Author: Curated

5 pitfalls that can delay cyber incident response and recovery

Source: Help Net Security Author: Help Net Security URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/20/incident-response-pitfalls/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

CISOs must enhance cyber incident response by avoiding common pitfalls, improving planning, communication, exercises, security, and automation for better preparedness.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Cyber incident response requires more than technical recovery; it must address business impact, reputation, and legal ramifications.
  2. An effective response plan should define roles, escalation paths, communication strategies, and be regularly updated.
  3. Tabletop exercises must be customized, internally owned, and frequently conducted to ensure realistic and actionable insights.
  4. Lack of timely information sharing can lead to confusion, downtime, and regulatory penalties during an incident.
  5. Coordination across multiple business functions is crucial for effective cyber incident response.
  6. Secure, out-of-band communication channels are essential to prevent attackers from accessing response strategies.
  7. Corporate communication tools may be compromised, necessitating independent backup systems for incident coordination.
  8. Manual response processes slow reaction times; automation can streamline decision-making and improve efficiency.
  9. Dynamic, automated response playbooks enable faster, more accurate incident handling.
  10. Proactive identification of weaknesses strengthens an organization’s overall cyber resilience and response effectiveness.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Incident response must go beyond technical fixes to include legal, reputational, and business considerations.
  2. Regularly updated and tested response plans are essential for effective cyber incident management.
  3. Customized, frequent tabletop exercises improve response readiness and prevent them from becoming mere checkbox activities.
  4. Secure, independent communication channels are necessary to protect response efforts from attackers.
  5. Automation and dynamic playbooks enhance response speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

Tomcat PUT to active abuse as Apache deals with critical RCE flaw

Source: Tomcat PUT to active abuse as Apache deals with critical RCE flaw | CSO Online Author: unknown URL: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3847956/tomcat-put-to-active-abuse-as-apache-deals-with-critical-rce-flaw.html

## ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
A critical RCE vulnerability in Apache Tomcat (CVE-2025-24813) is actively exploited, allowing attackers to gain remote control via PUT requests.

## MAIN POINTS:
1. Apache Tomcat has a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE-2025-24813) under active exploitation.
2. Attackers use a public proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit just 30 hours after disclosure.
3. Exploitation requires only a single PUT API request to compromise vulnerable servers.
4. PUT requests appear normal and use base64 encoding to evade detection.
5. The attack leverages Tomcat’s session persistence and partial PUT request handling.
6. Malicious session files uploaded via PUT requests execute remote code upon deserialization.
7. The attack is unauthenticated and works if Tomcat uses file-based session storage.
8. Affected versions include Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.2, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.34, and 9.0.0 M1 to 9.0.98.
9. Fixed versions are 11.0.3 or later, 10.1.35 or later, and 9.0.99 or later.
10. Attackers may soon escalate to uploading malicious JSP files and modifying configurations.

## TAKEAWAYS:
1. Organizations using vulnerable Tomcat versions should upgrade to fixed versions immediately.
2. The attack method is simple, requiring no authentication for exploitation.
3. Detecting the attack is difficult due to the normal appearance of PUT requests.
4. Future attacks may involve broader abuse beyond session storage manipulation.
5. Security teams should monitor for suspicious PUT requests and improve detection mechanisms.

Malicious PyPI Packages Stole Cloud Tokens—Over 14,100 Downloads Before Removal

Source: The Hacker News Author: [email protected] (The Hacker News) URL: https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/malicious-pypi-packages-stole-cloud.html

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
A malicious campaign targeted PyPI users with fake "time" utilities to steal cloud credentials, affecting thousands of downloads before removal.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Cybercriminals uploaded 20 malicious Python packages to PyPI, masquerading as "time"-related utilities.
2. These packages were designed to steal sensitive cloud access tokens from affected users.
3. The campaign resulted in over 14,100 downloads before the packages were removed.
4. Some packages uploaded data to threat actor infrastructure, while others mimicked cloud client functionalities.
5. Three packages were dependencies in a popular GitHub project, increasing their reach.
6. A commit referencing a malicious package dates back to November 8, 2023.
7. Fortinet discovered thousands of suspicious packages across PyPI and npm with harmful install scripts.
8. Malicious packages often use external URLs to download payloads or communicate with command-and-control servers.
9. 974 packages were linked to data exfiltration, malware downloads, and other threats.
10. Monitoring external URLs in package dependencies is critical to preventing exploitation.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Attackers increasingly exploit software supply chains by injecting malicious packages into trusted repositories.
2. Developers should verify package authenticity before installation to prevent credential theft.
3. Open-source ecosystems remain vulnerable to dependency hijacking and supply chain attacks.
4. Continuous monitoring and scrutiny of external URLs in dependencies are essential for security.
5. Security firms play a vital role in identifying and mitigating emerging threats in package repositories.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, March 2025 Security Update Review

