CyberWire Daily

Latest Episodes:

Novel attacks and creative phishing angles. Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

APT28 uses a novel technique to breach organizations via nearby WiFi networks. Your Apple ID is (not) suspended. UK highlighting Russian threats at NATO Cyber Defence Conference. US senators request an audit of TSA's facial recognition technology. Supply chain software company sustains ransomware attack. Critical QNAP vulnerability could allow remote code execution. Outdated Avast Anti-Rootkit driver exploited. No more internet rabbit holes for China. Guest Lesley Carhart from Dragos on "The Shifting Landscape of OT Incident Response." Stop & Shop turns cyber oops into coffee and cookies.

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CyberWire Guest

Our guest is Lesley Carhart, Technical Director at Dragos, speaking with Dave Bittner about "The Shifting Landscape of OT Incident Response." You can find the blog here.

Selected Reading

Russian Cyberspies Hacked Building Across Street From Target for Wi-Fi Attack (SecurityWeek)

The Nearest Neighbor Attack: How A Russian APT Weaponized Nearby Wi-Fi Networks for Covert Access (Volexity)

New Warning For 2 Billion iPhone, iPad, Mac Users—Your Apple ID Is Suspended (Forbes)

Russia plotting to use AI to enhance cyber-attacks against UK, minister will warn (The Guardian)

Britain, NATO must stay ahead in 'new AI arms race', says UK minister (Reuters)

Senators call for audit of TSA’s facial recognition tech as use expands in airports (The Record)

Blue Yonder ransomware attack disrupts supply chains across UK and US (Tech Monitor)

Critical QNAP Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code (Cyber Security News)

Malware campaign abused flawed Avast Anti-Rootkit driver (Security Affairs)

When Guardians Become Predators: How Malware Corrupts the Protectors (Trellix report)

Imagine a land where algorithms don't ruin the Internet (The Register)

Stop & Shop recovers from 'cybersecurity issue,' will give out free food, coffee (WTNH)

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Greg Bell: Answer the question of "why?" [Open Source] [Career Notes] Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

Enjoy this encore episode where we are joined by Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Corelight Greg Bell, as he describes the twists and turns of his career bringing him back to his childhood joy of computers. Working in a myriad of fields from human rights to Hollywood to writing a history of conspiracy belief before pivoting back to technology. Focusing on the relationships within the open source community, Greg works to change and improve the world through his mission-based organization. For those looking to begin their career in cyber, Greg offers that great mentorship and working for great organizations where you can soak in the culture are really important. And, we thank Greg for sharing his story with us.

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Exposing AI's Achilles heel. [Research Saturday] Nov 23, 2024

Show notes

This week, we are joined by Ami Luttwak, Co-Founder and CTO from Wiz, sharing their work on "Wiz Research Finds Critical NVIDIA AI Vulnerability Affecting Containers Using NVIDIA GPUs, Including Over 35 percent of Cloud Environments." A critical vulnerability in the NVIDIA Container Toolkit, widely used for GPU access in AI workloads, could allow attackers to escape containers and gain full access to host environments, jeopardizing sensitive data.

Wiz estimates that at least 33% of cloud environments are affected and urges immediate updates to NVIDIA's patched version. This discovery highlights the broader issue of young, under-secured codebases in AI tools, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures and collaboration.

The research can be found here:

Wiz Research Finds Critical NVIDIA AI Vulnerability Affecting Containers Using NVIDIA GPUs, Including Over 35% of Cloud Environments

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A not so BASIC farewell. Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

META details its efforts against pig butchering. The Salt Typhoon attack on major U.S. telecoms sparks interest from Congress. Microsoft dismantles 240 domains linked to the ONNX phishing-as-a-service platform. A major U.S. gambling and lottery provider suffers a cyberattack. Hackers exploit newly patched zero-days in Palo Alto Networks firewalls. Researchers say Fortinet VPN servers lack sufficient logging. A pilot program looks to improve security for small U.S. water utilities. Bitdefender warns of scammers using Black Friday-themed spam emails. Our guest is DataDome’s CEO and Co-founder, Benjamin Fabre, discussing how "Fake Accounts Threaten Black Friday Gaming Sales." A fond farewell for a true cyber innovator.

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CyberWire Guest

In advance of Black Friday shopping next week, our guest is DataDome’s CEO and Co-founder, Benjamin Fabre discussing their team's work on "Fake Accounts Threaten Black Friday Gaming Sales."

