CyberWire Daily

The DOGE team faces growing backlash. The Five Eyes release guidance on protecting edge devices. A critical macOS kernel vulnerability allows privilege escalation, memory corruption, and kernel code execution. Google and Mozilla release security updates for Chrome and Firefox. Multiple Veeam backup products are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Zyxel suggests you replace those outdated routers. A former Google engineer faces multiple charges for alleged corporate espionage. CISA issues nine new advisories for ICS vulnerabilities. A house Republican introduces a cybersecurity workforce scholarship bill. On our CertByte segment, a look at ISC2’s CISSP exam. Google updates its stance on AI weapons. 

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Welcome to CertByte! On this bi-weekly segment hosted by Chris Hare.

This week, Chris is joined by Steven Burnley to break down a question targeting ISC2®'s CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional) exam. Today’s question comes from N2K’s ISC2® CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional Practice Test.

Have a question that you’d like to see covered? Email us at certbyte@n2k.com. If you're studying for a certification exam, check out N2K’s full exam prep library of certification practice tests, practice labs, and training courses by visiting our website at n2k.com/certify.

Please note: The questions and answers provided here, and on our site, are not actual current or prior questions and answers from these certification publishers or providers.

Federal Workers Sue to Disconnect DOGE Server (WIRED)

Treasury says DOGE review has ‘read-only’ access to federal payments system (The Record)

‘Things Are Going to Get Intense:’ How a Musk Ally Plans to Push AI on the Government (404 Media)

Cybersecurity, government experts are aghast at security failures in DOGE takeover (CyberScoop)

Five Eyes Launch Guidance to Improve Edge Device Security (Infosecurity Magazine)

Apple's MacOS Kernel Vulnerability Let Attackers Escalate Privileges - PoC Released (Cyber Security News) 

Chrome 133, Firefox 135 Patch High-Severity Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

Critical Veeam Vulnerability (CVE-2025-23114) Exposes Backup Servers to Remote Code Execution (SOCRadar)

Router maker Zyxel tells customers to replace vulnerable hardware exploited by hackers (TechCrunch)

US cranks up espionage charges against ex-Googler accused of trade secrets heist (The Register)

CISA Releases Nine Advisories Detailing vulnerabilities and Exploits Surrounding ICS (Cyber Security News)

CISA hires former DHS CIO into top cyber position (Federal News Network)

Proposal for federal cyber scholarship, with service requirement, returns in House (The Record)

Google drops pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance (Washington Post)

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DOGE’s unchecked access to federal networks sparks major cybersecurity fears. Senator Hawley’s AI ban targets China and raises free speech concerns. Apple service ticket portal vulnerability exposed millions of users’ data. North Korean ‘FlexibleFerret’ malware targets macos via job scams and fake zoom apps. February 2025 android security update fixes 48 vulnerabilities, including exploited zero-day. Grubhub data breach exposes customer and driver information. Abandoned cloud infrastructure creates major security risks. Texas to launch its own Cyber Command amid rising cyber threats. Dell PowerProtect vulnerabilities pose critical security risks. On our Threat Vector segment, David Moulton and his guests look at the potential dangers of DeepSeek. U.S. Government is quietly altering the Head Start database. And a moment of inspiration from a spacefaring poet.

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Artificial intelligence is advancing fast, but with innovation comes risk. In this segment of Threat Vector, host David Moulton sits down with Sam Rubin, SVP of Consulting and Threat Intelligence at Unit 42, and Kyle Wilhoit, Director of Threat Research, to explore the vulnerabilities of DeepSeek, a new large language model. To listen to the full discussion, please check out the episode here or on your favorite podcast app, and tune in to new episodes of Threat Vector by Palo Alto Networks every Thursday. 

Musk’s DOGE effort could spread malware, expose US systems to threat actors (CSO Online)

As DOGE teams plug into federal networks, cybersecurity risks could be huge, experts say (The Record)

Senator Hawley Proposes Jail Time for People Who Download DeepSeek (404 Media)

Apple Service Ticket portal Vulnerability Exposes Millions of Users Data (Cyber Security News) 

N. Korean ‘FlexibleFerret’ Malware Hits macOS with Fake Zoom, Job Scams (Hackread)

Google fixes Android kernel zero-day exploited in attacks (Bleeping Computer)

GrubHub Data Breach - Customers Phone Numbers Exposed (Cyber Security News) 

Here’s all the ways an abandoned cloud instance can cause security issues (CyberScoop)

Texas to Establish Cyber Command Amid “Dramatic” Rise in Attacks (Infosecurity Magazine)

Multiple Dell PowerProtect Vulnerabilities Let Attackers Compromise System (Cyber Security News) 

‘Forbidden Words’: Github Reveals How Software Engineers Are Purging Federal Databases (404 Media) 

T-Minus Deep Space: Inspiration4 with Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor. (T-Minus Deep Space podcast)

Dr. Sian Proctor got her ticket to space after being selected for her poetry (Instagram) 

2025 SpaceCom: Interview with Dr. Sian Proctor (YouTube) 

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Federal agencies become battlegrounds in an unprecedented power struggle. XE Group evolves from credit-card skimming to exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. WhatsApp uncovers a zero-click spyware attack linked to an Israeli firm.Texas expands its ban on Chinese-backed AI and social media apps. Data breaches expose the personal and medical information of over a million people.NVIDIA patches multiple critical vulnerabilities. Arm discloses critical vulnerabilities affecting its Mali GPU Kernel Drivers and firmware. The UK government aims to set the global standard for securing AI. Tim Starks from CyberScoop has the latest from Senate confirmation hearings. The National Cryptologic Museum rights a wrong. 

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Joining us today is Tim Starks, Senior Reporter from CyberScoop, to discuss two of his recent articles: 

• FBI nominee Kash Patel getting questions on cybercrime investigations, Silk Road founder, surveillance powers
• Even the US government can fall victim to cryptojacking

Top Security Officials at Aid Agency Put on Leave After Denying Access to Musk Team (New York Times)

Exclusive: Musk aides lock workers out of OPM computer system (Reuters)

Federal Workers Block Doors of Admin Building Over Elon Musk Data Breach (DC Media Group)

Trump Broke the Federal Email System and Government Employees Got Blasted With Astonishingly Vulgar Messages (Futurism)

CISA employees told they are exempt from federal worker resignation program (The Record)

From credit card fraud to zero-day exploits: Xe Group expanding cybercriminal efforts (CyberScoop)

Israeli Firm Paragon Attack WhatsApp With New Zero-Click Spyware (Cyber Security News)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans DeepSeek, RedNote and other Chinese-backed AI platforms (Statesman)

Hundreds of Thousands Hit by Data Breaches at Healthcare Firms in Colorado, North Carolina (SecurityWeek)

Insurance Company Globe Life Notifying 850,000 People of Data Breach (SecurityWeek)

NVIDIA GPU Display Driver Vulnerability Lets Attackers Steal Files Remotely - Update Now (Cyber Security News)

Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver 0-Day Vulnerability Actively Exploited in the Wild (Cyber Security News)

UK Announces “World-First” AI Security Standard (Infosecurity Magazine)

Larry Pfeiffer on Bluesky (Bluesky)

• Possibly related to the Bluesky post: Trailblazers in U.S. Cryptologic History 

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Please enjoy this encore episode with Principal Research Scientist for Human Behavior at Forcepoint, Margaret Cunningham. She shares her story of how she landed in cybersecurity. With a background in psychology and counseling and not feeling that one-on-one counseling was her thing, Margaret had a transformational moment in her PhD program in applied experimental technology when she realized she could "provide helping services and good work services at a broader scale." Margaret found her professional footing at DHS's Human Systems Integration Branch of Science and Technology Department as the person who figured out how to measure how new technologies impacted human performance. Margaret points out that making connections and reading whatever you can is important to stay up to date in the field. She notes that her statistical analysis skills are an asset. She hopes to create champions in human behavior and performance in the world of technology. We thank Margaret for sharing her story with us.

This week, Dave Bittner is joined by Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade (JAGS) from SentinelOne's SentinelLabs to discuss the work his team and Tinexta Cyber did on "Operation Digital Eye | Chinese APT Compromises Critical Digital Infrastructure via Visual Studio Code Tunnels."

Tinexta Cyber and SentinelLabs have been tracking threat activities targeting business-to-business IT service providers in Southern Europe. Based on the malware, infrastructure, techniques used, victimology, and the timing of the activities, we assess that it is highly likely these attacks were conducted by a China-nexus threat actor with cyberespionage motivations.

