Applying the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to the Ground Segment of Space Operations: Draft NIST IR 8401

 

Header

NIST
Cybersecurity and Privacy Program

NIST Requests Comments on “Satellite Ground Segment:
Applying the Cybersecurity Framework to Assure Satellite Command and
Control”

NIST recognizes the importance of the infrastructure that
provides positioning, timing, and navigation (PNT) information to the
scientific knowledge, economy, and security of the Nation. This
infrastructure consists of three parts: the space segment, the ground
segment, and the users of PNT. NIST now requests comments on a draft of
a profile for the ground segment.

NIST IR 8401, Satellite Ground Segment: Applying the
Cybersecurity Framework to Assure Satellite Command and Control,
applies the NIST CSF to the ground segment of space operations. The
document defines the ground segment, outlines its responsibilities, and
presents a mapping to relevant information references. The Profile
defined in this report provides a flexible framework for managing risk
and addresses the goals of Space Policy Directive 5 (SPD-5) for
securing space.

The comment period on this initial
public draft is open through June 20, 2022.
See the publication
details for a copy of the draft and instructions for
submitting comments.


NOTE: A call for
patent claims is included on page iv of this draft. For additional
information, see the Information
Technology Laboratory (ITL) Patent Policy–Inclusion of Patents in ITL
Publications.

Students, kick-start your tech career with Microsoft Certification!

Students, kick-start your tech career with Microsoft Certification!

At Microsoft, our mission is to help you achieve more, so we’re making certifications, and the resources to learn, prepare, and get certified, free to all eligible students, starting with fundamentals certifications.

Technology is changing the future of work. In every industry, employers expect interns and recent graduates to have the digital capabilities they need to thrive in a modern—often hybrid or remote—working environment. While digital skills are a great start, students also need skills in data, AI, and cloud technologies to make the most of every opportunity. Earning a Microsoft Certification does more than just build technical skills; certifications can help you stand out, gain confidence, and even get paid more1. Microsoft Certifications also validate your skills and abilities, while proving your commitment to learning the latest technologies.

Five steps to kick-start your tech career

Process - Six Steps

1. Sign into Microsoft Learn and create your
student profile

Microsoft Learn is
the place to start and customize your learning journey with up-to-date content
developed by experts and a variety of resources. Master new skills with a
comprehensive collection of training options that empower you to learn in a
style that fits you best. Sign into Microsoft Learn and
create your student profile to track your progress on learning activities,
create and share content collections, accrue points and achievements, use free
Azure resources, and get personalized recommendations.

2. Determine which certification is right for
you and start learning

Microsoft
Certifications are based on industry analysis of specific jobs and roles and
are continually updated to reflect the latest technologies. They enhance your
credibility, giving you the professional advantage of globally recognized,
industry-endorsed skills. Earning a Microsoft Certification enables employers
and peers to recognize your talent and experience—and can help you build the
technical skills you need to succeed in today’s fast-paced, digital world.

Microsoft
Certifications start with foundational skills and move into the deeper
technical skills you will need to perform industry roles. Microsoft
Certifications also cover technical topics from Azure to AI, to data analytics
and cybersecurity.

Learn the concepts included in the
certification exams

Exam

Self-paced
online content

Exam cram

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

✔

✔

DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data
Fundamentals

✔

✔

AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI
Fundamentals

✔

✔

SC-900: Microsoft Security,
Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

✔

✔

PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform
Fundamentals

✔

✔

MB-910: Microsoft Dynamics 365
Fundamentals (CRM)

✔

✘

MB-920: Microsoft Dynamics 365
Fundamentals (ERP)

✔

✘

MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals

✔

✘

3. Verify
your student status, claim your benefits, and practice

You’ve created a
Learn profile, selected a Microsoft fundamentals certification, and prepared
for the exam. Now, you’re ready to practice and get certified.

