Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Load More
Trendy Right Now

Popular Posts

Showing posts with label servers. Show all posts
TOR
anonymization Browser Cyber Security Darknet Encryption Network Online Privacy Security servers TOR

Exploring the Tor Network: A Comprehensive Look at Online Anonymity and Privacy

 

The Tor network, originally developed in the early 2000s by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, has been operated since 2006 by the independent non-profit organization, The Tor Project. The project's primary goal is to offer a free method for anonymizing internet traffic. Approximately 85% of The Tor Project’s funding comes from U.S. government entities, while the remaining 15% is sourced from private donations and NGOs.

Tor, which stands for "The Onion Router," functions by routing a user's connection through three randomly selected servers (nodes), layering encryption like the layers of an onion. The destination site only detects the IP address of the final node, called the exit server, masking the user's original address. The system refreshes the connection route every 10 minutes, though the access node remains stable for two to three months.

Data transferred within the Tor network is encrypted until it reaches the exit server. However, users must still encrypt any sensitive information entered on websites, as data exiting the network can be read if it's not further encrypted. To access Tor, users need a specialized browser—like the Tor browser, based on Mozilla Firefox and configured for secure browsing.

With about 6,500 servers currently active worldwide, individuals, companies, and organizations operate these nodes. Any internet user with a DSL connection can set up a Tor node. However, the network's openness can be a vulnerability; if an exit node operator is not vigilant, unencrypted data can be intercepted. Additionally, sophisticated entities, such as intelligence agencies, could potentially track Tor users by analyzing traffic patterns or compromising nodes.

Despite these risks, Tor remains the most secure method of maintaining anonymity online. Around two million people, particularly those in heavily monitored states, use the Tor network daily. The darknet, a collection of hidden websites, also depends on Tor's anonymization for access.
Read more »
Wall Street Market
China Data Breach Financial Data Financial Sector ICBC cyberattack Ransomware Attacks. servers Threat actor Wall Street Market

Ransomware Shakes ICBC: Global Financial Markets on High Alert

In a startling turn of events, Wall Street was rocked by a devastating ransomware attack that affected China's Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the country's biggest lender. The attack disrupted trade and brought attention to the growing threat of cybercrime in the financial sector.

The attack, which targeted ICBC, was not only a significant blow to the bank but also had far-reaching implications on the global financial landscape. Wall Street, closely intertwined with international markets, experienced a temporary halt in trade as the news of the cyber assault reverberated across financial news outlets.

The ransomware attack on ICBC serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most robust financial institutions to sophisticated cyber threats. The attackers, exploiting weaknesses in ICBC's cybersecurity infrastructure, managed to compromise critical systems, causing widespread disruptions and raising concerns about the broader implications for the global financial ecosystem.

As information about the attack unfolded, reports indicated that ICBC struggled to contain the breach promptly. The incident prompted regulatory bodies and financial institutions worldwide to reevaluate their cybersecurity measures, recognizing the urgent need for robust defenses against evolving cyber threats.

The consequences of such attacks extend beyond financial disruptions. They underscore the importance of collaborative efforts among nations and private enterprises to strengthen global cybersecurity frameworks. The interconnected nature of the modern financial system demands a united front against cyber threats, with a focus on information sharing, technological innovation, and proactive defense strategies.

In the aftermath of the ICBC attack, financial markets witnessed increased scrutiny from regulators, urging institutions to fortify their cybersecurity postures. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the industry, emphasizing the need for continuous investment in cybersecurity measures, employee training, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats.

The broader implications of the ICBC ransomware attack are not limited to the financial sector alone. They underscore the need for a collective and proactive approach to cybersecurity across industries, as cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication. As nations and businesses grapple with the aftermath of this attack, it becomes increasingly evident that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that transcends borders and industries.

Read more »
Shell
Atlassian Backdoor Cyber Security Ransomware Attacks. Server Exploit servers Shell

Effluence Backdoor: A Lingering Menace in Atlassian Confluence Servers

According to current cybersecurity developments, despite intensive efforts to patch vulnerabilities in Atlassian Confluence servers, the infamous Effluence backdoor remains a persistent danger. Because of this online shell's invisibility and the possible threats it poses to companies, security experts and researchers have expressed alarm.

Effluence, a covert backdoor identified in Atlassian Confluence servers, has been a focal point in the cybersecurity community due to its ability to evade detection and persist even after patching. Reports from prominent sources like The Hacker News and OPP Today reveal that despite efforts to secure Confluence servers, the Effluence backdoor remains active, allowing unauthorized access and potential exploitation.

