Daily Brief

VMware resolved four security vulnerabilities, including three zero-days exploited at Pwn2Own Vancouver 2024. The most critical flaw, CVE-2024-22267, is a use-after-free bug allowing code execution on the host via a compromised VM. A temporary workaround involves disabling Bluetooth in VM settings to mitigate one of the vulnerabilities. Additional vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-22269 and CVE-2024-22270) related to information disclosure were reported. CVE-2024-22268 involves a heap buffer overflow, enabling potential denial of service if 3D graphics are enabled. Security researchers at Pwn2Own disclosed 29 zero-days and earned significant rewards, highlighting critical software vulnerabilities. Following the competition, Google and Mozilla also quickly issued fixes for their affected products. VMware, along with other vendors, typically has 90 days to release patches after such disclosures by the Zero Day Initiative.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov criticized Signal, claiming it has ties to US intelligence and questioning its encryption security. Durov's comments followed a City Journal report about Signal’s origins, funded by the US government's Open Technology Fund. The Signal Foundation's current chair, Katherine Maher, has a background with several US-backed entities and governmental roles. Durov suggests that big tech's encryption protocols, including those used by WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, may be influenced by the US government. He also noted instances of Signal messages appearing in court cases, implying they could be due to compromised encryption, though specific evidence of this was not provided. Durov criticized both WhatsApp and Signal for not allowing full transparency of their source code and reproducibility of their apps, particularly on iOS. The timing of Durov’s remarks coincides with potential financial incentives as Telegram considers going public.

Google has released emergency updates to counter a newly discovered zero-day flaw in Chrome, labeled CVE-2024-4761, which is currently being exploited. The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write error in the V8 JavaScript and WebAssembly engine, reported anonymously on May 9, 2024. This type of vulnerability can be exploited to corrupt data, cause system crashes, or execute unauthorized code on affected devices. The tech giant has confirmed the live exploitation of this flaw, although specific details of the attacks remain undisclosed to avoid further misuse. The flaw was addressed shortly after the repair of another exploited vulnerability (CVE-2024-4671) in the Chrome Visuals component. Since the beginning of the year, Google has remedied six zero-days, with three exposed during the Pwn2Own event in March 2024. Updates for Chrome are now available in versions 124.0.6367.207/.208 for Windows and macOS and version 124.0.6367.207 for Linux. Users of other Chromium-based browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Brave, are advised to update their software as patches become available.

Google and Apple have introduced features to alert users if a Bluetooth tracking tag, like an AirTag, is being used to stalk them; compatible with Android 6.0+ and iOS 17.5. The anti-stalking alert system is part of a broader industry-wide specification for Bluetooth tracking devices, to deal with the increased misuse of these gadgets for stalking and harassment. This new feature enables devices to trigger an alert called 'Tracker traveling with you' when a foreign Bluetooth device is detected moving consistently with the user. Both platforms will assist users in locating and potentially disabling these clandestine trackers by prompting the devices to emit a sound. Major Bluetooth tracker manufacturers including Samsung and Tile have endorsed the specification, ensuring future products will incorporate the anti-stalking alert. Mozilla Foundation and EFF praise the update but caution about the potential privacy issues created by the new tracking standards; propose cryptographic solutions to maintain user privacy. Critics argue that the response to stalking threats appears reactive, emphasizing the need for proactive approaches in technology design to safeguard the vulnerable.

Cacti has patched 12 security issues, including two critical vulnerabilities allowing arbitrary code execution. Flaws primarily affect all Cacti versions up to and including 1.2.26, resolved in the recently released version 1.2.27. The two most severe vulnerabilities involve potential SQL injection and file inclusion attacks. Additional critical vulnerabilities previously identified have led to active exploitations, enabling attackers to use Cacti servers to distribute botnet malware. Users are urged to upgrade to the latest version to prevent exploitation, particularly due to publicly available proof-of-concept exploits. The ongoing vulnerability management underscores the importance of regular updates and monitoring in safeguarding network frameworks from emerging threats.

