took threat actors only a couple of hours. Such a rapid attack leaves minimal time for organisations to identify and take preventative action. This is worrying when considering the cost of BEC is predicted to more than tens of billions.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-business-email-compromise-attacks-can-take-just-hours/

Research Reveals ‘Password’ is Still the Most Common Term used by Hackers to Breach Enterprise Networks

In a report of over 800 million breached passwords, vendor Specops identified some worrying results. Some of the key findings from the report include 88% of passwords used in successful attacks consisting of 12 characters or less and the most common base terms used in passwords involving ‘password’, ‘admin’, ‘welcome’ and ‘p@ssw0rd’. The report found that 83% of the compromised passwords satisfied both the length and complexity requirements of cyber security compliance standards such as NIST, GDPR, HIPAA and Cyber Essentials.

https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2023/03/08/research-reveals-password-still-the-most-common-term-used-by-hackers-to-breach-enterprise-networks/

Just 10% of Firms Can Resolve Cloud Threats in an Hour

Two-thirds (39%) of global organisations reported a surge in breaches over the past year, with IT complexity increasing and detection and response capabilities worsening, according to Palo Alto Networks. It found that as enterprises move more of their data and workloads to the cloud, they’re finding it increasingly difficult to discover and remediate incidents quickly. Over two-fifths (42%) reported an increase in mean time to remediate, while 90% said they are unable to detect, contain and resolve cyber-threats within an hour. Nearly a third (30%) reported a major increase in intrusion attempts and unplanned downtime. Part of the challenge appears to be the complexity of their cloud security environments – partly caused by tool bloat.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/10-firms-resolve-cloud-threats-hour/

MSPs in the Crosshairs of Ransomware Gangs

Many attacks have heightened attention around third-party risk and the security obligations of MSPs in meeting multiple customers’ IT needs. Attacks such as the ones on RackSpace and LastPass show that some ransomware actors are now intentionally targeting MSPs to access sensitive customer data. It is now believed that some advanced persistent threat (APT) groups could be stepping up their attacks on MSP’s in order to gain sensitive customer data.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/msps-in-the-crosshairs-of-ransomware-gangs/

Stolen Credentials Increasingly Empower the Cyber Crime Underground

Threat Intelligence provider Flashpoint found that last year threat actors exposed or stole 22.62 billion credentials and personal records, which often make their way to underground forums and cyber criminal markets. This follows a significant increase in market activity; just last year Flashpoint recorded 190 new illicit markets emerge and the continual rise in attacks focused on stealing credentials only further empowers cyber crime underground.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3690409/stolen-credentials-increasingly-empower-the-cybercrime-underground.html#tk.rss_news

It’s Time to Assess the Potential Dangers of an Increasingly Connected World

As global conflicts continue, cyber has become the fifth front of warfare. The world is approaching 50 billion connected devices, controlling everything from our traffic lights to our nuclear arsenal and we have already seen large-scale cyber attacks. Adding to this, a multitude of infrastructure runs on services ran by a handful of companies; Palo Alto Networks, Cisco and Fortinet control more than 50% of the market for security appliances. As such, an attack on one of these companies could cause a huge ripple effect on their customers.

https://www.darkreading.com/risk/it-s-time-to-assess-the-potential-dangers-of-an-increasingly-connected-world-

Mounting Cyber Threats Mean Financial Firms Urgently Need Better Safeguards

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 64% of banks and supervisory authorities do not mandate testing and exercising cyber security and 54% lack dedicated a cyber incident reporting regime. This increases the risk of experiencing a cyber attack. Regularly testing and exercising security will aid any organisation in its cyber resilience.

https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/03/02/mounting-cyber-threats-mean-financial-firms-urgently-need-better-safeguards

Insider Threat: Developers Leaked 10m Credentials Including Passwords in 2022

Security provider GitGuardian found that the rate at which developers leaked critical software secrets jumped by 0.5 to reach 5.5 out of every 1,000 commits to GitHub repositories; overall, this amounted to at least 10 million instances of secrets leaking to a public repository. Generic passwords accounted for the majority of leaked secrets (56%) and more than a third (38%) of leaks involved API keys, random number generator seeds and other sensitive strings. These leaks can have worrying consequences for organisations.

https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/inside-threat-developers-leaked-10m-credentials-passwords-2022

Cyber Threat Detections Surges 55% In 2022

Security Provider Trend Micro has said that it stopped 146 billion cyber threats in 2022, a 55% increase on the previous year and evidence of the increase of attacks ramping up. Trend Micro also found a 242% increase in the number of blocked malicious files and an 86% increase in backdoor malware detections with the latter showing an increase in attackers gaining initial access. Furthermore, the number of critical vulnerabilities in 2022 doubled compared to the previous year. Trend Micro noted that this is all likely due to an ever expanding attack surface of organisations.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/cyberthreat-detections-surge-55/

European Central Bank Tells Banks to Run Cyber Stress Tests after Rise in Hacker Attacks

The European Central Bank (ECB) will ask all major lenders in the Eurozone to detail by next year, how they would respond to and recover from a successful cyber attack. The ECB is in the process of designing a scenario involving a theoretical breach of the financial system’s cyber defences, which will be sent to all of the 111 banks it assesses to see how they would react. The stress test stems from the increasing amount of cyber attacks. If cyber has shown us anything, it’s that anyone can be a target and performing a stress test would help any organisation prepare for the worst.

https://www.ft.com/content/f03d68a4-fdb9-4312-bda3-3157d369a4a6

Employees Are Feeding Sensitive Business Data to ChatGPT

1 in 20 employees have put sensitive corporate data into popular AI tool ChatGPT, raising concerns that this could result in massive leaks of proprietary information. In some cases, this has involved employees cutting and pasting strategic documents and asking ChatGPT to make a PowerPoint.

https://www.darkreading.com/risk/employees-feeding-sensitive-business-data-chatgpt-raising-security-fears

Is Ransomware Declining? Not So Fast Experts Say

Security provider CrowdStrike have explained that the perceived decline in ransomware reflects the abilities of threat actors to adapt, splinter and regroup against defensive measures. CrowdStrike expand on this, stating that whilst ransom payments dipped slightly in 2022, there was an uprise in data extortion and ransomware as a service (RaaS).

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/365532201/Is-ransomware-declining-Not-so-fast-experts-say

Preventing Corporate Data Breaches Starts with Remembering that Leaks have Real Victims

The impact a data breach can have on an individual is devastating and ultimately there’s not much an individual can do themselves if the organisation that holds their data isn’t taking the right steps. To best protect themselves and their clients’ data, organisations should look to have appropriate defence in depth controls, including effective asset management, an open security culture, close monitoring of access, utilising strong authentication and maintaining an awareness of the ever changing threat landscape.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/03/07/preventing-corporate-data-breaches/

Faced With Likelihood of Ransomware Attacks, Businesses Still Choosing to Pay Up

In a recent report Proofpoint found that globally 76% of organisations experienced ransomware attempts, with 64% eventually infected. Amongst those that had a cyber insurance policy, 82% of insurers stepped up to pay the ransom either in full or partially. The report found that with the rise in number and sophistication of attacks it is more important than ever for proper security training and awareness in organisations.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/faced-with-likelihood-of-ransomware-attacks-businesses-still-choosing-to-pay-up/

Experts See Growing Need for Cyber Security Workers as One in Six Jobs go Unfilled

A report by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) found that 1 in 6 cyber security jobs are unfulfilled and this is only expected to grow in the coming years. The ICTC stated that “This is not just about education or government funding, but about companies willing to provide hands-on training and experience to the next generation of cyber security experts”.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/article-experts-see-growing-need-for-cybersecurity-workers-as-one-in-six-jobs/

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Faced with likelihood of ransomware attacks, businesses still choosing to pay up | ZDNET

• MSPs in the Crosshairs of Ransomware Gangs - MSSP Alert

• Is ransomware declining? Not so fast, experts say | TechTarget

• FBI and CISA warn of increasing Royal ransomware attack risks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• City of Oakland Faces Major Data Leak - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Indigo Books Refuses LockBit Ransomware Demand (darkreading.com)

• Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack

• Core Members of DoppelPaymer Ransomware Gang Targeted in Germany and Ukraine (thehackernews.com)

• Ransom House ransomware attack hit Hospital Clinic de Barcelona- - Security Affairs

• Security Patch Management Strengthens Ransomware Defence (trendmicro.com)

• Ransomware's Favorite Target: Critical Infrastructure and Its Industrial Control Systems (darkreading.com)

• Ransomware review: March 2023 (malwarebytes.com)

• Ransomware gang posts video of data stolen from Minneapolis schools (bleepingcomputer.com)

• IceFire ransomware now encrypts both Linux and Windows systems (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Examining Ransomware Payments From a Data-Science Lens (trendmicro.com)

• DND: Black & McDonald reported ransomware attack | CTV News

• Cyble — BlackSnake Ransomware Emerges from Chaos Ransomware's Shadow

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• AI is taking phishing attacks to a whole new level of sophistication - Help Net Security

• Catches of the Month: Phishing Scams for March 2023 - IT Governance UK Blog

• Emotet starts post-break phishing campaign • The Register

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• Microsoft: Business email compromise attacks can take just hours (bleepingcomputer.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Experts Warn of "SMS Pumping" Fraud Epidemic - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Vishing attacks increasing, but AI's role still unclear | TechTarget

• Defeating the Deepfake Danger - SecurityWeek

• Does Your Help Desk Know Who's Calling? (thehackernews.com)

2FA/MFA

• NCSC: Twitter Users Should Find MFA Alternatives - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malware

• DrayTek VPN routers hacked with new malware to steal data, evade detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Malicious PyPI package signals direction of cyber crime • The Register

• How to prevent Microsoft OneNote files from infecting Windows with malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Snake Keylogger Malware Removal Guide (makeuseof.com)

• Stealthy UEFI malware bypassing Secure Boot enabled by unpatchable Windows flaw | Ars Technica

• New malware infects business routers for data theft, surveillance (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Old Windows ‘Mock Folders’ UAC bypass used to drop malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Emotet malware attacks return after three-month break (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AI-Powered 'BlackMamba' Keylogging Attack Evades Modern EDR Security (darkreading.com)

• New ScrubCrypt Crypter Used in Cryptojacking Attacks Targeting Oracle WebLogic (thehackernews.com)

• Hackers Exploiting Remote Desktop Software Flaws to Deploy PlugX Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Custom Chinese Malware Found on SonicWall Appliance - SecurityWeek

• Remcos Trojan Returns to Most Wanted Malware List After Ukraine Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• FBI and international cops catch a NetWire RAT • The Register

Mobile

• Transparent Tribe Hackers Distribute CapraRAT via Trojanized Messaging Apps (thehackernews.com)

• Officials Targeted with Romance Scams and Android Trojan - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Google One expands security features to all plans with dark web report, VPN access - Help Net Security

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Akamai mitigated a record-breaking DDoS that peaked 900Gbps- Security Affairs

Internet of Things – IoT

• TPM 2.0 Library Vulnerabilities May Affect Billions of IoT Devices - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Chinese Hikvision cameras ‘that pose security threat’ used on King’s Sandringham estate (thetimes.co.uk)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Preventing corporate data breaches starts with remembering that leaks have real victims - Help Net Security

• The LastPass Hack Somehow Gets Worse | WIRED

• LastPass Hack: Engineer's Failure to Update Plex Software Led to Massive Data Breach (thehackernews.com)

• Credential Stuffing attack on Chick-fil-A impacted +71K users- Security Affairs

• Popular fintech apps expose valuable, exploitable secrets - Help Net Security

• PayPal Sued Over Data Breach that Impacted 35,000 users (hackread.com)

• Acer Data Breach? Hacker Claims to Sell 160GB Trove of Stolen Data (hackread.com)

• Brazilian Conglomerate Suffers 3TB Data Breach: Report - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Data breach exposed millions of Verizon customers' account info (androidpolice.com)

• Congress’ Social Security Numbers Leaked in DC Health Link Hack (gizmodo.com)

• Data protection vendor Acronis admits to data leak • The Register

• AT&T confirms 9m wireless accounts exposed by third part • The Register

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• At Least 30% of "Cyber-Criminals" Are Women: Report - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber crime site shows off with a free leak of 2 million stolen card numbers - The Record from Recorded Future News

• BidenCash leaks 2.1M stolen credit/debit cards- Security Affairs

• Malicious PyPI package signals direction of cyber crime • The Register

• Where are the women in cyber security? • The Register

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• FTX Confirms $9 Billion in Customer Funds Vanished (gizmodo.com)

• Russia-Ukraine war: How both sides of the conflict have used crypto to win (cointelegraph.com)

• New ScrubCrypt Crypter Used in Cryptojacking Attacks Targeting Oracle WebLogic (thehackernews.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• 6 Ways To Go Beyond Awareness And Foster A Real Culture Of Cyber security (forbes.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Scams Security Pros Almost Fell For (darkreading.com)

• FTX Confirms $9 Billion in Customer Funds Vanished (gizmodo.com)

• Experts Warn of "SMS Pumping" Fraud Epidemic - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Scammers using voice-cloning A.I. to mimic relatives | Fortune

• Alleged security breach leaves millions of dollars missing from Flutterwave accounts | TechCrunch

• UK Government Plans Skills Boost for Public Sector Fraud Fight - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Officials Targeted with Romance Scams and Android Trojan - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Rise In ChatGPT Scams Reported By Fraudsters (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Deepfakes

• From Disinformation to Deep Fakes: How Threat Actors Manipulate Reality (thehackernews.com)

• Defeating the Deepfake Danger - SecurityWeek

Insurance

• Talking Cyber Insurance With Munich Re - SecurityWeek

Dark Web

• Cyber crime site shows off with a free leak of 2 million stolen card numbers - The Record from Recorded Future News

• Google One expands security features to all plans with dark web report, VPN access - Help Net Security

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Snap CISO talks risky supply chain security business • The Register

• SolarWinds IR lead: supply-chain attacks 'getting bigger' • The Register

• AT&T confirms 9m wireless accounts exposed by third part • The Register

Software Supply Chain

• SBOMs become a security staple for the software supply chain • The Register

Cloud/SaaS

• Just 10% of Firms Can Resolve Cloud Threats in an Hour - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Experts Reveal Google Cloud Platform's Blind Spot for Data Exfiltration Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Hackers are quickly learning how to target cloud systems (axios.com)

• Understanding the Shared Responsibility Model, Critical Step to Ensure Cloud Security - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Attack Surface Management

• 5 Reasons You Should Care About Unmanaged Assets (darkreading.com)

Asset Management

• 5 Reasons You Should Care About Unmanaged Assets (darkreading.com)