Source: Qualys Security Blog Author: Diksha Ojha URL: https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2025/03/11/microsoft-patch-tuesday-march-2025-security-update-review

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
Microsoft's March 2025 Patch Tuesday addresses 67 vulnerabilities, including seven zero-days and six critical flaws, across multiple Windows products and services.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Microsoft patched 67 vulnerabilities, including six critical and 51 important severity issues.
2. Seven zero-day vulnerabilities were fixed, with four actively exploited in the wild.
3. Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) received patches for 10 security flaws.
4. Updates cover Windows, DNS Server, Hyper-V, Visual Studio, and multiple other Microsoft products.
5. Vulnerabilities include Spoofing, DoS, Elevation of Privilege, Information Disclosure, and Remote Code Execution.
6. Critical flaws in Windows Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Office, and Windows NTFS were patched.
7. CISA urged users to patch specific zero-day vulnerabilities before April 1, 2025.
8. Qualys TruRisk Eliminate offers patchless mitigation for high-risk vulnerabilities.
9. Microsoft advises immediate patching to mitigate potential cyber threats.
10. Next Patch Tuesday is scheduled for April 15, 2025.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Immediate patching is necessary to protect against actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
2. Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities in Windows Remote Desktop Services pose a significant risk.
3. Qualys TruRisk Eliminate provides mitigation strategies for critical vulnerabilities without requiring system reboots.
4. Organizations should stay updated with Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday to maintain security.
5. The Qualys monthly webinar series offers insights on vulnerability management and patching strategies.

Continuous Penetration Testing – A Consultant’s Perspective

Source: SANS Blog Author: unknown URL: https://www.sans.org/blog/continuous-penetration-testing-a-consultants-perspective/

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
Continuous penetration testing provides more value than fixed-time assessments by identifying vulnerabilities earlier and allowing timely remediation.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Fixed-time penetration tests often fail due to project delays, preventing timely identification and remediation of vulnerabilities.
2. A smart toy assessment revealed security flaws too late, forcing the company to release a vulnerable product.
3. Continuous penetration testing would have identified the toy’s Bluetooth vulnerability earlier, allowing fixes before production.
4. An assumed breach assessment failed because the customer allocated excessive resources, creating an unrealistic security scenario.
5. Continuous testing would provide a more accurate assessment of an organization’s real-world security posture.
6. Scheduling a penetration test can be complex, especially when teams lack clarity on testing priorities and readiness.
7. A financial technology customer failed to complete a security assessment due to scheduling misalignment among teams.
8. Continuous penetration testing integrates security assessments into the development cycle, minimizing delays and improving security outcomes.
9. Transitioning to continuous testing increases costs but provides a more comprehensive and valuable security assessment.
10. Organizations benefit from early vulnerability detection, better compliance, and stronger security posture with continuous penetration testing.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Fixed-time penetration tests often fail due to delays, leading to security risks in final products.
2. Continuous penetration testing allows vulnerabilities to be detected and remediated earlier in the development cycle.
3. A realistic security assessment requires testing under normal conditions, not during artificially heightened monitoring.
4. Integrating security testing into development reduces disruptions and enhances overall security effectiveness.
5. While costlier, continuous penetration testing provides a more valuable and comprehensive security assessment.

How NOT to f-up your security incident response

Source: The Register – Security Author: Jessica Lyons URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/10/incident_response_advice/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Failing to properly investigate and respond to a cybersecurity breach can lead to costly mistakes, reputational damage, and repeated intrusions.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. DIY forensic investigations often result in costly errors and overlooked attack vectors.
  2. Confirmation bias can skew incident response, leading to incorrect conclusions about breach origins.
  3. Insufficient investigation time and failure to integrate new evidence worsen security incidents.
  4. Organizations often react to breaches like patients receiving bad medical diagnoses—unprepared and uncertain.
  5. Narrow investigative focus, often due to cost concerns, risks missing key backdoors and vulnerabilities.
  6. Rushing to restore systems without preserving forensic evidence hampers proper breach analysis.
  7. Creating a detailed attack timeline aids in understanding and mitigating security incidents.
  8. Ransomware attacks exacerbate crisis response due to operational disruptions and extortion risks.
  9. Incident response teams must balance technical investigation with external pressures from stakeholders.
  10. Maintaining an updated, rehearsed cyber resilience plan is crucial for effective breach management.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Avoid DIY forensic investigations—engage experienced cybersecurity professionals.
  2. Take a methodical approach to incident response, ensuring evidence preservation before remediation.
  3. Regularly update and rehearse your incident response plan for better preparedness.
  4. Foster collaboration between security vendors to improve investigation effectiveness.
  5. Rebuilding compromised systems is often safer than attempting to clean them.

