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Date: 12/12/2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has warned healthcare entities of ongoing Royal Ransomware attacks. Unlike many ransomware groups, Royal Ransomware appears to be a private group without affiliates. Their targets in healthcare have primarily focused on U.S. organizations. Ransom demands have ranged from $250,000 to $2 million.
The Royal ransomware operators look to perform double-extortion attacks by finding and exfiltrating sensitive information prior to encrypting data. Volume shadow copies and other methods of recovery can likely be targeted before encryption to increase the likelihood of the victim paying the ransom demand. The initial access vector is known to be malicious links delivered to victims through malicious ads, fake forum pages, or phishing emails that lead to fake installer files for legitimate apps like Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Protecting against ransomware attacks requires a defense-in-depth approach. Organizations should ensure that endpoints are protected by Endpoint Detection & response software and preferably monitored 24/7 by a team with response capabilities, such as a SOC. To minimize the impact of a ransomware attack, maintain an offline (or immutable) copy of backups. Other proactive controls include vulnerability assessments and user awareness training.
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Claroty Security’s research team published a blog post on December 8 detailing a technique using JSON to bypass the Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) of several major vendors, including Palo Alto, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, F5, and Imperva. The blog post describes a successful SQL injection attack using this technique.
For organizations relying on WAFs to mitigate vulnerabilities, this could lead to data breaches. Claroty’s blog post references an included SQLMap module (SQLMap is a very effective security testing tool that automates SQL injection attacks).
Long-standing recommendations regarding WAFs are that they provide temporary cover until web application vulnerabilities are fixed, and this article reiterates that point. Claroty mentions that the vendors specified in the article have updated their code to mitigate this bypass; if your organization uses another WAF, consider it vulnerable but not tested. Consider a WAF as a part of a layered security approach and not the primary means of protection for a web application.
Sources
https://claroty.com/team82/research/js-on-security-off-abusing-json-based-sql-to-bypass-waf
Cryptocurrency mining attacks attempt to install crypto mining software on exploited devices and remain one of the most common attacks targeting Linux systems today. The most common initial access tactic for these attacks is to target Linux devices with unpatched security vulnerabilities and install remote access software to establish a crypto-mining footprint. One such remote access tool that threat actors use is the Chaos RAT software. This software is attributed to Chinese-based development and backing and is proving to be incredibly sophisticated and successful.
Although the specific impact of crypto mining software is often limited to system performance, remote access tools – such as Chaos RAT – contain many other post-exploitation capabilities. Chaos RAT contains abilities to install additional software, carry out remote commands, and establish persistent command and control (C2) communications.
Organizations are urged to ensure that adequate vulnerability management practices are taking place throughout the environment. This can minimize the chances of Linux systems missing critical patches. Additionally, vulnerability scanning should occur regularly to ensure no vulnerabilities are left unattended. Accurate device inventories can also assist in identifying what systems are running Linux operating systems to target for direct supervision.
Sources
Pulse Connect Secure remains one of the most widely used SSL VPN solutions by corporations today. As such, Pulse Secure appliances are heavily targeted by threat actor groups due to the wide variety of vulnerabilities that have impacted Pulse Secure in recent years. The December 7, 2022, report from Censys, has identified that out of the 30,000 Pulse Connect devices detected exposed to the internet, almost 4,500 were found to be missing critical security patches.
Successful exploitation of Pulse Connect Secure can give threat actors direct connection to corporate environments via VPN access. This can be a highly successful avenue for initial access without user interaction or authentication. Some of the most critical vulnerabilities found had CVSS scores of 9.8 to 10.
Organizations should be vigilant about scanning and patching all externally accessible devices to stay on top of any potential vulnerabilities. This is especially true for Pulse Secure appliances. Adequate vulnerability management and patch management procedures and policies can ensure that no critical vulnerabilities are missed and/or fly beneath the radar. Additionally, it is important to keep an accurate device inventory to limit the risk of decommissioned devices from being accidentally left exposed.
Sources
https://censys.io/pulse-connect-secure-a-view-from-the-internet/
Some countries, including the U.S., have seen an uptick in TrueBot infections. TrueBot is a Windows malware downloader that can be a backdoor for post-exploitation activities such as data exfiltration or ransomware. TruBot has been known to be delivered via Raspberry Robin, a worm that is mainly spread through infected USB drives. Recently, TruBot infections have stemmed from abusing a critical vulnerability in Netwrix Auditor (CVE-2022-31199, CVSS score: 9.8)
CVE-2022-31199 is a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited in Netwrix Auditor versions prior to the 10.5. attack, giving visibility to an insecure .NET remoting service on port 9004 to attempt exploitation. The impact could result in an Active Directory compromise. TruBot infections have also recently been tied to Clop ransomware.
Organizations should ensure that endpoints are protected by Endpoint Detection & Response software and preferably monitored 24/7 by a team with response capabilities, such as a SOC. Furthermore, consider restricting the use of external drives to reduce the risk of data exposure or worm-like malware stemming from USB drives. Lastly, ensure Netwrix Auditor is fully patched to prevent exploitation of CVE-2022-31199.
Sources
https://thehackernews.com/2022/12/new-truebot-malware-variant-leveraging.html
https://thehackernews.com/2022/07/new-netwrix-auditor-bug-could-let.html
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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.
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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.
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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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.