TS2 Space, a cybersecurity platform, sheds light on the clandestine nature of the Effluence backdoor, emphasizing its stealthy capabilities. The backdoor's ability to operate without authentication makes it a formidable threat, enabling hackers to infiltrate systems undetected. This characteristic poses a significant challenge for organizations relying on Atlassian Confluence for collaborative work, as the backdoor can potentially compromise sensitive data and lead to severe security breaches.

Aon Cyber Labs has been at the forefront of efforts to detect and mitigate the Effluence backdoor. Their insights into unauthenticated Confluence web shell attacks provide valuable information for organizations looking to fortify their cybersecurity defenses. The challenge lies not only in patching known vulnerabilities but also in actively identifying and eliminating instances of the Effluence backdoor that may have already infiltrated systems.

Concerns have been raised by cybersecurity specialists regarding a possible link between ransomware attacks and Effluence. Effluence poses increased threats, since hackers may use it as a doorway to spread ransomware and extort businesses for money. This rise in risks emphasizes how urgent it is for businesses to take comprehensive and quick action against the Effluence backdoor.

The Effluence backdoor's continued existence is a sobering reminder of the difficulties businesses confront in protecting their digital infrastructure as the cybersecurity scene changes. Proactive patching, ongoing monitoring, and strong detection methods are just a few of the many strategies needed to combat this danger. Preventing possible breaches is crucial for preserving the security and integrity of organizational data in an era where cyber threats are growing more complex.


Read more »
servers
attackers Cloud Servers Crime Cyber Attacks Data Data Safety data security Hacker Groups Ransomware Safety Security servers

Rival Cybercrime Groups Offer Conflicting Accounts of Casino Attack

 

In the latest development, members of the hacking group Scattered Spider have asserted that they were the initial perpetrators of the MGM network breach last week. 

However, the ransomware gang Alphv, also known as Black Cat, countered this claim with a detailed statement on their dark-web platform, insisting that they were the true culprits.

Alphv's statement, while claiming responsibility, left a crucial question unanswered: whether Scattered Spider was acting as an affiliate of Alphv or an independent group utilizing Alphv-developed ransomware. This conflicting narrative is further muddying an already tumultuous news cycle, marked by speculative discussions on social media.

Definitive confirmation regarding the identity of the MGM attacker remains elusive until either the company or law enforcement authorities release public details about the incident. 

Both Scattered Spider and Alphv represent significant cyber threats in their own right, according to experts. Scattered Spider, believed to be comprised of young adults in the U.S. and the U.K., is notorious for employing social engineering tactics in their attacks. 

Charles Carmakal, CTO at Google Cloud's Mandiant, noted their recent use of Alphv's encryption. Their past exploits include a high-profile attack affecting over 130 organizations, resulting in the theft of more than 10,000 employees' login credentials.

Meanwhile, Alphv, thought to be based in Russia, has earned a reputation for conducting ruthless and widespread attacks. Their tactics have included releasing sensitive images from breast cancer patients' examinations while extorting the Lehigh Valley Health Network earlier this year. Notable victims have also included Western Digital and Sun Pharmaceuticals.

In the realm of ransomware, identities are intentionally obscured to hinder law enforcement's efforts to trace attacks back to their source. It's not uncommon for a major ransomware operator to claim credit for an attack initiated by an affiliate. Additionally, a larger group like Alphv could independently carry out an entire attack internally.

Ultimately, MGM, in conjunction with the FBI and third-party cyber incident response firms, will possess the most reliable information regarding the assailant's identity and the specifics of how the breach occurred.
Read more »
Yahoo
Cyber Security Cybersecurity. GitHub Minecraft Password Sensitive Data Leak servers Yahoo

Shockbyte Assures Users of Data Safety Amid Git Leak Incident

 

Minecraft enthusiasts were taken aback by recent reports of a security breach at Shockbyte, one of the leading Minecraft server hosting providers. However, the company has come forward to assure its users that there is no cause for concern regarding their data. The incident, which involved a leak of data through Git, raised eyebrows among the Minecraft community, but Shockbyte quickly took action to address the issue.

The news of the security incident spread rapidly across various tech publications, causing a wave of worry among Shockbyte's user base. TechRadar, CyberNews, and Yahoo! were among the platforms that covered the story, amplifying concerns about potential data compromise. However, it is essential to clarify the company's response and the actions taken to ensure data safety.

Shockbyte promptly acknowledged the situation and undertook a thorough investigation into the incident. The hosting provider determined that the breach occurred through a leak in their Git repository, a widely used version control system. Although Git leaks can be serious, Shockbyte acted swiftly to minimize any potential impact on its users.