Who is Responsible and Does it Matter?

Source: Cisco Talos Blog Author: Martin Lee URL: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/who-is-responsible-and-does-it-matter/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Talos protects customers from cyber threats, analyzing attack patterns to identify threat actors like Lotus Blossom, which conducts espionage campaigns.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Talos defends customers against all cyber threats, regardless of origin or affiliation.
  2. Identifying an attack’s origin is harder than detecting the attack itself.
  3. Threat actors leave characteristic fingerprints based on their attack methods and tools.
  4. Attribution of attacks requires detailed research and may take time.
  5. Threat actors rarely admit responsibility, necessitating pseudonyms in the security industry.
  6. Lotus Blossom targets governments, manufacturing, telecoms, and media in Southeast Asia.
  7. The Sagerunex malware family is used by Lotus Blossom for command and control.
  8. Organizations should use Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) to check for incursions.
  9. A massive botnet of 86,000 IoT devices is conducting DDoS attacks.
  10. 244 million compromised passwords were added to “Have I Been Pwned.”

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Cyber threat attribution is complex but possible through identifying unique attack characteristics.
  2. Lotus Blossom’s espionage campaign highlights the need for strong cybersecurity defenses.
  3. Organizations must proactively search for IOCs to detect potential security breaches.
  4. Large-scale botnets remain a significant threat to industries like telecom and gaming.
  5. Password breaches reinforce the importance of strong, unique credentials and security monitoring.

Burp Suite Extension: Copy For 

Source: Black Hills Information Security Author: BHIS URL: https://www.blackhillsinfosec.com/copy-for/

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
Copy For is a Burp Suite extension that simplifies generating command-line syntax for security tools, saving time for pentesters.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Copy For integrates into Burp Suite’s context menu for easy access.
2. It generates properly formatted commands for popular security tools.
3. Supported tools include curl, ffuf, jwt_tool.py, Nikto, Nmap, Nuclei, and Wget.
4. Variable substitution automatically fills in relevant request details.
5. Users can add custom commands for additional flexibility.
6. Commands are copied to the clipboard for quick use.
7. Configurable flags allow customization of generated commands.
8. The extension saves configurations within Burp projects or JSON files.
9. Installation requires downloading the Python file and configuring it in Burp Suite.
10. It improves efficiency by reducing manual command crafting.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Copy For streamlines command generation for penetration testing.
2. It supports various security tools out of the box.
3. Custom commands and configurations enhance usability.
4. Installation is straightforward but requires Jython.
5. The extension helps pentesters focus on vulnerability discovery.

InvokeADCheck – Powershell Based Tool to Detect Active Directory Misconfigurations

Source: Cyber Security News Author: Guru Baran URL: https://cybersecuritynews.com/invokeadcheck-powershell-based-tool/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

InvokeADCheck is an open-source PowerShell module that automates Active Directory security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and reducing manual audit errors.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Active Directory misconfigurations, such as excessive permissions and outdated protocols, are common attack targets.
  2. Traditional AD auditing methods rely on disjointed PowerShell scripts, which are inefficient and error-prone.
  3. InvokeADCheck was developed to automate AD security assessments and identify vulnerabilities with precision.
  4. The tool performs over 20 targeted security checks across account vulnerabilities, group policies, delegation flaws, and domain health.
  5. Administrators can run specific checks or full scans with output options including CLI, JSON, Excel, and CSV formats.
  6. Results highlight critical security issues, enabling prioritized remediation through detailed reports.
  7. The module consists of 30+ private functions and a public function for structured auditing.
  8. InvokeADCheck is optimized for single-domain environments but may require complementary tools for multi-forest enterprises.
  9. Available on GitHub under an open-source license, it encourages community contributions and planned enhancements.
  10. The tool balances automation and granularity, helping security teams strengthen AD defenses efficiently.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Automating AD security assessments reduces human error and improves audit efficiency.
  2. InvokeADCheck consolidates fragmented scripts into a unified tool for better consistency and accuracy.
  3. Critical security issues are highlighted for easy identification and remediation.
  4. Open-source collaboration enhances security tools and fosters continuous improvements.
  5. AD security remains an ongoing challenge, requiring both automation and expert analysis for effective protection.

