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Date: 03/23/2023
Emotet malware is now being distributed via Microsoft OneNote email attachments. This is done in an effort to bypass macro security controls for other Microsoft applications, such as Excel or Word, to execute malware. These OneNote attachments may contain a fake notification stating that the document is protected, and clicking through the prompt will also execute malware.
Emotet is a paid platform for other threat actors to launch campaigns. Emotet allows for threat actors to establish a foothold within a target environment and steal sensitive information. Second stages of the attack could involve ransomware deployment.
Block OneNote file extensions via email if there is no business need to send/receive them. Also, installing MS 365/MS Office group policy templates will allow for implementing OneNote policies named “Disable embedded files” and “Embedded Files Blocked Extensions.” Lastly, ensure endpoints are monitored 24/7/365 using an Endpoint Detection & Response platform.
Sources
https://thehackernews.com/2023/03/emotet-rises-again-evades-macro.html
One of the more prolific ransomware threat actors in 2020 and 2021 was the Conti Ransomware group. Conti disbanded approximately a year ago after attacking more than 850 organizations. Kaspersky has released a decryptor that may prove helpful for victim organizations still possessing encrypted files.
This may be good news for Conti victims. If your organization was a victim who didn’t pay for a decryptor, this release from Kaspersky may be helpful for data recovery.
Implement a comprehensive cybersecurity program to prevent ransomware. If your organization has been a victim of ransomware, and did not pay for a decryptor, it may be beneficial to keep encrypted files for some time after the assault in case a decryptor is released.
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The Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) published a report on March 15, 2023, describing a compromise of a Federal Civilian Executive Agency (FECB) whereby several threat actor groups exploited the same vulnerability in Progress Telerik UI running on Microsoft IIS. One interesting aspect of this report is that the agency did regularly scan for the vulnerability (CVE-2019-18935), although it “failed to detect the vulnerability due to the Telerik UI software being installed in a file path it does not typically scan.”
While the report does not describe the impact on the agency, it offers a valuable lesson to vulnerability management program administrators. Vulnerability scanners generally search in standard installation directories, and any deviation from a standard install may result in a critical vulnerability being missed.
It is difficult to protect assets that you don’t know about. Ensure that a thorough hardware and software inventory is performed in conjunction with vulnerability management programs. Furthermore, ensure that software is updated through a regular patching cadence.
Sources
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-074a
A new type of ransomware, called CatB (also known as CatB99 and Baxtoy), appeared in late 2022. It originated from the Pandora ransomware and is believed to be associated with the Chinese advanced persistent threat group Bronze Starlight due to similarities in code and tactics.
One of CatB’s strengths is its capacity to avoid detection by security tools using a technique called DLL search order hijacking. This method involves the malware embedding itself in the search order that the Windows operating system employs when looking for DLLs. As a result, the system inadvertently runs the malware instead of a legitimate DLL without triggering any security alerts.
Upon detonation of a system, CatB ransomware unleashes a suite of powerful tools, including multiple privilege escalation capabilities, data exfiltration, and encryption functions. Its potent information-stealing abilities are also noteworthy, as CatB can extract sensitive data from web browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
This ransomware can not only lock victims out of their systems and files but can also steal their personal data, putting their privacy and security at risk. The information that CatB can harvest from a user’s web browsing history can range from passwords and login credentials to credit card information and sensitive business data.
Organizations face a persistent threat from ransomware strains such as CatB. These attacks typically aim to encrypt all data and deploy ransom files. To counter this threat, organizations should implement a range of defense strategies. Routine backups are critical, as is the deployment of endpoint security tools such as endpoint detection and response (EDR). Additionally, users must be trained to identify and avoid potentially malicious social engineering attacks.
Threat actors often target end-users rather than directly attacking infrastructure systems. By reducing the likelihood of users falling victim to these attacks, organizations can increase their resilience against ransomware threat groups. These measures form a vital part of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and can help safeguard an organization’s data, reputation, and financial well-being.
Sources
https://thehackernews.com/2023/03/researchers-shed-light-on-catb.html?&web_view=true
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Prior to becoming CEO, Dan served as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, during which he supported multiple acquisitions and helped the organization achieve substantial sales growth. In addition to serving as CEO at GreyCastle Security, Dan continues to hold the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Assured information Security (AIS) in Rome, New York, a company he co-founded in 2001.
Over the course of the last 22 years, Dan has been committed to advancing the state of cybersecurity and has played an instrumental role in the identification and development of critical, next-generation cyber capabilities. He has held positions in almost every facet of cybersecurity, beginning as a computer forensic examiner and progressing through the management and executive leadership ranks. In addition to co-founding AIS, Dan has facilitated multiple cybersecurity startups, raised investment capital and has served in various lead and support roles toward the acquisition of five companies in the last eight years.
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Mike holds certifications in numerous security and technology related areas, including the Department of Homeland Security and other security technologies like Symantec, Cisco and Microsoft.
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Mike has been recognized for his numerous achievements through various honors including the Albany Business Review’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award.
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In addition to various voice and data technology platforms, he possesses a strong background in leadership development, sales and marketing leadership, transformational leadership and strategic planning. Dan has a thirst for knowledge and as a committed lifelong learner, he encourages and supports professional development initiatives for his teams and continues his involvement with Vistage International.
Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was selected as a member of their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Dan has been a cybersecurity practitioner for more than 20 years and uses his knowledge and experience to develop cybersecurity solutions that ensure readiness and preparedness.
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Prior to this role, Francesca was Director of People & Culture at GreyCastle and with her leadership, the company’s culture has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as a Nationally recognized Best Workplace, Albany Business Review Best Places to Work and Albany Times Union Top Workplaces.
Before joining GreyCastle Security, Francesca worked as an OD consultant and focused on strategic culture change at The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. for more than six years. There, she facilitated client education sessions, coached leaders and teams, developed and executed consulting interventions and served as strategy project leader on various client engagements. Her work has taken her into Fortune 100 companies and across borders including Panama, Singapore and beyond.
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Bilingual in English and Italian, Francesca holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Technology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management & Technology. She was awarded Cybersecurity Recruiter of the year North America in 2017 by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.
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Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Jamie has held leadership positions with Annese and Associates, ConvergeOne and BlueSky IT Partners with a focus on delivering cost effective information technology solutions for companies across multiple verticals.
Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
