Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 23 February 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

Despite Recent NCA and FBI Disruptions, a Rise in Ransomware Means 2024 Will be a Volatile Year for Cyber Security

There has been a lot of high profile coverage this week of the infamous and prolific LockBit gang’s infrastructure having been seized by law enforcement following an international Police operation led by the UK’s National Crime Agency. Whilst the international operation shows the seriousness of the matter, and the success of the operation should be celebrated, those celebrations should be muted and organisations should not become lax. Like the Hydra of Greek mythology, when one head disappears, a few more appear in its place. Ransomware really is a case of if, not when, and your organisation needs to be prepared.

Further, a recent threat report has found that the median ransom demand rose by 20% year on year, hitting an average of $600,000 and it is expected that 2024 will be even more volatile. Ransomware groups are expanding their target lists and exploring new pressure tactics in response to increasingly effective law enforcement efforts, and this is coupled with the increasing regulatory impact on organisations.

Sources: [Sky News] [GOV Infosecurity] [Bleeping Computer] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Cyber Reason]

The Old, Not the New: Basic Security Issues Still the Biggest Threat to Enterprises

In the latest IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, it was revealed that basic security issues remain the most significant threat to enterprises. Cyber criminals are increasingly turning to credential stuffing, using and exploiting valid accounts harvested from the darkweb and previous breaches, with a 266% uptick in info-stealing malware. This tactic is harder to detect and elicits a costly response from enterprises. On the other hand, it is also important to adopt an attacker mindset for effective security. Understanding the attacker’s tools, motives, and efforts can help in limiting access, compartmentalising the impact of any successful attack, and minimising the time to attack detection. In essence, while organisations continue to grapple with complex cyber threats, the biggest security problem boils down to the basic and the already known. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on strengthening basic security measures and thinking like an attacker to proactively mitigate the risk for a more secure attack surface.

Source: [Help Net Security] [Forbes]

Reevaluating Your Cyber Security Priorities

Both technology and cyber criminals are evolving, yet many companies and organisations are not. For many corporate leaders, they may not know where to begin. Organisations looking to evolve their cyber security posture should look to elevate cyber to the C-suite and board, conduct audits of their sensitive information, create or update and test their incident response plan and finally, revisit their cyber hygiene training to ensure it is doing more than just ticking boxes. Organisations doing the above will find themselves improving their cyber security posture, and mitigating their risk to threats.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Cyber Threat Environment at its Most Dangerous for SMBs, as Geopolitical Tenison, Extortion and Attacks Present Biggest Risks

A new study has found that extortion campaigns, geopolitical threats, and attacks on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are amongst the greatest threats to cyber security defences currently. The report, conducted by Mimecast, highlights how individual ransom groups have claimed over 1,000 victims and over $300 million in payments. Regarding SMBs, the report found that these businesses encountered twice the normal number of threats, at over 30 threats per user, as compared to larger companies who saw approximately 15. Not only are SMBs at more risk, but they also do not have the same resources a large company would have to mitigate such threats. SMBs must be efficient in the way they prioritise and address their cyber risk as part of their larger risk management strategy.

Sources: [Emerging Risks] [The HR Director]

Legal Sector Grows as a Target, with Cyber Attacks on Law Firms Surging by Over a Third

A new report has found that the number of reported cyber breaches on UK law firms has increased 30% from the previous year, as attackers increasingly target the profession. As a note, this does not include firms who may be unaware that they have been breached. Law firms are an attractive target to attackers due to the sensitive information such as M&A activity, divorce information and big ticket litigation; many attackers believe that law firms will pay handsomely to have this data back.

Sources: [Emerging Risks] [Legal Cheek]

It’s Not Only Ransomware Seeing Huge Rises: Business Email Compromise (BEC) Attacks are Also Seeing a Huge Rise. Is Your Business Prepared?

A recent report found that business email compromise (BEC) saw a staggering increase of 10 time the amount compared to the previous year. BEC involves a genuine business email account being compromised by a threat actor; this could be your supplier, a client, or anyone you have legitimate contact with. With such an increase, organisations must consider if they would be able to spot and mitigate BEC in their corporate environment through robust operational controls such as callback procedures for example. Due to the rise in deep fake fraud with voice cloning and video, the efficacy of traditional safeguards such as callbacks are not providing the assurance they once did. Firms and employees need to be on their guard to these changing tactics to safeguard the business.

Source: [TechRadar]

Deepfake Phishing Grew by 3,000% in 2023, and it’s Just the Beginning

Phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber security threats, and with the emergence of artificial intelligence it is only going to carry on getting worse. According to a recent report, the number of deepfake fraud attempts rose by 3,000%. In one instance, the CEO of an energy enterprise sent €220,000 to a supplier after getting a call from the parent company’s leader requesting the exchange; the call was a deepfake.

Source: [HackerNoon]

Cyber Attacks are Getting Faster, More Common and More Successful, Although Detection is More Advanced Than Ever. New Report Signals the Threats to Businesses, Supply Chains, and Democracy

A recent report from CrowdStrike sheds light on the increasing speed and sophistication of cyber attacks. Breakout times have plummeted to an average of 62 minutes, with a record time of just two minutes and seven seconds observed. Hackers are now targeting the cloud, exploiting its vulnerabilities and leveraging AI assistance to escalate attacks. The human factor remains a primary entry point for threat actors, with social engineering and phishing campaigns on the rise. As organisations transition to the cloud, threat actors follow suit, with cloud intrusions soaring by 75%. CrowdStrike warns of state-sponsored adversaries targeting critical elections, emphasising the need for a platform-based approach bolstered by threat intelligence to safeguard against evolving threats.

Source: [TechRadar]

Report Finds Malicious Emails Bypassing Secure Email Gateways Rose by 105%

A report by Cofense has found a 105% increase in malicious emails that successfully bypassed Secure Email Gateways (SEGs), with approximately one malicious email navigating their way past SEGs every 57 seconds. The report suggests that phishing efforts are outpacing that of SEGs, and such phishing efforts are responsible for 90% of data breaches. Whilst SEGs may be filtering out a number of malicious emails, they, like everything in cyber security, are not a silver bullet. Organisations should not fall foul of believing that they are impenetrable because they have a SEG.

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

Rising Cyber Threats Identified as Major Business Risk for 2024

In the latest Allianz risk barometer, cyber incidents have been identified as the most significant concern for companies globally in 2024. This is particularly true for remote desktop connections, which have become a prime target for cyber attacks since the shift to a work-from-home environment. The report also highlights that the risk landscape is being shaped by digitalisation, climate change, and geopolitical uncertainties. Meanwhile, a report from Coalition reveals that the cyber attack surface has expanded due to new ways of working. The report found that smaller businesses often lack the resources to prepare for a wide range of risk scenarios, which can lead to longer recovery times after an unexpected incident. These findings underscore the importance of robust cyber security measures and the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of an organisation’s digital defences.

Sources: [Reinsurance News] [Allianz]

Huge Cyber Security Leak Lifts the Lid on China’s Hackers for Hire

A huge leak of data from a Chinese cyber security firm, iSoon, has revealed state security agents paying tens of thousands of pounds to harvest data on targets, including the likes of foreign governments, and the leak shows this has been going on for years. Since the release, CrowdStrike has drawn overlaps between the firm and multiple known Chinese threat actors who are well resourced and conduct attacks over an extended period (referred to as advanced persistent threats, APTs). Among some of the 500 leaked documents are product manuals, lists of clients and employees, and WeChat instant messages. The leaks show over 14 governments have been attacked, as well as gambling and telecommunications companies.

Sources: [Dark Reading] [The Guardian]

Fifth of British Kids Have Broken the Law Online

In a recent study by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), one in five children aged 10 to 16 have engaged in online offences with the figure rising to 25% among online gamers. These "low-level" cyber crimes, such as attempting to access protected servers or launching distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, may not be perceived by young individuals as violating the Computer Misuse Act. The consequences, however, are severe, including potential arrest, criminal records, and restrictions on future opportunities. The NCA stresses the importance of educating both children and adults about the legal and ethical implications of such actions, highlighting the transition from minor offences to more serious cyber crimes. With a significant shortage of cyber security professionals globally, fostering positive digital skills among young individuals is crucial for meeting industry demands and deterring cyber crime. Parents, teachers, and children are encouraged to explore resources provided by the NCA's Cyber Choices website to prevent inadvertent involvement in illegal online activities.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Over 40% of Firms Struggle with Cyber Security Talent Shortage

A recent report from Kaspersky has unveiled a critical global challenge: over 40% of companies are struggling to fill essential cyber security roles, with information security research and malware analysis roles particularly affected. This scarcity is felt most acutely in Europe and Latin America. Roles within security operations centres (SOCs) and network security are also understaffed, with figures around 35% and 33% respectively. The government sector faces the most significant demand for cyber security experts, followed closely by the telecoms and media sectors. While efforts like offering competitive salaries and enhanced training are underway, the gap persists due to the rapid pace of technological advancement outstripping educational initiatives. The report emphasises the need for innovative solutions to bridge this shortfall, highlighting recruitment, training, and technological advancements as key components of a comprehensive strategy to bolster cyber security resilience in the face of evolving threats.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber attacks are getting faster, more common and more successful, even though detection is more advanced than ever | TechRadar

• 7 Ways Companies’ Cyber Related Governance Disclosures Will Evolve Post-SEC Rule Change (harvard.edu)

• Cyber security professionals admit “knowledge gaps” have led to serious security blunders | ITPro

• The old, not the new: Basic security issues still biggest threat to enterprises - Help Net Security

• Cyber threat environment more dangerous then ever - Mimecast (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Over two-thirds of IT security decision-makers report an increase in cyber security budgets for 2024 | IT Reseller Magazine (itrportal.com)

• Geopolitical tension, extortion and attacks present biggest cyber security risks | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)

• 2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report: From Breakout to Breach in Under Three Minutes; Cloud Infrastructure Under Attack | Business Wire

• Gartner: Three top trends in cyber security for 2024 | Computer Weekly

• Barracuda report highlights rise of high-risk business security threats in 2023 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Coalition report reveals rising cyber threats amidst business vulnerabilities - Reinsurance News

• Over 40% of Firms Struggle With Cyber Security Talent Shortage - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Thinking Like An Attacker—Another Look At Enterprise Security (forbes.com)

• Hackers using stolen credentials to launch attacks as info-stealing peaks | CSO Online

• The evolution of the CISO - Compare the Cloud

• How CISOs Balance Business Growth, Security in Cyber Threat Landscape (darkreading.com)

• Allianz Risk Barometer: Identifying the major business risks for 2024

• How to mitigate C-Suite cyber risks | Professional Security

• Why cyber security can boost organisational innovation | TechRadar

• 4 Key Steps to Reevaluate Your Cyber Security Priorities (darkreading.com)

• Cyber security success -- elevate your defence against cyber threats (betanews.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransom demands surge by 20% in 2023, hitting key industries hardest - SiliconANGLE

• Police arrests LockBit ransomware members, release decryptor in global crackdown (bleepingcomputer.com)

• LockBit takedown is a “huge win for law enforcement”, but let’s not celebrate too soon, security experts warn | ITPro

• LockBit Attempts to Stay Afloat with a New Version (trendmicro.com)

• LockBit registered nearly 200 "affiliates" over the past two years | TechRadar

• 2024 will be a volatile year for cyber security as ransomware groups evolve - Help Net Security

• Ransomware Experts See Problems With Banning Ransom Payments (govinfosecurity.com)

• Initial Ransomware Demands Jump 20% to $600,000 in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Ransomware: True Cost to Business 2024 (cybereason.com)

• Ransomware and BEC are seeing a huge rise — is your business ready? | TechRadar

• ConnectWise exploit could spur ‘ransomware free-for-all,’ expert warns | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 3 trends set to drive cyber attacks and ransomware in 2024 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Year-over-year, the median initial ransom has risen by 20% | Security Magazine

• Alpha ransomware linked to NetWalker operation dismantled in 2021 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Why are ransomware gangs making so much money? | TechCrunch

• Akira Ransomware Exploiting Cisco Anyconnect Vulnerability (gbhackers.com)

• Knight ransomware source code for sale after leak site shuts down (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Exclusive: eSentire Confirms Rhysida Ransomware Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Stuck in cyber attack nightmare? Call the negotiators (techxplore.com)

• Why some cyber attacks hit harder than others - BBC News

• Report: Manufacturing bears the brunt of industrial ransomware | CyberScoop

Ransomware Victims

• eSentire Confirms Rhysida Ransomware Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Why some cyber attacks hit harder than others - BBC News

• ALPHV ransomware claims loanDepot, Prudential Financial breaches (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cactus ransomware gang claims the theft of 1.5TB of data from Energy management and industrial automation firm Schneider Electric (securityaffairs.com)

• Dead Man's Fingers maker cuts over 500 jobs and enters the red after cyber attack hits sales (cityam.com)

• 147 ransomware attacks on large Dutch companies, institutions last year; 18% paid ransom | NL Times

• Pharmacy Delays Across US Blamed on Nation-State Hackers (darkreading.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• New report warns of ongoing rise of malicious emails bypassing secure email gateways - SiliconANGLE

• Secure email gateways struggle to keep pace with sophisticated phishing campaigns - Help Net Security

• The phishing bait you're most likely to take (betanews.com)

• Deepfake Phishing Grew by 3,000% in 2023 — And It's Just Beginning | HackerNoon

• SMBs at Risk From SendGrid-Focused Phishing Tactics - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Other Social Engineering

• What ‘psychological warfare’ tactics do scammers use, and how can you protect yourself? (theconversation.com)

• North Koreans using ChatGPT to scam LinkedIn users; "attacks are getting very sophisticated" - MSPoweruser

• What Is Social Engineering? Types Of Attacks To Beware Of (forbes.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• AI models can be weaponized to hack websites on their own • The Register

• North Koreans using ChatGPT to scam LinkedIn users; "attacks are getting very sophisticated" - MSPoweruser

• Deepfake Phishing Grew by 3,000% in 2023 — And It's Just Beginning | HackerNoon

• Generative AI and elections are key focus for hackers in 2024, report warns | Evening Standard

• As adversaries harness AI, tech firms peer through chat logs to catch them - Defense One

• Here Comes the Flood of AI-Generated Clickbait | WIRED

• Air Canada Has to Honor a Refund Policy Its Chatbot Made Up | WIRED

• 36% of code generated by GitHub CoPilot contains security flaws - Help Net Security

• Employees input sensitive data into generative AI tools despite the risks | ZDNET

• Ransomware Declines as InfoStealers and AI Threats Gain Ground: IBM X-Force - SecurityWeek

• Gartner: Three top trends in cyber security for 2024 | Computer Weekly

• Global AI Regulatory Update - Lexology

Malware

• PDF Malware on the Rise, Used to Spread WikiLoader, Ursnif and DarkGat - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• FBI's Most-Wanted Zeus and IcedID Malware Mastermind Pleads Guilty (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian Hackers Target Middle East Policy Experts with New BASICSTAR Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• VIPRE report predicts 276% rise in malware in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Anatsa Android malware downloaded 150,000 times via Google Play (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 'Lucifer' Botnet Turns Up the Heat on Apache Hadoop Servers (darkreading.com)

• What are Botnets and Why are MSSPs So Concerned? | MSSP Alert

• New SSH-Snake malware steals SSH keys to spread across the network (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware Declines as InfoStealers and AI Threats Gain Ground: IBM X-Force - SecurityWeek

• Your Mac Is Not Virus Proof. It Never Has Been. (gizmodo.com)

• Click: Your innocent mouse could be a cyber criminal's silent weapon - Digital Journal

• Vibrator virus steals your personal information | Malwarebytes

Mobile

• Meta Warns of 8 Spyware Firms Targeting iOS, Android, and Windows Devices (thehackernews.com)

• New Wave of 'Anatsa' Banking Trojans Targets Android Users in Europe (darkreading.com)

• Your fingerprints can be recreated from the sounds made when you swipe on a touchscreen — Chinese and US researchers show new side channel can reproduce fingerprints to enable attacks | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• VoltSchemer attacks use wireless chargers to inject voice commands, fry phones (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities Expose Android and Linux Devices to Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Zero-Click Apple Shortcuts Vulnerability Allows Silent Data Theft (darkreading.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Cyber attacks in Malta, Hungary, Ukraine, Bosnia are a 'wake-up call', IPI warns (timesofmalta.com)

• Average DDoS attack cost businesses £325,000 in 2023, according to new Zayo data | IT Reseller Magazine (itrportal.com)

• Top UK Universities Recovering Following Targeted DDoS Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• 'Anywhere there's a camera, now there's a risk': Billions of users at risk of Peeping Toms — scientists devise incredibly simple eavesdropping system costing only a few hundred dollars | TechRadar

• Wyze camera glitch gave 13,000 users a peek into other homes (bleepingcomputer.com)

• As Cyber attacks Ramp Up, Electric Vehicles Are Vulnerable (autoweek.com)

• Wi-Fi jamming to knock out cameras suspected in nine Minnesota burglaries -- smart security systems vulnerable as tech becomes cheaper and easier to acquire | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Is new technology making cars less secure? - Verdict

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Bank of America Suffers Massive Data Breach, Exposing Social Security Numbers, Addresses and Additional Sensitive Data To Hackers - The Daily Hodl

• Infosys subsidiary named as source of Bank of America leak • The Register

• Why Data Breaches Spiked in 2023 (hbr.org)

• Massive Cloud Database Leak Exposes 380 Million Records (hackread.com)

• UK council's sneaky insider steals 79k email addresses • The Register

• Eye Care Services Firm Faces Lawsuit Over Data Breach Impacting 2.3 Million - SecurityWeek

Cyber Crime General & Criminal Actors

• Fifth of British Kids Have Broken the Law Online - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Despite Knowing Risks, Brits Continue to Expose Themselves to Cyber Criminals Finds IDnow | The Fintech Times

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Cyber Criminals Are Employing New Tactics To Launder Money, Warns Report - Benzinga

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• UK council's sneaky insider steals 79k email addresses • The Register

Insurance

• Personal cyber insurance nascent but growing in demand as digital crimes increase - Victoria Times Colonist

• Insurers Use Claims Data to Recommend Cyber Security Technologies (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Insurance Needs to Evolve to Ensure Greater Benefit (darkreading.com)

• What is Cyber Insurance and Does Your Small Business Need It? (smallbiztrends.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Infosys subsidiary named as source of Bank of America leak • The Register

• North Korean hackers linked to defence sector supply-chain attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• 2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report: From Breakout to Breach in Under Three Minutes; Cloud Infrastructure Under Attack | Business Wire

• Cyber security report reveals 75% spike in cloud attacks (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Cyber security fears drive a return to on-premise infrastructure from cloud computing - Help Net Security

• Massive Cloud Database Leak Exposes 380 Million Records (hackread.com)

• How Nation-State Actors Target Your Business: New Research Exposes Major SaaS Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber attacks follow businesses to the cloud (betanews.com)

• Six steps for stronger cloud security | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Why identity fraud costs organisations millions - Help Net Security

• Orgs are having a major identity crisis • The Register

• Active Directory outages can cost organisations $100,000 per day - Help Net Security

Encryption

• European Court of Human Rights rules against government backdoors in end-to-end encryption - Neowin

Linux and Open Source

• New Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities Expose Android and Linux Devices to Hackers (thehackernews.com)

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Hackers using stolen credentials to launch attacks as info-stealing peaks | CSO Online

• How to proactively prevent password-spray attacks on legacy email accounts | CSO Online

Social Media

• EU Watchdog Urged to Reject Meta 'Pay for Privacy' Scheme - SecurityWeek

• Social Media Platforms Are in an ‘Information Trafficking Business’: Cyber Security Adviser | NTD

• ChatGPT Used by North Korean Hackers to Scam LinkedIn Users (tech.co)

• 76% of Super Bowl Traffic From Elon Musk's X to Advertisers Could Be Fake (thewrap.com)

• Elon Musk’s X allows China-based propaganda banned on other platforms | Ars Technica

• European Union deepens its investigation of TikTok • The Register

Training, Education and Awareness

• People cannot be patched (betanews.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• European Court of Human Rights rules against government backdoors in end-to-end encryption - Neowin

• Hedge Funds Warn SEC Cyber Lapses Risk Exposing Trading Secrets (bloomberglaw.com)

• One Year After the Colonial Pipeline Attack, Regulation Is Still a Problem (securityintelligence.com)

• 7 Ways Companies’ Cyber Related Governance Disclosures Will Evolve Post-SEC Rule Change (harvard.edu)

• European Union deepens its investigation of TikTok • The Register

• Decoding DORA: Navigating the digital regulatory landscape | World Finance

• 81 Percent of Security Leaders Say SEC Cyber Security Rules Will Substantially Impact Their Business | Business Wire

• FTC Fines Avast $16.5 Million For Selling Browsing Data Harvested by Antivirus (404media.co)

• Avast settles claims of customer data peddling for $17M • The Register

• Global AI Regulatory Update - Lexology

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Over 40% of Firms Struggle With Cyber Security Talent Shortage - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Psychology of Cyber Security Burnout (informationweek.com)

• How can we adapt work practices to protect CISO mental health? | Computer Weekly

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Feds deliver stark warnings to state election officials ahead of November - Iowa Capital Dispatch

• UK election cyber attack warning after Putin's hackers target US (inews.co.uk)

• Social Media Platforms Are in an ‘Information Trafficking Business’: Cyber Security Adviser | NTD

• Elon Musk’s X allows China-based propaganda banned on other platforms | Ars Technica

• Election security threats in 2024 range from AI to … anthrax • The Register

• 76 percent of Super Bowl LVIII traffic from Twitter dubbed 'fake' (awfulannouncing.com)

• Iran and Hezbollah Hackers Launch Attacks to Influence Israel-Hamas Narrative (thehackernews.com)

• Russian Hackers Target Ukraine with Disinformation and Credential-Harvesting Attacks (thehackernews.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

• Countries fear state-sponsored cyber war | The World from PRX

• Cyberwar: What Is It Good For? - GovInfoSecurity

Nation State Actors

• Cyber attacks are getting faster, more common and more successful, even though detection is more advanced than ever — new report signals the threats to businesses, supply chains, and democracy | TechRadar

• Countries fear state-sponsored cyber war | The World from PRX

• How Nation-State Actors Target Your Business: New Research Exposes Major SaaS Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

• Generative AI and elections are key focus for hackers in 2024, report warns | Evening Standard

• Pharmacy Delays Across US Blamed on Nation-State Hackers (darkreading.com)

China

• In the evolving cyberwar, China aims to take down our critical infrastructure | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 'Major Chinese hack' on Foreign Office urgently investigated by UK spies (inews.co.uk)

• Leaked Chinese Hacking Files Reveal How Compromised the US Could Be (businessinsider.com)

• iSoon's Secret APT Status Exposes China's Foreign Hacking Machination (darkreading.com)

• Generative AI and elections are key focus for hackers in 2024, report warns | Evening Standard

• China’s Cyber Security and Statecraft – The Diplomat

• Elon Musk’s X allows China-based propaganda banned on other platforms | Ars Technica

• China’s Spy Agency Sees Threats Everywhere in Data Security Push - Bloomberg

Russia

• FBI disrupts hacking network 'linked to Russian intelligence services' | US News | Sky News

• Russian APT 'Winter Vivern' Targets European Governments, Military (darkreading.com)

• Russian Cyber attackers Launch Multiphase PsyOps Campaign (darkreading.com)

• Russian-Linked Hackers Target 80+ Organisations via Roundcube Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• Russian military botnet discovered on 1000+ compromised routers — FBI deactivated Moobot by taking control of impacted routers | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• NHS hospitals ‘easy targets’ for Russian hackers (thetimes.co.uk)

• Russia-Aligned TAG-70 Targets European Government and Military Mail Servers in New Espionage Campaign (recordedfuture.com)

• Generative AI and elections are key focus for hackers in 2024, report warns | Evening Standard

• Russian Turla Cyber Spies Target Polish NGOs With New Backdoor - SecurityWeek

• Russian-Aligned Network Doppelgänger Targets German Elections - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Russian Hackers Target Ukraine with Disinformation and Credential-Harvesting Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• NATO's chief information officer on what Ukraine did right in its cyberwar with Russia (therecord.media)

• Russian Government Software Backdoored to Deploy Konni RAT Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Three terms sure to grab attention: Russia, nuclear, anti-satellite weapon | Ars Technica

Iran

• Iranian Hackers Target Middle East Policy Experts with New BASICSTAR Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian APTs Dress Up As Hacktivists for Disruption, Influence Ops (darkreading.com)

• Iran and Hezbollah Hackers Launch Attacks to Influence Israel-Hamas Narrative (thehackernews.com)

• Iran-Backed Charming Kitten Stages Fake Webinar Platform to Ensnare Targets (darkreading.com)

• Israeli Aircraft Survive “Cyber Hijacking” Attempts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

North Korea

• ChatGPT Used by North Korean Hackers to Scam LinkedIn Users (tech.co)

• North Korean hackers linked to defence sector supply-chain attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Koreans using ChatGPT to scam LinkedIn users; "attacks are getting very sophisticated" - MSPoweruser

• Russian Government Software Backdoored to Deploy North Korean Konni RAT Malware (thehackernews.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• CVEs expected to increase 25% in 2024 | Security Magazine

• Coalition: Vulnerability scoring systems falling short | TechTarget

Vulnerabilities

• Ransomware Warning as CVSS 10.0 ConnectWise ScreenConnect Bug is Exploited - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ConnectWise exploit could spur ‘ransomware free-for-all,’ expert warns | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Exploiting critical ConnectWise bug is 'embarrassingly easy' • The Register

• Akira Ransomware Exploiting Cisco AnyConnect Vulnerability (gbhackers.com)

• New Ivanti Vulnerability Observed as Widespread Security Concerns Grow - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft Exchange flaw CVE-2024-21410 could impact up to 97,000 servers (securityaffairs.com)

• VMware Alert: Uninstall EAP Now - Critical Flaw Puts Active Directory at Risk (thehackernews.com)

• VMware issues no-patch advisory for critical flaw in old SSO plugin | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Russian-Linked Hackers Target 80+ Organisations via Roundcube Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• ESET fixed high-severity local privilege escalation bug in Windows products (securityaffairs.com)

• SolarWinds addressed critical RCEs in Access Rights Manager (securityaffairs.com)

• Chrome 122, Firefox 123 Patch High-Severity Vulnerabilities - SecurityWeek

• Critical Vulnerability in VMware vSphere Plug-in Allows Session Hijacking (darkreading.com)

• Joomla XSS Bugs Open Millions of Websites to RCE (darkreading.com)

• Zero-Click Apple Shortcuts Vulnerability Allows Silent Data Theft (darkreading.com)

• Urgent patches available for QNAP vulnerabilities, one 0-day • The Register

• Hackers exploit critical RCE flaw in Bricks WordPress site builder (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Secure email gateways struggle to keep pace with sophisticated phishing campaigns - Help Net Security

• NCSC Sounds Alarm Over Private Branch Exchange Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Stuck in cyber attack nightmare? Call the negotiators (techxplore.com)

• New Google Chrome feature blocks attacks against home networks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How Businesses Can Safeguard Their Communication Channels Against Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Limiting remote access exposure in hybrid work environments | CSO Online

• Cyber Insurance Needs to Evolve to Ensure Greater Benefit (darkreading.com)

• The double-edged sword of zero trust - Help Net Security

• Orgs are having a major identity crisis • The Register

• Active Directory outages can cost organisations $100,000 per day - Help Net Security

• SOC Landscapes: Insights from SANS' 2023 SOC Report (trendmicro.com)

• 36% of code generated by GitHub CoPilot contains security flaws - Help Net Security

• Microsoft expands free logging capabilities after May breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Why ransomware gangs love using RMM tools—and how to stop them | Malwarebytes

• People cannot be patched (betanews.com)

• “Ruthlessly prioritize what’s critical”: Check Point expert on CISOs and the evolving attack surface | ITPro

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• VIPRE report predicts 276% rise in malware in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• CrowdStrike 2024 Global Threat Report | CrowdStrike

• IBM XForce Threat Intelligence Index 2024.pdf

• Cyber Threat Index 2024: Scans, Honeypots, and CVEs  (coalitioninc.com)

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Other News

• Israeli Aircraft Survive “Cyber-Hijacking” Attempts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Power Sector’s High-Stakes Battle for Cyber-Resiliency (powermag.com)

• Ways to elevate public sector cyber security | Professional Security

• Increasing Europe's cyber resilience - government.lu (gouvernement.lu)

• Industries most targeted by active adversaries | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Library Cyber Defences Are Falling Down (darkreading.com)

• How conveyancers can protect themselves against a cyber attack | Today's Conveyancer (todaysconveyancer.co.uk)

• US govt shares cyber attack defence tips for water utilities (bleepingcomputer.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

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 19 February 2024 – Google and Yahoo Change Email Policy Impacting Delivery of Emails from Businesses, What You Need to Know

Executive summary

Google and Yahoo are tackling spam with their new rules for bulk emails. Gmail and Yahoo have introduced new regulations for bulk email senders, which applies to anyone sending 5,000 or more messages to personal accounts in a 24 hour period. As part of these rules, sending accounts will need to verify themselves, through Domain-based Message Authentication (DMARC).

What’s the risk to me or my business?

Some business unknowingly not be following these rules and as such, their emails will not be hitting the inboxes of customers. Further, this can lead to legitimate businesses being marked as spam from Google.

What can I do?

Businesses who are likely to be considered bulk senders or are currently experiencing issues with their emails should look to follow the guidelines outlined by Google, to make sure they are aligned.

Further details can be found below:

The full list of Google requirements can be found below:

https://support.google.com/a/answer/81126?hl=en

Details on how to add DMARC can be found here:

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/email-security-and-anti-spoofing

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 16 February 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

Active Phishing Campaigns Targeting Office 365, Another Forcing Remote Management Software Downloads

Proofpoint have released an alert relating to an active hacking operation in which cyber criminals are employing phishing traps and shared Office 365 documents to steal credentials. Hackers have been threading together credential phishing and account takeover (ATO) tactics to gain access to enterprise resources, with multiple organisations already hit. One of the identified methods in use involves attackers inserting links that direct users to click to view a document. This subsequently links them to a phishing page controlled by the attacker.

In another currently active phishing campaign, threat actors are targeting potential victims via email and SMS, with personalised content to match victim roles within their organisation. But instead of phishing for information directly, they are convincing victims to download remote monitoring and management software. Victims were directed to newly registered websites mimicking various financial institutions and asked to download a “live chat application”, which turned out to be an old version of AnyDesk. Once downloaded, the software would then allow full access to victim’s machine and network resources.

Sources: [Verdict] [Help Net Security]

Cyber Security is Your Defensive Strategy, Cyber Resilience is Your Business

A cyber attack is a matter of when, not if, and as such businesses must prepare for such an event happening to them. Whilst cyber security aims to defend the organisation, cyber resilience is about ensuring that your digital operations, which are the heart of your organisation, can withstand and quickly recover from any cyber attack, technical malfunction, or even deliberate tampering. If we think back to Covid, a lot of organisations suddenly had to adapt, to ensure that they could function as close to normal as possible. How many have tested their organisation’s ability to continue work since, or prepared for a loss of access to critical systems for an extended period of time? It’s the cyber resilient organisations that know they’ve made the right investments to significantly reduce the risk of their operations grinding to a halt.

Source: [Security Brief]

Leveraging Threat Intelligence for Regulatory Compliance

The collective improvement of cyber security is a high international priority and a wealth of EU legislation, such as NIS2 and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is in the pipeline, to oblige organisations to understand and manage their cyber risks appropriately. As part of these regulations, threat intelligence is often a feature that can be leveraged to improve cyber resilience.

Threat intelligence can be collected from a variety of sources such as governmental advisories, dark web monitoring, private sector feeds, intelligence-sharing communities and open source information. The key for organisations is to be able to digest this, and apply it accordingly to their specific organisation, to improve their cyber resilience efforts.

Black Arrow provides weekly threat intelligence free of charge through our online blog and weekly subscription summary email. To sign up, visit https://www.blackarrowcyber.com/subscribe

Source: [BetaNews]

The Risks of Quishing and How Enterprises Can Stay Secure

QR codes have surged in popularity in the past two years, mainly due to their convenient and touchless features that streamline daily transactions, making it easy for users to scan and access information quickly. However, this surge in popularity has also caught the attention of cyber criminals, who exploit QR codes to perpetrate phishing attacks, known as "quishing." Attackers use tactics, such as disguising malicious QR codes in seemingly legitimate contexts; these pose substantial risks, leading to compromised personal and corporate data, financial loss, and reputational damage. Organisations must prioritise understanding and fortifying defences against quishing, as these attacks pose significant risks to both individuals and organisations. By educating employees on discerning phishing attempts, enforcing device security measures, and leveraging specialised solutions, organisations can bolster their resilience against QR code-based cyber threats and safeguard their digital assets effectively.

Source: [Zimperium]

Phishing Attacks Increased 106% Year Over Year as 91% of Organisations Impacted by AI-enhanced Phishing Attacks

A recent report found that phishing attempts increased 106% year on year, with malware detections up 40%. In a separate report on phishing, it was found that 91% of organisation were impacted by AI-enhanced phishing attacks. Such numbers reinforce the reason for organisations to implement effective phishing training, and this should include training regarding AI-enhanced phishing emails.

Sources: [The Fintech Times] [Security Magazine]

Microsoft and OpenAI Warn State-backed Threat Actors are Using AI En Masse to Wage Cyber Attacks

Microsoft has released a report detailing how prominent state-linked actors are using generative AI to enhance their attack methods. Russian, North Korean, Iranian, and Chinese-backed threat actors are attempting to use generative AI to inform, enhance, and refine their attacks, according to the report. It’s clear that AI is a double-edged sword, and organisations must implement processes to reduce their risk and increase their resilience to it.

Source: [ITPro]

Cyber Risk Management: Bring Security to the Boardroom

Organisations are facing the dual challenge of managing business risk and aligning with ever-expanding cyber security goals; as such, the need for a robust cyber risk management strategy is more critical than ever. This calls for organisations to effectively communicate their security posture to the board with relevant metrics.

Engaging the board requires a strategic approach, emphasising clear communication and contextual visibility. Board members are already increasingly recognising the impact of poor security on an organisation’s reputation, budget, and overall well-being; it is essential to translate security concerns into tangible metrics that resonate with the board. Real-time metrics, alignment with business goals, and educating the board on cyber security nuances can help build the foundation for such a strategy.

Source: [Trend Micro]

Trustees Open to Cyber Risks by Not Responding to NCSC Reporting Changes

Recent changes in the National Cyber Security Centre's (NCSC) threat reporting framework have prompted a call to action for pension scheme advisors.

Cyber security has fast become one of the biggest threats to pension schemes. Data breeches, scamming, ransomware, fraud: these have all become the stuff of trustee nightmares. And the sophistication of those threats is evolving rapidly, so it is important that schemes stay as far ahead of them as possible with comprehensive and proactive defence measures. It’s also imperative to check-in regularly with advisors that their measures are robust, and ensure that reports are undertaken frequently to demonstrate progression of mitigation of all vulnerabilities. A onetime spot check is simply not enough in this environment.

Source: [The HR Director]

Nation State Actors Intensify Focus on NATO Member States

The head of threat research and analysis at Google Cloud has highlighted that nation state actors consider cyber warfare as another tool in their box, noting the current ongoing cyber warfare between Russia and Ukraine. Separate reports have found that the cyber war has extended to NATO member states, with initial access brokers (individuals who sell credentials to organisations) increasingly targeting entities within NATO member states.