The relationships between European countries and China are complex, characterized by cooperation, competition, and underlying tensions in areas such as trade, investment, and technology. Suspected China-linked cyberespionage groups frequently target public and private organizations across Europe to gather strategic intelligence, gain competitive advantages, and advance geopolitical, economic, and technological interests.

• Operation Digital Eye | Chinese APT Compromises Critical Digital Infrastructure via Visual Studio Code Tunnels

Authorities dismantle a Pakistan-based cybercrime network. Lawmakers question the feasibility of establishing a U.S. Cyber Force as a standalone military branch. The DOJ sues to block HPE’s acquisition of Juniper Networks. Tangerine Turkey deploys cryptomining malware. Major healthcare providers send breach notifications. Norwegian police seize a Russian-crewed ship suspected of damaging a communications cable. Researchers discover critical vulnerabilities in GitHub Copilot. D-Link patches a critical router vulnerability. CISA and the FDA have warned U.S. healthcare organizations of severe security vulnerabilities in Chinese-made patient monitors. Pauses in funding create confusion for federal cybersecurity vendors. We bid a fond farewell to a pair of N2K colleagues. The case of the disappearing government data. 

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Today’s guest segment is bittersweet as we offer our thanks and see you laters to two of our beloved colleagues N2K President Simone Petrella, who’s taking her leadership role to our advisory board, and Executive Editor Brandon Karpf, who will be taking up the mantle of protecting our national security starting his own company, Hedy Cyber. Join us in celebrating their incredible journeys, contributions to our successes, and letting them both know just how deeply they will be missed by all of us here at N2K.

US, Dutch Authorities Disrupt Pakistani Hacking Shop Network (SecurityWeek)

Lawmakers push for guardrails, deadline on cyber military study (The Record)

US Sues to Stop HPE $14 Billion Deal to Buy Juniper Networks (Bloomberg)

Tangerine Turkey mines cryptocurrency in global campaign (Red Canary)

US healthcare provider data breach impacts 1 million patients (Bleeping Computer)

NorthBay Health Data Breach Impacts 569,000 Individuals (SecurityWeek)

Norway seizes ship suspected of sabotage, says crew are Russian nationals (The Record)

GitHub Copilot Jailbreak Vulnerability Let Attackers Train Malicious Models (Cyber Security News)

D-Link Routers Vulnerability Let Attackers Gain Full Router Control Remotely (Cyber Security News)

CISA, FDA Warn of Dangerous Backdoor in Contec Patient Monitors (SecurityWeek)

Federal Cybersecurity Contractors Whiplashed By Uncertainty (GovInfo Security)

Archivists Work to Identify and Save the Thousands of Datasets Disappearing From Data.gov (404 Media)

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International law enforcement takes down a pair of notorious hacking forums. Wiz discovers an open DeepSeek database. Time Bandit jailbreaks ChatGPT. Ransomware hits one of the largest U.S. blood centers. A cyberattack takes the South African Weather Service offline. Researchers describe a new “browser syncjacking” attack. TeamViewer patches a high-severity privilege escalation flaw. Over three dozen industry groups urge Congress to pass a national data privacy law. CISA faces an uncertain future. N2K’s Brandon Karpf speaks with Ellen Chang, Vice President Ventures at BMNT and Head of BMNT Ventures. OpenAI Cries Foul After Getting a Taste of Its Own Medicine. 

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Today, N2K’s Brandon Karpf speaks with Ellen Chang, Vice President Ventures at BMNT and Head of BMNT Ventures, about the venture model, why it exists, how it works, and its impact.

Police seizes Cracked and Nulled hacking forum servers, arrests suspects (Bleeping Computer)

Wiz Research Uncovers Exposed DeepSeek Database Leaking Sensitive Information, Including Chat History (Wiz)

Time Bandit ChatGPT jailbreak bypasses safeguards on sensitive topics(Bleeping Computer)

US blood donation giant warns of disruption after ransomware attack (TechCrunch)

South Africa’s government-run weather service knocked offline by cyberattack (The Record)

Syncjacking Attack Enables Full Browser and Device Takeover (Infosecurity Magazine)

TeamViewer Patches High-Severity Vulnerability in Windows Applications (SecurityWeek)

Industry groups call on Congress to enact federal data privacy law (The Record)

US Cyber Agency’s Future Role in Elections Remains Murky Under the Trump Administration (SecurityWeek)

OpenAI Furious DeepSeek Might Have Stolen All the Data OpenAI Stole From Us (404 Media)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Hackers linked to China and Iran are using AI to enhance cyberattacks. An AI-powered messaging tool for Slack and Discord is reportedly leaking user data. British engineering giant Smiths Group suffers a cyberattack. Rockwell Automation details critical and high-severity vulnerabilities. Researchers warn of new side-channel vulnerabilities in Apple CPUs. The Hellcat ransomware gang looks to humiliate its victims. SparkRAT targets macOS users and government entities. Flashpoint looks at FleshStealer malware. Cybercriminals leverage trust in government websites. Our guest is Ivan Novikov, CEO at Wallarm, sharing insights on the recent United States ruling that bars certain Chinese and Russian connected car tech from being imported into the US. QR code shenanigans. 

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Our guest is Ivan Novikov, CEO at Wallarm, sharing insights on the recent United States ruling that bars certain Chinese and Russian connected car tech from being imported into the US and its impact.

Chinese and Iranian Hackers Are Using U.S. AI Products to Bolster Cyberattacks (Wall Street Journal)

Update: Cybercriminals still not fully on board the AI train (yet) (Sophos)

Unprotected AI service streams private Slack messages for 30 bucks a month (Cybernews)

Engineering giant Smiths Group discloses security breach (Bleeping Computer)

Rockwell Patches Critical, High-Severity Vulnerabilities in Several Products (SecurityWeek)

New Apple CPU side-channel attacks steal data from browsers (Bleeping Computer)

SLAP (Predictors Fail)

Meow-ware gang: the cyber cats who humiliate their prey (Cybernews)

Hackers Attacking Windows, macOS, and Linux systems With SparkRAT (GB Hackers)

Unmasking FleshStealer: A New Infostealer Threat in 2025 (Flashpoint)

Threat Actors Exploit Government Websites for Phishing (Infosecurity Magazine)

Christian Walther: "@gvy_dvpont Got me thinking… c…"  (Mastodon)

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DeepSeek blames DDoS for recent outages. Hackers behind last year’s AT&T data breach targeted members of the Trump family, Kamala Harris, and Marco Rubio’s wife.The EU sanctions Russians for cyberattacks against Estonia. ENGlobal confirms personal information was taken in last year’s ransomware attack. CISA issues a critical warning about a SonicWall vulnerability actively exploited. A large-scale phishing campaign exploits users’ trust in PDF files and the USPS. Apple patches a zero-day affecting many of their products. A ransomware attack on an Ohio-based operator of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities affects over 70,000. President Trump has a tumultuous first week back in office. Our guest is Bogdan Botezatu, Director, Threat Research and Reporting at Bitdefender, to discuss the dark market subculture and its parallels to holiday shopping. A nonprofit aims to clean up the AI industry’s mess. 

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We are joined by Bogdan Botezatu, Director, Threat Research and Reporting at Bitdefender, to discuss the dark market subculture and its parallels to holiday shopping. Check out Bitdefender’s research on the topic here.

DeepSeek Blames Disruption on Cyberattack as Vulnerabilities Emerge (SecurityWeek)

DeepSeek FAQ (Stratechery)

We tried out DeepSeek. It worked well, until we asked it about Tiananmen Square and Taiwan (The Guardian) 

Hackers Mined AT&T Breach for Data on Trump's Family, Kamala Harris (404 Media)

European Union Sanctions Russian Nationals for Hacking Estonia (SecurityWeek)

ENGlobal Says Personal Information Accessed in Ransomware Attack (SecurityWeek)

CISA Warns of SonicWall 0-day RCE Vulnerability Exploited in Wild (Cyber Security News)

Hackers Use Malicious PDFs, pose as USPS in Mobile Phishing Scam (Security Boulevard)

Amazon Prime Security Warning As Hackers Strike—What You Need To Know (Forbes) 

Apple plugs exploited security hole in iOS, updates macOS (The Register)

Nursing Home, Rehab Chain Says Hack Affects Nearly 70,000 (GovInfo Security)

A Tumultuous Week for Federal Cybersecurity Efforts (Krebs on Security)

Initiative Aims to Enable Ethical Coding LLMs (IEEE Spectrum)

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Chinese AI startup DeepSeek shakes up the market. Trump freezes cyber diplomacy funding and puts a vital U.S.-EU data-sharing agreement at risk. A trojanized RAT targets script kiddies. U.K. telecom giant TalkTalk investigates a data breach. Researchers uncover a critical flaw in Meta’s Llama Stack AI framework. Attackers leverage hidden text salting in emails. The “FlowerStorm” phishing framework targets multiple brands to steal customer credentials. A critical zero-day hits SonicWall VPN appliances. Swedish authorities seized a cargo ship suspected of damaging a key fiber optic cable. Freezing out crypto-kidnappers. Our guest is Jon Miller, CEO and Co-founder from Halcyon, sharing trends in ransomware and insights on Brain Cipher. The British Museum defends its artefacts from IT attacks.

