A Vulnerability in Zimbra Collaboration Could Allow for Remote Code Execution – PATCH NOW

A vulnerability has been discovered in Zimbra Collaboration which could allow for remote code execution. Zimbra is a collaborative software suite that includes an email server and a web client. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow for remote code execution in the context of the Zimbra user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
Proof of concept code has been released for CVE-2024-45519.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Zimbra Collaboration versions prior to 9.0.0 Patch 41
  • Zimbra Collaboration versions prior to 10.0.9
  • Zimbra Collaboration versions prior to 10.1.1
  • Zimbra Collaboration versions prior to 8.8.15 Patch 46

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: Medium
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: Medium
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
A vulnerability has been discovered in Zimbra Collaboration which could allow for remote code execution.  Details of the vulnerability are as follows:

TacticInitial Access (TA0001):

TechniqueExploit Public-Facing Application (T1190):

  • A SMTP-based vulnerability in the PostJournal service of Zimbra Collaboration Suite could allow an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary commands. This vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization of SMTP input, enabling attackers to craft malicious SMTP messages that execute commands under the Zimbra user context. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, RCE, and potential compromise of the affected system’s integrity and confidentiality. (CVE-2024-45519)

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow for remote code execution in the context of the Zimbra user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate updates provided by Zimbra to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1 : Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.2: Establish and Maintain a Remediation Process: Establish and maintain a risk-based remediation strategy documented in a remediation process, with monthly, or more frequent, reviews.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
    • Safeguard 7.5 : Perform Automated Vulnerability Scans of Internal Enterprise Assets: Perform automated vulnerability scans of internal enterprise assets on a quarterly, or more frequent, basis. Conduct both authenticated and unauthenticated scans, using a SCAP-compliant vulnerability scanning tool.
    • Safeguard 7.7: Remediate Detected Vulnerabilities: Remediate detected vulnerabilities in software through processes and tooling on a monthly, or more frequent, basis, based on the remediation process.
    • Safeguard 12.1: Ensure Network Infrastructure is Up-to-Date: Ensure network infrastructure is kept up-to-date. Example implementations include running the latest stable release of software and/or using currently supported network-as-a-service (NaaS) offerings. Review software versions monthly, or more frequently, to verify software support.
    • Safeguard 18.1: Establish and Maintain a Penetration Testing Program: Establish and maintain a penetration testing program appropriate to the size, complexity, and maturity of the enterprise. Penetration testing program characteristics include scope, such as network, web application, Application Programming Interface (API), hosted services, and physical premise controls; frequency; limitations, such as acceptable hours, and excluded attack types; point of contact information; remediation, such as how findings will be routed internally; and retrospective requirements.
    • Safeguard 18.2: Perform Periodic External Penetration Tests: Perform periodic external penetration tests based on program requirements, no less than annually. External penetration testing must include enterprise and environmental reconnaissance to detect exploitable information. Penetration testing requires specialized skills and experience and must be conducted through a qualified party. The testing may be clear box or opaque box.
    • Safeguard 18.3: Remediate Penetration Test Findings: Remediate penetration test findings based on the enterprise’s policy for remediation scope and prioritization.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services. Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.5: Establish and Maintain an Inventory of Service Accounts: Establish and maintain an inventory of service accounts. The inventory, at a minimum, must contain department owner, review date, and purpose. Perform service account reviews to validate that all active accounts are authorized, on a recurring schedule at a minimum quarterly, or more frequently.
  • Vulnerability scanning is used to find potentially exploitable software vulnerabilities to remediate them. (M1016: Vulnerability Scanning)
    • Safeguard 16.13: Conduct Application Penetration Testing: Conduct application penetration testing. For critical applications, authenticated penetration testing is better suited to finding business logic vulnerabilities than code scanning and automated security testing. Penetration testing relies on the skill of the tester to manually manipulate an application as an authenticated and unauthenticated user.
  • Architect sections of the network to isolate critical systems, functions, or resources. Use physical and logical segmentation to prevent access to potentially sensitive systems and information. Use a DMZ to contain any internet-facing services that should not be exposed from the internal network. Configure separate virtual private cloud (VPC) instances to isolate critical cloud systems. (M1030: Network Segmentation)
    • Safeguard 12.2: Establish and Maintain a Secure Network Architecture: Establish and maintain a secure network architecture. A secure network architecture must address segmentation, least privilege, and availability, at a minimum.
  • Use capabilities to detect and block conditions that may lead to or be indicative of a software exploit occurring. (M1050: Exploit Protection)
    • Safeguard 10.5:  Enable Anti-Exploitation Features: Enable anti-exploitation features on enterprise assets and software, where possible, such as Microsoft® Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Windows® Defender Exploit Guard (WDEG), or Apple® System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper™.