Varonis Delivers Market-leading Salesforce Security Including Agentforce Coverage

Source: Varonis Blog Author: [email protected] (Eugene Feldman) URL: https://www.varonis.com/blog/market-leading-salesforce-security

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Varonis for Salesforce provides advanced security, classification, and monitoring to protect sensitive data, manage permissions, and detect threats in Salesforce environments.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Salesforce stores vast amounts of sensitive data, making security complex and critical.
  2. Varonis for Salesforce deploys in 15 minutes to secure and classify sensitive data.
  3. It identifies and protects sensitive data in records, fields, files, and attachments.
  4. The platform monitors system usage, detects anomalies, and prevents data exfiltration.
  5. Effective permissions tracking simplifies access analysis and remediation.
  6. It enhances Salesforce Shield with enriched alerts and an audit trail.
  7. Misconfigurations and public link exposures are identified and remediated.
  8. Varonis manages third-party app risks to prevent unauthorized data access.
  9. The dashboard provides real-time security posture insights and risk indicators.
  10. Organizations can trial Varonis to assess and mitigate Salesforce security risks.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Varonis provides unparalleled visibility into sensitive data across Salesforce environments.
  2. It enhances security by monitoring permissions, misconfigurations, and third-party risks.
  3. The solution automates classification, access control, and anomaly detection.
  4. Organizations can quickly deploy Varonis to gain immediate security insights.
  5. Salesforce data security requires continuous monitoring and proactive risk management.

Fix Inventory: Open-source cloud asset inventory tool

Source: Help Net Security Author: Help Net Security URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/05/fix-inventory-open-source-cloud-asset-inventory-tool/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Fix Inventory is an open-source tool that detects compliance and security risks in multi-cloud environments by collecting, normalizing, and analyzing cloud asset data.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Fix Inventory is designed for cloud-native environments and supports over 300 cloud services.
  2. It collects metadata from cloud infrastructure APIs without requiring agents.
  3. Cloud data is structured into a graph schema for unified resource visibility.
  4. Security risks are identified by scanning data against compliance frameworks.
  5. The tool integrates with alerting and remediation workflows for automated security management.
  6. It addresses cloud security challenges like resource proliferation, partitioning, and shared ownership.
  7. Multi-cloud complexity is managed by consolidating assets into a single source of truth.
  8. Organizations can search, explore, and manage cloud resources across providers, accounts, and namespaces.
  9. Fix Inventory enhances security posture by detecting misconfigurations and vulnerabilities.
  10. The tool is open-source and available for free on GitHub.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Fix Inventory simplifies cloud security by unifying asset visibility across multiple providers.
  2. Agentless data collection ensures minimal performance impact on cloud environments.
  3. Compliance and security risks are proactively identified and managed.
  4. Integration with workflows enables automated security response and remediation.
  5. Open-source availability allows organizations to customize and extend its capabilities.

Creating Elegant Azure Custom Roles: Putting NotActions into Action!

Source: Tenable Blog Author: Lior Zatlavi URL: https://www.tenable.com/blog/creating-elegant-azure-custom-roles-putting-notactions-into-action

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Using Azure’s “NotActions” and “NotDataActions” attributes simplifies custom Role creation, making them more manageable, secure, and efficient.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Azure RBAC enables assigning permissions via built-in or custom Roles using JSON-based role definitions.
  2. “Actions” and “DataActions” define allowed control plane and data plane operations, respectively.
  3. “NotActions” and “NotDataActions” exclude specific permissions from those granted in “Actions” and “DataActions.”
  4. Wildcards (*) help simplify permission definitions by grouping multiple related actions.
  5. “NotActions” is not a deny rule; permissions excluded here can still be granted in other assignments.
  6. Tenable Cloud Security analyzes permissions and suggests least-privileged custom Roles based on actual usage.
  7. Automatically generated least-privileged Roles reduce security risks by limiting unnecessary permissions.
  8. Using “NotActions” significantly reduces Role definition size, improving readability and manageability.
  9. Compact, structured Roles make debugging and auditing permissions much easier.
  10. Testing in a lower environment before applying custom Roles in production is crucial for security.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Leveraging “NotActions” and “NotDataActions” streamlines custom Role creation and enhances security.
  2. Wildcards simplify permission management by avoiding lengthy, repetitive role definitions.
  3. Least-privileged Roles mitigate security risks by restricting unnecessary access.
  4. Tenable Cloud Security automates permission analysis and generates optimized Role suggestions.
  5. Properly structured custom Roles improve operational efficiency and ease of maintenance.