Sources: [Help Net Security] [World Economic Forum ] [Inforisktoday] [Help Net Security]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• The ROI of Investing in Cyber Security - Security Boulevard

• Leveraging threat intelligence for regulatory compliance (betanews.com)

• Getting a grip on cyber resilience – PublicTechnology

• It's Time to Rethink Third-Party Risk Assessment (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Risk Management: Bring Security to the Boardroom (trendmicro.com)

• A changing world requires CISOs to rethink cyber preparedness | CSO Online

• Cyber Security teams recognized as key enablers of business goals - Help Net Security

• 26 Cyber Security Stats Every User Should Be Aware Of in 2024 (securityaffairs.com)

• Cyber Security's Transformative Shift (darkreading.com)

• Fortifying Businesses Against Modern Information Threats (forbes.com)

• Executives must face down state-sponsored hacking groups targeting firmware | Computer Weekly

• Do you have a cyber security comms plan? | PR Week

• Cyber Security is your defensive strategy, cyber resilience is your business (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Gmail & Yahoo DMARC rollout: When cyber compliance gives a competitive edge - Help Net Security

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• New macOS Backdoor Linked to Prominent Ransomware Groups - SecurityWeek

• Ransomware tactics evolve, become scrappier - Help Net Security

• Rhysida Ransomware Cracked, Free Decryption Tool Released (thehackernews.com)

• Resiliency to ransomware | Professional Security

• Dual Ransomware Attacks: A Quicker Route to Extortion - Security Boulevard

• How To Prepare For A Ransomware Attack (forbes.com)

• 2023 Ransomware Attack Report - Security Boulevard

• The State of Ransomware in 2023 | BlackFog

• Cyber Security firm Check Point reports an increase in wiper-ware attacks amid geopolitical uncertainty - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Ransomware Groups Claim Hits on Hyundai Motor Europe and a California Union (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Attack hits Swedish cloud provider Advania, healthcare services impacted | Cybernews

• Ransomware Attack Takes 100 Hospitals Offline (forbes.com)

• PR industry affected as media monitoring firm Onclusive hit by cyber attack | PR Week

• German battery maker Varta says five plants hit by cyber attack - CNA (channelnewsasia.com)

• UK utility giant Southern Water says hackers stole personal data of hundreds of thousands of customers | TechCrunch

• The Southern Water cyber attack highlights the wave of threats faced by utilities companies | ITPro

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• 91.1% of Organisations Impacted by AI-Enhanced Phishing Attacks, Acronis Reports | The Fintech Times

• VIPRE Security Group's Annual Email Threat Landscape Shows Advanced Methods Needed for Security (prnewswire.com)

• Corporate users getting tricked into downloading AnyDesk - Help Net Security

• Phishing attacks increased 106% year over year | Security Magazine

• Gmail & Yahoo DMARC rollout: When cyber compliance gives a competitive edge - Help Net Security

• Remote Monitoring & Management software used in phishing attacks | Malwarebytes

• What Is Phishing? Understanding Cyber Attacks (forbes.com)

• How are attackers using QR codes in phishing emails and lure documents? (talosintelligence.com)

• Threat actors in phishing campaign targeted at Office 365 (verdict.co.uk)

• 2023 Year in Review: Phishing Attacks and Trends (vadesecure.com)

• London police block 43 crypto phishing web domains (cointelegraph.com)

• This new Android feature could help save you from phishing and malware – here's how | TechRadar

Other Social Engineering

• The War for Headspace: NextGen cyberattacks aim to manipulate people’s minds  | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• 4 Ways Hackers use Social Engineering to Bypass MFA (thehackernews.com)

• QR code attacks target organizations in ways they least expect - Help Net Security

• QR Phishing. Fact or Fiction? | Pen Test Partners

• The Risks of Quishing and How Enterprises Can Stay Secure - Zimperium

Artificial Intelligence

• Deepfake CFO Video Calls Result in $25MM in Damages (trendmicro.com)

• 91.1% of Organisations Impacted by AI-Enhanced Phishing Attacks, Acronis Reports | The Fintech Times

• Russia And China Use OpenAI Tools To Hack, Microsoft Warns (forbes.com)

• Microsoft and OpenAI warn state-backed threat actors are using generative AI en masse to wage cyber attacks | ITPro

• 55% of Generative AI Inputs Include Sensitive Data: Menlo Security - Security Boulevard

• We're at a Pivotal Moment for AI and Cyber Security (darkreading.com)

• Deepfake Democracy: AI Technology Complicates Election Security (darkreading.com)

• Tech Companies Turned Ukraine Into an AI War Lab | TIME

• Deepfake threats are on the rise - new research shows worrying rise in dangerous new scams | TechRadar

• Cyber criminals get productivity boost with AI - Help Net Security

• Stolen Face ID scans used to break into bank accounts • The Register

• AI outsourcing: A strategic guide to managing third-party risks - Help Net Security

• The Coming End of Biometrics Hastens AI-Driven Security - Security Boulevard

• Rental scams could soar as AI spreads, warns industry... (lettingagenttoday.co.uk)

• Cyber Security Threats: How To Fight AI With AI (forbes.com)

• The rise of AI threats and cyber security: predictions for 2024 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

2FA/MFA

• MFA isn't always keeping businesses safe from cyber attack | TechRadar

• 4 Ways Hackers use Social Engineering to Bypass MFA (thehackernews.com)

• Ongoing campaign compromises senior execs’ Azure accounts, locks them using MFA | Ars Technica

Malware

• RustDoor malware targets macOS users by posing as a Visual Studio Update - gHacks Tech News

• Kimsuky's New Golang Stealer 'Troll' and 'GoBear' Backdoor Target South Korea (thehackernews.com)

• VexTrio network of hijacked websites used to spread malware • The Register

• Raspberry Robin Jumps on 1-Day Bugs to Nest Deep in Windows Networks (darkreading.com)

• Suspected Warzone RAT hackers arrested | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• From Cracked to Hacked: Malware Spread via YouTube Videos (cybereason.com)

• Apple Mac computers are not virus proof: The myth (qz.com)

• Bumblebee malware attacks are back after 4-month break (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers used new Windows Defender zero-day to drop DarkMe malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Glupteba Botnet Adds UEFI Bootkit to Cyber Attack Toolbox (darkreading.com)

• Understanding the tactics of stealthy hunter-killer malware - Help Net Security

• Water Hydra’s Zero-Day Attack Chain Targets Financial Traders - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Miscreants turn to ad tech to measure malware metrics • The Register

• New Qbot malware variant uses fake Adobe installer popup for evasion (bleepingcomputer.com)

• “TicTacToe Dropper” Malware Distribution Tactics Revealed - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• This new Android feature could help save you from phishing and malware – here's how | TechRadar

Mobile

• Stolen Face ID scans used to break into bank accounts • The Register

• Google Chrome Warning Suddenly Issued For All Android Users (forbes.com)

• Russian banks beat App Store Review using fake apps (appleinsider.com)

• Meta brushes off risk of account theft via number recycling • The Register

• This new Android feature could help save you from phishing and malware – here's how | TechRadar

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Cyber Security sectors adjust as DDoS attacks reach new heights - Help Net Security

• How it works: The novel HTTP/2 ‘Rapid Reset’ DDoS attack | Google Cloud Blog

• Telecoms was the most targeted sector for DDoS attacks in 2023

• Average DDoS Attack Cost Businesses Nearly Half a Million Dollars in 2023, According to New Zayo Data | Business Wire

• DDoS Hacktivism is Back With a Geopolitical Vengeance - SecurityWeek

Internet of Things – IoT

• Canada to ban the Flipper Zero to stop surge in car thefts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How secure is your security camera? Hackers can spy on cameras through walls, new research finds (techxplore.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Bank of America warns customers of data breach after vendor hack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Caravan club admits members' personal data possibly accessed • The Register

• DOD notifying people who may be impacted by a year-old data breach | DefenseScoop

• Southern Water Notifies Customers and Employees of Data Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Southern Water cyber attack highlights the wave of threats faced by utilities companies | ITPro

• 200,000 Facebook Marketplace user records leaked on hacking forum (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Prudential says hackers gained access to its computer systems | The Star

• Verizon Breach – Malicious Insider or Innocuous Click? - IT Security Guru

• Thousands of DoD personnel may have had their private data leaked — US government admits 20,000 could be affected | TechRadar

• Hackers got nearly 7 million people’s data from 23andMe. The firm blamed users in ‘very dumb’ move | Hacking | The Guardian

• DNA testing: What happens if your genetic data is hacked? - BBC Future

• BMW security error left valuable private company data exposed online | TechRadar

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• 5 Things Movies Always Get Wrong About Computer Hackers (slashgear.com)

• 9 Possible Ways Hackers Can Use Public Wi-Fi to Steal Your Sensitive Data (securityaffairs.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• London police block 43 crypto phishing web domains (cointelegraph.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Verizon Breach – Malicious Insider or Innocuous Click? - IT Security Guru

• Insider threat greatest mid-market cyber security concern - CIR Magazine

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Bank of America warns customers of data breach after vendor hack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• It's Time to Rethink Third-Party Risk Assessment (darkreading.com)

• Jet engine dealer to major airlines discloses cyber snafu • The Register

• AI outsourcing: A strategic guide to managing third-party risks - Help Net Security

• 6 best practices for third-party risk management | CSO Online

• Software security debt piles up for organisations even as critical flaws drop | CSO Online

Cloud/SaaS

• Threat actors in phishing campaign targeted at Office 365 (verdict.co.uk)

• Ongoing campaign compromises senior execs’ Azure accounts, locks them using MFA | Ars Technica

• Benefits and challenges of managed cloud security services | TechTarget

• How Nation-State Actors Target Your Business: New Research Exposes Major SaaS Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

Encryption

• Beating Bitlocker In 43 Seconds | Hackaday

Social Media

• Inside X's content moderation dilemma | Fortune

• 20 Years of Facebook, but Trust in Social Media Remains Rock Bottom - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Meta brushes off risk of account theft via number recycling • The Register

• 200,000 Facebook Marketplace user records leaked on hacking forum (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malvertising

• Hackers Exploit Ad Tools to Track Victims, Boosting Scam Efforts (bloomberglaw.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• The importance of security training in the zero trust era (betanews.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Security experts: Investigatory powers plans will delay security updates | Computer Weekly

• FCC orders telecom carriers to report PII data breaches within 30 days (bleepingcomputer.com)

• When it comes to the new SEC ‘materiality’ rules, assume that OT and IoT breaches qualify | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• A Quick Roadmap to NIS2 Directives - Security Boulevard

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Benefits And Cautions Of Aligning With Cyber Security Frameworks (forbes.com)

• Key strategies for ISO 27001 compliance adoption - Help Net Security

• A Quick Roadmap to NIS2 Directives - Security Boulevard

Data Protection

• PII Input Sparks Cyber Security Alarm in 55% of DLP Events - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How companies are misjudging their data privacy preparedness - Help Net Security

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• UK cyber skills gap risk to businesses and national security | TechRadar

• Higher education offers limited benefit to many infosec pros | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• We can’t risk losing staff to alert fatigue - Help Net Security

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• London Underground Is Testing Real-Time AI Surveillance Tools to Spot Crime | WIRED

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Why we fall for fake news and how can we change that? - Help Net Security

• France uncovers a vast Russian disinformation campaign in Europe (economist.com)

• Deepfake Democracy: AI Technology Complicates Election Security (darkreading.com)

• Kremlin dismisses Europe's warnings about 'Russian propaganda' | Reuters

• Cyber threats cast shadow over 2024 elections - Help Net Security

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• How 'Big 4' Nations' Cyber Capabilities Threaten the West (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft and OpenAI warn state-backed threat actors are using generative AI en masse to wage cyber attacks | ITPro

• Stealthy Cyberespionage Campaign Remained Undiscovered for Two Years - SecurityWeek

• Cyber Arms Control and Global Security (greydynamics.com)

• Rise in cyberwarfare tactics fueled by geopolitical tensions - Help Net Security

• Threat actors intensify focus on NATO member states - Help Net Security

Nation State Actors

China

• Russia And China Use OpenAI Tools To Hack, Microsoft Warns (forbes.com)

• Ukraine claims Russia uses its cooperation with China to carry out cyber attacks | International | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)

• Microsoft and OpenAI warn state-backed threat actors are using generative AI en masse to wage cyber attacks | ITPro

• US Official Warns of China’s Growing Offensive Cyber Power – The Diplomat

• China Targets US Hacking Ops in Media Offensive - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Explainer: what is Volt Typhoon and why is it the ‘defining threat of our generation’? | Hacking | The Guardian

• Hackers are lying low in networks to wage critical infrastructure attacks - here’s how they do it | ITPro

• Threat actors intensify focus on NATO member states - Help Net Security

• Stealthy Cyberespionage Campaign Remained Undiscovered for Two Years - SecurityWeek

• Top US Venture Firms Funded Blacklisted Chinese Companies, House Committee Says | Mint

Russia

• Microsoft and OpenAI thwart AI use by state-affiliated hackers (geekwire.com)

• Russia And China Use OpenAI Tools To Hack, Microsoft Warns (forbes.com)

• Russia Continues to Focus on Cyber Operations and Espionage (inforisktoday.com)

• Russian banks beat App Store Review using fake apps (appleinsider.com)

• Ukraine claims Russia uses its cooperation with China to carry out cyber attacks | International | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)

• France uncovers a vast Russian disinformation campaign in Europe (economist.com)

• Kremlin dismisses Europe's warnings about 'Russian propaganda' | Reuters

• The methods of Russian interference in Scottish politics (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

• Russian Turla Hackers Target Polish NGOs with New TinyTurla-NG Backdoor (thehackernews.com)

• Tech Companies Turned Ukraine Into an AI War Lab | TIME

Iran

• How 'Big 4' Nations' Cyber Capabilities Threaten the West (darkreading.com)

• Iranian cyber attacks targeting US and Israeli entities | TechTarget

North Korea

• How 'Big 4' Nations' Cyber Capabilities Threaten the West (darkreading.com)

• Kimsuky's New Golang Stealer 'Troll' and 'GoBear' Backdoor Target South Korea (thehackernews.com)

• North Korea turns to designing gambling websites for cash • The Register

• North Korea successfully hacks email of South Korean President's aide, gains access to sensitive information (bitdefender.com)

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

• Striking the Right Balance: How to Publicly Attribute a Cyber Operation to Another State | directions blog

• How Nation-State Actors Target Your Business: New Research Exposes Major SaaS Vulnerabilities (thehackernews.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• Security experts: Investigatory powers plans will delay security updates | Computer Weekly

• Seeing is Believing… and Securing - SecurityWeek

• Three critical application security flaws scanners can’t detect (bleepingcomputer.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Over 13,000 Ivanti gateways vulnerable to actively exploited bugs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Zoom stomps critical privilege escalation bug, 6 other flaws • The Register

• Alert: New Stealthy "RustDoor" Backdoor Targeting Apple macOS Devices (thehackernews.com)

• Some Canon printers have seven critical security vulnerabilities — i-Sensys printer vulns rank at 9.8 severity | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Hackers used new Windows Defender zero-day to drop DarkMe malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ESET Patches High-Severity Privilege Escalation Vulnerability - SecurityWeek

• CISA: Roundcube email server bug now exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Urgent patches available for QNAP vulnerabilities, one 0-day • The Register

Tools and Controls

• The ROI of Investing in Cyber Security - Security Boulevard

• Leveraging threat intelligence for regulatory compliance (betanews.com)

• Serious Vulnerability in the Internet Infrastructure / Fundamental design flaw in DNSSEC discovered (prleap.com)

• Remote Monitoring & Management software used in phishing attacks | Malwarebytes

• Getting a grip on cyber resilience – PublicTechnology

• It's Time to Rethink Third-Party Risk Assessment (darkreading.com)

• Do you have a cyber security comms plan? | PR Week

• MFA isn't always keeping businesses safe from cyber attack | TechRadar

• Understand the pros and cons of enterprise password managers | TechTarget

• Beating Bitlocker In 43 Seconds | Hackaday

• 4 Ways Hackers use Social Engineering to Bypass MFA (thehackernews.com)

• This botched migration shows why you need to deal with legacy tech | ZDNET

• How purple teaming enhances inter-team collaboration and effectiveness in cyber security - Help Net Security

• Benefits and challenges of managed cloud security services | TechTarget

• PII Input Sparks Cyber Security Alarm in 55% of DLP Events - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 5 Steps to Improve Your Security Posture in Microsoft Teams (bleepingcomputer.com)

• No Security Scrutiny for Half of Major Code Changes: AppSec Survey - SecurityWeek

• 10 Security Metrics Categories CISOs Should Present to the Board (darkreading.com)

• Three critical application security flaws scanners can’t detect (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What is Threat Detection and Incident Response? - Security Boulevard

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• VIPRE Security Group’s Annual Email Threat Landscape Research Shines Light on the Advanced Methods Needed to Secure Corporate Email Environment in 2024 - VIPRE

• 2023 Year in Review: Phishing Attacks and Trends (vadesecure.com)

• HP Wolf Security Threat Insights Report Q4 2023 | HP Wolf Security

• The State of Ransomware in 2023 | BlackFog

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Other News

• Trustees open to cyber risks by not responding to NCSC reporting changes | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)

• Top 5 Cyber security Concerns for HR Professionals: How to Safeguard Your Organisation | The HR World

• This botched migration shows why you need to deal with legacy tech | ZDNET

• Cyber attacks on Hospitals Are Likely to Increase, Putting Lives at Risk, Experts Warn - SecurityWeek

• What is Threat Detection and Incident Response? - Security Boulevard

• Hackers are lying low in networks to wage critical infrastructure attacks - here’s how they do it | ITPro

• How Non-Profits and NGOs Deal with Cyber Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Here's how we get young people to rally for cyber security | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Types of Cyber security Threats and Vulnerabilities - Security Boulevard

• Hacking the flow: The consequences of compromised water systems - Help Net Security

• Dutch insurers still requiring nudes from cancer patients • The Register

• Cyber threats to marketing | Kaspersky official blog

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

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

·         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 14 February 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday (inc 2 exploited zero-days), Adobe, and SAP Security Updates

Executive summary

It is Valentine’s, and what better way to spend it than reading about Microsoft’s latest patch Tuesday. In this months patch Tuesday, Microsoft has provided updates to address 73 security issues across its product range, including two exploited zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-21351and CVE-2024-21412). Microsoft is classifying these as a flaw that is publicly disclosed or actively exploited with no official fix available. The two exploited vulnerabilities affect Windows Smart Screen and Internet Shortcut File, allowing security bypasses. They have both been added to the known ‘exploited vulnerabilities catalog’ by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA).

In addition to the updates from Microsoft, this week also saw Adobe fixing 38 vulnerabilities and SAP issued 13 new patches for its range of products, in which three of the patches were rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited could allow an attacker to bypass security features and inject malicious code, impacting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

Microsoft

There is no official fix for the exploited vulnerabilities, however they both require a user to interact with a malicious file. As such, it is important to make sure users remain vigilant when interacting with their emails. Organisations should follow the vulnerabilities closely, so that they can apply any patches immediately. Other available updates should be applied as soon as possible for the actively exploited vulnerability and all other vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-21351: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to bypass Windows SmartScreen. It relies on an authorised attacker sending a malicious file and convincing a user to open it.

CVE-2024-21412: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker bypass Windows security features and send malicious files to users. The attacker would still need to user to interact with the file.

Adobe

This month, Adobe has released fixes vulnerabilities impacting Adobe Acrobat and Reader (13, of which 5 are critical), Commerce (9, of which 6 are critical), Substance 3D Painter (13, of which 5 are critical), FrameMaker Publishing Server (1 critical), Audition (1 critical) and Substance 3D Designer (1 critical). Currently, Adobe is not aware of any active exploitation of these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities include issues such as arbitrary code execution and memory leaks.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 13 patches, which include 10 new releases and 3 updates from previous releases. These patches address 8 critical vulnerabilities affecting a variety of SAP products. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Denial of Service, Information Disclosure, and Improper Authorisation.

---

Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-february-2024-patch-tuesday-fixes-2-zero-days-73-flaws/

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/13/the-windows-security-updates-for-february-2024-are-here/

Adobe

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

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-07.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Painter be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_painter/apsb24-04.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe FrameMaker be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-07.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Audition be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/audition/apsb24-11.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Designer be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_designer/apsb24-13.html

SAP

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

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity.

Black Arrow Cyber Advisory 12 February 2024 – Fortinet FortiOS Vulnerability in SSL VPN

Executive Summary

Fortinet have released a patch to fix a critical vulnerability in their FortiOS product, stating that is potentially being exploited in the wild. Successful exploitation of the vulnerability could allow a remote unauthorised attacker to execute code or commands.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

There is a risk that organisations using vulnerable versions of FortiOS are leaving themselves at risk of allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform arbitrary code execution. This means an attacker could potentially gain unauthorised access and perform actions that could impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organisations data. This vulnerability only impacts organisations who have SSL VPN enabled.

The affected versions of FortiOS and FortiProxy are:

FortiOS

FortiOS 7.4 (7.4.0 through 7.4.2) – upgrade to 7.4.3 or above.

FortiOS 7.2 (7.2.0 through 7.2.6) – upgrade to 7.2.7 or above.

FortiOS 7.0 (7.0.0 through 7.0.13) – upgrade to 7.0.14 or above.

FortiOS 6.4 (6.4.0 through 6.4.14) – upgrade to 6.4.15 or above.

FortiOS 6.2 (6.2.0 through 6.2.15) – upgrade to 6.4.15 or above.

FortiOS 6.0 (all versions) - migrate to fixed release.

FortiProxy

FortiProxy 7.4 (7.4.0 through 7.4.2) - upgrade to 7.4.3 or above.

FortiProxy 7.2 (7.2.0 through 7.2.8) - upgrade to 7.2.9 or above.

FortiProxy 7.0 (7.0.0 through 7.0.14) - upgrade to 7.0.15 or above.

FortiProxy 2.0 (2.0.0 through 2.0.13) - upgrade to 2.0.14 or above.

FortiProxy 1.2 (all versions) - migrate to fixed release.

FortiProxy 1.1 (all versions) - migrate to fixed release.

FortiProxy 1.0 (all versions) - migrate to fixed release.

What can I do?

Black Arrow recommends applying the available patches for the vulnerability immediately due its severity. Further information can be found in the Fortigaurd security update below. Organisations have also been advised to disable SSL VPN if they cannot apply patches immediately, however this is not a long term solution.

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-2176 – This is a out-of-bound write vulnerability in the sslvpnd which may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or commands using  specifically crafted HTTP requests. 

Further information on the FortiOS vulnerability can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-015

Further information on upgrading can be found here:

https://docs.fortinet.com/upgrade-tool

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 09 February 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

Over Half of Companies Experienced Cyber Security Incidents Last Year

According to a recent global survey, over half of the participating companies faced major security incidents in the past year, necessitating additional resources to tackle these challenges. Despite these incidents, many organisations claim improved performance on key cyber security indicators and express confidence in their threat detection capabilities. The research highlights a concerning discrepancy between perceived security measures and the actual state of security operations, underscoring a lack of comprehensive visibility and effective response mechanisms within companies. Particularly concerning is the finding that organisations can typically monitor only two-thirds of their IT environments, exposing significant vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the study points to a greater need for greater automation and third-party assistance in threat detection and response, suggesting that while companies are aware of their shortcomings, the path to enhanced security involves embracing AI-driven solutions to close these gaps. This insight highlights to leadership the importance of investing in advanced cyber security technologies and expertise to safeguard the organisation’s digital assets effectively.

Sources: [Beta News] [Verdict]

Deepfake Video Conference Costs Business $25 Million

There has been a surge in the number of artificial intelligence deepfake attacks where technology is being used to impersonate individuals. In one case, a finance professional at a multinational was reportedly swindled out of $25 million (HK$200 million) of company money when scammers created a deepfake of his London-based chief financial officer in a video conference call, faking both the CFO’s look and voice. The scam involved the fake CFO making increasingly urgent demands to execute money transfers, resulting in 15 transfers from the victim employee. The reality of the attack was only discovered by the victim after he had contacted the company’s corporate head office.

Sources: [The Register] [Help Net Security] [TechCentral ] [Tripwire]

Watershed Year for Ransomware as Victims Rose by Almost 50% And Payments Hit $1 Billion All-Time High

Even with enforcers shutting down some ransomware gangs, the business of ransomware is booming. A recent report from Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 found a 49% increase in the number of victims reported on ransomware leak sites; this does not include those who were victims but did not appear on sites. This comes as ransomware hit an all time high, with over $1b made in ransomware payments. Of note, this is just ransom payments; this does not take in to account reputational damage, recovery costs and loss in share value. The real effects of a ransomware attack may take months or even years to materialise. As ransomware remains a constant threat, it is important for organisations to be prepared.

Sources: [The Verge ] [Malwarebytes] [Infosecurity Magazine] [CSO Online] [ITPro] [TechRadar]

Malware-as-a-Service Now the Top Threat to Organisations

Recent studies have underscored a significant shift in the cyber threat landscape, with Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) now dominating. These ‘as-a-service’ tools are particularly concerning as they lower the barrier to entry for cyber criminals, enabling even those with limited technical knowledge to launch sophisticated attacks. The report found that the most common as-a-Service tools were Malware loaders (77% of investigated threats), crypto-miners (52% of investigated threats) and botnets (39% of investigated threats). These findings underscore the adaptability of these threats, with malware strains being developed with multiple functions to maximise damage. Despite these trends, traditional methods like phishing continue to pose significant challenges for security teams. It’s clear that staying ahead of these evolving threats requires a proactive and comprehensive approach to cyber security.

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

Over 9 in 10 UK Firms Who Fell Victim to Ransomware Paid the Ransom, Despite Alleged “No Pay” Stances

A recent report has found that over 97% of UK firms have paid a ransom in the last two years, finding even more reason to operate in a when-not-if environment. When asked about their recovery in an event, 38% said they could recover in four to six days, and 34% need one to two weeks to recover; almost one in four (24%) need over three weeks to recover data and restore business processes. Only 12% said their company had stress-tested their data security, data management, and data recovery processes or solutions in the six months prior to being surveyed, and 46% had not tested their processes or solutions in over 12 months.

Sources: [The FinTech Times] [ Help Net Security]

Chinese State Hackers Hid in National Infrastructure for at Least 5 Years

US cyber officials have said that they discovered China-sponsored hackers lurking in American computer networks, positioning themselves to disrupt communications, energy, transportation and water systems; and this had been going on for at least 5 years. This has led to a joint warning from the US FBI, National Security Agency and Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency, which has been cosigned by Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This dwell time isn’t just something that is encountered in critical infrastructure networks; attackers lurk on networks, undiscovered often for years, allowing them to see everything going on in the corporate environment.

Sources: [NTD] [Washington Times]

Email Attacks on Businesses Tripled and AI is a Huge Contributing Factor

Email attacks against businesses have increased dramatically as hackers continually use generative AI tools to optimise their content and streamline malicious campaigns, new research has claimed.

The report from Acronis is based on data collected from more than a million unique endpoints across 15 countries, and found AI-powered phishing affected more than 90% of organisations last year. AI helped has email attacks grow by 222% since the second half of 2023.

Sources: [New Electronics] [TechRadar]

Security Leaders, C-Suite Unite to Tackle Cyber Threats

A recent survey found that CEOs are taking a more hands-on approach and prioritising cyber resilience in 2024, leading to the breakdown of traditional silos between IT operations and security teams. The survey polled over 200 C-Suite and senior-level IT executives globally, and revealed a growing recognition of the importance of collaboration in combating sophisticated cyber threats, with 99% of respondents observing increased connectivity between the teams over the past year. While progress has been made, challenges remain, with only 48% of organisations establishing joint protocols for incident mitigation or recovery. Looking ahead, respondents anticipate a significant role for artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing security efforts, with 68% expecting AI to streamline threat detection and response. Despite advancements, fragmented data protection solutions persist as a challenge, impacting over 90% of organisations' cyber resiliency. This underscores the need for a top-down approach to cyber security, with CEOs and boards driving collaboration between IT operations and security teams to optimise cyber preparedness initiatives and mitigate cyber risks effectively.

Source: [Security Boulevard]

UN Experts Investigate Cyber Attacks by North Korea that Raked in $3 Billion to Build Nuclear Weapons

UN sanction monitors are investigating dozens of suspected cyber attacks by North Korea that have raked in $3 billion to help North Korea further its nuclear weapons programme, according to excerpts of an unpublished UN report. “The panel is investigating 58 suspected DPRK cyber attacks on cryptocurrency-related companies between 2017 and 2023, valued at approximately $3 billion, which reportedly help fund DPRK’s WMD development,” according to the monitors, who report twice a year to the 15-member security council.

Source: [The Guardian]

What Does a ‘Cyber Security Culture’ Actually Entail?

Fostering a robust cyber security culture emerges as a critical imperative for organisations in 2023, as revealed by ITPro Today's "State of Cybersecurity in 2023" study. Despite this recognition, organisations grapple with various challenges, including budget constraints, staffing shortages, and the failure to implement fundamental security practices like the principle of least privilege and zero trust. Insufficient staffing and constrained budgets elevate the risk of breaches, emphasising the need for a collective effort to bolster security measures.

Cultivating a cyber security culture entails educating every employee on security risks and holding them accountable for risk reduction efforts. While security teams play a pivotal role in setting expectations and providing guidance, a culture of cyber security necessitates continuous training, integration of security into everyday work, and clear delineation of risk ownership throughout the organisation. By prioritising proactive measures and fostering individual responsibility, organisations can fortify their defences against evolving cyber threats and mitigate risks effectively.

Source: [ITPro Today]

Beyond Checkboxes: Security Compliance as a Business Enabler

In today's complex business landscape, regulatory requirements are increasingly intricate, especially concerning cyber security compliance. While compliance might evoke images of stringent regulations and time-consuming audits, reframing our perspective reveals its potential as a vital business enabler. Security leaders, in collaboration with senior management, must cultivate a culture where commitment to cyber security compliance permeates the organisation, emphasising its role in fostering trust, facilitating global market access, and even serving as a competitive advantage. Moreover, robust compliance programs drive operational efficiency, innovation, and cost savings in the long run. Embracing cyber security compliance as a strategic enabler, rather than a regulatory burden, positions businesses for success, innovation, and resilience in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Source: [Forbes]

No One in Cyber Security Is Ready for the SolarWinds Prosecution

The concept of "materiality" has taken centre stage for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in light of new SEC regulations, requiring US public companies to disclose "material cyber security incidents" within four days. The SolarWinds breach and subsequent SEC charges against the company and its CISO highlight the seriousness of these regulations. This shift necessitates a deeper understanding of what constitutes "material" risk in cyber security and a more transparent approach to risk communication. However, many CISOs face challenges in quantifying and communicating cyber risks effectively to boards and executives, who often lack familiarity with cyber security terminology. This regulatory change underscores the need for CISOs to bridge the gap between cyber security and financial reporting, ensuring accurate and precise risk communication at the C-Suite level. Additionally, policymakers should incentivise C-Suite accountability for cyber risk management, fostering a culture where cyber risks are addressed proactively and transparently.

Source:[Council on Foreign Relations]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Over half of companies experienced cyber security incidents last year (betanews.com)

• Beyond Checkboxes: Security Compliance As Business Enabler (forbes.com)

• What Goes Into a Strong Cyber Security Culture? | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

• Why an HR-IT Partnership is Critical for Managing Cyber Security Risk - Security Boulevard

• The Cyber Threats Every C-Level Exec Should Care About In 2024 (forbes.com)

• Never Mind the Buzz; Here's the Consequences: No One in Cyber Security Is Ready for the SolarWinds Prosecution | Council on Foreign Relations (cfr.org)

• Security Leaders, C-Suite Unite to Tackle Cyberthreats - Security Boulevard

• Cyber Security, Hybrid Workforce Management Among Top 2024 Business Challenges (allwork.space)

• How CISOs navigate policies and access across enterprises - Help Net Security

• Resisting Hindsight Bias: A Proposed Framework for CISO Liability - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• The ransomware business is booming, even as enforcers shut down some players - The Verge

• Ransomware victim numbers rose by 50% in 2023 | CSO Online

• Known ransomware attacks up 68% in 2023 | Malwarebytes

• Paying ransoms is becoming a cost of doing business for many - Help Net Security

• Ransomware Payments Hit $1bn All-Time High Last Year - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Chainalysis: 2023 a 'watershed' year for ransomware | TechTarget

• The hidden cost of ransomware is more painful than many realize | ITPro

• Cohesity Reveals over 9 in 10 UK Firms Have Paid Ransoms Despite Alleged "No Pay" Stances | The Fintech Times

• Is critical infrastructure prepared for OT ransomware? • The Register

• Akira and 8Base are the ransomware gangs to watch in 2024 • The Register

• Crypto-related ransomware attacks made 'major comeback' in 2023 (verdict.co.uk)

• ‘These are threat-to-life crimes’: How hospitals are responding to a rise in ransomware attacks – NBC4 Washington (nbcwashington.com)

• NCC Group records the most ransomware victims ever in 2023 | TechTarget

• LockBit Reigns Supreme in Soaring Ransomware Landscape - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How security experts unravel ransomware (engadget.com)

• Cyber Attacks by North Korea raked in $3bn to build nuclear weapons, UN monitors suspect | North Korea | The Guardian

• US govt ups bounty on Hive ransomware gang members to $15M • The Register

Ransomware Victims

• Industry giants Clorox and Johnson Controls report financial losses from cyber attacks (therecord.media)

• Clorox says cyber attack caused $49 million in expenses (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Blackbaud blasted for failing to prevent customer breaches | Computer Weekly

• Lurie Children's Hospital cyber attack forces systems offline • The Register

• Blackbaud settles FTC data security probe into 2020 ransomware attack | K-12 Dive (k12dive.com)

• Thanks to a shadowy hacker group, the British Library is still on its knees. Is there any way to stop them? | Lamorna Ash | The Guardian

• California union confirms ransomware attack following LockBit claims (therecord.media)

• Another Chicago hospital announces cyber attack (therecord.media)

• Scots care charity target of huge cyber attack - TFN

• Funerals reportedly canceled due to ransomware attack on Austrian town (therecord.media)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Fake board meeting nets cyber criminals more than €28m - TechCentral.ie

• QR Code 'Quishing' Attacks on Execs Surge, Evading Email Security (darkreading.com)

• 222% surge in email attacks during 2023

• Email attacks on business tripled in 2023 — and ChatGPT was often the culprit | TechRadar

• South African Railways Lost Over $1M in Phishing Scam (darkreading.com)

• These were the most common phishing emails of 2023 — make sure you don't get caught out as well | TechRadar

Artificial Intelligence

• Fake board meeting nets cyber criminals more than €28m - TechCentral.ie

• Surge in deepfake "Face Swap" attacks puts remote identity verification at risk | Tripwire

• Email attacks on business tripled in 2023 — and ChatGPT was often the culprit | TechRadar

• Meta’s Oversight Board Urges a Policy Change After a Fake Biden Video - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft uncovers extensive Iranian AI-based cyber ops against Israel amid Gaza war | Ctech (calcalistech.com)

• Could a threat actor socially engineer ChatGPT? (securityintelligence.com)

• Current approaches can’t mitigate the AI cyber security threat. What can? (networkingplus.co.uk)

Malware

• Malware-as-a-Service Now the Top Threat to Organisations - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Malware-riddled Android apps spotted on Google Play Store — here's what to avoid | TechRadar

• Google Play Used to Spread 'Patchwork' APT's Espionage Apps (darkreading.com)

• macOS Malware Campaign Showcases Novel Delivery Technique (darkreading.com)

• China Caught Dropping RAT Designed for FortiGate Devices (darkreading.com)

• FritzFrog Returns with Log4Shell and PwnKit, Spreading Malware Inside Your Network (thehackernews.com)

• Netherlands accuses China of cyber spying after security service makes malware discovery | NL Times

• Beware: Fake Facebook Job Ads Spreading 'Ov3r_Stealer' to Steal Crypto and Credentials (thehackernews.com)

• Fresh 'Mispadu Stealer' Variant Emerges (darkreading.com)

• Mini PC maker ships systems with factory-installed spyware — AceMagic says issue was contained to the 'first shipment' | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

• Raspberry Robin Evolves With Stealth Tactics, New Exploits - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Mobile

• Malware-riddled Android apps spotted on Google Play Store — here's what to avoid | TechRadar

• Google Links Over 60 Zero-Days to Commercial Spyware Vendors - SecurityWeek

• 'Coyote' Malware Begins Its Hunt, Preying on 61 Banking Apps (darkreading.com)US insurance firms sound alarm after 66,000 individuals impacted by SIM swap attack (bitdefender.com)

• Google Play Used to Spread 'Patchwork' APT's Espionage Apps (darkreading.com)

• Government hackers targeted iPhones owners with zero-days, Google says | TechCrunchWizz Removed from Apple and Google Stores for Sextortion Concerns - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Top Mobile App Security Risks | MSSP Alert

• February 2024 Android security patch here for Pixels - Android Authority

• Google fixed an Android critical remote code execution flaw (securityaffairs.com)

• Warning from LastPass as fake app found on Apple App Store | Malwarebytes

• Android XLoader malware can now auto-execute after installation (bleepingcomputer.com)

• This Android malware can steal all your photos and texts without being opened — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• That electric toothbrush DDoS story you saw might have been a case of mistranslation | ITPro

Internet of Things – IoT

• The toothbrush DDoS attack: How misinformation spreads in the cyber security world • Graham Cluley

• Global cities unprepared for emerging risks warns study

• Understanding the Connection Between IoT Vulnerabilities and Home Network Intrusions - Security Boulevard

• As Smart Cities Expand, So Do the Threats (darkreading.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• AnyDesk forces password reset for customers as 18k credentials go up for sale online | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Cloudflare hacked — company reveals details of November 2023 cyber attack, blames previous Okta breach | TechRadar

• HPE investigates new breach after data for sale on hacking forum (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Alleged data breach sees names, addresses and phone numbers of serving police staff shared on email - North Wales Live (dailypost.co.uk)

• Blackbaud Comments on FTC Settlement, Continues to Strengthen Cyber Security - MarketWatch

• FTC orders Blackbaud to overhaul ‘reckless’ security practices in wake of 2020 breach | TechCrunch

• Looted RIPE Credentials for Sale on the Dark Web (darkreading.com)

• Millions of User Records Stolen From 65 Websites via SQL Injection Attacks - SecurityWeek

• 'ResumeLooters' Attackers Steal Millions of Career Records (darkreading.com)

• Data breach at French healthcare services firm puts millions at risk (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Verizon Says Data Breach Impacted 63,000 Employees - SecurityWeek

• Data breaches at Viamedis and Almerys impact 33 million in France (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Report: More Than Half of Americans Have Had Their Data Exposed (govtech.com)

• Data of half the population of France stolen in its largest ever cyber attack. This is what we know | Euronews

• HopSkipDrive says personal data of 155,000 drivers stolen in data breach | TechCrunch

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Over half of companies experienced cyber security incidents last year (betanews.com)

• Malware-as-a-Service Now the Top Threat to Organisations - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• As-a-Service tools empower criminals with limited tech skills - Help Net Security

• Teens Committing Scary Cyber Crimes, What's Behind the Trend? (darkreading.com)

• Nigerian President Dismisses Nation's 'Cyber Crime Haven' Image (darkreading.com)

• Lessons Learned From Tracing Cyber Crime’s Evolution On The Dark Web (forbes.com)

• US must ratchet up its response in pursuing hackers, MITRE CTO argues - Nextgov/FCW

• Report: Blocked IP addresses increased by 116.42% | Security Magazine

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Pig-butchering scams morph into DeFi threats (cointelegraph.com)