Encryption

• New TPM 2.0 flaws could let hackers steal cryptographic keys (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New Steganography Breakthrough Enables “Perfectly Secure” Digital Communications (scitechdaily.com)

API

• API Security for UK companies - IT Security Guru

• Attackers exploit APIs faster than ever before - Help Net Security

Open Source

• IceFire ransomware now encrypts both Linux and Windows systems (bleepingcomputer.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Research Reveals 'Password' Still the Most Common Term Used by Hackers to Breach Enterprise Networks - IT Security Guru

• Stolen credentials increasingly empower the cyber crime underground | CSO Online

• The LastPass Hack Somehow Gets Worse | WIRED

• Credential Stuffing attack on Chick-fil-A impacted +71K users- Security Affairs

• The Role of Verifiable Credentials In Preventing Account Compromise (darkreading.com)

• Securing ways to share workplace passwords • The Register

• Young government workers show poor password management habits - Help Net Security

Social Media

• NCSC: Twitter Users Should Find MFA Alternatives - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• TikTok unveils new European data security regime | Reuters

Training, Education and Awareness

• 6 Ways To Go Beyond Awareness And Foster A Real Culture Of Cyber security (forbes.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Biden Administration's Cyber security Strategy Takes Aim at Hackers (gizmodo.com)

• Government Claims New UK GDPR Will Save Firms Billions - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Inadequate patches and advisories increase cyber risk - Help Net Security

• Why do Businesses Need to Focus More on Cyber security (hackread.com)

• Flashpoint: Threat vectors converging, increasing damage | TechTarget

• How to achieve and shore up cyber resilience in a recession - Help Net Security

• The cyber security landscape in the era of economic instability – Help Net Security

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Open letter demands OWASP overhaul, warns of mass project exodus | CSO Online

• PCI Compliance Requirements Guide (trendmicro.com)

• NIST Retooling Cyber security Framework to Reflect Changing Cyber scape – MSSP Alert

Data Protection

• Government Claims New UK GDPR Will Save Firms Billions – Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Experts see growing need for cyber security workers as one in six jobs go unfilled – The Globe and Mail

• How to Jump-Start Your Cyber security Career (darkreading.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Core Members of DoppelPaymer Ransomware Gang Targeted in Germany and Ukraine (thehackernews.com)

• FBI and international cops catch a NetWire RAT • The Register

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Secret Service and ICE break the law with fake phone towers • The Register

• Thought you'd opted out of online tracking? Think again • The Register

Artificial Intelligence

• AI is taking phishing attacks to a whole new level of sophistication - Help Net Security

• Employees Are Feeding Sensitive Business Data to ChatGPT (darkreading.com)

• You can poison AI datasets for just $60, a new study shows (fastcompany.com)

• Microsoft and MITRE developed a tool to prepare security teams for attacks on ML systems - Help Net Security

• Thousands scammed by AI voices mimicking loved ones in emergencies | Ars Technica

• Vishing attacks increasing, but AI's role still unclear | TechTarget

• AI-Powered 'BlackMamba' Keylogging Attack Evades Modern EDR Security (darkreading.com)

• Criminals will use ChatGPT to unleash wave of fraud, warns Darktrace (telegraph.co.uk)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• From Disinformation to Deep Fakes: How Threat Actors Manipulate Reality (thehackernews.com)

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Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• What can security teams learn from a year of cyber warfare? | Computer Weekly

• New Backdoor MQsTTang Attributed to Mustang Panda Group - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Pegasus spyware used to spy on a Polish mayor- Security Affairs

• Russia-Ukraine war: How both sides of the conflict have used crypto to win (cointelegraph.com)

• Sharp Panda targets government entities in Southeast Asia- Security Affairs

• Russia’s Cyber Tactics in Ukraine Shift to Focus on Espionage - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Managed Service Provider Identifies Potential Chinese Spy Ring - MSSP Alert

• Chinese cyber spies target unpatched SonicWall gear • The Register

• What is Cyberwarfare? | Definition from TechTarget

Nation State Actors

• What can security teams learn from a year of cyber warfare? | Computer Weekly

• New Backdoor MQsTTang Attributed to Mustang Panda Group - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russia Bans Messengers, Including WhatsApp, Telegram, And More (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Russia-Ukraine war: How both sides of the conflict have used crypto to win (cointelegraph.com)

• Chinese Hikvision cameras ‘that pose security threat’ used on King’s Sandringham estate (thetimes.co.uk)

• China-aligned APT is exploring new technology stacks for malicious tools - Help Net Security

• Sharp Panda targets government entities in Southeast Asia- Security Affairs

• Lazarus Group Exploits Zero-Day Vulnerability to Hack South Korean Financial Entity (thehackernews.com)

• Russia’s Cyber Tactics in Ukraine Shift to Focus on Espionage - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Managed Service Provider Identifies Potential Chinese Spy Ring - MSSP Alert

• Chinese firm got Covid contract despite trying to hack NHS data, minister says | Politics | The Guardian

• Chinese cyber spies target unpatched SonicWall gear • The Register

• TikTok unveils new European data security regime | Reuters

• Lazarus group infiltrated South Korean finance firm twice last year | CSO Online

• Remcos Trojan Returns to Most Wanted Malware List After Ukraine Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Chinese regulatory body expected to streamline data governance rules | CSO Online

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Vulnerability Management

• Inadequate patches and advisories increase cyber risk - Help Net Security

• Build Cyber Resiliency With These Security Threat-Mitigation Considerations

• Zero Day Threat Protection for Your Network (trendmicro.com)

• 557 CVEs Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog in 2022 - SecurityWeek

• Machine Learning Improves Prediction of Exploited Vulnerabilities (darkreading.com)

• Security Patch Management Strengthens Ransomware Defense (trendmicro.com)

• VulnCheck: CISA's KEV missing 42 vulnerabilities from 2022 | TechTarget

Vulnerabilities

• TPM 2.0 Library Vulnerabilities May Affect Billions of IoT Devices - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Researchers discover 'kill switch' in Starlink terminals - Security - iTnews

• PoC exploit for recently patched Microsoft Word RCE is public (CVE-2023-21716) - Help Net Security

• CISA's KEV Catalog Updated with 3 New Flaws Threatening IT Management Systems (thehackernews.com)

• Exploitation of Critical Vulnerability in End-of-Life VMware Product Ongoing - SecurityWeek

• Fortinet warns of new critical unauthenticated RCE vulnerability (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Information Disclosure Vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager affecting multiple companies… | by Fat Selimi | Feb, 2023 | InfoSec Write-ups (infosecwriteups.com)

• Chinese cyber spies target unpatched SonicWall gear • The Register

• Chrome 111 Patches 40 Vulnerabilities - SecurityWeek

• Bitwarden flaw can let hackers steal passwords using iframes (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Veeam warns to install patches to fix a bug in Backup & Replication- Security Affairs

• Hackers Exploiting Remote Desktop Software Flaws to Deploy PlugX Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Vulnerability Exposes Cisco Enterprise Routers to Disruptive Attacks - SecurityWeek

• Jenkins Server Vulnerabilities Chained for Remote Code Execution  - SecurityWeek

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Tools and Controls

• The LastPass Hack Somehow Gets Worse | WIRED

• 3 Ways Security Teams Can Use IP Data Context (darkreading.com)

• Two-Thirds of European Firms Have Started Zero Trust - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• What is zero trust? A model for more effective security | CSO Online

• Too Many SOAR Vendors are Failing MSSPs - MSSP Alert

• Why enterprise SecOps strategies must include XDR and MDR | TechTarget

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Other News

• Biden Administration's Cyber security Strategy Takes Aim at Hackers (gizmodo.com)

• Tracking device technology: A double-edged sword for CISOs | CSO Online

• From Disinformation to Deep Fakes: How Threat Actors Manipulate Reality (thehackernews.com)

• What CISOs need to understand about document signing - Help Net Security

• Thousands of websites hacked as part of redirection campaign- Security Affairs

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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 March 2023 – Fortinet, Cisco and Veeam Vulnerabilities Roundup

Executive Summary

Fortinet have disclosed 15 security issues across a range of products including 5 “high” rated vulnerabilities and a “critical” vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform denial of service attacks or execute arbitrary code. Cisco has identified a “high vulnerability” with IOS XR software for the ASR 9000 Series routers. Veeam have disclosed a “high vulnerability” that allows an unauthenticated attacker to request encrypted credentials which may lead to gaining access to the backup infrastructure host.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

Successful exploitation of the Cisco vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-20049 allows the attacker to cause line card exceptions or hard rests which can lead to traffic loss and denial of service conditions.

The following models are vulnerable if they have Bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) hardware offload enabled.

• ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers only if they have a Lightspeed or Lightspeed-Plus-based line card installed.

• ASR 9902 Compact High-Performance Routers

• ASR 9903 Compact High-Performance Routers

A successful exploitation of the Critical Fortinet vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-25610 allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or perform denial of service (DoS) conditions in an administrative interface.

The following devices are vulnerable to both the RCE and DoS:

• FortiOS version 7.2.0 through 7.2.3

• FortiOS version 7.0.0 through 7.0.9

• FortiOS version 6.4.0 through 6.4.11

• FortiOS version 6.2.0 through 6.2.12

• FortiOS 6.0 all versions

• FortiProxy version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2

• FortiProxy version 7.0.0 through 7.0.8

• FortiProxy version 2.0.0 through 2.0.12

• FortiProxy 1.2 all versions

• FortiProxy 1.1 all versions

A full list of vulnerable hardware devices that are impacted by the Denial of Service can be found on the FortiGuard website.

A successful exploitation of the high Veeam vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-27532 can allow an unauthenticated attacker to request encrypted credentials which may lead to the attacker gaining access to the backup infrastructure of the host.

This vulnerability affects all Veeam Backups and Replication versions but is resolved in the following:

• 12 (build 12.0.0.1420 P20230223)

• 11a (build 11.0.1.1261 P20230227)

What can I do?

Cisco has released software updates that address the vulnerability and should be installed. Alternatively, a workaround has been provided which is to disable all bfd hardware offload features, which can be done by removing all hw-module bfw-hw-offload enable commands and resetting the card.

Fortinet has provided solutions to each of the vulnerabilities it has disclosed, and it is recommended that the patches released for the vulnerabilities are installed.

Veeam has released a patch and should be installed, however they suggest that if you are using an earlier version to upgrade to the current supported version first. Alternatively, if you are using an all-in-one Veeam appliance with no backup infrastructure components, external connections to Port TCP 9401 should be filtered until the patch is installed.

Further information on the vulnerabilities be found here:

Cisco IOS XR software update - https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/resources/security_vulnerability_policy.html#ssu

Cisco IOS XR Software Security Advisory-https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-bfd-XmRescbT

Fortinet CVE-2023-25610 advisory and solution - https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-001

Fortiguard vulnerability advisory- https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt-monthly-advisory/march-2023-vulnerability-advisories

Veeam advisory - https://www.veeam.com/kb4424

Veeam Solution - https://www.veeam.com/product-lifecycle.html?ad=in-text-link

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 17 February 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

• High Risk Users May be Few, but the Threat They Pose is Huge

High risk users represent approximately 10% of the worker population according to research provider, Elevate Security research. The research found that high risk users were responsible for 41% of all simulated phishing clicks, 30% of all real-world phishing clicks, 54% of all secure-browsing incidents and 42% of all malware events. This is worrying, considering the rise in sophisticated targeted phishing campaigns.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/02/16/high-risk-behavior/

• The Cost of Cyber Security Insurance is Soaring so Firms Need to Take Prevention More Seriously

State-backed cyber attacks are on the rise, but they are not raising the level of alarm that they should in the corporate world. Unfortunately, this is not a productive way of thinking. Come the end of March, insurance provider Lloyds will no longer cover damage from cyber attacks carried out by state or state-backed groups. In the worst cases, this reduced insurance coverage could exacerbate the trend of companies taking a passive approach toward state-backed attacks as they feel there is now really nothing they can do to protect themselves. The uncertainty however, could be the motivation for companies to take the threat of state-backed attacks more seriously.

https://fortune.com/2023/02/15/cost-cybersecurity-insurance-soaring-state-backed-attacks-cover-shmulik-yehezkel/

• Cyber Attacks Worldwide Increased to an All-Time Record-Breaking High, Report Shows

According to a report by security provider Check Point, cyber attacks rose 38% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Some of the key trends in the report included an increase in the number of cloud-based networking attacks, with a 48% rise and non-state affiliated hacktivist groups becoming more organised and effective than ever before. Additionally, ransomware is becoming more difficult to attribute and track and extra focus should be placed on exfiltration detection.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/cyberattacks-worldwide-increased-to-an-all-time-high-check-point-research-reveals/

• Most Organisations Make Cyber Security Decisions Without Insights

A report by security provider Mandiant found some worrying results when it came to organisational understanding of threat actors. Some of the key findings include, 79% of respondents stating that most of their cyber security decisions are made without insight into the treat actors targeting them, 79% believing their organisation could focus more time and energy on identifying critical security trends, 67% believing senior leadership teams underestimate the cyber threats posed to their organisation and finally, 47% of respondents felt that they could not prove to senior leadership that their organisation has a highly effective cyber security program.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/mandiant-report-most-organizations-make-cybersecurity-decisions-without-insights/

• Ransomware Attackers Finding New Ways to Weaponise Old Vulnerabilities

Ransomware attackers are finding new ways to exploit organisations’ security weaknesses by weaponising old vulnerabilities.  A report by security provider Cyber Security Works had found that 76% of the vulnerabilities currently being exploited were first discovered between 2010-2019.

https://venturebeat.com/security/ransomware-attackers-finding-new-ways-to-weaponize-old-vulnerabilities/

• Are Executives Fluent in IT Security Speak? 5 Reasons Why the Communication Gap is Wider Than You Think

Using data from two different reports conducted by security provider Kaspersky, the combined data showed some worrying results. Some of the results include 98% of respondents revealing they faced at least one IT security miscommunication that regularly leads to bad consequences, 62% of managers revealing miscommunication led to at least one cyber security incident, 42% of business leaders wanting their IT security team to better communicate and 34% of C-level executives struggle to speak about adopting new security solutions.

