In 2023, the cyber world witnessed a significant evolution in downgrade attacks with the appearance of BlackLotus, a UEFI bootkit designed to downgrade the Windows boot manager, effectively bypassing Secure Boot protections. In response, Microsoft released updates to address this vulnerability and reinforce Secure Boot against such attacks. However, questions emerged regarding whether Secure Boot was the only critical system element susceptible to downgrade threats, sparking further investigation into other potential weak points in the Windows operating environment. Focusing on Windows Updates, a core mechanism perceived as one of the least suspicious processes, researchers identified a critical vulnerability that enabled undetectable downgrades. By exploiting weaknesses within the Windows Update flow, they developed a way to bypass the update verification processes, including integrity checks and the Trusted Installer's enforcement. This breach allowed them to downgrade essential OS components, such as DLLs, drivers, and the NT kernel. Following these downgrades, the operating system falsely reported itself as fully updated, while disabling future updates and rendering recovery or scanning tools unable to detect the downgraded and potentially insecure state. Beyond the OS itself, the researchers turned their attention to Windows' virtualization components, discovering that elements such as Hyper-V’s hypervisor, Secure Kernel, and Credential Guard’s Isolated User Mode were equally susceptible to downgrades, exposing previously patched privilege escalation vulnerabilities. They also devised methods to disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), circumventing even the UEFI-enforced locks without physical access. In their presentation, the researchers plan to unveil "Windows Downdate," a tool that manipulates Windows Updates to introduce custom downgrades, effectively resurrecting past vulnerabilities and rendering the term "fully patched" obsolete for Windows systems worldwide. #infosec #cybersec #blackhat #uefi Source: https://lnkd.in/ew4EpnNv
Auxilium Cyber Security
Computer- und Netzwerksicherheit
Ettlingen, Baden-Württemberg 2.860 Follower:innen
Penetrationstests - IoT/Automobilsicherheit - Sicherheitsstrategie - Sicherheitsarchitektur - Simuliertes Phishing
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Auxilium Cyber Security ist ein unabhängiges Beratungsunternehmen für Informationssicherheit, das sich hauptsächlich auf die folgenden Themen konzentriert: - Penetrationstests von IoT-/Automotiveinheiten, Web- und mobilen Anwendungen und ICT-Infrastrukturen von Unternehmen. Unser einzigartiger Ansatz für Penetrationstests ermöglicht die Erstellung sicherer Kodierungsrichtlinien und die Schulung Ihrer Entwickler und IKT-Mitarbeiter, um zu verhindern, dass dieselben Sicherheitsfehler immer wieder auftreten. - Beratung, Entwurf und Implementierung von Informationssicherheitsstrategien nach anerkannten Standards wie ISO27000, NIST Cybersecurity Framework oder PCI-DSS. - Entwurf und Durchführung effizienter Kampagnen zur Sensibilisierung für Informationssicherheit auf der Grundlage simulierter Social Engineering-Angriffe gegen Ihre Mitarbeiter.
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Private Cloud Compute (PCC) is Apple’s latest solution to meet the demand for secure and private cloud processing of computationally intensive requests made by Apple Intelligence. By building on Apple’s robust device security model, PCC extends this high level of protection into the cloud. To foster public trust, Apple has taken the unique approach of allowing external security and privacy experts to inspect PCC’s security architecture. Initially, access to these resources, including the PCC Virtual Research Environment (VRE), was granted to select researchers. With today’s announcement, Apple is expanding this access to all researchers, inviting anyone interested to independently validate the system’s privacy and security capabilities. Alongside the broader availability of PCC’s inspection resources, Apple has released the comprehensive Private Cloud Compute Security Guide. This document provides detailed technical insights into PCC's architecture, explaining how various security mechanisms work together to create a highly private environment for cloud-based AI processing. Key areas covered include the hardware-based foundation of PCC attestations, request authentication protocols that prevent targeted data access, and how Apple maintains full transparency regarding the software running in its data centers. The guide also delves into PCC's resilience against different attack scenarios, offering a thorough explanation of how privacy and security claims hold up under potential threats. To facilitate hands-on analysis, Apple has introduced the PCC Virtual Research Environment (VRE), a powerful toolkit that enables researchers to perform in-depth security investigations of PCC from a Mac. Through the VRE, users can analyze PCC’s node software in a virtual machine, inspect software releases, verify transparency logs, and even test inference capabilities with demonstration models. To further support this research, Apple has made specific PCC source code projects available on GitHub, and has integrated PCC into the Apple Security Bounty program, offering rewards for discoveries that reveal security and privacy vulnerabilities in the platform. These efforts underscore Apple’s commitment to maintaining transparency and trust in its advanced privacy-focused AI solutions. #infosec #cybersec #informationsecurity Source: https://lnkd.in/e7kzd8YF