• Crypto-related ransomware attacks made 'major comeback' in 2023 (verdict.co.uk)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Former CIA worker spilled to WikiLeaks, jailed for 40 years • The Register

• How bias can undermine insider threat monitoring | TechRadar

• What is a Behavioral Risk Indicator? Demystifying Insider Risk Indicators - Security Boulevard

• Engineer accused of stealing secret US government tech used to detect nuclear missile launches (nbcnews.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Cloudflare hacked — company reveals details of November 2023 cyber attack, blames previous Okta breach | TechRadar

• Blackbaud blasted for failing to prevent customer breaches | Computer Weekly

• Removing the weakest link: Strengthen the security of your supply chain (techuk.org)

Cloud/SaaS

• Stop chasing shadow IT: Tackle the root causes of cloud breaches | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Midnight Blizzard and Cloudflare-Atlassian Cyber Security Incidents - Security Boulevard

• Organisations Left Grappling for Solutions Amid Alarming Cloud Security Gaps | Network Computing

Identity and Access Management

• Surge in deepfake "Face Swap" attacks puts remote identity verification at risk | Tripwire

Encryption

• Raspberry Pi Pico cracks BitLocker in under a minute • The Register

Linux and Open Source

• Critical vulnerability affecting most Linux distros allows for bootkits | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Credential Harvesting Vs. Credential Stuffing Attacks: What’s the Difference? - Security Boulevard

• Looted RIPE Credentials for Sale on the Dark Web (darkreading.com)

• AnyDesk downplays impact of cyber attack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Midnight Blizzard and Cloudflare-Atlassian Cyber Security Incidents - Security Boulevard

Social Media

• Beware: Fake Facebook Job Ads Spreading 'Ov3r_Stealer' to Steal Crypto and Credentials (thehackernews.com)

• Meta’s Oversight Board Urges a Policy Change After a Fake Biden Video - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Facebook fatal accident scam still rages on | Malwarebytes

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Never Mind the Buzz; Here's the Consequences: No One in Cyber Security Is Ready for the SolarWinds Prosecution | Council on Foreign Relations (cfr.org)

• How the SEC's Rules on Cyber Security Incident Disclosure Are Exploited (darkreading.com)

• Proposed contractor cyber reporting rule sets a ‘significantly problematic’ bar, industry groups say (databreaches.net)

• No one's happy with latest US cyber incident reporting plan • The Register

• 2023 Cyber Security Regulation Recap (Part 3): Privacy Protection - Security Boulevard

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Exploring NIST Cyber Security Framework 2.0 - Help Net Security

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Combatting Stress In The Cyber Security Industry (forbes.com)

• IT Security Hiring Must Adapt to Skills Shortages (informationweek.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Former CIA worker spilled to WikiLeaks, jailed for 40 years • The Register

• Romance fraudster jailed after conning women out of £300k - BBC News

• Cops arrest 17-year-old suspected of hundreds of swattings nationwide | Ars Technica

• How security experts unravel ransomware (engadget.com)

• US must ratchet up its response in pursuing hackers, MITRE CTO argues - Nextgov/FCW

• Report: Blocked IP addresses increased by 116.42% | Security Magazine

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• The toothbrush DDoS attack: How misinformation spreads in the cyber security world • Graham Cluley

• Report Details Scope of Global Threat to Elections - Security Boulevard

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Google Play Used to Spread 'Patchwork' APT's Espionage Apps (darkreading.com)

• Cyber security remains the top risk for European banks, as heightened geopolitics increases the perceived threat of cyber warfare | EY - Global

• How to Win a Cyberwar: Use a Combined Intelligence Strategy (inforisktoday.com)

• NCSC and partners issue warning about state-sponsored attackers hiding out in critical infrastructure networks... - NCSC.GOV.UK

Nation State Actors

China

• Chinese Hackers Preparing ‘Destructive Attacks,’ CISA Warns (govinfosecurity.com)

• Chinese Hackers Hid in US Infrastructure for 5 Years | Newsmax.com

• China's Cyber Attackers Target US and Allied Militaries (newsweek.com)

• FBI Issues Ominous Warning of Imminent Cyber Attack on Critical Infrastructure - Security Boulevard

• Dutch intelligence finds Chinese hackers spying on secret Defence Ministry network (therecord.media)

• Shutting Down the Grid: Possible Cyber Attacks From Chinese Hackers | NTD

• China Caught Dropping RAT Designed for FortiGate Devices (darkreading.com)

• Top US venture capitalists invest in China tech for big returns (nypost.com)

• Classified Japanese diplomatic info leaked after Chinese cyber attacks - The Japan Times

• Philippines Says Hacker in China Behind Foiled Attack on Government Website - Bloomberg

• Chinese hackers fail to rebuild botnet after FBI takedown (bleepingcomputer.com)

Russia

• EU capitals fear Russian retaliation and cyber attacks after asset freezes – POLITICO

• The Kremlin threatens the West with years of trials and cyber attacks for trying to use its assets for Ukraine. - UBN

• Russia’s Countervalue Cyber Approach: Utility or Futility? - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Iran

• Designating Iranian Cyber Officials - United States Department of State

• Microsoft: Iran is refining its cyber operations | CyberScoop

• Microsoft uncovers extensive Iranian AI-based cyber ops against Israel amid Gaza war | Ctech (calcalistech.com)

• US sanctions Iranian officials over cyber attacks on water plants - BBC News

North Korea

• Cyber attacks by North Korea raked in $3bn to build nuclear weapons, UN monitors suspect | North Korea | The Guardian

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

• Cyber security remains the top risk for European banks, as heightened geopolitics increases the perceived threat of cyber warfare | EY - Global

• Government hackers targeted iPhones owners with zero-days, Google says | TechCrunch

• Google: Half of all zero-days used against our products are developed by spyware vendors (therecord.media)

• Spyware business booming despite government crackdowns • The Register

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Vulnerability Management

• How To Address OT And ICS Cyber Attack Vulnerabilities (forbes.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Fortinet FortiSIEM hit by two 10/10 severity vulns • The Register

• Fortinet warns of new FortiSIEM RCE bugs in confusing disclosure (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Experts Detail New Flaws in Azure HDInsight Spark, Kafka, and Hadoop Services (thehackernews.com)

• Critical Patches Released for New Flaws in Cisco, Fortinet, VMware Products (thehackernews.com)

• Ivanti: Patch new Connect Secure auth bypass bug immediately (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Newest Ivanti SSRF zero-day now under mass exploitation (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical vulnerability in Mastodon sparks patching frenzy • The Register

• Mastodon Vulnerability Allows Hackers to Hijack Any Decentralized Account (thehackernews.com)

• February 2024 Android security patch here for Pixels - Android Authority

• Google: Half of all zero-days used against our products are developed by spyware vendors (therecord.media)

• Government hackers targeted iPhones owners with zero-days, Google says | TechCrunch

• JetBrains warns of new TeamCity auth bypass vulnerability (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Critical vulnerability affecting most Linux distros allows for bootkits | Ars Technica

• Google fixed an Android critical remote code execution flaw (securityaffairs.com)

• Cisco fixes critical Expressway Series CSRF vulnerabilities (securityaffairs.com)

• QNAP Patches High-Severity Bugs in QTS, Qsync Central - SecurityWeek

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Tools and Controls

• What is a Behavioral Risk Indicator? Demystifying Insider Risk Indicators - Security Boulevard

• How to Win a Cyberwar: Use a Combined Intelligence Strategy (inforisktoday.com)

• Surge in deepfake "Face Swap" attacks puts remote identity verification at risk | Tripwire

• Close security gaps with attack path analysis and management | TechTarget

• Using Proactive Intelligence Against Adversary Infrastructure - Security Boulevard

• A Hacker’s Perspective For Building Proactive Organisational Defences (forbes.com)

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Acronis Cyber Threats Report H2 2023 | Acronis Resource Center

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Other News

• Report: Mac security threats on the rise, here’s what to watch out for - 9to5Mac

• Trustees urged to review cyber incident frameworks following NCSC changes - Pensions Age Magazine

• Airbus App Vulnerability Introduced Aircraft Safety Risk: Security Firm - SecurityWeek

• ‘Elevated’ risk of hackers targeting UK drinking water, says credit agency | Cyber Crime | The Guardian

• What Will the Future of Cyber Security Bring? - Security Boulevard

• Cyber security remains the top risk for European banks, as heightened geopolitics increases the perceived threat of cyber warfare | EY - Global

• Cyber attacks on knowledge institutions are increasing: what can be done? (nature.com)

• McPartland Review - Driving Economic Growth through Cyber Security (techuk.org)

• A view from Brussels: ENISA celebrates 20th anniversary amid 'grim times' (iapp.org)

• Revealed – top 10 cyber incidents of 2023 | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• NCSC warns CNI operators over ‘living-off-the-land’ attacks | Computer Weekly

• Serious threats, unserious responses (reason.com)

• Super Bowl LVIII Presents a Vast Attack Surface for Threat Actors (darkreading.com)

• We Need Cyber Security in Space to Protect Satellites | Scientific American

• Inquiry to explore cyber risk to Sunak-Starmer showdown | Computer Weekly

• Three predictions for responding to the cyber threat landscape in 2024 | Computer Weekly

• How Hospitals Can Help Improve Medical Device Data Security (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 Advisory 09 February 2024 – Cisco, Fortinet, Ivanti and VMware Security Updates

Executive Summary

Cisco, Fortinet, Ivanti and VMware have addressed multiple vulnerabilities across their product range. All of the vendors have a security patch available to address the vulnerabilities and due to the active exploitation of some of the vulnerabilities, it is recommended to apply them immediately.

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Cisco

Cisco have released security updates for three flaws affecting the Cisco Expressway Series that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to conduct cross-site request forgery attacks. Two of the flaws are rated critical (CVE-2024-20252 and CVE-2024-20254) and can be exploited in the impacted devices default configuration, however the third flaw (CVE-2024-20255) can only be exploited if the cluster database API feature has been enabled, which is disabled by default.

Cisco have released patches for the affected products and are available in Cisco Expressway Series Release versions 14.3.4 and 15.0.0.

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Fortinet
Fortinet have released a second round of updates addressing two previously disclosed critical flaws in the FortiSIEM supervisor. The two flaws (CVE-2024-23108 and CVE-02024-23109) allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to perform arbitrary code execution.

Impacted products are:
FortiSIEM version 7.1.0 through 7.1.1 fixed in 7.1.2
FortiSIEM version 7.0.0 through 7.0.2 fixed in 7.0.3
FortiSIEM version 6.7.0 through 6.7.8 fixed in 6.7.9
FortiSIEM version 6.6.0 through 6.6.3 fixed in 6.6.5
FortiSIEM version 6.5.0 through 6.5.2 fixed in 6.5.3
FortiSIEM version 6.4.0 through 6.4.2 fixed in 6.4.4

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Ivanti
Another critical security patch has been released by Ivanti for their Connect Secure product, Policy Secure and ZTA gateways. The flaw (CVE-2024-22024) allows remote attackers to gain access to restricted resources without requiring user interaction or authentication. While Ivanti have stated that this vulnerability is not currently being actively exploited they urge affected users to patch immediately.

To mitigate the risks, it is recommended that all users of the impacted devices running version 6.x upgrade to version 6.12.0.

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VMware
VMware have warned of five vulnerabilities in the Aria Operations for Networks. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including local privilege escalation, cross-site scripting and local file read (requires admin privileges).

To mitigate the risks, it is recommended that all users of the impacted devices running version 6.x upgrade to version 6.12.0

---

Further Information

Cisco
Further details on the Cisco vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-expressway-csrf-KnnZDMj3

Fortinet

Further details on the Fortinet vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-23-130

Ivanti

Further details on the Ivanti vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/CVE-2024-22024-XXE-for-Ivanti-Connect-Secure-and-Ivanti-Policy-Secure?language=en_US

VMware

Further details on the VMware vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/96450

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 02 February 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

The Financial Sector is Plagued by Increasingly Sophisticated Cyber Attacks That Demand a Defensive Paradigm Shift

A series of interviews with senior cyber executives and decision makers around the world gave insights into the attacks seen in the financial sector. The findings include 77% of financial organisations detecting campaigns to steal non-public market information, 48% falling victim to attacks solely focused on destroying data and 45% of organisations believing they were a victim of an attack which they were unable to detect. The financial sector remains a valuable target for cyber criminals and as such, organisations within this sector must proactively protect themselves.

Source: [PR News Wire]

The $10 Billion Cyber Insurance Industry Sees a Dangerous Year in Cyber Crime Ahead. AI, Ransomware, and War are its Biggest Concerns

A recent report by insurance broker Woodruff Sawyer sheds light on pressing concerns from the perspective of the insurance industry. Amidst ongoing global conflicts and the rise of AI-driven cyber threats, the boundaries between war and cyber attacks are blurring. Insurers are increasingly wary, with many opting not to provide coverage, particularly against war-related risks. The survey reveals a grim outlook, with 56% of clients anticipating a significant increase in cyber risks in 2024, primarily driven by ransomware and war associated threats. The challenge lies in defining and navigating these evolving risks, leaving clients uncertain about their cyber security strategies. Additionally, updated US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules mandating rapid disclosure of cyber breaches add further complexity to the cyber security landscape, warranting close monitoring by insurers. As cyber threats continue to evolve in a turbulent world, the insurance industry faces unprecedented challenges in safeguarding against cyber risks.

Source: [Fortune]

Microsoft Says Russian Hackers Used Known Identified Tactics to Breach Senior Exec Emails

Hackers allegedly linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) breached a legacy non-production test tenant account in Microsoft last November, before pivoting into their senior executives’ email accounts. Microsoft only discovered the incident on 12 January. In a blog post, Microsoft said that the attackers had used a password spray attack on a limited number of accounts. One of these accounts was a legacy, non-production test account that had elevated access to the Microsoft corporate environment, and the ability to create malicious OAuth applications with access to other corporate mailboxes, leading to them accessing senior executives’ emails. Microsoft has since confirmed that multi-factor authentication was not enabled. Microsoft has previously warned the public about this exact scenario, writing that attackers “compromise user accounts to create, modify, and grant high privileges to OAuth applications that they can misuse to hide malicious activity.”

Sources: [The Record] [Bleeping Computer]

Old Methods, New Tricks: Cyber Criminals Are Still Using Social Engineering to Steal Your Credentials

2023 showed us that despite all the advancements in cyber security, most threat actors are simply just logging in. To do this an attacker needs credentials, often gained through phishing, the most common social engineering tactic. The emergence and utilisation of artificial intelligence has only made this easier, the point being that now virtually anyone can conduct a sophisticated phishing campaign, and with huge success. But what can organisations do? Focus on their human firewall. Social engineering will remain, and organisations need to ensure that their staff are consistently trained to be vigilant, as well as regular updated training on current trends. Users should ensure that they don’t reuse passwords across accounts, nor use easy to guess passwords or patterns. Users should be encouraged to use password managers to enable better, and more manageable, password hygiene. Where possible, multi factor authentication should be enforced.

Sources: [Security Boulevard] [Beta News] [Security Intelligence]

UK Government Unveils New Cyber Threat Guidelines as 32% of Firms Suffer Attacks in Past Year

The UK government is urging organisations to prioritise cyber threats as a key business risk, on par with financial and legal challenges. They have released new guidelines, the Cyber Governance Code of Practice, aimed at directors and senior leaders to elevate cyber security as a focal point in business operations. The code recommends clear roles and responsibilities, customer protection, and plans to respond to cyber attacks. It also emphasises the need for employees to possess adequate cyber awareness and skills. As cyber security incidents rise, a report found that 77% of financial services organisations have experienced a cyber attack. Other figures also show that 32% of firms have suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past year alone. These guidelines align with the UK Government’s National Cyber Strategy, aiming to protect and promote online security in the country. With the financial sector experiencing underperforming cyber security providers, organisations need to strengthen their anti-fraud defences, possibly incorporating cyber risk ratings for a more robust security posture.

Source: [The Fintech Times]

94% of Organisations Would Pay a Ransom, Despite Having ‘Do Not Pay’ Policies, as 79% Faced an Attack in 2023

A recent study has found that 94% of organisations would pay a ransomware demand, even if they had a ‘do not pay’ policy, in the event of an attack. The study found that 79% had suffered a ransomware related attack in the second half of 2023. When it came to resilience, only 21% had full confidence in their organisation’s cyber resilience and ability to address today’s escalating cyber challenges and threats, and 23% reported that they would need over three weeks to recover data and restore business processes. A common theme in the study was the belief that senior and executive management do not fully understand the serious risks, with only 35% of respondents believing risks were fully understood.

Sources: [Beta News] [ Security Magazine] [MSSP Alert]

Interpol Arrests More than 30 Cyber Criminals in Global Operation

This week, international law enforcement announced that it detained 31 suspected cyber criminals and identified 1,300 malicious servers which were used to conduct phishing attacks and distribute malware. The operation, labelled “Synergia” was in response to “the clear growth, escalation and professionalisation of transnational cyber crime and the need for coordinated action against new cyber threats” Interpol said. Nearly 60 law enforcement agencies and several private companies were involved in the operation.

Sources: [The Record]

Divide and Succeed: Splitting IT and Security Makes Business Sense

Maintaining year-round security hygiene is important to protect both consumers and organisations. Cyber attacks, like the recent one on 23andMe, often exploit vulnerabilities that persist due to incomplete patching and compromised credentials. Many organisations cite time constraints as the primary reason for not updating security features. Ideally, in any organisation, and indeed in all organisations that have reached a level of maturity in this space, security and IT teams should be separate; however, this is not really achievable in many organisations and hence the responsibility to protect ultimately falls on IT teams. Overburdened IT teams, and IT teams whose primary focus is on operational IT, further compound the issue, spending significant time managing data requests and analysing data, leading to cyber security risks. As consumers become more privacy-conscious, businesses must review and adapt their data privacy policies to build trust. Additionally, the growing use of artificial intelligence poses new risks, necessitating the development of company-wide AI policies to protect data privacy. While privacy legislation remains fragmented, staying proactive by updating data privacy policies, understanding data usage, and fortifying cyber security defences is crucial for organisations.

Source: [Digital Journal]

Ransomware Groups Gain Clout with False Attack Claims

A concerning trend is on the rise: fake breach claims by ransomware groups. Cyber criminals are leveraging the dark web and social media to spread misinformation about alleged breaches, triggering unwarranted cyber investigations and generating unwanted, and unwarranted, negative publicity for the alleged victim. Recent incidents involving Technica Corp and Europcar exemplify this growing threat. While these claims often lack credible evidence, they serve as a means for ransomware operators to gain attention and clout in the cyber criminal world. These groups resort to false claims to maintain relevance. Cyber security teams must adapt to this new ransomware misinformation communication strategy and exercise caution when evaluating breach claims.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Payment Fraud is Hitting Organisations Harder Than Ever Before

According to research, 96% of companies in the US were targeted with at least one fraud attempt in the past year. 36% who suffered said the average loss they experienced was more than $1 million and for 25%, this was more than $5 million. The study found misaligned perception as despite the number falling victim, only 5% believed they could not keep up with fraud. Of concern, 75% of C-level finance leaders said they would stop doing business with an organisation that fell victim to payment fraud.

Source: [Help Net Security]

Chinese Hacking Operations Have Entered a Far More Dangerous Phase, US Warns

In the US, the directors of the FBI, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), have stated that China’s cyber activity is moving beyond the last decade’s spying and data theft toward direct attacks on critical infrastructure. It was identified that Chinese nation-state actors were planting malware on network routers and other internet-connected devices that, if triggered, could disrupt water, power, rail and other critical services, possibly causing widespread chaos, or even injury or deaths as a result.

Source: [Defense One]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• $10 billion cyber insurance sector fears war, AI, ransomware ahead | Fortune

• Recognizing Security as a Strategic Component of Business (darkreading.com)

• Top Five Risks Facing Corporate Boards | The Volkov Law Group - JDSupra

• Despite awareness, small businesses still highly vulnerable to cyber attacks | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• Improving cyber security culture: A priority in the year of the CISO | CSO Online

• UK Government Unveils New Cyber Threat Guidelines as 32% of Firms Suffer Attacks in Past Year | The Fintech Times

• Top 3 Cyber Security Trends for SME Business Leaders | MSSP Alert

• Building good cyber security posture doesn't have to be expensive – NCA | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• What the Charges Against the SolarWinds CISO Mean for Security in 2024 - Security Boulevard

• Divide and succeed: Splitting IT and Security makes business sense - Digital Journal

• Prioritizing cyber crime intelligence for effective decision-making in cyber security - Help Net Security

• Strengthening Cyber Security: The rise of the Security Assurance Officer (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Proactive Cyber Security: A strategic approach to cost efficiency and crisis management - Help Net Security

• 5 Cyber Security Strategies You Must Embrace to Protect Your Business | Inc.com

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransomware Survey Shows 94% of Companies Would Pay | MSSP Alert

• $10 billion cyber insurance sector fears war, AI, ransomware ahead | Fortune

• Ransomware's Impact May Include Heart Attacks, Strokes & PTSD (techrepublic.com)

• 79% of organisations faced a ransomware attack in H2 2023 | Security Magazine

• Ransomware Groups Gain Clout With False Attack Claims (darkreading.com)

• LockBit remorseless in latest children's hospital attack • The Register

• Alpha Ransomware Group Launches Data Leak Site on the Dark Web - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The Ransomware Threat in 2024 is Growing: Report - Security Week

• Akira ransomware attacks linked to Cisco vuln fixed in 2020 • The Register

• “More Groups, More Problems”: Searchlight Cyber Report Reveals Ransomware Groups to Watch in 2024 | Business Wire

• OpenText Cyber Security Global Ransomware Survey: The Risk Perception Gap | MSSP Alert

• The State of Ransomware 2024 - Security Boulevard

• The evolution of ransomware: Lessons for the future (securityintelligence.com)

• New strain of the Phobos ransomware discovered in VBA script | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Canadian Man Sentenced to Prison for Ransomware Attacks - Security Week

• Ransomware Research Reveals Millions Spent Despite Do Not Pay Policies - IT Security Guru

• A Cyber Insurer's Perspective on How to Avoid Ransomware (darkreading.com)

• Online ransomware decryptor helps recover partially encrypted files (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Higher cyber defences lead to higher ransoms, study finds | Cybernews

• ICS Ransomware Danger Rages Despite Fewer Attacks (darkreading.com)

Ransomware Victims

• ICO confirms data breach probe as UK councils remain downed by cyber attack | TechCrunch

• Pentagon investigating theft of sensitive files by ransomware group | CyberScoop

• Johnson Controls says ransomware attack cost $27 million, data stolen (bleepingcomputer.com)

• "Cyber security matter" prompted network outage at Lurie Children's Hospital - CBS Chicago (cbsnews.com)

• New Jersey School District Shut Down by Cyber Attack (darkreading.com)

• Cactus ransomware gang claims the Schneider Electric hack (securityaffairs.com)

• Schneider Electric Responding to Ransomware Attack, Data Breach  - Security Week

• Akira ransomware gang says it stole passport scans from Lush • The Register

• Kansas public transportation authority hit by ransomware (bleepingcomputer.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Microsoft says Russian hackers used previously identified tactic to breach senior exec emails (therecord.media)

• In major gaffe, hacked Microsoft test account was assigned admin privileges | Ars Technica

• Microsoft 365 users need to be on their guard — new phishing campaign could cause some serious damage, and it's being offered for sale for barely nothing to lure new criminals in | TechRadar

• In 2023, Cyber Criminals Were Still Using Social Engineering to Steal Your Credentials - Security Boulevard

• The top phishing themes of 2023 (betanews.com)

• AI vs. human deceit: Unravelling the new age of phishing tactics (securityintelligence.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• $10 billion cyber insurance sector fears war, AI, ransomware ahead | Fortune

• AI-Powered Attacks and Deepfake Technology Fuel Cyber Attack Concern - IT Security Guru

• ChatGPT bug leaked conversations from others in your history (bgr.com)

• AI vs. human deceit: Unravelling the new age of phishing tactics (securityintelligence.com)

• Expect ‘AI versus AI’ conflict soon, Pentagon cyber leader says - Defense One

• AI Companies Will Need to Start Reporting Their Safety Tests to the US Government - Security Week

• AI-generated code leads to security issues for most businesses: report | CIO Dive

• Poisoned AI went rogue during training and couldn't be taught to behave again in 'legitimately scary' study | Live Science

• Assessing and quantifying AI risk: A challenge for enterprises | CSO Online

• AI And 5G are Defining a New Era of Cyber Security: The Industry Must Collectively Adapt - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Identity verification systems need hybrid liveness detection to protect against AI spoofs, say experts | ITPro

• Worried About AI Voice Clone Scams? Create a Family Password | Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff.org)

2FA/MFA

• Microsoft says Russian hackers used previously identified tactic to breach senior exec emails (therecord.media)

Malware

• It's true — Microsoft Teams group chat requests can be bad for you, as hackers hijack them to spread malware | TechRadar

• One of the world's biggest web hosting companies revealed that it eradicated nearly 500 million malware threats in 2023 - a staggering 250 instances per customer | TechRadar

• How the ZeuS Trojan Info Stealer Changed Cyber Security (securityintelligence.com)

• FBI disrupts Chinese botnet by wiping malware from infected routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• AllaKore RAT Malware Targeting Mexican Firms with Financial Fraud Tricks (thehackernews.com)

• Windows PCs are now being hit by dangerous malware — here's the steps you need to take to stay safe | TechRadar

• Malicious PyPI Packages Slip WhiteSnake InfoStealer Malware onto Windows Machines (thehackernews.com)

• Fake Google ads are trying to trick users into downloading nasty malware — here's how you can fight back | TechRadar

• Police disrupt Grandoreiro banking malware operation, make arrests (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Threat Actors Using Adult Games To Launch Remcos RAT Attack - Security Boulevard

• Italian Businesses Hit by Weaponized USBs Spreading Cryptojacking Malware (thehackernews.com)

• More Android apps riddled with malware spotted on Google Play (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Don't believe everything you read - hackers are pushing malware via media, news sites | TechRadar

Mobile

• Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Millions in Cryptocurrency via SIM Swapping  - Security Week

• More Android apps riddled with malware spotted on Google Play (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• DDoS attack power skyrockets to 1.6 Tbps - Help Net Security

Internet of Things – IoT

• FBI disrupts Chinese botnet by wiping malware from infected routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The many ways electric cars are vulnerable to hacks, and whether that matters in a real-world (talosintelligence.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• There was a 39% surge in data exfiltration cyber attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• Europcar denies data breach of 50 million users, says data is fake (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 3.5M exposed in COVID-19 e-passport leak (securityaffairs.com)

• Mercedes-Benz accidentally exposed sensitive data, including source code (securityaffairs.com)

• FTC orders Blackbaud to boost security after massive data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 23andMe confirms last year's massive data breach went unnoticed for five months, hackers stole raw genotype data | TechSpot

• 23andMe admits it didn’t detect cyber attacks for months | TechCrunch

• Millions of corporate messages leaked by Miracle Software's unsecured MongoDB instance | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Football Australia investigating 'critical data' leak - ESPN

• Top 3 Data Breaches of 2023, and What Lies Ahead in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• A Look Back at the Biggest Data Breaches in 2023: a Cautionary Tale for All Businesses - Hayes Connor

• DHS employees jailed for stealing data of 200K US govt workers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber criminals replace familiar tactics to exfiltrate sensitive data - Help Net Security

• Data leak at fintech giant Direct Trading Technologies (securityaffairs.com)

• Timex breach leaks employee Social Security numbers | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Cloudflare hacked using auth tokens stolen in Okta attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Keenan warns 1.5 million people of data breach after summer cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Dark Web Drugs Vendor Forfeits $150m After Guilty Plea - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ReasonLabs Releases Annual "State of Consumer Cyber Security Report" for 2024 (prnewswire.com)

• Cyber criminals replace familiar tactics to exfiltrate sensitive data - Help Net Security

• ‘Extremely heinous’: Myanmar hands over 10 leading cyber scam suspects to China | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

• Smarter, Meaner, Sneakier: Security Trends for 2024 (trendmicro.com)

• How businesses can tackle the cyber crime economy (siliconrepublic.com)

• Expert explains the alarming creativity of today's cyber attacks, and five unlikely places you're vulnerable (techxplore.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Bitcoin worth £1.4bn seized after ex-takeaway worker tried to buy £23m mansion, court hears | UK News | Sky News

• Pump-and-Dump Schemes Make Crypto Fraudsters $240m - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Millions in Cryptocurrency via SIM Swapping  - Security Week

• Police seized 50,000 Bitcoin from operator of the now-defunct piracy site movie2k (securityaffairs.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Top-tier IT talent doesn't stick around in 'mid-market' organisations - which could also be a major security risk | TechRadar

• DHS employees jailed for stealing data of 200K US govt workers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Put People First When Facing Sophisticated Cyber Threats (forbes.com)

Insurance

• A Cyber Insurer's Perspective on How to Avoid Ransomware (darkreading.com)

• $10 billion cyber insurance sector fears war, AI, ransomware ahead | Fortune

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Supply Chain Security and NIS2: What You Need to Know - Security Boulevard

• Third-party risk management best practices and why they matter - Help Net Security

• Cloudflare hacked using auth tokens stolen in Okta attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber criminals embrace smarter strategies, less effort - Help Net Security

• Expert explains the alarming creativity of today's cyber attacks, and five unlikely places you're vulnerable (techxplore.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Microsoft 365 users need to be on their guard — new phishing campaign could cause some serious damage, and it's being offered for sale for barely nothing to lure new criminals in | TechRadar

• Microsoft Teams phishing pushes DarkGate malware via group chats (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Why adversaries have their heads in the cloud - Red Canary

• 'Leaky Vessels' Cloud Bugs Allow Container Escapes Globally (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Attacks, AI and Multicloud Hit Cyber Security in 2023 - The New Stack

• Why DNS protection should be the first step in hybrid cloud security | TechRadar

Identity and Access Management

• Microsoft tells how Russia's Cozy Bear broke into its email • The Register

• In major gaffe, hacked Microsoft test account was assigned admin privileges | Ars Technica

• Microsoft Shares New Guidance in the Wake of 'Midnight Blizzard' Cyber Attack (darkreading.com)

Linux and Open Source

• Cyber Security in Review: The Alarming Trend of Unsupported Systems - Security Boulevard

• New Glibc Flaw Grants Attackers Root Access on Major Linux Distros (thehackernews.com)

• White House releases report on securing open-source software | CyberScoop

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Microsoft says Russian hackers used previously identified tactic to breach senior exec emails (therecord.media)

• ‘Credential stuffing’ attacks set to rise (theage.com.au)

• Hundreds of network operators’ credentials found circulating in Dark Web (securityaffairs.com)

• US charges two more suspects with DraftKing account hacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Social Media

• A tangled mess: Government rules for social media security lack clarity | CyberScoop

• Defending Against Corporate Social Media Account Takeovers (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Malvertising

• Fake Google ads are trying to trick users into downloading nasty malware — here's how you can fight back | TechRadar

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• ICO confirms data breach probe as UK councils remain downed by cyber attack | TechCrunch

• Thе Cyber Resilience Act: What Startups Should Know About Hardware and Software Transparency in 2024 - TheRecursive.com

• SolarWinds Files Motion to Dismiss SEC Lawsuit (darkreading.com)

• What the Charges Against the SolarWinds CISO Mean for Security in 2024 - Security Boulevard

• A tangled mess: Government rules for social media security lack clarity | CyberScoop

• AI Companies Will Need to Start Reporting Their Safety Tests to the US Government - Security Week

• The SEC Won't Let CISOs Be: Understanding New SaaS Cyber Security Rules (thehackernews.com)

• How to Align Your Incident Response Practices With the New SEC Disclosure Rules - Security Week

• UK law could ban Apple security updates across the world in an 'unprecedented overreach' | TechRadar

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Supply Chain Security and NIS2: What You Need to Know - Security Boulevard

• NIS2 Directive raises stakes for security leaders - Help Net Security

• Complete Guide To PCI DSS Compliance - Security Boulevard

• CMMC Is the Starting Line, Not the Finish (darkreading.com)

Data Protection

• ICO confirms data breach probe as UK councils remain downed by cyber attack | TechCrunch

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Wait, infosec isn't a computer science degree requirement? • The Register

• The Future Of Cyber Security Is More Human Than You Think (forbes.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Interpol arrests more than 30 cyber criminals in global ‘Synergia’ operation (therecord.media)

• Interpol-Led Initiative Targets 1300 Suspicious IPs - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Dark Web Drugs Vendor Forfeits $150m After Guilty Plea - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Bitcoin worth £1.4bn seized after ex-takeaway worker tried to buy £23m mansion, court hears | UK News | Sky News

• US charges two more suspects with DraftKing account hacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• US sanctions 3 for supporting ISIS with cyber security expertise, money transfers - UPI.com

• Canada's 'most prolific hacker' jailed for two years (bitdefender.com)

• FBI disrupts Chinese botnet by wiping malware from infected routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Linux users beware — this security flaw could allow attackers to get root on major distros, so take extra care | TechRadar

• Police seized 50,000 Bitcoin from operator of the now-defunct piracy site movie2k (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

• $10 billion cyber insurance sector fears war, AI, ransomware ahead | Fortune

• Cyber attacks as war crimes | International Bar Association (ibanet.org)

• What Are State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks? - Security Boulevard

• Satya Nadella Worries About Hackers Causing 'Breakdown of World Order' (businessinsider.com)

• Expect ‘AI versus AI’ conflict soon, Pentagon cyber leader says - Defense One

• The Cyber Warfare Option Against Hostile States and Groups | National Review

Nation State Actors

China

• Chinese hacking operations have entered a far more dangerous phase, US warns - Defense One

• Chinese hackers preparing to 'wreak havoc' on US, warns FBI chief Christopher Wray | US News | Sky News

• FBI disrupts Chinese botnet by wiping malware from infected routers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Wray’s stunning warning points to a new age of US vulnerability | CNN Politics

• Cyber attacks as war crimes | International Bar Association (ibanet.org)

• EU economic security plan eyes China with more defence than offense (qz.com)

Russia

• Microsoft says Russian hackers used previously identified tactic to breach senior exec emails (therecord.media)

• In major gaffe, hacked Microsoft test account was assigned admin privileges | Ars Technicac

• Microsoft Shares New Guidance in the Wake of 'Midnight Blizzard' Cyber Attack (darkreading.com)

• Russia hacks Microsoft: It’s worse than you think | Computerworld

• Microsoft Threat Report: How Russia’s War on Ukraine Is Impacting the Global Cyber Security Community (darkreading.com)

• Series of Cyber Attacks Hit Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure Organisations (darkreading.com)

• Russian 'cyber war' could exploit divisions in Scotland | The Herald (heraldscotland.com)

• Pawn Storm Uses Brute Force and Stealth Against High-Value Targets (trendmicro.com)

• Russian threat actors dig in, prepare to seize on war fatigue | Security Insider (microsoft.com)

• Russian spies impersonating Western researchers in ongoing hacking campaign (therecord.media)

• Ukranian Military intelligence claims cyber attack on IT company providing services to Russian defence industry (kyivindependent.com)

• Ukraine's POW Coordination Headquarters restores services after cyber attack (kyivindependent.com)

• Ukraine Military Targeted With Russian APT PowerShell Attack (darkreading.com)

Iran

• New Leaks Expose Web of Iranian Intelligence and Cyber Companies - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Iran's 'Cyber Centers' Dodge Sanctions to Sell Cyber Operations (darkreading.com)

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

• US sanctions 3 for supporting ISIS with cyber security expertise, money transfers - UPI.com

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Vulnerability Management

• Does CVSS 4.0 solve the exploitability problem? - Help Net Security

• Why the Right Metrics Matter When it Comes to Vulnerability Management (thehackernews.com)

• Cyber Security in Review: The Alarming Trend of Unsupported Systems - Security Boulevard

• Why organisations need risk-based vulnerability management | TechTarget

Vulnerabilities

• Akira ransomware attacks linked to Cisco vuln fixed in 2020 • The Register

• Ivanti Struggling to Hit Zero-Day Patch Release Schedule - Security Week

• Ivanti releases patches for old and new VPN zero-days • The Register

• A zero-day vulnerability (and PoC) to blind defences relying on Windows event logs - Help Net Security

• 45k Jenkins servers exposed to RCE attacks using public exploits (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Juniper Networks Releases Urgent Junos OS Updates for High-Severity Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• New Glibc Flaw Grants Attackers Root Access on Major Linux Distros (thehackernews.com)

• CISA Warns of Active Exploitation of Critical Flaws in Apple iOS and macOS (thehackernews.com)

• If you’re using this router brand, you may want to disconnect now — security researchers found more vulnerabilities and a hardcoded password in Totolink hardware | TechRadar

• Linux users beware — this security flaw could allow attackers to get root on major distros, so take extra care | TechRadar

• Tor Code Audit Finds 17 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

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Tools and Controls

• Microsoft tells how Russia's Cozy Bear broke into its email • The Register

• In major gaffe, hacked Microsoft test account was assigned admin privileges | Ars Technica

• Microsoft Shares New Guidance in the Wake of 'Midnight Blizzard' Cyber Attack (darkreading.com)

• Building good cyber security posture doesn't have to be expensive – NCA | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• Prioritizing cyber crime intelligence for effective decision-making in cyber security - Help Net Security

• What is DMARC? - Security Boulevard

• Multi-factor authentication suffers from three major weaknesses | TechRadar

• AI-generated code leads to security issues for most businesses: report | CIO Dive

• 3 Best Practices to Improve Threat Hunting - Security Boulevard

• How to make developers accept DevSecOps - Help Net Security

• Assessing and quantifying AI risk: A challenge for enterprises | CSO Online

• How to Align Your Incident Response Practices With the New SEC Disclosure Rules - Security Week

• Why DNS protection should be the first step in hybrid cloud security | TechRadar

• What Is Cyber Threat Hunting? (Definition & How it Works) (techrepublic.com)

• Proactive cyber security: A strategic approach to cost efficiency and crisis management - Help Net Security

• The Future Of Cyber Security Is More Human Than You Think (forbes.com)

• Managing the hidden risks of shadow APIs • The Register

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Cyber Bank Heists | Cyber Security Threats Facing Financial Sector | Contrast Security

• ReasonLabs Releases Annual "State of Consumer Cyber Security Report" for 2024 (prnewswire.com)

• Gartner Report: Innovation Insight for Application Security Posture Management (legitsecurity.com)

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Other News

• The Financial Sector Is Plagued by Increasingly Sophisticated Cyber Attacks That Demand a Defensive Paradigm Shift, According to the Modern Bank Heists Report From Contrast Security (prnewswire.com)

• How SMBs can lower their risk of cyber attacks and data breaches (bleepingcomputer.com)

• FTC orders Blackbaud to boost security after massive data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Global critical infrastructure faces relentless cyber activity - Help Net Security

• Why the healthcare industry must prioritize cyber resilience | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• UK says Emirates-backed stake in Vodafone poses national security risk | Vodafone | The Guardian

• Cyber attacks soar to 13 per second – with OT a key target - Drives and Controls Magazine (drivesncontrols.com)

• Israeli Government: Smallest of SMBs Hit Hardest in Cyber Attacks (darkreading.com)

• How to prepare for the increasing cyber attacks on critical infrastructure - Data Centre & Network News (dcnnmagazine.com)

• CISA: Vendors must secure SOHO routers against Volt Typhoon attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Firmware remains the soft underbelly of banking cyber defence (techmonitor.ai)

• Cyber attacks on state and local governments rose in 2023, says CIS report | StateScoop

• City Cyber Taskforce Launches to Secure Corporate Finance - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fulton County Suffers Power Outages as Cyber Attack Continues (darkreading.com)

• How to Prepare for a Cyber Attack - Security Boulevard

• The Imperative for Robust Security Design in the Health Industry (darkreading.com)

• National cyber security plans lack performance measures and estimated costs, GAO says | CyberScoop

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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 Intelligence Briefing 26 January 2024

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 26 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

Russian Hackers’ Breach of Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Corporate Mailboxes is an Identity Threat Detection Wake-up Call

Just recently, it was publicly disclosed that Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) had their corporate mailboxes breached by threat actors. In the Microsoft breach, a hacking group had used a password spray attack to compromise a non-production test account, and leverage that to access corporate accounts. In the HPE breach, corporate access was gained through unauthorised access to SharePoint files. Both attacks highlight the need for identity threat detection: the ability to identify malicious activity from trusted identities before more sophisticated damage is caused. Cyber incidents are a matter of when, not if, and it is important to have detection capabilities, even for trusted accounts.