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Our guest today is Jon Miller, CEO and Co-founder from Halcyon, sharing trends in ransomware along with some insights on Brain Cipher. For more detail, check out Halcyon’s Power Rankings: Ransomware Malicious Quartile Q4-2024. 

A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging (CNN Business)

Politicization of intel oversight board could threaten key US-EU data transfer agreement (The Record)

Cyber diplomacy funding halted as US issues broad freeze on foreign aid (The Record)

Weaponised XWorm RAT builder Attacking script kiddies to Steal Sensitive Data (GB Hackers)

Change Healthcare Breach Almost Doubles in Size to 190 Million Victims (Infosecurity Magazine)

TalkTalk investigating data breach after hacker claims theft of customer data (TechCrunch)

Meta rushes to fix critical Llama Stack AI flaw (Cybernews)

Seasoning email threats with hidden text salting (Cisco Talos)

New Phishing Framework Attacking Multiple Brands To Steal Customer Logins (Cyber Security News)

More than 2,000 SonicWall devices vulnerable to critical zero-day (The Record)

Sweden seizes vessel after another undersea cable damaged (The Register)

Nicolas Bacca: "We have invented a unique organisational model for intervening in cryptocurrency ransom" (The Big Whale) 

British Museum hit by alleged IT attack by ex-worker (BBC News)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Please enjoy this encore episode with VP of Information Security at Barracuda Dave Farrow, and how he shares how a teenage surfer fell in love with software development and made his way in the cybersecurity field. Dave chose to study electrical engineering in college because he wanted to learn something that didn't make sense to him. He says he's done things in his career that he said he'd never do: for example, he went into and fell in love with software development. Taking on leadership of a bug bounty program at Barracuda blossomed into the creation of an internal security team. Dave wants to be the guy who enables the business and not the one who prevented it. He hopes all will come to recognize that there are other threats besides cybersecurity threats to business. We thank Dave for sharing his story with us.

This week, we are joined by Ismael Valenzuela, VP of Threat Research & Intelligence, and Jacob Faires, Principal Threat Researcher, from Blackberry discussing the team's work on "LightSpy: APT41 Deploys Advanced DeepData Framework In Targeted Southern Asia Espionage Campaign." In April 2024, BlackBerry uncovered a significant evolution of the LightSpy malware campaign, attributed to Chinese cyber-espionage group APT41.

The newly introduced DeepData framework, a modular Windows-based surveillance tool, expands data theft capabilities with 12 specialized plugins for tasks like communication surveillance, credential theft, and system intelligence gathering. The campaign targets a wide range of communication platforms, including WhatsApp, Signal, and WeChat, with advanced techniques for monitoring and stealing sensitive information from victims across the Asia-Pacific region.

The research can be found here:

• LightSpy: APT41 Deploys Advanced DeepData Framework In Targeted Southern Asia Espionage Campaign

A federal court finds the FBI’s warrantless section 702 searches unconstitutional. The DOJ charges five in a fake IT worker scheme. The Texas Attorney General expands his investigation into automakers’ data sharing. CISA highlights vulnerabilities in the aircraft collision avoidance system. Estonia will host Europe's new space cybersecurity testing ground. Hackers use hardware breakpoints to evade EDR detection. Subaru’s Starlink connected vehicle service exposed sensitive customer and vehicle data. Asian nations claim progress against criminal cyber-scam camps. Our guest today is Dr. Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, with his outlook on 2025. Sticking AI crawlers in the tar pit. 

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Our guest today is Dr. Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, joining us to share trends he sees coming our way in 2025.

Court rules FBI’s warrantless searches violated Fourth Amendment (Ars Technica)

US Charges Five People Over North Korean IT Worker Scheme (SecurityWeek)

Texas probes four more car companies over how they collect and sell consumer data (The Record)

CISA Warns of Flaws in Aircraft Collision Avoidance Systems (BankInfo Security)

ESA - Estonia to host Europe's new space cybersecurity testing ground (European Space Agency)

Bypassing EDR Detection by Exploiting Hardware Breakpoints at CPU Level (Cyber Security News)

Subaru Starlink Vulnerability Exposed Cars to Remote Hacking (SecurityWeek)

China and friends say they're hurting cyber-slave scam camps (The Register)

Developer Creates Infinite Maze That Traps AI Training Bots (404 Media)  

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

CISA and FBI detail exploit chains used by Chinese hackers to compromise Ivanti Cloud Service Appliances. Energy systems in Central Europe use unencrypted radio signals. A critical SonicWall vulnerability is under active exploitation. The Nnice ransomware strain isn’t. Cisco discloses a critical vulnerability in its Meeting Management tool. GhostGPT is a new malicious generative AI chatbot. ClamAV patches critical vulnerabilities in the open-source anti-virus engine. A new report questions the effectiveness of paying ransomware demands. DOGE piggybacks on the United States Digital Service. On our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Joe Gillespie, Senior Vice President at Booz Allen, discussing Cyber AI. Jen Easterly leaves CISA a legacy of resilience and dedication. 

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Today on our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Joe Gillespie, Senior Vice President at Booz Allen, discussing Cyber AI.

FBI/CISA Share Details on Ivanti Exploits Chains: What Network Defenders Need to Know (SecurityWeek)

Researchers say new attack could take down the European power grid (Ars Technica)

Critical SonicWall Vulnerability Exploited In Attacks Execute Arbitrary OS Commands (Cyber Security News)

Nnice Ransomware Attacking Windows Systems With Advanced Encryption Techniques (GB Hackers)

Cisco Fixes Critical Vulnerability in Meeting Management (Infosecurity Magazine)

New GhostGPT AI Chatbot Facilitates Malware Creation and Phishing (Infosecurity Magazine)

Open-Source ClamAV Releases Critical Security Patch Updates – What’s Inside! (Cyber Security News)

Companies who pay off ransomware attackers rarely get their data back, survey shows (Cybernews)

Elon Musk Plays DOGE Ball—and Hits America’s Geek Squad (WIRED)

Under Trump, US Cyberdefense Loses Its Head (WIRED) 

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

The latest cyber moves from the Trump White House. Pompompurin faces resentencing. An attack on a government IT contractor impacts Medicaid, child support, and food assistance programs. Helldown ransomware targets unpatched Zyxel firewalls. Murdoc is a new Mirai botnet variant. Cloudflare maps the DDoS landscape. North Korea’s Lazarus group uses fake job interviews to deploy malware. Hackers are abusing Google ads to spread AmosStealer malware. Pwn2Own Automotive awards over $382,000 on its first day. In our CertByte segment, Chris Hare and Steven Burnley take on a question from N2K’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Practice Test. NYC Restaurant week tries to keep bots off the menu. 

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Welcome to CertByte! On this bi-weekly segment hosted by Chris Hare, a content developer and project management specialist at N2K, we share practice questions from N2K’s suite of industry-leading certification resources, and a study tip to help you achieve the professional certifications you need to fast-track your career growth in IT, cyber security, or project management.

In each segment, Chris is joined by an N2K Content Developer to help illustrate the learning. This week, Chris is joined by Steven Burnley to break down a question targeting the CC - Certified in Cyber Security certification by ISC2®. Today’s question comes from N2K’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® Practice Test.

Have a question that you’d like to see covered? Email us at certbyte@n2k.com. If you're studying for a certification exam, check out N2K’s full exam prep library of certification practice tests, practice labs, and training courses by visiting our website at n2k.com/certify. To get the full news to knowledge experience, learn more about our N2K Pro subscription at https://thecyberwire.com/pro. 

