High severity vulnerability in the Kubernetes container

CrowdStrike security researchers
discovered a high severity vulnerability, dubbed “cr8escape,” in the
Kubernetes container engine CRI-O – an open source, community-driven
container engine. Each Kubernetes node includes a container runtime such as
CRI-O. Among other tasks, the container runtime allows containerized apps
to safely share each node’s underlying Linux kernel and other resources.
The flaw, tracked as CVE-2022-0811  (CVSS v3 8.8), exists due to
the addition of sysctl support in version 1.19 used to configure kernel
parameters at runtime. Researchers determined that this flaw will now
“blindly set any kernel parameters it is passed without validation, meaning
that anyone who can deploy a pod on a cluster using the CRI-O runtime can
abuse the kernel.core_pattern  parameter to achieve
container escape and arbitrary code execution as root on any node in the
cluster.” Malicious threat actors may be able to exploit the vulnerability
in the components of the Kubernetes architecture, such as the control
plane, worker nodes, or containerized applications, to exfiltrate data and
move laterally across pods. The potential impact of this flaw is widespread
due to the number of platforms that use CRI-O, such as OpenShift and Oracle
Container Engine for Kubernetes. The vulnerability has been resolved and researchers urge users to patch immediately.

 

QNAP Network Attached Storage (NAS) high severity Linux vulnerability

 QNAP is notifying users that Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices are impacted by the high severity Linux vulnerability dubbed “Dirty Pipe” that allows attackers with local access to gain root privileges. 

Dirty Pipe a vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernels’ handling of pipe buffer flags affecting Linux kernel versions 5.8 and later as well as some Android kernel versions. CVE-2022-0847 (CVSS v3 7.8), may allow a non-privileged user to overwrite data in arbitrary read-only files and SUID binaries. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow for root privilege escalation through the editing of administrative files such as /etc/passwd and SUID programs. 

Proof of Concept (PoC) exploits have been made publicly available. Although a patch was released for the flaw, QNAP states that there is no mitigation available at this time, further recommending that users install the security updates as soon as possible. Impacted NAS devices comprise of those running QTS 5.0.x and QuTS hero h5.0.x, including: QTS 5.0.x on all QNAP x86-based NAS and certain QNAP ARM-based NAS; and QuTS hero h5.0.x on all QNAP x86-based NAS and certain QNAP ARM-based NAS.

To learn more go here

Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Access Network Misconfigured with Default MFA Protocols

 CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have released a joint Cybersecurity
Advisory
 that details how Russian state-sponsored cyber actors
accessed a network with misconfigured default multifactor authentication (MFA)
protocols. The actors then exploited a critical Windows Print Spooler
vulnerability, “PrintNightmare” (CVE-2021-34527), to run arbitrary code with
system privileges. The advisory provides observed tactics, techniques, and
procedures, as well as indicators of compromise and mitigations to protect
against this threat. 

CISA encourages users and administrators to review AA22-074A: Russian
State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Gain Network Access by Exploiting Default
Multifactor Authentication Protocols and “PrintNightmare” Vulnerability
.
For general information on Russian state-sponsored malicious cyber activity,
see cisa.gov/Russia. For more
information on the threat of Russian state-sponsored malicious cyber actors to
U.S. critical infrastructure, as well as additional mitigation recommendations,
see AA22-011A:
Understanding and Mitigating Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Threats to U.S.
Critical Infrastructure
 and cisa.gov/shields-up.

Updated: Kubernetes Hardening Guide

 The National Security Agency (NSA) and CISA have updated their joint
Cybersecurity Technical Report (CTR): Kubernetes Hardening Guide
,
originally released in August 2021, based on valuable feedback and inputs from
the cybersecurity community. 

Kubernetes is an open-source system that automates deployment, scaling, and
management of applications run in containers. A container is a runtime
environment that contains a software package and its dependencies. Kubernetes
is often hosted in a cloud environment. The CTR provides recommended
configuration and hardening guidance for setting up and securing a Kubernetes
cluster.

CISA encourages users and administrators to review the updated Kubernetes
Hardening Guide
—which includes additional detail and explanations—and apply
the hardening measures and mitigations to manage associated risks.

Changes to CISSP Exam Process

 Beginning June 1, 2022, the CISSP exam in the Computerized
Adaptive Testing
 (CAT) format will contain 50 pretest (unscored)
items, which will increase the minimum and maximum number of
items candidates will need to respond to from 100-150 to 125-175 items during
the exam. To allow for these additional items, the maximum exam administration
time
 will increase from three to four hours.

 

The additional 25 pretest items are evaluated for inclusion
as operational (scored) items in future exams, however, as these pretest items
are indistinguishable from operational (scored) items, candidates should
consider each item carefully and select the best possible answer. Responses
to pretest items do not impact a candidate’s score or the pass/fail result on
their examination.

