Publications

LISTEN HERE: AUSCERT “Share Today, Save Tomorrow” Security Culture In this episode, AUSCERT features the following guests: Daisy Wong, FlyBuys David Stockdale, AUSCERT Anthony sits down with Daisy Wong, AUSCERT’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion for 2023 to talk about her unique experience and background which has helped her become a security culture advocate and champion. In the second half of the episode, Bek chats with David Stockdale, Director of AUSCERT for an exciting announcement about a new recruitment opportunity. This episode was hosted by Anthony Caruana and Bek Cheb. Our podcasts aim to provide fascinating insights, great stories from the field and lessons you can take back to your workplace. If you have any ideas or suggestions for what we can talk about, please let us know! The AUSCERT podcast can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

Greetings, This week, AUSCERT has been busy finalising our member meet-up schedule for 2024! Keep an eye out for invitations coming out soon for a catch-up in your local area! They offer invaluable moments of sharing industry expertise, knowledge sharing, and the chance to connect with old friends while making new ones within the cyber security industry. In cyber news this week, customers of some of Australia’s well-known brands including Dan Murphy’s, Binge, Guzman y Gomez, and Event Cinemas have fallen victim to a coordinated credential stuffing attack, affecting an estimated 15,000 customers. Scammers acquired stolen login details and are exploiting online accounts to conduct fraudulent transactions, accumulating thousands in online purchases. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the critical importance of cyber awareness and security during the recent wave of cybercrimes, highlighting the significant threat to Australia and its economic security. A credential stuffing attack like this one involves the use of large sets of username and password combinations obtained from previous data breaches to gain unauthorised access to user accounts on various online platforms. Attackers use automated tools or scripts to test stolen credentials to gain access into different websites or services. If the login attempt is successful, the attacker gains unauthorised access to the user’s account. Attackers may then exploit the compromised account for various malicious activities such as stealing personal information, making unauthorised transactions or launching further attacks. Here are a few helpful tips to protect against credential stuffing attacks: • Reuse of Credentials: – While using strong passwords, passphrases, and password managers is crucial, it's equally important to avoid using the same credentials across multiple platforms. In the event of a data breach on one site or any alternative compromise, your username and password could be exposed, leaving you susceptible to credential-stuffing attacks on other sites. • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): – If possible, enabling MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification along with password. • Regularly Update Passwords: – Users should regularly update their passwords to reduce the risk associated with compromised credentials. • Rate Limiting & CAPTCHA: – Online platforms can implement rate limiting to detect and prevent multiple logins. Additionally CAPTCHA challenges can help stop automated attempts. The above steps are simple ways to enhance your cyber security posture for 2024! GitLab warns of critical zero-click account hijacking vulnerability Date: 2024-01-12 Author: Bleeping Computer [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] [Also see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0272] GitLab has released security updates for both the Community and Enterprise Edition to address two critical vulnerabilities, one of them allowing account hijacking with no user interaction. The vendor strongly recommends updating as soon as possible all vulnerable versions of the DevSecOps platform (manual update required for self-hosted installations) and warns that if there is "no specific deployment type (omnibus, source code, helm chart, etc.) of a product is mentioned, this means all types are affected.” Patch now: Critical VMware, Atlassian flaws found Date: 2024-01-16 Author: The Register [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members for Confluence products (where possible) and contacted them via email] [Also see AUSCERT bulletins: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0290 (Confluence) and https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0292 (VMware)] VMware and Atlassian today disclosed critical vulnerabilities and, while neither appear to have been exploited by miscreants yet, admins should patch now to avoid disappointment. First off, a pair of issues from Atlassian. Most serious is CVE-2023-22527, a template injection flaw that can allow unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE) attacks. It scored a perfect CVSS rating of 10 out of 10 and affects Confluence Data Center and Server 8 versions released before December 5, 2023 and 8.4.5, which no longer receives fixes. Over 178K SonicWall firewalls vulnerable to DoS, potential RCE attacks Date: 2024-01-15 Author: Bleeping Computer [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] Security researchers have found over 178,000 SonicWall next-generation firewalls (NGFW) with the management interface exposed online are vulnerable to denial-of-service (DoS) and potential remote code execution (RCE) attacks. These appliances are affected by two DoS security flaws tracked as CVE-2022-22274 and CVE-2023-0656, the former also allowing attackers to gain remote code execution. Google Warns of Chrome Browser Zero-Day Being Exploited Date: 2024-01-16 Author: Security Week [Please see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0293] Google has pushed out an urgent Chrome browser update to fix a trio of high-severity security defects and warned that one of the bugs is already being exploited in the wild. The exploited zero-day, tagged as CVE-2024-0519, is described as an out-of-bounds memory access issue in the V8 JavaScript engine. As is customary, Google did not provide any additional details on scope of the observed attacks or share telemetry to help defenders hunt for signs of compromise. Citrix warns of new Netscaler zero-days exploited in attacks Date: 2024-01-16 Author: Bleeping Computer [Please see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0318] Citrix