In a public statement, Shockbyte reassured its customers that no sensitive personal data, including passwords or payment information, had been compromised. The leaked data primarily consisted of code and configuration files related to server setups. While this incident is undoubtedly concerning, it is important to note that the leaked information does not pose a direct threat to users' personal data or accounts.

The company has taken immediate steps to address the issue and mitigate any potential risks. Shockbyte has thoroughly reviewed its security measures and implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. They have also emphasized the importance of strong passwords and recommended that users change their login credentials as an extra precaution.

Furthermore, Shockbyte has been transparent in its communication with its users throughout the incident. They have actively updated their customers via their official website and social media channels, providing detailed information about the breach and the steps taken to resolve it. By maintaining open lines of communication, Shockbyte has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the trust and confidence of its user community.

As Minecraft continues to captivate millions of players worldwide, the importance of robust server hosting and data security cannot be overstated. Shockbyte's response to the Git leak incident serves as a reminder of the need for constant vigilance in safeguarding user data. The incident has undoubtedly been a learning experience for the company, further strengthening its commitment to data protection and cybersecurity.
Read more »
servers
attacks Backdoor Cyber Security Safety servers

Vietnamese Public Companies Targeted by SPECTRALVIPER Backdoor

 

Vietnamese public companies are facing an ongoing targeted campaign involving the SPECTRALVIPER backdoor. This backdoor, previously undisclosed and in the x64 variant, offers a range of capabilities such as manipulating files, impersonating tokens, and loading PE files. Elastic Security Labs has identified these attacks as the work of REF2754, a threat actor associated with the Vietnamese APT32 group, also known as Canvas Cyclone, Cobalt Kitty, and OceanLotus.

In the latest attack chain, SysInternals ProcDump utility is utilised to load an unsigned DLL file containing DONUTLOADER, which then loads SPECTRALVIPER and other malware. 

SPECTRALVIPER establishes communication with a server controlled by the threat actor to receive commands and employs obfuscation techniques to evade analysis. Additional malware involved in these attacks includes P8LOADER, capable of launching arbitrary payloads from files or memory, and a PowerShell runner named POWERSEAL, which executes provided PowerShell scripts or commands.

REF2754 exhibits tactical similarities to another group known as REF4322, which has targeted Vietnamese entities using the PHOREAL implant. These connections suggest a high likelihood of state-affiliated threats originating from Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Check Point Research has discovered a cyberespionage campaign targeting Libyan organizations, employing a customized backdoor named Stealth Soldier. This malware possesses advanced surveillance capabilities and is believed to be linked to a threat actor known as "The Eye on the Nile."

In the realm of Linux malware, the BPFDoor has received updates to enhance its stealth capabilities, including stronger encryption and improved reverse shell communications. Notably, the latest version of BPFDoor has not been detected as malicious by any currently available antivirus engines for the platform.

SPECTRALVIPER can be compiled as either an executable or DLL to mimic known binary exports. The malware leverages encrypted communication channels (HTTP and named pipe) with AES encryption and either Diffie-Hellman or RSA1024 key exchange. All samples of SPECTRALVIPER undergo heavy obfuscation using the same obfuscator, with varying levels of hardening, making analysis challenging.

Read more »
zero-day
Anonymous Data Breach ICAN Italy Kali Linux PowerShell servers Software Trojan unauthorised access zero-day

Global Ransomware Attack Targets VMware ESXi Servers



Cybersecurity firms around the world have recently warned of an increase in cyberattacks, particularly those targeting corporate banking clients and computer servers. The Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) recently reported a global ransomware hacking campaign that targeted VMware ESXi servers, urging organisations to take action to protect their systems.

In addition, Italian cybersecurity firm Cleafy researchers Federico Valentini and Alessandro Strino reported an ongoing financial fraud campaign since at least 2019 that leverages a new web-inject toolkit called drIBAN. The main goal of drIBAN fraud operations is to infect Windows workstations inside corporate environments, altering legitimate banking transfers performed by the victims and transferring money to an illegitimate bank account.

These accounts are either controlled by the threat actors or their affiliates, who are then tasked with laundering the stolen funds. The fraudulent transactions are often realized by means of a technique called Automated Transfer System (ATS) that's capable of bypassing anti-fraud systems put in place by banks and initiating unauthorized wire transfers from a victim's own computer.

