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Date: 10/18/2022
The email-focused security company MailGuard has released information concerning a new Netflix phishing campaign using a “Last reminder!” subject line. Included in this email are multiple malicious links and phone numbers. One of which has been seen to redirect users to myaccount-netflix[.]sytes[.]net, a malicious phishing site focused on harvesting user credentials and credit card details.
Considering the overwhelming ‘password reuse’ common today, where users will reuse the same password for both personal and corporate accounts, credential-harvesting campaigns like this can lead to not only personal account compromise but, potentially, corporate accounts as well. Often the threat actors behind attacks such as this will sell the credentials they have harvested on illegal forums where more sophisticated attack groups will build accurate password-cracking lists.
Organizations should implement strong security awareness training programs to help users prevent falling victim to attacks such as these. During these training programs it is recommended to speak about ‘password reuse’ and the potential wide-spread compromise to which it can lead. Users should be encouraged to using strong and unique passwords for each different site to minimize the impact of one set of credentials being compromised.
If organizations receive negative feedback on the implications of users being required to memorize many different sets of passwords, there are a number of ‘password vault’ products available today. These platforms allow users to store large numbers of credentials without the need of memorization.
Additionally, organizations should encourage users to practice utilizing ‘passphrases’ instead of passwords. Here users can focus on using multiple words to build passwords instead of focusing on certain complexities. A long (16+) character password is significantly stronger than a short (<10) character password, regardless of complexity.
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A vulnerability affecting Zimbra enterprise collaboration suite, tracked as CVE-2022-41352 (CVSS score: 9.8), is being actively exploited. The vulnerability affects a content filter component of the Zimbra suite called Amavis, and more specifically, the CPIO utility it uses to scan and extract archives.
A malicious actor can use the CPIO package to gain access to other user accounts. For exploitation, an actor would send an email with a crafted TAR archive attachment, which gets submitted to Amavis, and uses the CPIO to module to trigger exploitation. Researchers have observed servers in Central Asia being targeted, but wider exploitation will likely occur over time.
Zimbra has since released a security fix with ZCS version 9.0.0 P27, replacing the vulnerable component (CPIO) with Pax so that exploitation is not possible. A fix is also available in Zimbra 8.8.15 Patch 34. Administrators are urged to patch immediately. Ensuring servers are being monitored with Endpoint Detection & Response software will allow for early detection is exploitation were to occur.
Sources
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/almost-900-servers-hacked-using-zimbra-zero-day-flaw/
https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/zimbra-releases-patch-for-actively.html
On Thursday, October 13, 2022, Horizon3.ai published a technical article on CVE-2022-40684. The article includes proof-of-concept exploit code. The exploit code includes the addition of new ssh keys to the firewall, effectively allowing attackers to subsequently authenticate to the device as administrator.
Release of this exploit code lowers the bar for attacking this vulnerability. According to the SANS Internet Storm Center, this exploit code was seen hitting honeypots over the last several days.
If your organization runs a device vulnerable to CVE-2022-40684, patch immediately. Look for indicators of compromise, such as exploit code in the firewall access logs, and new ssh keys. If you suspect that compromise has occurred, engage with a reputable incident response firm.
Sources
https://isc.sans.edu/podcastdetail.html?id=8216
https://www.horizon3.ai/fortios-fortiproxy-and-fortiswitchmanager-authentication-bypass-technical-deep-dive-cve-2022-40684/
On Thursday, October 13, 2022, Horizon3.ai published a technical article on CVE-2022-40684. The article includes proof-of-concept exploit code. The exploit code includes the addition of new ssh keys to the firewall, effectively allowing attackers to subsequently authenticate to the device as administrator.
ESXI attacks have been prevalent in the past year, and organizations should expect that they are being targeted, especially if access to ESXI is available from the internet.
Bleep Computer has reported a recent trend of Venus Ransomware attacking publicly exposed Remote Desktop (RDP) services to compromise Windows systems. According to this report multiple security research firms, including Linuxct, have witnessed Venus Ransomware using RDP as its primary initial-access point into organization networks. Although security best-practices include closing any RDP services exposed to the internet, Venus Ransomware has been extremely successful after first being observed in August of 2022 encrypting devices worldwide.
Venus Ransomware follows a standard encryption process that many other ransomware variants emulate. This includes first terminating dozens of processes associated with database services and Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, it will attempt to delete any Shadow Copy Volumes on the system and disable any Data Execution Prevention policies. Once these actions are executed, Venus Ransomware will then run through the entirety of the non-essential file system and encrypt all data.
Organizations should continuously verify that no system within their network has RDP exposed to the internet unless there are specific needs. If needs exist, organizations must make sure to monitor all RDP connections to and from exposed systems. Continuous vulnerability assessments can assist in verifying no critical vulnerabilities exist that would give attackers easy access to systems.
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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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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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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.