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/are-c-suite-executives-fluent-in-it-security-speak-five-reasons-why-the-communication-gap-is-wider-than-you-think/

• Business Email Compromise Groups Target Firms with Multilingual Impersonation Attacks

Security providers Abnormal Security have identified two Business Email Compromise (BEC) groups “Midnight Hedgehog” and “Mandarin Capybara” which are conducting impersonation attacks in at least 13 different languages. Like many payment fraud attacks, finance managers or other executives are often targeted. In a separate report by Abnormal Security, it was found that business email compromise (BEC) attacks increased by more than 81% during 2022.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/bec-groups-multilingual/

• EU Countries Told to Step up Defence Against State Hackers

European states have raced to protect their energy infrastructure from physical attacks but the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) said more needed to be done against cyber warfare against financial institutions and the telecommunications networks and power grids they rely on. "The war in Ukraine, the broader geopolitical landscape and the increasing use of cyber attacks have significantly heightened the cyber threat environment," the ESRB said in a report. In addition, the ESRB highlight an increased risk of cyber attacks on the EU financial system, suggesting that stress tests and impact analyses should be carried out to identify weaknesses and measure resilience.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-countries-told-step-up-defence-against-state-hackers-2023-02-14/

• Cyber Criminals Exploit Fear and Urgency to Trick Consumers

Threats using social engineering to steal money, such as refund and invoice fraud and tech support scams, increased during Q4 of 2022 according to a report by software provider Avast. “At the end of 2022, we have seen an increase in human-centred threats, such as scams tricking people into thinking their computer is infected, or that they have been charged for goods they didn’t order. It’s human nature to react to urgency, fear and try to regain control of issues, and that’s where cyber criminals succeed” Avast commented.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/02/13/cybercriminals-exploit-fear-urgency-trick-consumers/

• How to Manage Third Party and Supply Chain Cyber Security Risks that are Too Costly to Ignore

Many organisations have experienced that “after the breach” feeling — the moment they realise they have to tell customers their personal information may have been compromised because one of the organisations’ vendors had a data breach. Such situations involve spending significant amount of money and time to fix a problem caused by a third party. An organisation’s ability to handle third-party cyber risk proactively depends on its risk management strategies.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/10/why-third-party-cybersecurity-risks-are-too-costly-to-ignore/

• Russian Spear Phishing Campaign Escalates Efforts Towards Critical UK, US and European Targets

Following the advisory from the NCSC, it is clear that Russian state-sponsored hackers have become increasingly sophisticated at launching phishing attacks against critical targets in the UK, US and Europe over the last 12 months. The attacks included the creation of fake personas, supported by social media accounts, fake profiles and academic papers, to lure targets into replying to sophisticated phishing emails. In some cases, the bad actor may never leverage the account to send emails from and only use it to make decisions based on intelligence collection.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/365531158/Russian-spear-phishing-campaign-escalates-efforts-toward-critical-UK-US-and-European-targets

• 5 Biggest Risks of Using Third Party Managed Service Providers

As business processes become more complex, companies are turning to third parties to boost their ability to provide critical services from cloud storage to data management to security. It’s often more efficient and less expensive to contract out work. But it does present risks. 5 of the biggest risks to be considered are: indirect cyber attacks, financial risks from incident costs, reputational damage, geopolitical risk and regulatory compliance risk.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3687812/5-major-risks-third-party-services-may-bring-along-with-them.html#tk.rss_news

• Cyber Crime as a Service: A Subscription Based Model in the Wrong Hands

Arguably nothing in tech has changes the landscape more than ‘as a Service’ offerings, the subscription-based IT service delivery model, in fact, the ‘as a Service’ offering has made its way into the cyber crime landscape. And cyber crime, for its part, has evolved beyond a nefarious hobby; today it’s a means of earning for cyber criminals. Organised cyber crime services are available for hire, particularly to those lacking resources and hacking expertise but willing to buy their way into cyber criminal activities. Underground cyber crime markets have thus emerged, selling cyber attack tools and services ranging from malware injection to botnet tools, Denial of Service and targeted spyware services.

https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/cybercrime-as-a-service.html

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransomware attackers finding new ways to weaponize old vulnerabilities | VentureBeat

• US, UK slap sanctions on Russians linked to Conti and more • The Register

• Threat Analysis: VMware ESXi Attacks Soared in 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Clop ransomware claims it breached 130 orgs using GoAnywhere zero-day (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Members of Russian cyber crime network unmasked by US and UK authorities - The Verge

• December ransomware attack leads to massive data breach from California health network - The Record from Recorded Future News

• Over 500 ESXiArgs Ransomware infections in one day in Europe-Security Affairs

• New ESXi ransomware strain spreads, foils decryption tools | TechTarget

• Russian Government evaluates the immunity to hackers acting in the interests of Russia-Security Affairs

• North Korea Using Healthcare Ransomware To Fund More Hacking (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• DPRK fund malicious cyber activities with ransomware attacks on critical Infrastructure-Security Affairs

• US Warns Critical Sectors Against North Korean Ransomware Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cisco Talos spots new MortalKombat ransomware attacks | TechTarget

• Ion: after the hack, the clean-up - Risk.net

• Hackers Target Israel’s Technion Demanding Huge Sum In Bitcoin - I24NEWS

• City of Oakland systems offline after ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• MTU cyber breach: Probe after ransomware attacks 'like a murder investigation' (irishexaminer.com)

• MTU data appears on dark web after cyber attack – The Irish Times

• Oakland City Services Struggle to Recover From Ransomware Attack (darkreading.com)

• LockBit spree hits three large companies (techmonitor.ai)

• Ransomware gang uses new zero-day to steal data on 1 million patients | TechCrunch

• City of Oakland issued state of emergency after ransomware attack-Security Affairs

• Glasgow Arnold Clark customers at risk after major cyber attack | HeraldScotland

• LockBit and Royal Mail Ransomware Negotiation Leaked - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• No relief in sight for ransomware attacks on hospitals | TechTarget

• Burton Snowboards cancels online orders after 'cyber incident' (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Dallas Central Appraisal District paid $170,000 to ransomware attackers (bitdefender.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Russian spear phishing campaign escalates efforts toward critical UK, US and European targets | Computer Weekly

• NameCheap's email hacked to send Metamask, DHL phishing emails (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber criminals target fans of The Last of Us with recent malware and phishing scams - IT Security GuruCyber

• Venmo Phishing Abusing LinkedIn "slink"

• Spain, US dismantle phishing gang that stole $5 million in a year (bleepingcomputer.com)

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• BEC Groups Target Firms With Multilingual Impersonation Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

2FA/MFA

• Reddit Hack Shows Limits of MFA, Strengths of Security Training (darkreading.com)

Malware

• Experts Warn of Surge in Multipurpose Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Malicious Npm Package Uses Typosquatting, Downloads Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft OneNote Abuse for Malware Delivery Surges - Security Week

• New TA886 group targets companies with Screenshotter malware-Security Affairs

• Novel phishing campaign takes screenshots ahead of payload delivery | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Great, hackers are now using ChatGPT to generate malware | Digital Trends

• Devs targeted by W4SP Stealer malware in malicious PyPi packages (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber criminals target fans of The Last of Us with recent malware and phishing scams - IT Security Guru

• Researchers Uncover 700+ Malicious Open Source Packages - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Pepsi distributor blames info-stealing malware for breach • The Register

• Malware that can do anything and everything is on the rise - Help Net Security

• Lokibot, AgentTesla Grow in January 2023's Most Wanted Malware List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New stealthy 'Beep' malware focuses heavily on evading detection (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Thousands of WordPress sites have been infected by a mystery malware | TechRadar

• Beep: New Evasive Malware That Can Escape Under The Radar (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Hackers start using Havoc post-exploitation framework in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers Targeting US and German Firms Monitor Victims' Desktops with Screenshotter (thehackernews.com)

• Malware authors leverage more attack techniques that enable lateral movement | CSO Online

Mobile

• RedEyes hackers use new malware to steal data from Windows, phones (bleepingcomputer.com)

Botnets

• Mirai V3G4 botnet exploits 13 flaws to target IoT devices-Security Affairs

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Cloudflare blocks record-breaking 71 million RPS DDoS attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 87% of largest DDoS attacks in Q4 targeted telecoms: Lumen (fiercetelecom.com)

• The Tor network hit by wave of DDoS attacks for at least 7 months-Security Affairs

Internet of Things – IoT

• Digital burglaries: The threat from your smart home devices | Fox News

• Mirai V3G4 botnet exploits 13 flaws to target IoT devices-Security Affairs

• New Mirai malware variant infects Linux devices to build DDoS botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

Data Breaches

• MP’s laptop and iPad stolen from pub in 'worrying' security breach | Metro News

• Reddit was hit with a phishing attack. How it responded is a lesson for everyone | ZDNET

• Reddit Hack Shows Limits of MFA, Strengths of Security Training (darkreading.com)

• 4 misconceptions about data exfiltration | VentureBeat

• Highmark data breach affecting about 300,000 members exposed personal information to hackers – WPXI

• Gulp! Pepsi hack sees personal information stolen by data-stealing malware (bitdefender.com)

• Nearly 50 million Americans impacted by health data breaches in 2022 (chiefhealthcareexecutive.com)

• My Password Manager was Hacked! How to Prevent a Catastrophe (bleepingcomputer.com)

• After apparent hack, data from Australian tech giant Atlassian dumped online | CyberScoop

• Atlassian: Leaked Data Stolen via Third-Party App (darkreading.com)

• Health info for 1 million patients stolen using critical GoAnywhere vulnerability | Ars Technica

• Scandinavian Airlines says cyber attack caused passenger data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Russian Government evaluates the immunity to hackers acting in the interests of Russia-Security Affairs

• Cyber crime as a Service: A Subscription-based Model in The Wrong Hands | Splunk

• A Hacker’s Mind — how the elites exploit the system | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Dark Web Revenue Down Dramatically After Hydra's Demise (darkreading.com)

• Russian hacker convicted of $90 million hack-to-trade charges (bleepingcomputer.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Enigma, Vector, and TgToxic: The New Threats to Cryptocurrency Users (thehackernews.com)

• Lazarus hackers use new mixer to hide $100 million in stolen crypto (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 451 PyPI packages install Chrome extensions to steal crypto (bleepingcomputer.com)

• DeFi exploits and access control hacks cost crypto investors billions in 2022: Report (cointelegraph.com)

• Using the blockchain to prevent data breaches | VentureBeat

• SideWinder APT Spotted Stealing Crypto (darkreading.com)

• Quarter of Crypto Tokens in 2022 Linked to Pump-and-Dump - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• A former Credit Suisse employee leaked employees' historic bonus data (efinancialcareers.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Russian IT biz owner made $90M from stolen financial info • The Register

• Refund and Invoice Scams Surge in Q4 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• MoneyGram Fraud Victims Get $115m in Compensation - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 'Pig butchering' scams on the rise, luring victims with promises of relationships and riches | CyberScoop

• Cyber security Experts Warn Against Valentine's Day Romance Scams - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russian Hackers Disrupt NATO Earthquake Relief Operations (darkreading.com)

• Romance scam targets security researcher, hilarity ensues • The Register

• 10 signs that scammers have you in their sights | WeLiveSecurity

• Hackers Leverage PayPal to Send Malicious Invoices - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

AML/CFT/Sanctions

• US, UK slap sanctions on Russians linked to Conti and more • The Register

Insurance

• The cost of cyber security insurance is soaring–and state-backed attacks will be harder to cover. It’s time for companies to take threats more seriously | Fortune

Dark Web

• Dark Web Revenue Down Dramatically After Hydra's Demise (darkreading.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• How to manage third-party cyber security risks that are too costly to ignore | TechCrunch

• 5 biggest risks of using third-party services providers | CSO Online

Cloud/SaaS

• Reimagining zero trust for modern SaaS - Help Net Security

• Cloud security: Where do CSP and client responsibilities begin and end? | VentureBeat

• Application and cloud security is a shared responsibility - Help Net Security

Attack Surface Management

• To thwart cyber attacks, enterprises must have visibility of their assets: Sophos CEO - The Hindu BusinessLine

Open Source

• Researchers Uncover 700+ Malicious Open Source Packages - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Configuration Issues in SaltStack IT Tool Put Enterprises at Risk (darkreading.com)

• Solving open-source security — from Alpha to Omega | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• New Mirai malware variant infects Linux devices to build DDoS botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Eek! You Can Steal Passwords From This Password Manager Using the Notepad App | PCMag

• Eurostar forces 'password resets' — then fails and locks users out (bleepingcomputer.com)

• My Password Manager was Hacked! How to Prevent a Catastrophe (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• Metaverse Adds New Dimensions to Web 3.0 Cyber security | TechRepublic

• Hard drugs actively sold on Twitter in plain sight. Twitter says it doesn’t breach its safety policies • Graham Cluley

• Elon Musk Seems to Think His Own Employees Are Shadowbanning Him (gizmodo.com)

• Venmo Phishing Abusing LinkedIn "slink"

Malvertising

• AdSense fraud campaign relies on 10,890 sites that were infected since September 2022-Security Affairs

Training, Education and Awareness

• High-risk users may be few, but the threat they pose is huge - Help Net Security

• Reddit Hack Shows Limits of MFA, Strengths of Security Training (darkreading.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• 5th State of CCPA, CPRA, and GDPR Compliance Report Shows More Than 90% of Companies Are Not Compliant (darkreading.com)

• The Online Safety Bill: An attack on encryption (element.io)

• As regulations skyrocket, is compliance even possible anymore? - Help Net Security

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Security buyers lack insight into threats, attackers, report finds | Computer Weekly

• Cyber attacks Worldwide Increased to an All-Time High, Check Point Research Reveals - MSSP Alert

• The cost of cyber security insurance is soaring–and state-backed attacks will be harder to cover. It’s time for companies to take threats more seriously | Fortune

• Are C-Suite Executives Fluent in IT Security Speak? Five Reasons Why the Communication Gap is Wider Than You Think - MSSP Alert

• Actionable intelligence is the key to better security outcomes - Help Net Security

• To thwart cyber attacks, enterprises must have visibility of their assets: Sophos CEO - The Hindu BusinessLineT

• Majority of Firms Make Cyber security Decisions Without Attacker Insight - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 5 Ways Security and Compliance Can Break Down Silos to Save Money and Meet Increased Regulations - MSSP Alert

• Build Cyber Resiliency With These Security Threat-Mitigation Considerations (darkreading.com)

• 5th State of CCPA, CPRA, and GDPR Compliance Report Shows More Than 90% of Companies Are Not Compliant (darkreading.com)

• Evolving cyber attacks, alert fatigue creating DFIR burnout, regulatory risk | CSO Online

• Simplify to Survive: How Organisations Can Navigate Cyber-Risk (darkreading.com)Simplify to Survive: How Organisations Can Navigate Cyber-Risk (darkreading.com)

• As regulations skyrocket, is compliance even possible anymore? - Help Net Security

• Storage security for compliance and cyberwar in 2023 • The Register

Backup and Recovery

• A CISOs Practical Guide to Storage and Backup Ransomware Resiliency (thehackernews.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Get hired in cyber security: Expert tips for job seekers - Help Net Security

• 3 Ways CISOs Can Lead Effectively and Avoid Burnout (darkreading.com)