Sources: [Help Net Security] [Security Boulevard]

94% of CISOs are Concerned About Third-Party Cyber Threats, Yet Only 3% Have Started Implementing Security Measures

A recent study found that while 94% of CISOs are concerned with third-party cyber security threats,  including 17% who view it as a top priority, only 3% have implemented a third -party cyber risk management solution and 33% have noted plans to implement this year. Small and medium sized businesses may not have the resources of a larger organisation yet will have a similar level of third-party risk. This makes the need for an effective solution even more important, and in some cases this may include outsourcing to cyber experts.

Sources: [Dark Reading]

Cyber Risks Needs to be Prioritised as a Key Business Risk, Says UK Government, as New Cyber Security Governance Code Puts Cyber Risks on Boardroom Agenda

The UK Government has proposed a new Code of Practice on cyber security governance, aimed at directors and senior business leaders. The draft document emphasises the need to prioritise cyber security on par with financial and legal risks. It outlines several key areas for focus, including risk management, cyber strategy, fostering a cyber security culture among employees, incident planning and response, and establishing clear governance structures. With digital technologies playing a crucial role in business resilience, the code calls for greater involvement of executive and non-executive directors in technology governance strategies. The UK Minister for AI and Intellectual Property has highlighted that cyber attacks are as damaging to organisations as financial and legal pitfalls. It is crucial that directors take a firm grip of their organisation’s cyber security regimes to protect their customers, workforce, business operations and the wider economy. This initiative reinforces the importance of a holistic approach to cyber security, including robust incident response plans and regular practice to enhance cyber resilience. It’s a timely reminder that cyber threats are as detrimental to organisations as financial and legal challenges, and this code aims to empower leaders to navigate these threats effectively.

Sources: [Computer Weekly] [Electronics Specifier] [GOV UK] [TechRadar] [Infosecurity Magazine]

81% of Security Professionals Say Phishing Is Top Threat

A recent study found 81% of organisations anticipated phishing as their top security risk over the coming months. In a separate report, it was found that 94% of organisations globally had experienced an email security incident in the past 12 months, with a 10% rise in phishing. It is not just emails where phishing attacks are occurring: in another report, the second half of 2023 saw a 198% increase in browser based phishing attacks. It is clear that phishing is a threat to organisations, and it is important to be prepared.

Sources: [ITPro] [Beta News] [Security Magazine]

Ransomware Attacks Cause Significant Psychological Harm

One area of ransomware that often gets overlooked, is the psychological impact. A recent report by the Royal United Services Institute found that some attacks had caused so much impact that organisations hired post-traumatic stress disorder support teams. A significant number of respondents experienced sleep deprivation, resulting in them developing extreme fatigue and falling asleep at work. Various levels of stress were experienced by security workers, with one interviewee citing the stress of a ransomware attack as a potential cause for a heart attack that required surgery. This highlights that, as with the wider subject of cyber and information security, consideration needs to be given to more than just IT and IT controls: it shows the need for a holistic approach to include people, operations and technology.

Sources: [The Record Media] [TechRadar]

Breached Password Report Reveals Two Million Compromised Cloud Credentials Used '123456' as Password

A recent report has revealed that two million compromised cloud credentials used ‘123456’ as a password. This alarming trend underscores the ongoing issue of weak passwords, which are easily exploited by hackers. Despite the availability of advanced password creation and storage tools, a significant number of individuals and organisations continue to use weak passwords. Furthermore, the report found that 88% of organisations still rely on passwords as their primary authentication method. Despite the focus on password security, nearly every organisation has had risk management lapses. The report highlights the urgent need for stronger password policies and the adoption of more secure authentication methods. Equally, the attacks highlight that simply moving to the cloud does not solve security challenges, and poor cyber hygiene in the cloud will lead to problems.

Sources: [ITPro] [Business Wire] [Security Magazine]

NCSC: UK Intelligence Fears AI will Fuel Ransomware and Exacerbate Cyber Crime

An article published by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) states that AI is already being used to increase the efficacy of cyber attacks, and that AI will continue to significantly increase the odds of a successful attack. AI models will build capability as they are informed by data describing previous successful attacks. The NCSC noted that “It is likely that highly capable unfriendly nation states have repositories of malware that are large enough to effectively train an AI model for this purpose”. The message from the NCSC is clear: AI will propel cyber incidents and organisation must take this into consideration as part of their wider cyber risk management strategy.

Sources: [The Register] [PC Mag] [The Messenger ] [Silicon UK]

Cyber Attacks More than Doubled in 2023, so Why Are So Many Firms Still Not Taking Security Seriously, or Why Firms Ignore Vulnerabilities at Their Own Risk

Cyber attacks soared again last year, and attackers are increasingly taking advantage of software vulnerabilities to breach organisations. This is due to the continuous discovery of new vulnerabilities, and with that, a constant challenge for firms to apply patches. A report found many organisations lack an effective vulnerability management programme and are leaving themselves open to attacks; and in some cases they are left vulnerable for years.

One key hindrance found by the report is the sheer volume of vulnerabilities identified and patched by vendors, leaving organisations with the perpetual challenge of timely patching. This complication is made worse for small and medium sized businesses where they have less resources. The report found that legacy systems are a large risk for many organisations;  in fact, older Windows server OS versions - 2012 and earlier – were found to be 77% more likely to experience attack attempts than newer versions. Many firms are still not taking this danger seriously enough and as a result, blind spots and critical vulnerabilities are worsening, creating more opportunities for attackers.

Sources: [ITPro] [Help Net Security] [ITPro]

Historic Data Leak Reveals 26 billion Records: Check What is Exposed

In what has been described as the ‘mother of all breaches’, 26 billion records have been exposed. These aren’t all new, as a lot of the records are from numerous breaches, however they are all in one location, compiled and index for use. With the emergence of this, there is will likely be a surge in attacks and if you haven’t changed your credentials, or are reusing these same credentials, you may find yourself a victim. To check if your email has been compromised in a breach, you can check on the website www.HaveIBeenPwned.com

Source: [Security Affairs]

Boardroom Cyber Expertise Comes Under Scrutiny

Cyber security concerns continue to be a critical issue for organisations, driven by factors such as data protection, compliance, risk management, and business continuity. However, a recent report reveals a concerning trend where only 5% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) report directly to the CEO, down from 11% in 2021. This gap between cyber security leadership and board-level involvement is a challenge. A report emphasises that many board members lack the technical expertise to understand cyber security, while CISOs often communicate in technical jargon, making it difficult for boards to grasp the significance of security issues. To bridge this gap, it's crucial to educate board members on the real-world risks and costs associated with cyber incidents. Sharing simple metrics like the global average cost of a data breach, which is $4.45 million, can help them understand the financial impact. Moreover, CISOs should learn to convey cyber security matters in business terms and quantify the organisation's cyber risk exposure. By providing boards with information to understand and engaging in informed discussions, they can enhance their cyber security strategy and ensure that these vital issues are prioritised appropriately.

Source: [Security Intelligence]

“It is a whole new bar”: Months Left for Applicable Firms to Prepare for New EU Cyber Security Rules

The landscape of cyber security is evolving rapidly, with two significant EU regulations: the Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), set to take effect in the coming months. NIS2 expands cyber security standards to include critical services like transportation, water services, and health services, while DORA focuses on the financial services sector and aims to ensure resilience against cyber threats.

These regulations necessitate strong cyber security testing, incident reporting processes, and comprehensive assessments of third-party providers' security. Compliance with these regulations will introduce complexity and costs, requiring organisations to prepare comprehensively for the evolving cyber security landscape, including the implications of artificial intelligence. Transparency and understanding are key, as boards must fully comprehend data processing and technology usage within their organisations, ushering in a new era of cyber security governance.

Source: [The Currency]

Ransomware Attacks Break Records In 2023: The Number of Victims Rose By 128%

In 2023, there was a significant surge in ransomware attacks globally. The number of attack attempts more than doubled, increasing by 104%. A report shows that there were 1,900 total ransomware attacks within just four countries: the US, UK, Germany, and France. The use of double extortion techniques, where hackers not only encrypt the data but also steal confidential data beforehand and threaten to release it if their demands are not fulfilled, are becoming increasingly common, with now triple and quadruple extortion techniques also being increasingly deployed. It was also found that data exfiltration was present in approximately 91% of all publicly recorded ransomware attacks in 2023. These figures underscore the growing threat of ransomware and the need for robust cyber security measures.

Sources: [Security Boulevard] [Security Affairs] [Security Brief] [Business Wire]

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Treat cyber risk like financial or legal issue, says UK government | Computer Weekly

• New Cyber Security Governance Code Puts Cyber Risks on Boardroom Agenda - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Business leaders urged to toughen up cyber attack protections - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Organisations face devastating financial consequences from cyber attacks (betanews.com)

• Cyber attacks more than doubled in 2023, so why are so many firms still not taking security seriously? | ITPro

• Cyber Security Attack Attempts More Than Doubled, Increasing 104% in 2023 | Business Wire

• “It is a whole new bar”: Months left to prepare for new EU cyber security rules - The Currency :The Currency

• The growing role of CISOs in cyber security governance - APDR (asiapacificdefencereporter.com)

• Boardroom cyber expertise comes under scrutiny (securityintelligence.com)

• Resilience: The New Priority for Your Security Model (inforisktoday.com)

• 10 must-have security tips for digital nomads | Computerworld

• Top 3 Priorities for CISOs in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• CISOs Struggle for C-Suite Status Even as Expectations Skyrocket (darkreading.com)

• Navigating The 'Fog Of A Cyber Attack' (forbes.com)

• The cost of cyber crime to reach over $12tn by 2025

• Why cyber attacks mustn’t be kept secret - Help Net Security

• Business continuity vs. disaster recovery vs. incident response | TechTarget

• Why resilience leaders must prepare for polycrises - Help Net Security

• The best cyber defence needs more than tech - eCampus News

• The CISO Role Undergoes a Major Evolution (darkreading.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Ransomware attacks break records in 2023: the number of victims rose by 128% (securityaffairs.com)

• Impact of Ransomware attacks take mental health toll on small business owners, report says (therecord.media)

• UK Intelligence Fears AI Will Fuel Ransomware, Exacerbate Cyber Crime (pcmag.com)

• Britons must 'strengthen defences' against growing threat of AI-assisted ransomware, cyber security chief warns | UK News | Sky News

• The rise of cyber extortion and 'Hacktivism' - Verdict

• Ransomware recovery – the need for speed | TechRadar

• Medibank hack: Russian sanctioned over Australia's worst data breach - BBC News

• UK gov tells SMBs to get better at protecting themselves from cyber attacks | TechRadar

• Researchers link 3AM ransomware to Conti, Royal cyber crime gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Kasseika ransomware uses antivirus driver to kill other antiviruses (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Akira ransomware attack on Tietoevry disrupted the services of many Swedish organisations (securityaffairs.com)

• Organisations invest more in data protection but recover less - Help Net Security

• Evolving BianLian ransomware attack strategies detailed | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Hackers target TeamViewer to try and get access to your company's network | TechRadar

• Ransomware Victims

• Major US, UK Water Companies Hit by Ransomware - SecurityWeek

• Sweden’s Riksbank Turns to Police as Cyber Attack Hits IT Firm - BNN Bloomberg

• Owner of The North Face, Supreme, Vans, Reports Breach Affecting 35M Users (pcmag.com)

• Primary Health & Wellness Center, LLC’s public notice of ransomware incident (databreaches.net)

• Akira ransomware attack on Tietoevry disrupted the services of many Swedish organisations (securityaffairs.com)

• LockBit gang claims the attack on the sandwich chain Subway (securityaffairs.com)

• loanDepot says ransomware gang stole data of 16.6 million people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Aviation Leasing Giant AerCap Hit by Ransomware Attack - SecurityWeek

• Global fintech firm EquiLend offline after recent cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware Group Offers Hacked Serbian Electricity Provider's Data For Download (rferl.org)

• Cyber attack in Merseyside as 'immediate steps taken' (msn.com)

• Housing association confirms 'cyber security incident' but can't confirm if tenants' data was lost | Shropshire Star

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Four-in-ten employees sacked over email security breaches as firms tackle “truly staggering” increase in attacks | ITPro

• 81 percent of security pros say phishing is the top threat (betanews.com)

• Browser Phishing Threats Grew 198% Last Year - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Invoice Phishing Alert: TA866 Deploys WasabiSeed & Screenshotter Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Organisations need to switch gears in their approach to email security - Help Net Security

• HPE Says Russian Government Hackers Had Access to Emails for 6 Months - SecurityWeek

• Russian hackers breached Microsoft, HPE corporate maliboxes - Help Net Security

• Don’t Take The Bait: How To Prevent A Phishing Attack | Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP - JDSupra

• Trezor reveals 66,000 users could face phishing attack (coinjournal.net)

• Is This a Phishing Email? 8 Warning Signs to Look Out For

• PHP-less phishing kits that can run on any website | Netcraft

• New KnowBe4 Report Shows Major Spike in Public Sector Attacks in 2023 | Business Wire

Artificial Intelligence

• AI Will ‘Almost Certainly’ Turbocharge Cyber attacks, UK Warns - The Messenger

• The near-term impact of AI on the cyber threat - NCSC.GOV.UK

• NCSC: AI to boost nation-states’ malware potency • The Register

• AI’s Efficacy is Limitless in Cyber Crime | MSSP Alert

• Top 4 LLM threats to the enterprise | CSO Online

• The rise of cyber extortion and 'Hacktivism' - Verdict

• Battling Misinformation During Election Season (darkreading.com)

• Unmasking Deceptive Behaviour: Risks and Challenges in Large Language Models (azoai.com)

• AI-driven cyber attacks and defences to create a battle of algorithms in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Researchers Map AI Threat Landscape, Risks (darkreading.com)

• Misinformation and irresponsible AI: Experts forecast how technology may shape our near future (techxplore.com)

• ChatGPT Cyber Crime Surge Revealed in 3000 Dark Web Posts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• More than 1 in 4 Organisations Banned Use of GenAI Over Privacy and Data Security Risks - New Cisco Study (prnewswire.com)

• The Cyber Security Horizon: AI, Resilience and Collaboration in 2024 - Security Boulevard

Malware

• NCSC: AI to boost nation-states’ malware potency • The Register

• MacOS devices are being targeted by pirated apps that want to hijack your machine | TechRadar

• Invoice Phishing Alert: TA866 Deploys WasabiSeed & Screenshotter Malware (thehackernews.com)

• 'Inhospitality' malspam campaign targets hotel industry | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Blackwood APT delivers malware by hijacking legitimate software update requests - Help Net Security

• SystemBC Malware's C2 Server Analysis Exposes Payload Delivery Tricks (thehackernews.com)

• HP CEO justifies blocking third-party ink cartridges by claiming they can inject malware | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

Mobile

• Apple Issues Patch for Critical Zero-Day in iPhones, Macs - Update Now (thehackernews.com)

• iPhone, Android Ambient Light Sensors Allow Stealthy Spying (darkreading.com)

• New method to safeguard against mobile account takeovers - Help Net Security

• Bluetooth Flaw Let Hackers Takeover of iOS & Android Devices (cybersecuritynews.com)

• SEC confirms X account was hacked in SIM swapping attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Zero-Click Bluetooth Attack: A Growing Threat for Unpatched Android Phones - gHacks Tech News

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Ukrainian mobile bank sees a spike in ‘non-stop’ DDoS pressure (therecord.media)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Ring Will No Longer Allow Police to Request Doorbell Camera Footage From Users - SecurityWeek

• HP CEO justifies blocking third-party ink cartridges by claiming they can inject malware | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Historic data leak reveals 26 billion records: check what's exposed (securityaffairs.com)

• Data of 15 million Trello users scraped and offered for sale - Help Net Security

• Personal details of 6,000 people leaked in Greater Manchester council data breach (msn.com)

• BreachForums hacking forum admin sentenced to 20 years supervised release (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Healthtech firm's cyber attack victim list keeps growing - Digital Journal

• VF Corp Says Data Breach Resulting From Ransomware Attack Impacts 35 Million - SecurityWeek

• Class Actions Filed Over Builders Mutual, Progressive’s Own Data Breaches (claimsjournal.com)

• loanDepot cyber attack causes data breach for 16.6 million people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Jason’s Deli says customer data exposed in credential stuffing attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The growing threat of data breaches in the age of AI and data privacy | TechRadar

• Data Privacy Week: US Data Breaches Surge, 2023 Sees 78% Increase - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 23andMe data breach: Hackers stole raw genotype data, health reports (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Coventry school reprimanded for data breach after IT system 'hacked three times' - CoventryLive (coventrytelegraph.net)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Winter is coming and so are the hackers (betanews.com)

• Grooming, radicalization and cyber attacks: INTERPOL warns of ‘Metacrime’

• Bulletproof Hosting: A Critical Cyber Criminal Service | Intel471

• 'VexTrio' TDS: The Biggest Cyber Crime Operation on the Web? (darkreading.com)

• The cost of cyber crime to reach over $12tn by 2025

• Researchers link 3AM ransomware to Conti, Royal cyber crime gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ChatGPT Cyber Crime Surge Revealed in 3000 Dark Web Posts - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber criminal malice shifts away from Russia and Ukraine | Insurance Times

• The sophistication of cyber criminals intensifies with emerging strategies for cashing in or causing chaos - IT Security Guru

• Barracuda's new Cybernomics 101 report uncovers the financial forces driving cyber attacks (prnewswire.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Cyber criminals stole $1.7 billion from crypto funds in 2023 as attacks proliferated (therecord.media)

• US regulator admits cyber security lapse before rogue Bitcoin post - BBC News

• Trezor reveals 66,000 users could face phishing attack (coinjournal.net)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Majority of companies not prepared for insider threats (betanews.com)

• Amid Rising Insider Threats, Most Companies are Vulnerable and Lack the Strategies to Protect Themselves, New Research Finds | Business Wire

• Fighting insider threats is tricky but essential work - Help Net Security

Insurance

• Insurance industry responds to evolving risks with innovation and collaboration: Allianz - Reinsurance News

• Cyber Insurance Industry Suggests Cyber Security Best Practices (networkcomputing.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Panorays Study Finds 94% of CISOs Are Concerned About Third-party Cyber Threats, Yet Only 3% Have Implemented Security Measures (darkreading.com)

• From vulnerability to vigilance: strategies for ensuring supply chain security (techuk.org)

• Bolstering global supply chains: Enhancing resilience, digital logistics, and national security harmony (techuk.org)

• Supply chain security: Responding to emerging cyber threats (techuk.org)

• CISOs' role in identifying tech components and managing supply chains - Help Net Security

• Rethinking supply chain resilience as cyber attacks get more disruptive (techuk.org)

Cloud/SaaS

• On premises vs. cloud pros and cons, key differences | TechTarget

• The 2024 Specops Breached Password Report Reveals Two Million Compromised Cloud Credentials Used ‘123456’ as Password | Business Wire

• The biggest cloud security risk in 2024 will be stolen and exposed credentials | ITPro

Identity and Access Management

• Why Microsoft’s Latest Breach is an Identity Threat Detection Wake-Up Call - Security Boulevard

Encryption

• Cryptographers Are Getting Closer to Enabling Fully Private Internet Searches | WIRED

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Why Microsoft’s Latest Breach is an Identity Threat Detection Wake-Up Call - Security Boulevard

• Accepting a calendar invite in Outlook could leak your password | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• There's no excuse for having a weak password in 2024

• The 2024 Specops Breached Password Report Reveals Two Million Compromised Cloud Credentials Used ‘123456’ as Password | Business Wire

• Jason’s Deli says customer data exposed in credential stuffing attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 88% of organisations use passwords as primary authentication method | Security Magazine

• The biggest cloud security risk in 2024 will be stolen and exposed credentials | ITPro

Social Media

• Meta won't remove fake Instagram profiles that are clearly catfishing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Watch out for "I can't believe he is gone" Facebook phishing posts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• SEC confirms X account was hacked in SIM swapping attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malvertising

• Intro to Digital Fingerprints: Understanding, Manipulating, and Defending Against Online Tracking | HackerNoon

• Google Updates Chrome's Incognito Warning to Admit It Tracks Users in ‘Private’ Mode | WIRED

• Cryptographers Are Getting Closer to Enabling Fully Private Internet Searches | WIRED

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• “It is a whole new bar”: Months left to prepare for new EU cyber security rules - The Currency :The Currency

• Without clear guidance, SEC’s new rule on incident reporting may be detrimental - Help Net Security

• SEC confirms X account was hacked in SIM swapping attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Navigating The 'Fog Of A Cyber Attack' (forbes.com)

• US regulator admits cyber security lapse before rogue Bitcoin post - BBC News

• The CISO Role Undergoes a Major Evolution (darkreading.com)

• Coventry school reprimanded for data breach after IT system 'hacked three times' - CoventryLive (coventrytelegraph.net)

• Countdown for businesses to comply with leaked EU AI Act draft begins | Biometric Update

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• “It is a whole new bar”: Months left to prepare for new EU cyber security rules - The Currency :The Currency

• Prioritising CIS Controls for effective cyber security across organisations - Help Net Security

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Top 3 Priorities for CISOs in 2024 (darkreading.com)

• CISOs Struggle for C-Suite Status Even as Expectations Skyrocket (darkreading.com)

• Why we need more continuous hands-on training and fewer cyber security certifications | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• BreachForums hacking forum admin sentenced to 20 years supervised release (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ring Will No Longer Allow Police to Request Doorbell Camera Footage From Users - SecurityWeek

• Secret Service to revive the Cyber Investigations Advisory Board | CyberScoop

• Court charges dev with hacking after cyber security issue disclosure (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ukrainian Security Service Nabs Russian Hacker Planning Cyber Attacks on Government Websites - Militarnyi

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Battling Misinformation During Election Season (darkreading.com)

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

Nation State Actors

• NCSC: AI to boost nation-states’ malware potency • The Register

China

• Chinese Spies Exploited VMware vCenter Server Vulnerability Since 2021 - SecurityWeek

• The small print leaving UK plc exposed to ‘nuclear level’ cyber attacks (telegraph.co.uk)

• Michael Rogers on China's Cyber Threat - The Wire China

• China’s feared spy agency steps out of the shadows

• Cyber criminal malice shifts away from Russia and Ukraine | Insurance Times

Russia

• Microsoft's Top Execs' Emails Breached in Sophisticated Russia-Linked APT Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Why Microsoft’s Latest Breach is an Identity Threat Detection Wake-Up Call - Security Boulevard

• Microsoft Says Russians Hacked It to Find Information About Themselves (businessinsider.com)

• Sneak-and-peek Midnight Blizzard attack highlights “worrying flaws” in Microsoft security processes | ITPro

• Microsoft Warns of Widening APT29 Espionage Attacks Targeting Global Orgs (thehackernews.com)

• HP Enterprise was hacked by the same Russian state-sponsored group that targeted Microsoft (engadget.com)

• HPE Says Russian Government Hackers Had Access to Emails for 6 Months - SecurityWeek

• Russian hackers shift to new malware tactics, Google says (siliconrepublic.com)

• Massive cyber attack targets Ukrainian online bank (kyivindependent.com)

• Learning From Ukraine's Pioneering Approaches to Cyber Security (darkreading.com)

• Cyber criminal malice shifts away from Russia and Ukraine | Insurance Times

• Ukrainian energy giant, postal service, transportation agencies hit by cyber attacks (therecord.media)

• Ukraine’s Largest Gas and Oil Company Under Cyber Attack (kyivpost.com)

• Ukrainian Security Service Nabs Russian Hacker Planning Cyber Attacks on Government Websites - Militarnyi

• Medibank hack: Russian sanctioned over Australia's worst data breach - BBC News

• Hundreds of Russian sites breached by Ukrainian hackers | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Akira ransomware attack on Tietoevry disrupted the services of many Swedish organisations (securityaffairs.com)

• Apple Pays $13 Million Russian Fine, Goes Directly Into Federal Budget (businessinsider.com)

Iran

• Microsoft: Iran's Mint Sandstorm APT Blasts Educators, Researchers (darkreading.com)

• With Iran's cyber attacks on rise since Gaza war, Israel looks to private industry - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

North Korea

• North Korea's ScarCruft Attackers Gear Up to Target Cyber Security Pros (darkreading.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 45% of critical CVEs left unpatched in 2023 - Help Net Security

• Patch management: Why firms ignore vulnerabilities at their own risk | ITPro

• What Is Vulnerability Management? Definition, Process Steps, Benefits and More - Security Boulevard

• Security vendors are accused of bending CVE assignment rules • The Register

• German IT Consultant Fined Thousands for Reporting Security Failing (darkreading.com)

• The effect of omission bias on vulnerability management - Help Net Security

• 52% of Serious Vulnerabilities We Find are Related to Windows 10 (thehackernews.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Cisco warns of critical RCE flaw in communications software (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CISA emergency directive: Mitigate Ivanti zero-days immediately (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Third Ivanti Vulnerability Exploited in the Wild, CISA Reports (darkreading.com)

• Ivanti: VPN appliances vulnerable if pushing configs after mitigation (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Chrome 121 ships with security updates and new AI tools - gHacks Tech News

• Apple Issues Patch for Critical Zero-Day in iPhones, Macs - Update Now (thehackernews.com)

• Accepting a calendar invite in Outlook could leak your password | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Hackers Targeting Critical Atlassian Confluence Vulnerability Days After Disclosure - SecurityWeek

• Chinese Spies Exploited VMware vCenter Server Vulnerability Since 2021 - SecurityWeek

• Critical Vulnerabilities Found in Open Source AI/ML Platforms - SecurityWeek

• Threat actors exploit Apache ActiveMQ flaw to deliver the Godzilla Web Shell (securityaffairs.com)

• Bluetooth Flaw Let Hackers Takeover of iOS & Android Devices (cybersecuritynews.com)

• High-Severity Vulnerability Patched in Splunk Enterprise - SecurityWeek

• Patch Your Fortra GoAnywhere MFT Immediately - Critical Flaw Lets Anyone Be Admin (thehackernews.com)

• Millions at Risk As 'Parrot' Web Server Compromises Take Flight (darkreading.com)

• Security vendors are accused of bending CVE assignment rules • The Register

• Mozilla Releases Security Updates for Thunderbird and Firefox | CISA

• 5379 GitLab servers vulnerable to zero-click account takeover attacks (securityaffairs.com)

• Hackers target WordPress database plugin active on 1 million sites (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Why Microsoft’s Latest Breach is an Identity Threat Detection Wake-Up Call - Security Boulevard

• Ransomware recovery – the need for speed | TechRadar

• Resilience: The New Priority for Your Security Model (inforisktoday.com)

• With so much data at hand, should cyber defences be more effective? | TechRadar

• Password Manager Statistics 2024 (coolest-gadgets.com)

• How to Shine in Your Next Cyber Security Audit - Security Boulevard

• AI-driven cyber attacks and defences to create a battle of algorithms in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Business continuity vs. disaster recovery vs. incident response | TechTarget

• Why resilience leaders must prepare for polycrises - Help Net Security

• Court charges dev with hacking after cyber security issue disclosure (bleepingcomputer.com)

• German IT Consultant Fined Thousands for Reporting Security Failing (darkreading.com)

• The 9 best incident response metrics and how to use them | TechTarget

• The Cyber Security Horizon: AI, Resilience and Collaboration in 2024 - Security Boulevard

• We Must Consider Software Developers a Key Part of the Cyber Security Workforce | CISA

• Cyber Insurance Industry Suggests Cyber Security Best Practices (networkcomputing.com)

• Emerging trends and strategies in digital forensics - Help Net Security

• Cyber Security Risk Management: Frameworks, Plans, & Best Practices - Security Boulevard

• IT and Security Teams Increasingly United in Battle Against Sophisticated Cyberthreats, Research Finds (prnewswire.com)

• HP CEO justifies blocking third-party ink cartridges by claiming they can inject malware | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Cloudflare Releases 2024 API Security and Management Report (infoq.com)

• The 2024 Specops Breached Password Report Reveals Two Million Compromised Cloud Credentials Used ‘123456’ as Password | Business Wire

• Barracuda's new Cybernomics 101 report uncovers the financial forces driving cyber attacks (prnewswire.com)

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Other News

• With so much data at hand, should cyber defences be more effective? | TechRadar

• Threat actors are exploiting web applications - Security Boulevard

• Public Sector Cyber Attacks Rise By 40% in 2023 - IT Security Guru

• Cyber Security Challenges at the World Economic Forum (govtech.com)

• Much-Needed Cyber Security Help for Hospitals May Have Strings Attached | Corporate Counsel (law.com)

• The Threat Landscape Is Always Changing: What to Expect in 2024  | Proofpoint US

• What is Lateral Movement in Cyber Security? - Security Boulevard

• Cyber Security and Trends in 2024 Based on WEF 2024 Outcomes | HackerNoon

• IT and Security Teams Increasingly United in Battle Against Sophisticated Cyberthreats, Research Finds (prnewswire.com)

• US suffered cyber attacks from 168 threat actors in 2023 | Security Magazine

• US continues to be leading cyber threat target | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Rise in cyber crime attacks against Industrial IoT sparks alarm (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Offshore wind farms are vulnerable to cyber attacks, study shows (techxplore.com)

• Government Security Vulnerabilities Surge By 151%, Report Finds - 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 Advisory 23 January 2024 – Apple, Atlassian, Ivanti and VMware Vulnerabilities Under Active Exploitation

Executive Summary

Vulnerabilities in Apple, Atlassian, Ivanti and VMware are currently being actively exploited in the wild. All of the vendors have a security patch available to address the vulnerabilities and due to the active exploitation of the vulnerabilities, it is recommended to apply them immediately.

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Apple

Following  a report that Chinese authorities revealed they have used previously known vulnerabilities in Apple's AirDrop functionality to help law enforcement, Apple have released a patch for an actively exploited critical Zero-day in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and Safari web browser,. The zero-day vulnerability is a type confusion exploit that allows an attacker to perform arbitrary code execution.

Impacted Versions:

iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 - iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5 - iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad 5th generation, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st generation

macOS Sonoma 14.3 - Macs running macOS Sonoma

macOS Ventura 13.6.4 - Macs running macOS Ventura

macOS Monterey 12.7.3 - Macs running macOS Monterey

Safari 17.3 - Macs running macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura

What can I do?

Updates to vulnerable devices should be applied immediately due to this vulnerability being under active exploitation.

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Atlassian

Following the disclosure of the Atlassian Confluence vulnerability, it has become a target for active exploitation. Researchers have observed attackers attempting to exploit this vulnerability. At present, there are 11,000 Confluence instances exposed on the internet, and Shadowserver has recorded nearly 40,000 exploitation attempts. For further information on the vulnerability see our advisory posted linked below.

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Ivanti

Following the public disclosure of two Ivanti vulnerabilities being actively exploited, a third vulnerability has now been added to the CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog.

CVE-2023-35082 - This vulnerability enables a remote unauthorised attacker to access users’ personally identifiable information and make limited modifications to the server.

Impacted versions:

his vulnerability impacts all versions of Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) 11.10, 11.9, and 11.8. MobileIron Core 11.7 and earlier versions are also affected by this vulnerability.

What can I do?

Ivanti released a patch for this vulnerability in August 2023. It is recommended to update any impacted products to version 11.11.0.0 or later to safeguard them from this vulnerability.

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VMware

A critical vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server Management has been exploited in the wild by a Chinese hacking group since 2021. The vulnerability (CVE-2023-34048) allows an attacker to write out of bounds potentially leading to remote code execution. VMware released a patch in October 2023 stating that it was not under active exploitation. VMware have recommend customers update to the latest version, which is 9.0U2.

Further Information

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For further information on Ivanti and Atlassian see our previous advisory:

https://www.blackarrowcyber.com/blog/advisory-17-january-2024-citrix-ivanti-atlassian-oracle-sonicwall-vmware-security-updates

Apple

Further details on the Apple vulnerabilities can be found here:

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

Ivanti

Further details on the Ivanti vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/KB-Remote-Unauthenticated-API-Access-Vulnerability-CVE-2023-35082?language=en_US

https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2024/01/18/cisa-adds-one-known-exploited-vulnerability-catalog

VMware

Further details on the VMware  vCenter Server Management vulnerability can be found here:

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2023-0023.html

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity 

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 Advisory 17 January 2024 – Citrix and Ivanti Vulnerabilities Under Active Exploitation - Atlassian, Oracle, SonicWall, and VMware also Address Security Flaws

Executive Summary

This week Atlassian, Citrix, Ivanti, Oracle, SonicWall and VMware have addressed multiple vulnerabilities across their product range. Included in the vulnerabilities addressed are two actively exploited 0-days, impacting Ivanti and Citrix products. At the time of writing, over 1700 Ivanti devices have been compromised and over 15,000 devices remain exposed.

Atlassian

CVE-2023-22527 - This exploit is a template injection vulnerability which if successfully exploited, allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform remote code execution on an affected instance.

Impacted Versions:

This vulnerability affects versions 8.0.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, and 8.5.0-8.5.3.

What can I do?

Atlassian has released patches for the affected products, and it is advised to patch immediately. The listed Fixed Versions are no longer the most up-to-date and do not protect your instance from other non-critical vulnerabilities as outlined in Atlassian’s January Security Bulletin.

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Citrix NetScaler

CVE-2023-6548 – Allows authenticated (low privileged user) remote code execution on Management interface. Requires access to NSIP, CLIP or SNIP with management interface.

CVE-2023-6549 - If exploited allows an attacker to perform a denial of service attack. Appliance must be configured as a gateway or AAA virtual server.

Impacted Versions:

NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 14.1 before 14.1-12.35

NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.1 before 13.1-51.15

NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.0 before 13.0-92.21

NetScaler ADC 13.1-FIPS before 13.1-37.176

NetScaler ADC 12.1-FIPS before 12.1-55.302

NetScaler ADC 12.1-NDcPP before 12.1-55.302

NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway version 12.1 (currently end-of-life)

What can I do?

Citrix have released patches for the impacted products. Citrix have reported that this is being actively exploited and seen in the wild so it is advised that the patches are applied immediately.

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Ivanti

CVE-2023-46805 - This is an authentication bypass which enables an attacker to access restricted resources by circumventing control checks.

CVE-2024-21887 - This is a command injection that lets authenticated admins execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable appliances.

Impacted Versions:

These vulnerabilities impact all supported versions, 9.x and 22.x

What can I do?

Ivanti have released mitigation files which can be found below, it is advised to install immediately. Patches are being developed however they are being staggered with the first patches being released on January 22nd and the final patches released on February the 19th.

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Oracle

In their first Critical Patch Update of 2024, Oracle hae released 389 security patches, addressing 200 vulnerabilities. Financial Services Applications were the most impacted, with 71 new security patches. Oracle have urged all customers to apply the patches as soon as possible, warning that it periodically receives reports of in-the-wild exploitation of issues for which it has released fixes.

