Cyber Briefing: 2024.05.03
?? What are the latest cybersecurity alerts, incidents, and news?
North Korean Email Spoofing Threat, National Security Agency , Dirty Stream Attack, Android App Vulnerabilities, 微软 , Goldoon Botnet, D-Link Router Flaw, Fortinet , Path Traversal Flaws, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) , Adload Malware, 苹果 XProtect, SentinelOne , Sweden, DDoS Attacks, NATO , Army Technology, Ume? universitet , Cyberattack, Massive Data Breach, Monash Health , The Age, Associated Wholesale Grocers , Data Breach, SSNs, Office of the Maine General Attorney, Japan, AI Regulation Framework, AP News , UnitedHealth Group , TechCrunch , Passkeys, 谷歌 , Ransomware Costs, Sophos , Fraudulent Call Centers, INTERPOL .
?Welcome to Cyber Briefing , the newsletter that informs you about the latest cybersecurity advisories, alerts, incidents and news every weekday.
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?? Cyber Alerts
The U.S. government has issued a cybersecurity advisory highlighting the sophisticated spear-phishing campaigns by North Korean threat actors, particularly Kimsuky (aka APT43). These actors exploit weak DNS DMARC record policies to send emails that appear to originate from legitimate sources, aiming to gather intelligence on geopolitical strategies and DPRK interests. The advisory, a collaborative effort by the NSA, FBI, and Department of State, urges organizations to strengthen DMARC policies to prevent such emails from bypassing security checks and deceiving targets.
Microsoft has exposed a new Android vulnerability called "Dirty Stream," which enables malicious apps to overwrite files in another application's directory, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution and data theft. This flaw is rooted in the mishandling of Android's content provider system, which is designed to safeguard data shared between apps through data isolation and path validation. Highlighting the widespread impact, Microsoft's research revealed that the incorrect implementations of this system could affect apps with over four billion installations, prompting updates and a call to action for developers to secure their applications against such vulnerabilities.
Researchers have uncovered a novel botnet, named Goldoon, that exploits an old but critical flaw in D-Link routers to launch further cyberattacks. The botnet leverages CVE-2015-2051, a vulnerability in D-Link DIR-645 routers that allows remote command execution, to compromise devices and coordinate distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) and other malicious activities. With the compromised routers acting as proxies, Goldoon masks its activities, blending malicious traffic with legitimate to evade detection while expanding its control across the internet.
CISA and the FBI today emphasized the need for software companies to proactively eliminate path traversal vulnerabilities in their products, which allow attackers to overwrite or manipulate critical files, thereby bypassing security mechanisms or executing unauthorized code. These vulnerabilities, which have been exploited in recent attacks on critical infrastructure, allow attackers to access sensitive information such as credentials, potentially leading to further system breaches. The agencies have recommended specific mitigation strategies such as using random identifiers for file names, restricting characters in file names, and ensuring files lack executable permissions, to enhance security and prevent exploitation.
Despite recent enhancements to Apple’s XProtect antivirus, which included the addition of 84 new malware signature rules, a new variant of the notorious Adload malware has been discovered that effectively bypasses these security measures. This variant, which targets macOS devices, highlights the continuous cat-and-mouse game between malware authors and security teams, demonstrating the adaptability of cyber threats. The new Adload variant exhibits sophisticated evasion techniques that have enabled it to remain undetected by XProtect and other antivirus engines, emphasizing the ongoing need for vigilant updates and enhancements in cybersecurity defenses.
Singapore-based law firm Shook Lin & Bok confirmed a ransomware attack in April, revealing it paid $1.4 million in Bitcoin to the Akira ransomware group after initial demands of $2 million. The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore has been involved, advising against ransom payments as they do not guarantee data recovery and may encourage further criminal activity. Despite the breach, the firm's core document management systems reportedly remained unaffected, and it has continued normal operations while enhancing security measures with expert cybersecurity teams.