As part of this
initiative, Microsoft provides free exam vouchers and practice tests to
eligible students. You will just need to verify your enrollment at an
accredited academic institution to claim the benefits.

You’ll be guided
at every step to learn the required skills, prepare for the exam with a
practice test, and then get certified by passing the exam.

Sign up

 Note

This student
initiative is managed by Cloud Ready Ltd. on behalf of Microsoft. When you
access the Cloud Ready website using your Microsoft Account credentials, your
use of that website and any collection of personal data will be governed by
the Cloud Ready Privacy
Policy.

What’s
included:

Free
Microsoft Official Practice Tests: Taking a Microsoft Official Practice
Test can significantly boost your chances of passing the Microsoft certification
exam. Build your knowledge of exam objectives and see detailed explanations for
correct and distractor answers. Provided by MeasureUp, Microsoft Official
Practice Tests recreate the conditions you’ll find in the actual certification
exam. Work in Practice Mode, which includes explanations and references for
each question, or Exam Mode, which simulates the real exam with about 150
relevant questions.

Free
Microsoft Exams: Take
a Microsoft fundamentals certification exam with a free exam voucher. Fundamentals
certifications are a great way to start your certification journey. Validate
your foundational understanding with mixed concepts and apply what you learn
about Microsoft technologies—no area experience required. Fundamentals also
give you a springboard into deeper, role-based learning paths and
certifications.

4. Become certified—and earn college credit

Get even more
credit for your new skills. Students can now receive college credits for
passing Microsoft Exams and earning Microsoft Certifications. Read the story of
students Sam Jones and Jason
Powell, who saved money and completed their degrees faster with
college credits they earned as a result of their Microsoft Certifications.
Review the tools and resources they
used so you can do the same.

 Tip

We’re committed
to ensuring that every person who’s interested in taking Microsoft Certifications
can do so in a way that is fair and accurately reflects their skills and
abilities. Learn more about
requesting accomodations.

5. Share your certification achievements

Celebrate your
success! You worked hard to earn your certification. Now, be sure to share your
new achievement with the world via a digital badge.

Showcasing your
professional achievements may help you get noticed by potential employers. When
you share your digital badge on popular sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and
Twitter, or when you embed it into your resume, personal website, or email
signature, anyone who sees your badge will immediately recognize it as a
trusted Microsoft validation of your achievement.

Learn more about
how to claim your badge and showcase your skills and certifications.

#ProudToBeCertified

Follow the Microsoft Learn
Blog for stories of how Microsoft Certifications have changed
people’s career paths—even at the beginning of their professional lives or as
they start new careers. These personal stories highlight how getting certified
can demonstrate your expertise and capacity for continuous learning, right from
the start of your career in tech.

·       
Certifications can
spark confidence amidst unexpected changes

·       
Microsoft
Certifications boost IT careers from the start

·       
Why you should
celebrate your Microsoft skills and certifications

·       
How the Microsoft
Certification community can help you and your career

1.
Upon earning a certification, 28 percent of technical professionals say getting
certified led to salary or wage increases, and 91 percent reported greater
confidence in their abilities. Pearson VUE, “2021 Value of IT
Certification Report”, 2021.

 

Critical Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Management Interface Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

 

Summary

  • A vulnerability in the authentication functionality of Cisco Wireless
    LAN Controller (WLC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote
    attacker to bypass authentication controls and log in to the device
    through the management interface

    This vulnerability is due to the improper implementation of the
    password validation algorithm. An attacker could exploit this
    vulnerability by logging in to an affected device with crafted
    credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass
    authentication and log in to the device as an administrator. The
    attacker could obtain privileges that are the same level as an
    administrative user but it depends on the crafted credentials.

    Note: This vulnerability exists because of a
    non-default device configuration that must be present for it to be
    exploitable. For details about the vulnerable configuration, see the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory.

    Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.