urged customers on Tuesday to immediately patch Netscaler ADC and Gateway appliances exposed online against two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities. The two zero-days (tracked as CVE-2023-6548 and CVE-2023-6549) impact the Netscaler management interface and expose unpatched Netscaler instances to remote code execution and denial-of-service attacks, respectively. However, to gain code execution, attackers must be logged in to low-privilege accounts on the targeted instance and need access to NSIP, CLIP, or SNIP with management interface access. Have I Been Pwned adds 71 million emails from Naz.API stolen account list Date: 2024-01-17 Author: Bleeping Computer Have I Been Pwned has added almost 71 million email addresses associated with stolen accounts in the Naz.API dataset to its data breach notification service. The Naz.API dataset is a massive collection of 1 billion credentials compiled using credential stuffing lists and data stolen by information-stealing malware. ASB-2024.0027 – Oracle MySQL: CVSS (Max): 9.8 Oracle has identified multiple vulnerabilities in MySQL and advised that 12 of the vulnerabilities may be remotely exploitable without authentication. ESB-2024.0318 – NetScaler: CVSS (Max): 8.2 Citrix has warned of two critical zero-day vulnerabilities that have active exploitations in the wild. Tracked as CVE-2023-6548 and CVE-2023-6549, the vulnerabilities allow remote code execution and denial-of-service attacks on the affected devices. ESB-2024.0293 – Google Chrome: CVSS (Max): 7.5 Google has pushed out an urgent Chrome browser update to fix three high-severity security defects and advised that one of the bugs, tracked as CVE-2024-0519 is already being exploited in the wild. ESB-2024.0292 – VMware Products: CVSS (Max): 9.9 Tagged as CVE-2023-34063, missing access control problem in Aria Automation earlier of 8.16 has been reported. With a CVSS rating of 9.9 this flaw may allow unauthorized access to remote organizations and workflows. ESB-2024.0290 – ALERT Confluence Data Center and Confluence Server: CVSS (Max): 10.0 Template injection flaw that can allow unauthenticated remote code execution has been identified in Confluence Data Center and Server. Tracked as CVE-2023-22527, the flaw scored a CVSS rating of 10 out of 10. ESB-2024.0272 – ALERT GitLab Community Edition (CE) and GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE): CVSS (Max): 10.0 GitLab has released security updates for both the Community and Enterprise Edition to address two critical vulnerabilities. The most critical issue is the account hijacking with no user interaction vulnerability with the maximum severity score and is being tracked as CVE-2023-7028. Stay safe, stay patched and have a good weekend! The AUSCERT team

Greetings, As the new year is in full swing, and many of us have returned to work, now is a great time to commence the development of our organisational goals and objectives for the year. Cyber security practices should stand as a fundamental pillar within all organisations, given the increased frequency and heightened sophistication of cyber attacks. This week, Microsoft initiated their first Patch Tuesday of the new year, addressing various flaws and vulnerabilities. This serves as a timely reminder for the new year to stay secure and keep your systems patched by addressing these vulnerabilities. Small and medium sized businesses are often the most severely impacted when targeted in cyber attacks. Even a minor incident can have devastating consequences, resulting in significant losses that may be challenging to recover from. Employing robust cyber security measures is crucial for safeguarding financial stability, reputation and ensuring business continuity. The ASD has released a helpful guide for small businesses, offering valuable insights into basic security measures to protect against common security threats. To better prepare consumers, NAB scam experts have shared their top tips to spot the red flags of scam trends predicted to impact Australians in 2024. According to the bank’s fraud and cyber security experts, emerging scams to watch out for include AI voice scams and QR code phishing. The top six scams to be vigilant of: AI voice impersonation scams Term deposit investment scams Remote access scams using chat Romance scams Ticket scams QR code phishing scams NAB has reported a significant rise in AI voice scams, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance in 2024. These scams can be created with as little as three seconds of audio sources from social media posts, voicemails or videos on websites. It is crucial to stay vigilant and promptly report any red flags. NAB has implemented a comprehensive bank-wide strategy to address the global scam epidemic. Make sure to read through it and ensure you are familiar with all the key points! Cisco says critical Unity Connection bug lets attackers get root Date: None Author: Bleeping Computer [Please also see AUSCERT bulletins: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0247 and https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0249 ] Cisco has patched a critical Unity Connection security flaw that can let unauthenticated attackers remotely gain root privileges on unpatched devices. Unity Connection is a fully virtualized messaging and voicemail solution for email inboxes, web browsers, Cisco Jabber, Cisco Unified IP Phone, smartphones, or tablets with high availability and redundancy support. Ivanti patches two exploited zero-day bugs Date: None Author: iTnews [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] Ivanti is warning users against two zero-day vulnerabilities in its Connect Secure VPN devices after they were discovered and disclosed by security researchers from Volexity. Volexity spotted the vulnerabilities while analysing a system that was attacked by a group it dubbed “UTA0178”, which it has “reason to believe … is a Chinese nation-state level threat actor”. The bugs, described here, comprise an authentication bypass and a command injection bug, which can be chained together. Critical Xwiki vulnerability risks RCE attacks Date: None Author: Cyber News Xwiki, an application development platform, has a critical vulnerability that could open it up for remote code execution (RCE) attacks. Xwiki is vulnerable to remote code execution (RCE) attacks through its user registration feature. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-21650 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code by crafting malicious payloads in the “first name” or “last name” fields during user registration. Ivanti warns critical EPM bug lets hackers hijack enrolled devices Date: None Author: Bleeping Computer [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] Ivanti fixed a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in its Endpoint Management software (EPM) that can let unauthenticated attackers hijack enrolled devices or the core server. Ivanti EPM helps manage client devices running a wide range of platforms, from Windows and macOS to Chrome OS and IoT operating systems. The security flaw (tracked as CVE-2023-39366) impacts all supported Ivanti EPM versions, and it has been resolved in version 2022 Service Update 5. Cybersecurity trends and challenges to watch out for in 2024 Date: None Author: We Live Security What are some of the key cybersecurity trends that people and organizations should have on their radars this year? As 2024 dawns, it's time to look ahead to the challenges that are set to face people and organizations across the world this year. In this week's video, ESET Chief Security Evangelist Tony Anscombe looks at: how the upcoming presidential election in the US comes into play why small and medium-sized businesses in particular should be on their guard the ransomware landscape the AI cybersecurity conundrum expected developments in cybersecurity legislation Android’s January 2024 Security Update Patches 58 Vulnerabilities Date: None Author: Security Week [Please also see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2024.0092] The first part of Android’s January 2024 update, which arrives on devices as the 2024-01-01 security patch level, addresses ten security holes in the Framework and System components, all rated ‘high severity’. “The most severe of these issues is a high security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed,” Google notes in its advisory. ESB-2024.0219 – ALERT Security Director Insights: CVSS (Max): 10.0 Juniper Networks has released Security Director Insights 23.1R1 to address critical vulnerabilities in 3rd party libraries. Juniper Networks has also released information on how to mitigate the issues. ESB-2024.0149 – Splunk Enterprise Security: CVSS (Max): 9.8 Splunk Enterprise Security Third-Party Package Updates for January 2024 fix common vulnerabilities and exposures identified in Third Party Packages. Splunk administrators are urged to update Splunk Enterprise Security to versions 7.1.2, 7.2.0, 7.3.0 or higher. ASB-2024.0008 – Microsoft Windows Products: CVSS (Max): 9.0* Microsoft's first patch update for the new year resolves 40 vulnerabilities across Windows and Windows Server. This includes two critical Security Feature Bypass and Remote Code Execution flaws. ESB-2024.0249 – ALERT Cisco Unity Connection: CVSS (Max): 7.3 Cisco Systems has released patches to address a critical vulnerability in the Unity Connection unified messaging and voicemail solution. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-20272, has the potential to be remotely exploited without authentication. If successfully exploited, it could allow unauthorized individuals to upload arbitrary files, execute commands on the underlying operating system, and gain elevated privileges to root. ESB-2024.0171 – Adobe Substance 3D Stager: CVSS (Max): 5.5 Adobe has recently released an update for Adobe Substance 3D Stager that targets and resolves significant vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, if successfully exploited, could result in memory leaks and the execution of arbitrary code within the current user's context. It is highly recommended to install this update to ensure the security and stability of Adobe Substance 3D Stager. Stay safe, stay patched and have a good weekend! The AUSCERT team

Membership Services and Benefits   AUSCERT provides members with proactive and reactive advice and solutions to current threats and vulnerabilities. We’ll help you prevent, detect, respond and mitigate cyber-based attacks. As a not-for-profit security group based at The University of Queensland, AUSCERT provides a range of comprehensive services to strengthen your cyber security strategy. AUSCERT services are split across three capability pillars: Incident Support, Vulnerability Management and Threat Intelligence. These services are all included in AUSCERT Membership. Incident Support Incident Support – Assists your organisation to detect, interpret and respond to attacks from around the world. Includes access to our highly skilled team of analysts and developers who are available through email, Slack or a 24/7 hotline. Phishing Takedown – Designed to help your organisation with targeted phishing, spear phishing and whaling attacks. Vulnerability Management Security Bulletins – Provides information on threats and vulnerabilities affecting a range of platforms, applications and devices. Member Security Incident Notifications – Customised composite security report containing incident notifications relevant to your organisation’s domains and IP ranges. Proactively informs about security incidents affecting your organisation’s data, systems or networks. Early Warning SMS – Receive SMS notifications for the most critical security threats and vulnerabilities. Threat Intelligence AusMISP – Our MISP service provides threat indicators acquired from trusted communities and organisations to enhance your cyber security posture. Malicious URL Feed – AUSCERT provides a list of active phishing, malware, malware logging or mule recruitment web sites which can added to your firewall blacklist. Sensitive Information Alert – Alert notification for sensitive material and breached credentials found online by our analyst team which specifically targets your organisation. Additional Benefits Member benefits for the annual AUSCERT Cyber Security Conference, Australia’s longest running information security conference. The next conference will be held on 21-24 May 2024 at The Star Gold Coast. Further details are available here: https://conference.auscert.org.au/ Reduced registration price (available to all members) 50% off one conference registration or 1-day registration (small members) One or more conference registrations (medium members and above). Member pricing for AUSCERT’s range of cyber security training courses. Course information, pricing and calendar are available here: https://wordpress-admin.auscert.org.au/services/auscert-education/ Access to AUSCERT member meetups, workshops and events. Download AUSCERT Membership Services & Benefits.pdf