As Sweden pursued NATO membership, it experienced a dramatic increase in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, as reported by Netscout. After initial attacks in early 2023, the intensity escalated, culminating in over 2,275 attacks on March 4, 2024, just days before Sweden officially joined NATO—a 183% increase from the previous year. These attacks, attributed to politically motivated hacker groups including NoName057 and Killnet, were seen as direct retaliation linked to Sweden's NATO bid, highlighting the intersection of cybersecurity and international politics.
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On May 2, 2024, Ume? University in Sweden detected a major ongoing cyberattack, prompting immediate implementation of extra security measures. The university is working intensively with external cybersecurity specialists to mitigate the attack, which has caused significant disruptions to various systems and digital tools essential for staff and students. While email and Microsoft 365 services remain operational, parts of the university's systems have been shut down, and users are required to enable MFA on VPNs to maintain access.
A severe cyberattack on ZircoDATA, a document-scanning business used by Australia's Monash Health, resulted in a significant breach exposing personal data of thousands of victims of family violence and sexual assault. This incident, detected in February when an unauthorized party accessed ZircoDATA's systems, has heightened concerns due to the sensitive nature of the documents involved, spanning from 1970 to 1993. Monash Health in Australia is actively working to verify the identities and addresses of the approximately 4,000 affected individuals to prevent further victimization through inadvertent exposure.
Associated Wholesale Grocers experienced a significant cybersecurity incident on October 6, 2023, when they discovered that certain systems were inaccessible. Immediate actions were taken to investigate and contain the breach, revealing that an unauthorized actor had accessed specific files within their system over a two-day period. The breach potentially compromised sensitive information, including individuals' names and Social Security numbers.
?? Cyber News
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has introduced a new international framework aimed at regulating the use and development of generative AI, named the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group. Announced during a speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, the initiative has already seen the voluntary participation of 49 countries and regions. This collaborative effort seeks to create guiding principles and a code of conduct for AI developers, addressing both the immense potential and the associated risks of generative AI, such as the spread of disinformation.
Two months following a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, which involved data theft and encryption, the extent of the impact on American citizens remains uncertain. Andrew Witty, CEO of parent company UnitedHealth Group, mentioned in a House hearing that the breach could affect approximately a third of the U.S. population, highlighting the severity of the incident. Despite ongoing investigations that have yet to confirm the full scope, the breach was facilitated by compromised credentials and a lack of multi-factor authentication, raising significant security concerns and prompting legislative scrutiny.
Google announced that passkeys, a more secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords, are now being used by over 400 million Google accounts, with authentication occurrences surpassing one billion in the last two years. Heather Adkins, VP of Security Engineering at Google, highlighted that passkeys, which utilize biometrics or PINs for access, are 50% faster than passwords and more resistant to phishing. As Google expands its Cross-Account Protection and plans to integrate passkeys into its Advanced Protection Program, this move marks a significant shift towards enhancing cybersecurity measures for all users, including those at high risk like journalists and human rights activists.
The recent "State of Ransomware 2024" report highlights an alarming rise in the financial impact of ransomware attacks, with recovery costs excluding ransom payments averaging $2.73 million, up nearly a million from the previous year. Despite a slight decrease in the frequency of attacks, the severity and cost remain critical concerns, with 63% of ransom demands now exceeding $1 million. John Shier of Sophos emphasizes the ongoing threat of ransomware, noting its role in driving a diverse and voluminous cybercrime economy and stressing that ransomware does not discriminate based on the size of the organization. The report underlines the importance of addressing common attack vectors such as exploited vulnerabilities and compromised credentials to mitigate future risks and recovery costs.
Law enforcement agencies from Germany, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Lebanon successfully dismantled a major phone fraud network, shutting down 12 call centers responsible for thousands of daily scam calls. The coordinated raids on April 18 led to the identification of 39 suspects, with 21 arrests made, and the seizure of assets valued at around €1 million. Dubbed "Operation PANDORA," this Europol-supported action has been crucial in preventing significant financial losses, intercepting over 1.3 million conversations, and thwarting approximately 80% of attempted financial frauds, safeguarding potential damages exceeding €10 million.
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