Blog - Security research on Private Cloud Compute - Apple Security Research
security.apple.com
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Nidec Corporation has announced that its subsidiary, Nidec Instruments Corporation, has experienced a ransomware attack. The company expressed its deep regret over the inconvenience and concerns caused by the incident to business partners and other stakeholders. While no damage has been confirmed to Nidec Corporation or other group companies, the organization is taking immediate steps to recover from the attack and enhance its overall information security posture. Nidec is also focused on preventing future cyber incidents across the entire group. Nidec Instruments Corporation revealed that the cyberattack occurred on May 26, 2024, resulting in the encryption of multiple files on its servers. In response, the company has established a task force and sought guidance from external cybersecurity experts to assess the situation and implement recovery measures. Nidec Instruments promptly reported the attack to law enforcement and other relevant authorities to obtain advice on handling the incident and mitigating potential damage. Although the full extent of the breach is still under investigation, the company is committed to conducting a thorough inquiry. Nidec Instruments has apologized to its business partners and related parties for the disruptions caused by the attack, which has significantly impacted internal business operations. The company is dedicating all necessary resources to resolve the matter swiftly and appropriately. Moving forward, Nidec Instruments will prioritize information security, reinforcing its systems and taking all possible measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. #infosec #cybersec #cybersecurity #infosecurity Source: https://lnkd.in/erE888UU
Security Incident at a Nidec Group Company
nidec.com
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Akamai researchers have identified a new Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack vector involving the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS). By exploiting vulnerabilities in CUPS, attackers can initiate DDoS attacks by sending a single packet to vulnerable and publicly accessible CUPS services. Akamai's Security Intelligence and Response Team (SIRT) has reported over 198,000 devices vulnerable to this attack vector, with more than 58,000 of them potentially exploitable for DDoS amplification. Of particular concern is the discovery that some devices exhibit "infinite loops" of requests, significantly increasing the potential damage. The attack leverages four key vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-47176, CVE-2024-47076, CVE-2024-47175, and CVE-2024-47177), allowing attackers to send crafted Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) requests that manipulate CUPS servers into generating large, malicious IPP/HTTP requests. This results in both the attacker’s target and the vulnerable CUPS server being overwhelmed, consuming bandwidth and processing resources. Akamai's research indicates that the attack can be initiated quickly and cheaply, posing a significant threat to the affected systems. The scale of this vulnerability is further highlighted by the fact that many of the impacted CUPS devices are running outdated versions, making them susceptible to DDoS attacks as well as potential botnet integration. The amplification factor of the attack can vary but can result in significant network traffic floods, with some systems endlessly sending requests until manually stopped. To mitigate this threat, Akamai recommends updating CUPS to the latest version, implementing firewall protections on vulnerable systems, or disabling unnecessary services entirely. #infosec #cyber #cybersec #cybersecurity Source: https://lnkd.in/eXQsySXR
When CUPS Runneth Over: The Threat of DDoS | Akamai
akamai.com
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A major hospital in West Texas, the University Medical Center (UMC) Health System in Lubbock, has been forced to divert emergency and non-emergency ambulances following a ransomware attack that took place last Thursday. The hospital confirmed on Friday that the IT outages they are experiencing are due to a cyberattack, significantly disrupting their operations. UMC, being the only level 1 trauma center within a 400-mile radius, faces critical challenges in providing care while their systems are down, leading to delays in patient services and the need to reroute incoming patients to nearby facilities. In response to the incident, UMC has engaged third-party experts to assist with the investigation and recovery process, though they have not yet provided a timeline for when normal operations will resume. Many of the hospital's clinics remain open but are relying on manual, downtime procedures, leaving staff without access to key systems such as patient portals and radiology services. Patients are being asked to bring physical copies of prescriptions and important medical information, as doctors do not have access to digital records, further contributing to delays and complications in patient care. This attack has raised concerns among healthcare and cybersecurity experts, particularly due to UMC’s critical role in the region. The hospital, which operates on a budget exceeding $800 million and employs around 4,900 people, has faced cybersecurity issues in the past, including a data breach earlier this year. While no ransomware group has taken responsibility for the latest attack, similar incidents have targeted other hospitals across the U.S. Recently, members of Congress proposed legislation aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity defenses of U.S. hospitals by allocating billions in funding and mandating cybersecurity standards and stress testing. #infosec #ransomware #umc #hospital #informationsecurity #cybersec Source: https://lnkd.in/eR39w_id