Greetings, As the calendar turns the page to the dawn of 2024 a sense of excitement and anticipation fills the air. The arrival of the new year symbolises a journey towards development and progression for every one of us. We stand prepared to embrace new challenges, learn from the past and propel ourselves forward into an era of growth and prosperity. Just as individuals set resolutions for the new year to pursue good health and fortune, businesses must also create resolutions for improved cybersecurity practices. In our rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, the year ahead promises both ground-breaking strides and the continuous evolution of technology advancements. As organisations gear up to defend against ever-more-sophisticated cyber threats, the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning has elevated threats to new heights. Collaboration is a cornerstone in the cyber realm, as information sharing among industries, governments, and security communities becomes integral to staying one step ahead of cyber threats. The exchange of threat intelligence, best practices and incident response strategies becomes integral to creating a resilient defence ecosystem. The start of 2024 emphasizes the need for a united front against cyber-attacks, as threats become increasingly borderless and interconnected. Therefore our theme for AUSCERT2024 is “Pay it Forward,” as it highlights the importance of passing it forward by demonstrating how shared knowledge and collaboration can create a ripple effect, strengthening the entire field of cyber security. Cyber Conferences serve as an invaluable platform to cultivate new relationships, establish improved communication channels, and facilitate information sharing across organisations and the broader community. Join us at AUSCERT2024 and discover the power of amplifying your impact in the realm of cyber security. The theme for this year highlights the significant influence that everyone’s action can carry within the broader cyber community. We are already hard at work, developing a ground-breaking program of tutorials and presentations, so keep your eyes peeled for more updates. Please note Call for Presentations closes on the 29th of January. We encourage you to submit as soon as possible! Critical Apache OFBiz Vulnerability in Attacker Crosshairs Date: 2024-01-29 Author: Security Week [Please also see AUSCERT bulletin: ASB-2024.0001.2 ] The Shadowserver Foundation has been seeing attempts to exploit a critical vulnerability affecting the Apache OFBiz open source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Apache OFBiz is leveraged by several ERP and other types of projects, including the widely used Atlassian Jira issue tracking and project management software. The nonprofit cybersecurity organization Shadowserver reported seeing signs of in-the-wild exploitation for an Apache OFBiz vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-49070 shortly after details of a different OFBiz bug, CVE-2023-51467, were disclosed by SonicWall. Barracuda Zero-Day Used to Target Government, Tech Organizations in US, APJ Date: 2024-01-28 Author: Security Week [ AUSCERT has shared the indicators of compromise associated with CVE-2023-7102 through MISP.] The recently disclosed vulnerability affecting Barracuda Email Security Gateway (ESG) appliances has been exploited as a zero-day to target government, high-tech and IT organizations, according to Mandiant. The ESG vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-7102, is an arbitrary code execution flaw impacting ‘Spreadsheet::ParseExcel’, an open source library used by ESG devices to check Excel email attachments for malware Victoria State's court suffers 'unsettling' and 'distressing' cyber hack Date: 2024-01-02 Author: 9 News Victoria's court system has confirmed that it suffered a cyberattack, with bosses admitting it could be "unsettling" and "distressing" for those affected. Court Services Victoria said "unauthorised access" was gained to the courts audiovisual technology network just before Christmas. It means hackers have got hold of some video and audio recordings as well as transcriptions of court proceedings from between November 1 and December 21. Mandiant’s account on X hacked to push cryptocurrency scam Date: 2024-01-03 Author: Bleeping Computer The Twitter account of American cybersecurity firm and Google subsidiary Mandiant was hijacked earlier today to impersonate the Phantom crypto wallet and share a cryptocurrency scam. "We are aware of the incident impacting the Mandiant X account and are working to resolve the issue," a Mandiant spokesperson told BleepingComputer. The law enforcement operations targeting cybercrime in 2023 Date: 2024-01-01 Author: Bleeping Computer In 2023, we saw numerous law enforcement operations targeting cybercrime operations, including cryptocurrency scams, phishing attacks, credential theft, malware development, and ransomware attacks. While some of these operations were more successful than others, law enforcement has been increasingly using hack-back tactics to infiltrate operations and disrupt them. 21 New Mac Malware Families Emerged in 2023 Date: 2024-01-03 Author: Security Week A total of 21 new malware families designed to target macOS systems were discovered in 2023, according to Patrick Wardle, a researcher specializing in the security of Apple devices. Wardle has published a blog post analyzing the new malware families that emerged last year and the total number represents an increase of over 50% compared to 2022. For each of the new malware families, Wardle’s blog describes the infection vector, persistence mechanism, features, and purpose. Malware samples have also been made available. ASB-2024.0001 – Apache OFBiz AUSCERT has recently issued its initial ASB for the year, which highlights an important security concern. The bulletin addresses an Authentication Bypass vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-51467, affecting Apache OfBiz. To ensure the safety of your systems, AUSCERT strongly advises its members who utilize OfBiz to promptly update to the recommended version. ESB-2024.0093 – Google Chrome: CVSS (Max): None Several vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome. These vulnerabilities have the potential to be exploited by remote attackers, leading to remote code execution and denial of service of the affected system. Google has released patches to mitigate these issues. ESB-2024.0092 – Android: CVSS (Max): 9.8* Multiple vulnerabilities have been identified in Android devices, with