• Cyber security Jobs Remain Secure Despite Recession Fears (darkreading.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Members of Russian cyber crime network unmasked by US and UK authorities - The Verge

• Spain, US dismantle phishing gang that stole $5 million in a year (bleepingcomputer.com)

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• The FBI’s most controversial surveillance tool is under threat | Ars Technica

Artificial Intelligence

• Russian hackers are trying to break into ChatGPT, says Check Point | ZDNET

• Cyber criminals Bypass ChatGPT Restrictions to Generate Malicious Content - Check Point Software

• Great, hackers are now using ChatGPT to generate malware | Digital Trends

• Eric Schmidt Is Building the Perfect AI War-Fighting Machine | WIRED

• A.I. in the military could be a game changer in warfare | Fortune US issues declaration on responsible use of AI in the military | Reuters

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Revealed: the hacking and disinformation team meddling in elections | Technology | The Guardian

Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Russian Government evaluates the immunity to hackers acting in the interests of Russia-Security Affairs

• Russian spear phishing campaign escalates efforts toward critical UK, US and European targets | Computer Weekly

• EU countries told to step up defence against state hackers | Reuters

• Britain must ‘wake up’ to China security challenges, ex-MI6 head says | The Independent

• Hacks, leaks and wipers: Google analyses a year of Russian cyber attacks on Ukraine | Cyber scoop

• Google: Russia continues to set cyber sights on NATO nations | TechTarget

• US shoots down ‘high-altitude object’ above Alaska | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Military Organizations in Pakistan Targeted With Sophisticated Espionage Tool - security Week

• SpaceX curbed Ukraine's use of Starlink terminals - Militarnyi

• US shoots down ‘octagonal’ flying object near military sites in Michigan | US news | The Guardian

• Six companies join US entity list after Chinese spy balloon • The Register

• How Alan Turing still casts his genius in the age of cyberwar | Metro News

• US warns its citizens in Russia to get out immediately over security fears | Euronews

• Unidentified airborne objects: A trio of new intrusions leaves America's leaders grasping for explanations | CNN Politics

• Russian Hackers Disrupt NATO Earthquake Relief Operations (darkreading.com)

• ‘Significant’ debris from China spy balloon retrieved, says US military | US national security | The Guardian

• Use of Chinese cameras by College of Policing is risk to national security, says commissioner (telegraph.co.uk)

• Ukraine’s use of SpaceX satellites risks starting World War Three, says Elon Musk (telegraph.co.uk)

• Eric Schmidt Is Building the Perfect AI War-Fighting Machine | WIRED

• Albanian gangs set up hundreds of spy cameras to keep ahead of police | Financial Times (ft.com)

• A.I. in the military could be a game changer in warfare | Fortune

• Chinese cameras leave British police vulnerable to spying, says watchdog | Espionage | The Guardian

• China-based cyber espionage actor seen targeting South America | CSO Online

• What Happened to #OpRussia? (darkreading.com)

• The Lessons From Cyberwar, Cyber-in-War and Ukraine  - security Week

• Storage security for compliance and cyberwar in 2023 • The Register

Nation State Actors

• Russian Government evaluates the immunity to hackers acting in the interests of Russia-Security Affairs

• Russian spear phishing campaign escalates efforts toward critical UK, US and European targets | Computer Weekly

• EU countries told to step up defence against state hackers | Reuters

• Britain must ‘wake up’ to China security challenges, ex-MI6 head says | The Independent

• Hacks, leaks and wipers: Google analyses a year of Russian cyber attacks on Ukraine | CyberScoop

• Google: Russia continues to set cyber sights on NATO nations | TechTarget

• Military Organizations in Pakistan Targeted With Sophisticated Espionage Tool - Security Week

• MagicWeb Mystery Highlights Nobelium Attacker's Sophistication (darkreading.com)

• Russian hackers are trying to break into ChatGPT, says Check Point | ZDNET

• North Korean Hackers Are Attacking US Hospitals | WIRED

• Six companies join US entity list after Chinese spy balloon • The Register

• Lazarus hackers use new mixer to hide $100 million in stolen crypto (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Unidentified airborne objects: A trio of new intrusions leaves America's leaders grasping for explanations | CNN Politics

• Russian Hackers Disrupt NATO Earthquake Relief Operations (darkreading.com)

• Group-IB Blocks Attack By Chinese Tonto Team Hackers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Chinese ship accused of using ‘military-grade laser’ against Philippine vessel | Philippines | The Guardian

• Chinese Hackers Targeting South American Diplomatic Entities with ShadowPad (thehackernews.com)

• Use of Chinese cameras by College of Policing is risk to national security, says commissioner (telegraph.co.uk)

• Ukraine’s use of SpaceX satellites risks starting World War Three, says Elon Musk (telegraph.co.uk)

• Chinese cameras leave British police vulnerable to spying, says watchdog | Espionage | The Guardian

• China-based cyber espionage actor seen targeting South America | CSO Online

• What Happened to #OpRussia? (darkreading.com)

• UK Policing Riddled with Chinese CCTV Cameras - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• A new operating system has been released in Russia! (gizchina.com)

• SideWinder APT Spotted Stealing Crypto (darkreading.com)

• Researchers Link SideWinder Group to Dozens of Targeted Attacks in Multiple Countries (thehackernews.com)

• SideWinder APT Attacks Regional Targets in New Campaign - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Ransomware attackers finding new ways to weaponize old vulnerabilities | VentureBeat

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft Patch Tuesday: 36 RCE bugs, 3 zero-days, 75 CVEs – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Citrix Patches High-Severity Vulnerabilities in Windows, Linux Apps - Security Week

• Adobe Plugs Critical Security Holes in Illustrator, After Effects Software - Security Week

• Apple releases new fix for iPhone zero-day exploited by hackers | TechCrunch

• Intel issues patches for SGX vulnerabilities • The Register

• Firefox Updates Patch 10 High-Severity Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Critical RCE Vulnerability Discovered in ClamAV Open-Source Antivirus Software (thehackernews.com)

• CISA Warns of Active Attacks Exploiting Fortra MFT, TerraMaster NAS, and Intel Driver Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft says Intel driver bug crashes apps on Windows PCs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Serious Security: GnuTLS follows OpenSSL, fixes timing attack bug – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Splunk Enterprise Updates Patch High-Severity Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Dozens of Vulnerabilities Patched in Intel Products - Security Week

• High-severity DLP flaw impacts Trellix for Windows | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Critical Vulnerability Patched in Cisco Security Products - Security Week

• Health info for 1 million patients stolen using critical GoAnywhere vulnerability | Ars Technica

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Tools and Controls

• A CISOs Practical Guide to Storage and Backup Ransomware Resiliency (thehackernews.com)

• SOAR vs. SIEM: What's the difference? | TechTarget

• PAM is failing - IT Security Guru

• Combining identity and security strategies to mitigate risks - Help Net Security

• Defending against attacks on Azure AD: Goodbye firewall, hello identity protection | CSO Online

• Regular Pen Testing Is Key to Resolving Conflict Between SecOps and DevOps (thehackernews.com)

• Attack surface management (ASM) is not limited to the surface - Help Net Security

• How to filter Security log events for signs of trouble | TechTarget

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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.

Black Arrow Cyber Advisory 19/12/2022 – Veeam Vulnerabilities Under Active Exploitation

Executive Summary

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added two vulnerabilities which impact Veeam Backup and Replication, to its ‘Known Exploited Catalog’, due to evidence of the vulnerabilities being actively exploited in the wild.

The two now-patched vulnerabilities (CVE-2022-26500 and CVE-2022-26501) were published 12th March 2022 by Veeam and allow an attacker to remotely execute malicious code without authentication. The impacted versions of Veeam Backup and Replication were 9.5, 10 and 11.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

If organisations are still using a version of Veeam Backup and Replication with these vulnerabilities, then there is the potential that an attacker could gain control over a system, impacting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of an organisations data.

What can I do?

Organisations using Veeam should contact their MSP to ensure that they have either installed the patches as per Veeam guidance or are using a newly deployed version of 10a or 11a that used installation files dated post 2nd March 2022.

Temporary mitigation would involve stopping and disabling the Veeam Distribution Service.

Further information on this vulnerability be found here:  https://www.veeam.com/kb4288

The CISA Known ‘Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog’ can be found here: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 16 December 2022

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

• Executives Take More Cyber Security Risks Than Office Workers

IT software company Ivanti worked with cyber security experts and surveyed 6,500 executive leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and office workers to understand the perception of today’s cybersecurity threats and to find out how companies are preparing for yet-unknown future threats.

The report revealed that despite 97% of leaders and security professionals reporting their organisation is as prepared, or more prepared, to defend against cybersecurity attacks than they were a year ago, one in five wouldn’t bet a chocolate bar that they could prevent a damaging breach.

In fact, the study finds that organisations are racing to fortify against cyber attacks, but the industry still struggles with a reactive, checklist mentality. This is most pronounced in how security teams are prioritising patches. While 92% of security professionals reported they have a method to prioritise patches, they also indicated that all types of patches rank high – meaning none do.

“Patching is not nearly as simple as it sounds,” said Ivanti. “Even well-staffed, well-funded IT and security teams experience prioritisation challenges amidst other pressing demands. To reduce risk without increasing workload, organisations must implement a risk-based patch management solution and leverage automation to identify, prioritise, and even address vulnerabilities without excess manual intervention”.

Cyber security insiders view phishing, ransomware, and software vulnerabilities as top industry-level threats for 2023. Approximately half of respondents indicated they are “very prepared” to meet the growing threat landscape including ransomware, poor encryption, and malicious employees, but the expected safeguards such as deprovisioning credentials is ignored a third of a time and nearly half of those surveyed say they suspect a former employee or contractor still has active access to company systems and files.

The report also revealed that leaders engage in more dangerous behaviour and are four times more likely to be victims of phishing compared to office workers.

Additionally:

• More than 1 in 3 leaders have clicked on a phishing link

• Nearly 1 in 4 use easy-to-remember birthdays as part of their password

• They are much more likely to hang on to passwords for years

• And they are 5x more likely to share their password with people outside the company.

One survey taker shared, “We’ve experienced a few advanced phishing attempts and the employees were totally unaware they were being targeted. These types of attacks have become so much more sophisticated over the last two years – even our most experienced staff are falling prey to it.”

To cope with a rapidly expanding threat landscape, organisations must move beyond a reactive, rules-based approach.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/12/16/executives-take-more-cybersecurity-risks-than-office-workers/

• CISO Role is Diversifying from Technology to Leadership & Communication Skills

The role of chief information security officer (CISO), a relatively new executive position, is undergoing some significant changes and an archetype has yet to emerge, a new global report from Marlin Hawk, an executive recruiting and leadership consultant, said.

CISOs are still more likely to serve on advisory boards or industry bodies than on the board of directors. Only 13% of the global CISOs analysed are women; approximately 20% are non-white. Each diversity dimension analysed is down one percentage point year-on-year.

According to James Larkin, managing partner at Marlin Hawk, “Today’s CISOs are taking up the mantle of responsibilities that have traditionally fallen solely to the chief information officer (CIO), which is to act as the primary gateway from the tech department into the wider business and the outside marketplace. This widening scope requires CISOs to be adept communicators to the board, the broader business, as well as the marketplace of shareholders and customers. By thriving in the ‘softer’ skill sets of communication, leadership, and strategy, CISOs are now setting the new industry standards of today and, I predict, will be progressing into the board directors of tomorrow.”

The job does not come without its downsides. For one, according to the search firm, many CISOs change roles and leave their jobs. Their skillset may not be adequate or new leaders get appointed to the job, they lack the necessary internal support, or their company may not have the required commitment to cyber security to make the job effective.

Key findings from the report include:

• 45% of global CISOs have been in their current role for two years or less, down from 53% in 2021, with 18% turnover year-on-year. While there is still a lot of movement in the CISO seat, there is potentially some stabilisation emerging.

• Approximately 62% of global CISOs were hired from another company, indicating a slight increase in the number of CISOs hired internally (38% were hired internally compared to 36% in 2021) but a large gap remains in appropriate successors.

• 36% of CISOs analysed with a graduate degree received a higher degree in business administration or management. This is down 10% from last year (46% in 2021). Conversely, there has been an increase to 61% of CISOs receiving a higher degree in STEM subjects (up from 46% in 2021).

https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/ciso-role-is-diversifying-from-technology-to-leadership-communication-skills/

• How Emerging AIs, Like ChatGPT, Can Turn Anyone into a Ransomware and Malware Threat Actor

Ever since OpenAI launched ChatGPT at the end of November, commentators on all sides have been concerned about the impact AI-driven content-creation will have, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. In fact, many researchers are concerned that generative AI solutions will democratise cyber crime.

With ChatGPT, any user can enter a query and generate malicious code and convincing phishing emails without any technical expertise or coding knowledge.

While security teams can also leverage ChatGPT for defensive purposes such as testing code, by lowering the barrier for entry for cyber attacks, the solution has complicated the threat landscape significantly. From a cyber security perspective, the central challenge created by OpenAI’s creation is that anyone, regardless of technical expertise, can create code to generate malware and ransomware on-demand.

Whilst it can be used for good to assist developers in writing code for good, it can (and already has) been used for malicious purposes. Examples including asking the bot to create convincing phishing emails or assist in reverse engineering code to find zero-day exploits that could be used maliciously instead of reporting them to a vendor.

ChatGPT does have inbuilt guardrails designed to prevent the solution from being used for criminal activity. For instance, it will decline to create shell code or provide specific instructions on how to create shellcode or establish a reverse shell and flag malicious keywords like phishing to block the requests.

The problem with these protections is that they’re reliant on the AI recognising that the user is attempting to write malicious code (which users can obfuscate by rephrasing queries), while there’s no immediate consequences for violating OpenAI’s content policy.

https://venturebeat.com/security/chatgpt-ransomware-malware/

• Cyber Security Drives Improvements in Business Goals

Cyber threats should no longer be viewed as just an IT problem, but also a business problem, Deloitte said in its latest Future of Cyber study. Operational disruption, loss of revenue, and loss of customer trust are the top three significant impacts of cyber incidents. More than half, or 56%, of respondents told Deloitte they suffered related consequences to a moderate or large extent.

In 2021, the top three negative consequences from cyber incidents and breaches were operational disruption, which includes supply chain and the partner ecosystem, intellectual property theft, and a drop in share price. While operational disruption remained the top concern in 2022, loss of revenue and loss of customer trust and negative brand impact moved up in importance. Intellectual property theft and drop in share price dropped to eighth and ninth (out of ten) in ranking. Losing funding for a strategic initiative, loss of confidence in the integrity of the technology, and impact on employee recruitment and retention moved up in ranking in 2022. Respondents were also asked to mark two consequences they felt would be most important in 2023: Operational disruption and loss of revenue topped the list.

