XZ - Backdoors and The Fragile Supply Chain - PSW #823

In this RSAC 2024 South Stage Keynote, Mikko Hyppönen will look back at the past decade of ransomware evolution and explore how newer innovations, like AI, are shaping its future.   Illuminating the Cybersecurity Path: A Conversation with Jeremiah Grossman Join us for a compelling episode featuring Jeremiah Grossman, a prominent figure in the cybersecurity landscape. As a recognized expert, Jeremiah has played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around web security and risk management. Jeremiah's journey in cybersecurity is marked by a series of influential roles, including Chief of Security Strategy at SentinelOne and Founder of WhiteHat Security. With a focus on web application security, he has been a driving force in advocating for innovative approaches to protect organizations from cyber threats. In this episode, we explore Jeremiah's vast experience and delve into his insights on the ever-evolving cybersecurity challenges. From his early days as a hacker to his current position as a sought-after industry thought leader, Jeremiah shares valuable perspectives on the strategies and philosophies that underpin effective cybersecurity practices. As a pioneer in the field, Jeremiah has contributed significantly to the development of best practices for identifying and mitigating web-related vulnerabilities. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving threat landscape and the proactive measures organizations can take to secure their digital assets. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, tech enthusiast, or someone eager to comprehend the complexities of online security, this podcast with Jeremiah Grossman promises to be an illuminating exploration of the past, present, and future of cybersecurity. Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-828

The Security Weekly crew discusses some of the latest articles and research in cryptography and some background relevant subtopics including the race against quantum computing, key management, creating your own crypto, selecting the right crypto and more! https://www.globalsecuritymag.com/keysight-introduces-testing-capabilities-to-strengthen-post-quantum.html https://malware.news/t/reversinglabs-hashing-algorithm/81418 https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-chromes-new-post-quantum-cryptography-may-break-tls-connections/ https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/44060/hsbc-and-paypal-tackle-quantum-safe-cryptography-in-payments https://blog.trailofbits.com/2024/04/26/announcing-two-new-lms-libraries/ https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2024/04/16/a-quick-post-on-chens-algorithm/ ChatGPT writes exploits, banning default and weak passwords, forget vulnerabilities just get rid of malware, IR blasting for fun and not profit, creating fake people, shattered dreams and passkey, and removing chips. Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-827

On February 27, 2024, PCAST (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) sent a report to the President with recommendations to bolster the resilience and adaptability of the nation’s cyber-physical infrastructure resources. Phil was part of the team that worked on the report and comes on the show to talk about what was recommended and how we implement the suggestions. This week the crew discusses: When TVs scan your network, bad things can happen, PuTTY is vulnerable, Crush FTP, vulnerabilities that will never be fixed, CVEs are for vulnerabilities silly, you can test for easily guessable passwords too, FlipperZero can steal all your passwords, more XZ style attacks, more reasons why you shouldn't use a smart lock, and your keystrokes are showing! Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-826

Version 4.0 of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) puts greater emphasis on application security than did previous versions of the standard. It also adds a new “customized approach” option that allows merchants and other entities to come up with their own ways to comply with requirements, and which also has implications for application security. Specifically, PCI DSS 4.0 requires that by March 31, 2025, more testing of public-facing applications related to payment processing or other activities be considered “in scope” for compliance. Generally, any system that touches payment-card data is in scope for PCI DSS compliance, whether or not the system or function is public-facing. We'll talk through what organizations should have gotten done by March 31, 2024, and what needs to happen by March 31, 2025. Segment Resources: https://info.obsglobal.com/pci-4.0-resources Pioneering the Cyber Battlefield: A Deep Dive with Winn Schwartau, Cybersecurity Luminary Get ready for an extraordinary episode as we sit down with Winn Schwartau, a true pioneer and luminary in the world of cybersecurity. Winn's impact on the field is nothing short of legendary, and in this podcast interview, we uncover the profound insights and experiences that have shaped his unparalleled career. Winn Schwartau's journey began long before the mainstream recognition of cybersecurity as a critical discipline. As a thought leader and visionary, he foresaw the digital threats that would come to define our interconnected age. Join us as we delve into the early days of cybersecurity and explore the foresight that led Winn to become a trailblazer in the industry. An accomplished author, speaker, and strategist, Winn Schwartau has been at the forefront of shaping cybersecurity policies and practices. From his groundbreaking book "Information Warfare" to his influential work on the concept of the "Electronic Pearl Harbor," Winn has consistently pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking in cybersecurity. In this podcast episode, Winn shares his unique perspective on the evolution of cyber threats, the challenges faced by individuals and organizations, and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in cybersecurity strategy. Prepare to be captivated by the stories and experiences that have fueled Winn's advocacy for a more resilient and secure digital world. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, an enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the profound impact of technology on our lives, this conversation with Winn Schwartau promises to be a journey through the past, present, and future of cybersecurity. Don't miss the chance to gain unparalleled insights from a true cybersecurity luminary. Tune in and discover the wisdom that only Winn Schwartau can bring to the table in this illuminating podcast interview. Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-825

Jim joins the Security Weekly crew to discuss all things supply chain! Given the recent events with XZ we still have many topics to explore, especially when it comes to practical advice surrounding supply chain threats. Ahoi new VM attacks ahead! HTTP/2 floods, USB Hid and run, forwarded email tricks, attackers be scanning, a bunch of nerds write software and give it away for free, your TV is on the Internet, Rust library issue, D-Link strikes again, EV charging station vulnerabilities, and rendering all cybersecurity useless. Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-824