Please note: The questions and answers provided here, and on our site, are not actual current or prior questions and answers from these certification publishers or providers.

https://www.pmi.org/certifications/agile-acp 

https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/agile-certified-exam-outline.pdf 

Trump Fires DHS Board Probing Salt Typhoon Hacks (Dark Reading)

TSA chief behind cyber directives for aviation, pipelines and rail ousted by Trump team (The Record)

Trump pardons Silk Road dark web market creator Ross Ulbricht (BBC)

BreachForums Admin Conor Fitzpatrick (Pompompurin) to Be Resentenced (Hackread)

Government IT contractor Conduent says 'third-party compromise’ caused outages (The Record)

Helldown Ransomware Exploiting Zyxel Devices Using Zero-Day Vulnerability (Cyber Security News)

New Mirai botnet variant Murdoc Botnet targets AVTECH IP cameras and Huawei HG532 routers (Security Affairs)

Record-Breaking DDoS Attack Reached 5.6 Tbps (SecurityWeek)

InvisibleFerret Malware Attacking Windows Users Through Fake Job Interview Tactics (Cyber Security News)

Fake Homebrew Google ads target Mac users with malware (Bleeping Computer)

Over $380,000 Paid Out on First Day of Pwn2Own Automotive 2025 (SecurityWeek)

Security Alert: Bots Target NYC Restaurant Week (DataDome)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

President Trump rolls back AI regulations and throws TikTok a lifeline. Attackers pose as Ukraine’s CERT-UA tech support. A critical vulnerability is found in the Brave browser. Sophos observes hacking groups abusing Microsoft 365 services and exploiting default Microsoft Teams settings. Researchers uncover critical flaws in tunneling protocols. A breach exposes personal information of thousands of students and educators. Oracle patches 320 security vulnerabilities. Kaspersky reveals over a dozen vulnerabilities in a Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. Tim Starks from CyberScoop discusses executive orders on cybersecurity and the future of CISA. We preview coming episodes of Threat Vector.  Honesty isn’t always the best policy. 

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On our Threat Vector podcast preview today: 

IoT devices are everywhere, with billions deployed globally in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. But this explosion of connectivity brings unprecedented security challenges. Host David Moulton speaks with Dr. May Wang, CTO of IoT Security at Palo Alto Networks, about how AI is transforming IoT security. Stay tuned for the full conversation this Thursday. 

Our guest is Tim Starks from CyberScoop discussing executive orders on cybersecurity and the future of CISA. You can read Tim’s article on the recent Biden EO here.  

Trump revokes Biden executive order on addressing AI risks (Reuters)

TikTok is back up in the US after Trump says he will extend deadline (Bleeping Computer)

Hackers impersonate Ukraine’s CERT to trick people into allowing computer access (The Record) 

Brave Browser Vulnerability Let Malicious Website Mimic as Legitimate One (Cyber Security News) 

Ransomware Groups Abuse Microsoft Services for Initial Access (SecurityWeek)

Tunneling Flaws Put VPNs, CDNs and Routers at Risk Globally (Hackread)

Students, Educators Impacted by PowerSchool Data Breach (SecurityWeek)

Oracle To Address 320 Vulnerabilities in January Patch Update (Infosecurity Magazine)

Details Disclosed for Mercedes-Benz Infotainment Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

Washington Man Admits to Role in Multiple Cybercrime, Fraud Schemes (SecurityWeek)

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You can learn more about AWS in Orbit at space.n2k.com/aws.

Our guests today are Araz Feyzi, Co-founder and CTO at Kayhan Space and Tim Sills, Lead Security Solutions Architect at AWS for Aerospace and Satellite.

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AWS Aerospace and Satellite

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T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © 2023 N2K Networks, Inc.

Please enjoy this encore of the Managing Director at Cerberus Sentinel, Chief Compliance Officer and the President of TalaTek, Baan Alsinawi as she shares her cybersecurity journey from a teenager who wanted to understand computers and held several positions in IT from help desk to systems engineering and cybersecurity. Founding her own business focusing on compliance, Baan says she spends maybe only 20% of her day on technical tasks and that there is always so more to do. Finding the right people for her team is a marker of success for Baan. She talks of the importance of sharing the sense of community of women in technology and nurturing women in the field. We thank Baan for sharing her story with us.

Nati Tal, Head of Guardio Labs, sits down to share their work on “CrossBarking” — Exploiting a 0-Day Opera Vulnerability with a Cross-Browser Extension Store Attack. Guardio Labs has uncovered a critical vulnerability in the Opera browser, enabling malicious extensions to exploit Private APIs for actions like screen capturing, browser setting changes, and account hijacking.

Highlighting the ease of bypassing extension store security, researchers demonstrated how a puppy-themed extension exploiting this flaw could infiltrate both Chrome and Opera's extension stores, potentially reaching millions of users. This case underscores the delicate balance between enhancing browser productivity and ensuring robust security measures, revealing the alarming tactics modern threat actors employ to exploit trusted platforms.

The research can be found here:

• “CrossBarking” — Exploiting a 0-Day Opera Vulnerability with a Cross-Browser Extension Store Attack

The FBI warns agents of hacked call and text logs. The US Treasury sanctions entities tied to North Korea’s fake IT worker operations. Russian hacking group Star Blizzard attempted to infiltrate WhatsApp accounts of nonprofits supporting Ukraine. Yubico discloses a critical vulnerability in its Pluggable Authentication Module)software.  Google releases an open-source library for software composition analysis. CISA hopes to close the software understanding gap. Pumakit targets critical infrastructure. Simplehelp patches multiple flaws in their remote access software. The FTC bans GM from selling driver data. HHS outlines their efforts to protect hospitals and healthcare. Our guest Maria Tranquilli, Executive Director at Common Mission Project, speaks with N2K’s Executive Editor Brandon Karpf about the origins and impact of Hacking for Defense. Even the best of red teamers are humbled by AI. 

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Our guest Maria Tranquilli, Executive Director at Common Mission Project, speaks with N2K’s Executive Editor Brandon Karpf about the origins and impact of Hacking for Defense, and how universities can get involved.

FBI Has Warned Agents It Believes Hackers Stole Their Call Logs (Bloomberg)

US Announces Sanctions Against North Korean Fake IT Worker Network (SecurityWeek)

Russian Star Blizzard hackers exploit WhatsApp accounts to spy on nonprofits aiding Ukraine (The Record)

Yubico PAM Module Vulnerability Let Attackers Bypass Authentications In Certain Configurations (Cyber Security News)

Google Releases Open Source Library for Software Composition Analysis (SecurityWeek)

Closing the Software Understanding Gap (CISA)

Pumakit - A Sophisticated Linux Rootkit Attack Critical Infrastructure (Cyber Security News)

Vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp Remote Access Software May Lead to System Compromise (SecurityWeek)

FTC hands GM a 5-year ban on selling sensitive driver info to data brokers (The Record)

How HHS has strengthened cybersecurity of hospitals and health care systems (CyberScoop)

Microsoft AI Red Team says security work will never be done (The Register) 

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President Biden issues a comprehensive  cybersecurity executive order. Updates on Silk Typhoon’s US Treasury breach. A Chinese telecom hardware firm is under FBI investigation. A critical vulnerability has been found in the UEFI Secure Boot mechanism. California-based cannabis brand Stiiizy suffers a data breach. North Korea’s Lazarus Group lures freelance developers. The FTC highlights major security failures at web hosting giant GoDaddy. Veeam patches a critical vulnerability in their Backup for Microsoft Azure product. Hackers leak sensitive data from over 15,000 Fortinet firewalls. Our guest today is Oren Koren, Veriti's Co-founder and CPO, sharing insights about the state of healthcare cybersecurity. Shiver me timbers! Meta’s AI trains on a treasure chest of pirated books.

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Our guest today is Oren Koren, Veriti's Co-founder and CPO, sharing insights about the state of healthcare cybersecurity. You can read more in their “The State of Healthcare Cybersecurity 2025” report. 

