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Date: 8/3/2022
Security researchers from the Volexity security firm have identified a malicious browser extension named SHARPEXT. This extension is being used as a post-exploitation tool for the North Korean threat actor group Kimsuky, also known as SharpTongue. The primary purpose of the extension is to maintain persistence on compromised assets.
SHARPEXT is unlike other malicious browser extensions. Instead of attempting to steal credentials, SHARPEXT exfiltrates data from victim email boxes. This allows for heavy amounts of data loss and confidentiality impact. However, researchers believe that SHARPEXT is actively being developed and that additional capabilities are possible.
Although malicious browser extensions are expected, SHARPEXT is unique in its deployment as a post-exploitation tool. Threat actors constantly evolve in their attack patterns, and post-exploitation browser extensions might become a more mainstream attack vector.
Organizations should consider adequate network traffic monitoring and analysis to identify potentially malicious traffic. Organizations can protect themselves from attacks like this by conducting routine security awareness training to help end users identify suspicious browser extensions and act accordingly. Additionally, network security monitoring is an effective measure to detect post-exploitation tool communications.
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VMware has warned of several critical security vulnerabilities affecting various products, including CVE-2022-31656. In response, VMware has released a security patch available on their site VMSA-2022-0021 (vmware.com). This vulnerability has been given a CVSS base score of 9.8 due to its ability to allow remote code execution without needing authentication.
These vulnerabilities include authentication bypass, remote code execution, SQL injection, local privilege escalation, and URL injection. Many of these vulnerabilities are rated as critical with CVSS scores above 7.5 and should be patched as quickly as possible.
VMware has published an effective patch for each vulnerability, whether in a large secure update or a singular patch. These can be found on the VMware site, along with additional information on each vulnerability, its severity, and potential impact.
Sources
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/vmware-urges-admins-to-patch-critical-auth-bypass-bug-immediately/?&web_view=true
https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0021.html
This month’s monthly security bulletin from Google includes over 30 vulnerabilities patched in the latest Android security updates. This includes remote code execution via Bluetooth without the need for privileges. This vulnerability has been marked as CVE-2022-20345 and rated as a High Risk. The additional vulnerabilities impact multiple Android components like Framework, System, Kernel, and Qualcomm components.
Android devices have a large presence in the mobile device market for personal and business use. Vulnerabilities in these devices can leave organizations at risk for losing data availability, integrity, or confidentiality.
Although Android device vulnerabilities are frequent, Google has regularly published security updates. Organizations implement strong patching policies for any business-owned Android devices and strongly encourage end users to monitor for security patches for their personal devices.
Sources
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/google-patches-critical-android/?&web_view=true
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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.
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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.
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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.