Selected Reading

Meta cracks down on millions of accounts it tied to pig-butchering scams (CyberScoop)

China’s Hacking Reached Deep Into U.S. Telecoms (New York Times)

FCC leaders skirt call for wiretap security reform, hope to ‘go deeper’ on telecom breach briefings (NextGov)

Microsoft disrupts ONNX phishing-as-a-service infrastructure (Bleeping Computer)

Gambling and lottery giant disrupted by cyberattack, working to bring systems back online (The Record)

Over 2,000 Palo Alto firewalls hacked using recently patched bugs (Bleeping Computer)

Fortinet VPN design flaw hides successful brute-force attacks (Bleeping Computer)

First Water Utilities Take Volunteer Cyber Help (The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy)

Three-Quarters of Black Friday Spam Emails Identified as Scams (Infosecurity Magazine)

Thomas E. Kurtz, a Creator of BASIC Computer Language, Dies at 96 (New York Times)

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No more spinach for PopeyeTools. Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

The feds take down the PopeyeTools cybercrime market. Five alleged Scattered Spider members have been charged. CISA warns of critical vulnerabilities in VMware’s vCenter Server. Global AI experts convene to discuss safety. MITRE updates its list of Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Weaknesses. US and Australian agencies warn critical infrastructure organizations about evolving tactics by the BianLian ransomware group. A new report looks at rising threats to the U.S. manufacturing industry. Researchers at ESET uncover the WolfsBane Linux backdoor. A pair of malicious Python packages impersonating ChatGPT went undetected for over a year. A data breach at a French hospital compromised the medical records of 750,000 patients. On our Industry Voices segment, guest Avihai Ben-Yossef, Cymulate’s Co-Founder and CTO, joins us to discuss "The Evolution and Outlook of Exposure Management." AI Pimping is the scourge of Instagram.

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CyberWire Guest

On our Industry Voices segment, guest Avihai Ben-Yossef, Cymulate’s Co-Founder and CTO, joins us to discuss "The Evolution and Outlook of Exposure Management."

Resources:

Selected Reading

US seizes PopeyeTools cybercrime marketplace, charges administrators (Bleeping Computer)

Five Charged in Scattered Spider Case (Infosecurity Magazine)

CISA Warns of VMware VCenter Vulnerabilities Actively Exploited in Attacks (Cyber Security News)

US Gathers Allies to Talk AI Safety as Trump’s Vow to Undo Biden’s AI Policy Overshadows Their Work (SecurityWeek)

MITRE Updates List of 25 Most Dangerous Software Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

BianLian Ransomware Group Adopts New Tactics, Posing Significant Risk (Infosecurity Magazine)

Manufacturing Sector Under Siege: Industry Faces Wave of Advanced Email Attacks (Abnormal Security)

Gelsemium APT Hackers Attacking Linux Servers With New WolfsBane Malware (Cyber Security News)

Two PyPi Malicious Package Mimic ChatGPT & Claude Steals Developers Data (GB Hackers)

Cyberattack at French hospital exposes health data of 750,000 patients (Bleeping Computer)

Inside the Booming 'AI Pimping' Industry (404 Media)

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When location data becomes a weapon. Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

A WIRED investigation uncovers the ease of tracking U.S. military personnel. Apple releases emergency security updates to address actively exploited vulnerabilities. Latino teenagers and LGBTQ individuals are receiving disturbing text messages spreading false threats. Crowdstrike says Liminal Panda is responsible for telecom intrusions. Oracle patches a high-severity zero-day vulnerability. Trend Micro has disclosed a critical vulnerability in its Deep Security 20 Agent software. A rural hospital in Oklahoma suffers a ransomware attack. A leading fintech firm is investigating a security breach in its file transfer platform. Researchers deploy Mantis against malicious LLMs. Ben Yelin from the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security discusses AI’s bias in the resume screening process. Tracking down a lost Lambo.

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CyberWire Guest

Today, we have Ben Yelin, Program Director, Public Policy & External Affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security and our Caveat podcast co-host, discussing AI’s racial and gender bias in the resume screening process. You can read about it here.

Selected Reading

Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany (WIRED)

GAO recommends new agency to streamline how US government protects citizens’ data (The Record)

Apple Issues Emergency Security Update for Actively Exploited Flaws (Infosecurity Magazine)

Texts threatening deportation and 're-education' for gays stoke both fear and defiance (NBC News)

Chinese APT Group Targets Telecom Firms Linked to BRI (Infosecurity Magazine)

Oracle Patches Exploited Agile PLM Zero-Day (SecurityWeek)

Trend Micro Deep Security Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code (Cyber Security News)

Oklahoma Hospital Says Ransomware Hack Hits 133,000 People (GovInfo Security)

Fintech Giant Finastra Investigating Data Breach (Krebs on Security)

AI About-Face: 'Mantis' Turns LLM Attackers Into Prey (Dark Reading)

Hackers Steal MLB Star Kris Bryant’s $200K Lamborghini By Rerouting Delivery (Carscoops)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

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Biden vs. Trump: A tale of two cybersecurity strategies. Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

Pundits predict Trump will overhaul U.S. cybersecurity policy. Experts examine escalating cybersecurity threats facing the U.S. energy sector. Palo Alto Networks patches a pair of zero-days. Akira and SafePay ransomware groups claim dozens of new victims. A major pharmacy group is pressured to pay a $1.3 million ransomware installment. Threat actors are exploiting Spotify playlists and podcasts. An alleged Phobos ransomware admin has been extradited to the U.S. Rapper “Razzlekhan” gets 18 months in prison for her part in the Bitfinex cryptocurrency hack. On today’s Threat Vector, David Moulton speaks with Assaf Dahan, Director of Threat Research at Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex team, about the rising cyber threat from North Korea. Swiss scammers send snail mail.