one of the most critical being a high-security vulnerability found in the Framework component. This particular vulnerability has the potential to result in a local escalation of privilege, requiring no additional execution privileges. It is crucial to address this issue promptly to ensure the security of the Android devices. ESB-2024.0096 – IBM Cloud Pak System Software: CVSS (Max): 9.8 IBM has recently released an advisory reporting a vulnerability in its WebSphere Application Server Pattern which can impact IBM Cloud Pak System. IBM has released updates to address the issue. ESB-2024.0108 – Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation: CVSS (Max): 9.8 An Out-of-Bounds Write flaw has been detected in Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Activation Manager, which if exploited could result in an attacker gaining full access to the system. Users of the affected software are strongly recommended to promptly implement the necessary risk mitigations. Stay safe, stay patched and have a good weekend! The AUSCERT team

Greetings, As the final workday is here, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible year we’ve had! AUSCERT2023 stands out as a massive success, featuring world-renowned speakers such as the impressive Rachel Tobac, who shared valuable insights on the importance of social engineering. If you wish to revisit any treasured memories from this year’s conference remember that the recordings are available on our YouTube channel. Fond memories were forged with our valued members across various cities, as we engaged in discussions about our services and exchanged valuable feedback. Notably, celebrating the milestone of turning 30 added another layer of significance to this remarkable year. Our 30 Years 30 Stories campaign, made this even more special as we shared beautiful stories from our valued community, members, and staff. As we persist in our journey of growth and prosperity, we eagerly anticipate what the next year holds for us. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this year truly unforgettable. If you are looking for something interesting to listen to while you wrap up your day, we have released a new episode of ‘Share Today Save Tomorrow’ this week! In episode 29, Anthony sits down with former AUSCERT employee Chris from Cosive to discuss Cyber Threat Intelligence, emphasizing the importance of information and why context matters so much. Also to conclude, a friendly reminder to our members that our 24/7 hotline will remain open if any emergencies arise over the break. We will be staffing it as usual, so please don’t hesitate to reach out! 3CX Urges Customers to Disable Integration Due to Potential Vulnerability Date: 2023-12-18 Author: Security Week [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] Business communication company 3CX is urging customers to disable SQL database integrations to prevent a vulnerability that occurs in certain configurations. In a security advisory published on Friday, the company revealed that 3CX versions 18 and 20 are impacted by an integration bug. “Only 0.25% of our user base have sequel integrated. It’s an old-style integration meant for an on-premise firewall secured network. Nevertheless, if you are using an SQL database integration, it’s subject potentially to a vulnerability – depending upon the configuration,” the company said. Before you go away for Xmas: You've patched that critical Perforce Server hole, right? Date: 2023-12-19 Author: The Register Four vulnerabilities in Perforce Helix Core Server, including one critical remote code execution bug, should be patched "immediately," according to Microsoft, which spotted the flaws and disclosed them to the software vendor. Perforce Server is a source code management platform used across gaming, government, military, and tech sectors. Microsoft operates GitHub, also a widely used source code management platform, among other services that compete against Perforce. Ivanti releases patches for 13 critical Avalanche RCE flaws Date: 2023-12-20 Author: Bleeping Computer [AUSCERT has identified the impacted members (where possible) and contacted them via email] Ivanti has released security updates to fix 13 critical security vulnerabilities in the company's Avalanche enterprise mobile device management (MDM) solution. Avalanche allows admins to manage over 100,000 mobile devices from a single, central location over the Internet, deploy software, and schedule updates. As Ivanti explained on Wednesday, these security flaws are due to WLAvalancheService stack or heap-based buffer overflow weaknesses reported by Tenable security researchers and Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative. Google fixes 8th Chrome zero-day exploited in attacks this year Date: 2023-12-20 Author: Bleeping Computer [Please see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2023.7619] Google has released emergency updates to fix another Chrome zero-day vulnerability exploited in the wild, the eighth patched since the start of the year. "Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2023-7024 exists in the wild," a security advisory published Wednesday said. The company fixed the zero-day bug for users in the Stable Desktop channel, with patched versions rolling out worldwide to Windows users (120.0.6099.129/130) and Mac and Linux users (120.0.6099.129) one day after being reported to Google. Microsoft Warns of Storm-0539: The Rising Threat Behind Holiday Gift Card Frauds Date: 2023-12-16 Author: The Hacker News Dec 16, 2023 Newsroom Online Security / Cybercrime Holiday Gift Card Frauds Microsoft is warning of an uptick in malicious activity from an emerging threat cluster it's tracking as Storm-0539 for orchestrating gift card fraud and theft via highly sophisticated email and SMS phishing attacks against retail entities during the holiday shopping season. The goal of the attacks is to propagate booby-trapped links that direct victims to adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) phishing pages that are capable of harvesting their credentials and session tokens ESB-2023.7574 – Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Forms on JEE: CVSS (Max): 9.8 Adobe has recently issued security updates for AEM Forms on JEE versions 6.5.19.0 and earlier. These updates address a critical vulnerability that, if exploited, could potentially result in arbitrary code execution. ESB-2023.7491.2 – UPDATE Cisco Products: CVSS (Max): 9.8 Cisco has advised that it is investigating its product line to identify any