"Today, cyber means business, and it is difficult to overstate the importance of cyber as a foundational and integral business imperative," Deloitte noted in its report. "It [cyber] should be included in every functional area, as an essential ingredient for success—to drive continuous business value, not simply mitigate risks to IT."

Deloitte categorised organisations' cyber security maturity based on their adoption of cyber planning, risk management, and board engagement. Risk management included activities such as industry benchmarking, incident response, scenario planning, and qualitative and quantitative risk assessment.

Whether or not the organisation adopted any of these three practices hinged on stakeholders recognising the importance of cyber responsibility and engagement across the whole organisation, Deloitte said in its report. Examples included having a governing body that comprises IT and senior business leaders to oversee the cyber program, conducting incident-response scenario planning and simulation at the organisational and/or board level, regularly providing cyber updates to the board to secure funding, and conducting regular cyber awareness training for all employees.

https://www.darkreading.com/edge-threat-monitor/cybersecurity-drives-improvements-in-business-goals

• Incoming FCA Chair Says Crypto Firms Facilitate Money Laundering

The man who will lead UK efforts to regulate cryptocurrency firms issued a stark condemnation of the sector on Wednesday, telling MPs that in his experience crypto platforms were “deliberately evasive”, facilitated money laundering at scale and created “massively untoward risk”.

The comments from Ashley Alder, the incoming chair of the Financial Conduct Authority, suggest that crypto firms hoping to build businesses in the UK will face an uphill battle when the FCA assumes new powers to regulate broad swaths of the sector.

They also put Alder, who will become FCA chair in February, on a potential collision course with the government’s aspiration to create a high quality crypto hub that fosters innovation, a vision ministers have remained loyal to even as the global crypto market lurches from crisis to crisis, epitomised by the collapse of FTX. The FCA declined to comment on whether their incoming chair’s views were at odds with those of the government.

Alder comments came during a sometimes terse appointment hearing with the cross-party Treasury select committee, where he faced sustained criticism for appearing virtually from Hong Kong and for his lack of familiarity with some parts of the UK market place and its accountability structures.

https://www.ft.com/content/7bf0a760-5fb5-4146-b757-1acc5fc1dee5

• Managing Cyber Risk in 2023: The People Element

2022 has had many challenges from cyber war between Russia and Ukraine, continuing ransomware attacks, and a number of high-profile vulnerabilities and zero day attacks.  With the attack surface constantly expanding, CISOs and security leaders are acutely aware of the need to minimise risk across people, processes, and technology.

Top infrastructure risk: people

It’s common knowledge that it’s not if, but when, your organisation will be the target of a cyber attack. CISOs and security leaders seem to share the same opinion—according to Trend Micro’s latest Cyber Risk Index (CRI) (1H’2022), 85% of 4,100 respondents across four global regions said its somewhat to very likely they will experience a cyber attack in the next 12 months.  More concerning was 90% of respondents had at least one successful cyber attack in the past 12 months.

The CRI (1H’2022) also found that CISOs, IT practitioners, and managers identified that most organisations’ IT security objectives are not aligned with the business objectives, which could cause challenges when trying to implement a sound cyber security strategy.

It’s important to note that while ideal, avoiding a cyber attack isn’t the main goal—companies need to address critical challenges across their growing digital attack surface to enable faster detection and response, therefore minimising cyber risk.

While it's commonly assumed that security efforts should be largely focused on protecting critical servers and infrastructure, the human attack vector shouldn’t be so quickly forgotten.

https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/ciso/22/e/managing-cyber-risk.html

• What We Can't See Can Hurt Us

In speaking with security and fraud professionals, visibility remains a top priority. This is no surprise, since visibility into the network, application, and user layers is one of the fundamental building blocks of both successful security programs and successful fraud programs. This visibility is required across all environments — whether on-premises, private cloud, public cloud, multicloud, hybrid, or otherwise.

Given this, it is perhaps a bit surprising that visibility in the cloud has lagged behind the move to those environments. This occurred partially because few options for decent visibility were available to businesses as they moved to the cloud. But it also partially happened because higher priority was placed on deploying to the cloud than on protecting those deployments from security and fraud threats.

This is unfortunate, since what we can't see can hurt us. That being said, cloud visibility is becoming a top priority for many businesses. There are a few areas where many businesses are looking for visibility to play a key role, including Compliance, Monitoring, Investigation, Response, API Discovery, Application Breaches, and Malicious User Detection.

Organisation have been a bit behind in terms of ensuring the requisite visibility into cloud environments. Whilst time has been lost, it does seem that gaining visibility into the network, application, and user layers is now a priority for many businesses. This is a positive development, as it enables those businesses to better mitigate the risks that operating blindly creates.

https://www.darkreading.com/edge-articles/what-we-can-t-see-can-hurt-us

• Uber Suffers New Data Breach After Attack on Vendor, Info Leaked Online

Uber has suffered a new data breach after a threat actor leaked employee email addresses, corporate reports, and IT asset information stolen from a third-party vendor in a cyber security incident.

On Saturday last week, a threat actor named 'UberLeaks' began leaking data they claimed was stolen from Uber and Uber Eats on a hacking forum known for publishing data breaches. The leaked data includes numerous archives claiming to be source code associated with mobile device management platforms (MDM) used by Uber and Uber Eats and third-party vendor services.

The threat actor created four separate topics, allegedly for Uber MDM at uberhub.uberinternal.com and Uber Eats MDM, and the third-party Teqtivity MDM and TripActions MDM platforms. Each post refers to a member of the Lapsus$ hacking group who is believed to be responsible for numerous high-profile attacks, including a September cyber attack on Uber where threat actors gained access to the internal network and the company's Slack server.

News outlet BleepingComputer has been told that the newly leaked data consists of source code, IT asset management reports, data destruction reports, Windows domain login names and email addresses, and other corporate information. One of the documents seen by BleepingComputer includes email addresses and Windows Active Directory information for over 77,000 Uber employees.

While BleepingComputer initially thought this data was stolen during the September attack, Uber told BleepingComputer it believes it is related to a security breach on a third-party vendor.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/uber-suffers-new-data-breach-after-attack-on-vendor-info-leaked-online/

• When Companies Compensate the Hackers, We All Foot the Bill

Companies are always absorbing costs that are seen as par for the course of budget planning: maintenance, upgrades, office supplies, wastage, shrinkage, etc. These costs ratchet up the price of a company's products and are then passed on to the consumer. Breaches in cyber security and paying out ransoms to hackers should be outside of this remit, and yet more than half of all companies admit to transferring the costs of data breaches on to consumers. Careless or ill-informed employees and other weaknesses in a company's protections lead to catastrophic losses to businesses of around $1,797,945 per minute — and the consumers are paying it off.

If a company estimates the recovery costs from a ransomware attack to exceed the requested payment from the hacker, then it feels like a no-brainer — they're better off just cutting their losses and giving in to the cyber criminal's demands. The issue is that this creates an unvirtuous circle of paying the hacker, which enforces nefarious behaviour and empowers hackers to increase the number and volume of ransoms.

When it comes to ransomware, 32% of companies pay off hackers, and, of that percentage, the average company only retrieves about 65% of its data. Giving in to hackers is counterintuitive. On an even more disturbing note, one study found that 80% of companies that paid a ransom were targeted a second time, with about 40% paying again and a majority of that 40% paying a higher ransom the second time round. This is ludicrous. With 33% of companies suspending operations following an attack, and nearly 40% resorting to laying off staff, it comes as no surprise that the downstream costs are picked up to some extent by the consumer.

As for smaller companies, about 50% of US small businesses don't have a cyber security plan in place, despite the fact that small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cyber criminals than larger companies. An average breach costs these companies around $200,000 and has put many out of business. It isn't simply the cost passed on to consumers, it's also the intangible assets, such as brand reputation.

When data is leaked and a site goes down, customers become rightly anxious when their information is sold to the highest bidder on the Dark Web. To safeguard against this, companies of all sizes should exploit automated solutions while training every single member of staff to recognise and report online threats. Paying a ransom does not guarantee the return of data, and for a smaller business, losing valuable customer information could cause long-term damage way beyond the initial attack.

Cyber security professionals, governments, and law enforcement agencies all advise companies to avoid paying the hackers' ransoms. This strategy is affirmed by the success businesses have had in retrieving the stolen data and turning the lights back on — 78% of organisations who say they did not pay a ransom were able to fully restore systems and data without the decryption key. This evidently is not enough to reassure companies who, at the click of a dangerous email being opened, have lost sensitive information and access to their systems and are desperate to get back online. There are many preventative techniques businesses can take advantage of before it even gets to that stage.

https://www.darkreading.com/attacks-breaches/when-companies-compensate-the-hackers-we-all-foot-the-bill

• HSE Cyber-Attack Costs Ireland $83m So Far

The cost of the cyber-attack that hit the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) last year has officially reached €80m ($83.75m).

The figures come from a letter from HSE’s chief information officer, seen by The Irish Times. This comes months after the Department of Health suggested in February the attack could end up costing up to €100m ($104m). The letter confirmed that the costs reached €42m ($43.97m) in 2021 and almost €39m ($40.83m) until October of this year.

Ireland has a very capable national cyber security centre and a well-oiled CSIRT team that engages the public/private sector. If the cost does continue to escalate to €100m, that is the equivalent to everyone in the Republic of Ireland having been defrauded by €20. According to The Irish Times, the costs were said to be “enormous,” and the government has been asked to complete a comprehensive assessment of the impact caused by the breach.

The cyber-attack, believed to have been conducted by Russia-based state actors, was reportedly caused by a malicious Microsoft Excel file delivered via a phishing email. According to a December 2021 report, the file was opened at an HSE workstation in March 2021. The malware would have been latent for two months before the breach, which was reportedly discovered in May, two months later. A total of roughly 100,000 people had their personal data stolen during the cyber-attack.

Healthcare continues to be a target of attacks given their enormous attack surface across critical applications, cloud environments and IoT devices.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/hse-cyber-attack-ireland-dollar83m/

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• HSE Cyber-Attack Costs Ireland $83m So Far - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Ransomware-hit Rackspace email outage enters 12th day • The Register

• The Dark Web is Getting Darker - Ransomware Thrives on Illegal Markets (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Rash of New Ransomware Variants Springs Up in the Wild (darkreading.com)

• Patch Tuesday: Microsoft Plugs Windows Hole Exploited in Ransomware Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

• Preventing a ransomware attack with intelligence: Strategies for CISOs - Help Net Security

• Agenda Ransomware Switches to Rust to Attack Critical Infrastructure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• LockBit ransomware crew claims attack on California Department of Finance - CyberScoop

• When Companies Compensate the Hackers, We All Foot the Bill (darkreading.com)

• Clop ransomware uses TrueBot malware for access to networks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• TrueBot infections were observed in Clop ransomware attacks - Security Affairs

• Pulling the Curtains on Azov Ransomware: Not a Skidsware but Polymorphic Wiper - Check Point Research

• Play ransomware claims attack on Belgium city of Antwerp (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Brooklyn hospital network victim of cyber hack crash (msn.com)

• Ransomware Group Threatens to Publish Data Stolen From California Department of Finance | SecurityWeek.Com

• Cyber security Experts Uncover Inner Workings of Destructive Azov Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

• Cybereason warns of rapid increase in Royal ransomware | TechTarget

• New Royal ransomware group evades detection with partial encryption | CSO Online

• How ChatGPT can turn anyone into a ransomware and malware threat actor   | VentureBeat

• Check Point classifies Azov as wiper, not ransomware | TechTarget

• The Future of Ransomware - Security News (trendmicro.com)

• Hive ransomware gang claims responsibility for attack on Intersport that left cash registers disabled (bitdefender.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Open-source repositories flooded by 144,000 phishing packages (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Phishing attack uses Facebook posts to evade email security (bleepingcomputer.com)

BEC – Business Email Compromise

• US Food Companies Warned of BEC Attacks Stealing Food Product Shipments | SecurityWeek.Com

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• North Korean Hackers Use Impersonation to Steal Intel - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Malware

• Microsoft digital certificates have once again been abused to sign malware | Ars Technica

• Hackers target Japanese politicians with new MirrorStealer malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Zscaler: Nearly 90% of Cyber attacks Now Use Encrypted Channels, Malware Tops - MSSP Alert

• This Linux-targeting malware just got more powerful | ZDNET

• Crooks use HTML smuggling to spread QBot malware via SVG files - Security Affairs

• A clever trick turns antivirus software into unstoppable data wiping scourges | TechSpot

• How ChatGPT can turn anyone into a ransomware and malware threat actor   | VentureBeat

Mobile

• Android Malware Campaign Leverages Money-Lending Apps to Blackmail Victims (thehackernews.com)

• Why You Should Enable Apple’s New iOS 16.2 Security Feature | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)

• NSA Slices Up 5G Mobile Security Risks (darkreading.com)

• Xnspy stalkerware spied on thousands of iPhones and Android devices | TechCrunch

Internet of Things – IoT

• Critical Infrastructure Attacks: Convergence of IoT and OT Gives Hackers a Huge Attack Surface - SSP Alert

• 3.5m IP cameras exposed, with US in the lead - Security Affairs

• Are robots too insecure for lethal use by law enforcement? | CSO Online

• 10 Ways Doorbell Cameras Pose a Threat to Privacy and Security - Listverse

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Uber suffers new data breach after attack on vendor, info leaked online (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Twitter confirms recent user data leak is from 2021 breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• HR platform Sequoia says hackers accessed customer SSNs and COVID-19 data | TechCrunch

• Parsing LastPass’ data breach notice | TechCrunch

• Social Blade discloses security breach - Security Affairs

• Australia's Telstra suffers privacy breach, 132,000 customers impacted | Reuters

• Unauthorised server access caused AirAsia data leak: Fahmi | Malaysia | The Vibes

• FBI's InfraGard Cyber security Program Breached by Hackers (gizmodo.com)

• Database of the FBI's InfraGard US Critical Infrastructure Intelligence portal available for sale - Security Affairs

• Aussie Data Breaches Surge 489% in Q4 2022 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Uber staff information leaks after IT supply chain attack • The Register

• TPG reveals emails of 15,000 iiNet and Westnet customers exposed in hack | Telecommunications industry | The Guardian

• TPG Telecom joins list of hacked Australian companies, shares slide | Reuters

• How companies can avoid costly data breaches - Help Net Security

• Hackers leak personal info allegedly stolen from 5.7M Gemini users (bleepingcomputer.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• ‘Booter’ sites taken down in global cyber crime bust (gbnews.uk)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Incoming FCA chair says crypto firms facilitate money laundering | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Britons lose life savings to ‘Ali Baba and the cryptocurrency scammers’ | News | The Times