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SonicWall

CVE-2022-22274 - This is a buffer overflow which if exploited successfully allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service or potentially result in a code execution in the firewall.

CVE-2023-0656 - This is a buffer overflow which if exploited successfully allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to cause a denial of service attack which could cause the impacted firewall to crash.

What can I do?

SonicWall have released patches for affected products and it is advised to update to the latest available version.

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VMware

CVE-2023-34063 – The affected products contain a missing access control vulnerability, which if successfully exploited, this vulnerability may lead to unauthorised access to remote organisations and workflows.

VMware Aria Automation (8.11.x, 8.12.x, 8.13.x, and 8.14.x)

VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x and 5.x)

What can I do?

VMware have released patches which can be found in the Security Advisory. It is advised to update as soon as possible. There are no current workarounds.

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Further Information

Atlassian

Further details on the Atlassian vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://confluence.atlassian.com/security/cve-2023-22527-rce-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-confluence-data-center-and-confluence-server-1333990257.html

https://confluence.atlassian.com/security/security-bulletin-january-16-2024-1333335615.html

Citrix NetScaler

Further details on the Citrix NetScaler vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX584986/netscaler-adc-and-netscaler-gateway-security-bulletin-for-cve20236548-and-cve20236549

Ivanti

Further details on the Ivanti vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/KB-CVE-2023-46805-Authentication-Bypass-CVE-2024-21887-Command-Injection-for-Ivanti-Connect-Secure-and-Ivanti-Policy-Secure-Gateways?language=en_US 

Oracle

Further details on the Oracle vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2024.html

SonicWall

Further details on the SonicWall vulnerabilities can be found here:

https://bishopfox.com/blog/its-2024-and-over-178-000-sonicwall-firewalls-are-publicly-exploitable

VMware

Further details on the VMware vulnerability can be found here:

https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2024-0001.html

https://core.vmware.com/resource/vmsa-2024-0001-questions-answers

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 12 January 2024

Welcome to this week’s Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing – a weekly digest, collated and curated by our cyber experts to provide senior and middle management with an easy to digest round up of the most notable threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber related news from the last week.

Top Cyber Stories of the Last Week

Boardrooms on Notice: Cyber Security Oversight More Important Than Ever

In 2023, the rise in security breaches and cyber attacks caused cyber security to transcend its usual confines and emerge as a critical boardroom concern, prompting executives to recognise the need for proactive engagement. The current landscape has necessitated executive decision-makers to proactively engage in cyber security, instead of just passively observing. It is no surprise that in a survey from KMPG of over 300 CEO’s, dealing with cyber risk was designated as the top priority for the foreseeable three to five years.

When a company faces a substantial fine or penalty from a breach, it serves two crucial purposes. Firstly, it sets a precedent for ensuring companies across the board understand the repercussions of lax cyber security measures and secondly, it pushes organisations towards proactive investment in robust cyber security frameworks. Many organisations are beginning to realise that the cost of a breach, both financial and reputational, far outweighs that of prevention. Furthermore, many frameworks are now placing the board as directly responsible.

Sources: [Lexology] [Security Brief]

Ransomware Incidents Reported to UK Financial Regulator Doubled in 2023

Ransomware reported to the UK financial regulator in 2023 doubled, and the impact is clear. In a survey of CISOs based in the UK, one-third confessed to paying ransomware groups millions in recent years in a bid to alleviate the impact of an attack. The minimum ransom paid by UK businesses across a five year period stood at around $250,000, the study found. Ransomware is the dominant threat that continues to plague organisations, and it is important that your organisation is doing all it can to prevent such an attack, and has plans in place to recover when such an attack happens.

Sources: [Data Breaches] [UK mortgage news] [The Hacker News]

Businesses Can’t Survive Without Their IT Systems – and They’re Under Attack More Than Ever

As organisations find themselves more and more reliant on digital technology than ever before, the impact of not having it becomes greater and greater. As reliance on these systems grows, the level of cyber threat grows as well. A recent report found 68% of those surveyed believed they would not survive more than a single day without their IT systems, up from 46% in 2017. The report found that 54% of organisations said they experienced some form of cyber attack last year, with ransomware cited as the most disruptive.

Source: [TechRadar]

Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List

In the latest report by the World Economic Forum, misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the most severe global risk anticipated over the next two years, with the risk becoming more likely as elections in several economies take place this year. As artificial intelligence models become easier to use and more accessible to the general population, this will enable an explosion of false information and synthetic content such as cloned voices and fake websites.

Another top concern identified in the report is the risk of cyber attacks and cyber insecurities. Currently the production of AI technologies is highly concentrated; this creates a significant supply chain risk, as the reliance of one or two models could give rise to systemic cyber vulnerabilities, paralysing critical infrastructure.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Why Effective Cyber Security and Risk Management are Crucial for Business Growth

Technology has changed, enhanced and transformed how business is conducted. However, these new advancements such as cloud, IoT and AI have introduced a range of new cyber security risks. It is crucial for leaders to grasp the accompanying risks to ensure the safety of their organisations, customers and products. Given the inevitability of business risk, particularly cyber risk, leaders should focus on managing it by identifying mission-critical aspects of their organisation and then determining how best to protect them. The first step to a proactive approach to cyber security is to devise a robust and tailored cyber security strategy aligned to the organisation’s risk profile. This not only improves the safety and security of the organisation, but also the trust of its customers and products in an increasingly digital world.

Source: [World Economic Forum]

The Cost of Dealing with a Cyber Attack Doubled Last Year

New research by Dell claims that the cost of global cyber attacks reached a new high in 2023, topping out at $1.41 million per attack, up $660,000 from the previous year. It was found that almost half (48%) of UK based organisations reported suffering either a cyber attack or incident that prevented access to company data.

Over half of global respondents report that malicious links in spam or phishing emails, hacked devices, and stolen credentials are the most common entry points for cyber attacks.

Source: [TechRadar]

Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim – Leaving Cyber Warfare Definition Unresolved

Merck’s long legal battle with its insurers over the damage caused by the infamous NotPetya attack has finally come to an end, with the Merck agreeing to settle with their insurer providers who had refused to pay $699 million of the $1.4 million that was claimed in damages.

The legal battle began when Merck, who did not have cyber insurance, had made a claim under its ‘all-risks’ coverage. In 2022, it was stated that the NotPetya attack “is not sufficiently linked to a military action or objective as it was a non-military cyber attack against an accounting software provider” and in May 2023, this decision was upheld, forcing the insurers to settle.

Source: [Security Week] [Dark Reading]

Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA

While security teams are focused on preventing the gamut of different levels of cyber attack sophistication, it can be easy for even the sharpest teams to overlook the simple stuff. This was recently seen when Google’s cyber security operation, Mandiant, temporarily lost control of its account on X (formerly known as Twitter) due to not having two-factor authentication (2FA). A separate high-profile incident also occurred this week, as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) account on X was hijacked to post a fake announcement about bitcoin, raising its value by 5%.

In March of 2023, X changed the way multi-factor authentication (MFA) worked, so that only premium subscribers have access to it. The two high-profile attacks, which were due to accounts not having MFA, show that cyber criminals are taking advantage of these changes. These incidents serve as a clear reminder that organisations must prioritise even the most fundamental security practices, such as MFA, to protect their digital assets.

Further, the attack on the SEC has opened them to criticism from firms such as SolarWinds who the SEC had previously reprimanded for cyber security failures.

Source: [Dark Reading]

If you Prepare, a Data Security Incident Should Not Cause an Existential Crisis

A question to ask is why, in the event of a data security incident, is there an overwhelming feeling that the company is doomed? Yet when there are other issues, such as internal investigations, the feeling is not as strong. For a lot of companies, these cyber incidents are the first time that their cyber response plan (if they have one at all) is enacted and it is this lack of preparation that causes such a feeling.  Companies looking to increase their cyber resilience should look to have and regularly test a cyber incident response plan; you do not want to be in the position of having to learn your plan and deal with a cyber incident at the same time.

Source: [Help Net Security]

82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure, with 28,000 New Vulnerabilities Reported Last Year

A substantial 82% of companies have reported a widening gap between security exposures and their ability to manage them according to a recent report. For many, the issue is caused by a lack of proper remediation solutions; this formed part of the reason why 87% of surveyed organisations reported plans to enhance vulnerability and exposure remediation within the next year. The need increases when considering last year there were more than 28,000 new vulnerabilities; that is the equivalent of nearly 80 every day.

Sources: [Infosecurity Magazine] [SecurityWeek]

Cyber Security is the Number One Priority for the Financial Sector Again

In Softcat's annual Business Tech Priorities Report, the financial sector's tech investments for the coming year have been unveiled. Notably, cyber security remains the top priority for the sector with 55% prioritising cyber security before anything else, reflecting the critical need to protect against the escalating threat landscape. It's important to understand that cyber security is not merely an IT problem; it is a business imperative. As consumers increasingly embrace digital banking, the impact of digitalisation on the financial sector is evident. With cyber incidents on the rise, investment in cyber security, including zero-trust security and AI threat hunting, is imperative for safeguarding not only data but the entire business.

Sources: [The Fintech Times] [Islamic Finance News]

Cyber Crime Marketplaces Soar in 2024: All Threats Now Available ‘As-a-Service’

In 2024, cyber crime marketplaces are expected to surge even more, transitioning every cyber threat further into the “as-a-service” model. The term “as-a-service” refers to the provision of specific functionalities or tools as a service, typically offered on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. This allows malicious actors with limited technical skills to launch sophisticated attacks. This trend was already being spotted at the end of 2023 as a report found that 73% of all internet traffic is currently composed of malicious bots and related fraud farm activities. This highlights the need for organisations to have accurate threat intelligence and analysis to understand the digital terrain ahead of these continued and expanding “as-a-service” threats.

Source: [Security Boulevard]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Businesses can't survive without their IT systems - and they're under attack more than ever | TechRadar

• If you prepare, a data security incident will not cause an existential crisis - Help Net Security

• 82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• IFN – Cyber Security: Not an IT problem, but a business one (islamicfinancenews.com)

• Cyber incidents hit 15% of global firms (tribune.com.pk)

• The cost of dealing with a cyber attack doubled last year | TechRadar

• Board Priorities 2024: Cyber preparedness & resilience - Lexology

• Boardrooms on notice: Cyber security oversight more important than ever (securitybrief.co.nz)

• What the Board Needs to Know About Exponential Disruption, Cyber Security, Risk Management and Strategy - OODA Loop

• Why cyber security and risk management are crucial for growth | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• XM Cyber's 2024 Survey on the State of Security Posture Reveals Remediation Efforts Falling Behind Surging Exposures (prnewswire.com)

• How to Plan Your Security Budget Without Compromising Your Security Stack - Security Boulevard

• The expanding scope of CISO duties in 2024 - Help Net Security

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• 2023 was a big year for cyber crime – here’s how we can make our systems safer | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• The Reality Of Cyber In 2024: What Dangers Do Businesses Face? - Minutehack

• Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Global legal risks in cyber security investigations (iapp.org)

• The power of basics in 2024's cyber security strategies - Help Net Security

• Here's how to build a more inclusive cyber security strategy | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• DSIT launches UK Cyber Governance Project | UKAuthority

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

• British Library ransomware cyber attack ‘set to cost £7million’ (yahoo.com)

• Richard Osman among authors missing royalties amid ongoing cyber attack on British Library | British Library | The Guardian

• There is a Ransomware Armageddon Coming for Us All (thehackernews.com)

• UK CISO’s are cowing to ransomware demands more than you think, here’s why they shouldn’t pay up (databreaches.net)

• Ransomware incidents reported to UK financial regulator doubled in 2023 - The Intermediary - Latest UK mortgage news

• Ransomware victims targeted in follow-on extortion attacks • The Register

• Swatting: The new normal in ransomware extortion tactics • The Register

• Another top US mortgage firm hit by major cyber attack | TechRadar

• Capital Health attack claimed by LockBit ransomware, risk of data leak (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Babuk ransomware decryptor updated with Tortilla support • The Register

• "Security researcher" offers to delete data stolen by ransomware attackers - Help Net Security

• Pikabot Malware Surfaces As Qakbot Replacement for Black Basta Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Finland warns of Akira ransomware wiping NAS and tape backup devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Diving deep into Phobos ransomware. (thecyberwire.com)

• Ransomware payment ban: Wrong idea at the wrong time • The Register

Ransomware Victims

• In $1.4B coverage over cyber attack, Merck settles with insurers (fiercepharma.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• British Library says final cost of cyber attack is ‘not confirmed’ | Evening Standard

• 'Totally and utterly bereft' — the devastating repercussions of the British Library cyber attack (yahoo.com)

• Ransomware attackers threaten to send SWAT teams to patients of hacked hospitals - Neowin

• Mortgage firm loanDepot cyber attack impacts IT systems, payment portal (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Toronto Zoo: Ransomware attack had no impact on animal wellbeing (bleepingcomputer.com)

• LockBit ransomware gang claims the attack on Capital Health (securityaffairs.com)

• Fidelity National Financial says hackers stole data on 1.3 million customers | TechCrunch

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

• HMG Healthcare Says Data Breach Impacts 40 Facilities - Security Week

• Full reopening of Isle of Man dentist delayed by 'serious cyber attack' | iomtoday.co.im

• Ransomware wrecks Paraguay’s largest telco (databreaches.net)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Uncovering the hidden dangers of email-based attacks - Help Net Security

• Inside a $20 Million Coinbase Phishing Ring (404media.co)

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Female cyber pros group targeted in phishing scam | IT Business

Artificial Intelligence

• Hackers are deliberately "poisoning" AI systems to make them malfunction, and there's no way to defend against it | ITPro

• Adapting Security to Protect AI/ML Systems (darkreading.com)

• AI-Powered Misinformation is the World’s Biggest Short-Term Threat, Davos Report Says - Security Week

• NIST identifies AI cyber security vulnerabilities (iapp.org)

• NIST: No Silver Bullet Against Adversarial Machine Learning Attacks - Security Week

• Why Cyber Security Is Foundational To AI Safety (forbes.com)

• FTC offers $25,000 prize for detecting AI-enabled voice cloning (bleepingcomputer.com)

• The growing challenge of cyber risk in the age of synthetic media - Help Net Security

• Securing AI systems against evasion, poisoning, and abuse - Help Net Security

• Staying One Step Ahead of Hackers When It Comes to AI | WIRED

• New AI tools spawn fears of greater 2024 election threats, survey finds - Nextgov/FCW

• AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique (techxplore.com)

• VW AI move is greeted with caution as risks still real says expert (emergingrisks.co.uk)

2FA/MFA

• Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA (darkreading.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

Malware

• Malware Takedowns Show Progress, But Fight Against Cyber Crime Not Over - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• This new macOS backdoor lets hackers take over your Mac remotely — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• A new macOS backdoor could let hackers hijack your device without you knowing | TechRadar

• Stealthy AsyncRAT malware attacks targets US infrastructure for 11 months (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Korea Debuts 'SpectralBlur' Malware Amid macOS Onslaught (darkreading.com)

• SpectralBlur: New macOS Backdoor Threat from North Korean Hackers (thehackernews.com)

• Threat Group Using Rare Data Transfer Tactic in New RemcosRAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• Stuxnet: The malware that cost a billion dollars to develop? • Graham Cluley

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Linux devices are under attack by a never-before-seen worm | Ars Technica

• Pikabot Malware Surfaces As Qakbot Replacement for Black Basta Attacks (darkreading.com)

• ‘Yet another Mirai-based botnet’ is spreading an illicit cryptominer (therecord.media)

• Atomic Stealer Gets an Upgrade - Targeting Mac Users with Encrypted Payload (thehackernews.com)

• Pro-Iranian Hacker Group Targeting Albania with No-Justice Wiper Malware (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• CISA warns agencies of fourth flaw used in Triangulation spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Android's January 2024 Security Update Patches 58 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

Internet of Things – IoT

• Russia Hacked Residential Cameras in Ukraine to Spy on Air Defence, Critical Infrastructure - Security Week

• Coming Soon to a Network Near You: More Shadow IoT - Security Week

• The Connection Between Alaska Airlines, Blown Out Windows, and IoT Security - Security Boulevard

• Surveyed drivers prefer low-tech cars over data-sharing ones • The Register

• VW AI move is greeted with caution as risks still real says expert (emergingrisks.co.uk)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Law Firm Orrick Reveals Extensive Data Breach, Over Half a Million Affected - Security Week

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Swiss Air Force sensitive files stolen in the hack of Ultra Intelligence & Communications (securityaffairs.com)

• 2.2 billion records compromised by security incidents In Dec 2023 (itsecuritywire.com)

• Texas-based care provider HMG Healthcare says hackers stole unencrypted patient data | TechCrunch

• Midwives clinic takes nine months to deliver news of data breach (bitdefender.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Cyber Crime Marketplaces Soar in 2024: All Threats Now Available ‘As-a-Service’ - Security Boulevard

• 19 xDedic Cyber Crime Market Users and Admins Face Prison - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 2023 was a big year for cyber crime – here’s how we can make our systems safer | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Cyber Attacks Drain $1.84bn from Web3 in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• BreachForums admin jailed again for using a VPN, unmonitored PC (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Nigerian Gets 10 Years For Laundering Scam Funds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Move Over, APTs: Common Cyber Criminals Begin Critical Infrastructure Targeting (darkreading.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Inside a $20 Million Coinbase Phishing Ring (404media.co)

• What Is Cryptojacking, and Why Is Higher Education Being Targeted? | EdTech Magazine

• UK politician criticizes X (formerly Twitter) after account hijacked by crypto scam (therecord.media)

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• North Korea's Cyber Heist: DPRK Hackers Stole $600 Million in Cryptocurrency in 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian crypto exchange Bit24.cash leaks user passports and IDs (securityaffairs.com)

• Netgear, Hyundai latest X accounts hacked to push crypto drainers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cryptocurrency community lost over $100 million last week (coinpaper.com)

• ‘Yet another Mirai-based botnet’ is spreading an illicit cryptominer (therecord.media)

• Child Abusers Are Getting Better at Using Crypto to Cover Their Tracks | WIRED

• Cryptominers Targeting Misconfigured Apache Hadoop and Flink with Rootkit in New Attacks (thehackernews.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Bribed US Navy sailor sold secrets to China for just $14k • The Register

Insurance

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• 2024 Cyber Insurance Requirements Predictions (trendmicro.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Framework discloses data breach after accountant gets phished (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Major IT, Crypto Firms Exposed to Supply Chain Compromise via New Class of CI/CD Attack  - Security Week

Cloud/SaaS

• SaaS cyber crime levels are expected to rise this year - Digital Journal

• Widening Disparities and Growing Threats Cloud Global Cyber security Outlook for 2024 > Press releases | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Microsoft Lets Cloud Users Keep Personal Data Within Europe to Ease Privacy Fears - Security Week

• Why Public Links Expose Your SaaS Attack Surface (thehackernews.com)

Identity and Access Management

• Authentication is more complicated than ever. 4 ways to improve cyber defences for our new reality | ZDNET

Linux and Open Source

• Linux devices are under attack by a never-before-seen worm | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• Mandiant's X Account Was Hacked Using Brute-Force Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

• What is credential stuffing and how do you keep your accounts safe from it (engadget.com)

Social Media

• SEC's Twitter account hacked to say Bitcoin ETFs approved. Politicians and lawyers demand investigation into security breach (bitdefender.com)

• Mandiant's X Account Was Hacked Using Brute-Force Attack (thehackernews.com)

• Security firm Mandiant says it didn’t have 2FA enabled on its hacked Twitter account • Graham Cluley

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Fake Recruiters Defraud Facebook Users via Remote Work Offers (darkreading.com)

• Sexual assault in the metaverse investigated by British police • Graham Cluley

• Netgear, Hyundai latest X accounts hacked to push crypto drainers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• UK politician criticizes X (formerly Twitter) after account hijacked by crypto scam (therecord.media)

• Serious New Facebook Warning For Apple iPhone and Google Android Users (forbes.com)

• Why You Shouldn't Opt In to Facebook's Link History Feature (makeuseof.com)

• Coinbase Offers SEC Security Assistance After X Account Hack (beincrypto.com)

Malvertising

• X users fed up with constant stream of malicious crypto ads (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Serious New Facebook Warning For Apple iPhone and Google Android Users (forbes.com)

• Why You Shouldn't Opt In to Facebook's Link History Feature (makeuseof.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

• US DOD’s CMMC 2.0 rules lift burdens on MSPs, manufacturers | CSO Online

• SEC Speech on Cyber Security Disclosure | Paul Hastings LLP - JDSupra

• What does the EU’s Cyber Security Regulation aim to achieve? (siliconrepublic.com)

• SEC Had a Fraught Cyber Record Long Before X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• SolarWinds Hits Back at SEC After Agency’s X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• Mandiant, SEC Lose Control of X Accounts Without 2FA (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Criminal Whistleblowers will Get Smarter - Security Boulevard

• Ofcom poaches Big Tech staff in push to enforce new internet curbs (ft.com)

• Cyber Security | UK Regulatory Outlook January 2024 - Osborne Clarke | Osborne Clarke

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• NIST Fortifies Chatbots and Self-Driving Cars Against Digital Threats - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• NIST identifies AI cyber security vulnerabilities (iapp.org)

• NIST: No Silver Bullet Against Adversarial Machine Learning Attacks - Security Week

Data Protection

• ICO hits hacked firm with GDPR reprimand | AccountingWEB

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• 68% of organizations face risks due to cyber security skills shortage | Security Magazine

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Malware Takedowns Show Progress, But Fight Against Cyber Crime Not Over - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 19 xDedic Cyber Crime Market Users and Admins Face Prison - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• BreachForums admin jailed again for using a VPN, unmonitored PC (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Watchdog finds ‘sufficient’ cyber threat sharing at agencies, but barriers remain - Government Executive (govexec.com)

• Nigerian Gets 10 Years For Laundering Scam Funds - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Cyber Insecurity and Misinformation Top WEF Global Risk List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• AI-Powered Misinformation is the World’s Biggest Short-Term Threat, Davos Report Says - Security Week

• Only 4% of US States Fully Prepared for Cyber Attacks Targeting Electi - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New AI tools spawn fears of greater 2024 election threats, survey finds - Nextgov/FCW

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• War or Cost of Doing Business? Cyber Insurers Hashing Out Exclusions (darkreading.com)

• Merck settles with insurers regarding a $1.4 billion claim (securityaffairs.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• How the Merck Case Shapes the Future of Cyber Insurance (databreachtoday.co.uk)

Nation State Actors

China

• AI is helping US spies catch stealthy Chinese hacking ops, NSA official says | CyberScoop

• Bribed US Navy sailor sold secrets to China for just $14k • The Register

• China Claims It Caught a Foreign Consultant Spying for UK’s MI6 | TIME

• Volexity Catches Chinese Hackers Exploiting Ivanti VPN Zero-Days - Security Week

• China-Linked Volt Typhoon Hackers Possibly Targeting Australian, UK Governments - Security Week

Russia

• Merck settles with insurers regarding a $1.4 billion claim (securityaffairs.com)

• Merck Settles NotPetya Insurance Claim, Leaving Cyberwar Definition Unresolved - Security Week

• Russia Hacked Residential Cameras in Ukraine to Spy on Air Defence, Critical Infrastructure - Security Week

• Threat Group Using Rare Data Transfer Tactic in New RemcosRAT Campaign (darkreading.com)

• Military briefing: Russia has the upper hand in electronic warfare with Ukraine (ft.com)

• Russia's Sandworm blamed for Kyivstar telecom cyber attack • The Register

• Media: Ukrainian hackers hit Russian internet provider, claim they are preparing 'revenge for Kyivstar' (kyivindependent.com)

• Ukraine is on the front lines of global cyber security - Atlantic Council

Iran

• Wiper malware found in analysis of Iran-linked attacks on Albanian institutions (therecord.media)

• Who Is Behind Pro-Ukrainian Cyber Attacks on Iran? (darkreading.com)

• Pro-Iranian Hacker Group Targeting Albania with No-Justice Wiper Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Iranian crypto exchange Bit24.cash leaks user passports and IDs (securityaffairs.com)

• Dutch Engineer Used Water Pump to Get Billion-Dollar Stuxnet Malware Into Iranian Nuclear Facility: Report - Security Week

• Investigation on Stuxnet malware triggers doubt | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

North Korea

• North Korea Debuts 'SpectralBlur' Malware Amid macOS Onslaught (darkreading.com)

• North Korea's Cyber Heist: DPRK Hackers Stole $600 Million in Cryptocurrency in 2023 (thehackernews.com)

• South Korea's technological superiority challenged by North Korea's cyber attacks - The Korea Times

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

• Sea Turtle Cyber Espionage Campaign Targets Dutch IT and Telecom Companies (thehackernews.com)

• Turkish Hackers Target Microsoft SQL Servers in Americas, Europe - Security Week

• Turkish Cyber Spies Targeting Netherlands - Security Week

• Young Britons exposed to online radicalisation following Hamas attack - BBC News

• Who Is Behind Pro-Ukrainian Cyber Attacks on Iran? (darkreading.com)

• Media: Ukrainian hackers hit Russian internet provider, claim they are preparing 'revenge for Kyivstar' (kyivindependent.com)

• Hackers Dox Lawmakers Behind North Carolina Age Verification (dailydot.com)

• CISA warns agencies of fourth flaw used in Triangulation spyware attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 82% of Companies Struggle to Manage Security Exposure - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Vulnerability Handling in 2023: 28,000 New CVEs, 84 New CNAs - Security Week

• Researchers develop technique to prevent software bugs - Help Net Security

• Best Practices for Vulnerability Scanning: When and How Often to Perform - Security Boulevard

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft January 2024 Patch Tuesday fixes 49 flaws, 12 RCE bugs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft Patch Tuesday for January 2024 fixed 2 critical flaws (securityaffairs.com)

• Patch Now: Critical Windows Kerberos Bug Bypasses Microsoft Security (darkreading.com)

• Ivanti warns of Connect Secure zero-days exploited in attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cisco Patches Critical Vulnerability in Unity Connection Product - Security Week

• This new macOS backdoor lets hackers take over your Mac remotely — how to stay safe | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• KyberSlash attacks put quantum encryption projects at risk (bleepingcomputer.com)

• QNAP Patches High-Severity Flaws in QTS, Video Station, QuMagie, Netatalk Products - Security Week

• CISA Adds Six Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA

• Attacks aimed at vulnerable Apache RocketMQ servers underway | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Flaw in AI Plugin Exposes 50,000 WordPress Sites to Remote Attack - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fortinet Releases Security Updates for FortiOS and FortiProxy | CISA

• Alert: New Vulnerabilities Discovered in QNAP and Kyocera Device Manager (thehackernews.com)

• Android's January 2024 Security Update Patches 58 Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• SAP's First Patches of 2024 Resolve Critical Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• Volexity Catches Chinese Hackers Exploiting Ivanti VPN Zero-Days - Security Week

• CISA Flags 6 Vulnerabilities - Apple, Apache, Adobe, D-Link, Joomla Under Attack (thehackernews.com)

• CISA Urges Patching of Exploited SharePoint Server Vulnerability - Security Week

• Over 150k WordPress sites at takeover risk via vulnerable plugin (bleepingcomputer.com)

• SQLi vulnerability in Cacti could lead to RCE (CVE-2023-51448) - Help Net Security

• Cryptominers Targeting Misconfigured Apache Hadoop and Flink with Rootkit in New Attacks (thehackernews.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Why Red Teams Can't Answer Defenders' Most Important Questions (darkreading.com)

• Continuity in Chaos: Applying Time-Tested Incident Response to Modern Cyber Security - Security Week

• Why Public Links Expose Your SaaS Attack Surface (thehackernews.com)

• APIs are increasingly becoming attractive targets - Help Net Security

• Whodunit in Cyber Space: The Rocky Road from Attribution to Accountability • Stimson Center

• Insufficient Internal Network Monitoring in Cyber Security - Security Boulevard

• Threat Actors Increasingly Abusing GitHub for Malicious Purposes (thehackernews.com)

• 4 ways data and AI tip the cyber security scales towards the defenders | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• How to Plan Your Security Budget Without Compromising Your Security Stack - Security Boulevard

• Authentication is more complicated than ever. 4 ways to improve cyber defences for our new reality | ZDNET

• Embracing offensive cyber security tactics for defence against dynamic threats - Help Net Security

• Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Global legal risks in cyber security investigations (iapp.org)

• Here's how to build a more inclusive cyber security strategy | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• 2024 Cyber Insurance Requirements Predictions (trendmicro.com)

• Exposed Secrets are Everywhere. Here's How to Tackle Them (thehackernews.com)

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Other News

• SEC Had a Fraught Cyber Record Long Before X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• SolarWinds Hits Back at SEC After Agency’s X Account Was Hacked (bloomberglaw.com)

• Cyber Security is the Number One Priority for the Financial Sector Again, Says Softcat | The Fintech Times

• Cyber Focused FBI Agents Deploy to Embassies Globally (darkreading.com)

• A cyber attack hit the Beirut International Airport (securityaffairs.com)

• Cyber attacks on Island ‘are mostly from Russia’ - Jersey Evening Post

• Whodunit in Cyber Space: The Rocky Road from Attribution to Accountability • Stimson Center

• Hackers Dox Lawmakers Behind North Carolina Age Verification (dailydot.com)

• Threat Actors Increasingly Abusing GitHub for Malicious Purposes (thehackernews.com)

• XM Cyber's 2024 Survey on the State of Security Posture Reveals Remediation Efforts Falling Behind Surging Exposures (prnewswire.com)

• It’s 2024. Time to Have Attribution Standards in Cyber Space - OODA Loop

• Protecting Critical Infrastructure Means Getting Back to Basics (darkreading.com)

• 6 of the biggest threats banks faced in 2023 | American Banker

• Study reveals cyber risks to US elections | Computer Weekly

• US to hospitals: Meet security standards or no federal money • The Register

• After Barrage of Hacks, Hospitals Will Face New Federal Cyber Security Rules Tied to Funding (databreaches.net)

• Hospitals Must Treat Patient Data and Health With Equal Care (darkreading.com)

• Softcat reveals cyber security is top IT priority for the retail sector in 2024 | Retail Technology Review

• Cyber Security Risk Mitigation for Law Firms in 2024 | US Legal Support - JDSupra

• Cyber security challenges escalate for renewable energy amidst geopolitical crises - NS Energy (nsenergybusiness.com)

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

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

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

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

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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As usual, contact us to help assess where your risks lie and to ensure you are doing all you can do to keep you and your business secure.

Look out for our ‘Cyber Tip Tuesday’ video blog and on our YouTube channel.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Links to articles are for interest and awareness and linking to or reposting external content does not endorse any service or product, likewise we are not responsible for the security of external links.

Black Arrow Cyber Advisory 11 January 2024 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe, Android, Cisco, and SAP Updates

Executive summary

In its first Patch Tuesday of 2024, Microsoft has provided updates to address 49 security issues across its product range, including two critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-20700 and CVE-2024-20674). None of these vulnerabilities are listed as publicly known or under active exploitation. The two critical vulnerabilities affect Hyper-V, allowing remote code execution, and Kerberos, enabling attackers to bypass security features.

In addition to the updates from Microsoft, this week also saw Adobe fixing 6 vulnerabilities, Cisco patching 2 vulnerabilities, and Android addressing 59 vulnerabilities, none of which were critical. SAP also issued 12 new patches for its range of products, three of the patches were rated as critical.

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited could allow an attacker to perform remote code execution, the other vulnerability allows an attacker to perform a man in the middle attack and send a malicious message to impersonate themselves as the Kerberos authentication server, bypassing security features.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the critical vulnerabilities. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-20700: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to impersonate the Kerberos authentication server and bypass security features.

CVE -2024-20674: This vulnerability if actively exploited, allows an attacker to perform remote code execution. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to gain access to the restricted network before running an attack.

Adobe

This month, Adobe has released fixes for six vulnerabilities that affect Adobe Substance 3D Stage 2.1.3 and earlier versions. None of these vulnerabilities were rated as critical. Currently, Adobe is not aware of any active exploitation of these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities include issues such as arbitrary code execution and memory leaks.

Android

In Google’s January Security Bulletin for Android, 59 vulnerabilities are addressed, including three that are critical in the Qualcomm section. None of these vulnerabilities appear to have been discovered and exploited by criminals prior to the release of the patches. The vulnerabilities include issues such as elevation of privileges and information disclosure.

Cisco

Cisco has released an update to address two privilege escalation CVEs in its Identity Services Engine (ISE). These vulnerabilities, which were disclosed in September, necessitate administrator-level privileges for exploitation. At present, Cisco has provided patches to rectify these issues, and no other workaround is available.

SAP

This month, SAP has released 12 patches, which include 10 new releases and 2 updates from previous releases. These patches address 3 critical vulnerabilities affecting a variety of SAP products. The vulnerabilities encompass a range of issues, including Privilege Escalation, Code Injection, Denial of Service, Information Disclosure, and Improper Authorisation.

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Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/09/january_patch_tuesday/

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/09/the-first-windows-security-updates-of-2024-are-here/

Adobe

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance 3D Stager be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_stager/apsb24-06.html

Android

Further details on the Android patches can be found here:

https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2024-01-01

Cisco

Further details on the Cisco patch can be found here:

https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-priv-esc-KJLp2Aw

SAP

Further information of the vulnerabilities address by SAP can be found here:
https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 05 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

A “Ridiculously Weak“ Password Causes Disaster for Spain’s Number 2 Mobile Carrier

Spain’s second largest mobile operator, Orange España, suffered a major outage after an unknown party obtained a “ridiculously weak” password and used it to access an account for managing the network that delivers the company’s internet traffic. The attacker had posted the account they had compromised, and researchers found that the associated system had been infected with a Raccoon type infostealer back in September of 2023. The compromised account was Orange’s RIPE administrator account, with the password “ripeadmin”. The incident led to a 50% drop in connections for a 4 hour period, and  underscores the critical importance of robust cyber security measures, including strong passwords, and serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor oversights can lead to significant disruptions.

Source: [Ars Technica]

Russia Kyivstar Hack Should Alarm the West, Ukraine Security Chief Warns

If Ukraine's core telephone network can be taken out, organisations in the West could easily be next, Ukraine's SBU chief says. December's cyber attack on Ukrainian telecommunications operator Kyivstar by Russian-backed threat actor ‘Sandworm’ dealt a catastrophic blow to the telecoms provider, according to Illia Vitiuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) cyber security department. It is believed that although the attack took place in December 2023, the threat actors likely had access to Kyivstar systems since May 2023.

Source: [Dark Reading]

23andMe Tells Victims It’s Their Fault Their Data Was Breached

A cyber incident at DNA data firm 23andMe started with credential stuffing 14,000 user accounts. Credential stuffing is the process by which a malicious actor uses previously harvested usernames and passwords from earlier unrelated breaches to break into other sites and services. Many of the 14,000 accounts had opted-in for a feature whereby information is shared with relatives, which meant that once compromised, attackers had access to 6.9 million users: nearly half of the user base.

Facing over 30 lawsuits from victims, 23andMe is now blaming victims, according to letters seen by victims. 23andMe stated “users negligently recycled and failed to update their passwords following these past security incidents, which are unrelated to 23andMe”. This has caused divide in the cyber world; on one side, recycling and failing to update passwords is poor cyber hygiene and on the other hand, there are technical controls that could have better prevented this type of well known and common attack.

Source: [TechCrunch] [The Register]

Financial Sector Faces More Cyber Attacks Than Other Sectors

A recent study found that more than three-quarters (77%) of financial organisations detected an attack on their infrastructures in 2023, compared with around two-thirds (68%) of other sectors. In particular, the study found that financial workers were at a higher than average risk of phishing compared to other workers. Despite their target attractiveness, only three-quarters (73%) of the financial sector respondents said that they have a cyber security policy in place or will do so within the next year. A separate report from Kaspersky stated that the financial sector is poised to experience an influx of artificial intelligence based attacks 2024, adding to the fire.

Sources: [SC Media] [TechRadar ]

An Innocent-Looking Instagram Trend Could Be a Gift to Hackers

A recent trend that has picked up traction at the end of December on social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, encourages their followers to “get to know them better”. This trend gets people to answer a popular template, freely giving away personal information such as their height, date of birth, and various details that they feel strongly about including favourite food and phobias. While these questions may seem harmless, these sorts of personal details are used by companies for security questions, for example when a person wants to reset their password. Hackers can use this information to easily social engineer victims or impersonate them to get access to their accounts.

Source: [Business Insider]

Cyber Criminals Shared Millions of Stolen Records During Holiday Break

While many people unwind and enjoy their time off during the festive season, cyber criminals remain active. In fact, they leaked approximately 50 million records containing sensitive personal information during this period. These data breaches were not limited to the West; they had a global impact, affecting individuals in various countries such as Peru, Australia, South Africa, and more. It is important to note that not all the data leaks were recent; some appeared to be remnants of older incidents. For instance, some of the leaked data belonged to customers of the credit company Klarna, which was rumoured to have experienced a breach back in 2022, although it was never publicly confirmed. This ‘Free Leaksmas’ event, as it’s been dubbed, underscores the extensive global reach and serious consequences of these cyber criminal activities.