potential impact from the vulnerability in Apache Struts. As a part of this effort, a table of vulnerable products has been added to the advisory that was initially released on 14 December 2023. ESB-2023.7619 – Google Chrome: CVSS (Max): None Google has released emergency updates to fix a zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome that may be exploited in the wild. It is strongly recommended to apply these updates to protect against any potential threats. ESB-2023.7573 – Apache Struts: CVSS (Max): 9.8 While F5 products remain unaffected by the Apache Struts vulnerability (CVE-2023-50164), F5 Networks has still released an advisory regarding this vulnerability due to its critical nature. This proactive measure aims to inform and raise awareness among users about the potential risks associated with the vulnerability. ESB-2023.7616 – macOS Sonoma: CVSS (Max): None A session rendering issue has been resolved through improved session tracking in macOS Sonoma 14.2.1. This update addresses the issue where users who share their screen may unintentionally share incorrect content. Stay safe, stay patched and have a good weekend! The AUSCERT team

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Mark Chin Valuing the trusted and easily accessible information provided by AUSCERT, Mark Chin reflects on why he remains an AUSCERT member. As a Security Specialist at Carsales.com, receiving up-to-date information regarding threats and phishing tactics is a must. Mark recommends all organisations do their research into the services AUSCERT provides. How did you first become involved with AUSCERT? Initially, I learned of AUSCERT through my organisation’s membership. At first I didn’t know what membership entailed, until my colleagues showed me how to request phishing domain takedowns with AUSCERT. That’s how I initially started engaging with AUSCERT, and they’ve been great ever since. Having someone who can investigate suspicious emails or share them amongst their community to triage a solution has been amazing. What AUSCERT service do you use the most? Apart from the phishing takedowns, I am also part of the Slack channel. The channel is good for finding out what the latest ransoms are circulating to the public. It’s a great forum for networking and being able to ask the questions you don’t have answers to. How has AUSCERT evolved over the years? I haven’t been around long enough to observe changes in AUSCERT, but being around for 30 years, you must be doing something right. What I like about AUSCERT is that it’s a neutral organisation. You’re not competing with a vendor or coming from the government. People are more open to working with AUSCERT and networking with AUSCERT members due to this. What advice would you give to someone considering an AUSCERT membership? Start by doing your research into AUSCERT and gaining knowledge of the services they provide to see what’s on offer. What does the future hold for AUSCERT? I hope AUSCERT sticks around and can continue to support its members. How has your AUSCERT membership impacted your organisation? In a very positive way – we have a lot of threat intel coming through from AUSCERT. This is through the bulletins that share new vulnerabilities. AUSCERT has its finger on the pulse and is a trusted source of information. Rather than trying to find information, you can see similar organisations encountering the same issues.  

LISTEN HERE: AUSCERT “Share Today, Save Tomorrow” CTI – The importance of information and why context matters In this episode, AUSCERT features the following guests: Chris Horsley, Cosive David Stockdale, AUSCERT Anthony sits down with previous AUSCERT employee Chris from Cosive to discuss Cyber Threat Ingelligence, the importance of information and why context matters so much. In the second half of the episode, Bek chats with David Stockdale, Director of AUSCERT to reflect on the past 12 months achievements and celebration of 30 years of AUSCERT. This episode was hosted by Anthony Caruana and Bek Cheb. Our podcasts aim to provide fascinating insights, great stories from the field and lessons you can take back to your workplace. If you have any ideas or suggestions for what we can talk about, please let us know! The AUSCERT podcast can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Megan Cox As AUSCERT’s Event Coordinator, Megan Cox knows a thing or two about what it’s like to be part of the Australian cyber security community. Reflecting on the positive culture of AUSCERT and the cybersecurity industry, Megan encourages people from all walks of life to become a member. Getting to share this space with great people is what drives Megan’s passion as she shares her voice in the AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories series. What is your favourite highlight about the AUSCERT conference? The conference is a truly unique experience. At its essence, it is a bunch of industry professionals getting together from across Australia and internationally, which is cool to see. I don’t come from a cyber background, so it was interesting for me to learn a lot in a very short amount of time about the industry. I get to meet so many great people who are members, prospective members, and conference attendees, and we get the great opportunity to tell them more about AUSCERT. What attracted you to work for AUSCERT? All of the reviews online regarding AUSCERT as an organisation were highly positive. At the time I was looking for an opportunity like this, and wanted a role that had a nice culture that supported its people, and encouraged staff to have career progression. When I saw that AUSCERT had the backing of UQ, I was like, “Oh, that can only be a good organisation.” What is your most significant highlight from your time working with AUSCERT? Besides the podcast, it’s the little bits and bobs we do on the sides like the monthly wine and cheese nights. I love getting to know everyone in our office in a more casual atmosphere. As a woman in the industry, what would you say to other young professional women wanting to enter the industry and are hesitant about the barriers? What words of encouragement would you give them? I can understand 100% where they’re coming from. I think that of all the male-dominated industries, cyber is probably the most accepting of anyone and everyone. Giving it a go is probably the best advice there is for any profession. If it’s not for you, then it’s not for you, but at least you know you’re not going to sit there in 50 years and wonder “What could have been”?    