• Bitcoin miners took on billions in debt to ‘pump their stock’—leading to a crypto catastrophe | Fortune

• Chaos RAT Used to Enhance Linux Cryptomining Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• DOJ divided over charging Binance for alleged crypto crimes, report says | Ars Technica

• Crypto was meant to solve financial corruption. The FTX scandal shows it’s got worse | David A Banks | The Guardian

• Facebook Asks Lawmakers Not to Regulate Crypto Too Harshly Just Because of All the Fraud (vice.com)

• The amateur sleuths who helped to bring down Sam Bankman-Fried - New Statesman

• Hackers leak personal info allegedly stolen from 5.7M Gemini users (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Executives take more cyber security risks than office workers - Help Net Security

• Managing Cyber Risk in 2023: The People Element (trendmicro.com)

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• Loan Fee Fraud Surges by a Fifth as Christmas Approaches - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fraudsters Flooding Retail Markets with Bad Bots, Preying on Unsuspecting Retailers, Consumers - MSSP Alert

• Britons lose life savings to ‘Ali Baba and the cryptocurrency scammers’ | News | The Times

• Australians have lost at least $7.2 million to the 'Hi Mum' scam. How does it work and why is it so lucrative for cyber criminals? - ABC News

• Restaurant closes after fraudsters posing as officials steal thousands | News | The Times

• Woman gets 66 months in prison for role in $3.3 million ID fraud op (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Patrick Giblin conned women all over the US. Now he's going to prison for 5 years | CNN

• UK arrests five for selling dodgy point of sale software • The Register

• The amateur sleuths who helped to bring down Sam Bankman-Fried - New Statesman

• Scammers are pretending to be striking paramedics to trick people into giving donations, ambulance service warns | UK News | Sky News

• 8 charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud • The Register

AML/CFT/Sanctions

• Incoming FCA chair says crypto firms facilitate money laundering | Financial Times (ft.com)

Insurance

• Most startups have cyber insurance but are uncertain about how much risk is covered - Help Net Security

• Cyber Insurer Cowbell Launches Cyber security Advisory Board - MSSP Alert

Dark Web

• The Dark Web is Getting Darker - Ransomware Thrives on Illegal Markets (bleepingcomputer.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Uber staff information leaks after IT supply chain attack • The Register

• Report highlights serious cyber security issues with US defence contractors | CSO Online

Software Supply Chain

• How Naming Can Change the Game in Software Supply Chain Security (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft digital certificates have once again been abused to sign malware | Ars Technica

Denial of Service DoS/DDoS

• FBI Charges 6, Seizes 48 Domains Linked to DDoS-for-Hire Service Platforms (thehackernews.com)

• Prosecutors charge 6 people for allegedly waging massive DDoS attacks | Ars Technica

• teiss - Cyber Threats - DDoS attacks on the rise

• How My Startup Survived a DDoS Attack - Bannerbear

• DDoS is not back; it never went away; and PAM is on hand to fight the ‘unstoppable’ menace (techxmedia.com)

• ‘Booter’ sites taken down in global cyber crime bust (gbnews.uk)

• Microsoft discovers Windows/Linux botnet used in DDoS attacks | Ars Technica

Cloud/SaaS

• Top 4 SaaS Security Threats for 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft launches EU 'data boundary' from next year • The Register

• What We Can't See Can Hurt Us (darkreading.com)

• HR platform Sequoia says hackers accessed customer SSNs and COVID-19 data | TechCrunch

• Parsing LastPass’ data breach notice | TechCrunch

• Lego fixes dangerous API vulnerability in BrickLink service | TechTarget (computerweekly.com)

• Data Destruction Policies in the Age of Cloud Computing (darkreading.com)

Hybrid/Remote Working

• Remote Work Cyber security Requires a Change in Mindset (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Encryption

• Zscaler: Nearly 90% of Cyber attacks Now Use Encrypted Channels, Malware Tops - MSSP Alert

• The FBI Says Apple’s New Encryption Is “Deeply Concerning” (futurism.com)

• NIST Retires SHA-1 Cryptographic Algorithm | NIST

• Over 85% of Attacks Hide in Encrypted Channels - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• WhatsApp is getting closer to a total UK shutdown | indy100

• Privacy advocates are aghast at UK’s anti-encryption plans (thenextweb.com)

API

• Lego fixes dangerous API vulnerability in BrickLink service | TechTarget (computerweekly.com)

Open Source

• This Linux-targeting malware just got more powerful | ZDNET

• Chaos RAT Used to Enhance Linux Cryptomining Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Google Launches OSV-Scanner Tool to Identify Open Source Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

• Open-source repositories flooded by 144,000 phishing packages (bleepingcomputer.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• New GoTrim botnet brute forces WordPress site admin accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• Fleeing Twitter users face uncertain privacy, security features on alternative platforms - CyberScoop

• Elon Musk's Twitter dissolves Trust and Safety Council - just days after its members speak out | Science & Tech News | Sky News

• TikTok may push potentially harmful content to teens within minutes, study finds | CNN Business

• Meta warns spyware still being used to target people on social media | Meta | The Guardian

• Elon Musk Bans Journalists From Twitter After Reinstating Nazis (gizmodo.com)

• Russian disinformation rampant on far-right social media platforms - CyberScoop

• HowTo: Fight Cyber-Threats in the Metaverse - Infosecurity Magazine

• US politicians propose TikTok ban over China security concerns (telegraph.co.uk)

• Social Blade discloses security breach - Security Affairs

• Twitter suspends Mastodon’s official account | The Hill

Training, Education and Awareness

• Keep Your Grinch at Bay: Here's How to Stay Safe Online this Holiday Season (thehackernews.com)

• Remote Work Cyber security Requires a Change in Mindset (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Parental Controls and Child Safety

• Most apps used in US classrooms share students' personal data with advertisers, researchers find - CyberScoop

• TikTok may push potentially harmful content to teens within minutes, study finds | CNN Business

• Microsoft Teams is a vector for child sexual abuse material • The Register

Cyber Bullying, Cyber Stalking and Sextortion

• Xnspy stalkerware spied on thousands of iPhones and Android devices | TechCrunch

• Proposed law offers support to tech-enabled abuse survivors • The Register

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Privacy concerns are limiting data usage abilities - Help Net Security

• European Commission takes step toward approving EU-US data privacy pact | Computerworld

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Managing Cyber Risk in 2023: The People Element (trendmicro.com)

• Executives take more cyber security risks than office workers - Help Net Security

• Cyber security Drives Improvements in Business Goals (darkreading.com)

• Compliance Is Not Enough: How to Manage Your Customer Data (darkreading.com)

• 5 tips for building a culture of cyber security accountability - Help Net Security

• How acceptable is your acceptable use policy? | CSO Online

• Data Destruction Policies in the Age of Cloud Computing (darkreading.com)

• What CISOs consider when building up security resilience - Help Net Security

• CISO Role is Diversifying From Technology to Leadership & Communication Skills - MSSP Alert

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Why PCI DSS 4.0 Should Be on Your Radar in 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• PCI Secure Software Standard version 1.2 sets out new payment security requirements | CSO Online

Backup and Recovery

• Why Your MSSP Should Offer Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) - MSSP Alert

• CISA Warns Veeam Backup & Replication Vulnerabilities Exploited in Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

Data Protection

• OECD Signs "Landmark" Privacy Agreement - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Top Reasons Not to Become a Self-Taught Ethical Hacker in 2023 (analyticsinsight.net)

• The Cyber security Industry Doesn't Have a Stress Problem — It Has a Leadership Problem (darkreading.com)

• Two-Thirds of Security Pros Have Burnt Out in Past Year - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• FBI Charges 6, Seizes 48 Domains Linked to DDoS-for-Hire Service Platforms (thehackernews.com)

• Prosecutors charge 6 people for allegedly waging massive DDoS attacks | Ars Technica

• 8 charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud • The Register

Privacy, Surveillance and Mass Monitoring

• Privacy advocates are aghast at UK’s anti-encryption plans (thenextweb.com)

• WhatsApp is getting closer to a total UK shutdown | indy100

• Most apps used in US classrooms share students' personal data with advertisers, researchers find - CyberScoop

• Apple should pay €6m for tracking users – French official • The Register

• European Commission takes step toward approving EU-US data privacy pact | Computerworld

• Privacy concerns are limiting data usage abilities - Help Net Security

Artificial Intelligence

• Are robots too insecure for lethal use by law enforcement? | CSO Online

• How ChatGPT can turn anyone into a ransomware and malware threat actor   | VentureBeat

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Russian disinformation rampant on far-right social media platforms - Cyberscoop

Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Trojanized Windows 10 Operating System Installers Targeted Ukrainian Government | Mandiant

• Meta takes down surveillance-for-hire firms, calls for government action against the industry - CyberScoop

• Reassessing cyberwarfare. Lessons learned in 2022 | Securelist

• As Wiretap Claims Rattle Government, Greece Bans Spyware | SecurityWeek.Com

• Ex-Twitter Worker Gets Prison Time in Saudi 'Spy' Case | SecurityWeek.Com

• Reassessing cyberwarfare. Lessons learned in 2022 | Securelist

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Nation State Actors

Nation State Actors – Russia

• Seven accused of smuggling out US military tech for Moscow • The Register

• Neo-Nazi Russian militia appeals for intelligence on Nato member states | Ukraine | The Guardian

• GPS Signals Are Being Disrupted in Russian Cities | WIRED

• NSA cyber director warns of Russian digital assaults on global energy sector - CyberScoop

• Russian disinformation rampant on far-right social media platforms - CyberScoop

Nation State Actors – China

• NSA Outs Chinese Hackers Exploiting Citrix Zero-Day | SecurityWeek.Com

• US politicians propose TikTok ban over China security concerns (telegraph.co.uk)

• Hackers target Japanese politicians with new MirrorStealer malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US to add Chinese chipmaker to trade blacklist | Financial Times (ft.com)

• AIIMS cyber attack suspected to have originated in China, Hong Kong - Rediff.com India News

• Spies and Lies by Alex Joske — inside China’s intelligence operation | Financial Times (ft.com)

Nation State Actors – North Korea

• North Korean cyber spies deploy new tactic: tricking foreign experts into writing research for them | Reuters

• North Korean Hackers Use Impersonation to Steal Intel - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Nation State Actors – Iran

• MuddyWater APT group is back with updated TTPs - Security Affairs

• Iran-Backed Charming Kitten APT Eyes Kinetic Ops, Kidnapping (darkreading.com)

• Not-so-Charming Kitten targets orgs for espionage and worse • The Register

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Vulnerability Management

• Transitive Dependencies Account for 95% of Bugs - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 24% of technology applications contain high-risk security flaws - Help Net Security

Vulnerabilities

• Hackers exploit critical Citrix ADC and Gateway zero day, patch now (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CISA Warns Veeam Backup & Replication Vulnerabilities Exploited in Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

• Adobe Patches 38 Flaws in Enterprise Software Products | SecurityWeek.Com

• VMware fixed critical VM Escape bug demonstrated at Geekpwn hacking contest - Security Affairs

• Samba Issues Security Updates to Patch Multiple High-Severity Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

• Fortinet says SSL-VPN pre-auth RCE bug is exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Transitive Dependencies Account for 95% of Bugs - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Citrix Releases Security Updates for Citrix ADC, Citrix Gateway | CISA

• Security Flaw in Atlassian Products Affecting Multiple Companies (darkreading.com)

• Serious Attacks Could Have Been Staged Through This Amazon ECR Public Gallery Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

• Patch Tuesday: 0-days, RCE bugs, and a curious tale of signed malware – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Patch Tuesday: Microsoft Plugs Windows Hole Exploited in Ransomware Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

• New Actively Exploited Zero-Day Vulnerability Discovered in Apple Products (thehackernews.com)

• Apple patches everything, finally reveals mystery of iOS 16.1.2 – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Apple fixed the tenth actively exploited zero-day this year - Security Affairs

• High-Severity Memory Safety Bugs Patched With Latest Chrome 108 Update | SecurityWeek.Com

• Top 5 Web App Vulnerabilities and How to Find Them (thehackernews.com)

• Microsoft Reclassifies SPNEGO Extended Negotiation Security Vulnerability as 'Critical' (thehackernews.com)

• Severe vulnerabilities found in most industrial controllers - The Washington Post

• Akamai WAF bypassed via Spring Boot to trigger RCE | The Daily Swig (portswigger.net)

Tools and Controls

• CISA Warns Veeam Backup & Replication Vulnerabilities Exploited in Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

• Why Your MSSP Should Offer Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) - MSSP Alert

• How My Startup Survived a DDoS Attack - Bannerbear

• Data Destruction Policies in the Age of Cloud Computing (darkreading.com)

• 8 Firewall Best Practices | Enterprise Networking Planet

• Zero Trust Shouldn’t Be The New Normal (darkreading.com)

Other News

• Cyber Threats Loom as 5B People Prepare to Watch World Cup Final (darkreading.com)

• Tech companies must start sharing intelligence to avert global conflicts | Financial Times (ft.com)

• Japan, Australia, to bolster cyber-defences • The Register

• Microsoft Defender, Avast, AVG turned against Windows to permanently delete files - Neowin

• Analysis Shows Attackers Favour PowerShell, File Obfuscation (darkreading.com)

• Automated Cyber campaign Creates Masses of Bogus Software Building Blocks (darkreading.com)

• 12 types of wireless network attacks and how to prevent them | TechTarget

• Windows: Still insecure after all these years | ZDNET

• FuboTV says World Cup streaming outage caused by a cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• MTTR “not a viable metric” for complex software system reliability and security | CSO Online

• Low-code/no-code security risks climb as tools gain traction | TechTarget

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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 Threat Briefing 28 October 2022

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

• ‘Biggest Cyber Risk Is Complacency, Not Hackers’ - UK Information Commissioner Issues Warning as Construction Company Fined £4.4 Million

The UK Information Commissioner has warned that companies are leaving themselves open to cyber attack by ignoring crucial measures like updating software and training staff.

The warning comes as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued a fine of £4,400,000 to Interserve Group Ltd, a Berkshire based construction company, for failing to keep personal information of its staff secure. This is a breach of data protection law.

The ICO found that the company failed to put appropriate security measures in place to prevent a cyber attack, which enabled hackers to access the personal data of up to 113,000 employees through a phishing email.

The compromised data included personal information such as contact details, national insurance numbers, and bank account details, as well as special category data including ethnic origin, religion, details of any disabilities, sexual orientation, and health information.