Sources: [Security Affairs] [Dark Reading]

Law Firm that Handles Data Breaches was Itself Hit by Data Breach

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a law firm specialising in managing security incidents for other companies, has disclosed more details of the cyber attack it itself experienced in March 2023. The breach compromised the sensitive health and personal information of over 637,000 individuals. The stolen data was linked to client organisations and included the names of individuals alongside their social security numbers, medical details, and financial information. Despite the firm's expertise in cyber security, the attack highlights the pervasive risk of data breaches, even among those who advise on such matters. Orrick's delayed response and subsequent legal settlements underscore the importance of proactive security measures and swift action in the wake of a breach. This incident serves as a stark reminder to all organisations of the need for robust cyber defences and transparent communication strategies in today's digital landscape. The law firm has recently settled in principle to resolve four class action lawsuits that accused Orrick of failing to inform victims of the breach until months after the incident.

Source: [TechCrunch]

Nigerian Hacker Arrested for Stealing Millions from Charities

A Nigerian national, Olusegun Samson Adejorin, has been arrested for charges relating to business email compromise attacks that caused a charitable organisation in the US to lose more than $7.5 million. Adejorin had purchased a credential harvesting tool to steal login credentials, which were used to send emails to the charity’s financial service provider. The emails requested and authorised a transfer of $7.5 million, which the investment services provider believed it was paying to the charity whereas it was paying into a bank account controlled by the attacker.

Source: [Bleeping Computer]

Cyber Criminals Implemented Artificial Intelligence for Invoice Fraud

A cyber criminal gang known as GXC Team has been seen selling an artificial intelligence tool for creating fraudulent invoices. The tool, known as Business Invoice Swapper, scrutinises compromised emails that are fed to it, looking for emails which mention invoices or include invoice attachments. It then alters the details of the intended recipient to details specified by the perpetrator. This altered invoice then either replaces the compromised one, or is sent to a predetermined set of contacts.

Source: [Security Affairs]

Shadow IT Threatens Corporate Cyber Security, Study Reveals

With remote working becoming more and more prevalent, organisations are finding themselves at risk of cyber threats due to what is known as shadow IT; this is any software, hardware or IT resource used without the IT department’s approval, knowledge or oversight. A study by Kaspersky found of the 77% of companies that had suffered from cyber incidents over the past two years, 11% of these were directly caused by the unauthorised use of shadow IT.

Source: [Security Brief]

Escalating Cyber Threats: Bots, Fraud Farms, and Cryptojacking Surge

In the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape, 2023 has witnessed a notable surge in the use of bots, fraud farms, and cryptojacking. A new report found that 73% of web and app traffic this year has been attributed to malicious bots and fraud farms, indicating a significant shift towards automated cyber attacks. This trend poses a heightened risk to the ecommerce sector, where cyber criminals exploit API connections and third-party dependencies.

Furthermore, the surge in cryptojacking, marked by a 399% increase, reveals a diversifying strategy among cyber criminals, targeting critical infrastructure with sophisticated methods. These developments serve as a crucial reminder for organisations to bolster their cyber defences and adopt a proactive stance against these emerging and increasingly automated threats.

Source: [Help Net Security]

Putin has Declared a Cyber War on Britain

This year over 2 billion people will vote for new governments across the world, and it is crucial to be aware of upcoming threats to these elections from foreign powers. In particular, Russia is notorious for deploying bots, trolls, and deepfakes, which are techniques used to manipulate information and influence public opinion. These malicious actors are adept at spreading misinformation and disinformation, often with the goal of interfering in elections. With the upcoming UK General Election in 2024 and the US Presidential Election also falling this year, it is imperative to exercise caution and discernment when consuming online content. Not everything we see can be taken at face value.

Source: [Telegraph]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Thoughts for Boards: Key Issues in Corporate Governance for 2024 (harvard.edu)

• Escalating cyber threats: Bots, fraud farms, and cryptojacking surge, urgently requiring attention - Help Net Security

• Legal, compliance and privacy leaders anxious about rapid GenAI adoption - Help Net Security

• Navigating the New Age of Cyber Security Enforcement (darkreading.com)

• Facts and misconceptions about cyber security budgets - Help Net Security

• Budget cuts take a toll on IT decision makers' mental health - Help Net Security

• Consumers prepared to ditch brands after cyber security issues - Help Net Security

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Firms urged to stop ransomware payments as attacks become “astronomical” (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• How ransomware could cripple countries, not just companies (economist.com)

• New Black Basta decryptor exploits ransomware flaw to recover files (bleepingcomputer.com)

• ChatGPT-aided ransomware in China results in four arrests as AI raises cyber security concerns | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

• Sophos reports spike in ransomware groups using remote encryption (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Cactus RANSOMWARE gang hit the Swedish retail and grocery provider Coop (securityaffairs.com)

• Police locate missing Chinese student who was victim of ‘cyber kidnapping’ (msn.com)

• Kai Zhuang: Cyber kidnapping in US illustrates growing crime trend - BBC News

• Ban on ransomware payments? The alternative isn't working • The Register

• December ransomware attacks disrupt healthcare organisations | TechTarget

• Ransomware's deadly toll: Hacking is killing patient as errors and delays plague healthcare systems, as 2,200 hospitals, schools and government entities were hit in 2023 | Daily Mail Online

• Study: Ransomware Is Actually Killing One American Per Month (tech.co)

• Zeppelin ransomware source code sold for $500 on hacking forum (bleepingcomputer.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Cyber attack on Massachusetts hospital disrupted records system, emergency services (therecord.media)

• Hospitals ask courts to force cloud storage firm to return stolen data (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware's deadly toll: Hacking is killing patients as errors and delays plague healthcare systems, as 2,200 hospitals, schools and government entities were hit in 2023 | Daily Mail Online

• Software Used by Hundreds of Museums Taken Down by Ransomware Attack (pcmag.com)

• CTS cyber attack: Disruption to home sales now over - BBC News

• Xerox says subsidiary XBS US breached after ransomware gang leaks data (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber attackers breach trove of Victoria court recordings • The Register

• Bitter Pill: Third-Party Pharmaceutical Vendor Linked to Pharmacy and Health Clinic Cyber Attack (huntress.com)

• Estes refuses to pay off ransomware crew, says data stolen • The Register

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Numerous backdoors deployed in new Kimsuky spear-phishing attacks | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Russia's APT28 used new malware in a recent phishing campaign (securityaffairs.com)

• SMTP Smuggling: New Flaw Lets Attackers Bypass Security and Spoof Emails (thehackernews.com)

• CERT-UA Uncovers New Malware Wave Distributing OCEANMAP, MASEPIE, STEELHOOK (thehackernews.com)

• UAC-0050 Group Using New Phishing Tactics to Distribute Remcos RAT (thehackernews.com)

• Crypto phishing scams took almost $300M from 324K victims in 2023: Report (cointelegraph.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• Cyber Criminals Implemented Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Invoice Fraud (securityaffairs.com)

• The Imperative of Cyber Security in the Era of AI (thefastmode.com)

• Finance orgs to face increasingly prevalent AI cyber attacks | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Enterprise cyber security in 2024: The AI play comes to the fore - Verdict

• Law Firms Taken Aback By The Impact Of AI And The Rise Of Exclusions On Their Cyber Insurance Policies - Above the Law

• NIST Identifies Types of Cyber Attacks That Manipulate Behaviour of AI Systems | NIST

• AI watermarking could be exploited by bad actors to spread misinformation. But experts say the tech still must be adopted quickly | FedScoop

• Use of generative AI in the legal profession accelerating despite accuracy concerns | ITPro

• A New Kind of AI Copy Can Fully Replicate Famous People. The Law Is Powerless. - POLITICO

• ChatGPT-aided ransomware in China results in four arrests as AI raises cyber security concerns | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

• CISO Planning for 2024 May Struggle When It Comes to AI (darkreading.com)

• Reflecting on Defence and Security Strategies in the AI Era: A New Perspective for Modern Nations - Modern Diplomacy

• Cyber resilience in the age of AI | TechRadar

• Legal, compliance and privacy leaders anxious about rapid GenAI adoption - Help Net Security

• AI Is Driving a Silent Cyber Security Arms Race (govtech.com)

Malware

• Google accounts may be vulnerable to new hack, changing password won’t help | Cybernews

• Malware abuses Google OAuth endpoint to ‘revive’ cookies, hijack accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft patches critical vulnerability used to install malware on Windows PCs - MSPoweruser

• Microsoft disables Windows app installation, again • The Register

• CISA warns of a nasty flaw abusing Excel | TechRadar

• New Version of Meduza Stealer Released in Dark Web (securityaffairs.com)

• Weak password and infostealer blamed for Orange Spain outage • The Register

• Russia's APT28 used new malware in a recent phishing campaign (securityaffairs.com)

• Russian Military Intelligence Blamed for Blitzkrieg Hacks (inforisktoday.com)

• CERT-UA Uncovers New Malware Wave Distributing OCEANMAP, MASEPIE, STEELHOOK (thehackernews.com)

• Kimsuky Hackers Deploying AppleSeed, Meterpreter, and TinyNuke in Latest Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Activity of Rugmi malware loader spikes | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Kronos Malware Reemerges with Increased Functionality (securityintelligence.com)

• Malware attacks exploiting app installation protocol prompt deactivation | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• New Variant of DLL Search Order Hijacking Bypasses Windows 10 and 11 Protections (thehackernews.com)

• 29 malware families target 1,800 banking apps worldwide - Help Net Security

• Google password resets not enough to stop this malware • The Register

• 21 New Mac Malware Families Emerged in 2023 - Security Week

• UAC-0050 Group Using New Phishing Tactics to Distribute Remcos RAT (thehackernews.com)

• New Bandook RAT Variant Resurfaces, Targeting Windows Machines (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• Europe's Largest Parking App Provider Informs Customers of Data Breach - Security Week

• How to prevent hackers from breaking into your Android, stealing bank info (nypost.com)

• QR code hacking: How to protect yourself from rogue QR codes (androidpolice.com)

• 29 malware families target 1,800 banking apps worldwide - Help Net Security

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Guarding against DDoS attacks during high-traffic periods | CSO Online

• Busting three common DDoS myths (betanews.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• Study Finds IoT Cyber Security Risk Increased 400 Percent Last Year - RFID JOURNAL

• 4 essential smart home cameras tips to protect your sensitive data

• Ukraine says Russia hacked web cameras to spy on targets in Kyiv (therecord.media)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Cyber Criminals launched 'Leaksmas' event in the Dark Web exposing massive volumes of leaked PII and compromised data (securityaffairs.com)

• 23andMe tells victims it’s their fault that their data was breached | TechCrunch

• Law firm that handles data breaches was hit by data breach | TechCrunch

• Europe's Largest Parking App Provider Informs Customers of Data Breach - Security Week

• Here we go again: 2023’s badly handled data breaches | TechCrunch

• Over 900k Impacted by Data Breach at Defunct Boston Ambulance Service - Security Week

• Data breach at healthcare tech firm impacts 4.5 million patients (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Highlands Oncology Group Notifies Patients of September 2023 Data Breach | Console and Associates, P.C. - JDSupra

• 'Cyber Toufan' Hacktivists Leaked 100-Plus Israeli Orgs in One Month (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Attacks Are Back in Hollywood. Did Sony Hack Teach Us Nothing? (variety.com)

• Accounting Firm Battling Cyber Security Lawsuit Seeks Dismissal (bloomberglaw.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Nigerian hacker arrested for stealing $7.5M from charities (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hackers employ nuanced tactics to evade detection - Help Net Security

• The law enforcement operations targeting cyber crime in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What’s It Like to Be the Victim of Cyber Crimes? (govtech.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Escalating cyber threats: Bots, fraud farms, and cryptojacking surge, urgently requiring attention - Help Net Security

• Beware: Scam-as-a-Service Aiding Cyber Criminals in Crypto Wallet-Draining Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Crypto phishing scams took almost $300M from 324K victims in 2023: Report (cointelegraph.com)

• Cryptocurrency wallet CEO loses $125,000 in wallet-draining scam | Tripwire

• Cyber criminals set their sights on crypto markets - Help Net Security

• Orbit Chain loses $86 million in the last fintech hack of 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Crypto-crook Sam Bankman-Fried spared a second trial • The Register

• Bitconned review — Netflix documentary about a fortune built on brazen lies

• Hackers hijack govt and business accounts on X for crypto scams (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insurance

• 6 Cyber Security Insurance Requirements | Proofpoint US

• Cyber insurance should go hand in hand with cyber resilience | Insurance Business America (insurancebusinessmag.com)

• Law Firms Taken Aback By The Impact Of AI And The Rise Of Exclusions On Their Cyber Insurance Policies - Above the Law

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Online museum collections down after cyber attack on service provider (bleepingcomputer.com)

• A new framework for third-party risk in the European Union | ITPro

Cloud/SaaS

• This company made a significant Google Drive security error that could put a million users at risk | TechRadar

• 5 Ways to Reduce SaaS Security Risks (thehackernews.com)

• 8 Hybrid Cloud Security Challenges and How to Manage Them (techtarget.com)

Identity and Access Management

• The password identity crisis: Evolving authentication methods in 2024 and beyond | VentureBeat

• Active Directory Infiltration Methods Employed by Cyber Criminals (gbhackers.com)

Encryption

• Quantum Risks and Rewards: Forward-Defending Cyber Security (govinfosecurity.com)

• Saving Schrödinger’s Cat: Getting serious about post-quantum encryption in 2024 - Breaking Defence

• Nearly 11 million SSH servers vulnerable to new Terrapin attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

Linux and Open Source

• 2023: The Year Open Source Security Supply Chain Grew Up - The New Stack

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• A “ridiculously weak“ password causes disaster for Spain’s No. 2 mobile carrier | Ars Technica

• 23andMe tells victims it’s their fault that their data was breached | TechCrunch

• The password identity crisis: Evolving authentication methods in 2024 and beyond | VentureBeat

• Using Stronger Passwords Among Top 2024 Digital Resolutions - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Social Media

• Instagram Trend Could Be a Gift to Hackers (businessinsider.com)

• Social media made $11 billion in US ad sales from minors and therefore has 'overwhelming financial incentives' to avoid protecting children, study finds | Fortune

• Cyber Attackers Target Nuclear Waste Company via LinkedIn (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Criminals Flood Dark Web with X (Twitter) Gold Accounts (darkreading.com)

• Hackers hijack govt and business accounts on X for crypto scams (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mandiant's Twitter Account Restored After Six-Hour Crypto Scam Hack (thehackernews.com)

Malvertising

• Google Settles $5 Billion Privacy Lawsuit Over Tracking People Using ‘Incognito Mode’ - Security Week

• Google Just Disabled Cookies for 30 Million Chrome Users. Here’s How to Tell If You’re One of Them. (gizmodo.com)

• Social media made $11 billion in US ad sales from minors and therefore has 'overwhelming financial incentives' to avoid protecting children, study finds | Fortune

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• New risk management framework helps with SEC mandate compliance | CSO Online

• A new framework for third-party risk in the European Union | ITPro

• Finding The Silver Lining In Cyber Regulations (forbes.com)

• Navigating the New Age of Cyber Security Enforcement (darkreading.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• An Overview Of The Defence Department’s Long-awaited Proposed Regulations For Its Cyber Security Maturity Model Certification Program | Morrison & Foerster LLP - Government Contracts Insights - JDSupra

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Cyber security skills gap poses threat to business protection measures (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Many cyber security workers feel burnt out and worry about understaffing | TechRadar

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Police investigate virtual sex assault on girl's avatar - BBC News

• The law enforcement operations targeting cyber crime in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Additional cyber agents to be deployed by FBI | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Vladimir Putin has declared a cyber war on Britain (telegraph.co.uk)

• AI watermarking could be exploited by bad actors to spread misinformation. But experts say the tech still must be adopted quickly | FedScoop

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• The FBI is adding more cyber focused agents to US embassies | CyberScoop

Nation State Actors

China

• CISA warns of a nasty flaw abusing Excel | TechRadar

• BT Miss Deadline to Remove All Huawei Kit from UK Core Network UPDATE - ISPreview UK

• ChatGPT-aided ransomware in China results in four arrests as AI raises cyber security concerns | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

• Three Chinese balloons float near Taiwanese airbase • The Register

Russia

• Russia Kyivstar Hack Should Alarm West, Ukraine Security Chief Warns (darkreading.com)

• Russian hackers were inside Ukraine telecoms giant for months – cyber spy chief – Euractiv

• Ukraine says Russia hacked web cameras to spy on targets in Kyiv (therecord.media)

• UK exposes Russia for attempted political interference (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

• Vladimir Putin has declared a cyber war on Britain (telegraph.co.uk)

• Russia's APT28 used new malware in a recent phishing campaign (securityaffairs.com)

• Russian Military Intelligence Blamed for Blitzkrieg Hacks (inforisktoday.com)

• CERT-UA Uncovers New Malware Wave Distributing OCEANMAP, MASEPIE, STEELHOOK (thehackernews.com)

• Massive missile strike disrupts Kyiv's internet and power supply (therecord.media)

• The "Tallinn Mechanism" is Designed to Enhance Civilian Cyber Assistance to Ukraine

• UAC-0050 Group Using New Phishing Tactics to Distribute Remcos RAT (thehackernews.com)

Iran

• Cyber attacks hit the Assembly of the Republic of Albania and telecom company One Albania (securityaffairs.com)

• Multiple organisations in Iran breached by a mysterious hacker (securityaffairs.com)

• Israel Battles Spike in Wartime Hacktivist, OT Cyber Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Pilfered Data From Iranian Insurance and Food Delivery Firms Leaked Online (darkreading.com)

North Korea

• Kimsuky Hackers Deploying AppleSeed, Meterpreter, and TinyNuke in Latest Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Numerous backdoors deployed in new Kimsuky spear-phishing attacks | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Analysing DPRK's SpectralBlur

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

• 'Everything on the internet is monitored': Israel's cyber security head - The Week

• 'Cyber Toufan' Hacktivists Leaked 100-Plus Israeli Orgs in One Month (darkreading.com)

• Israel Battles Spike in Wartime Hacktivist, OT Cyber Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Field spy or electronic espionage: Lebanon’s cyber security challenge against Israeli security breach - Lebanon News (lbcgroup.tv)

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Vulnerability Management

• Apache ERP Zero-Day Underscores Dangers of Incomplete Patches (darkreading.com)

• 10 of the biggest zero-day attacks of 2023 | TechTarget

• Vulnerability management remains a moving target | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft patches critical vulnerability used to install malware on Windows PCs - MSPoweruser

• CISA warns of a nasty flaw abusing Excel | TechRadar

• Google Patches Six Vulnerabilities With First Chrome Update of 2024 - Security Week

• Apache ERP Zero-Day Underscores Dangers of Incomplete Patches (darkreading.com)

• Ivanti warns critical EPM bug lets hackers hijack enrolled devices (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 10 of the biggest zero-day attacks of 2023 | TechTarget

• Vulnerabilities in Google Kubernetes Engine Could Allow Cluster Takeover - Security Week

• Malware attacks exploiting app installation protocol prompt deactivation | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Qualcomm chip vulnerability enables remote attack by voice call | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Nearly 11 million SSH servers vulnerable to new Terrapin attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• WordPress Google Fonts Plugin Vulnerability Affects Up To +300,000 Sites (searchenginejournal.com)

• January Android Security Bulletin Arrives, So Does Pixel Update (droid-life.com)

---

Tools and Controls

• Why training LLMs with endpoint data will strengthen cyber security | VentureBeat

• Cyber security challenges emerge in the wake of API expansion - Help Net Security

• 6 Cyber Security Insurance Requirements | Proofpoint US

• Are Security Appliances fit for Purpose in a Decentralized Workplace? - Security Week

• Guarding against DDoS attacks during high-traffic periods | CSO Online

• Cyber resilience in the age of AI | TechRadar

• 8 Hybrid Cloud Security Challenges and How to Manage Them (techtarget.com)

• Active Directory Infiltration Methods Employed by Cyber Criminals (gbhackers.com)

---

Other News

• Over 100 European Banks Face Cyber Resilience Test - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Can We Protect the Ballot Box? Global Guide to Election Cyber Threats - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ‘Lazy’ broadband engineers blamed for exposing hospitals and banks to cyber attacks (telegraph.co.uk)

• IT and OT cyber security: A holistic approach (securityintelligence.com)

• The FBI is adding more cyber focused agents to US embassies | CyberScoop

• Hackers hit Australian state's court recording database | Reuters

• Cyber Attacks Are Back in Hollywood. Did Sony Hack Teach Us Nothing? (variety.com)

• Healthcare breach costs soar requiring new thinking for safeguarding data (securityintelligence.com)

• Firm responsible for burying the UK’s nuclear waste faces repeated cyber attacks | Engineering and Technology Magazine (theiet.org)

• Securing the Defence Industrial Base | AFCEA International

• Reflecting on Defence and Security Strategies in the AI Era: A New Perspective for Modern Nations - Modern Diplomacy

---

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

---

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

---

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)

---

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

---

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)

---

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

---

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 22 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

Majority of 2023’s Critical Cyber Attacks Stemmed from Fewer Than 1% of Vulnerabilities, with 1 in 4 High Risk Vulnerabilities Exploited Within 24 Hours of Going Public

A new Qualys report reveals that less than 1% of vulnerabilities are responsible for the greatest damage, and a quarter of high-risk vulnerabilities are now being exploited within a day of disclosure. In 2023, a record-breaking 26,000 vulnerabilities have been identified so far, emphasising the need for organisations to accelerate their response times. High-risk vulnerabilities, particularly in network devices and web applications, are the main targets for attackers seeking unauthorised access or privilege escalation. This situation underscores the critical need for organisations to implement a multi-layered defence strategy, automate patching where appropriate especially in areas of critical infrastructure, and adopt zero-trust principles to safeguard against such swift and potent cyber threats.

Sources: [SiliconANGLE] [SC Media]

Ransomware Gangs Are Increasingly Turning to Remote Access Tools for Attacks, As UK Honeypots Attacked 17 million Times Per Day

Nearly three quarters of cyber-attacks across the UK in 2023 targeted technology frequently used for remote working, new data from Coalition has revealed.

Attackers frequently target Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), a tool that lets users access office computers from home, as it grants the attacker quick access to devices and allows them to execute further attacks.

Honeypot sensors maintained by Coalition have recorded 5.8 billion attacks so far in 2023, averaging around 17 million attacks per day. Of these it was found that 76% of attacks targeted RDP.

Attackers exploit RDP vulnerabilities that often stem from simple configuration mistakes. By taking steps like disabling unnecessary remote access or tightening controls, companies can help shield themselves from these pervasive threats.

Sources: [Insurance Times] [TechRadar] [Infosecurity Magazine]

Why Employees Are a Bigger Security Risk than Hackers

In today's interconnected world, the spotlight is often on cyber criminals attacking from outside, but a worrying trend points inward. A recent study by Imperva reveals that insiders pose a significant threat, being behind 58% of security incidents. The incidents are a mixture of deliberate misuse and accidents, however the majority of organisations lack a strategy to combat these risks. Even when strategies exist, they may be undermined by employees bypassing IT protocols or due to the pressures of adapting to new technologies. With insider incidents on the rise by 47% in two years, the costs are too great to ignore.

Source: [Raconteur]

77% of Financial Services Firms Detected a Cyber Attack in the Last Year, as Finance and Healthcare Continue to Suffer the Most Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks are more prevalent in the financial services sector than in any other industry. Last year, 77% of financial institutions were targeted, primarily through phishing and ransomware attacks. After financial services the second most targeted sector is healthcare. Both types of institutions are attractive targets not only because of their wealth of sensitive data but also because disruptions to their operations can lead to substantial ransom payments. They face increasingly sophisticated threats and the financial impact is significant, with approximately a quarter of these institutions estimating damages of at least $50,000. To mitigate these risks organisations are turning to cyber insurance, which necessitates further tightening of security practices, including identity and access management, to meet insurers’ stringent standards.

The healthcare sector reported over 179,000 cyber attacks in a single quarter, affecting entities globally. The primary threats were infostealers and ransomware. There have been scores of notable incidents where hospitals have been shut down or otherwise unable to operate. In many cases, this resulted in closing emergency departments, interfering with planned or emergency surgeries and forcing ambulances to divert to other hospitals, potentially causing life threatening delays. Further, a recent report analysing the enterprise risk management for the financial sector found that the two biggest concerns were rising interest rates at 74% and ransomware attacks at 65%.

Sources: [Security Magazine] [MSSP Alert] [PR NewsWire] [Security Magazine]

New Report Data Shows 75% Increase in Suspicious Emails Hitting Inboxes

A new report has unveiled the escalating threat posed by phishing emails, as detected by DMARC software. In the past year, there's been a 70% rise in emails flagged as fraudulent, with almost 18% of total email traffic in the first half of 2023 being intercepted as potential phishing attempts. This surge underscores a pressing need for robust email security measures. Simple yet effective tools like DMARC, which automatically weeds out emails impersonating legitimate domains, are becoming critical in the fight against these sophisticated scams. With the average cost of a cyber attack now well into the millions, and given the high click rates on phishing emails, it is clear that taking proactive steps to strengthen an organisations digital defence is not just sensible, it is essential for safeguarding the businesses in the digital age.

Source: [Dark Reading]

Threat Actors Still Exploiting Old Unpatched Vulnerabilities

A report by Cisco has found that the most targeted vulnerabilities this year, same as previous years, were old unpatched vulnerabilities which should have been fixed a long time ago. Some of these security gaps in widely-used applications like Microsoft Office and or within versions of Windows itself are over a decade old. Unpatched vulnerabilities can leave systems open to exploitation, potentially leading to unauthorised access, data breaches, and widespread security incidents, including being a key enabler of ransomware attacks. This highlights an urgent call to action for organisations to patch known vulnerabilities and secure user accounts to fortify their defences against cyber threats.

Source: [IT Business]

Many Organisations Still Lack Formal Cyber Security Training

As we navigate into 2024, a new report by the SANS Institute found that more than 30% of organisations do not regularly perform cyber readiness exercises, while 40% have yet to establish formal training for cyber security. These findings underline a gap between the need for robust security measures and actual preparedness. On a positive note, most organisations are adopting frameworks like the NIST CSF to shape their security posture, and two-thirds are actively using metrics to gauge the effectiveness of their security operations. Yet, there’s a call to action here: for real progress, intentional investment and commitment to comprehensive training and stringent security operations are non-negotiable. This is the path to mature security operations that can withstand the complexities of today’s cyber threats.

Source: [Security Brief]

Addressing the Growing Threat of Supply Chain Cyber Attacks

As businesses become more interconnected through digital supply chains, supply chain cyber attacks are becoming more of a pressing issue for organisations. The attackers tend to exploit weaknesses in third-party suppliers, often with less guarded entry points, to access larger networks. With companies increasingly outsourcing and using cloud adoption, the need for stringent third-party cyber risk assessments is vital. However, complexities arise with the shared responsibility model for cloud security, where setting out the division of security duties between cloud service providers and clients can blur lines of defence. To tackle these challenges, integration of cyber security into procurement and supply chain processes is essential. This means enforcing collaboration between procurement and cyber security teams, mandating security standards in vendor contracts, and utilising automated tools for continuous risk assessments. Safeguarding modern supply chains is no longer a siloed task but a strategic, organisation wide imperative.

Source: [HackerNoon]

Cyber Incident Costs Surge 11% as Budgets Remain Muted

A new report found an 11% jump in the direct costs of a significant cyber incident, now averaging $1.7 million. The burden is even heavier for those without cyber insurance, with costs escalating to $2.7 million per incident. Cyber risks like fraud, third-party breaches, and data theft remain prevalent. Despite these increasing threats, cyber security budgets have grown modestly and are not keeping pace with the increased level of threat. The report also highlights a concerning gap in understanding cyber threats and a lack of internal training, emphasising the critical need for not just financial investment, but also a deeper engagement with cyber security training and awareness within organisations.

Source: [Infosecurity Magazine]

Attacks on Critical Infrastructure are Harbingers of War: Are We Prepared?

The escalating cyber threats against critical infrastructure, like recent attacks on water authorities, highlight an urgent security concern. These attacks, which are often state-sponsored, are not just targeting financial or data assets but are striking at essential services vital to human survival. The tactics used in these attacks, known as Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB), are aimed at weakening a nation by disrupting services like power and water, key to both civil stability and military operations. Nations like Russia, China, and Iran employ these strategies for different purposes, ranging from strategic military advantages to ideological victories. The use of ransomware, as seen in the increasing incidents reported by the FBI, is a tool for both financial gain and geopolitical disruption. As we face these multifaceted threats, the need for robust cyber security measures to protect our critical infrastructure has never been more pressing. It is a call to action for nations and organisations alike to fortify their defences against these evolving and serious cyber threats.

Source: [SC Media]

UK Data Centres to be Classed as Critical Infrastructure Under New Gov Proposals

The UK government is considering new regulations aimed at enhancing the security and resilience of data centres. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recognises the vital role of these data hubs and is examining the adequacy of current safety practices. With the identification of varying levels of security across the sector, the prospect of legislating minimum security standards is on the table. This may include establishing a regulatory body to oversee incident reporting and risk mitigation strategies, particularly for third-party service providers. These measures underscore the government's commitment to safeguarding data centres, which are increasingly integral to the UK's economic vitality and national security. As part of a broader initiative, the sector could be designated as critical national infrastructure, aligning it with international best practices and ensuring comprehensive protection from cyber threats and other risks.

Source: [ITPro]

Data Exfiltration and Extortion is the New Ransomware Threat, as 65% of Organisations Say Ransomware Concerns Impact Risk Management

Cyber criminals are escalating their tactics and becoming more aggressive in their effort to maximise disruption and compel the payment of ransom demands. Earlier this year, the ransomware group ALPHV exploited the new US data breach disclosure rules by filing a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against a victim company for not reporting an alleged significant data breach. This marks a strategic evolution from traditional ransomware attacks, where data is encrypted and held hostage, to more nuanced extortion schemes. Such tactics are becoming more sophisticated, with triple extortion attacks threatening not just the target company but also their partners and clients. This shift from encryption to pure extortion requires a fresh understanding of cyber threats and a re-evaluation of defence strategies. It highlights the urgent need for businesses to protect not just their own data but also to consider the security of their entire data supply chain.

Source: [TechCrunch]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Cyber Incident Costs Surge 11% as Budgets Remain Muted - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Three Tech Budget Implementations To Help Optimize Your Resources (forbes.com)

• New Report: 85% Firms Face Cyber Incidents, 11% From Shadow IT - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 65% of organisations say ransomware concerns impact risk management | Security Magazine

• Healthcare and Finance Suffer Most Cyber Attacks | MSSP Alert

• CFOs are under the gun as the SEC's new 4-day data breach disclosure window goes into effect | Fortune

• SEC vs SolarWinds: A cyber security game changer for CISOs (securitybrief.co.nz)

• 77% of financial organisations detected a cyber attack in the last year | Security Magazine

• Level of cyber security: the new key indicator of a company's performance | TechRadar

• Managing cyber security risk during challenging economic times (techinformed.com)

• Many organisations still lack formal IT security training in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• The year in cyber security: 6 stories to read from 2023 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• After-Incident Reports Turn Breaches Into Security Blueprints (pymnts.com)

• What's the Best Way to Communicate After a Data Breach? (darkreading.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• Why extortion is the new ransomware threat | TechCrunch

• 65% of organisations say ransomware concerns impact risk management | Security Magazine

• FBI: ALPHV ransomware raked in $300 million from over 1,000 victims (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware attacks hit new record in November :: Insurance Day

• Ransomware attacks on the rise in the UK (itsecuritywire.com)

• UK at High Risk of ‘Catastrophic’ Cyber Attack Affecting Critical Infrastructure: Report (insurancejournal.com)

• Ransomware surges, despite aggressive defences | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• BlackCat Strikes Back: Ransomware Gang “Unseizes” Website, Vows No Limits on Targets - Security Week

• A Major Ransomware Takedown Suffers a Strange Setback | WIRED

• Double-Extortion Play Ransomware Strikes 300 Organisations Worldwide (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware trends and recovery strategies companies should know - Help Net Security

• Ransomware Attacks in November Rise 67% From 2022 (darkreading.com)

• 10 of the biggest ransomware attacks in 2023 | TechTarget

• BianLian, White Rabbit, and Mario Ransomware Gangs Spotted in a Joint Campaign (securityaffairs.com)

• ALPHV Second Most Prominent Ransomware Strain Before Reported Downtime - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• CISA releases Play ransomware guidelines | Security Magazine

• US and Australia Warn of Play Ransomware Threat - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Devices (and ransomware) are everywhere: How endpoint security must adapt | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Behind the Scenes of Matveev's Ransomware Empire: Tactics and Team (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware gangs are increasingly turning to remote encryption, and that's a huge problem | TechRadar

• FBI Develops Decryption Tool That Could Tackle Casino Attacks (sbcamericas.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Homebuyers stress as thousands of house purchases frozen by cyber attack - Property Industry Eye

• Ransomware gang behind threats to Fred Hutch cancer patients (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Delta Dental of California data breach exposed info of 7 million people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Seattle cancer centre confirms cyber attack after ransomware gang threats (therecord.media)

• France International Schools Agency Impacted by Ransomware Hack - Bloomberg

• MOVEit Vulnerability Hits Delta Dental: 7 Million Records Exposed - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber Attack Slams The North Face and Vans Owner, Shares Plunge - The Messenger

• Mr Cooper now says 15M people's data exposed in cyber attack • The Register

• MongoDB shares fall on cyber security incident By Investing.com

• 2.7M medical records exposed in double-extortion ransomware attack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Nearly 3 million affected by ransomware attack on medical software firm (therecord.media)

• Title insurance giant First American offline after cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• St Vincent’s Health Australia says data stolen in cyber attack (yahoo.com)

• Kansas City-area hospital transfers patients, reschedules appointments after cyber attack (therecord.media)

• Ransomware cyber attack hits Milton Town School District (databreaches.net)

• The ransomware attack on Westpole is disrupting digital services for Italian public administration (securityaffairs.com)

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Generative AI is making phishing attacks more dangerous | TechTarget

• New DMARC Data Shows 75% Increase in Suspicious Emails Hitting Inboxes (darkreading.com)

• Anatomy of a Phishing Attack: How Hackers Trick You - Techopedia

• Qakbot is back and targets the Hospitality industry (securityaffairs.com)

• SMTP Smuggling Allows Spoofed Emails to Bypass Authentication Protocols - Security Week

• Fake F5 BIG-IP zero-day warning emails push data wipers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New phishing attack steals your Instagram backup codes to bypass 2FA (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Cyber espionage group Cloud Atlas targets Russian companies with war-related phishing attacks (therecord.media)

Artificial Intelligence

• Generative AI is making phishing attacks more dangerous | TechTarget

• AI’s efficacy is constrained in cyber security, but limitless in cyber crime - Help Net Security

• 'Unintended harms' of generative AI are national security risk to UK (techmonitor.ai)

• Unequal Risk, Unequal Reward: How Gen AI disproportionately harms countries (ox.ac.uk)

• Anonymous Sudan hacking group pledges to keep targeting OpenAI's ChatGPT (axios.com)

• Security Researchers: ChatGPT Vulnerability Allows Training Data to be Accessed by Telling Chatbot to Endlessly Repeat a Word - CPO Magazine

• AI in Cyber Security: It's All About Being Aware (inforisktoday.com)

• How AI is weaponized for cyber attacks (betanews.com)

• Why 'dark AI' is a top cyber security concern for 2024 | Pension Times

• The cyber security arms race: AI vs. AI | TechRadar

• How AI Is Shaping the Future of Cyber Crime (darkreading.com)

• 4 ways CISOs can manage AI use in the enterprise | CIO

2FA/MFA

• New phishing attack steals your Instagram backup codes to bypass 2FA (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malware

• New KV-Botnet Targeting Cisco, DrayTek, and Fortinet Devices for Stealthy Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Rhadamanthys Malware: Swiss Army Knife of Information Stealers Emerges (thehackernews.com)

• Hackers Exploiting Old MS Excel Vulnerability to Spread Agent Tesla Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Windows and macOS targeted by new Go-based malware | TechRadar

• QNAP VioStor NVR vulnerability actively exploited by malware botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Over 10K downloads amassed by malicious PyPi packages | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Info stealers and how to protect against them (securityaffairs.com)

• 8220 Gang Exploiting Oracle WebLogic Server Vulnerability to Spread Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Qakbot is back and targets the Hospitality industry (securityaffairs.com)

• Qakbot Sightings Confirm Law Enforcement Takedown Was Only a Setback (darkreading.com)

• Hospitality Industry Faces New Password-Stealing Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber criminals target hotel staff for management credentials • The Register

• BattleRoyal Cluster Signals DarkGate Surge - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Scam 'missed parcel' SMS messages: advice on avoiding malware - NCSC.GOV.UK

• 3 Ways to Use Real-Time Intelligence to Defeat Bots (darkreading.com)

• Microsoft: Hackers target defence firms with new FalseFont malware (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Hospitality sector subjected to new malware attacks | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Mobile

• iOS 17.2 update puts an end to Flipper Zero's iPhone shenanigans | ZDNET

• The 5G risk: How to protect your smartphone from emerging security threats - PhoneArena

• Apple rolls out iOS 17.2.1 with bugfixes and minor improvements - Neowin

• What is spyware and what can you do to stay protected? - Amnesty International

• NSO Group May Be On Its Way Out But There’s No Shortage Of Competitors To Take Its Place | Techdirt

• Suspects can refuse to provide phone passcodes to police, court rules | Ars Technica

Internet of Things – IoT

• IoT security strategy: an arms race for businesses | ITPro

• Porsche To Kill ICE-Powered Macan In Europe Over Cyber Security Laws | Carscoops

• Cyber security and car thefts: how are car makers responding? | CAR Magazine

• Marketer sparks panic with claims it uses smart devices to eavesdrop on people | Ars Technica

• Marketing firm admits it listens to conversations to sell targeted ads (searchengineland.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Data of over a million users of the crypto exchange GokuMarket exposed (securityaffairs.com)