Biden to sign executive order on AI and software security (Axios)

Treasury Breach by Chinese Sponsored Hackers Focused on Sanctions, Report Says (Bloomberg)

Exclusive: Chinese tech firm founded by Huawei veterans in the FBI's crosshairs (Reuters)

New UEFI Secure Boot Bypass Vulnerability Exposes Systems to Malicious Bootkits (Cyber Security News)

380,000 Impacted by Data Breach at Cannabis Retailer Stiiizy (SecurityWeek)

North Korean Hackers Targeting Freelance Software Developers (SecurityWeek)

GoDaddy Accused of Serious Security Failings by FTC (Infosecurity Magazine)

Veeam Azure Backup Solution Vulnerability Allows Attackers To Enumerate Network (Cyber Security News)

Hacking group leaks Fortinet users’ details on dark web (Computing)

Meta Secretly Trained Its AI on a Notorious Piracy Database, Newly Unredacted Court Docs Reveal (WIRED)

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The FBI deletes PlugX malware from thousands of U.S. computers. Researchers uncover vulnerabilities in Windows 11 allowing attackers to bypass protections and execute code at the kernel level. A look at (a busy) Patch Tuesday. Researchers uncovered six critical vulnerabilities in a popular Linux file transfer tool. Texas sues Allstate for allegedly collecting, using, and selling driving data without proper consent. An executive order enables AI developers to build data centers on federal lands. On our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Mike Hamilton, Chief Information Officer at Cloudflare, discussing how tech sprawl emulates the snake game. Meta profits while users suffer. 

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On our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Mike Hamilton, Chief Information Officer at Cloudflare, discussing how tech sprawl emulates the snake game. You can read Mike’s thoughts here. 

FBI deletes Chinese PlugX malware from thousands of US computers (Bleeping Computer) 

Windows 11 Security Features Bypassed to Obtain Arbitrary Code Execution in Kernel Mode (Cyber Security News) 

Microsoft Patches Eight Zero-Days to Start the Year (Infosecurity Magazine)

Chrome 132 Patches 16 Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

Nvidia, Zoom, Zyxel Patch High-Severity Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

Ivanti Patches Critical Vulnerabilities in Endpoint Manager (SecurityWeek)

Zoom Patches Multiple Vulnerabilities That Let Attackers Escalate Privileges (Cyber Security News)

Apple Patches Flaw That Allows Kernel Security Bypassing (GovInfo Security)

ICS Patch Tuesday: Security Advisories Published by Schneider, Siemens, Phoenix Contact, CISA (SecurityWeek)

Linux Rsync File Transfer Tool Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Arbitrary Code (Cyber Security News)

Allstate car insurer sued for tracking drivers without permission (Bleeping Computer) 

Biden Opens US Federal Sites for AI Data Center Growth (BankInfo Security)

Instagram Ads Send This Nudify Site 90 Percent of Its Traffic (404 Media) 

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

A draft cybersecurity executive order from the Biden administration seeks to bolster defenses. Researchers identify a “mass exploitation campaign” targeting Fortinet firewalls. A Chinese-language illicit online marketplace is growing at an alarming rate. CISA urges patching of a second BeyondTrust vulnerability. The UK proposes banning ransomware payments by public sector and critical infrastructure organizations. A critical flaw in Google’s authentication flow exposes millions to unauthorized access.OWASP releases its first Non-Human Identities (NHI) Top 10. A Microsoft lawsuit targets individuals accused of bypassing safety controls in its Azure OpenAI tools. Our guest is Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, discussing digital executive protection. The feds remind the health care sector that AI must first do no harm. 

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Our guest is Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, discussing digital executive protection.

Second Biden cyber executive order directs agency action on fed security, AI, space (CyberScoop)

Snoops exploited Fortinet firewalls with 'probable' 0-day (The Register)

The ‘Largest Illicit Online Marketplace’ Ever Is Growing at an Alarming Rate, Report Says (WIRED)

CISA Warns of Second BeyondTrust Vulnerability Exploited in Attacks (SecurityWeek)

UK Considers Ban on Ransomware Payments by Public Bodies (Infosecurity Magazine)

Google OAuth "Sign in with Google" Vulnerability Exposes Millions of Accounts to Data Theft (Cyber Security News)

OWASP Publishes First-Ever Top 10 “Non-Human Identities (NHI) Security Risks (Cyber Security News)

Microsoft Sues Harmful Fake AI Image Crime Ring (GovInfo Security)

Feds Tell Health Sector to Watch for Bias in AI Decisions (BankInfo Security)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

An MFA outage affects Microsoft 365 Office apps. The Biden administration  introduces new export controls to block adversaries from accessing advanced AI chips. A Dutch university cancels lectures after a cyberattack. Three Russian nationals have been indicted for operating cryptocurrency mixers. Juniper Networks releases security updates for Junos OS. Spain’s largest telecommunications company confirms a data breach. The “Banshee” infostealer leverages a stolen Apple encryption algorithm. Researchers uncover a novel ransomware campaign targeting Amazon S3 buckets. A major data broker suffers a major data breach. Our guest Philippe Humeau, CEO and Founder of CrowdSec, shares the biggest issues currently facing cybersecurity and how open-source cybersecurity platforms combat them. The weirdness of AI. 

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Our guest Philippe Humeau, CEO and Founder of CrowdSec, shares the biggest issues currently facing cybersecurity and how open-source cybersecurity platforms combat them. 

Microsoft MFA outage blocking access to Microsoft 365 apps (Bleeping Computer)

White House Moves to Restrict AI Chip Exports (GovInfo Security)

New Ransomware Group Uses AI to Develop Nefarious Tools (Infosecurity Magazine)

Cyberattack forces Dutch university to cancel lectures (The Record)

3 Russians Indicted for Operating Blender.io and Sinbad.io Crypto Mixers (Hackread)

Juniper Networks Fixes High-Severity Vulnerabilities in Junos OS (SecurityWeek)

Aviatrix Controller RCE Vulnerability Exploited In The Wild (Cyber Security News) 

Hackers Exploiting YouTube to Spread Malware That Steals Browser Data (GB Hackers)

Banshee 2.0 Malware Steals Apple's Encryption to Hide on Macs (Dark Reading)

A breach of a data broker's trove of location data threatens the privacy of millions (TechCrunch) 

Abusing AWS Native Services: Ransomware Encrypting S3 Buckets with SSE-C (Halcyon) 

AI Mistakes Are Very Different Than Human Mistakes (IEEE Spectrum)

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Please enjoy this encore episode, where we are joined by Senior Security Officer at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Michael Bishop Jr. as he shares his journey from Army infantryman deployed to Iraq to working in cybersecurity. After 12 years in the U.S. Army, Mike found himself in a rough spot. Looking for work and having some personal challenges, Mike's mentor, an Army officer he met while enlisted, recognized Mike's struggles and helped to nudge him toward cybersecurity. Mike credits his mentor with helping him transition to where he is today. Undergoing training for cybersecurity, he was tested in many areas and found the route he wanted to go. We thank Michael for sharing his story with us.

This week, we are joined by Kyla Cardona and Aurora Johnson from SpyCloud discussing their research "China’s Surveillance State Is Selling Citizen Data as a Side Hustle." Chinese technology companies, under CCP mandate, collect vast amounts of data on citizens, creating opportunities for corrupt insiders to steal and resell this information on dark markets. These stolen datasets, aggregated into "Social Work Libraries" (SGKs), mirror lower-tech versions of CCP internal security databases.

Kyla and Aurora discuss how Chinese cybercriminals use these SGKs and their implications compared to Western, European, and Russian cybercrime ecosystems. With expertise in Chinese OSINT and cybersecurity policy, both researchers bring deep insights into the geopolitical and technical dynamics of China's digital landscape.

The research can be found here:

• “Pantsless Data”: Decoding Chinese Cybercrime TTPs
• A Deep Dive Into the Intricate Chinese Cybercrime Ecosystem
• China’s Surveillance State Is Selling Citizen Data as a Side Hustle

New details emerge about Chinese hackers breaching the US Treasury Department. The Supreme Court considers the TikTok ban. Chinese hackers exploit a zero-day flaw in Ivanti Connect Secure VPN. A new credit card skimmer malware targets WordPress checkout pages. The Banshee macOS info-stealer has been updated. A California health services organization reports a data breach. A Florida firm pays a $337,750 HIPAA settlement following a 2018 breach. Samsung patches Android devices. A Proton Mail outage hits users worldwide. A popular e-card site recovers from malware. CertByte segment host Chris Hare interviews our guest Casey Marks, ISC2's Chief Qualifications Officer, about the future of certifications. That’s a feature, not a hack. 

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CertByte segment host Chris Hare interviews our guest Casey Marks, ISC2's Chief Qualifications Officer, about certifications and where they could be heading. You can check out their 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce study here. 