John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, said:

 “The biggest cyber risk businesses face is not from hackers outside of their company, but from complacency within their company. If your business doesn't regularly monitor for suspicious activity in its systems and fails to act on warnings, or doesn't update software and fails to provide training to staff, you can expect a similar fine from my office.

 “Leaving the door open to cyber attackers is never acceptable, especially when dealing with people’s most sensitive information. This data breach had the potential to cause real harm to Interserve’s staff, as it left them vulnerable to the possibility of identity theft and financial fraud.

 “Cyber attacks are a global concern, and businesses around the world need to take steps to guard against complacency. The ICO and NCSC already work together to offer advice and support to businesses, and this week I will be meeting with regulators from around the world, to work towards consistent international cyber guidance so that people’s data is protected wherever a company is based.”

https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2022/10/biggest-cyber-risk-is-complacency-not-hackers/

• Ransomware Threat Shifts from US to EMEA and APAC

The volume of ransomware detections in Q3 2022 was the lowest in two years, but certain geographical regions have become bigger targets as attacks on US organisations wane, according to SonicWall. The security vendor used its own threat detection network, including over one million security sensors in more than 200 countries, to reveal the current landscape.

The good news is that global malware volumes have remained flat for the past three quarters, amounting to a total of over four billion detections in the year to date. Of these, ransomware is also trending down after a record-breaking 2021. Even so, SonicWall detected 338 million compromise attempts in the first three quarters of the year.

Year-to-date ransomware attempts in 2022 have already exceeded the full-year totals from four of the past five years, the vendor claimed. While attacks on US organisations dipped by 51% year-on-year during the period, they increased significantly in the UK (20%), EMEA (38%) and APAC (56%).

The cyber-warfare battlefront continues to shift, posing dangerous threats to organisations of all sizes. With expanding attack surfaces, growing numbers of threats and the current geopolitical landscape, it should be no surprise that even the most seasoned IT professional can feel overwhelmed.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ransomware-threat-shifts-from-us/

• Phishing Attacks Increase by Over 31% In Third Quarter

Email security and threat detection company Vade has found that phishing emails in the third quarter this year increased by more than 31% quarter on quarter, with the number of emails containing malware in the first three quarters surpassing the 2021 level by 55.8 million.

Malware emails in the third quarter of 2022 alone increased by 217% compared to same period in 2021. Malware email volume peaked in July, reaching 19.2 million, before month-over-month declines in August and September, with numbers dropping to 16.8 million and 16.5 million respectively.

According to the report, email is the preferred attack vector for phishing and malware, as it gives hackers a direct channel to users, the weakest link in an organisation’s attack surface. The report analyses phishing and malware data captured by Vade, which does business internationally.

As attacks become more sophisticated, Vade said, they also become increasingly capable of evading the basic security offered by email providers, which almost eight in 10 businesses still rely on, according to Vade’s research.

While the activity of threat actors fluctuates, Vade’s research found that impersonating trusted and established brands remains the most popular strategy for hackers. In the third quarter of 2022, Facebook was the most impersonated brand for the second consecutive quarter, followed by Google, MTB, PayPal, and Microsoft.

The financial services sector remains the most impersonated industry, representing 32% of phishing emails detected by Vade, followed by cloud at 25%, social media at 22%, and internet/telco at 13%.

As phishing attacks increase, the techniques used by threat actors continue to evolve. While phishing campaigns were traditionally large scale and random, more recent campaigns seen by Vade suggest that hackers have pivoted to using more targeted campaigns.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3678311/phishing-attacks-increase-by-over-31-in-third-quarter-report.html#tk.rss_news

• UK Urged to Watch for Fraud as People Aim to Make Extra Cash in Cost of Living Crisis

Brits have been warned to “stay alert for fraud” as more people are out to make extra cash as the cost of living rises across the country.

UK Finance said that more than half (56%) of people admitted that they are likely to look for opportunities to make extra money in the coming months, which could leave some people more susceptible to fraud.

According to the trade association’s Take Five To Stop Fraud campaign, one in six, or 16%, of people said the rising cost of living means they are more likely to respond to an unprompted approach from someone offering an investment opportunity or a loan.

Young people were more likely to be at risk, the data suggested, which surveyed 2,000 people across the UK. More than a third (34%) of 18 to 34-year-olds said they are more likely to respond to an unprompted approach from someone, with three in 10 (30%) also more likely to provide their personal or financial details to secure the arrangement.

Overall, three in five people (60%) said they are concerned about falling victim to financial fraud or a scam. It comes as recent figures from UK Finance showed that £609.8m was lost due to fraud and scams in the first half of this year.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-watch-for-fraud-extra-cash-cost-of-living-crisis-230154352.html

• HR Departments Play a Key Role in Cyber Security

A common shortcoming of human resources (HR) departments is that — despite being an operation designed to put humans at the centre of how an organisation is run — they often fail to adequately align with their IT counterparts and the core technology systems that define how a business is run and protected from cyber-risk.

Insufficient coordination between HR and IT processes and procedures remains common and gives rise to security gaps that can represent some of the most dangerous vulnerabilities on a company's attack surface. Let's examine the scope of the challenge and some key cyber-asset management priorities that can close the schism for a more robust cyber security posture.

Gone are the days when HR's role in securing the enterprise relied on basic tutorials for employees about protecting passwords on company equipment. Today's threat environment intersects with the workforce in more ways than ever — from bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and authentication gaps to user vulnerabilities that make spear-phishing seem quaint. Traditional social engineering attacks are now being augmented by zero-click exploits that compromise employee devices without the user ever having to click a link or take any action at all.

Beyond malicious threats, even routine HR processes can introduce risk to the organisation when they're not adequately aligned with the IT processes in an organisation. As just one example, when an employee leaves a company, the offboarding goes far beyond just the exit interview to also include removing access to multiple enterprise systems, accounts, and devices — all of which require close coordination between HR and IT personnel and systems.

To better secure the enterprise, it's mission-critical to get HR and IT more united in a common and advanced understanding of cyber hygiene and risk mitigation. This relies on enhanced awareness of the impact that HR processes have on cyber assets in other parts of the organisation, as well as the HR role in access management for employees and contractors. This requires asset visibility that must be ongoing and in real time, since our roles, devices, and access to data and systems may change multiple times over the course of our employment.

https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/hr-departments-play-a-key-role-in-cybersecurity

• The Long-Term Psychological Effects of Ransomware Attacks

Northwave has conducted scientific research into the psychological effects of a ransomware crisis on both organisations and individuals. The findings reveal the deep marks that a ransomware crisis leaves on all those affected. It also shows how their IT and security teams can turn in disarray long after the crisis itself has passed.

The research reveals how the psychological impact of ransomware attacks can persist on people in affected organisations for a very long time. It shows that crisis team members may develop serious symptoms far later. Top management and HR need to take measures against this, in fact right from the very beginning of the crisis. They are the ones bearing responsibility for the well-being of their staff.

They also discovered how teams have fallen apart some time after the crisis, with members leaving or staying home on sick-leave. The study reveals that effects can linger throughout the organisation. All in all the investigation shows that this invisible impact of a cyber crisis is an issue for the general business management, and certainly also for HR.

Northwave regards the response to a cyber attack as occurring in three phases. First comes the actual crisis situation, which evolves into an incident phase after about a week. A plan of action is then in place, and recovery measures are launched. The fire has been largely extinguished after a month or so, with the first (basic) functionalities available again.

Full recovery can take one to two years. Each phase has its specific effects on the minds and bodies of those involved, and by extension, on the organisation or parts of it. “On average a company is down for three weeks following a malware attack,” notes Van der Beijl. “But it surprised us that the impact persists for so long afterwards. Psychological issues are still surfacing a year after the actual crisis.”

One of every seven employees involved in the attack, either directly or indirectly, exhibits severe enough symptoms several months later, at a level considered to be above the clinical threshold at which professional trauma treatment help is needed. One in five employees say they would actually have needed more professional help subsequently in coming to terms with the attack. One in three liked to have more knowledge and concrete tools to deal with the psychological effects of the attack.

A ransomware attack has enduring psychological effects on the way employees view the world. Two-thirds of employees, including those not actually involved in the attack, now believe the world is less safe. As one IT manager pointed out, “I’ve become far more suspicious. The outside world is a dangerous place.”

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/10/25/psychological-effects-ransomware/

• 7 Hidden Social Media Cyber Risks for Enterprises

Whether they use it to amplify the brand, recruit new employees, advertise new products, or even sell directly to consumers, corporate brands love social media.

According to recent figures, brand advertising on social media is up by 53% in the last year, and that's not accounting for further investments that brands are making in developing and distributing content. They're pushing viral videos, funny memes, podcasts, written material, and more to increase engagement with their customers.

And brands are doing it across not only the old reliable social networks like Facebook and Twitter, but also emerging platforms like TikTok. In fact, according to another recent study, in 2022 marketers are expanding their horizons, with their increased content investments focused on areas like live streaming, long-form and short-form video content, virtual reality and augmented reality content, experimental content, and live audio chat rooms. The top platforms they're focused on most for increasing spending are now TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

With the broadening of these social-media marketing strategies comes more risk. Whether an organisation uses social media to amplify its brand, or its executives and employees leverage social channels to bolster their professional and personal brands, these marketing platforms are a breeding ground for a wide range of cyber attacks and scams, including in the areas of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and biometrics.

Cyber criminals, fraudsters, spies, and activists work around the clock to take advantage of emerging attack surfaces that arise from enterprise use of social media. The article below presents just a few avenues that organisations may overlook when they double-down on their social media investments.

https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/7-hidden-social-media-cyber-risks-enterprises

• 54% of Staff Would Reconsider Working for a Firm That Had Experienced a Cyber Breach, Research Finds

Over half (54%) of office workers would reconsider working for a company that had recently experienced a cyber breach. That's according to a new study by cyber security technology provider, Encore.

An independent study of 100 C-level executives, 100 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and 500 office workers in the US and the UK, conducted by Censuswide, sought to uncover the gap that remains between boards and security teams when it comes to addressing cyber demands.

Only a third (33%) of staff said they would be "completely unphased" if their employer suffered a cyber break-in. The majority (57%) of C-level executives polled said they have been breached in the last 12 months alone. Most office workers, however, were unaware, with only 39% believing their organisation had been the victim of a successful attack.

The immediate financial cost of a cyber-attack remains the number one concern for businesses, but security teams are learning that there is a long tail to these breaches, with employees at risk of losing faith in their company, its ethics and values and its overarching responsibilities to the general public. In a competitive market, this is a stark warning to businesses across the world. Keeping your staff in the dark about cyber risk is a fundamental error, not to mention the additional impact of delayed disclosure to customers.

41% of C-level executives polled named reputational damage as one of the biggest costs to their business following a cyber-attack, with 34% agreeing that loss of clientele or their trust was a significant cost.

Despite many admitting to suffering a cyber breach in the last year, the overwhelming majority (92%) of CISOs and C-level executives polled believe their business is secure at any given moment. Encore believes that a mindset shift is needed at an organisational level, treating cyber incidents and the security of employee and customer data as a fundamental part of normal business operations, not a function that sits on the outside, looking in.

https://www.darkreading.com/careers-and-people/54-of-staff-would-reconsider-working-for-a-firm-that-had-experienced-a-cyber-breach-research-finds

• Evolve as Fast as the Cyber Criminals: Protect Your Business Now, Before It’s Too Late

According to the 2022 Cyber Threat Report, 2021 saw a global average increase of 105% in the number of ransomware attacks. Proofpoint's 2022 State of the Phish report said that a staggering 82% of UK businesses that experienced a ransomware attack sent payment to the cyber criminals – believing this was the cheapest and easiest way to regain access to their data. However, in many cases criminals simply took the payment without restoring access and the organisation finds itself on criminal target lists as it has demonstrated that attacks pay off. Even when decryption keys are handed over it can take an extended period of time to restore data.

One attack, on a hospital in Dusseldorf, Germany, was implicated in the death of a patient who had to be diverted to an alternative site as the A&E department had been forced to close due to the loss of core computer systems. It appears that the attack had been misdirected, and the hackers – who were quickly apprehended by the police – handed over the encryption keys immediately when they realised what had happened. Nevertheless, the decryption process was slow. It began in the early hours of September 11 and by September 20 the hospital was still unable to add or retrieve information, or even send emails. 30 servers had been corrupted.

The methods and techniques required to conduct a cyber-attack have never been more accessible. Whether it is on the darknet or through open-source content, the ability to purchase material that allows a malicious user to conduct a cyber-attack is readily available. Conducting a ransomware attack and using it to extort money from companies and government services alike, is now viewed as a viable business model by organised criminals.

https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2022/10/28/evolve-as-fast-as-the-cybercriminals-protect-your-business-now-before-its-too-late/

• Enterprise Ransomware Preparedness Improving but Still Lacking

The majority of organisations have made ransomware preparedness a top-five business priority, yet only half believe their preparedness is stronger than it was two years ago. That is according to a recent survey, "The Long Road Ahead to Ransomware Preparedness" by Enterprise Strategy Group, a division of TechTarget.

Despite warnings and available preparedness resources, ransomware continues to distress companies. Seventy-nine percent of survey respondents said they suffered a successful attack within the last year, and 73% reported they had one or more attacks that caused negative financial impact or disrupted business operations in the same time period.

The good news is the board and the C-suite are finally getting the message that more needs to be done to address impending ransomware attempts. In fact, 79% of respondents said business leaders made ransomware preparedness a top business priority, and 82% of organisations plan to invest more in ransomware preparedness over the next 12 to 18 months.

With preparedness investments expected to grow, the survey asked how organisations currently tackle ransomware. Respondents said the most important prevention tactics involve efforts in the following:

• network security (43%)

• backup infrastructure security (40%)

• endpoint security (39%)

• email security (36%)

• data encryption (36%)

Ongoing activities cited included data recovery testing, employee security awareness training, response readiness assessments, incident response functional exercises, penetration testing, incident planning and playbook development, phishing simulation programs, tabletop exercises, and blue/red/purple team engagements.

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Enterprise-ransomware-preparedness-improving-but-still-lacking

• Why Are There So Many Data Breaches? A Growing Industry of Criminals is Brokering in Stolen Data

New details have emerged on the severity of the Australian Medibank hack, which has now affected all users. Optus, Medibank, Woolworths, and, last Friday, electricity provider Energy Australia are all now among the Australian household names that have fallen victim to a data breach.

If it seems like barely a week goes by without news of another incident like this, you would be right. Cyber crime is on the rise – seven major Australian businesses were affected by data breaches in the past month alone.

But why now? And who is responsible for this latest wave of cyber attacks?

In large part, the increasing number of data breaches is being driven by the growth of a global illicit industry that trades in your data. In particular, hackers known as “initial access brokers” specialise in illegally gaining access to victim networks and then selling this access to other cyber criminals.