Crucial Texas hospital system turning ambulances away after ransomware attack
therecord.media
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The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has announced its final decision in an inquiry into Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (MPIL), concerning the storage of user passwords in plaintext without encryption. This inquiry began in April 2019 after MPIL reported the incident to the DPC, acknowledging that certain social media user passwords had been inadvertently stored on its internal systems without cryptographic protection. After submitting a draft decision to the EU’s concerned supervisory authorities in June 2024, the DPC finalized the decision, with no objections raised. On September 26, MPIL was officially reprimanded and fined €91 million for its failure to comply with GDPR requirements. The DPC found that MPIL had violated several GDPR provisions, including Article 33(1) for failing to notify the DPC of the breach, Article 33(5) for not documenting the breach, and Article 5(1)(f) and Article 32(1) for failing to implement adequate technical and organizational measures to protect user passwords. The lack of encryption exposed users’ sensitive data, presenting significant risks to their accounts. Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle highlighted that storing passwords in plaintext is a serious security concern due to the potential for abuse, stressing the sensitivity of the data involved. The decision underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of personal data under the GDPR. Organizations are required to implement appropriate security measures to protect against risks inherent in data processing, particularly when dealing with sensitive information like passwords. MPIL's failure to adhere to these standards resulted in the substantial fine, serving as a reminder of the obligations placed on data controllers to document and report personal data breaches promptly. The full decision and additional details will be made public by the DPC in due course. #infosec #cybersec #cybersecurity #meta #ireland Source: https://lnkd.in/eunXJmEk
Data Protection Commission
dataprotection.ie
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A group of security researchers, including well-known bug bounty hunter Sam Curry, recently uncovered critical flaws in Kia's dealer portal that could have put millions of Kia cars made after 2013 at risk. These vulnerabilities, discovered on June 11th, 2024, allowed hackers to locate and control any Kia vehicle equipped with remote hardware, regardless of whether it had an active Kia Connect subscription. By simply inputting the vehicle's license plate, an attacker could remotely lock or unlock the car, start or stop the engine, and even track its location in under 30 seconds. The flaws also exposed sensitive personal information of car owners, such as their names, phone numbers, and physical addresses. This discovery is part of a broader pattern of vulnerabilities found by the same group of hackers. Almost two years ago, in 2022, Curry and his colleagues identified similar critical weaknesses affecting over a dozen car companies, including luxury brands like Ferrari, BMW, and Porsche. These vulnerabilities could have allowed criminals to remotely access and control more than 15 million vehicles. In both cases, the security flaws highlighted the risks associated with car manufacturers' reliance on connected systems and remote functionalities, raising concerns about the broader security of modern cars. In the case of Kia, the security researchers demonstrated how they were able to register a dealer account on the Kia dealer portal and, once authenticated, generate access tokens that granted them full control over a vehicle's remote commands. Through the dealer API, they could also retrieve the car owner's contact information and modify access permissions, all without the owner's knowledge. While these vulnerabilities have since been patched by Kia, the research underscores the importance of strong security measures in automotive systems, as the risks associated with such flaws could lead to severe consequences if exploited maliciously. #infosec #cybersec #kia #automotive #hacking #researchers Source: https://lnkd.in/epiWtRjx
Hacking Kia: Remotely Controlling Cars With Just a License Plate
samcurry.net
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Money transfer giant MoneyGram has officially confirmed that it suffered a cyberattack after experiencing system outages and receiving customer complaints about service disruptions since Friday, September 20. The company initially referred to the issue as a "network outage" impacting system connectivity but clarified on Monday that a cybersecurity incident was responsible for the disruptions. The company's official statement revealed that upon detecting the issue, they immediately launched an investigation and took protective measures, which included proactively taking systems offline to safeguard their network. MoneyGram, one of the largest money transfer services globally, serves millions of users through its extensive network of 350,000 physical locations across 200 countries, as well as its mobile app and website. The firm processes over 120 million transactions annually, making the system outage and inability to transfer funds