REFERENCES:

Zimbra:
https://wiki.zimbra.com/wiki/Zimbra_Security_Advisories

Project Discovery:
https://blog.projectdiscovery.io/zimbra-remote-code-execution/

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-45519 Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Chrome Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution – PATCH: NOW

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Chrome prior to 129.0.6668.89/.90 for Windows and Mac
  • Chrome prior to 129.0.6668.89 for Linux

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Details of these vulnerabilities are as follows:

TacticInitial Access (TA0001):

TechniqueDrive-By Compromise (T1189):

  • Integer overflow in Layout (CVE-2024-7025)
  • Insufficient data validation in Mojo (CVE-2024-9369)
  • Inappropriate implementation in V8 (CVE-2024-9370)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate updates provided by Google to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
    • Safeguard 7.7: Remediate Detected Vulnerabilities: Remediate detected vulnerabilities in software through processes and tooling on a monthly, or more frequent, basis, based on the remediation process.
    • Safeguard 9.1: Ensure Use of Only Fully Supported Browsers and Email Clients: Ensure only fully supported browsers and email clients are allowed to execute in the enterprise, only using the latest version of browsers and email clients provided through the vendor.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services. Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
  • Restrict execution of code to a virtual environment on or in transit to an endpoint system. (M1048: Application Isolation and Sandboxing)
  • Use capabilities to detect and block conditions that may lead to or be indicative of a software exploit occurring. (M1050: Exploit Protection)
    • Safeguard 10.5:  Enable Anti-Exploitation Features: Enable anti-exploitation features on enterprise assets and software, where possible, such as Microsoft® Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Windows® Defender Exploit Guard (WDEG), or Apple® System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper™.
  • Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, etc. (M1021: Restrict Web-Based Content)
    • Safeguard 9.2: Use DNS Filtering Services: Use DNS filtering services on all enterprise assets to block access to known malicious domains.
    • Safeguard 9.3: Maintain and Enforce Network-Based URL Filters: Enforce and update network-based URL filters to limit an enterprise asset from connecting to potentially malicious or unapproved websites. Example implementations include category-based filtering, reputation-based filtering, or through the use of block lists. Enforce filters for all enterprise assets.
    • Safeguard 9.6: Block Unnecessary File Types: Block unnecessary file types attempting to enter the enterprise’s email gateway.
  • Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources. Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
    • Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 14.2: Train Workforce Members to Recognize Social Engineering Attacks: Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, pre-texting, and tailgating.

REFERENCES:

Google:
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-7025
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9369
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9370

Microsoft 365 Copilot Training for IT Professionals

Join us at Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training for IT Professionals to learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to simplify your everyday tasks. During this 60-minute free event, discover how Microsoft Copilot can help you enhance efficiency, simplify complex tasks, and optimize technical workflows. You’ll be able to: Use Microsoft Copilot to summarize the information in a product spec document for a network security product and create a project plan to implement the product. Use Copilot in PowerPoint to create and customize a business presentation based on the product plan that you created for the new network security product. Use Copilot in Word to modify a technical implementation report for a customer who is planning to install your new network security product. Use Copilot in Outlook to draft an email that provides highlights from the technical implementation report that you created for the customer who is installing your new network security product. Join us at an upcoming event: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (GMT-05:00)

Delivery Language: English
Closed Captioning Language: English
Event Delivery: Digital
 
Register now >
Space is limited. Register for free today.