Rubrik rotates authentication keys after log server breach

Source: BleepingComputer Author: unknown URL: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/rubrik-rotates-authentication-keys-after-log-server-breach/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Rubrik experienced a security breach on a log file server, prompting key rotations, but found no evidence of data misuse.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Rubrik detected unusual activity on a server hosting log files.
  2. The company immediately took the affected server offline to mitigate risks.
  3. A forensic investigation confirmed the breach was isolated to this single server.
  4. No unauthorized access to customer data or internal source code was found.
  5. Some log files contained access information, leading to a precautionary key rotation.
  6. There is no evidence that the compromised information was misused.
  7. The breach was not a ransomware attack, and no communication from threat actors was received.
  8. Rubrik has over 6,000 customers, including major corporations and institutions.
  9. The company previously suffered a data breach in 2023 due to Fortra GoAnywhere attacks.
  10. A third-party forensic partner assisted in confirming the breach’s limited scope.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Quick detection and response helped contain the breach.
  2. Rotating authentication keys minimized potential risks from leaked access information.
  3. No customer data or internal source code was compromised.
  4. The incident was not linked to ransomware or extortion attempts.
  5. Past security breaches highlight the ongoing cybersecurity challenges for major firms.

VMware Security Flaws Exploited in the Wild—Broadcom Releases Urgent Patches

Source: The Hacker News Author: [email protected] (The Hacker News) URL: https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/vmware-security-flaws-exploited-in.html

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
Broadcom released security updates for actively exploited VMware ESXi, Workstation, and Fusion vulnerabilities that enable code execution and data leaks.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Broadcom patched three VMware security flaws actively exploited in the wild.
2. CVE-2025-22224 allows code execution via a TOCTOU vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.3.
3. CVE-2025-22225 enables sandbox escape through an arbitrary write flaw with a CVSS score of 8.2.
4. CVE-2025-22226 causes information disclosure via an out-of-bounds read with a CVSS score of 7.1.
5. Affected products include VMware ESXi, Workstation, Fusion, Cloud Foundation, and Telco Cloud Platform.
6. Fixed versions include ESXi 7.0U3s, ESXi 8.0U3d, Workstation 17.6.3, and Fusion 13.6.3.
7. Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center discovered and reported these vulnerabilities.
8. Broadcom confirmed real-world exploitation but did not disclose attack details or threat actor identities.
9. Users are urged to apply patches immediately for protection against active threats.
10. The vulnerabilities impact virtual machine security, potentially compromising host systems.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Organizations using VMware products must urgently apply the latest security patches.
2. Exploited vulnerabilities pose significant risks, including code execution and data leaks.
3. Microsoft played a key role in identifying and reporting these security flaws.
4. Broadcom acknowledged real-world exploitation but withheld specific attack details.
5. Keeping virtualization infrastructure updated is crucial to mitigating security risks.

The Shift to Risk-Based Data Security Posture Management

Source: Cloud Security Alliance Author: unknown URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/blog/2025/03/03/the-shift-to-risk-based-data-security-posture-management

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Organizations are shifting from compliance-driven cybersecurity to proactive, risk-based data security strategies to address evolving threats and enhance resilience.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Traditional compliance-based cybersecurity strategies are insufficient for modern data environments and evolving threats.
  2. Risk-based approaches focus on mitigating high-impact risks rather than merely meeting compliance requirements.
  3. Organizations face significant challenges in identifying and prioritizing vulnerabilities in complex cloud environments.
  4. Many companies lack adequate tools and confidence to manage high-risk data sources effectively.
  5. Diverging security priorities between executives and operational teams create inefficiencies in risk management.
  6. Overuse of multiple security tools leads to inefficiencies and conflicting information.
  7. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) enhances visibility, risk identification, and security control implementation.
  8. Key performance indicators are shifting from compliance violations to vulnerability patch rates and security violations.
  9. Organizations plan to invest in staff training, process automation, and security tool consolidation to improve risk management.
  10. A proactive, data-centric security approach enhances resilience and naturally supports compliance requirements.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Risk-based security strategies enable proactive threat mitigation and resource optimization.
  2. Cloud complexity requires unified security approaches to manage vulnerabilities effectively.
  3. DSPM enhances data protection by improving visibility and prioritizing critical risks.
  4. Investing in automation and tool consolidation reduces inefficiencies in risk management.
  5. Proactive security measures strengthen resilience while ensuring long-term organizational success.