    This advisory is available at the following link:
    https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-wlc-auth-bypass-JRNhV4fF

Affected Products

  • Vulnerable Products

    This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are
    running Cisco WLC Software Release 8.10.151.0 or Release 8.10.162.0 and
    have macfilter radius compatibility configured as Other:

    • 3504 Wireless Controller
    • 5520 Wireless Controller
    • 8540 Wireless Controller
    • Mobility Express
    • Virtual Wireless Controller (vWLC)

    Note: The vulnerable releases noted above are available in the Software Center
    on Cisco.com. In addition, specific customers have been given the
    following vulnerable escalation builds that are not in the Software
    Center:

    • 8.10.151.4 to 8.10.151.10
    • 8.10.162.1 to 8.10.162.14

    Determine the Configuration

    To determine whether the Cisco WLC configuration is vulnerable, issue the show macfilter summary CLI command. If RADIUS compatibility mode is other, as shown in the following example, the device is considered vulnerable:

    wlc > show macfilter summary 

    MAC Filter RADIUS Compatibility mode............. Other
    MAC Filter Delimiter............................. Single-Hyphen
    MAC Filter Entries............................... 0

    Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

    Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

    Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:

    • Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches
    • Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
    • Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller for Cloud
    • Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points
    • Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) AireOS products not listed in the Vulnerable Products section

Workarounds

  • There are workarounds that addresses this vulnerability. Choose one of the following based on the environment:

    Option 1: No Macfilters in the Environment

    Customers who do not use macfilters can reset the macfilter radius compatibility mode to the default value using the following CLI command:

    wlc > config macfilter radius-compat cisco

    Option 2: Macfilters in the Environment

    Customers who use macfilters and who are able to change the radius
    server configuration to match other possible compatibility modes can
    modify the macfilter compatibility to either cisco or free using one of the following CLI commands:

    wlc > config macfilter radius-compat cisco
    wlc > config macfilter radius-compat free

    For more information about the different macfilter compatibility modes, see Cisco Wireless Controller Command Reference.

    While these workarounds have been deployed and were proven successful
    in a test environment, customers should determine the applicability and
    effectiveness in their own environment and under their own use
    conditions. Customers should be aware that any workaround or mitigation
    that is implemented may negatively impact the functionality or
    performance of their network based on intrinsic customer deployment
    scenarios and limitations. Customers should not deploy any workarounds
    or mitigations before first evaluating the applicability to their own
    environment and any impact to such environment.

Fixed Software

  • Cisco has released free software updates
    that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers
    with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates
    should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.

    Customers may only install and expect support for software versions
    and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing,
    downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades,
    customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
    https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html

    Additionally, customers may only download software for which they
    have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco
    authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance
    upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security
    software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license,
    additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.

    The Cisco Support and Downloads page
    on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This
    page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who
    use the My Devices tool.

    When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

    In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded
    contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and
    software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the
    new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to
    contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted
    maintenance providers.

    Customers Without Service Contracts

    Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco
    service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party
    vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their
    point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html

    Customers should have the product serial number available and be
    prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement
    to a free upgrade.

    Fixed Releases

    In the following table(s), the left column lists Cisco software
    releases. The right column indicates whether a release is affected by
    the vulnerability described in this advisory and the first release that
    includes the fix for this vulnerability. Customers are advised to
    upgrade to an appropriate fixed software release as indicated in this section.

    Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Release First Fixed Release
    8.9 and earlier Not vulnerable
    8.10.142.0 and earlier Not vulnerable
    8.10.151.0 and later 8.10.171.0

    To download the software from the Software Center on Cisco.com, do the following:

    1. Click Browse all.
    2. Choose Wireless > Wireless LAN Controller > Standalone Controllers.
    3. Choose a specific product from the right pane of the product selector.
    4. Choose a hardware platform from the left pane of the software page.

    The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates
    only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in
    this advisory.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

  • The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious
    use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.

Source

  • Cisco would like to thank a security researcher with Bispok for reporting this vulnerability.