Hackers and initial access brokers are just one part of a complex and diversifying cyber crime ecosystem. This ecosystem contains various cyber criminal groups who increasingly specialise in one particular aspect of online crime and then work together to carry out the attacks.

Ransomware attacks are complex, involving up to nine different stages. These include gaining access to a victim’s network, stealing data, encrypting a victim’s network, and issuing a ransom demand. Increasingly, these attacks are carried out not by lone cyber criminal groups, but rather by networks of different cyber crime groups, each of which specialises in a different stage of the attack.

Initial access brokers will often carry out the first stage of a ransomware attack. Described by Google’s Threat Analysis Group as “the opportunistic locksmiths of the security world”, it’s their job to gain access to a victim’s network.

https://theconversation.com/why-are-there-so-many-data-breaches-a-growing-industry-of-criminals-is-brokering-in-stolen-data-193015

• How The "pizza123" Password Could Take Down an Organisation

Criminal hackers took responsibility for a recent FastCompany breach, saying they exploited an easily guessed default password, "pizza123." The business magazine reused the weak password across a dozen WordPress accounts, according to the hackers, who described the attack in their own article on FastCompany.com before the publication took the site down.

The breach, the bitter taste of pizza123, and the plight of malicious push notifications, demand caution when selecting and managing passwords.

The hackers claimed to have used the vulnerable password pizza123 to access authentication tokens, Apple News API keys, and Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) tokens. Then they sent offensive push notifications to the home screens of subscribers of the FastCompany channel on the Apple News service.

After decades of investment in sculpting the organisation's brand image, a business can watch its reputation flounder in the face of an obscene push notification. The sentiment of millions of faithful customers can turn sour in an instant. By the time organisations block the messages and make public apologies, the harm is done.

Customers can swap to a competitor, or even sue for the offence when they have entrusted a publisher to provide safe content. Regulatory bodies can fine organisations. The company can spend time and money defending itself in court and restoring its image. But malicious push notifications can do a lot worse than offend customers—criminal hackers can load messages with malware and infect consumer devices, leading to privacy violations and consumer financial fraud.

People often build passwords using the first word that comes to mind and a brief series of numbers. Pizza123 is a perfect example of an easy-to-guess password. Employees will create passwords already appearing on breached password lists. Criminal hackers use brute force attacks to confirm working passwords from the same lists.

Nearly two-thirds of employees reuse their passwords. The more they reuse them across business and personal accounts, the more likely criminal hackers will breach them and test them on the organisation. Hackers know to try the same passwords on different companies they hack because of password reuse.

Robust password management enables fine-grained password policies and policy customisation. With a custom password policy, organisations can increase complexity requirements, like length and previous-password change minimums. A custom password policy with increased complexity requirements will block 95% of weak and breached passwords.

Password length is a particularly critical component of strong passwords. Ninety-three percent of the passwords used in brute force attacks include eight or more characters. A custom password policy can require a minimum password length, decreasing password entropy.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/how-the-pizza123-password-could-take-down-an-organization/

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Threats

Ransomware and Extortion

• SonicWall: Ransomware down this year, but there’s a catch • The Register

• Medibank cyber-attack: should the health insurer pay a ransom for its customers’ data? | Health | The Guardian

• Health insurer Medibank's infosec diagnosis is getting worse • The Register

• Microsoft links Raspberry Robin worm to Clop ransomware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How to detect Windows worm that now distributes ransomware • The Register

• Ransomware Barrage Aimed at US Healthcare Sector, Feds Warn (darkreading.com)

• BlackByte ransomware affiliate also steals victims' data • The Register

• Cuba ransomware affiliate targets Ukraine, CERT-UA warns - Security Affairs

• OldGremlin Ransomware Fierce Comeback Against Russian Targets (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• CISA warns of ransomware attacks on healthcare providers (techtarget.com)

• Industrial Ransomware Attacks: New Groups Emerge, Manufacturing Pays Highest Ransom | SecurityWeek.Com

• Ransom Cartel - REvil Rebrand? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Addressing Ransomware in Hospitals & Medical Devices (trendmicro.com)

• Australian Clinical Labs says patient data stolen in ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Vice Society Hackers Confess To Education Sector Ransomware Attacks (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Why Ransomware in Education on the Rise and What That Means for 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• Largest EU copper producer Aurubis suffers cyber attack, IT outage (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hive Ransomware Hackers Begin Leaking Data Stolen from Tata Power Energy Company (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware Gangs Ramp Up Industrial Attacks in US (darkreading.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• DHL Replaces LinkedIn As Most Imitated Brand in Phishing Attempts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Other Social Engineering; Smishing, Vishing, etc

• Social engineering attacks anybody could fall victim to - Help Net Security

• Twilio Says Employees Targeted in Separate Smishing, Vishing Attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

Malware

• Threat Groups Repurpose Banking Trojans into Backdoors (darkreading.com)

• Types of cloud malware and how to defend against them (techtarget.com)

• Cranefly Hackers Use Stealthy Techniques to Deliver and Control Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Thousands Of Fake PoC Exploits In GitHub Repositories Deliver Malware – (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Chrome extensions with 1 million installs hijack targets’ browsers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers use Microsoft IIS web server logs to control malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Mobile

• Apple Releases Patch for New Actively Exploited iOS and iPadOS Zero-Day Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

• These Dropper Apps On Play Store Targeting Over 200 Banking and Cryptocurrency Wallets (thehackernews.com)

• Android Hacking Warning As Criminals Target TikTok And PayPal For (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• IoT Fingerprinting Helps Authenticate and Secure All Those Devices (darkreading.com)

• IoT security strategy from enterprises using connected devices | Network World

• Security by design vital to protecting IoT, smart cities around the world, says CEO of UK NCSC | CSO Online

• Your CCTV devices can be hacked and weaponized - Help Net Security

• Critical Flaws in Abode Home Security Kit Allow Hackers to Hijack, Disable Cameras | SecurityWeek.Com

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Thomson Reuters leaked at least 3TB of sensitive data | Cybernews

• See Tickets discloses 2.5 years-long credit card theft breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Twilio discloses another hack from June, blames voice phishing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Seven months after it found out, FamilySearch tells users their personal data has been breached • Graham Cluley

• Bed Bath & Beyond reviewing possible data breach | Reuters

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Ukrainian charged for operating Raccoon Stealer malware service (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Interpol says metaverse opens up new world of cyber crime | Reuters

• From Bounty to Exploit Observations About Cyber criminal Contests (trendmicro.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Researchers uncover cryptojacking campaign targeting Docker, Kubernetes cloud servers | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Purpleurchin: Cryptocurrency miners scour GitHub, Heroku • The Register

• Cryptomining campaign abused free GitHub account trials (techtarget.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• New York Post hacked? No, the culprit is an employee - Security Affairs

Fraud, Scams & Financial Crime

• UK Anti-fraud Efforts Failing (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Dealers Report Dramatic Increase in Identity Fraud: Most Lack Effective Protection (darkreading.com)

• Economic strife fuels cyber anxiety - Help Net Security

• LinkedIn Releases New Security Features To Combat Fraud (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Beware Of SCAMS As Cost Of Living Bites Finances, Expert Comments (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Insurance

• Health insurer Medibank's infosec diagnosis is getting worse • The Register

• Cyber Insurance Market 2022: FAQs & Updates with iBynd (trendmicro.com)

Dark Web

• Notorious ‘BestBuy’ hacker arraigned for running dark web market (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Student arrested for running one of Germany’s largest dark web markets (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Dark Web Forum Busts Come Days Apart (darkreading.com)

• British hacker arraigned for running The Real Deal dark web marketplace - Security Affairs

Software Supply Chain

• Supply Chain Attacks Or Vulnerabilities Experienced By 80% Of Organisations (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• How the Software Supply Chain Security is Threatened by Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Open Source Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg in Software Supply Chain Security (darkreading.com)

• Consumer behaviours are the root of open source risk - Help Net Security

Denial of Service DoS/DDoS

• Key observations on DDoS attacks in H1 2022 - Help Net Security

• Meet the Windows servers that have been fuelling massive DDoSes for months | Ars Technica

Cloud/SaaS

• Everything you Need to Know about Cloud Hacking and its Methodologies (analyticsinsight.net)

• It’s time to prioritize SaaS security | InfoWorld

• Top Cloud Security Challenges & How to Beat Them (trendmicro.com)

• Atlassian Vulnerabilities Highlight Criticality of Cloud Services (darkreading.com)

• Threat Actors Target AWS EC2 Workloads to Steal Credentials (trendmicro.com)

• Cloud and Hybrid Working Security Concerns Surge - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 4 Reasons Open Source Matters for Cloud Security (darkreading.com)

• Cloud Providers Throw Their Weight Behind Confidential Computing (darkreading.com)

Hybrid Working

• Balancing remote work privacy vs. productivity monitoring (techtarget.com)

• Cloud and Hybrid Working Security Concerns Surge - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Attack Surface Management

• Attack Surface Management 2022 Midyear Review Part 2 (trendmicro.com)

• Asset risk management: Getting the basics right - Help Net Security

Encryption

• New Critical Vuln In Component That Allow Encryption Across Internet - (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Can a new form of cryptography solve the internet’s privacy problem? | Data protection | The Guardian

API

• Thousands Of Publicly Exposed API Tokens Could Threaten Software Integrity (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Key API Security Principles And How To Implement Them (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Open Source

• Open Source Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg in Software Supply Chain Security (darkreading.com)

• 4 Reasons Open Source Matters for Cloud Security (darkreading.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Why it's time to expire mandatory password expiration policies (techtarget.com)

• Feds say Ukrainian man running malware service amassed 50M unique credentials | Ars Technica

Biometrics

• ICO Warns of "Immature" Biometric Tech - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Social Media

• LinkedIn Phishing Spoof Bypasses Google Workspace Security (darkreading.com)

• LinkedIn's new security features combat fake profiles, threat actors (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber security event cancelled after scammers disrupt LinkedIn live chat (bitdefender.com)

• Expert Opinion: What Does Musk's Takeover Mean For Cyber security? (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• Cyber attackers Target Instagram Users With Threats of Copyright Infringement (darkreading.com)

Cyber Bullying, Cyber Stalking and Sextortion

• Ex-cop abused police tool in Snapshot sextortion plot that stole sexually explicit photos and videos (bitdefender.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• UK Construction Biz Fined £4.4m for Serious Security Failings - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Australia Flags New Corporate Penalties for Privacy Breaches | SecurityWeek.Com

Data Protection

• What consumers expect from organisations that handle their personal data - Help Net Security

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Criminals are starting to exploit the metaverse, says Interpol. So police are heading there too | ZDNET

Spyware, Cyber Espionage & Cyber Warfare, including Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Ukraine: Russian cyber attacks aimless and opportunistic (techtarget.com)

• Unknown Actors are Deploying RomCom RAT to Target Ukrainian Military (thehackernews.com)

• Slovak, Polish Parliaments Hit by Cyber attacks | SecurityWeek.Com

• Norway arrests man accused of being Russian spy - BBC News

• Cuba ransomware affiliate targets Ukraine, CERT-UA warns - Security Affairs

• Ukraine Warns of Cuba Ransomware Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Nation State Actors

Nation State Actors – Russia

• Russia says Starlink satellites could become military target • The Register

• Calls for inquiry mount after reports that Truss’s phone was hacked | Financial Times

• OldGremlin Ransomware Fierce Comeback Against Russian Targets (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

Nation State Actors – China

• Chinese spy duo charged in Huawei case as US condemns ‘egregious’ interference | China | The Guardian

• Chinese Connected Cyber Crew Unleashes Disinformation Campaign Ahead of US Elections - MSSP Alert

• Federal bans don't stop US states from buying Chinese kit • The Register

• Chinese Spies Indicted for Coercing Nationals Living in US to Return as Agents of the PRC - MSSP Alert

Nation State Actors – North Korea

• Kimsuky Hackers Spotted Using 3 New Android Malware to Target South Koreans (thehackernews.com)

Nation State Actors – Iran

• Iranian government blames 'foreign country' for hack-and-leak of nuclear information - CyberScoop

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Vulnerability Management

• Outpost24: How Pentesting-as-a-Service finds vulnerabilities before they're exploited (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Protecting organisations by understanding end-of-life software risks - Help Net Security

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Vulnerabilities

• OpenSSL to fix the second critical flaw ever - Security Affairs

• Urgent: Google Issues Emergency Patch for Chrome Zero-Day (darkreading.com)

• Multiple RCE Vulnerabilities Discovered in Veeam Backup & Replication App - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ConnectWise fixes RCE bug exposing thousands of servers to attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical authentication bug in Fortinet products actively exploited in the wild | The Daily Swig (portswigger.net)

• Apple megaupdate: Ventura out, iOS and iPad kernel zero-day – act now! – Naked Security (sophos.com)

• Windows Mark of the Web Zero-Days Remain Patchless, Under Exploit (darkreading.com)

• 22-Year-Old Vulnerability Reported in Widely Used SQLite Database Library (thehackernews.com)

• Cisco warns admins to patch AnyConnect flaws exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Exploit released for critical VMware RCE vulnerability, patch now (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cisco Confirms In-the-Wild Exploitation of Two VPN Vulnerabilities | SecurityWeek.Com

• Incoming OpenSSL critical fix: Organisations, users, get ready! - Help Net Security

• Cisco Users Informed of Vulnerabilities in Identity Services Engine | SecurityWeek.Com

• VMware fixes critical RCE in VMware Cloud Foundation - Security Affairs

• VMware Patches Critical Vulnerability in End-of-Life Product | SecurityWeek.Com

• Multiple vulnerabilities affect the Juniper Junos OS - Security Affairs

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Q3 2022 Phishing and Malware Report: Phishing Volumes Increase 31% (vadesecure.com)

• Attack Surface Management 2022 Midyear Review Part 2 (trendmicro.com)

• Justice response inadequate to meet scale of fraud epidemic - Committees - UK Parliament

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Other News

• Cyber Security Risks & Stats This Spooky Season (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Certification Skills Are For Life, Not Just For Linkedin (informationsecuritybuzz.com)

• 8 hallmarks of a proactive security strategy | CSO Online

• Implementing Defence in Depth to Prevent and Mitigate Cyber Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber security’s importance and impact reaches all levels of the tech workforce - Help Net Security

• Stress Is Driving Cyber Security Professionals to Rethink Roles (darkreading.com)

• Equifax's Lessons Are Still Relevant, 5 Years Later (darkreading.com)

• Why dark data is a growing danger for corporations - Help Net Security

• Know the dangers you're facing: 4 notable TTPs used by cyber criminals worldwide - 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.

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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.