DHS Alerts to Continuing Browser Cookie Vulnerabilities

In case didn’t know or need a reminder, browser cookies aren’t exactly impervious to attack. The DHS-sponsored CERT at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University this week dropped an alert that warns users about the continued prevalence of a class of cookie vulnerabilities...

Filet-o-Firewall UPnP Security Vulnerability in Home Routers

Security vulnerabilities in UPnP continue to crop up and continue to put millions of home networking devices at risk for compromise. The latest was revealed in early August, but prompted an advisory yesterday from the DHS-sponsored CERT at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon...

Microsoft Releases Critical Security Update for Internet Explorer

Microsoft has released a critical security update to address a vulnerability in Internet Explorer. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system if the user views a specially crafted webpage. Users and administrators are encouraged to revie...

Cisco Releases Security Update

Cisco has released a security update to address a vulnerability in versions of the Unified Communications Domain Manager Platform Software prior to 10.x. Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to take control of the affected system. US-CERT recommends that users review the...

ICU Project ICU4C Library Vulnerabilities Patched

Multitudes of software packages that make use of the ICU Project C/C++ and Java libraries may need to update after a pair of memory-based vulnerabilities were discovered and subsequently patched. Version 55.1 of the ICU Project ICU4C library, released yesterday, addresses separate heap-based buff...

Google Releases Security Update for Chrome

Google has released Chrome version 42.0.2311.135 for Windows, Mac, and Linux to address multiple vulnerabilities. Exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system. US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the Google Chrome...

FTC Details the Top 10 Imposter Scams of 2014

The Federal Trade Commission FTC has released an advisory describing the top 10 reported imposter scams for 2014. Scam operators often impersonate individuals, companies, and organizations to entice targets to participate in fraudulent financial transactions. Users are encouraged to review the FT...

DHS Releases Destover Wiper Malware Indicators of Compromise

US-CERT released a not-so-cryptic advisory this weekend providing enterprises with indicators of compromise and detailed descriptions of the malware used against “a major entertainment company,” the Department of Homeland Security’s description of Sony Pictures Entertainment. DHS describes in gre...

WordPress Releases Security Update

WordPress 4.0.1 has been released to address multiple vulnerabilities, one of which could allow a site to be compromised by a remote attacker. WordPress 3.9.2 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability. US-CERT recommends users and administrators review the WordPress Maintenance and Security...

Cybersecurity Legislation Forecast is Grim

MINNEAPOLIS – If you’re expecting federal cybersecurity legislation any time soon, forget it. Despite the number of prospective bills on the Hill right now, Congress is unlikely to move anything forward any time soon, according to Matthew Rhoades, director cyberspace and security program Truman...

GAO Shipping Port Cybersecurity Report

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA have been taken to the woodshed in a General Accounting Office GAO report on maritime cybersecurity. The GAO said the response to mandates to improve computer security efforts to protect the network...

Apple Releases Security Updates for Safari

Apple has released updates for Safari to address multiple vulnerabilities, some of which could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. Safari 6.1.4 and Safari 7.0.4 updates are available for: OS X Lion v10.7.5 OS X Lion Server v10.7.5 OS X Mountain Lion...

Poor Patching, Passwords Plague Government Computers

A damning report on the security of government computers paints an unflattering picture of lax or non-existent patching efforts, poor password policies, configuration errors and a general lack of confidence that exposes critical services and systems to attack. The report, “The Federal Government’...

Apple Releases Security Update for Safari on OS X

Apple has released security updates for Safari 6.1 to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, information disclosure, or a cross-site scripting condition. Safari 6.1 Webkit updates are available for the following versions: O...

Recent Reports of DHS-Themed Ransomware (UPDATE)

US-CERT has received reports of increased activity concerning an apparently DHS-themed ransomware malware infection occurring in the wild. Users who are being targeted by the ransomware receive a message claiming that use of their computer has been suspended and that the user must pay a fine to...

Hard-Coded Passwords Found in Medical Devices: ICS-CERT

The Department of Homeland Security’s Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team ICS-CERT issued an alert yesterday warning that some 300 medical devices developed by roughly 40 different vendors contain hard-coded passwords that could be used by unauthorized individuals to access...

Thousands of DHS Personnel Notified of Data Breach

The Department of Homeland Security this week began notifying up to tens of thousands of employees, contractors and others with a DHS security clearance that their personal data may be at risk. The notifications began on Monday, according to an online statement, after officials learned of a...

Telephony Denial-of-Service Attacks Prompt Federal Attention

The call-center equivalent of network-based denial-of-service attacks, known as telephony denial-of-service TDoS, have targeted emergency services among other industries, enough to garner attention from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Communications...

DHS, ICS-CERT Warn of Siemens HMI Vulnerabilities

The Department of Homeland Security and the ICS-CERT issued an advisory yesterday warning of serious vulnerabilities in Siemens industrial control software deployed in a number of industries including water, gas and oil, and chemical. Siemens said it has patched the flaws in a new version of its...

Recent Reports of DHS-Themed Ransomware (UPDATE)

US-CERT has received reports of increased activity concerning an apparently DHS-themed ransomware malware infection occurring in the wild. Users who are being targeted by the ransomware receive a message claiming that use of their computer has been suspended and that the user must pay a fine to...