URL

Revision History

Version

See the cve

This ICS-capable malware targets a Ukrainian energy company

 From the ESET SITE 


Key points:

  • ESET researchers collaborated with CERT-UA to analyze the attack against the Ukrainian energy company
  • The destructive actions were scheduled for 2022-04-08 but artifacts suggest that the attack had been planned for at least two weeks
  • The attack used ICS-capable malware and regular disk wipers for Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems
  • We assess with high confidence that the attackers used a new version of the Industroyer malware, which was used in 2016 to cut power in Ukraine
  • We assess with high confidence that the APT group Sandworm is responsible for this new attack
Read the full report here

APT Cyber Tools Targeting ICS/SCADA Devices

 

This Joint Cybersecurity Advisory—coauthored
by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Security Agency (NSA),
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is being released to warn
that certain advanced persistent threat (APT) actors have exhibited the
capability to gain full system access to multiple industrial control system
(ICS)/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices, including:

 

  • Schneider
    Electric programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
  • OMRON
    Sysmac NEX PLCs
  • Open
    Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) servers

 

The APT actors have developed
custom-made tools for targeting ICS/SCADA devices. The tools enable them to
scan for, compromise, and control affected devices once they have
established initial access to the operational technology (OT) network.
Additionally, the actors can compromise Windows-based engineering
workstations, which may be present in information technology (IT) or OT
environments, using an exploit that compromises an ASRock motherboard driver
with known vulnerabilities. By compromising and maintaining full
system access to ICS/SCADA devices, APT actors could elevate privileges,
move laterally within an OT environment, and disrupt critical devices or
functions.

 

This Joint Cybersecurity
Advisory contains technical details, recommended mitigation measures,
additional references, and is being provided to assist agencies and
organizations in guarding against the persistent malicious actions of cyber
criminals. DOE, CISA, NSA, and the FBI urge critical infrastructure
organizations, especially Energy Sector organizations, to implement the
detection and mitigation recommendations provided in this Joint
Cybersecurity Advisory to detect potential malicious APT activity and
harden their ICS/SCADA devices.

Free Azure Cosmos DB Conf

 

 

Next week, please join us for the second Azure Cosmos DB Conf (April 19-20, 2022).

 

Azure Cosmos DB Conf is an online, virtual conference
dedicated entirely to our customers and community sharing their knowledge and
experience building apps and services using Cosmos DB.

 

The event is run as three, 3-hour live streams in Americas,
APAC and EMEA, each with its own unique content, with a slate of on-demand
sessions as well.

Visit, Azure
Cosmos DB Conf to see our agenda and download an .ics save the date for
your calendar

Verizon Cell Phone user be ware new SMiShing Campaign

 

 

Image Source: CNET

 

A recent SMS text message
phishing (SMiShing) campaign is targeting Verizon Wireless customers
and customers of other providers that piggyback off the Verizon network,
such as Spectrum . These messages are
spoofed to appear as though the message was sent from the recipient’s own
phone number. The messages vary but typically thank the recipient for
paying their bill and offer a gift. The messages include a link to accept
the gift. These links may lead to malicious websites intending to steal
account credentials or personal information, or install malware. A similar campaign targeted AT&T customers in August
2021.

New Bot net Linked to Russian group Sandworm attacking ASUS and WatchGuard Devices

 Researchers discovered that
Cyclops Blink, a botnet linked to Russian advanced
persistent threat group Sandworm, is actively targeting ASUS
routers and WatchGuardfirewall appliances. The malware is modular – meaning it can easily be
updated to target new devices – and features a specialized module that may
allow the malware to read flash memory in order to gather information about
critical files, executables, data, and libraries. The malware then receives a
command to nest in the flash memory and establish persistence, as this storage
space can survive factory resets. Due to the number of indiscriminate targets,
analysts assess that the group’s intent behind this iteration of distribution
is to build and maintain a botnet infrastructure for future attacks on
high-value targets.