CISO vs. CIO: Where security and IT leadership clash (and how to fix it)

Source: Help Net Security Author: Mirko Zorz URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/04/ciso-vs-cio/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

CISOs and CIOs often have conflicting priorities, but strategic collaboration enhances security, IT efficiency, and overall business resilience.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. CIOs prioritize IT efficiency and innovation, while CISOs focus on security, risk management, and compliance.
  2. Differing goals, budget constraints, and reporting structures often create friction between the two roles.
  3. Security requirements can slow down IT projects, creating conflicts between agility and risk management.
  4. A lack of shared language between IT and security teams leads to misunderstandings.
  5. Strong CIO-CISO collaboration increases budget efficiency, streamlines processes, and improves stakeholder confidence.
  6. Joint key performance indicators (KPIs) help align IT and security objectives.
  7. Organizations increasingly favor CISOs reporting to the CEO or Board for independent security oversight.
  8. Security-by-design principles prevent security from becoming a last-minute roadblock in IT projects.
  9. Risk-based security frameworks allow for faster, secure technology adoption without unnecessary restrictions.
  10. A unified IT-security budget approach strengthens the case for security investments as a business enabler.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Aligning IT and security goals fosters a resilient, innovative, and secure organization.
  2. Early CISO involvement in IT projects reduces friction and costly disruptions.
  3. Integrated reporting structures and collaboration tools improve communication and decision-making.
  4. Risk-based security approaches support business agility while maintaining strong protections.
  5. Presenting IT and security investments as a unified strategy enhances leadership buy-in and funding.

HuskyHacks/cazadora: Simple hunting script for suspicious M365 OAuth Apps

Source: GitHub Author: unknown URL: https://github.com/HuskyHacks/cazadora

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
A quick triage script for detecting suspicious Microsoft 365 OAuth apps using Graph API authentication and predefined hunting rules.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Uses device code or Azure SDK authentication to retrieve a Graph API token.
2. Enumerates a tenant's applications and service principals via the Graph API.
3. Runs hunting rules against collected data to identify suspicious apps.
4. Outputs results with color coding based on confidence levels.
5. Requires user authentication with Graph API query permissions.
6. Supports running in a Docker container for dependency management.
7. Flags suspicious apps based on naming conventions and reply URLs.
8. Highlights risks of default user consent settings in Microsoft 365.
9. Recommends configuring user consent settings to prevent unauthorized app installations.
10. Does not guarantee complete detection of suspicious applications.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. The script helps identify potentially malicious OAuth apps in a Microsoft 365 tenant.
2. Authentication is required via device code or Azure SDK web login.
3. Suspicious apps are flagged based on predefined threat intelligence rules.
4. Users should configure consent settings to limit unauthorized app installations.
5. The script is a helpful tool but not a definitive security solution.

Top 10 Most Probable Ways a Company Can Be Hacked

Source: Dark Reading Author: Erich Kron URL: https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/top-10-most-probable-ways-company-can-be-hacked

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

A data-driven cybersecurity strategy prioritizes addressing root causes of attacks rather than symptoms, ensuring proactive defense against evolving cyber threats.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. A data-driven cybersecurity strategy relies on real data, not intuition, to protect critical assets.
  2. Understanding attack root causes prevents vulnerabilities rather than just mitigating attack symptoms.
  3. Social engineering is the primary attack method, exploiting human behavior through phishing, vishing, and other deceptive techniques.
  4. Programming bugs create exploitable security weaknesses, often due to coding errors or outdated software.
  5. Authentication attacks exploit credential vulnerabilities using brute force, MFA bypass, and credential stuffing.
  6. Malicious scripting abuses legitimate programming tools like PowerShell to execute harmful actions.
  7. Human errors and misconfigurations, such as overly permissive permissions, frequently lead to security breaches.
  8. Eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks intercept and manipulate sensitive communications.
  9. Brute-force attacks leverage computing power to crack weak passwords and encryption keys.
  10. Insider threats pose significant risks as they originate from trusted individuals with legitimate access.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Prioritize addressing root causes like social engineering and unpatched software over reacting to attack symptoms.
  2. Focus cybersecurity efforts on protecting the most critical assets and identifying likely attack vectors.
  3. Human error and misconfigurations remain major security risks that require training and strict access controls.
  4. Security teams must avoid distraction from news-driven threats and instead rely on their own risk assessments.
  5. Preventing future attacks demands continuous evaluation of vulnerabilities rather than just responding to incidents.

MHaggis/SequelEyes: SQL, IIS, Oh My…

Source: GitHub Author: unknown URL: https://github.com/MHaggis/SequelEyes

## ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
SequelEyes is a security testing toolkit integrating SQL Server and IIS, offering automated deployment, validation, and vulnerability assessments via PowerShell.

## MAIN POINTS:
1. Provides an automated SQL Server installation with secure defaults.
2. Includes security testing tools to detect vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
3. Supports dual testing methods using Invoke-Sqlcmd and sqlcmd.exe.
4. Automates IIS installation and configuration with ASP.NET.
5. Integrates IIS web applications with SQL Server backends.
6. Allows clean removal of IIS components when necessary.
7. Requires Windows PowerShell 5.1+, admin privileges, and 6GB+ free disk space.
8. Offers various security tests, including authentication patterns and data exfiltration detection.
9. Outputs results via console with color-coded indicators and detailed logs.
10. Open-source under Apache License 2.0, with contributions welcomed on GitHub.