particularly concerning for its large customer base. On Friday, customers first reported problems accessing their money or making transfers, and by Saturday, MoneyGram took to social media to inform users of the ongoing connectivity issues, although no further details were initially shared. By Monday, MoneyGram confirmed that the outages were the result of a cyberattack, although specifics regarding the nature of the attack, such as whether it was a ransomware event, have not been disclosed. The company is working with external cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to resolve the issue, but no timeline has been given for when full services might be restored. Given the company's vast reach, a potential data breach could have serious repercussions, though MoneyGram has assured its customers that they are working diligently to address the situation and resume normal operations as soon as possible. #infosec #cybersec #informationsecurity #moneygram #cyberattack Source: https://lnkd.in/eSWE2aKi
MoneyGram (@MoneyGram) on X
x.com
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The Walt Disney Company has decided to stop using Slack for internal communication following a significant data breach that resulted in over a terabyte of company data being leaked to the public. The decision, announced in a memo from Disney’s Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston, comes as the company transitions to a new set of internal collaboration tools designed to be more secure and efficient. Disney informed employees that most of its business units would complete the shift away from Slack by the end of the next fiscal quarter. The data breach, which took place over the summer, exposed sensitive information such as financial records, computer codes, and details about unreleased projects. However, Disney assured investors that the hack would not materially impact its financial performance or operations. Despite this major security incident, Disney continues to rely on other Salesforce products for various aspects of its business. Salesforce, the parent company of Slack, has not publicly commented on the situation. At Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference, CEO Marc Benioff emphasized that while Salesforce takes security seriously, companies need to take their own precautions to prevent breaches, such as protecting against phishing and social engineering attacks. He pointed out that securing internal systems is a shared responsibility between Salesforce and its clients, though he reiterated his confidence in the security measures in place for their products. Benioff also highlighted that Disney still uses Salesforce tools for various operations outside of internal communications, including managing the Disney store, customer service, sales, and its call centers. While the breach has caused Disney to reevaluate its use of Slack, the broader partnership with Salesforce remains intact, ensuring that other key business functions continue to operate seamlessly with Salesforce’s technology. #infosec #cybersec #cybersecurity #slack #disney Source: https://lnkd.in/gkayj_Bc
Disney to ditch Slack following July data breach
cnbc.com
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Since January 2020, GreyNoise Intelligence has been monitoring an enigmatic and troubling phenomenon referred to as "Noise Storms." These massive waves of spoofed internet traffic have baffled cybersecurity experts, with no definitive explanation for their origin or purpose. The spoofed traffic is generated from millions of IP addresses, targeting key infrastructure providers like Cogent and Lumen, while notably avoiding AWS. This level of strategic targeting suggests a sophisticated actor at work, but the motives behind these Noise Storms remain unclear. Experts are investigating whether these could be covert communications, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, or misconfigurations in network systems. Despite years of study, the complexity of the Noise Storms continues to grow, with advanced techniques like Time to Live (TTL) spoofing and operating system emulation making detection and mitigation extremely challenging. The phenomenon primarily impacts TCP connections to port 443 (HTTPS) and ICMP packets, with almost no associated UDP traffic, rendering many conventional detection tools ineffective. Adding further intrigue, a recurring ASCII string reading "LOVE" has been found embedded in the ICMP packets, raising questions about whether this traffic could serve as a covert communication channel. Connections to Chinese platforms like QQ, WeChat, and WePay through an Autonomous System Number (ASN) linked to a Chinese Content Delivery Network (CDN) suggest further obfuscation efforts, complicating the investigation. GreyNoise has outlined potential theories regarding the motivations behind these Noise Storms, including possibilities such as covert communication, sophisticated DDoS attacks, or command and control mechanisms. However, the true nature of these events remains a mystery, underscoring the evolving challenges in modern cybersecurity. GreyNoise continues to investigate this phenomenon and urges security professionals to adapt their defenses to prioritize real-time, actionable intelligence and reduce the impact of false positives, remaining proactive in detecting such complex and evolving threats. The persistence of Noise Storms is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. #infosec #cyber #cybersec Source: https://lnkd.in/eURmcfEr
GreyNoise Reveals New Internet Noise Storm: Secret Messages and the China Connection | GreyNoise Blog
greynoise.io