Alert - Continued Exploitation by APT Actors of Multiple Vulnerabilities

Number: AL20-025
Date: 21 October 2020

AUDIENCE

This Alert is intended for IT professionals and managers of notified organizations. 

PURPOSE

An Alert is used to raise awareness of recent cyber threats that may impact cyber information assets, and to provide additional detection DetectionThe monitoring and analyzing of system events in order to identify unauthorized attempts to access system resources. and mitigation advice to recipients.  The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Cyber securityThe protection of digital information, as well as the integrity of the infrastructure housing and transmitting digital information. More specifically, cyber security includes the body of technologies, processes, practices and response and mitigation measures designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access so as to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability. ("Cyber Centre") is also available to provide additional assistance regarding the content of this Alert to recipients as requested.

ASSESSMENT

On 20 October 2020 the National Security Agency (NSA) published a Cyber Security Advisory (U/OO/179811-20) [1] detailing recent malicious activity targeting US information systems. The Cyber Centre is aware that many Canadian entities operate similar information systems in Canada. These information systems and the networks linking them are critical components in today’s interconnected world. Relied upon by governments, utilities, small businesses and individuals worldwide, they require regular updates to secure them from malicious activity that targets known or recently discovered vulnerabilities. While manufacturers work hard to provide updates for vulnerabilities, these updates are not always applied in a timely manner by consumers.
 
The Cyber Centre continues to receive reports [2] [5] [6] of persistent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Much of the reported activity appears to be the result of well-coordinated Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors targeting systems such as unpatched remote access services, security appliances and application servers.
 
The Cyber Centre recommends that individuals and corporations review the following security guidance to better protect their information systems:

  • Cyber Centre Publications [3]
  • Top 10 IT Security Actions to Protect Internet Connected Networks and Information (ITSM.10.189) [4]
  • NSA report U/OO/179811-20 [1] - A comprehensive list of vulnerabilities impacting information systems as well as general and tailored recommendations.  

Should organizations identify similar activity to that described in the referenced Advisories and Alerts, recipients are encouraged to contact the Cyber Centre by email (contact@cyber.gc.ca) or by telephone (1-833-CYBER-88 or 1-833-292-3788).

REFERENCES

[1] NSA Cyber Security Advisory (U/OO/179811-20) https://media.defense.gov/2020/Oct/20/2002519884/-1/-1/0/CSA_CHINESE_EXPLOIT_VULNERABILITIES_UOO179811.PDF

[2] AL20-020 - Canadian organizations exploited via unpatched devices and inadequate authentication AuthenticationA process or measure used to verify a users identity.
https://cyber.gc.ca/en/alerts/canadian-organizations-exploited-unpatched-devices-and-inadequate-authentication-0
 
[3] Cyber Centre Publications
https://cyber.gc.ca/en/publications
 
[4] Top 10 IT Security Actions to Protect Internet Connected Networks and Information (ITSM.10.189)
https://cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/top-10-it-security-actions-protect-internet-connected-networks-and-information-itsm10189
 
[5] AL20-003 – Active Exploitation of Citrix Vulnerabilities
https://cyber.gc.ca/en/alerts/active-exploitation-citrix-vulnerabilities
 
[6] AL20-022 UPDATE 1 - Microsoft Netlogon Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability VulnerabilityA flaw or weakness in the design or implementation of an information system or its environment that could be exploited to adversely affect an organization's assets or operations. - CVE-2020-1472
https://cyber.gc.ca/en/alerts/microsoft-netlogon-elevation-privilege-vulnerability-cve-2020-1472
 
NOTE TO READERS
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) operates as part of the Communications Security Establishment.  We are Canada's national authority on cyber security and we lead the government's response to cyber security events. As Canada's national computer security incident response team, the Cyber Centre works in close collaboration with government departments, critical infrastructure Critical infrastructureProcesses, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets, and services essential to the health, safety, security, or economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of government. Critical infrastructure can be stand-alone or interconnected and interdependent within and across provinces, territories, and national borders. Disruptions of critical infrastructure could result in catastrophic loss of life, adverse economic effects, and significant harm to public confidence. , Canadian businesses and international partners to prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from cyber events. We do this by providing authoritative advice and support, and coordinating information sharing and incident response. The Cyber Centre is outward-facing, welcoming partnerships that help build a stronger, more resilient cyber space in Canada.

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