As most of you have probably heard there was a scary supply chain attack against the open source compression software called "xz". The security weekly hosts will break down all the details and provide valuable insights. https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2024/03/29/xz-utils-sshd-backdoor https://gynvael.coldwind.pl/?id=782 https://isc.sans.edu/diary/The+xzutils+backdoor+in+security+advisories+by+national+CSIRTs/30800 https://lcamtuf.substack.com/p/technologist-vs-spy-the-xz-backdoor https://github.com/amlweems/xzbot https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-brief-xz-utils-cve-2024-3094/ https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/xz-utils-software-backdoor-uncovered-in-years-long-hacking-plot/ https://gist.github.com/smx-smx/a6112d54777845d389bd7126d6e9f504 https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/04/what-we-know-about-the-xz-utils-backdoor-that-almost-infected-the-world/ https://xeiaso.net/notes/2024/xz-vuln/ https://infosec.exchange/@[email protected] https://github.com/notselwyn/cve-2024-1086?tab=readme-ov-file https://doublepulsar.com/inside-the-failed-attempt-to-backdoor-ssh-globally-that-got-caught-by-chance-bbfe628fafdd pfSense switches to Linux (April Fools?), Flipper panic in Oz, Tales from the Krypt, Funding to secure the Internet, Abusing SSH on Windows, Blinding EDR, more hotel hacking, Quantum Bleed, and more! Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-823

Jason Healey comes on the show to discuss new ideas on whether the new national cybersecurity strategy is working. Segment Resources: DEFRAG Hacker Film Festival short documentary (https://youtu.be/NYvHWcQsIRE) on hackers and their favorite films. For educational purposes only, as we don’t have the rights to the clips. YouTube link to Wargames event with Jen Easterly, Matt Devost, Amelia Koran and Kevin Huyck (head of ops for NORAD) (https://youtu.be/iqx6STDYJ7c?si=73WQtSG4RnCGsBcT). https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/which-cyber-regulations-fit-which-sectors https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-national-cybersecurity-strategy-breaking-a-50-year-losing-streak https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/twenty-five-years-of-white-house-cyber-policies https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/understanding-offenses-systemwide-advantage-cyberspace The PSW crew discusses some crypto topics, such as post-quantum and GoFetch, new Flipper Zero projects, RFID hacking and hotel locks, BlueDucky, side channel attacks and more! Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-822

Josh Corman joins us to explore how we can make things more secure, making companies make things more secure, and making regulations that make us make things more secure! We will also touch on supply chain security and the state of vulnerability tracking and scoring. We discuss the always controversial Flipper Zero devices the hidden risks in the undersea cables, and the landscape of government oversight, revealing the intricacies of CVE, KEV, and NVD systems that are the linchpins of our digital safety. The conversation takes a turn to the practicalities of risk management and the impact of individuals on the industry, like Daniel from the curl project, striking a chord with the significance of cybersecurity vulnerabilities compared to environmental pollution. We tackle the challenges of vulnerability prioritization and the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing the ever-evolving threats that target our digital infrastructure. (00:01) Security Practices and Flipper Zero (07:01) Technology and Privacy Concerns in Cars (17:33) Undersea Cables and NVD Issues (27:45) Government Oversight and Funding for Cybersecurity (33:33) Improving Vulnerability Prioritization in Cybersecurity (45:37) Risk Management and CVE Implementation (58:06) Cybersecurity Budget and Risk Management (01:10:48) Unique Challenges in Cybersecurity Industry (01:16:41) Discussion on Open Source and CNAs (01:26:44) Bluetooth Vulnerabilities and Exploits Discussed (01:39:46) Email Security and Compromised Accounts (01:46:23) Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities (01:52:06) GPU Security Vulnerabilities Explained Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-821

Omkhar Arasaratnam is the General Manager of the Open Source Software Foundation (OpenSSF) and appears on the show to discuss memory safety, why re-writing software isn't always the best option, open-source software supply chains, and more! Segment Resources: https://openssf.org/blog/2024/02/26/openssf-supports-efforts-to-build-more-secure-and-measurable-software/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Final-ONCD-Technical-Report.pdf In the security News end of life routers and exploits, SCCM mis-configurations lead to compromise, apparently you can hack anything with a Flipper Zero, do source code leaks matter?, visibility is important, printer vulnerabilities that no one cares about, friendship gets you firmware, lock hacking continues, VM escapes and risk, and multiple really cool Bluetooth hacking stories. Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-820

Public information about exploits and vulnerabilities alone is not enough to inform prioritization, especially with the growing rate and variety of CVEs. Dan DeCloss, founder and CTO of PlexTrac, joins the show to discuss solving the challenges of risk prioritization to drive faster, more strategic assessment cycles. Spoiler: The key is adding context and prioritization to risk-scoring equations.   Segment Resources: https://plextrac.com/get-ready-to-prioritize-risk-with-our-new-contextual-scoring-engine/?utm_medium=tech_ptr&utm_source=security_weekly  https://plextrac.com/video/priorities/?utm_medium=tech_ptr&utm_source=security_weekly  This segment is sponsored by PlexTrac. Visit https://securityweekly.com/plextrac to learn more about them! BiaSciLab from DEF CON joins us to discuss DCNextGen! In the security News: MouseJacking still works, CISA recommends a complete rebuild, memory safety and re-writing code, not all doorbells are created equal, putting a firewall in front of your LLM, rugged gear and vulnerabilities, PLCs are not safe, neither are Windows kernels.. Segment Resources: https://www.defcon.kids  https://www.BiaSciLab.com  https://www.GirlsWhoHack.com  https://www.SecureOpenVote.com  Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-819