Organizations often skip conducting comprehensive risk assessments before implementing advanced authentication, leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed. Failure to integrate authentication systems properly with existing infrastructure, especially legacy systems, can lead to compatibility issues and security gaps. Reliance on single-factor authentication does not meet current security standards; multifactor authentication is necessary for adequate protection. Overlooking the user experience in authentication design can lead to frustration and poor compliance, jeopardizing the system's effectiveness. Regular monitoring of authentication activities and user behavior is crucial, but often neglected, which hinders the detection of potential threats. Educational programs for users on the importance and use of advanced authentication methods are inadequate, increasing the risk of security breaches. Implementing role-based access controls (RBAC) to ensure that users access only the data and applications necessary for their roles helps in minimizing insider threats.

Cybersecurity researchers have identified an ongoing social engineering scam aimed at enterprise environments. The attackers bombard potential victims with spam emails and follow up with phone calls, posing as the company’s IT support. Impacted users are tricked into installing remote desktop software supposedly to resolve email issues, granting attackers remote access. Once in, threat actors download additional malicious payloads including scripts to establish links with command-and-control servers. The campaign has involved tools like AnyDesk, ConnectWise ScreenConnect, and NetSupport RAT, referencing overlaps with known ransomware groups like Black Basta and FIN7. Although no deployment of ransomware was observed in the studied incidents, the tactics align with those used in broader ransomware and malvertising campaigns. Also mentioned in related research, a new LockBit Black ransomware campaign leverages the Phorpiex botnet to spread high volumes of malicious emails.

Chris Cheyne, SOC Director at SecurityHQ, draws parallels between medieval castle defenses and modern cybersecurity strategies. Cheyne emphasizes the importance of breaking down cyber risks into their components to effectively identify weaknesses. Many organizations fail to fully grasp the scope and potential impact of cybersecurity risks on their operations. The need for a data-driven strategy in cybersecurity risk management is highlighted as being crucial for today's fast-evolving threat environment. Cheyne advocates for quantifying risks, understanding their actual impacts, and determining specific adversary threats. He proposes using a "risk centre" as a central platform to manage and prioritize actions to mitigate cybersecurity risks. SecurityHQ offers round-the-clock managed services including defense, risk management, and security to address these needs.

NHS Digital has issued a warning about active exploits targeting Arcserve UDP software vulnerabilities. Proof of Concept (PoC) code for these vulnerabilities was released by Tenable a day after their initial disclosure in March. The vulnerabilities include a critical authentication bypass, path traversal bug, and a denial of service issue, with CVSS scores up to 9.8. Arcserve UDP is extensively used for data protection and disaster recovery, raising significant concerns about the impact of these vulnerabilities. Despite the urgency, specific details about the observed exploitations or the timing of attacks remain undisclosed. NHS has strongly recommended that organizations patch their systems as advised in Arcserve's published security advisory. The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium has labeled the threats as critical, urging immediate action to patch and monitor systems for potential intrusions. There has been no response from Arcserve regarding whether their customers have been notified about these exploit attempts.

Google urgently updated Chrome to address a high-severity zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2024-4761, affecting its V8 JavaScript engine. This vulnerability, an out-of-bounds write issue, could allow unauthorized data access or arbitrary code execution. The flaw was publicly disclosed as being actively exploited in the wild. This is the sixth zero-day vulnerability in Chrome reported and patched in 2024. Google has already provided fixes via Chrome versions 124.0.6367.207/.208 for Mac/Windows and 124.0.6367.207 for Linux. Chrome users are urged to verify they are using the latest version by checking in the browser's settings and applying updates if needed. Details on the bug and the exploit remain restricted to prevent widespread misuse and allow users time to update. An anonymous researcher initially reported this specific vulnerability to Google on May 9, 2024.