Greetings, Spear phishing is experiencing a significant surge, marked by a rise in both prevalence and sophistication. Cyber Criminals employ highly targeted techniques to deceive their victims, demonstrating a precision that focuses on specific individuals or organisations. The particularly concerning aspect of these attacks lies in their high success rate, attributed to their effectiveness in appearing genuine. A joint advisory from key nations – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, highlights the spear phishing techniques employed by the Russian state-based actor, Star Blizzard. This advisory aims to raise awareness regarding the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by cyber adversaries to target individuals and organisations globally. Notably these techniques are commonly directed at sectors such as academia, defence, governmental organisations, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organisations), and political figures. While Star Blizzard has predominately targeted the UK and US, the advisory serves as a global warning, urging everyone to remain vigilant. The evolving nature of these attacks necessitates a collective effort to stay informed and proactive against the growing threats. The advisory provides valuable insights into spear-phishing campaigns and offers guidance on recognising potential signs of deception. In spear-phishing campaigns, cybercriminals gather detailed information about their targets including names, titles, and relationships. This level of personalisation makes these phishing attempts more convincing and challenging to identify. The perpetrators often impersonate high-ranking executives of trusted individuals within an organisation, manipulating employees into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that could compromise security. The emails appear very legitimate as they often use cloned email templates from the target organisation, increasing the likelihood that recipients will trust and act upon them. This method usually involves social engineering tactics, manipulating human psychology to exploit trust or authority. Attackers may leverage information from social media, organisational information, or other sources to craft convincing and targeted messages. Staying informed about these tactics and remaining vigilant are crucial steps in fortifying defences against such deceptive cyber threats. Empower your employees by allocating resources for training and investing in broader education and awareness initiatives. Head to our website for more information on upcoming training courses for 2024! Adobe Patches 207 Security Bugs in Mega Patch Tuesday Bundle Date: 2023-12-12 Author: Security Week [Please see AUSCERT Bulletins: ESB-2023.7419, ESB-2023.7418, ESB-2023.7413] Adobe warned users on both Windows and macOS systems about exposure to code execution, memory leaks and denial-of-service security issues. Software maker Adobe on Tuesday rolled out fixes for code execution flaws in the enterprise-facing Illustrator, Substance 3D Sampler and After Effects products. Microsoft December 2023 Patch Tuesday fixes 34 flaws, 1 zero-day Date: 2023-12-12 Author: Bleeping Computer [Please see AUSCERT Bulletins: ASB-2023.(0230 – 0235)] Today is Microsoft's December 2023 Patch Tuesday, which includes security updates for a total of 34 flaws and one previously disclosed, unpatched vulnerability in AMD CPUs. While eight remote code execution (RCE) bugs were fixed, Microsoft only rated three as critical. In total, there were four critical vulnerabilities, with one in Power Platform (Spoofing), two in Internet Connection Sharing (RCE), and one in Windows MSHTML Platform (RCE). Critical Vulnerability in popular Java framework Apache Struts2 Date: 2023-12-14 Author: ACSC [Please see AUSCERT bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2023.7339.2] A Critical RCE vulnerability has been found in the Apache Struts2 Framework with ‘flawed file upload logic’. This can allow a temporary file upload to instead be uploaded to any directories and allow execution, such as the deployment of a web shell. Patches have been released for the framework itself, but mitigation will also require vendors applying these patches in all applications which use the framework. This includes multiple enterprise-oriented web applications. Exploitation attempts have been observed globally. UniFi devices broadcasted private video to other users’ accounts Date: 2023-12-15 Author: Ars Technica Users of UniFi, the popular line of wireless devices from manufacturer Ubiquiti, are reporting receiving private camera feeds from, and control over, devices belonging to other users, posts published to social media site Reddit over the past 24 hours show. “Recently, my wife received a notification from UniFi Protect, which included an image from a security camera,” one Reddit user reported. “However, here's the twist—this camera doesn't belong to us.” WordPress 6.4.2 Patches Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Date: 2023-12-08 Author: Security Week WordPress last week released a security update for the popular content management system (CMS) to address a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. The flaw addressed in the open source CMS is a property oriented programming (POP) chain issue introduced in WordPress core 6.4. It can be combined with a different object injection flaw, allowing attackers to execute PHP code on vulnerable websites. Apple Ships iOS 17.2 With Urgent Security Patches Date: 2023-12-11 Author: Security Week [Please see AUSCERT Bulletin: https://portal.auscert.org.au/bulletins/ESB-2023.7367] Apple on Monday rolled out security-themed iOS and iPadOS refreshes to address multiple serious vulnerabilities that expose mobile users to malicious hacker attacks. The