## TAKEAWAYS:
1. SequelEyes simplifies SQL Server and IIS security testing and integration.
2. Automating deployment and validation enhances security and efficiency.
3. The toolkit supports multiple security test categories for thorough assessments.
4. Requires careful use in controlled environments to prevent unintended risks.
5. Open-source nature encourages community contributions for improvements.

p0dalirius

Source: GitHub Author: unknown URL: https://github.com/p0dalirius

# ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
A French Security Researcher and Microsoft MVP specializes in security vulnerabilities, open-source tools, and responsible disclosure while seeking sponsorship.

# MAIN POINTS:
1. Specializes in finding security vulnerabilities in Windows, Active Directory, and web applications.
2. Has published 101 open-source security tools with more in development.
3. Actively reports and responsibly discloses security vulnerabilities.
4. Received six CVEs with two more pending release.
5. Offers tools for Active Directory security, authentication coercion, and password cracking.
6. Developed multiple Python scripts for penetration testing and security research.
7. Seeks sponsorship to support research costs, including server expenses and mainframe restoration.
8. Sponsors can contribute via GitHub Sponsors or Patreon.
9. Tools cover areas like LDAP monitoring, SMB share dumping, and BitLocker key extraction.
10. Creates resources for network security, privilege escalation, and vulnerability scanning.

# TAKEAWAYS:
1. Contributions significantly enhance security research and penetration testing capabilities.
2. Open-source tools provide valuable resources for ethical hacking and security auditing.
3. Sponsorship helps sustain ongoing security tool development and research.
4. Active disclosure of vulnerabilities supports improved cybersecurity practices.
5. Python-based tools streamline security assessments across various environments.

Building Better GRC Habits: Why 2025 Is the Year To Embrace Continuous Controls Monitoring

Source: Cloud Security Alliance Author: unknown URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/articles/building-better-grc-habits-why-2025-is-the-year-to-embrace-continuous-controls-monitoring

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Many organizations struggle with effective compliance management, needing a shift from reactive approaches to continuous controls monitoring for lasting improvement.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Many organizations invest in GRC tools but fail to develop sustainable compliance habits.
  2. Only 5% of organizations consider their compliance programs optimized for efficiency and continuous improvement.
  3. 94% of CISOs believe Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM) improves security and compliance.
  4. Over 50% of organizations lack compliance integration in their CI/CD pipeline.
  5. 80% of CISOs report unnecessary duplication in compliance efforts.
  6. 55% of CISOs cite cultural resistance as the main barrier to CCM adoption.
  7. 31% of CISOs highlight financial concerns as a primary obstacle to change.
  8. Successful GRC transformation requires breaking goals into smaller, manageable steps.
  9. Choosing the right CCM tools with strong integrations is crucial for success.
  10. Measuring and communicating compliance achievements builds momentum for broader transformation.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Shifting from reactive compliance to a continuous mindset is essential for long-term security and efficiency.
  2. Cultural and organizational resistance pose greater challenges than financial constraints in adopting CCM.
  3. Automating repetitive compliance tasks can significantly reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.
  4. Selecting CCM tools with strong integrations and real-time reporting enhances compliance management.
  5. Organizations should focus on small wins and gradual improvements to build sustainable GRC habits.

How to configure OAuth in Microsoft 365 Defender and keep your cloud secure

Source: 5 things to know about ransomware threats in 2025 | CSO Online Author: unknown URL: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3833826/how-to-configure-oauth-in-microsoft-365-defender-and-keep-your-cloud-secure.html

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Cloud authentication offers security and efficiency but requires vigilant monitoring to prevent OAuth abuse, phishing attacks, and Active Directory compromises.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Cloud authentication enhances security, scalability, and cost-efficiency but can be exploited if not properly managed.
  2. OAuth technology enables third-party access without sharing credentials but can be misused for unauthorized access.
  3. Attackers exploit OAuth through phishing, stealing session tokens to gain persistent access.
  4. Microsoft 365 Defender helps detect OAuth-related threats, including business email compromise and phishing attacks.
  5. Organizations should regularly review OAuth connections, focusing on high-risk permissions and newly authorized apps.
  6. Administrative approval for OAuth applications can prevent unauthorized access but may introduce operational overhead.
  7. Monitoring OAuth logs and resetting credentials after a compromise is crucial for security.
  8. On-premises Active Directory is also targeted, requiring additional security measures.
  9. Microsoft 365 Defender tools help identify vulnerabilities and recommend security improvements.
  10. Regular reviews and proactive security measures, such as LAPS, help prevent lateral movement and credential misuse.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Regularly audit OAuth applications and permissions to mitigate security risks.
  2. Enable administrative approval for OAuth apps to prevent unauthorized access.
  3. Use Microsoft 365 Defender to detect and respond to OAuth-related attacks.
  4. Implement LAPS to manage administrator passwords and prevent lateral movement.
  5. Continuously monitor cloud authentication and Active Directory security to stay ahead of threats.