Apple and Google introduced a new feature across iOS and Android platforms to alert users about unauthorized Bluetooth tracking devices. The feature, called "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers" (DULT), is aimed at enhancing user privacy by preventing the misuse of Bluetooth trackers such as AirTags. Users will receive notifications if any unidentified Bluetooth tracking devices are detected moving with them over time, with options to identify and disable these devices. The initiative also includes guidelines and best practices for manufacturers to integrate similar safety features in their products. This development responds to increasing concerns and legal actions regarding the use of such trackers for malicious purposes like stalking. Additionally, this rollout coincides with Apple’s implementation of security updates, including a backported fix for a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-23296) affecting kernel memory protections. Both tech giants emphasized the industry-first nature of this cross-platform solution and its design that incorporates community and industry input.

Apple has updated older iPhone and iPad models with security patches to address an exploited iOS Kernel zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-23296). The zero-day is a memory corruption issue within Apple's RTKit OS, giving attackers expansive kernel access to bypass memory protections. Originally fixed in March for newer devices, the patches are now backported to models including iPhone 8, iPhone X, and certain iPad generations. Although explicit details of the attacks using this vulnerability are undisclosed, such zero-days are often leveraged in state-sponsored espionage against high-risk individuals. Users of older devices are urged to update immediately to prevent potential exploits. In total, Apple has addressed three zero-days so far in 2024, with additional WebKit vulnerabilities patched earlier in the year. The latest iOS update also introduces alerts to inform users of potentially unwanted Bluetooth device tracking.

A new malicious package on the Python Package Index (PyPI) mimics the popular 'requests' library to deliver the Sliver C2 framework to macOS systems. The package, named 'requests-darwin-lite,' uses steganography in a PNG file to covertly install the Sliver payload, which was designed for red team operations and is increasingly adopted by hackers. The attack checks the system's UUID during installation to ensure the payload is delivered to specific targeted macOS devices. Once confirmed, the malicious PNG file executes, releasing the Sliver framework that then runs in the background of the system. Sliver was essentially used for red team operations but has seen a rise in criminal use for network breaches and ransomware attacks since 2022. Following detection by Phylum, the harmful versions of the package were removed from PyPI, although newer versions appeared clean, suggesting targeted rather than widespread attacks. The use of Sliver and techniques like steganography highlights the growing sophistication of cyber threats targeting various operating systems and platforms.

The FCC has designated "Royal Tiger" as its first official robocall threat actor, striving to enhance tracking and legal action against the group. Royal Tiger operates in multiple countries, including India, the UK, UAE, and the US, and has been involved in robocall scams impersonating government bodies and offering fake services. Led by Prince Jashvantlal Anand and Kaushal Bhavsar, this group controls several entities that manage illegal robocall operations in the US. Royal Tiger routed its calls through Great Choice Telecom in Texas, a firm previously hit with heavy fines and regulatory actions for illegal activities. The group's activities are part of a broader FCC initiative, the 'Consumer Communications Information Services Threat' system, which aims to identify and diminish telecom abuse. Enforcement measures might include cease-and-desist orders, removal from databases, and forfeiture orders, depending on the severity of offenses. The FCC encourages reporting of any violations tied to Royal Tiger through new communication channels to improve regulatory responses. Scams like those propagated by Royal Tiger resulted in massive financial losses, particularly hitting the military personnel and senior citizens hard in impostor scams.

"Salfetka," a cybercriminal, is reportedly selling the INC Ransom source code for $300,000 on prominent hacking forums. INC Ransomware, launched in August 2023, has attacked major organizations including the U.S. division of Xerox Business Solutions and Scotland's National Health Service. The sale includes both Windows and Linux/ESXi versions, with purchase limited to three buyers, according to details from KELA via BleepingComputer. The source code's advanced encryption techniques (AES-128 in CTR mode, Curve25519 Donna) match those in public analyses of INC samples. INC Ransom's operational changes and the establishment of a new data leak site suggest potential shifts in leadership or strategy within the ransomware group. KELA analysts suggest that the new site and victim discrepancies indicate a possible split or leadership change within the INC operation. The new extortion page's design similarity to Hunters International raises questions about affiliations between ransomware operations. Private sale of uncrackable ransomware source code could pose increased threats globally, especially the sophisticated Linux/ESXi version.