Date: 5/02/2022
Just released, a review of cybersecurity vulnerabilities released In 2021 show that threat actors aggressively exploited newly disclosed critical software vulnerabilities to hit a broad set of targets worldwide, published in the latest advisory published by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The list of top 15 CVEs routinely exploited by attackers in 2021 as defined by the CISA and cybersecurity company Five Winds are
As you might have noticed due to the last few entries, attackers haven’t stopped exploiting older publicly known software flaws.
The CISA also advises organizations to use a centralized patch management system and to replace end-of-life software. If any those actions can’t be performed by internal security teams, organizations should consider switching to reputable cloud-based offerings and start using managed service providers.
Sources
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2022/04/28/most-exploited-vulnerabilities-2021/
https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/alerts/aa22-117a
This post review techniques observed during recent LAPSUS$ incidents.
Over the last 5 months, LAPSUS$ has gained large notoriety with some successful breaches of some large enterprises including, Microsoft, Nvidia, Okta & Samsung. Little is still known about this group with motivations appearing to be for reputation, money and “for the lulz”.
Threat Intelligence shows that LAPSUS$ utilize multiple methods to gain Initial access. The main source of initial access is believed to occur via stolen authentication cookies which would grant the attacker access to a specific application. Then, credential harvesting and privileged escalation are key components of the LAPSUS$ breaches, with the LAPSUS$ group being seen to elevate from a standard user account to an administrative user within a couple of days. The security research team at NCC Group has observed disruption and destruction to client environments by LAPSUS$ such as shutting down virtual machines from within on-premises VMware ESXi infrastructure, to the extreme of mass deletion of virtual machines, storage, and configurations in cloud environments making it harder for the victim to recover and for the investigation team to conduct their analysis activities.
Sources
https://research.nccgroup.com/2022/04/28/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/
Cloud tunneling services, which allow users to expose internal systems from their homes or businesses to the internet by relaying the traffic through cloud-based systems, have grown in use over the past few years. Unfortunately, as with any kind of service that helps developers and infrastructure administrators, cybercriminals have been abusing these services for various illicit operations.
During its research, Trend Micro Researchers categorized cloud tunneling service abuse into two malicious use cases: internal threats and external threats. Internal threats are attacks where cloud tunneling services are unknowingly used on an infected endpoint or network to expose internal services like SMB, FTP, and HTTP, while external threats are the more typical cyberattacks such as phishing, drive-by download, and malware command-and-control (C&C) communication through the cloud tunnel network.
Limit access should only to users who need these services. Doing this can prevent attackers who gain access to the network from using the services for C&C, data exfiltration, or other malicious purposes. Employees with access to these tunneling services should be regularly checked and logged for access to these services to ensure that their access is being used for approved purposes as defined by the organization.
For large organizations, it might be a consideration from a security standpoint to prevent employees from using cloud tunneling to expose services to the internet, and to use a virtual private network (VPN) instead to connect to the intranet.
A new RIG Exploit Kit campaign has been discovered that exploits, CVE-2021-26411, a memory corruption vulnerability affecting Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers. Exploitation occurs when a user visits a compromised site involved in this campaign.
Upon exploitation, malware named Redline Stealer is installed. This allows attackers to steal passwords, cookies, VPN login credentials, crypto wallets, credit card data saved in browsers, or other items per instructions from command-and-control (“C2”) infrastructure.
A patch for CVE-2021-26411 was released by Microsoft in March 2021, but attackers are taking advantage of unpatched systems. It is strongly recommended that end user devices are kept up to date and protected with robust antimalware and Endpoint Detection & Response solutions to prevent these types of threats.
Sources
https://latesthackingnews.com/2022/05/02/new-rig-exploit-kit-campaign-drops-redline-stealer-malware/
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26411
Cisco patches almost 20 vulnerabilities in various Cisco appliances including Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), and Firepower Management Center (FMC).
Eleven of these vulnerabilities are rated with a ‘high’ severity according to Cisco.
Among these vulnerabilities includes several potential denial of service (DoS) vulnerabilities that are remotely exploitable. Along with those includes privilege escalation and security protection bypass vulnerabilities.
Cisco has published all these patches and remediation guides in its Cisco Event Response: April 2022 Cisco ASA, FMC, and FTD Software Advisory Bundled Publication which was released on April 7, 2022.
It is recommended that any organization using Cisco products – specifically the ASA, FMC, and FTD products – to review this publication and patch/remediate appropriately.
Sources
https://www.securityweek.com/cisco-patches-11-high-severity-vulnerabilities-security-products?&web_view=true
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/viewErp.x?alertId=ERP-74836
An increase in ransomware reporting has increased worldwide during this past week according to BleepingComputer.com. One of the most common occurring variants is Magniber, deploying what appears to be Windows 10 updates with various names. Some of the most common include “Win10.0_System_Upgrade_Software.msi” and “Security_Upgrade_Software_Win10.0.msi”, and other ones such as “System.Upgrade.Win10.0-KB47287134.msi”. Although some of the updates can be downloaded from fake warez and crack sites, it is unclear how all the updates are being downloaded at this time because this ransomware has been distributed globally on a large scale.
While it targets more individuals than businesses, users must still be aware not to click on any fraudulent Windows 10 updates. Magniber’s ransomware is advanced and will not allow for an attack on the ransomware’s vulnerabilities to retrieve your files.
To ensure that the ransomware is not downloaded, it is important to only download updates that are found after searching “Check for Updates” in the start menu search bar. It is also essential to back up files safely and efficiently.
Sources
Fake Windows 10 updates infect you with Magniber ransomware (bleepingcomputer.com)
For strategic clients, your vCISO will add this to your next Office Hours for further discussion. However, if you have an immediate need, concern, or question, please reach out to them directly.
For non-strategic clients, please reach out to your Advisor for further discussion.
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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.
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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.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Utica College in Utica, New York.
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 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.