• MongoDB says customer data was exposed in a cyber attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Mr Cooper now says 15M people's data exposed in cyber attack • The Register

• Wolverine-developer Insomniac Games sees 1.67TB of secrets leaked in data breach | Ars Technica

• Everything Hackers Just Revealed in Sony Insomniac Games Leak (tech.co)

• Comcast says hackers stole data of close to 36 million Xfinity customers | TechCrunch

• BMW dealer at risk of takeover by cyber criminals - Security Affairs

• Celebrities Found in Unprotected Real Estate Database Exposing 1.5 Billion Records - Security Week

• Data leak exposes users of car-sharing service Blink Mobility (securityaffairs.com)

• Hacked security cam footage from bedrooms, dressing rooms, spas found to be on sale on Telegram group - NotebookCheck.net News

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Ex-Amazon engineer pleads guilty to hacking crypto exchanges (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How Microsoft’s cyber crime unit has evolved to combat increased threats | Ars Technica

• Gang charged with running $80 million "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scam (bitdefender.com)

• Microsoft’s Digital Crime Unit Goes Deep on How It Disrupts Cyber Crime | WIRED

• German police takes down Kingdom Market cyber crime marketplace (bleepingcomputer.com)

• INTERPOL celebrates huge cyber crime Christmas present (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Law enforcement Operation HAECHI IV led to the seizure of $300 Million (securityaffairs.com)

• Two arrested as police investigate Birmingham dark web drugs trade - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

• NSA Blocked 10 Billion Connections to Malicious and Suspicious Domains - Security Week

• BattleRoyal Cluster Signals DarkGate Surge - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Intelligence Researchers to Study Computer Code for Clues to Hackers’ Identities - WSJ

• Dark web marketplace Kingdom Market dismantled | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lapsus$ teen sentenced to indefinite detention in hospital • The Register

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Data of over a million users of the crypto exchange GokuMarket exposed (securityaffairs.com)

• Ex-Amazon engineer pleads guilty to hacking crypto exchanges (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Gang charged with running $80 million "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scam (bitdefender.com)

• DeFi’s billion-dollar secret: The insiders responsible for hacks – Cointelegraph Magazine

• Crypto scammers abuse Twitter ‘feature’ to impersonate high-profile accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Crypto drainer steals $59 million from 63k people in Twitter ad push (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Insider threats: why employees are a bigger risk than hackers (raconteur.net)

• Former IT manager pleads guilty to attacking high school network (bleepingcomputer.com)

• DeFi’s billion-dollar secret: The insiders responsible for hacks – Cointelegraph Magazine

Insurance

• Mandatory protections, higher premiums and continued growth -- cyber insurance predictions for 2024 (betanews.com)

• Uninsured firms incur 69% higher cyber incident costs - CIR Magazine

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• What is supply chain risk management (SCRM)? | Definition by TechTarget

• Addressing the Growing Threat of Supply Chain Cyber Attacks | HackerNoon

• Homebuyers stress as thousands of house purchases frozen by cyber attack - Property Industry Eye

• Supply chain emerges as major vector in escalating automotive cyber attacks - Help Net Security

• Adapting to the Post-SolarWinds Era: Supply Chain Security in 2024 (darkreading.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Most cloud transformations are stuck in the middle - Help Net Security

• IoT security strategy: an arms race for businesses | ITPro

• Millions of Microsoft Accounts Power Lattice of Automated Cyber Attacks (darkreading.com)

• Box cloud storage down amid 'critical' outage (bleepingcomputer.com)

Encryption

• Zscaler ThreatLabz Finds Most Cyber Attacks Hide (itsecuritywire.com)

• 86% of cyber attacks are delivered over encrypted channels - Help Net Security

• SSH protects the world’s most sensitive networks. It just got a lot weaker | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• The password attacks of 2023: Lessons learned and next steps (bleepingcomputer.com)

• CISA urges vendors to get rid of default passwords | CyberScoop

• BMW dealer at risk of takeover by cyber criminals - Security Affairs

• Hospitality Industry Faces New Password-Stealing Malware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Cyber criminals target hotel staff for management credentials • The Register

Social Media

• Social media platform X back up after global outage | Reuters

• Crypto scammers abuse Twitter ‘feature’ to impersonate high-profile accounts (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Crypto drainer steals $59 million from 63k people in Twitter ad push (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New phishing attack steals your Instagram backup codes to bypass 2FA (bleepingcomputer.com)

Malvertising

• Malvertising has been out of control in 2023, and Google needs to do more to stop it | ITPro

Training, Education and Awareness

• Are We Ready to Give Up on Security Awareness Training? (thehackernews.com)

• Many organisations still lack formal IT security training in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• CFOs are under the gun as the SEC's new 4-day data breach disclosure window goes into effect | Fortune

• SEC vs. SolarWinds: A cyber security game changer for CISOs (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Porsche To Kill ICE-Powered Macan In Europe Over Cyber Security Laws | Carscoops

• UK data centres to be classed as critical infrastructure under new gov proposals | ITPro

• Clock Starts on SEC Cyber Attack Rules: What CISOs Should Know (informationweek.com)

• SEC disclosure rule for ‘material’ cyber security incidents goes into effect | CyberScoop

• What Do CISOs Have to Do to Meet New SEC Regulations? (darkreading.com)

• EU agrees amendments to Cyber Solidarity Act in bid to create ‘cyber shield’ for member states | ITPro

• Rules targeting financial criminals will require new filings for startups and small businesses – GeekWire

• A quiet cyber security revolution is touching every corner of the economy as US, allies ‘pull all the levers’ to face new threats | Fortune

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• Cyber Security Frameworks: A Guide for MSSPs | MSSP Alert

• SANS Institute Research Shows the Frameworks Organisations Use (darkreading.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• How cyber security roles are changing and what to look for when hiring | CSO Online

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• BlackCat Strikes Back: Ransomware Gang “Unseizes” Website, Vows No Limits on Targets - Security Week

• A Major Ransomware Takedown Suffers a Strange Setback | WIRED

• US law enforcement seizes BlackCat ransomware site, distributes decryption key (axios.com)

• Ex-Amazon engineer pleads guilty to hacking crypto exchanges (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How Microsoft’s cyber crime unit has evolved to combat increased threats | Ars Technica

• Gang charged with running $80 million "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scam (bitdefender.com)

• Former IT manager pleads guilty to attacking high school network (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft’s Digital Crime Unit Goes Deep on How It Disrupts Cyber Crime | WIRED

• German police takes down Kingdom Market cyber crime marketplace (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Law enforcement Operation HAECHI IV led to the seizure of $300 Million (securityaffairs.com)

• Two arrested as police investigate Birmingham dark web drugs trade - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

• Interpol op cuffs 3,500 cyber suspects, seizes $300M • The Register

• NSA Blocked 10 Billion Connections to Malicious and Suspicious Domains - Security Week

• Qakbot Sightings Confirm Law Enforcement Takedown Was Only a Setback (darkreading.com)

• Suspects can refuse to provide phone passcodes to police, court rules | Ars Technica

• Dark web marketplace Kingdom Market dismantled | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lapsus$ teen sentenced to indefinite detention in hospital • The Register

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Attacks on critical infrastructure are harbingers of war: Are we prepared? | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Nation State Actors

China

• China's Cyber Warfare Surges With Hacking Of US Infrastructure (thefederalist.com)

• Espionage from the East: "Russia Is a Storm, China Is Climate Change" - DER SPIEGEL

• US cyber warriors issue a call to arms - Asia Times

• China's Secret War Preps Inside US Utilities (spytalk.co)

• National Grid drops Beijing-backed supplier over UK power network fears (ft.com)

• Chinese Spacecraft Emitting Strong Signal Over North America (futurism.com)

• A top-secret Chinese spy satellite just launched on a supersized rocket | Ars Technica

• China's MIIT Introduces Color-Coded Action Plan for Data Security Incidents (thehackernews.com)

Russia

• Cyber attack on Kyivstar is likely one of highest-impact disruptive in Ukraine since Feb 2022 - British intelligence (interfax.com.ua)

• The UK Defence Intelligence Analyses Massive Cyber Attack Ukraine Suffered | Defence Express (defence-ua.com)

• Ukraine updates: UK says Ukraine suffered severe cyber attack – DW – 12/16/2023

• Espionage from the East: "Russia Is a Storm, China Is Climate Change" - DER SPIEGEL

• US cyber warriors issue a call to arms - Asia Times

• Anonymous Sudan hacking group pledges to keep targeting OpenAI's ChatGPT (axios.com)

• UK and partners form The Tallinn Mechanism for cyber security - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Ukraine mobile cyber attack high impact says UK - Emerging Risks Media Ltd

• Russian APT29 Hacked US Biomedical Giant in TeamCity-Linked Breach (hackread.com)

• Cyber espionage group Cloud Atlas targets Russian companies with war-related phishing attacks (therecord.media)

Iran

• Israel-linked hacking group claims it ‘disabled’ gas stations across Iran | World News - Hindustan Times

• Iranian 'Seedworm' Cyber Spies Target African Telcos & ISPs (darkreading.com)

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

• Intellexa and Cytrox: From fixer-upper to Intel Agency-grade spyware (talosintelligence.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• 2023 Cyber Threats: 26,000+ Vulnerabilities, 97 Beyond CISA List - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Majority of 2023's critical cyber attacks stemmed from fewer than 1% of vulnerabilities - SiliconANGLE

• 1 in 4 high-risk CVEs are exploited within 24 hours of going public | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Will Putting a Dollar Value on Vulnerabilities Help Prioritize Them? (darkreading.com)

• Creating a formula for effective vulnerability prioritization - Help Net Security

• Zoom Unveils Open Source Vulnerability Impact Scoring System - Security Week

• Threat actors still exploiting old unpatched vulnerabilities, says Cisco | IT Business

Vulnerabilities

• 80 percent of Struts 2 downloads include critical flaw • The Register

• ESET fixed a high-severity bug in the Secure Traffic Scanning Feature of several products (securityaffairs.com)

• Fortinet Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• Flaws in pfSense firewall can lead to arbitrary code execution (securityaffairs.com)

• QNAP VioStor NVR vulnerability actively exploited by malware botnet (bleepingcomputer.com)

• MOVEit Vulnerability Hits Delta Dental: 7 Million Records Exposed - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Microsoft discovers critical RCE flaw in Perforce Helix Core Server (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Years-Old, Unpatched GWT Vuln Leaves Apps Open to Server-Side RCE (darkreading.com)

• 8220 Gang Exploiting Oracle WebLogic Server Vulnerability to Spread Malware (thehackernews.com)

• 3CX Urges Customers to Disable Integration Due to Potential Vulnerability - Security Week

• Mozilla Patches Firefox Vulnerability Allowing Remote Code Execution, Sandbox Escape - Security Week

• Researchers uncover major security issue in Microsoft Azure - here's what we know | TechRadar

• Microsoft Outlook Zero-Click Security Flaws Triggered by Sound File (darkreading.com)

• 3CX warns customers to disable SQL database integrations (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Dell Urges Customers to Patch Vulnerabilities in PowerProtect Products - Security Week

• Outlook Plays Attacker Tunes: Vulnerability Chain Leading to Zero-Click RCE - Security Week

• Targeted F5 Vulnerability 'Update' Delivers Wiper to Israeli Victims (darkreading.com)

• Urgent: New Chrome Zero-Day Vulnerability Exploited in the Wild - Update ASAP (thehackernews.com)

• Ivanti releases patches for 13 critical Avalanche RCE flaws (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Apple rolls out iOS 17.2.1 with bugfixes and minor improvements - Neowin

• Hackers Exploiting MS Excel Vulnerability to Spread Agent Tesla Malware (thehackernews.com)

• SSH protects the world’s most sensitive networks. It just got a lot weaker | Ars Technica

• Impact of Log4Shell Bug Was Overblown, Say Researchers - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Fake F5 BIG-IP zero-day warning emails push data wipers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• New Security Vulnerabilities Uncovered in pfSense Firewall Software - Patch Now (thehackernews.com)

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Tools and Controls

• AI’s efficacy is constrained in cyber security, but limitless in cyber crime - Help Net Security

• More cyber criminals turning to remote desktop protocol attacks | Insurance Times

• Insurer’s UK Honeypots Attacked 17 Million Times Per Day - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• The cyber security arms race: AI vs. AI | TechRadar

• Microsoft unveils new, more secure Windows Protected Print Mode (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 65% of organisations say ransomware concerns impact risk management | Security Magazine

• AI in Cyber Security: It's All About Being Aware (inforisktoday.com)

• Demystifying Open XDR: What It Is, How to Do It, and ROI | Binary Defence

• 5 things you need to know about your EDR | CSO Online

• Can you trust Windows Hello biometric authentication | Kaspersky official blog

• Many organisations still lack formal IT security training in 2024 (securitybrief.co.nz)

• How CISOs can manage multiprovider cyber security portfolios | TechTarget

• Intelligence Researchers to Study Computer Code for Clues to Hackers’ Identities - WSJ

• CISA Releases Microsoft 365 Secure Configuration Baselines and SCuBAGear Tool | CISA

• Are Workstation Security Logs Actually Important? | MSSP Alert

• What's the Best Way to Communicate After a Data Breach? (darkreading.com)

• How Segmentation Can Slow a Cyber Attack - ClearanceJobs

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Reports Published in the Last Week

• Annual Payment Fraud Intelligence Report: 2023 | Recorded Future

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Other News

• The Financial Sector Experiences More Cyber Attacks than Other Verticals, and those Incidents Result in Costlier Outcomes (prnewswire.com)

• 77% of financial organisations detected a cyber attack in the last year | Security Magazine

• Small businesses targeted by cyber criminals for data (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Retailers Are Being Barraged By Cyber Attacks This Holiday Season (forbes.com)

• Complexity leaves energy companies vulnerable to cyber attacks - Verdict

• The MOVEit breach may well have been the biggest cyber attack of the year | TechRadar

• How to bolster security against intellectual property theft (c4isrnet.com)

• In Cyber Security, Some Conventional Wisdom, While Well-Intentioned, Is Off-Base (newsweek.com)

• Navigating The Cyber Security Landscape In 2024 (forbes.com)

• 3 Strategic Insights from Cyber Security Leader Study (trendmicro.com)

• Healthcare sector warned of poor cyber hygiene; CISA doles out remedy advice | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• The truth behind four small business cyber security myths (themanufacturer.com)

• Conclusion of Crossed Swords: the most exciting offensive cyber operations exercise

• Australia announces cyber security plan after major breaches | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• National Grid drops Beijing-backed supplier over UK power network fears (ft.com)

• As British Library faces fallout of cyber attack—what can arts bodies do to combat ransomware threats? (theartnewspaper.com)

• NIST Report Spotlights Cyber, Privacy Risks in Genomic Data (inforisktoday.com)

• Zscaler ThreatLabz Finds Most Cyber Attacks Hide (itsecuritywire.com)

• 86% of cyber attacks are delivered over encrypted channels - Help Net Security

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

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

·         Automotive

·         Construction

·         Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

·         Defence & Space

·         Education & Academia

·         Energy & Utilities

·         Estate Agencies

·         Financial Services

·         FinTech

·         Food & Agriculture

·         Gaming & Gambling

·         Government & Public Sector (including Law Enforcement)

·         Health/Medical/Pharma

·         Hotels & Hospitality

·         Insurance

·         Legal

·         Manufacturing

·         Maritime

·         Oil, Gas & Mining

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

·         Retail & eCommerce

·         Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

·         Startups

·         Telecoms

·         Third Sector & Charities

·         Transport & Aviation

·         Web3

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As usual, contact us to help assess where your risks lie and to ensure you are doing all you can do to keep you and your business secure.

Look out for our ‘Cyber Tip Tuesday’ video blog and on our YouTube channel.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Links to articles are for interest and awareness and linking to or reposting external content does not endorse any service or product, likewise we are not responsible for the security of external links.

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 15 December 2023

Welcome to this week’s Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing – a weekly digest, collated and curated by our cyber experts to provide senior and middle management with an easy to digest round up of the most notable threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber related news from the last week.

Top Cyber Stories of the Last Week

MPs say UK Could be Brought to Standstill ‘At Any Moment’ as Scathing Report Calls for Greater Security Investment

According to the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS), the UK is one of the most targeted countries in the world for cyber attacks, predominantly coming from Russian-linked threat actors. The report describes the UK as being at high risk from catastrophic ransomware attacks, and warns that the country could face significant challenges in managing future attacks.

Further, the report noted that the UK’s regulatory frameworks are insufficient and large amounts of national infrastructure are still vulnerable to ransomware because of their reliance on legacy IT systems.

Sources: [ITPro] [Emerging Risks Media Ltd]

Gartner Finds 45% of Organisations Experienced Third Party-Related Business Interruptions

Despite increased investments in third-party cyber security risk management (TPCRM) over the last two years, 45% of organisations experienced third party-related business interruptions, according to a new Gartner survey. This is reinforced by a separate survey, in which 97% of respondents reported having suffered negative impacts from a breach in a third party or supplier partner in the last year; a figure that has remained unchanged for the past three years.

The results show that despite the increase in attention and investments in third party risk management, organisations are not carrying these out in a way that is decreasing the risk.

Sources: [CIR Magazine] [Gartner]

Major Cyber Attack Paralyzes Ukraine's Largest Telecom Operator; Russia Expected to Ramp Up Attacks on Ukraine’s Allies

Ukraine's biggest telecom operator Kyivstar has become the victim of a "powerful hacker attack," disrupting customer access to mobile and internet services. Its mobile app and website were down but they managed to restore some of its landline services on the same day of the attack. 24 million Kyivstar users have been urged to change all passwords following the attack.

So far, two Russia-aligned hacker groups have claimed responsibility for the hack: Killnet and Solntsepek. While Killnet have not provided any evidence of the attack, Solntsepek posted several screenshots of Kyivstar systems that it allegedly hacked, on its Telegram channel. The group said it “destroyed 10 thousand computers, more than 4 thousand servers, all cloud storage, and backup systems”.

Further, Russia is expected to ramp up their cyber campaign efforts targeting Ukraine’s allies as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. Last winter saw an increase in attacks that is likely to be repeated this year. The use of wiper malware to target critical national infrastructure (CNI) outside of Ukraine), similar to the attack on Kyivstar above, is just one tactic that could be deployed to disrupt Western allies’ ability, and motivation, to continue military support to Ukraine.

Sources: [Record Media] [New Voice of Ukraine] [Hacker news] [Infosecurity Magazine] [Gov Info Security]

81% of Companies had Malware, Phishing and Password Attacks in 2023

According to Verizon, 81% of organisations faced malware, phishing and password attacks last year, and these attacks were mainly targeted at users. Further, it was found that 62% percent of companies suffered a security breach connected to remote working. Certainly, attacks are not limited to particular sectors or organisations. Everyone can be a target and it is important to keep that in mind when focusing on securing the organisation; yet despite cyber security affecting everyone, 91% of CEOs/CFOs put the responsibility for cyber security squarely with IT.

Source: [Security Magazine]

Cyber Criminals Hit SMEs With Skills Once Limited to Nation State Actors

According to SentinelOne, mid-sized businesses are being targeted by cyber criminals who are displaying skills previously limited to expert government hackers. Cyber criminals are more organised than ever and have a better understanding of how businesses run; this, paired with technical acumen and AI, has created a difficult environment for medium-sized businesses who don’t possess the budget of a large organisation.

Sources: [Washington Times] [SiliconANGLE]

Russian Cyber Actors are Exploiting a Known Vulnerability with Worldwide Impact

The US National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and co-authoring agencies warn that the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) cyber actors are exploiting a publicly known vulnerability to compromise victims globally, including in the United States and allied countries. To raise awareness and help organisations identify, protect, and mitigate this malicious activity, the authoring agencies have jointly released a Cyber Security Advisory (CSA) on SVR’s exploiting of JetBrain’s TeamCity software, widely used by developers and software providers.

The advisory warns that APT29, the notorious Russian group behind the 2020 SolarWinds hack, are actively exploiting this vulnerability, joining state-sponsored actors from North Korea. The exploit in TeamCity could give attackers enough access to manipulate a software's source code, sign certificates, and compile and deploy processes.

Sources: [NSA] [Dark Reading] [The Register]

Why Cyber Security Is a Competitive Advantage: Reaching Digital Success

In the tech-driven world, cyber security’s importance is paramount for protecting sensitive data and critical systems. Significant increases in vulnerabilities and breaches have led to stricter guidelines and regulations for most sectors; a trend we expect to see increasing with regulations becoming more and more stringent. Increased regulation can only be good for affected industries and sectors to drive increased security.

However, beyond regulatory compliance, cyber security is a critical competitive differentiator and should be seen as such, rather than simply as a tick box exercise to satisfy a regulator or viewed as an increase in regulatory burden. Data breaches can lead to severe financial setbacks and damage to a company's reputation and customer trust. The legal and financial consequences of non-compliance with cyber security regulations are significant.

Building a comprehensive cyber security strategy that includes risk assessments, incident response plans, and proactive measures is essential in this era of rapid vulnerability exploitation. Embracing cyber security is not just a choice but a necessity for success in the digital age.

Source: [Forbes]

Ransomware-as-a-Service: The Growing Threat You Can't Ignore

Ransomware attacks have become a significant and pervasive threat in the ever-evolving realm of cyber security. Among the various iterations of ransomware, one trend that has gained prominence is Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This latest ransomware business model allows inexperienced hackers to use on-demand tools for attacks, reducing time and cost. They pay a fee, choose a target, and launch an attack with the provider’s tools. The effects of RaaS are starting to be noticed, as a recent survey showed the time from network breach to file encryption has dropped below 24 hours for the first time.

Source: [Hacker News]

66% of Employees Prioritise Daily Tasks Over Cyber Security

According to a recent survey, 66% of respondents stated that completing daily tasks is more crucial than cyber security, such as cyber security training. The tasks that were being prioritised over cyber security training include monthly targets, manager-assigned tasks and emails.

The survey highlights the need for improved cyber security training in organisations, with 64% of employees wanting time for this training during work hours, and 43% referring more engaging methods like videos and interactive sessions. The data suggests a shift from the annual training model, with 29% receiving quarterly training, 13% semi-quarterly, and 11% monthly. Addressing these needs is crucial for cyber security readiness.

Source: [Security Magazine]

Cyber Attack on Irish Utility Cuts Off Water Supply for Two Days

Last week, a cyber attack on a small Irish water utility disrupted the water supply for two days, affecting 180 people. The water utility’s representatives said the hackers may have breached the system due to their firewall not being “strong enough”. However, in most cases, hackers target internet-exposed devices or controllers that are either not protected at all or protected by a default password. This follows a warning from the US Government about the CyberAv3ngers group, an Iranian affiliated threat actor, which has been actively attacking water facilities in multiple US states.

Source: [Security Week]

Who Is Responsible for Cyber Security? You.

Cyber security is a concern that should resonate with every member of the C-suite and senior staff because when it fails, the entire business is impacted. Recent examples like the “bleach breach” at Clorox and the cyber attack on MGM Resorts illustrate the financial and reputational consequences of cyber security incidents, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. To effectively address this, C-suite executives and their teams must actively support cyber security initiatives led by CIOs and CISOs. The introduction of new government regulations, such as those from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), require organisations to swiftly report and manage cyber security incidents, impacting various departments beyond just the security team. To succeed in this environment, organisations must make cyber security information accessible across teams, allocate budgets for cyber security, and view cyber security as a catalyst for innovation and growth rather than a burden. For this to happen every single person within an organisation, from the very top to the very bottom, has a role to play in keeping the organisation secure and no one can think that security is someone else’s job.

Source: [Forbes]

Many Popular Websites Still Cling to Password Creation Policies From 1985

Website security, particularly password creation policies and login practices, requires immediate attention. A study of over 20,000 websites uncovers significant vulnerabilities with 75% of websites permitting passwords even shorter than 8 characters (which was the recommendation all the way back in 2012), and 12% even allow single-character passwords. Furthermore, 40% limit password length to being far shorter than current recommendations, and worse 72% permit dictionary words or known breached passwords.

The study also reveals that a third of websites do not support special characters in passwords. Remarkably, many websites continue to adhere to outdated password policies from 2004 or even 1985, and only 5.5% comply with stricter modern guidelines. This underscores the immediate need for standardising and strengthening password policies across the web, as well as enhancing education and outreach efforts to address these critical security weaknesses. Such passwords can influence people’s password choice, which can then enter the corporate environment. This can lead to their account having a higher risk of compromise, and in turn, risks to the data belonging to the organisation.

Source: [Help Net Security]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Who Is Responsible For Cyber Security? You. (forbes.com)

• How C-Level Executives Can Increase Cyber Resilience (forbes.com)

• Increased Cyber Regulation in the Offing as Attacks Mount (darkreading.com)

• Ex-Uber CSO: Lessons Learned from the Breach and Legal Case (darkreading.com)

• The SEC action against SolarWinds highlights how tough it can get for CISOs | CSO Online

• How to Enlist the CFO as a Cyber Security Budget Ally | Mimecast

• 7 Must-Ask Questions for Leaders on Security Culture | MSSP Alert

• Why Cyber Security Is A Competitive Advantage: Reaching Digital Success (forbes.com)

• Cyber Security Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

• Tech prediction #2: Businesses will turn to Cyber Security as a Service - Digital Journal

• Is Cyber Security as a Service (CSaaS) the Answer? (automation.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• UK ransomware attack could bring country to a "standstill" as scathing report calls for greater security investment | ITPro

• UK Downplays Ransomware Threat at Its Peril, Says Committee (inforisktoday.com)

• Ransomware Surge is Driving UK Inflation, Says Veeam - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Ransomware Groups' Latest Tactic: Weaponized Marketing (inforisktoday.com)

• CNI 'vulnerable to ransomware' | Professional Security

• Ransomware-as-a-Service: The Growing Threat You Can't Ignore (thehackernews.com)

• Ransomware most wanted — part 2, LockBit & Clop (techinformed.com)

• The end of ransomware payments: how businesses fit into the fight | ITPro

• Vulnerabilities Now Top Initial Access Route For Ransomware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• OpenText Cyber Security 2023 Global Ransomware Survey | MSSP Alert

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

• US reveals email addresses used to send ransomware demands • The Register

• Virtual Kidnapping: The Dark World of Cyber Extortion (govinfosecurity.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Kraft Heinz launches investigation after ransomware gang claims to have stolen data - SiliconANGLE

• Norton Healthcare disclosed a data breach after ransomware attack (securityaffairs.com)

• US healthcare giant Norton says hackers stole millions of patients’ data during ransomware attack | TechCrunch

• Insomniac Reportedly Hacked, Blackmailed With Game Leaks And Doxing (thegamer.com)

• BAUER Group is operational again after cyber attack | Corporate - EQS News (eqs-news.com)

• Nissan dealerships in ANZ crippled by cyber attack - Drive

Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• 39% of security leaders cite phishing as most feared cyber attack | Security Magazine

• Quishing is the new phishing: Why you need to think before you scan that QR code | ZDNET

• Cyber Criminals Exploit OAuth Apps for BEC, Phishing Attacks (petri.com)

• Google Forms Used in Call-Back Phishing Scam | Tripwire

• Approval Phishing Scams Drain $1bn of Cryptocurrency from Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US reveals email addresses used to send ransomware demands • The Register

• Dental Plan Administrator Fined $400K for Phishing Breach (govinfosecurity.com)

Artificial Intelligence

• SMEs "losing" battle against AI-powered cyber attacks, say experts - Tech Monitor

• ICO Warns of Fines for “Nefarious” AI Use - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• AI in 2024: More business use, more fraud risks | Premium | Compliance Week

• Europe Reaches a Deal on the World’s First Comprehensive AI Rules - Security Week

• The White House's private fears over the rise of AI in the Middle East (telegraph.co.uk)

• Holiday Scams Propelled By Artificial Intelligence | Foodman CPAs & Advisors - JDSupra

• Responsibly Implementing AI, the Unstoppable Force (darkreading.com)

• How to stop Dropbox from sharing your personal files with OpenAI (cnbc.com)

• Israel's AI can produce 100 bombing targets a day in Gaza. Is this the future of war? (theconversation.com)

Malware

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• Researchers Unveal GuLoader Malware's Latest Anti-Analysis Techniques (thehackernews.com)

• Hacker Uses Infostealer Data to Gain Access to Brazil’s Police Portal | Info Stealers

• Stealthy Linux rootkit found in the wild after going undetected for 2 years | Ars Technica

• Lazarus Group Using Log4j Exploits to Deploy Remote Access Trojans (thehackernews.com)

• Recruiters, beware of cyber crooks posing as job applicants! - Help Net Security

• How criminals disguise URLs | Kaspersky official blog

• Iranian State-Sponsored OilRig Group Deploys 3 New Malware Downloaders (thehackernews.com)

• 29 malware families targeted 1800 banking apps in 61 countries | Security Magazine

• Stealthy new botnet targets VPN devices and routers while staying disguised | TechRadar

• Ten new Android banking trojans targeted 985 bank apps in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Surge in deceptive simplicity exploitation by cyber attackers (securitybrief.co.nz)

Mobile

• Apple Releases Security Updates to Patch Critical iOS and macOS Security Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• Apple Testing New Stolen Device Protection Feature for iPhones - Security Week

• Hackers outsmart Apple to install keyloggers on iPhones - PhoneArena

• Android barcode scanner app exposes user passwords (securityaffairs.com)

• New 5G Modem Flaws Affect iOS Devices and Android Models from Major Brands (thehackernews.com)

• Six of the most popular Android password managers are leaking data | ZDNET

• SpyLoan Scandal: 18 Malicious Loan Apps Defraud Millions of Android Users (thehackernews.com)

• '5Ghoul' Vulnerabilities Haunt Qualcomm, MediaTek 5G Modems - Security Week

• WhatsApp, Slack, Teams, and other messaging platforms face constant security risks - Help Net Security

• 29 malware families targeted 1800 banking apps in 61 countries | Security Magazine

• Ten new Android banking trojans targeted 985 bank apps in 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Websites down as Newsquest hit by cyber attack - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage

Internet of Things – IoT

• How Cyber Security Can Build Consumer Trust In Self-Driving Vehicles (forbes.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• Apple: 2.5B Records Exposed, Marking Staggering Surge in Data Breaches (darkreading.com)

• UK Ministry of Defence Fined For Afghan Data Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• DNA companies should receive severe penalties for losing our data | TechCrunch

• Why the 23andMe Data Breach Is Such a Disaster (gizmodo.com)

• US nuclear research lab data breach impacts 45,000 people (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ubiquiti users claim to have access to other people’s devices (securityaffairs.com)

• 2.5m people's data lost in Norton hospital ransomware hit • The Register

• Dubai’s largest taxi app exposes 220K+ users (securityaffairs.com)

• Toyota Financial Services discloses data breach (securityaffairs.com)

• US Air Force Disciplines 15 as IG Finds That Security Failures Led to Massive Classified Documents Leak - Security Week

• DonorView exposes 1M records for unknown time frame • The Register

• Dental Plan Administrator Fined $400K for Phishing Breach (govinfosecurity.com)

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Cyber criminals hit businesses with skills once limited to Chinese, Russian government hackers - Washington Times

• Cyber Crime Orgs Increasingly Use Human Trafficking to Staff Scam Mills (darkreading.com)

• Interpol strikes slavers who force people to scam you online • The Register

• Microsoft goes after a cyber criminal group that sold millions of fraudulent accounts online - Neowin

• Cyber criminals and nation states up their game in persistent global attacks - SiliconANGLE

• Dark web forums reveal next year’s cyber security threats - Digital Journal

• Trafficking for cyberfraud an increasingly globalized crime, Interpol says (nbcnews.com)

• Kelvin Security hacking group leader arrested in Spain (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware most wanted — part 2, LockBit & Clop (techinformed.com)

• New cyber crime market 'OLVX' gains popularity among hackers (bleepingcomputer.com)

• How cyber criminals are using Wyoming shell companies for global hacks | Reuters

• Exploitation of the internet and the mind: How cyber criminals operate | TechRadar

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• Approval Phishing Scams Drain $1bn of Cryptocurrency from Victims - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Crypto Startup Ledger Users’ Wallets Drained in Hack - Bloomberg

• Ledger says attacker conducted phishing attack on former employee - Blockworks

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• 66% of employees prioritize daily tasks over cyber security | Security Magazine

• Privilege elevation exploits used in over 50% of insider attacks (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Prison for man who wiped bank's data after being fired for accessing porn in the office (bitdefender.com)

• Employees are weaponizing private emails with colleagues | Fortune

Insurance

• Making Cyber Insurance Available for Small Biz, Contractors (darkreading.com)

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Gartner Survey Finds 45% of Organisations Experienced Third Party-Related Business Interruptions During the Past Two Years

• UK firms increasing their focus on supply chain cyber risk – report - CIR Magazine

• US officials say Russian targeting JetBrains servers for potential SolarWinds-style operations | Reuters

• Manchester Public Schools Lose $180K to Hacked Vendor (govtech.com)

• Software & Security: How to Move Supply Chain Security Up the Agenda (darkreading.com)

Cloud/SaaS

• Multi-Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud: The Main Difference (techtarget.com)

• SAP's attempt to migrate security tools to cloud failed • The Register

• Cloud engineer wreaks havoc on bank's network after firing • The Register

Linux and Open Source

• Stealthy Linux rootkit found in the wild after going undetected for 2 years | Ars Technica

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• 81% of companies had malware, phishing and password attacks in 2023 | Security Magazine

• Almost 90 percent say they're prepared for password-based attacks -- but half still fall for them (betanews.com)

• Android barcode scanner app exposes user passwords (securityaffairs.com)

• Six of the most popular Android password managers are leaking data | ZDNET

• Many popular websites still cling to password creation policies from 1985 - Help Net Security

Social Media

• How a social engineering hack turned these Facebook pages into a dumping ground for spam (engadget.com)

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Increased Cyber Regulation in the Offing as Attacks Mount (darkreading.com)

• ICO Warns of Fines for “Nefarious” AI Use - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How European countries are implementing new cyber security framework – EURACTIV.com

• Cyber Solidarity Act moves ahead in EU Parliament with key committee vote – EURACTIV.com

• Europe Reaches a Deal on the World’s First Comprehensive AI Rules - Security Week

• FBI Issues Guidance for Delaying SEC-Required Data Breach Disclosure  - Security Week

• The SEC action against SolarWinds highlights how tough it can get for CISOs | CSO Online

• SEC Cyber Security Breach Rule: What it Means for MSSPs | MSSP Alert

• Ex-Uber CSO Joe Sullivan on why he ‘had to get over’ shock of data breach conviction | TechCrunch

• Government plans to regulate to tackle datacentre threats | Computer Weekly

• eIDAS: EU’s internet reforms will undermine a decade of advances in online security - Help Net Security

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• MITRE Launches Critical Infrastructure Threat Model Framework - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• UK IT staff working nearly as much overtime as law enforcement | ITPro

• Getting Into Cyber Security: A Guide for IT Security Careers | ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Cloud engineer wreaks havoc on bank's network after firing • The Register

• Kelvin Security hacking group leader arrested in Spain (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Microsoft goes after a cyber criminal group that sold millions of fraudulent accounts online - Neowin

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Another Cyber Attack on Critical Infrastructure and the Outlook on Cyberwarfare (informationweek.com)

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• International justice – France offers support to the International Criminal Court to step up cyber security (12 Dec. 2023) - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (diplomatie.gouv.fr)

• Debate Roils Over Extent of Nation-State Cyber Involvement in Gaza (darkreading.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

Nation State Actors

• What CISOs Need to Know About Nation State Actors (informationweek.com)

China

• Warning: Russia and China Target Cyber Security Weak Points (govinfosecurity.com)

• China's Cyber Attacks Target US Infrastructure In Preparation For Potential Conflict: Report - Benzinga

• Microsoft: Mystery Group Targeting Telcos Linked to Chinese APTs (darkreading.com)

• China’s cyber intrusions have hit ports and utilities, officials say - The Washington Post

• CISA unveils Google Workspace guidelines informed by Chinese breach of Microsoft | CyberScoop

• Chinese APT Volt Typhoon Linked to Unkillable SOHO Router Botnet  - Security Week

• Stealthy new botnet targets VPN devices and routers while staying disguised | TechRadar

• China warns its geographic data breach puts industry at risk (techinformed.com)

Russia

• Major Cyber Attack Paralyzes Kyivstar - Ukraine's Largest Telecom Operator (thehackernews.com)

• Ukraine’s Largest Phone Operator Hacked in “Act of War” - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 24 million Kyivstar users urged to change all passwords due to cyber attack / The New Voice of Ukraine (nv.ua)

• Hackers damaged some infrastructure of Ukraine’s Kyivstar telecom company (therecord.media)

• Warning: Russia and China Target Cyber Security Weak Points (govinfosecurity.com)

• Russia Set to Ramp Up Attacks on Ukraine’s Allies This Winter - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• UK government takes steps to thwart Russia's FSB hackers (techmonitor.ai)

• Cyber criminals hit businesses with skills once limited to Chinese, Russian government hackers - Washington Times

• Russian APT28 Hackers Targeting 13 Nations in Ongoing Cyber Espionage Campaign (thehackernews.com)

• US officials say Russian targeting JetBrains servers for potential SolarWinds-style operations | Reuters

• Global TeamCity Exploitation Opens Door to SolarWinds-Style Nightmare (darkreading.com)

• NCSC warning on Russian targeting | Professional Security

• Iranian Parliament Approves Information Security Deal With Russia | Iran International (iranintl.com)

• Ukrainian intelligence takes down Russia's tax system in major cyber warfare operation

• MI6 chief thanks Russian state television for its 'help' in encouraging Russians to spy for the UK | AP News

• Russian foreign intelligence service spotted exploiting JetBrains vulnerability (therecord.media)

• User activity showed greater increase in traffic on 3G network compared to 4G (LTE) network / The New Voice of Ukraine (nv.ua)

• Leader of Russian hacktivist group Killnet ‘retires,' appoints new head (therecord.media)

• Russian banker of Hive ransomware network arrested in Paris (databreaches.net)

Iran

• Another Cyber Attack on Critical Infrastructure and the Outlook on Cyberwarfare (informationweek.com)

• Two-day water outage in remote Irish region caused by pro-Iran hackers (therecord.media)

• Iranian Parliament Approves Information Security Deal With Russia | Iran International (iranintl.com)

• Iranian State-Sponsored OilRig Group Deploys 3 New Malware Downloaders (thehackernews.com)

North Korea

• Stronger action against North Korean cyber threats pushed by US, South Korea, Japan | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lazarus sub-group targets South Korean defence firms | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Lazarus hackers drop new RAT malware using 2-year-old Log4j bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Lazarus Operation Blacksmith Attacking Organisations Worldwide (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

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

• Geopolitics to Blame For DoS Surge in Europe, Says ENISA - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Debate Roils Over Extent of Nation-State Cyber Involvement in Gaza (darkreading.com)

• Think tank report labels NSO, Lazarus, 'cyber mercenaries' • The Register

• Leader of Russian hacktivist group Killnet ‘retires,' appoints new head (therecord.media)

• Cyber Attack Disrupts TV Services Across UAE, AI Anchor Broadcasts Graphic Content from Gaza | Metaverse Post (mpost.io)

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Vulnerability Management

• Vulnerabilities Now Top Initial Access Route For Ransomware - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Over 30% of Log4J apps use a vulnerable version of the library (bleepingcomputer.com)

• One in four apps remain exposed to Log4Shell • The Register

Vulnerabilities

• Microsoft's Final 2023 Patch Tuesday: 33 Flaws Fixed, Including 4 Critical (thehackernews.com)

• New RCE vulnerability in Apache Struts 2 fixed, upgrade ASAP (CVE-2023-50164) - Help Net Security

• Apple Releases Security Updates to Patch Critical iOS and macOS Security Flaws (thehackernews.com)

• SAP Security Patch Day December 2023 | SAP Blogs

• Adobe Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products | CISA

• Chrome 120 Update Patches High-Severity Vulnerabilities - Security Week

• 50K WordPress sites exposed to RCE attacks by critical bug in backup plugin (bleepingcomputer.com)

• '5Ghoul' Vulnerabilities Haunt Qualcomm, MediaTek 5G Modems - Security Week

• Lazarus hackers drop new RAT malware using 2-year-old Log4j bug (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Sophos backports RCE fix after attacks on unsupported firewalls (bleepingcomputer.com)

• One in four apps remain exposed to Log4Shell • The Register

• Russian foreign intelligence service spotted exploiting JetBrains vulnerability (therecord.media)

• This is how to protect your computers from LogoFAIL attacks | ZDNET

• Over 1,450 pfSense servers exposed to RCE attacks via bug chain (bleepingcomputer.com)

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Tools and Controls

• Attacks abuse Microsoft DHCP to spoof DNS records • The Register

• Balancing AI advantages and risks in cyber security strategies - Help Net Security

• What is Cyber security threat intelligence sharing (att.com)

• The Cyber Security Conundrum: Best-Of-Breed Vs. Single Pane Of Glass (forbes.com)

• Discord adds Security Key support for all users to enhance security (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Modern Attack Surface Management (ASM) for SecOps (trendmicro.com)

• Cyber Security Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

• Are business cyber security measures really fit for purpose? - Digital Journal

• New Microsoft Incident Response team guide shares best practices for security teams and leaders | Microsoft Security Blog

• Which cyber security controls are organisations struggling with? - Help Net Security

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Other News

• UK must improve cyber risk management in face of catastrophic threats - Emerging Risks Media Ltd

• Positive Technologies: successful cyber attacks on financial organisations have doubled (zawya.com)

• Sellafield nuclear plant: I pray fears of a leak at the site are being taken seriously | The Independent

• Is macOS as secure as its users think? | Kaspersky official blog

• The 3 Most Prevalent Cyber Threats of the Holidays (darkreading.com)

• Over 3,800 Ministry of Defence passes lost or stolen (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

• My home, my castle: Only 1 in 6 Brits are concerned about cyberthreats at home – PCR (pcr-online.biz)

• NCSC CEO Lindy Cameron to step down in 2024 | Computer Weekly

• Reflecting On The Evolution Of Cyber Security In 2023 (forbes.com)

• Unveiling the Cyber Threats to Healthcare: Beyond the Myths (thehackernews.com)

• This is how to protect your computers from LogoFAIL attacks | ZDNET

• Polish train maker denies claims it geofenced trains • The Register

• Positive Technologies: successful cyber attacks on financial organisations have doubled (zawya.com)

• Cyber criminals continue targeting open remote access products - Help Net Security

• Threat actors misuse OAuth applications to automate financially driven attacks | Microsoft Security Blog

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Sector Specific

Industry specific threat intelligence reports are available.