Chinese hackers breached US government office that assesses foreign investments for national security risks (CNN)

Supreme Court considers whether to allow TikTok ban to take effect (NBC News) 

Ivanti VPN zero-day exploited by Chinese hackers (SC Media)

New Skimmer Malware Hijacking WordPress Websites to Steal Credit Cards (Cyber Security News)

Banshee macOS Malware Expands Targeting (SecurityWeek)

BayMark Health Services Reports Data Breach, Exposing Patient Information (The Cyber Express)

Florida Firm Fined $337K by Feds for Data Deleted in Hack (BankInfo Security)

Samsung Patches Multiple Vulnerabilities That Let Attackers Execute Arbitrary Code (Cyber Security News)

Proton Mail still down as Proton recovers from worldwide outage (Bleeping Computer)

GroupGreeting e-card site attacked in “zqxq” campaign (Malwarebytes)

Microsoft DRM Hacking Raises Questions on Vulnerability Disclosures (SecurityWeek)

Facebook awards researcher $100,000 for finding bug that granted internal access (RocketNews)

Developers sent into security panic by 'useful feature' (The Register)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

The Biden administration is finalizing an executive order to bolster U.S. cybersecurity. Ivanti releases emergency updates to address a critical zero-day vulnerability. A critical vulnerability is discovered in Kerio Control firewall software. Palo Alto Networks patches multiple vulnerabilities in its retired migration tool. Fake exploits for Microsoft vulnerabilities lure security researchers. A medical billing company data breach affects over 360,000. A cyberattack disrupts the city of Winston-Salem. CrowdStrike identifies a phishing campaign exploiting its recruitment branding. Our guest is Danny Allen, CTO from Snyk, sharing how a balanced approach between AI and human oversight can strengthen cybersecurity. The worst of the worst from CES. 

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Our guest is Danny Allen, CTO from Snyk, sharing how a balanced approach between AI and human oversight can strengthen cybersecurity. Learn more in Snyk’s AI Readiness Report about how some companies are still hesitant to adopt AI, despite its clear benefits in addressing human error and keeping up with fast-evolving technology.

White House Rushes to Finish Cyber Order After China Hacks (Bloomberg)

Zero-Day Patch Alert: Ivanti Connect Secure Under Attack (GovInfo Security)

GFI KerioControl Firewall Vulnerability Exploited in the Wild (SecurityWeek) 

Palo Alto Networks Patches High-Severity Vulnerability in Retired Migration Tool (SecurityWeek) 

Security pros baited by fake Windows LDAP exploits (The Register)

Major US medical billing firm breached, 360K+ customers' healthcare data leaked (Cybernews)

Recruitment Phishing Scam Imitates CrowdStrike Hiring Process (CrowdStrike)

Some Winston-Salem city services knocked offline by cyberattack (The Record)

Excelsior Orthopaedics Data Breach Impacts 357,000 People (SecurityWeek) 

The 'Worst in Show' CES Products Put Your Data at Risk and Cause Waste, Privacy Advocates Say (SecurityWeek)

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Researchers ID a new Mirai-based botnet. Android devices get their first round of updates for the new year. Criminals exploit legitimate Apple and Google services in sophisticated voice phishing attacks. Japan attributes over 200 cyberattacks to the Chinese hacking group MirrorFace. A PayPal phishing scam exploits legitimate platform functionality. SonicWall addresses critical vulnerabilities in its SonicOS software. CISA warns of active exploitation of vulnerabilities in Mitel MiCollab. A new government backed labelling program hopes to help consumers choose more secure devices. On today’s CertByte segment, Chris Hare and Steven Burnley unpack a question from N2K’s ISC2® Certified in Cyber Security (CC) Practice Test. Streaming license plate readers - no password required.

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Welcome to CertByte! On this bi-weekly segment hosted by Chris Hare, a content developer and project management specialist at N2K.

In each segment, Chris is joined by an N2K Content Developer to help illustrate the learning. This week, Chris is joined by Steven Burnley to break down a question targeting the CC - Certified in Cyber Security certification by ISC2®. Today’s question comes from N2K’s ISC2® Certified in Cyber Security (CC) Practice Test.

The CC(SM) - Certified in Cyber Security is an entry-level, ANAB accredited exam geared towards anyone who wants to prove their foundational skills, knowledge, and abilities. To learn more about this and other related topics under this objective, please refer to the following resource: ISC2 (n.d.). https://www.isc2.org/landing/cc-etextbook  

Have a question that you’d like to see covered? Email us at certbyte@n2k.com. If you're studying for a certification exam, check out N2K’s full exam prep library of certification practice tests, practice labs, and training courses by visiting our website at n2k.com/certify. To get the full news to knowledge experience, learn more about our N2K Pro subscription at https://thecyberwire.com/pro. 

Please note: The questions and answers provided here, and on our site, are not actual current or prior questions and answers from these certification publishers or providers.

Additional source: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/cc 

New Mirai Botnet Exploits Zero-Days in Routers and Smart Devices (Infosecurity Magazine)

First Android Update of 2025 Patches Critical Code Execution Vulnerabilities (SecurityWeek)

A Day in the Life of a Prolific Voice Phishing Crew (Krebs on Security)

Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data (AP News)

Casio says hackers stole personal data of 8,500 people during October ransomware attack (TechCrunch)

New PayPal Phishing Scam Exploits MS365 Tools and Genuine-Looking Emails (Hackread)

Multiple Sonicwall VPN Vulnerabilities Let Attackers Bypass Authentication (Cyber Security News)

CISA Warns of Mitel MiCollab Vulnerabilities Exploited in Attacks (SecurityWeek)

New Labels Will Help People Pick Devices Less at Risk of Hacking (SecurityWeek)

Researcher Turns Insecure License Plate Cameras Into Open Source Surveillance Tool (404 Media)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

China criticizes U.S. sanctions. School districts face cyberattacks over the holiday season. The U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is investigating a potential data breach. Eagerbee malware targets government organizations and ISPs in the Middle East. A major New York medical center notifies 674,000 individuals of a data breach. Hackers infiltrate Argentina’s Airport Security Police (PSA) payroll system. An industrial networking firm identifies critical vulnerabilities in its cellular routers, secure routers, and network security appliances. Phishing click rates among enterprise users surged in 2024. A California man is suing three banks for allegedly enabling criminals to steal nearly $1 million from him. On our Threat Vector segment, we preview this week’s episode where host David Moulton speaks with Margaret Kelley about the evolving landscape of cloud breaches. Microsoft’s Bing demonstrates imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 

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On our Threat Vector segment, we preview this week’s episode where host David Moulton speaks with Margaret Kelley about the evolving landscape of cloud breaches and how organizations can defend against sophisticated attacks. You can catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday here and on your favorite podcast app. 

China Protests US Sanctions for Its Alleged Role in Hacking, Complains of Foreign Hacker Attacks (SecurityWeek)

Tencent added to US list of 'Chinese military companies' (The Register)

School districts in Maine, Tennessee respond to holiday cyberattacks (The Record) 

UN aviation agency 'actively investigating' cybercriminal’s claimed data breach (The Record) 

Eagerbee backdoor deployed against Middle Eastern govt orgs, ISPs (Bleeping Computer)

Staten Island Hospital Notifying 674,000 of May 2023 Hack (BankInfo Security)

Industrial networking manufacturer Moxa reports 'critical' router bugs (CyberScoop)

Phishing Click Rates Triple in 2024 (Infosecurity Magazine)

Pig butchering victim sues banks for allowing scammers to open accounts (The Record) 

Hackers Compromised Argentina’s Airport Security Payroll System (GB Hackers)

Microsoft is using Bing to trick people into thinking they’re on Google (The Verge) 

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

New reports shed light on both Volt and Salt Typhoons. Tenable updates faulty Nessus Agents and resumes plugin updates. A new infostealer campaign targets gamers on Discord. A fake version of a popular browser extension has been discovered stealing login credentials and conducting phishing attacks. ESET warns Windows 10 users of a potential “security fiasco.” A vulnerability in Nuclei allows attackers to bypass template signature verification and inject malicious code. An Indiana dental practice pays a $350,000 settlement over an alleged ransomware coverup. Tim Starks, Senior Reporter from CyberScoop, joins us today to discuss a new United Nations cybercrime treaty and his outlook for 2025. Farewell to a visionary leader. 

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Tim Starks, Senior Reporter from CyberScoop, joins us today to discuss a new United Nations cybercrime treaty and his outlook for 2025. Read Tim’s article on the UN cybercrime treaty here. 

