Research Saturday
Recent Episodes
Karlo Zanki, Reverse Engineer at ReversingLabs, discussing their work on "Malicious PyPI crypto pay package aiocpa implants infostealer code." ReversingLabs' machine learning-based threat hunting system identified a malicious PyPI package, aiocpa, designed to exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallet information. Unlike typical attacks involving typosquatting, the attackers published a seemingly legitimate crypto client tool to build trust before introducing malicious updates. ReversingLabs used its Spectra Assure platform to detect behavioral anomalies and worked with PyPI to remove the package, highlighting the growing need for advanced supply chain security tools to counter increasingly sophisticated threats.
Adam Khan, VP of Security Operations at Barracuda, joins to discuss his team's work on "The evolving use of QR codes in phishing attacks." Cybercriminals are evolving phishing tactics by embedding QR codes, or “quishing,” into PDF documents attached to emails, tricking recipients into scanning them to access malicious websites that steal credentials. Barracuda researchers found over half a million such emails from June to September 2024, with most impersonating brands like Microsoft, DocuSign, and Adobe to exploit urgency and trust. To counter these attacks, businesses should deploy multilayered email security, use AI-powered detection tools, educate employees on QR code risks, and enable multifactor authentication to safeguard accounts.
Watching the watchers. IoT vulnerabilities exposed by AI.
This week, we are joined by Andrew Morris, Founder and CTO of GreyNoise, to discuss their work on "GreyNoise Intelligence Discovers Zero-Day Vulnerabilities in Live Streaming Cameras with the Help of AI." GreyNoise discovered two critical zero-day vulnerabilities in IoT-connected live streaming cameras, used in sensitive environments like healthcare and industrial operations, by leveraging its AI-powered detection system, Sift. The vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-8956 (insufficient authentication) and CVE-2024-8957 (OS command injection), could allow attackers to take full control of affected devices, manipulate video feeds, or integrate them into botnets for broader attacks. This breakthrough underscores the transformative role of AI in identifying threats that traditional systems might miss, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the expanding IoT landscape.
The JPHP loader breaking away from the pack.
Shawn Kanady, Global Director of Trustwave SpiderLabs, to discuss their work on "Pronsis Loader: A JPHP-Driven Malware Diverging from D3F@ck Loader." Trustwave SpiderLabs has uncovered Pronsis Loader, a new malware variant using the rare programming language JPHP and stealthy installation tactics to evade detection. The malware is capable of delivering high-risk payloads like Lumma Stealer and Latrodectus, posing a significant threat. Researchers highlight its unique capabilities and infrastructure, offering insights for bolstering cybersecurity defenses.
This week, we are joined by Ami Luttwak, Co-Founder and CTO from Wiz, sharing their work on "Wiz Research Finds Critical NVIDIA AI Vulnerability Affecting Containers Using NVIDIA GPUs, Including Over 35 percent of Cloud Environments." A critical vulnerability in the NVIDIA Container Toolkit, widely used for GPU access in AI workloads, could allow attackers to escape containers and gain full access to host environments, jeopardizing sensitive data. Wiz estimates that at least 33% of cloud environments are affected and urges immediate updates to NVIDIA's patched version. This discovery highlights the broader issue of young, under-secured codebases in AI tools, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures and collaboration.