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

·       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 14 December 2023 – Microsoft Patch Tuesday, Adobe and SAP Security Updates

Executive summary

Microsoft’s December Patch Tuesday provides updates to address 36 security issues across its product range, including 4 critical vulnerabilities and 1 zero-day. The zero-day, which impacts AMD processors, was originally disclosed in August 2023 with no patches provided by AMD.

In addition to the Microsoft updates this week, Adobe and SAP fixed multiple vulnerabilities across their product range. 

What’s the risk to me or my business?

The vulnerabilities, if actively exploited, can allow an attacker to escalate privileges, remotely execute code, cause sensitive data leaks and cause a denial of service. All of which can result in an impact to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data in your organisation.

What can I do?

Security updates are available for all supported versions of Windows impacted. The updates should be applied as soon as possible for the vulnerabilities that have a critical severity rating. Other patches should be applied in a reasonable time frame.

Technical Summary

Microsoft

CVE-2023-20588: A vulnerability in AMD processors that could potentially return speculative and sensitive data if exploirted.

CVE-2023-36019- A vulnerability in Microsoft Power Platform and Azure Logic Apps that allows spoofing.

CVE-2023-35630- A vulnerability in Internet Connection Sharing that if exploited, allows remote code execution.

CVE-2023-35628- A vulnerability in Internet Connection Sharing that if exploited, allows remote code execution.

CVE-2023-35641- A Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Windows MSHTML, which is used for Internet Explorer.

Adobe

This month, Adobe released fixes for 212 vulnerabilities, of which 13 were rated critical, across Adobe Illustrator (3), Substance3D Sampler (6), After Effects (3) and Designer (1). The critical vulnerabilities include arbitrary code execution and memory leak.

SAP

Enterprise software vendor SAP has addressed 17 vulnerabilities, including 4 critical, in several of its products.

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Microsoft

Further details on other specific updates within this patch Tuesday can be found here:

https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/13/the-windows-december-2023-security-updates-fix-a-0-day-vulnerability/

Adobe

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

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/illustrator/apsb23-68.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D Sampler can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d-sampler/apsb23-74.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D After Effects can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/after_effects/apsb23-75.html

Further details of the vulnerabilities addressed in Adobe Substance3D Designer can be found here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d_designer/apsb23-76.html

SAP

Further information of the vulnerabilities address by SAP can be found here:

https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10

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

#threatadvisory #threatintelligence #cybersecurity

Black Arrow Cyber Threat Briefing 08 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

Cyber Attacks More Likely Than Fire or Theft, as Fifth of UK Businesses Fallen Victim To Cyber Attack in Past Year

A survey of more than 1,200 UK businesses of all sizes across multiple industries conducted by Aviva found that a fifth of UK businesses were victims to cyber attacks in the past year. The report found that businesses were 67% more likely to have experienced a cyber incident than a physical theft and five times more likely to have experienced a cyber attack than a fire.

When it came to the fallout from a cyber attack, 31% of businesses experienced operational disruption and 20% admit to not being confident in knowing what to do should this happen. This lack of confidence rises to more than a quarter (27%) for small businesses, who appear to be the most vulnerable to such a risk. Financially, the average incident was found to cost £21,000, however this figure is likely to be more given the further implications that result from a cyber attack.

Sources: [Insurance Age] [theHRD] [Infosecurity Magazine]

Russia Hacking: 'FSB in Years-Long Cyber Attacks on UK', Says UK Government

The UK government has accused Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), successor to the KGB, of conducting a prolonged cyber hacking campaign since at least 2015, targeting politicians, journalists, academics, and others through sophisticated attacks that included the creation of false accounts. This accusation, part of a coordinated effort with the US, aims to disrupt FSB operations and raise awareness ahead of major elections. This comes as a recent report by Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 found that the Russia-linked APT28 group, also known as “Forest Blizzard” or “Fancybear,” has exploited a Microsoft Outlook vulnerability to target European NATO members. Active since 2007 and linked to the Russian military, APT28's recent campaigns have focused on government, energy, transportation, and NGOs in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. These incidents highlight the critical need for enhanced cyber security measures and international cooperation to counter sophisticated and evolving cyber threats, ensuring the security of sensitive sectors and the integrity of global democratic processes.

Sources: [BBC News] [ Security Affairs]

NCSC CTO: Cyber Security is Essential, Not Optional

Ollie Whitehouse, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the UK’s NCSC has argued in a recent keynote that extra security features should not be a premium feature, highlighting the importance of vendors adopting a secure-by-design method, rather than implementing security upcharges where vendors charge extra for users to secure their product.

The speech also noted that organisations should utilise the tools that are already available to them, on top of maintaining a focus on user awareness.

Sources:  [Infosecurity Magazine] [Dark Reading]

69% of Organisations Paid Ransoms, contributing to Inflation as Firms Increase Costs

According to a survey, 75% of respondents reported being targeted by ransomware in the past year, and of those, 69% paid the ransom. 54% of those who paid the ransom, suffered financial ramifications of $100,000 or more. It is unclear whether the research includes further implications such as regulatory fines, loss of work, reputational damage, and cost of down-time.

A separate study found that ransomware attacks costs are directly contributing to rising inflation in the UK, as businesses face an average increase of 17% to their costs following an attack. Cumulatively, 68% of the companies represented in the survey reported they had increased prices by at least 11% as a direct result of suffering an attack. In addition, of those falling victim to ransomware, 70% believed their business would have to close if they suffered another attack. When it came to the time lost to dealing with ransomware, companies took an average of two months to recover from an attack and 16% took between three and six months.

Sources: [ITPro] [Beta News] [Security Magazine]

75% of Sports Related Passwords are Reused Across Accounts

According to a recent Bitwarden report, 33% of Americans have used a sports-themed password. This figure rose to 49% for those ages 18-34. Of those, 75% admitted to using it across multiple accounts. Password re-use a common issue globally: by re-using passwords, users are multiplying the likelihood of being breached by an attacker. Additionally, this can crossover to the corporate environment, where users’ personal breached credentials can be utilised to get into their corporate account.

Sources:  [Security Magazine] [Help Net Security]

Ransomware in 2024: Anticipated Impact, Targets, and Landscape Shift

As ransomware continues to rise, we can expect groups to evolve their attacks, operating on a larger scale for bigger profits, especially following large-scale supply chain attacks in the past 12 months. Ransomware has solidified its position as the predominant security threat in 2023, with a record number of victims. A recent report highlighted a 46% increase in cyber extortion and ransomware attacks compared to previous years. This trend shows ransomware evolving into a profitable microcosm, akin to a startup ecosystem, with more groups emerging as disruptors and newcomers. In response, organisations are increasingly turning to services that lend-out cryptocurrency, a frequent ransomware payment method. With changing tactics and the formation of new groups, it's crucial for leaders to prepare their 2024 security strategies now, ensuring they have a robust plan in place to counter ransomware threats to their organisations.

Sources: [Barrons] [Help Net Security] [Computer Weekly]

Ransomware, Vendor Hacks Push Breach Number to Record High

The world is experiencing a significant rise in data breaches, reaching a record high with more than 360 million individuals affected in the first eight months of 2023 in the US alone, according to a joint report from Apple and an MIT researcher. This alarming increase includes a notable surge in ransomware attacks, which have escalated by nearly 70% compared to 2022. The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable, with 60% of organisations reporting ransomware attacks in 2023, an increase from 34% in 2021. The largest health data breach this year impacted 11 million people at HCA Healthcare. A critical factor in these breaches is the exploitation of third-party vendors, as seen in attacks on Progress Software's MOVEit and Fortra's GoAnywhere applications. These incidents highlight the urgent need for organisations to prioritise data security, especially in managing relationships with vendors, to protect sensitive information and mitigate the growing threat of cyber attacks.

Source: [Info Risk Today]

Nuclear Hack Creates Rising Fears of Cyber Vulnerability in Critical Infrastructure

News of one of the UK’s most high profile nuclear power stations, Sellafield, being hacked, with fears that highly sensitive information has been accessible for years, has led to new calls for the UK to tighten up security of its vital infrastructure. Rather worryingly, The Guardian have added that it discovered that authorities were unaware of its first compromise, but it has been detected as far back as 2015.

Sources: [Emerging Risks]

Thousands of House Purchases Frozen by Cyber Attack; Will They Complete Before Christmas?

Conveyancing firms across the UK faced significant disruption when they discovered blank screens on their computers due to a problem originating from CTS, a cloud hosting provider widely used for legal applications. This unexpected issue led many within these affected firms to hastily purchase new laptops to regain partial access to emails and documents, but their case management systems remained largely inaccessible. Firms had to devise manual workarounds to keep transactions moving, amidst concerns about the safety of client data and funds. While most firms have found ways to progress with exchanges and completions, the reliance on cumbersome manual processes and limited access to client data and financial systems has more than doubled the workload. This situation raises several questions about the preparedness and resilience of paperless (or paper-light) office environments, the adequacy of backup systems, and potential compensation for those inconvenienced. The immediate focus, however, is on collaborative efforts to ensure as many clients as possible can move into their new homes before Christmas.

Source: [Property Industry Eye]

US Government Agency Was Hacked Thanks to 'End of Life' Software

The US Cyber security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently issued a warning about two cyber attacks on an undisclosed federal agency, exploiting a vulnerability in outdated Adobe ColdFusion software. This software, now end-of-life, no longer receives updates, leaving the agency vulnerable and unable to apply security patches. The attacks, which occurred in June and July, appeared to be reconnaissance efforts to map the agency's network, with no evidence of malware installation or data exfiltration. However, it's unclear if the same hackers were behind both incidents. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detected and limited the hackers' activities. This situation underscores the significant risks associated with running end-of-life software, highlighting the need for organisations to update or replace such software to protect against potential cyber threats.

Source:[ TechCrunch]

Digital Transformation, Security Implications, and their Effects on The Modern Workplace

The vast majority of digital transformation projects will have implications for your cyber security, yet too often this is overlooked with the focus on delivery of the project or the functionality it will bring. Thinking about security after the fact is not only more expensive and less efficient, but can also mean dangerous gaps remaining open in the meantime. In this era, where remote work and public network access are prevalent, the lack of a robust cyber security framework significantly undermines the digital transformation process. Continuous employee education on digital threats and proactive cyber security measures are not just add-ons but essential components of a successful digital transformation. As businesses move towards 2024, integrating advanced cyber security practices is as crucial as adopting new technologies for a truly effective and secure digital transformation.

Source:[ Forbes]

Third Party Breaches Shake up Energy Sector, with 90% Suffering from Third-Party Breach

With 90% of the largest energy companies globally experiencing a third-party breach in the past 12 months, it is no wonder the sector is shaken. In the US, 100% of the top 10 US energy providers suffered a breach and in total, 98% of the organisations in the research used at least one third party vendor that had experienced a breach in the last two years.

Third-party breaches are a concern for any organisation. It is important to know who has access to your organisation’s data, and what security controls they have in place to protect it. Organisations can benefit from firstly identifying who has their information and then conducting supply chain risk assessments to understand what information is held and how it is protected.

Sources: [Help Net Security]

Report Reveals Sorry State of Cyber Security at UK Football Clubs

A new report reveals a concerning lack of cyber resilience within UK football clubs, extending from the Premier League downwards. The industry, increasingly targeted by cyber attacks, suffers from a disconnect between the perceived and actual risk levels. Key findings include a general lack of cyber maturity, outdated approaches to cyber security, and a scarcity of dedicated IT and cyber security roles, including Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Despite significant financial investments in players, there's reluctance from club boards to allocate sufficient resources for cyber security. The report underscores the need for comprehensive training, increased awareness of security risks across all levels of club operations, and the hiring of dedicated cyber security professionals. This situation calls for an industry-wide standard for cyber security budgets, scaled according to the club's size and turnover, to adequately address these emerging digital threats.

Source: [Computer Weekly]

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Governance, Risk and Compliance

• A fifth of UK businesses victims of cyber attacks in past year - Insurance Age

• Cyber Attacks More Likely Than Fire or Theft - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• NCSC's Ollie Whitehouse on Why Cyber Security is Essential, Not Optional - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Digital Transformation And Its Effects On The Modern Workplace (forbes.com)

• UK Cyber CTO: Vendors' Security Failings Are Rampant (darkreading.com)

• Record-breaking 2023 highlights constant cyber threat (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Cyber security is a Team Sport (darkreading.com)

• 2024 will see wave after wave of cyber attacks | theHRD (thehrdirector.com)

• Doing More With Less: Cyber Security Tools And Budget Efficiency (forbes.com)

• Why Invest? Building a Case for Increasing Cyber Security Budgets | UpGuard

• SolarWinds lawsuit by SEC puts CISOs in the hot seat | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• CISOs are getting more help after cyber attacks, but often it isn't helping | TechRadar

• Maximizing cyber security on a budget - Help Net Security

• Cyber and remote working: How Covid moved the cursor | Computer Weekly

• Why effective cyber security is more important than ever for European family offices | Campden FB

• Liability Fears Damaging CISO Role, Says Former Uber CISO - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Building cyber-resilience: Security, compliance, governance, and privacy - Digital Journal

• Massive Consolidated Lawsuit Blazes Trail for Hacking Litigation (bloomberglaw.com)

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Threats

Ransomware, Extortion and Destructive Attacks

• 69% of organisations facing ransomware attacks paid the ransom | Security Magazine

• 2023 may have seen highest ransomware ‘body count’ yet | Computer Weekly

• Cyber attacks surge in 2023, as millions fall victim to ransomware: Report (yahoo.com)

• Ransomware attack costs are driving up inflation in the UK | ITPro

• Ransomware ramped up against private sector in November | TechTarget

• BlackCat threatens to directly extort vendor's customers • The Register

• New wave of ransomware attacks plague US critical infrastructure post-Thanksgiving (axios.com)

• How Ransomware Gangs Are Fueling a New Cyber Security Arms Race - Barron's (barrons.com)

• Ransomware, Vendor Hacks Push Breach Number to Record High (inforisktoday.com)

• Expert warns of Turtle macOS ransomware (securityaffairs.com)

• Microsoft Warns of Malvertising Scheme Spreading CACTUS Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

• Linux version of Qilin ransomware focuses on VMware ESXi (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 75% of the Industrial Sector Experienced a Ransomware Attack in the Past Year, Claroty Study Finds (prnewswire.com)

• LockBit Remains Top Global Ransomware Threat - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Wanted: top three most prolific ransomware gangs revealed! (techinformed.com)

• BlackSuit ransomware - what you need to know | Tripwire

• Russian pleads guilty to running crypto-exchange used by ransomware gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Ransomware, Data Breaches Inundate OT & Industrial Sector (darkreading.com)

Ransomware Victims

• Staples Confirms System Outage Was Due to Cyber Attack, Raising the Possibility of a Data Breach | Console and Associates, P.C. - JDSupra

• 60 US credit unions offline after cloud ransomware infection • The Register

• 'Thousands' affected by cyber attack on conveyancing platform (thenegotiator.co.uk)

• News focus: Cyber-attack on law firm IT provider CTS hits conveyancing firms – what lessons need to be learned? | Law Gazette

• Hackers extorting fintech unicorn Tipalti, threaten to leak data of clients Roblox an | Ctech (calcalistech.com)

• What it means — CitrixBleed ransomware group woes grow as over 60 credit unions, hospitals, financial services and more breached in US. | by Kevin Beaumont | Dec, 2023 | DoublePulsar

• Western Isles Council 'counting cost' of November's cyber attack - BBC News

• Austal USA Investigates Cyber Attack Claimed by Ransomware Group (darkreading.com)

• Nissan Restoring Systems After Cyber Attack - SecurityWeek

• Almost 440K individuals affected by cyber attack on Proliance Surgeons (WA) | HealthLeaders Media

• Phishing & Email Based Attacks

• Cyber criminals are exploiting AI tools like ChatGPT to craft more convincing phishing attacks, alarming cyber security experts | TechRadar

• Black Friday phishing attacks, and other cyber security news | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• Cyber Criminals Escalate Microsoft Office Attacks By 53% in 2023 - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• US aerospace firm downed by spearphishing attack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Booking.com users angry at firm's response to hacks - BBC News

• Hershey warns of data breach following phishing attack (therecord.media)

• This huge Russian phishing campaign is hitting targets across the world | TechRadar

• Disney+ Cyber Scheme Exposes New Impersonation Attack Tactics - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• ChatGPT builder helps create scam and hack campaigns - BBC News

Artificial Intelligence

• Cyber criminals are exploiting AI tools like ChatGPT to craft more convincing phishing attacks, alarming cyber security experts | TechRadar

• ChatGPT builder helps create scam and hack campaigns - BBC News

• Artificial Intelligence: How It Can Target Your Firm’s Cyber Security Defences - Above the Law

• Bank of England Will Review the Risks That AI Poses to UK Financial Stability - SecurityWeek

• How do security leaders view AI and cyber risk insurance? • Foundry (foundryco.com)

• Exploring the impact of generative AI in the 2024 presidential election - Help Net Security

• Put guardrails around AI use to protect your org, but be open to changes - Help Net Security

• Major Organisations Using 'Hugging Face' AI Tools Put at Risk by Leaked API Tokens - SecurityWeek

• 2024 cyber security outlook: The rise of AI voice chatbots and prompt engineering innovations - Help Net Security

• Proliferation of AI-driven Attacks Anticipated in 2024 (itsecuritywire.com)

• Artificial Intelligence: How It Can Target Your Firm’s Cyber Security Defences - Above the Law

• Researchers automated jailbreaking of LLMs with other LLMs - Help Net Security

Malware

• Fake WordPress security advisory pushes backdoor plugin (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Russian Hacker Vladimir Dunaev Convicted for Creating TrickBot Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Critical 'LogoFAIL' Bugs Offer Secure Boot Bypass for Millions of PCs (darkreading.com)

• Kaspersky malware report for Q3 2023 | Securelist

• PC malware statistics, Q3 2023 | Securelist

• Agent Racoon Backdoor Targets Organisations in Middle East, Africa, and US (thehackernews.com)

• Mac users are being targeted again with dangerous malware - here's what to know | TechRadar

• Russian hacker pleads guilty to Trickbot malware conspiracy (bitdefender.com)

• Trojan-Proxy Threat Expands Across macOS, Android and Windows - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• New Stealthy 'Krasue' Linux Trojan Targeting Telecom Firms in Thailand (thehackernews.com)

• Hackers switch from email attacks to downloads (therecord.com)

• Microsoft Warns of COLDRIVER's Evolving Evading and Credential-Stealing Tactics (thehackernews.com)

Mobile

• Android users warned about new threat after one victim loses $280K - PhoneArena

• Mobile malware statistics, Q3 2023 | Securelist

• December Android updates fix critical zero-click RCE flaw (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 94 Vulnerabilities Patched in Android with December 2023 Security Updates - SecurityWeek

• Top mobile password managers could be exposing user details | TechRadar

• Apple Commissions Data Breach Study to Highlight Need for End-to-End Encryption - SecurityWeek

• Russian Hackers’ Lawsuit Reveals Weaknesses In Apple’s iOS 16 (forbes.com)

• Hackers have found a sneaky new way to spy on iPhone users — here’s how | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

• SpyLoan Android malware on Google Play downloaded 12 million times (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Trojan-Proxy Threat Expands Across macOS, Android and Windows - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Vulns in Android WebView, Password Managers Can Leak User Credentials (darkreading.com)

• New Bluetooth Flaw Let Hackers Take Over Android, Linux, macOS, and iOS Devices (thehackernews.com)

• Apple and some Linux distros are open to Bluetooth attack • The Register

Denial of Service/DoS/DDOS

• ENISA published ENISA Threat Landscape for DoS Attacks (securityaffairs.com)

Internet of Things – IoT

• EU gets tough on cyber threat with sweeping security agreement (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Customizing Cyber Security For Critical Infrastructure In Smart Cities (forbes.com)

• The importance of Cyber Secure EV Charging stations – making the connection more secure (csl-group.com)

Data Breaches/Leaks

• 23andMe to Book Up to $2M in Cyber Security Breach Expenses - MarketWatch

• After hack, 23andMe gives users 30 days to opt out of class-action waiver | Ars Technica

• 23andMe updates user agreement to prevent data breach lawsuits (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 23andMe confirms hackers stole ancestry data on 6.9 million users | TechCrunch

• 23andMe: Data Breach Was a Credential-Stuffing Attack (darkreading.com)

• Data breach debacle hits yet another UK public sector org • The Register

• Fortune-telling website WeMystic exposes 13M+ user records (securityaffairs.com)

• Ninety Percent of Energy Companies Suffer Supplier Data Breach - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Blue Shield of California customer data stolen in cyber attack | Tacoma News Tribune (thenewstribune.com)

• Hackers Claim to Have Stolen Data From Naval Shipyard Austal USA (maritime-executive.com)

• Hershey warns of data breach following phishing attack (therecord.media)

• Nissan is investigating cyber attack and potential data breach (bleepingcomputer.com)

• GST Invoice Billing Inventory exposes sensitive data to threat actors (securityaffairs.com)

• Ransomware, Data Breaches Inundate OT & Industrial Sector (darkreading.com)

• Millions of patient scans and health records spilling online thanks to decades-old protocol bug | TechCrunch

Organised Crime & Criminal Actors

• Record-breaking 2023 highlights constant cyber threat (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Police Arrests 1000 Suspected Money Mules - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Online crime risks are doubling: Are cyber criminal groups starting to merge? - Digital Journal

• Russian pleads guilty to running crypto-exchange used by ransomware gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

Cryptocurrency/Cryptomining/Cryptojacking/NFTs/Blockchain

• North Korea's state hackers stole $3 billion in crypto since 2017 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• Platypus exploiters walk free after claiming to be ‘ethical hackers’ (cointelegraph.com)

• Russian pleads guilty to running crypto-exchange used by ransomware gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

Insider Risk and Insider Threats

• Hacking the Human Mind: Exploiting Vulnerabilities in the 'First Line of Cyber Defence' (thehackernews.com)

Insurance

• Cyber Attacks More Likely Than Fire or Theft - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How do security leaders view AI and cyber risk insurance? • Foundry (foundryco.com)

• Brokers urged to deliver cyber threat message (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Hot Topics to Consider for 2024 D&O Questionnaires | Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner - JDSupra

Supply Chain and Third Parties

• Third-party breaches shake the foundations of the energy sector - Help Net Security

• Thousands of house purchases frozen by cyber attack and so will they complete before Christmas? - Property Industry Eye

• Ransomware, Vendor Hacks Push Breach Number to Record High (inforisktoday.com)

• 60 US credit unions offline after cloud ransomware infection • The Register

• How TUI Group Strengthened its Third-Party Risk Management - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• Tipalti investigates claims of data stolen in ransomware attack (bleepingcomputer.com)

• What it means — CitrixBleed ransomware group woes grow as over 60 credit unions, hospitals, financial services and more breached in US. | by Kevin Beaumont | Dec, 2023 | DoublePulsar

• Major Organisations Using 'Hugging Face' AI Tools Put at Risk by Leaked API Tokens - SecurityWeek

• BlackCat threatens to directly extort vendor's customers • The Register

Cloud/SaaS

• 60 US credit unions offline after cloud ransomware infection • The Register

• Make a Fresh Start for 2024: Clean Out Your User Inventory to Reduce SaaS Risk (thehackernews.com)

• Alert: Threat Actors Can Leverage AWS STS to Infiltrate Cloud Accounts (thehackernews.com)

• More oversight needed for cloud in banking, say regulators - Tech Monitor

• How can SMBs protect against fraud in the cloud? | ITPro

Encryption

• Cracking Weak Cryptography Before Quantum Computing Does (darkreading.com)

• HSBC tests protecting FX trading from quantum computer attacks (yahoo.com)

• Apple Commissions Data Breach Study to Highlight Need for End-to-End Encryption - SecurityWeek

Linux and Open Source

• New Bluetooth Flaw Let Hackers Take Over Android, Linux, macOS, and iOS Devices (thehackernews.com)

• Apple and some Linux distros are open to Bluetooth attack • The Register

Passwords, Credential Stuffing & Brute Force Attacks

• 75% of sports-related passwords are reused across accounts | Security Magazine

• New Relic admits attack on staging systems, user accounts • The Register

• After hack, 23andMe gives users 30 days to opt out of class-action waiver | Ars Technica

• 23andMe: Data Breach Was a Credential-Stuffing Attack (darkreading.com)

• Vulns in Android WebView, Password Managers Can Leak User Credentials (darkreading.com)

• Top mobile password managers could be exposing user details | TechRadar

Malvertising

• Microsoft Warns of Malvertising Scheme Spreading CACTUS Ransomware (thehackernews.com)

Training, Education and Awareness

• Are companies falling behind on cyber security awareness training? | CTV News

Regulations, Fines and Legislation

• Deutsche Wohnen Ruling Set to Drive Up GDPR Fines - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• EU gets tough on cyber threat with sweeping security agreement (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• SEC Cyber Security Rules Go Live in Days. Companies Still Aren't Sure What to Expect | Corporate Counsel (law.com)

• More oversight needed for cloud in banking, say regulators - Tech Monitor

• Bank of England Will Review the Risks That AI Poses to UK Financial Stability - SecurityWeek

• SolarWinds lawsuit by SEC puts CISOs in the hot seat | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

Models, Frameworks and Standards

• NIST Cyber Security Framework Update – Adding the Sixth Pillar - ClearanceJobs

Data Protection

• Deutsche Wohnen Ruling Set to Drive Up GDPR Fines - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

Careers, Working in Cyber and Information Security

• Alert fatigue puts pressure on security and development teams - Help Net Security

Law Enforcement Action and Take Downs

• Russian Hacker Vladimir Dunaev Convicted for Creating TrickBot Malware (thehackernews.com)

• Interpol Arrests Smuggler With New Biometric Screening Database (darkreading.com)

• Russian pleads guilty to running crypto-exchange used by ransomware gangs (bleepingcomputer.com)

Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda

• Exploring the impact of generative AI in the 2024 presidential election - Help Net Security

• Russian AI-generated propaganda struggles to find an audience  | CyberScoop

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

Cyber Warfare and Cyber Espionage

• Deputy Prime Minister speech on cyber operations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Establishing New Rules for Cyber Warfare (darkreading.com)

• Cyber Security: The Fifth Battlefield (forbes.com)

• 10 Of The Most Advanced Cyber Warfare Tools (slashgear.com)

Nation State Actors

China

• Sellafield nuclear site 'hit by cyber attacks from Russian and Chinese hackers' - Tech Monitor

• Sellafield nuclear site under ‘robust scrutiny’ over cyber security fears (telegraph.co.uk)

• UK government denies China/Russia nuke plant hack claim • The Register

Russia

• Russia hacking: 'FSB in years-long cyber attacks on UK', says government - BBC News

• NCSC exposes Russian cyber attacks on UK political processes | Computer Weekly

• UK names FSB unit behind hack-and-leak campaigns, summons Russian ambassador (therecord.media)

• 2 Russian intel officers charged with hacking into US and British government agencies (nbcnews.com)

• Russian hackers have plenty of data left to leak - and the timing could be a serious problem | Science & Tech News | Sky News

• Russia's APT8 exploited Outlook 0day to target EU NATO members (securityaffairs.com)

• Fancy Bear goes phishing in US, European high-value networks • The Register

• This huge Russian phishing campaign is hitting targets across the world | TechRadar

• Russian hacker pleads guilty to Trickbot malware conspiracy (bitdefender.com)

• Microsoft Warns of COLDRIVER's Evolving Evading and Credential-Stealing Tactics (thehackernews.com)

• Russian hackers accused of targeting US intelligence community with spear phishing campaign - CBS News

• Russian Hackers’ Lawsuit Reveals Weaknesses In Apple’s iOS 16 (forbes.com)

• Microsoft Warns of Kremlin-Backed APT28 Exploiting Critical Outlook Vulnerability (thehackernews.com)

Iran

• Breaches by Iran-Affiliated Hackers Spanned Multiple US States, Federal Agencies Say - SecurityWeek

• US, Israel Warn of Iranian-Linked Cyber Attacks on Water Systems - Bloomberg

• Iranian hackers attempt to damage critical infrastructure through Israeli Unitronics | Ctech (calcalistech.com)

North Korea

• North Korea's state hackers stole $3 billion in crypto since 2017 (bleepingcomputer.com)

• S.Korea, US, Japan hold 1st trilateral working-level talks on N.Korea's cyber threats | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

• North Korean hackers stole anti-aircraft system data from South Korean firm (therecord.media)

• $10 million up for grabs in fight against North Korean hackers (bitdefender.com)

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Vulnerability Management

• CISA says US government agency was hacked thanks to ‘end of life’ software | TechCrunch

• CISA's Goldstein wants to ditch 'patch faster, fix faster' model | CyberScoop

• Key drivers of software security for financial services - Help Net Security

• 20 years of Patch Tuesday: it’s time to look outside the Windows when fixing vulnerabilities | CSO Online

Vulnerabilities

• 20,000 Microsoft Exchange servers have reached end-of-life and are vulnerable to attack | SC Media (scmagazine.com)

• Sticking With Windows 10 Instead Of Upgrading? Get Ready To Pay For Security Updates (slashgear.com)

• Quick: Update iPhones and Macs – WebKit security hole found • The Register

• VMware Patches Critical Authentication Bypass Bug | Decipher (duo.com)

• Critical 'LogoFAIL' Bugs Offer Secure Boot Bypass for Millions of PCs (darkreading.com)

• Notepad++ Input Validation Flaw Leads Search Path Vulnerability (cybersecuritynews.com)

• December Android updates fix critical zero-click RCE flaw (bleepingcomputer.com)

• 94 Vulnerabilities Patched in Android With December 2023 Security Updates - SecurityWeek

• Adobe ColdFusion flaw exploited in US government agency attacks (stackdiary.com)

• Chrome 120 launches with security updates, password sharing and automatic Safety Checks - gHacks Tech News

• Atlassian reveals four fresh critical flaws • The Register

• Qualcomm Releases Details on Chip Vulnerabilities Exploited in Targeted Attacks (thehackernews.com)

• Dangerous vulnerability in fleet management software seemingly ignored by vendor | CyberScoop

• Future Intel, AMD and Arm CPUs Vulnerable to New 'SLAM' Attack: Researchers - SecurityWeek

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Tools and Controls

• Cyber Attacks More Likely Than Fire or Theft - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How to recover systems in the event of a cyber attack | Computer Weekly

• Five tips for recovering | Professional Security

• How Financial Institutions Can Navigate the ‘Operational Resilience' imperative (finextra.com)

• 78% of CISOs Concerned About AppSec Manageability - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• How to solve 2 MFA challenges: SIM swapping and MFA fatigue | TechTarget

• Why you should create a physical security standard for your company (securitybrief.co.nz)

• Why Invest? Building a Case for Increasing Cyber Security Budgets | UpGuard

• Comparing SOAR and XDR for MSSPs | MSSP Alert

• The reality behind bypassing EDR attempts | TechTarget

• New 'Pool Party' Process Injection Techniques Undetected by EDR Solutions - SecurityWeek

• Best 10 Best Cyber Attack Maps - 2024 (cybersecuritynews.com)

• Maximizing cyber security on a budget - Help Net Security

• Modern Attack Surface Management for CISOs (trendmicro.com)

• Brokers urged to deliver cyber threat message (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Proactive, not reactive: the path to ensuring operational resilience in cyber security | CSO Online

• Cyber Security: How to Demonstrate Resilience and Hygiene - Techopedia

• Cyber Security Insurance: Once Optional, Now Essential (informationweek.com)

• When Should You Replace A Cyber Security Vendor? (forbes.com)

• Are companies falling behind on cyber security awareness training? | CTV News

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Other News

• NATO’s Flagship Cyber Exercise Concludes In Estonia – Eurasia Review

• Ofcom publishes UK age verification proposals • The Register

• Microsoft Hires New CISO in Major Security Shakeup - SecurityWeek

• US aerospace companies are facing dangerous new cyber attacks | TechRadar

• Cyber security: MEPs back plans to increase cooperation against threats | News | European Parliament (europa.eu)

• Report reveals sorry state of cyber security at UK football clubs | Computer Weekly

• Porn Age Checks Threaten Security and Privacy, Report Warns - Infosecurity Magazine (infosecurity-magazine.com)

• 2023’s Dark Horse Cyber Story: Critical Infrastructure Attacks (govtech.com)

• Nuclear hack creates rising fears of cyber vulnerability in critical services (emergingrisks.co.uk)

• Mayor of London funds cyber crime service | UKAuthority

• The World Depends on 60-Year-Old Code No One Knows Anymore | PCMag

• Public sector has misplaced confidence in cyber security (securitybrief.co.nz)

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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