Cybersecurity Weekly Recap - January 14th

  • By David Lukic
  • Published: Jan 14, 2022
  • Last Updated: May 18, 2022

The digital attacks on businesses, governments, and other organizations continue to escalate as we transition to the second half of January.  Businesses of all sizes and types are in the crosshairs of digital criminals.  Here’s a quick recap of the cyber-attacks launched this past week.
 

Grass Valley Attack

The California city of Grass Valley was slammed by a digital attack.  The infiltration stole personal information and financial information.  The attack affected everyone from city workers to vendors with business relationships with the city, spouses of city employees, and their dependents.  The attack even stole information from individuals who applied for loans from the city.
 

Router Exposure

A USB kernel bug has exposed some of the most popular routers to a remote code execution, commonly referred to with the acronym of RCE.  The bug stems from a significant security flaw in the KCodes NetUSB kernel module.  This module sets the stage for remote control of routers and USB devices including webcams, printers, and flash drives.  NetUSB is widely used in Netgear, Western Digital, DLink, EDiMAX, and TP-link routers.
 

Night Sky Ransomware

Hackers from China are holding companies' data hostage through Night Sky ransomware.  The ransomware is transmitted through Log4j exploits.  The attack targets businesses in Bangladesh and Japan.  The Chinese hackers have been wreaking havoc dating back to the initial days of the new year, using web-facing systems to transmit the ransomware.  The hacking group is using attack methods ranging from coin miners to hands-on-keyboard.
 

Norton 360 Cryptomining

Norton 360 users should be aware that their antivirus software contains a cryptomining tool.  This tool mines crypto on the user's behalf, providing him or her with 85% of the proceeds.  However, the cryptomining tool chews up energy and slows the computer's functionality.  All Norton 360 users should consider deactivating the built-in cryptomining tool as the potential gains from mining activity probably won't offset the hike in electricity cost.
 

Adobe Cloud Attacks

Hackers are using Adobe Cloud to steal user login credentials for Gmail and Microsoft Office 365.  The digital attackers create accounts on Adobe Cloud suite and transmit PDFs and images that seem harmless yet zero in on unsuspecting Gmail and Microsoft Office 365 users.  The data is stolen by luring targets into clicking links from the cloud and redirecting them to a link that steals login credentials.
 

REvil Ransomware Finally Taken Down

Russian digital security experts have put a stop to REvil attacks.  According to the Russian media, the country's cyber security team raided REvil hideouts, arrested its members, and seized its currency.  The REvil infrastructure is now neutralized.  It is interesting to note the bust came at the request of United States authorities despite the fact that the two countries are at odds with one another.  All in all, 14 supposed cyber criminals were arrested, $5.6 million of cash was confiscated, and 20 luxury automobiles were seized. 
 

WordPress Plugin Risk

Several plugins containing a bug put WordPress sites at serious risk.  Digital security researchers have identified vulnerabilities that set the stage for a complete website takeover.  The plugins used in WordPress sites empower digital attackers to update certain options and obtain control over the site's management.  The specific plugins in question are Login/Signup Popup, Side Cart Woocommerce, and Waitlist Woocommerce.  The plugins have been updated and the weaknesses have been patched.
 

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