The US’s Worst Fears of Chinese Hacking Are on Display in Guam (Bloomberg)

How Chinese Hackers Graduated From Clumsy Corporate Thieves to Military Weapons (Wall Street Journal)

China protests US sanctions for its alleged role in hacking, complains of foreign hacker attacks (AP News)

Tenable Disables Nessus Agents Over Faulty Updates (SecurityWeek)

New Infostealer Campaign Uses Discord Videogame Lure (Infosecurity Magazine)

Beware! Malicious EditThisCookie Chrome Extension Steals Login Credentials (Cyber Security News)

Windows 10 users urged to upgrade to avoid "security fiasco" (Bleeping Computer)

Nuclei flaw lets malicious templates bypass signature verification (Bleeping Computer)

Dental Practice Pays State in Alleged Data Breach 'Cover Up' (GovInfo Security)

Tenable CEO Amit Yoran Dead at 54 (SecurityWeek)

We want to ensure that you are getting the most out of the podcast. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey as we continually work to improve the show. 

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info.

The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

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.

The research can be found here:

• Malicious PyPI crypto pay package aiocpa implants infostealer code

Technical account manager Dominique West takes us on her career journey from engineering to cybersecurity. Even though her undergraduate degree was in information systems, Dominique did not learn about cybersecurity until she personally experienced credit card fraud. She had a range of positions from working the help desk in an art museum to vulnerability management and cloud security. Dominique mentions remembering feeling isolated as the only black person and one of few women in many situations. These experiences spurred her into action to create Security in Color to help others navigate their way into cybersecurity and share resources are available to them. Dominique recommends those interested in cybersecurity to go ahead and get your hands dirty out there; figure out what you like and what you don't like and do community. We thank Dominique for sharing her story with us.

The U.S. sanctions Russian and Iranian groups over election misinformation. Apple settles a class action lawsuit over Siri privacy allegations. DoubleClickjacking exploits a timing vulnerability in browser behavior. FireScam targets sensitive info on Android devices. ASUS issues a critical security advisory for several router models. A former crypto boss faces extradition amidst allegations of defrauding investors out of more than $40 billion. HHS unveils proposed updates to HIPAA. Millions of email servers have yet to enable encryption. Our guest is Joe Saunders, Co-Founder & CEO of RunSafe Security discussing the complexities of safeguarding critical infrastructure. Using Doom to prove you’re human. 

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Our guest is Joe Saunders, Co-Founder & CEO of RunSafe Security. Joe joins us to discuss the complexities of safeguarding critical infrastructure amid the looming threat of cyber attacks and military conflict.

US Imposes Sanctions on Russian and Iranian Groups Over Disinformation Targeting American Voters (SecurityWeek)

Apple Agrees $95M Settlement Over Siri Privacy Violations (Infosecurity Magazine)

SysBumps - New Kernel Break Attack Bypassing macOS Systems Security (Cyber Security News)

'DoubleClickjacking' Threatens Major Websites’ Security (GovInfo Security)

FireScam Android Malware Packs Infostealer, Spyware Capabilities (SecurityWeek)

ASUS Routers Vulnerabilities Allows Arbitrary Code Execution (Cyber Security News)

Crypto Boss Extradited to Face $40bn Fraud Charges (Infosecurity Magazine)

What's in HHS' Proposed HIPAA Security Rule Overhaul? (GovInfo Security)

Over 3 million mail servers without encryption exposed to sniffing attacks (Bleeping Computer)

CAPTCHAs now run Doom – on nightmare mode (The Register)

We want to ensure that you are getting the most out of the podcast. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey as we continually work to improve the show. 

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info.

The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Chinese hackers breach the U.S. Treasury Department. At least 35 Chrome extensions are compromised. Federal authorities arrest a U.S. Army soldier over accusations of sensitive data stolen from AT&T and Verizon. A misconfigured Amazon cloud server exposes sensitive data from over 800,000 VW EV owners. Rhode Island confirms a data breach linked to ransomware group Brain Cipher. Ascension healthcare confirms the exposure of the personal and medical data of 5.6 million customers. A recent patch to Windows BitLocker encryption proves inadequate. A suspected Chinese hacking campaign is exploiting a vulnerability in Palo Alto firewalls for espionage. The DOJ bans the sale of Americans’ sensitive data to adversarial nations. HHS proposes a HIPAA update to address cybersecurity. Our guest is Mick Baccio, Global Security Advisor at Splunk, with insights on the cybersecurity resilience gap. CISA Director Easterly looks back at 2024. 

Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.

Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn.

Our guest is Mick Baccio, Global Security Advisor at Splunk’s security research team SURGe, sharing some insights on the cybersecurity resilience gap and top cyber challenges/priorities for the public sector. You can read more about this in SURGe’s blog and whitepaper. 

US Treasury Department breached through remote support platform (Bleeping Computer)

New details reveal how hackers hijacked 35 Google Chrome extensions (Bleeping Computer)

U.S. Army Soldier Arrested in AT&T, Verizon Extortions (Krebs on Security)

AT&T and Verizon Say Chinese Hackers Ejected From Networks (GovInfo Security)

Volkswagen leak exposes private information of 800,000 EV owners, including location data (TechSpot)

Hackers Leak Rhode Island Citizens' Data on Dark Web (Infosecurity Magazine)

Ascension cyberattack exposed medical data of 5.6M customers (Healthcare IT News)

Patched BitLocker Flaw Still Susceptible to Hack (GovInfo Security)

Palo Alto Firewalls Backdoored by Suspected Chinese Hackers (BankInfo Security)

US prohibits data sales to adversarial nations (SC Media) 

Massive healthcare breaches prompt US cybersecurity rules overhaul (Bleeping Computer)

CISA's 2024 Review Highlights Major Efforts in Cybersecurity Industry Collaboration (Infosecurity Magazine)

We want to ensure that you are getting the most out of the podcast. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey as we continually work to improve the show. 

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info.

The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Sharon Lemac-Vincere is an academic that focuses her research on the intersection of space and cyber. She has released a report on space and cybersecurity which outlines how Scotland can lead the way in both industries. 

You can connect with Sharon on LinkedIn, and read her paper on The Cyber-Safe Gateway : Unlocking Scotland's Space Cybersecurity Potential on this website.

Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.

Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram.

We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info.

Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal.

T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

While we are on our winter publishing break, please enjoy an episode of our N2K CyberWire network show, The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast by Microsoft Threat Intelligence. See you in 2025!

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, we discuss the collaborative effort between Microsoft and Fortra to combat the illegal use of cracked Cobalt Strike software, which is commonly employed in ransomware attacks.  To break down the situation, our host, Sherrod DeGrippo, is joined by Richard Boscovich, Assistant General Counsel at Microsoft, Jason Lyons, Principal Investigator with the DCU, and Bob Erdman, Associate VP Research and Development at Fortra. The discussion covers the creative use of DMCA notifications tailored by geographic region to combat cybercrime globally. The group express their optimism about applying these successful techniques to other areas, such as phishing kits, and highlight ongoing efforts to make Cobalt Strike harder to abuse.   

• The impact on detection engineers due to the crackdown on cracked Cobalt Strike 
• Extensive automation used to detect and dismantle large-scale threats 
• How the team used the DMCA creatively to combat cybercrime 

•  Do you encounter any pushback when issuing DMCA notifications? 
•  How do you plan to proceed following the success of this operation? 
•  Can you explain the legal mechanisms behind this take-down? 

View Jason Lyons on LinkedIn 

View Bob Erdman on LinkedIn   

View Richard Boscovich on LinkedIn  

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn  

• Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson 
• The BlueHat Podcast 
• Uncovering Hidden Risks     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider 

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.  

Brandon Karpf sits down with Mike Silverman, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at FS-ISAC, to discuss the white paper Building Cryptographic Agility in the Financial Sector.

Authored by experts from FS-ISAC’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Working Group, the paper addresses the vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing to current cryptographic algorithms. It provides financial institutions with strategies to safeguard sensitive data and maintain trust as these emerging threats evolve.

Discover the challenges and actionable steps to build cryptographic agility in this insightful conversation.

While we are on our winter publishing break, please enjoy an episode of our N2K CyberWire network show, The BlueHat Podcast by Microsoft and MSRC. See you in 2025!