The CISSP CAT exam currently contains 25 pretest items. The
addition of another 25 enables (ISC)² to continue expanding our item bank to
strengthen the integrity and security of the CISSP for all those who earn the
certification.

There are no other changes to the content of the CISSP exam.
The domains and domain weights contained within the CISSP exam outline have not changed.

CISSP exams scheduled on or after June 1, 2022 will reflect
these changes. If you or your students have questions or need assistance,
please contact examadministration@isc2.org.

 

New Version of CISM EXAM Process

The new Courseware is out. You have to decide if you like to take the old test by May 1 or new content On June 1 and beyond.

The new content is as follows

1 Information Security Governance

A Enterprise Governance

1A1 Organizational Culture

1A2 Legal, Regulatory, and Contractual Requirements

1A3 Organizational Structures, Roles, and Responsibilities

B Information Security Strategy

1B1 Information Security Strategy Development

1B2 Information Governance Frameworks and Standards

1B3 Strategic Planning (e.g., budgets, resources, business case).

2 Information Security Risk Management

A Information Security Risk Assessment

2A1 Emerging Risk and Threat Landscape

2A2 Vulnerability and Control Deficiency Analysis

2A3 Risk Assessment and Analysis

B Information Security Risk Response

2B1 Risk Treatment / Risk Response Options

2B2 Risk and Control Ownership

2B3 Risk Monitoring and Reporting

3Information Security Program

A Information Security Program Development

3A1 Information Security Program Resources (e.g., people, tools, technologies)

3A2 Information Asset Identification and Classification

3A3 Industry Standards and Frameworks for Information Security

3A4 Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

3A5 Information Security Program Metrics

B Information Security Program Management

3B1 Information Security Control Design and Selection

3B2 Information Security Control Implementation and Integrations

3B3 Information Security Control Testing and Evaluation

3B4 Information Security Awareness and Training/td>

3B5 Management of External Services (e.g., providers, suppliers, third parties, fourth parties)

3B6 Information Security Program Communications and Reporting

4 Incident Management

A Incident Management Readiness

4A1 Incident Response Plan

4A2 Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

4A3 Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

4A4 Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)

4A5 Incident Classification/Categorization

4A6 Incident Management Training, Testing, and Evaluation

B Incident Management Operations

4B1 Incident Management Tools and Techniques

4B2 Incident Investigation and Evaluation

4B3 Incident Containment Methods

4B4 Incident Response Communications (e.g., reporting, notification, escalation)

4B5 Incident Eradication and Recovery

4B6 Post-incident Review Practices

Updated CISM Exam Content Outline Effective Beginning 1 June 2022

To learn more go Here

Updated: Conti Ransomware

 CISA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security
Agency (NSA), and the United States Secret Service (USSS) have re-released an
advisory on Conti
ransomware
. Conti cyber threat actors remain active and reported Conti
ransomware attacks against U.S. and international organizations have risen to
more than 1,000. 

CISA, the FBI, NSA, and the USSS encourage organizations to review AA21-265A: Conti
Ransomware
, which includes new indicators of compromise, for more
information. See Shields Up and
StopRansomware.gov for
ways to respond against disruptive cyber activity.

Just released 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has released an annual report providing an assessment of worldwide threats to U.S. national security.

The 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community was released in accordance with Section 617 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021, ODNI said Tuesday.

The report details the national security challenges posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea to the U.S. across various areas, including military capabilities, economy, cyber and space domain.

The document explains how China works to modify global norms and threaten its neighbors and discusses Russia’s willingness to use military force to “impose its will on neighbors” as seen in Ukraine and other countries.

Other issues covered in the report are health security concerns including infectious diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and environmental degradation, transnational organized crime, violent extremism, illicit drugs and surges in migration.

Article was posted on (executivegov.com)

 

Introduction to Cybersecurity for Commercial Satellite Operations

 Introduction to
Cybersecurity for Commercial Satellite Operations: 2nd Draft of NISTIR 8270 is
Available for Comment

Space operations are vital to advancing the security, economic
prosperity, and scientific knowledge of the Nation. However, cyber-related
threats to space assets and their supporting infrastructure pose increasing
risks to the economic promise of emerging markets in space. This second draft of NISTIR 8270Introduction to
Cybersecurity for Commercial Satellite Operations
,
presents a specific method for applying the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to
commercial space business and describes an abstracted set of cybersecurity
outcomes, requirements, and suggested controls.

The draft also:

  • Clarifies scope with an
    emphasis on the satellite itself,
  • Updates examples for clarity,
  • Adds more detailed steps for
    developing a current and target profile and risk analysis, and
  • Provides references for
    relevant regulations around commercial space.

Reviewers are asked to provide feedback on additional threat
models that might help in the development of organization profiles, informative
references on the application of security controls to satellites, and standards
or informative references that might benefit all readers.

The
public comment period is open through April 8, 2022. 
See the publication
details
 for a copy of the draft and instructions for submitting
comments