NICE Publishes Proposed Updates for Three NICE Framework Work Roles and One NICE Framework Competency Area

The NICE Program Office of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is pleased to publish proposed changes to three Work Roles and one Competency Area in the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework). We welcome and encourage comments from all interested stakeholders. The proposed updates apply to:
Digital Evidence Analysis (Work Role IN-WRL-002 / OPM Code 211)
A thorough review of this existing Work Role in the Investigation Work Role Category was conducted with subject matter experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice. This draft adjusts the Task, Knowledge, and Skill (TKS) statements in this Work Role and further adds an alignment of Knowledge and Skill statements to each of the Tasks.
Insider Threat Analysis (Work Role PD-WRL-005)
This Work Role was initially released with Version 1.0.0 (v.1.0.0) of the NICE Framework Components in March 2024. This update includes minor changes to some TKS statements and, significantly, aligns the Knowledge and Skill statements to each Task statement in this role.
Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Engineering (New WR DD-WRL-009)
This new Work Role in the Design & Development Work Role Category is the first role in the NICE Framework to focus on operational technology (OT). 
Cyber Resiliency (Competency Area NF-COM-007)
NICE released 11 new Competency Areas with v.1.0.0 of the components in March 2024. At that time, only the names and descriptions were included. NICE has been working to identify and develop Knowledge and Skill statements for each of the areas. Cyber Resiliency is the first of these to be developed.  These proposed updates reflect the NICE Program Office’s commitment to maintaining the NICE Framework’s relevance to current cybersecurity practices through the active input of subject matter experts as well as the broader community of cybersecurity practitioners and educators.   
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
NICE welcomes comments on the three proposed Work Roles and one Competency Area from all interested parties. Comments received by the November 14 deadline will be acknowledged by email. Comments will be reviewed and adjudicated, and feedback received during this comment period will be used to inform any necessary updates to the relevant proposed Work Roles or Competency Areas. Final updates will be incorporated in the next release of the NICE Framework Components. Take the following steps to share your feedback:

Visit the NICE Framework Resource Center Public Comments page to access and review the proposed update spreadsheets

Submit comments to NICEFramework@nist.gov by 11:59 pm ET on November 14, 2024

Join the NICE Framework Users Group to participate in community discussions

Open for Public Comment: Using Hardware-Enabled Security to Ensure 5G System Platform Integrity Now Available

Comment On Our Latest 5G Cybersecurity White Paper 

5G technology for broadband cellular networks will significantly improve how humans and machines communicate, operate, and interact in the physical and virtual world. 5G provides increased bandwidth and capacity, and low latency. However, professionals in fields like technology, cybersecurity, and privacy are faced with safeguarding this technology while its development, deployment, and usage are still evolving.

To help, the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) has launched the Applying 5G Cybersecurity and Privacy Capabilities white paper series. The series targets technology, cybersecurity, and privacy program managers within commercial mobile network operators, potential private 5G network operators, and organizations using and managing 5G-enabled technology who are concerned with how to identify, understand, assess, and mitigate risk for 5G networks. In the series, we provide recommended practices and illustrate how to implement them. All of the capabilities featured in the white papers have been demonstrated on the NCCoE testbed on commercial-grade 5G equipment.

We are pleased to announce the availability of the third white paper in the series:

Using Hardware-Enabled Security to Ensure 5G System Platform IntegrityThis publication provides an overview of employing hardware-enabled security capabilities to provision, measure, attest to, and enforce the integrity of the compute platform to foster trust in a 5G system’s server infrastructure.

Feedback Wanted

We welcome your input and look forward to your comments by October 30, 2024. We invite you to join the 5G Community of Interest (COI) and we’ll notify you when a paper in the series is being released. 

Coming Soon: Reallocation of Temporary Identities White Paper

Download and Comment Now

Multiple Vulnerabilities in PHP Could Allow for Remote Code Execution – PATCH NOW

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in PHP, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. PHP is a programming language originally designed for use in web-based applications with HTML content. Successful exploitation could allow for remote code execution in the context of the affected service account. Depending on the privileges associated with the service account an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Service accounts that are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights. 