Using RPC Filters to Protect Against Coercion Attacks

Source: #_shellntel Blog Author: unknown URL: https://blog.shellntel.com/p/using-rpc-filters-to-protect-against-coercion-attacks

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Coercion attacks exploit network vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, requiring comprehensive remediation and detection strategies beyond simple patches or fixes.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Coercion attacks force authentication requests to attacker-specified hosts, often chaining with other exploits.
  2. Many organizations fail to fully remediate coercion vulnerabilities despite widespread awareness.
  3. Partial remediation often focuses on ADCS or NTLMv1 downgrading, leaving other attack vectors open.
  4. RPC filters in Windows can mitigate some coercion attacks but have limitations and bypasses.
  5. Several well-known coercion vulnerabilities exist, including Printer Bug, PetitPotam, and DFS Coerce.
  6. Microsoft has patched some vulnerabilities, but others remain exploitable with authenticated access.
  7. PowerShell scripts can help automate blocking vulnerable RPC endpoints.
  8. Event IDs like 5145 and 5712 can aid in detecting coercion attack attempts.
  9. Domain Controllers should not run print spooler services to reduce attack surfaces.
  10. Effective remediation requires patching, disabling unnecessary services, and implementing robust monitoring.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Coercion attacks remain a serious privilege escalation threat despite existing mitigations.
  2. Organizations must implement layered defenses, not just rely on patching.
  3. PowerShell scripts can streamline RPC endpoint blocking for better security.
  4. Monitoring Event IDs like 5145 can improve detection of attack attempts.
  5. Regular security assessments are essential to identify and remediate lingering vulnerabilities.

The compliance illusion: Why your company might be at risk despite passing audits

Source: Help Net Security Author: Mirko Zorz URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/02/26/compliance-security-illustion/

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Compliance frameworks provide structure but don’t guarantee security; organizations must shift from checkbox compliance to continuous, risk-based cybersecurity resilience.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. Compliance frameworks like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 don’t equate to strong security.
  2. Many organizations treat compliance as a checkbox rather than an ongoing security practice.
  3. Security breaches can occur even in fully compliant organizations.
  4. Compliance should be a tool for progress, not the final security goal.
  5. Companies often focus on passing audits rather than ensuring effective security controls.
  6. Overreliance on third-party auditors can lead to false security confidence.
  7. Compliance frameworks often neglect human error, a major cause of breaches.
  8. Static compliance requirements fail to adapt to evolving cybersecurity threats.
  9. Organizations should align compliance efforts with real business risks.
  10. Security culture and continuous training are essential for true resilience.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Treat compliance as a baseline, not the ultimate security goal.
  2. Regularly test security controls beyond compliance audits.
  3. Reframe board discussions to focus on risk exposure, not just compliance status.
  4. Align security efforts with business-specific threats beyond regulatory requirements.
  5. Foster a strong security culture through continuous, adaptive training.

How to create an effective incident response plan

Source: How to create an effective incident response plan | CSO Online Author: unknown URL: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3829684/how-to-create-an-effective-incident-response-plan.html

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

A well-structured incident response plan ensures business resilience by prioritizing critical systems, clear communication, defined roles, and continuous testing.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. A major IT outage can halt business operations, making incident response planning crucial for resilience.
  2. Business impact analysis (BIA) helps identify essential functions and prioritize response efforts.
  3. Clear communication strategies prevent extended downtimes and confusion during incidents.
  4. Defined roles and responsibilities ensure a coordinated and efficient incident response.
  5. Incident response should involve cross-functional teams beyond just IT and cybersecurity.
  6. Understanding the evolving threat landscape, including supply chain and insider threats, is essential.
  7. Continuous testing and reviews improve response effectiveness and readiness.
  8. Lessons learned from past incidents should inform future response strategies.
  9. Simplified, modular playbooks enhance usability and adaptability in crisis situations.
  10. Cybersecurity incidents should be treated as business-wide concerns, not just IT issues.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Businesses must proactively assess critical systems and plan responses before an incident occurs.
  2. Effective communication protocols minimize downtime and improve coordination during crises.
  3. Clearly assigned roles and workflows prevent confusion and enhance response efficiency.
  4. Regular testing and post-incident reviews strengthen overall resilience and preparedness.
  5. A modular playbook approach simplifies response efforts and ensures adaptability.