newest iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 contains fixes for at least 11 documented security defects, some serious enough to lead to arbitrary code execution or app sandbox escapes. ASB-2023.0230 – ALERT Microsoft Windows: CVSS (Max): 8.8 Microsoft has released its monthly security patch update for December 2023 which resolves 25 vulnerabilities in Windows and Windows Server. ESB-2023.7367 – iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2: CVSS (Max): 7.1* The newest iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 rollout addresses a number of security issues , some serious enough to lead to arbitrary code execution or app sandbox escapes. ESB-2023.7339.2 – UPDATE Apache Struts: CVSS (Max): None A Critical RCE vulnerability has been found in the Apache Struts2 which has been exploited in the wild. Patches have been released and it is strongly recommended that IT Administrators take immediate action to apply these patches and ensure the security of their systems. ESB-2023.7344 – WordPress: CVSS (Max): None WordPress has released WordPress 6.4.2. for the popular content management system to address a remote code execution vulnerability. Site owners and administrators are advised to update to the fixed CMS version as soon as possible. ESB-2023.7413 – Adobe Illustrator: CVSS (Max): 7.8 Adobe has released an update for Adobe Illustrator 2023 and 2024. This update resolves critical vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution. Stay safe, stay patched and have a good weekend! The AUSCERT team

Meet Joshua Finley, Data Centre Services Engineer at the Port of Melbourne. Having had personal experience with AUSCERT through website security and later with AUSCERT’s partnership with the Port of Melbourne, Joshua explains why he finds the membership to be well worth his time and money. Read on to find out more about Joshua’s AUSCERT connection. How did you first become involved with AUSCERT? For a long time, I hosted a large variety of websites, and back then, there wasn’t a great deal of cybersecurity resources. I became an AUSCERT member because I was looking for some help. Luckily when I started at the Port of Melbourne, as critical national infrastructure, they were already members and I got to pick up and run with our membership. What are the key benefits you’ve experienced as an AUSCERT member? Meeting the community in Melbourne has been super helpful; being able to network, and additionally receive timely alerts and notifications about the latest threats is very important. Lastly, having a point of contact to reach out to if we ever get into any trouble is reassuring. What advice would you give to someone who isn’t already an AUSCERT member? Simply, become a member and don’t think about it. We use the notification and alarms extensively and I also find the threat feed very useful. Also it’s very helpful having a point of contact to reach out to if we ever find ourselves in trouble. Looking ahead, what do you think the future holds for AUSCERT? There’s a huge space that AUSCERT could play in by extending services to a variety of non-government organisations as these organisations don’t have the footprint to do it themselves. What do you believe sets AUSCERT apart from other organisations in the cybersecurity space? Being non-for-profit, the motivations behind AUSCERT are true and pure – you don’t get this with a commercial organisation. Having a non-commercial partner  

  AUSCERT 30 Years 30 Stories – Mark Jackson Viewing the AUSCERT membership as a two-way value exchange, Mark Jackson hopes to put in just as much as he receives working alongside AUSCERT. As the Security Services Lead at MYOB, providing tax, accounting, and other business services to multiple individuals and companies across Australia, Mark’s AUSCERT story spans years. How did you first become involved with AUSCERT, and what motivated you to become a member? I’ve worked in many different organisations and at one in particular, I was prompted to investigate AUSCERT and sign up. Many years later, I’ve crossed multiple organisations and am still a member. What are some of the key benefits and experiences of an AUSCERT membership? The key services that I’ve used across my career are AUSCERT’s threat and vulnerability intelligence, along with takedown services. These services have been invaluable to the workplaces I’ve been a part of providing guidance through various incidents, good advice, and leading us to the right people to workshop a solution. How has AUSCERT evolved over the years, and what changes have you seen in the cybersecurity landscape that have affected the organisation’s work? Back in the day, cybersecurity was only attached to infrastructure. Just about every company needs to mature to deal with today’s challenges. The services AUSCERT offers and how they approach security have changed to match modern threats. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an AUSCERT member? Be sure to lean on the network and stay in contact. Like anything, you get out what you put in. Looking ahead, what do you think the future holds for AUSCERT, and how do you see the organisation continue to play a role in the cybersecurity community? Given the depth and breadth of AUSCERT’s connections within the community, the organisation’s pool of information will be highly valuable. It’s the community that gives AUSCERT a much broader picture of things that might impact individual companies that they might not see otherwise. What do you believe sets AUSCERT apart from other organisations in the cybersecurity space? AUSCERT’s connection to a wider set of industries and partnerships than cybersecurity silos is their most significant drawcard. AUSCERT collates a broader view of the threats that are out there and what’s happening in general.