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild. 

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • PHP 8.1 versions prior to 8.1.30
  • PHP 8.2 versions prior to 8.2.24
  • PHP 8.3 versions prior to 8.3.12 

RISK:

Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low 

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in PHP, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. Details of the vulnerabilities are as follows:

Tactic: Execution (TA0041):

     Technique: Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059)

  • OS Command Injection: The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to send specially crafted HTTP request to the application and execute arbitrary OS commands on the system due to improper input validation in PHP-CGI implementation. (CVE-2024-8926)
  • Security features bypass: The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to  bypass implemented security restriction and gain unauthorized access to the application due to environment variable collision, which can lead to cgi.force_redirect bypass. (CVE-2024-8927)
  • Insufficient Logging: The vulnerability allows an attacker to alter logs from child processes due to an unspecified error. (CVE-2024-9026)
  • Input validation error: The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to pass specially crafted input to the application and bypass implemented security restrictions due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input when parsing multipart form data. (CVE-2024-8925)

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate patches provided by PHP to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
    • Safeguard 7.5: Perform Automated Vulnerability Scans of Internal Enterprise Assets: Perform automated vulnerability scans of internal enterprise assets on a quarterly, or more frequent, basis. Conduct both authenticated and unauthenticated scans, using a SCAP-compliant vulnerability scanning tool. 
       
  • Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, etc. (M1021: Restrict Web-Based Content)
    • Safeguard 2.3: Address Unauthorized Software: Ensure that unauthorized software is either removed from use on enterprise assets or receives a documented exception. Review monthly, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 2.7: Allowlist Authorized Scripts: Use technical controls, such as digital signatures and version control, to ensure that only authorized scripts, such as specific .ps1, .py, etc., files, are allowed to execute. Block unauthorized scripts from executing. Reassessbi-annually, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 9.3: Maintain and Enforce Network-Based URL Filters: Enforce and update network-based URL filters to limit an enterprise asset from connecting to potentially malicious or unapproved websites. Example implementations include category-based filtering, reputation-based filtering, or through the use of block lists. Enforce filters for all enterprise assets. 
  •  
  • Safeguard 9.6: Block Unnecessary File Types: Block unnecessary file types attempting to enter the enterprise’s email gateway.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services. Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
       
  • Block execution of code on a system through application control, and/or script blocking. (M1038:Execution Prevention)
    • Safeguard 2.5 : Allowlist Authorized Software: Use technical controls, such as application allowlisting, to ensure that only authorized software can execute or be accessed. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 2.6 : Allowlist Authorized Libraries: Use technical controls to ensure that only authorized software libraries, such as specific .dll, .ocx, .so, etc., files, are allowed to load into a system process. Block unauthorized libraries from loading into a system process. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 2.7 : Allowlist Authorized Scripts: Use technical controls, such as digital signatures and version control, to ensure that only authorized scripts, such as specific .ps1, .py, etc., files, are allowed to execute. Block unauthorized scripts from executing. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.
       
  • Remove or deny access to unnecessary and potentially vulnerable software to prevent abuse by adversaries. (Mitigation M1042: Disable or Remove Feature or Program)
    • Safeguard 2.3: Address Unauthorized Software: Ensure that unauthorized software is either removed from use on enterprise assets or receives a documented exception. Review monthly, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 2.5: Allowlist Authorized Software: Use technical controls, such as application allowlisting, to ensure that only authorized software can execute or be accessed. Reassessbi-annually, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 2.7: Allowlist Authorized Scripts: Use technical controls, such as digital signatures and version control, to ensure that only authorized scripts, such as specific .ps1, .py, etc., files, are allowed to execute. Block unauthorized scripts from executing. Reassessbi-annually, or more frequently.
    • Safeguard 4.1: Establish and Maintain a Secure Configuration Process: Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for enterprise assets (end-user devices, including portable and mobile, non-computing/IoT devices, and servers) and software (operating systems and applications). Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 4.8: Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software: Uninstall or disable unnecessary services on enterprise assets and software, such as an unused file sharing service, web application module, or service function.
    • Safeguard 18.3: Remediate Penetration Test Findings: Remediate penetration test findings based on the enterprise’s policy for remediation scope and prioritization.
    • Safeguard 18.5: Perform Periodic Internal Penetration Tests: Perform periodic internal penetration tests based on program requirements, no less than annually. The testing may be clear box or opaque box.
       