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Threat Vector Segment

On this segment of Threat Vector, host David Moulton speaks with Assaf Dahan, Director of Threat Research at Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex team, about the rising cyber threat from North Korea. To hear the full conversation between David and Assaf, listen to Cyber Espionage and Financial Crime: North Korea’s Double Threat, and catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday on your favorite podcast app!

Selected Reading

More Spyware, Fewer Rules: What Trump’s Return Means for US Cybersecurity (WIRED)

How to remove the cybersecurity gridlock from the nation's energy lifelines (CyberScoop)

Palo Alto Patches Firewall Zero-Day Exploited in Operation Lunar Peek (SecurityWeek)

SafePay ransomware: Obscure group uses LockBit builder, claims 22 victims (SC Media)

Akira Ransomware Drops 30 Victims on Leak Site in One Day (SecurityWeek)

Gang Shaking Down Pharmacy Group for Second Ransom Payment (GovInfo Security)

Spotify abused to promote pirated software and game cheats (Bleeping Computer)

Suspected Phobos Ransomware Admin Extradited to US (Infosecurity Magazine)

Heather ‘Razzlekhan’ Morgan sentenced to 18 months in prison, ending Bitfinex saga (The Record)

Now Hackers Are Using Snail Mail In Cyber Attacks—Here’s How (Forbes)

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A new era for CISA under Trump? Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

CISA’s Director Easterly plans to step down in the coming year. DHS issues recommendations for AI in critical infrastructure.Palo Alto Networks confirms active exploitation of a critical zero-day vulnerability in its firewalls. Threat actors exploit Microsoft’s 365 Admin Portal to send sextortion emails. A China-based APT targets a zero-day in Fortinet’s Windows VPN. The EPA reports on vulnerabilities in drinking water systems. A critical authentication bypass vulnerability affects a popular WordPress plugin. Researchers track a rise in the ClickFix social engineering technique. An 18 year old faces up to twenty years behind bars for swatting. Our guest is Rob Boyce, Global Lead, Cyber Resilience at Accenture, discussing SIM swapping services targeting telcos. Nuisance calls are in decline.

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CyberWire Guest

Today, we are joined by Rob Boyce, Global Lead, Cyber Resilience at Accenture, discussing SIM swapping services targeting telcos.

Selected Reading

CISA Director Jen Easterly to depart on Inauguration Day (Nextgov/FCW)

DHS Releases Secure AI Framework for Critical Infrastructure (Dark Reading)

Palo Alto firewalls exploited after critical zero-day vulnerability (Cybernews)

Microsoft 365 Admin portal abused to send sextortion emails (Bleeping Computer)

Fortinet VPN Zero-Day Exploited in Malware Attacks Remains Unpatched: Report (SecurityWeek)

300 Drinking Water Systems in US Exposed to Disruptive, Damaging Hacker Attacks (SecurityWeek)

Security plugin flaw in millions of WordPress sites gives admin access (Bleeping Computer)

Security Brief: ClickFix Social Engineering Technique Floods Threat Landscape (Proofpoint)

Teen serial swatter-for-hire busted, pleads guilty, could face 20 years (The Register)

FTC Records 50% Drop in Nuisance Calls Since 2021 (Infosecurity Magazine)

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Teresa Shea: The challenge of adapting new technologies. [Intelligence] [Career Notes] Nov 17, 2024

Show notes

Please enjoy this encore episode where Vice President of Raytheon's Cyber Offense, Defense Expert Teresa Shea speaks of her journey from math to adapting new technologies on the cutting edge, With a love of math, Teresa was offered a scholarship by the Society of Women Engineering and decided to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Unsurprisingly, there were few other women in her program, Teresa interned with and then proceeded to work for the National Security Agency becoming their SIGINT director. Following her government career, Teresa worked to help bring new technologies to government through her work at Raytheon. We thank Teresa for sharing her story with us.

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Credential harvesters in the cloud. [Research Saturday] Nov 16, 2024

Show notes

This week we are joined by, Blake Darché, Head of Cloudforce One at Cloudflare, to discuss their work on "Unraveling SloppyLemming’s Operations Across South Asia." Cloudforce One's investigation into the advanced threat actor "SloppyLemming" reveals an extensive espionage campaign targeting South and East Asia, with a focus on Pakistan's government, defense, telecommunications, and energy sectors.

Leveraging multiple cloud service providers, SloppyLemming employs tactics like credential harvesting, malware delivery, and command-and-control (C2) operations, often relying on open-source adversary emulation tools like Cobalt Strike. Despite its activities, the actor's poor operational security (OPSEC) has allowed investigators to gain valuable insights into its infrastructure and tooling.

The research can be found here: