In the previous Part 1 post, I discussed the initial response, risk, and mitigations for the recently-disclosed zero day Oracle Java vulnerabilities that attackers have used in attacks against vulnerable end-user systems. Since then, Oracle has released software updates that correct the original flaw documented in IntelliShield alert 26751, as well as for additional vulnerabilities, as documented in IntelliShield alert 26831.

Attacks leveraging the Java vulnerabilities have increased, with reports indicating that tens of thousands of systems have been compromised. The malicious software toolkit BlackHole, documented in IntelliShield alert 25108, has incorporated the previously-reported Metasploit exploit and can be used to build exploits for use in attacks. Observed exploits have installed the Poison Ivy remote access trojan, and other malicious software may also be downloaded and installed using Poison Ivy, once installed on a vulnerable system.

Read More »

Tags: java, java security, Oracle, security, vulnerabilities

Protecting data, resources, and assets, including audio-video (A/V) content and communications no matter where it resides or travels on Cisco-powered networks can be a daunting undertaking to say the least. People ultimately are responsible for making this happen. With this thought in mind, here are a few questions that frequently challenge someone with this type of responsibility:

• How can one ensure that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the core network keeps pace with the introduction of new technologies, while managing the continuous stream of disclosures on existing product vulnerabilities and emerging threats?
• What preemptive or corrective actions can one take to mitigate or remediate known or potential weaknesses in your network operations?
• What trusted informational resources are available that we can apply in the design, operation and optimization of a secure network, and where can this information be found?

This article provides personal insight into a specialized role residing within Cisco’s Applied Intelligence team, a team which was highlighted in the Network World feature article (page 3), “Inside Cisco Security Intelligence Operations.” The role is that of the Security Intelligence Engineer (SIE), a role which focuses on researching and producing actionable intelligence, vulnerability analysis, and threat validation that typically leads to providing answers and solutions to the challenges posed by these questions.

Read More »

Tags: Cisco, cyber security, security, Security Intelligence Operations (SIO), vulnerabilities

Organizations implementing Continuous Monitoring strategies are remiss if they are not taking into account the value of network telemetry in their approach. NIST Special Publication 800-137, Information Security Continuous Monitoring for Federal Information Systems and Organizations provides guidance on the implementation of a Continuous Monitoring strategy, but fails to address the importance of network telemetry into that strategy. In fact the 38 page document only mentions the word “network” 36 times. The SP 800-137 instead focuses on two primary areas: configuration management and patch management.  Both are fundamental aspects of managing an organizations overall risk, but to rely on those two aspects alone for managing risk falls short of achieving an effective Continuous Monitoring strategy for the following reasons

First, the concepts around configuration and patch management are very component specific. Individual components of a system are configured and patched. While these are important the focus is on vulnerabilities of improper configuration or known weaknesses in software. Second, this approach presumes that with proper configuration control and timely patch management that the overall risk of exploitation to the organization’s information system is dramatically reduced.

While an environment that has proper configuration and patch management is less likely to be exposed to known threats, they are no more prepared to prevent or detect sophisticated threats based on unknown or day-zero exploits. Unfortunately, the customization and increase in sophistication of malware is only growing. A recent threat report indicated that nearly 2/3 of Verizon’s data breach caseload were due to customized malware. It is also important to keep in mind that there is some amount of time that passes between a configuration error is determined and fixed or the time it takes to patch vulnerable software. This amount of time can potentially afford an attacker a successful vector.  For these reasons organizations looking to implement a Continuous Monitoring strategy should depend on the network to provide a near real-time view of the transactions that are occurring. Understanding the behavior of the network is important to create a more dynamic risk management focused Continuous Monitoring strategy.

Network telemetry can consist of different types of information describing network transactions in various locations on the network. Two valuable telemetry sources are NetFlow and Network Secure Event Logging (NSEL). NetFlow is a mechanism that organizations can use to offer a more holistic view of the enterprise risk picture. NetFlow is available in the majority of network platforms and builds transaction records of machine-to-machine communications both within the enterprise boundary as well as connections leaving the enterprise boundary. These communication records provide invaluable information and identify both policy violations and configuration errors. Additionally, NetFlow also provides insight into malicious software communications and large quantities of information leaving an enterprise. Network Secure Event Logging uses the NetFlow protocol to transmit important information regarding activities occurring on enterprise firewalls. This is valuable data that can be aggregated with other NetFlow sources to bring additional context to the network behavior occurring.

Coupling the configuration and patch management guidance in SP 800-137 with an active NetFlow monitoring capability will provide organizations with a Continuous Monitoring strategy that is more system focused and more apt to fostering a dynamic risk management environment. Cisco will be discussing NetFlow, NSEL and other security topics at the March 21st,  Government Solutions Forum in Washington, D.C. If you’re interested in learning more, click on the following URL:

www.cisco.com/go/gsf

Tags: 800-137, configuration management, Continuous Monitoring, cyber security, dynamic risk management, netflow, network secure event logging, NIST, Risk Management, vulnerabilities

A Republican task force recently released a limited set of near-term recommendations for cybersecurity legislation that emphasized voluntary standards instead of regulation. Interesting. Several words jump out at me in that sentence. “Voluntary standards”, “near-term”, “not regulated”. I paraphrase.

Seems to me that something as important as a task force that was put together should be working on an overall strategy to address cybersecurity rather than trying to patch holes in the dike. Read More »

Tags: cybersecurity, DHS, FISMA, government, legislation, private sector, security, vulnerabilities, White House Cyber Plan