REFERENCES:

PHP:
https://www.php.net/ChangeLog-8.php 

CyberSecurity Help:
https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2024092724 

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-8926
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-8927
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9026
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-8925

Multiple Vulnerabilities in Google Chrome Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution – PATCH NOW

OVERVIEW:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

THREAT INTELLEGENCE:
There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Chrome prior to 129.0.6668.70/.71 for Windows and Mac
  • Chrome prior to 129.0.6668.70 for Linux 

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: Medium

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: Medium

Home users: Low 

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Details of these vulnerabilities are as follows: 

TacticInitial Access (TA0001):

Technique: Drive-By Compromise (T1189):

  • Use after free in Dawn (CVE-2024-9120)
  • Inappropriate implementation in V8 (CVE-2024-9121)
  • Type Confusion in V8 (CVE-2024-9122)
  • Integer overflow in Skia (CVE-2024-9123)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow for arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken: 

  • Apply appropriate updates provided by Google to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. (M1051: Update Software)
    • Safeguard 7.1: Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability Management Process: Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 7.4: Perform Automated Application Patch Management: Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis.
    • Safeguard 7.7: Remediate Detected Vulnerabilities: Remediate detected vulnerabilities in software through processes and tooling on a monthly, or more frequent, basis, based on the remediation process.
    • Safeguard 9.1: Ensure Use of Only Fully Supported Browsers and Email Clients: Ensure only fully supported browsers and email clients are allowed to execute in the enterprise, only using the latest version of browsers and email clients provided through the vendor.
       
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services. Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. (M1026: Privileged Account Management)
    • Safeguard 4.7: Manage Default Accounts on Enterprise Assets and Software: Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations can include: disabling default accounts or making them unusable.
    • Safeguard 5.4: Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts: Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged account.
       
  • Restrict execution of code to a virtual environment on or in transit to an endpoint system. (M1048: Application Isolation and Sandboxing)
     
  • Use capabilities to detect and block conditions that may lead to or be indicative of a software exploit occurring. (M1050: Exploit Protection)
    • Safeguard 10.5:  Enable Anti-Exploitation Features: Enable anti-exploitation features on enterprise assets and software, where possible, such as Microsoft® Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Windows® Defender Exploit Guard (WDEG), or Apple® System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper™.
       
  • Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, etc. (M1021: Restrict Web-Based Content)
    • Safeguard 9.2: Use DNS Filtering Services: Use DNS filtering services on all enterprise assets to block access to known malicious domains.
    • Safeguard 9.3: Maintain and Enforce Network-Based URL Filters: Enforce and update network-based URL filters to limit an enterprise asset from connecting to potentially malicious or unapproved websites. Example implementations include category-based filtering, reputation-based filtering, or through the use of block lists. Enforce filters for all enterprise assets.
    • Safeguard 9.6: Block Unnecessary File Types: Block unnecessary file types attempting to enter the enterprise’s email gateway.
       
  • Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources. Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources. (M1017: User Training)
    • Safeguard 14.1: Establish and Maintain a Security Awareness Program: Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
    • Safeguard 14.2: Train Workforce Members to Recognize Social Engineering Attacks: Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, pre-texting, and tailgating.
       

REFERENCES:

Google:
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_24.html

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9120
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9121
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9122
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-9123

Microsoft.Source Newsletter | Issue 63

Featured Blog icon Developer Toolbox > Explore the latest tools and services to help you build intelligent modern applications. Add AI to your apps, build distributed apps for the cloud, streamline your workflow, bring your data into custom copilots, and more.  
What’s New
Blog icon New Hugging Face Models on Azure AI > Check out the most recently added models to the Azure AI model catalog, including the highly-ranked multilingual models, tuned for Asian languages.  
Explore the Official OpenAI .NET Library > This library is an essential tool for any .NET developer trying to develop intelligent apps using OpenAI.  
Article icon Catch up on the Latest DevEx research with Nicole Forsgren > Developer experience (DevEx) aims to empower developers to code efficiently by providing a customized and optimized coding environment.  
Events See Local Events >
Microsoft Ignite / November 18 -22 / Chicago and online > Registration is now open. Experience keynotes, attend sessions, meet with partners and customers, and more.  
In person event icon The Microsoft AI Tour / Multiple cities and dates > Learn directly from industry leaders, Microsoft, and partner experts who will show you how to develop and use AI responsibly.  
GitHub Universe / October 29-30 / San Francisco > Join thousands of developers, cloud architects, cybersecurity professionals, and more to fine tune your skills and learn the latest in AI, DevEx, and security.  
Microsoft 365 Developer Podcast: Custom engine copilots > Jeremy Thake and Joey Glocke discuss custom engine copilots in Microsoft 365 and more.  
On demand icon .NET Aspire Day 2024 / On demand > The .NET Aspire and Azure product teams dive deep into essential Azure services to build world-class cloud native applications with .NET. (YouTube)  
Learning
Doodle to Code is now on GitHub > The Doodle to Code GitHub repository includes doodles, detailed breakdowns of Generative AI concepts, step-by-step technical guidance, and source code for projects.  
Blog icon Announcing 30 Day Plans on Microsoft Learn > Curated content combined with learning milestones, and achievement outcomes help you get project-ready and improve your technical skills in 30 days or less.  
Video icon Build Apps with Visual Studio in the Cloud with Dev Box > See how to create and run dev boxes, preconfigured, ready-to-code workstations that are optimized for building applications. (YouTube)  

NIST Releases CSWP 31, Proxy Validation and Verification for Critical AI Systems: A Proxy Design Process

NIST Cybersecurity White Paper (CSWP) 31, Proxy Validation and Verification for Critical AI Systems: A Proxy Design Process, is now available. The goal of this work is to increase trust in critical AI systems (CAIS) by developing proxy systems to verify and validate a CAIS.

This document presents a five-phase process for identifying and/or building non-critical proxy systems that have high similarity to critical artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) systems. The non-critical proxy system is used to indirectly validate and verify the critical system by enabling the creation of difficult or dangerous test cases in a way that imbues confidence in the scenarios. The results of the test cases presented to the non-critical proxy can then be imputed to the critical system. The process involves a way to demonstrate and measure “similarity” between the two systems.

Read More

Open for Public Comment: Supply Chain Traceability Manufacturing Meta-Framework

The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) has released for public comment a draft of the Supply Chain Traceability Manufacturing Meta-Framework. The comment period is open through November 15, 2024

Ensuring supply chain traceability is critical for maintaining product authenticity, compliance, and security in today’s complex, globalized manufacturing ecosystems. As products move through their manufacturing process stages—production, assembly, and distribution—stakeholders face increasing challenges in maintaining visibility into the history and provenance of these products. Improving the traceability of goods and materials throughout the supply chain is critical to identifying disruptions and mitigating these risks.

This publication presents a Meta-Framework designed to address these challenges by providing a structured, industry-tailorable approach to capturing, linking, and retrieving traceability data across diverse supply chains. The goal of the framework is to enhance end-to-end traceability, providing stakeholders with the tools needed to trace product provenance, ensure regulatory compliance, and bolster the resilience of the U.S. manufacturing supply chain.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please review the draft and submit comments online by using the link below [1]. We welcome your input and look forward to your comments.  

Join our Community of Interest

By joining the Community of Interest (COI), you will receive project updates and the opportunity to share your expertise to help guide this project. Request to join our NCCoE Manufacturing Supply Chain COI by visiting our project page [2].

URL References:

[1] https://www.nccoe.nist.gov/projects/manufacturing-supply-chain-traceability-using-blockchain-related-technologies#project-promo

[2] https://www.nccoe.nist.gov/projects/manufacturing-supply-chain-traceability-using-blockchain-related-technologies#join-the-coi