The operators behind drIBAN have become more adept at avoiding detection and developing effective social engineering strategies, in addition to establishing a foothold for long periods in corporate bank networks. Furthermore, there are indications that the activity cluster overlaps with a 2018 campaign mounted by an actor tracked by Proofpoint as TA554 targeting users in Canada, Italy, and the U.K.

Organisations need to be aware of these threats and take immediate action to protect their systems from cyberattacks. The ACN has reported that dozens of Italian organisations have been likely affected by the global ransomware attack and many more have been warned to take action to avoid being locked out of their systems.


Read more »
worm
malware Noxious servers Windows worm

Microsoft Detects Raspberry Robin Worm in Windows Networks

According to Microsoft, a recently detected Windows worm has been discovered on the networks of hundreds of firms from numerous industry sectors. 

The malware, called Raspberry Robin, spreads via infected USB devices and was discovered by Red Canary intelligence experts in September 2021.] In early November, cybersecurity company Sekoia detected it using QNAP NAS devices as command and control servers (C2) servers, while Microsoft stated it discovered harmful artefacts tied to this worm produced in 2019. 

Redmond's findings are consistent with those of Red Canary's Detection Engineering team, which discovered this worm on the networks of several clients, including several in the technology and manufacturing industries. Despite the fact that Microsoft saw the malware communicating to Tor network addresses, the threat actors are yet to exploit the access they gained to their victims' networks. 

As already mentioned, Raspberry Robin is spreading to new Windows frameworks by means of contaminated USB drives containing a noxious .LNK document. When the USB gadget is joined and the user taps the link, the worm brings forth a msiexec interaction utilizing cmd.exe to send off a noxious document put away on the contaminated drive. It infects new Windows gadgets, speaks with its order and control servers (C2), and executes noxious payloads utilizing a few genuine Windows utilities: 
  • fodhelper (a trusted binary for managing features in Windows settings),
  • msiexec (command line Windows Installer component),
  • and odbcconf (a tool for configuring ODBC drivers).
"While msiexec.exe downloads and executes legitimate installer packages, adversaries also leverage it to deliver malware," Red Canary researchers explained. "Raspberry Robin uses msiexec.exe to attempt external network communication to a malicious domain for C2 purposes."

Security specialists who have seen Raspberry Robin in the wild are yet to link the malware to a threat group and are yet dealing with tracking down its administrators' ultimate objective. In any case, Microsoft has labelled this mission as high-risk, considering that the attackers could download and convey extra malware inside the casualties' organizations and heighten their honours anytime.
Read more »
ToddyCat APT
attacks Backdoor Cyber Attacks High Profile Attacks servers ToddyCat APT

Novel ToddyCat APT Attacking Microsoft Exchange Servers

 

ToddyCat APT has been targeting Microsoft Exchange servers in enterprises throughout Asia and Europe since at least December 2020. 

The ToddyCat APT  group boosted its attacks in February 2021 and is looking for unpatched Microsoft Exchange servers with ProxyLogon exploits to launch attacks on. A passive backdoor dubbed Samurai and a new Ninja trojan were identified while following the group's activity. Both types of malware take over compromised devices and migrate laterally throughout networks. 

Some of the organisations infiltrated by the gang in three separate countries were hacked at the same time by other Chinese-backed hackers using the FunnyDream backdoor. High-profile organisations from the government and military sectors are the targeted victims. The group appears to be focused on attaining essential goals that are linked with geopolitical objectives. 

Numerous waves of attacks 

The initial wave of strikes began in December 2020 and ended in February 2021. The group was solely targeting a few government entities in Vietnam and Taiwan at the time. Between February and May 2021, the second round of assaults began targeting organisations in a variety of nations, including Iran, Russia, India, and the United Kingdom. 

The group targeted the same set of nations in the following phase, which lasted through February 2022, as well as communities from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Indonesia. ToddyCat Group has expressed interest in the government and military sectors and is expected to continue operations. 

Organizations should employ threat intelligence services to remain up to date on emerging dangers and defend their networks. Additionally, they should utilise the given IOCs to improve threat detection.
Read more »
Web browser
Browser Chrome Cyber Security data security Google IP Address Network PNA Privacy Security servers Upgrade Web browser

Due to Security Reasons, Chrome will Limit Access to Private Networks

 

Google has announced that its Chrome browser will soon ban websites from querying and interacting with devices and servers inside local private networks, due to security concerns and past abuse from malware. 

The transition will occur as a result of the deployment of a new W3C specification known as Private Network Access (PNA), which will be released in the first half of the year. The new PNA specification introduces a feature to the Chrome browser that allows websites to request permission from computers on local networks before creating a connection.

