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Date: 04/04/2023
A vulnerability in the Elementor Pro website builder for WordPress is being actively exploited. The vulnerability related to broken access control and affects versions 3.11.6 and earlier. Successful exploitation requires authentication and could result in a complete takeover of a WordPress site.
Authentication allows an attacker to set the default user role to an administrator so an account can be created that instantly has administrator privileges. Attackers will then likely redirect the domain to a malicious site or upload malicious plugins and backdoors for further exploitation.
Users of the Elementor Pro plugin are recommended to update to 3.11.7 or 3.12.0 as soon as possible. It is also recommended that WordPress-related updates are checked and applied on a regular cadence and similarly with all Internet-facing services.
Sources
https://thehackernews.com/2023/04/hackers-exploiting-wordpress-elementor.html
https://elementor.com/help/elementor3-11-7-security-vulnerability-resolved/
The targeted vulnerabilities are CVE-2021-35394, a critical remote code execution vulnerability in Realtek Jungle SDK, and CVE-2022-46169, a critical command injection flaw in the Cacti fault management monitoring tool. These vulnerabilities are exploited by botnet malware, specifically ShellBot and Moobot malware.
Vulnerable devices are exploited to download a script with command-and-control configuration. Once compromised, devices can be used in DDoS attacks or to launch port scans in further exploitation attempts.
To mitigate the risk of Mootbot and ShellBot infections, use strong administrator passwords for these devices and apply the security updates address CVE-2021-35394 and CVE-2022-46169. Additionally, removing public access for any management console is highly recommended. Access should be restricted via firewall ACLs or behind a VPN. Lastly, it is important to perform regular vulnerability assessments of public IP space to identify available ports and services and associated vulnerabilities.
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Securonix Threat Research recently released a report detailing a highly targeted phishing campaign called TACTICAL#OCTOPUS. The attackers use tax-related themes to lure in victims and infect them with malware. The phishing emails include a password-protected zip file that follows a naming convention commonly used for tax-related files. Once opened, the zip file contains a single image file and a shortcut file. Executing the shortcut triggers a series of stages that connect to command and control servers to download further malware payloads. The malware employs several techniques to evade detection, such as code obfuscation and multiple C2 channels. The campaign’s bait documents include W-2 tax documents, I-9 forms, and real estate purchase contracts.
The TACTICAL#OCTOPUS phishing campaign is noteworthy due to its specific targeting of US individuals. The malware employed in the attack is specifically engineered to elude detection and execute in-memory binary code via PowerShell reflection techniques utilizing legitimate Windows processes. The consequences of a successful attack include potential theft of sensitive information, financial losses, and reputational harm. The attackers have additionally encoded their IP addresses, thereby making the attack even more challenging to trace and attribute.
To minimize the risk of falling victim to tax-related phishing scams, organizations are advised to take certain precautions. They should educate their staff about the dangers of these types of attacks and offer them regular training to help them recognize and report suspicious emails. It is also recommended that they use multi-factor authentication, keep their software and security patches up-to-date, and limit access to sensitive data by adopting the principle of least privilege. Additionally, deploying an advanced threat detection and response system that utilizes AI and machine learning to identify and counter emerging threats is highly recommended.
Sources
The Midnight Group, a fraudulent extortionist group, is currently targeting US companies with empty threats of selling or publishing allegedly stolen data to extort payments. The group’s tactics involve impersonating well-known ransomware and data extortion gangs in emails to falsely claim responsibility for the intrusion and data theft. This approach is similar to that of an extortion group in 2017, which utilized distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) threats against numerous companies under the guise of notorious hacker groups. The group’s simple and easily executable method relies on social engineering to coerce victims into paying before a specific deadline.
The Midnight Group’s victim selection process remains unknown, but it is possible that they are using publicly available sources such as data leak sites, social media, news reports, or company disclosures to identify targets. The potential impacts on targeted companies could be substantial, including reputational damage, financial losses, and legal repercussions. Moreover, the group’s impersonation of legitimate ransomware and data extortion gangs in their emails adds to the seriousness of the situation.
To protect themselves from the threat of the Midnight Group and other similar extortionist groups, organizations should take the following steps: thoroughly examine emails to identify the characteristics of a phantom incident extortion message and disregard them as a bluff. Additionally, companies should prioritize the implementation of strong cybersecurity measures and train employees on detecting and reporting such threats.
Sources
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Ho Chin is Chief Financial Officer at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Ho leads Finance, HR, IT and Professional Development. As part of the executive leadership team, Ho works to establish the company’s overall strategy and ensure proper execution of the supporting initiatives pertaining to the above areas of responsibility.
Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Ho led finance and administrative functions at multiple private equity and venture-backed portfolio companies across multiple industries. Ho holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University in Centre County, Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Michael Stamas is an entrepreneur, board member, Vice President and a founder of GreyCastle Security. With more than two decades of experience in the technology sector, Mike pairs his management and business development skills with a deep understanding of cybersecurity. Mike brings a unique brand of risk-based advising to GreyCastle clients and prospects.
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.
Mike plays an active role in his community and serves as a board member and Vice President of InfraGard Albany as well as an advisory board position with the Capital Region YMCA.
Mike has been recognized for his numerous achievements through various honors including the Albany Business Review’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award.
Dan Kalil is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Chairman at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Dan provides vision, leadership and strategies that drive GreyCastle Security’s position as an industry leader. With an emphasis on customer success, Dan’s profitable growth model leverages a customer-centric business approach that balances employee wellbeing and social responsibility.
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.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Utica College in Utica, New York.
Dan Maynard serves as GreyCastle Security’s Chief Operating Officer, where he currently leads Sales, Marketing and Legal.
Dan has enjoyed a 30+ year career in the Information Technology and Telecommunications industry, during which time he has held various leadership positions for organizations such as Rochester Tel/RCI, Citizens Communications (Frontier), PAETEC Communications, IntegraOptics, tw telecom/Level3 and Centurylink.
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.
When not at work, Dan enjoys traveling, golfing, attending Utica Comets hockey games and relaxing in the Adirondacks on beautiful Canada Lake with family and friends.
Dan Didier is the Vice President of Solutions and board member at GreyCastle Security.
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.
Dan received his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
Our Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) have responded to hundreds of breaches, intrusions, malware infections, thefts, employee investigations, fraud cases and other incidents. Our highly-certified experts have extensive experience in command, coordination and correction of incidents in nearly every industry throughout North America, from local businesses to Fortune 500 international conglomerates.
800-403-8350Francesca LoPorto-Brandow is Director of Culture at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Francesca leads all social responsibility efforts and partnerships and develops effective strategies that promote organizational-wide behaviors and attitudes consistent with a culture of safety, inclusion, teamwork, motivation and high-performance.
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.
Francesca is a Lean Six Sigma–certified Green Belt, a proud YWCA-GCR board member and in 2013, she coordinated and emceed the inaugural TEDx Troy—a livestream of TEDCity 2.0. Since 2012, she has coordinated and emceed the Troy 100 Forum, a biannual forum for government, religious and community leaders to discuss issues vital to the future of Troy, New York.
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.
Jamie Aiello is Senior Vice President of Services and Product Management at GreyCastle Security. In this position, Jamie is responsible for leading a high performing and well-balanced team that is ultimately responsible for the identification, selection, execution and successful performance of our company’s diverse portfolio of cybersecurity offerings.
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.