“Chrome will start sending a CORS preflight request ahead of any private network request for a subresource, which asks for explicit permission from the target server. This preflight request will carry a new header, Access-Control-Request-Private-Network: true, and the response to it must carry a corresponding header, Access-Control-Allow-Private-Network: true,” as perEiji Kitamura and Titouan Rigoudy, Google. 

Internet websites will be prohibited from connecting if local hardware such as servers or routers fails to respond. One of the most important security features incorporated into Chrome in recent years is the new PNA specification. 

Cybercriminals have known since the early 2010s that they can utilize browsers as a "proxy" to relay connections to a company's internal network. For example, malicious code on a website could attempt to reach an IP address such as 192.168.0.1, which is the standard address for most router administrative panels and is only reachable from a local network. 

When users visit a fraudulent site like this, their browser can issue an automatic request to their network without their permission, transmitting malicious code that can evade router authentication and change router settings. 

These types of attacks aren't simply theoretical; they've happened previously, as evidenced by the examples provided here and here. Other local systems, such as internal servers, domain controllers, firewalls, or even locally-hosted apps (through the http://localhost domain or other locally-defined domains), could be targeted by variations of these internet-to-local network attacks. Google aims to prevent such automated attacks by incorporating the PNA specification into Chrome and its permission negotiation system. 

According to Google, PNA was included in Chrome 96, which was published in November 2021, but complete support will be available in two parts this year, with Chrome 98 (early March) and Chrome 101 (late May).
Read more »
Servers hacked
Government Government websites hacked Lake County servers Servers hacked

Lake County government shuts down servers after ransomware attack

After the massive cyberattack in Texas, officials from Lake County, Illinois revealed on Friday, August 23 that the county has been hit by a cyberattack that forced the shutdown of email service and several internal applications.

The officials also mentioned that the breach came in the form of ransomware, which is a type of malware that prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands a ransom payment in order to regain access.

Mark Pearman, director of county's information technology office said that on Thursday, August 22, the IT staff was installing cybersecurity software on 3,000 individual employee laptops and working on the process to remove the ransomware malware from 40 county servers.

The ransomware attack was first noticed by systems administrators on Thursday and to prevent it the IT staff started taking encrypted and unencrypted servers off the network.

However, the official clarified that there was no evidence of data theft from county servers and restoring the systems will take the entire week and more information about the attack will be known by Monday, August 26.

As reported, the IT department is working with the county's cybersecurity contractor, Crowdstrike to conduct a damage assessment. This process includes scanning of all the servers, almost 3,000 computers to determine those infected by the ransomware.

Almost a month ago, LaPorte County, Indiana also suffered a similar breach and the authorities paid a ransom of $132,000 worth of Bitcoins to the hackers to restore the access to affected systems.

Another ransomware hit 22 Texas town governments and recently Louisiana was also forced to declare a state of emergency after some of its school districts' networks were hacked. Now, Texas' 22 town government has become the victim of ransomware.

After all these events, National Guard Chief Gen Joseph Lengyel called the events a "cyber storm." He also mentioned that these multi-state cyber attack reiterates the need for more standardized policies and training for cyber units across the force.
Read more »
servers
Amazon Amazon cloud Card Skimming Card Skimming Malware cloud storage servers

More than 17,000 Domains Affected with Code which Steals Card Data



Cybercriminals running Magecart operations have added payment card skimming code to more than 17,000 domains with JavaScript files in misconfigured Amazon S3 buckets.

Cybercriminals exploited the lack of access control in Amazon's cloud storage services and affected over 17,000 domains via automated attacks which reconstructed JavaScript code randomly, without monitoring if the code could load a payment page.

The exploit came as a part of Megacart operations, originated in the month of April; attackers injected payment card skimming code to a high number of domains with JavaScript files in poorly configured Amazon S3 buckets which granted writing permissions to the person finding them.

According to the security researchers at RiskIQ, the discovery of these S3 buckets had been automated by the authors of the campaign.

Referencing from the findings made by Yonathan Klijnsma, RiskIQ's head of threat research, "Once the attackers find a misconfigured bucket, they scan it for any JavaScript file (ending in .js). They then download these JavaScript files, append their skimming code to the bottom, and overwrite the script on the bucket."

"Even if your bucket has information that anyone can access, it does not mean everyone should be able to modify the content," he added.

The fact that a large number of websites employing Amazon's cloud storage services fell short in fortifying access to the corresponding assets played a major role for Magecart campaign in realizing its malicious objectives.

Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)