Yonatan Zunger, CVP of AI Safety & Security at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Yonatan explains the distinction between generative and predictive AI, noting that while predictive AI excels in classification and recommendation, generative AI focuses on summarizing and role-playing. He highlights how generative AI's ability to process natural language and role-play has vast potential, though its applications are still emerging. He contrasts this with predictive AI's strength in handling large datasets for specific tasks. Yonatan emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, stressing the need for continuous safety engineering and diverse perspectives to anticipate and mitigate potential failures. He provides examples of AI's positive and negative uses, illustrating the importance of designing systems that account for various scenarios and potential misuses. 

• How predictive AI anticipates outcomes based on historical data 
• The difficulties and strategies involved in making AI systems safe and secure from misuse 
• How role-playing exercises help developers understand the behavior of AI systems 

• What distinguishes predictive AI from generative AI? 
• Can generative AI be used to improve decision-making processes? 
• What is the role of unit testing and test cases in policy and AI system development? 

View Yonatan Zunger on LinkedIn     

View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

• Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
• Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
• Uncovering Hidden Risks  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Please enjoy this encore episode of a Special Edition.

N2K’s Brandon Karpf speaks with guest Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO of the US Navy, about the US Navy streamlining the innovation process. For some background, you can refer to this article. 

• PEO Digital Innovation Adoption Kit 
• Atlantic Council’s Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption
• For industry looking to engage with PEO Digital: Industry Engagement

VP of Global Solutions Architecture at eSentire Tia Hopkins shares her career journey and talks about its beginnings in engineering and pivots into cybersecurity leadership. Tia shares how she liked to take things apart when she was young, including the brand new computer her mother bought her and how she was fascinated by all the pieces of it spread all across her bedroom floor. As she started studying engineering, Tia learned she was more of a technologist than an engineer. Tia got her start in technology without completing her formal education by what she says is "grit and right place, right time." Once she was in a management role, Tia wanted to validate her knowledge, experience, and ability and not only completed her bachelor's degree, but also two master's degrees. Tia recently started an organization to encourage and grow interest, confidence, and leaders of women of color in the field of cybersecurity. We thank Tia for sharing her story with us.

This week, we are joined by Asheer Malhotra and Vitor Ventura from Cisco Talos, and they are discussing "Operation Celestial Force employs mobile and desktop malware to target Indian entities." Cisco Talos revealed Operation Celestial Force, an espionage campaign by the Pakistani threat group "Cosmic Leopard," targeting Indian defense, government, and technology sectors.

Active for at least six years, the operation has recently increased its use of mobile malware and commercial spyware for surveillance.

The research can be found here:

• Operation Celestial Force employs mobile and desktop malware to target Indian entities

Please enjoy this encore episode of Only Malware in the Building.

Welcome in! You’ve entered, Only Malware in the Building. Grab your eggnog and don your coziest holiday sweater as we sleuth our way through cyber mysteries with a festive twist! Your host is Selena Larson, Proofpoint intelligence analyst and host of their podcast DISCARDED. Inspired by the residents of a building in New York’s exclusive upper west side, Selena is joined by N2K Networks Dave Bittner and Rick Howard to uncover the stories behind notable cyberattacks. Being a security researcher is a bit like being a detective: you gather clues, analyze the evidence, and consult the experts to solve the cyber puzzle. On this episode, our cyber ghosts delve into the past, present, and future of some of the season’s most pressing threats: two-factor authentication (2FA), social engineering scams, and the return to consumer-targeted attacks.

Together, Rick, Dave, and Selena deliver a ghostly—but insightful—message about the state of cybersecurity, past, present, and future. Can their advice save your holiday season from digital disaster? Tune in and find out.

May your holidays be merry, bright, and free of cyber fright!

Please enjoy this encore episode of Solution Spotlight.

In this special edition of Solution Spotlight, N2K President, Simone Petrella is talking with ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso about putting a dent in the cybersecurity workforce gap through empowerment, breaking down barriers and expanding DE&I initiatives.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the CyberWire and our friends! Enjoy our rendition of the 12 Days of Malware created by Dave Bittner and performed by Dave and friends: Rachel Tobac, Jayson Street, Ron Eddings & Chris Cochran, Ray [Redacted], Dinah Davis, Camille Stewart, Rick Howard, Michelle Dennedy, Jack Rhysider, Johannes Ullrich, and Charity Wright. Ba dum bum bum. Sing along if you are game! Check out our video for the full effect!

The 12 Days of Malware lyrics

On the first day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

A keylogger logging my keys.

On the second day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the third day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

8 Worms a wiping...

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

9 Rootkits rooting...

8 Worms a wiping...

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

10 Darknet markets...

9 Rootkits rooting...

8 Worms a wiping...

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days! (Bah-dum-dum-dum!)

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

11 Phishers phishing...

10 Darknet markets...

9 Rootkits rooting...

8 Worms a wiping...

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days! (Bah-dum-dum-dum!)

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my malware gave to me:

12 Hackers hacking...

11 Phishers phishing...

10 Darknet markets...

9 Rootkits rooting...

8 Worms a wiping...

7 Scripts a scraping...

6 Passwords spraying...

5 Zero Days!

4 Crypto scams...

3 Web shells...

2 Trojan Apps...

And a keylogger logging my keys.

Gather 'round for a holiday treat like no other! In this festive edition of Only Malware in the Building, we present A Social Engineering Carol—a cunning twist on the classic Dickens tale, penned and created by our very own Dave Bittner. Follow a modern-day Scrooge as they navigate the ghostly consequences of phishing, vishing, and smishing in this holiday cybersecurity fable.

Don't miss the accompanying video, packed with holiday cheer and cyber lessons to keep you safe this season! Check it out now!

Please enjoy this encore of T-Minus Space Daily.

A few hours prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia’s military intelligence launched a cyberattack against ViaSat’s KA-SAT satellite network, which was used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It prevented them from using satellite communications to respond to the invasion. After the ViaSat hack, numerous cyber operations were conducted against the space sector from both sides of the conflict. What have we learnt from the Viasat attack? Clémence Poirier has written a report on the Viasat cybersecurity attack during the war in Ukraine. Hacking the Cosmos: Cyber operations against the space sector. 

You can connect with Clémence Poirier on LinkedIn, and read her report on this website.

Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.

Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram.

We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It’ll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day.

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info.

Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal.

T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Announcement: We are pleased to share an exciting announcement about Cortex XDR at the top of our show. You can learn more here. Check out our episode on "Cyber Espionage and Financial Crime: North Korea’s Double Threat" with Assaf Dahan, Director of Threat Research at Palo Alto Networks Cortex team.

Join host David Moulton on Threat Vector, as he dives deep into the rapidly evolving XDR landscape with Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst at Forrester. With expertise in security operations, nation-state threats, and the application of AI in security, Allie offers an inside look at how XDR is reshaping threat detection and response. From tackling the SIEM market’s current challenges to optimizing detection engineering, Allie provides invaluable insights into the people, processes, and tools central to an effective SOC. This episode offers listeners a thoughtful exploration of how to navigate today's complex threat landscape and separate XDR hype from reality. Perfect for cybersecurity professionals looking to stay ahead in the field, tune in to hear expert perspectives on the next steps in cybersecurity resilience.

Ready to go deeper? Join Josh Costa, Director of Product Marketing, Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst at Forrester and David Moulton, Director of Content and Thought Leadership for Unit 42 as they discuss the State of XDR https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/State-of-XDR-with-Forrester. 

• Website: http://www.paloaltonetworks.com 
• Threat Research: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LifeatPaloAltoNetworks/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks/
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@paloaltonetworks
• Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks⁠⁠⁠⁠

Threat Vector, Palo Alto Networks podcast, is your premier destination for security thought leadership. Join us as we explore pressing cybersecurity threats, robust protection strategies, and the latest industry trends.

The podcast features in-depth discussions with industry leaders, Palo Alto Networks experts, and customers, providing crucial insights for security decision-makers.

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of the curve with innovative solutions or understand the evolving cybersecurity landscape, Threat Vector equips you with the knowledge needed to safeguard your organization.

Palo Alto Networks enables your team to prevent successful cyberattacks with an automated approach that delivers consistent security across the cloud, network, and mobile. ⁠http://paloaltonetworks.com⁠

A federal judge finds NSO Group liable for hacking WhatsApp. China accuses the U.S. government of cyberattacks. The UK’s Operation Destabilise uncovers a vast criminal network. An alleged LockBit developer says he did it for the money. Apache releases a security update for their Tomcat web server. Siemens issues a security advisory for their User Management Component. Italy’s data protection authority fines OpenAI $15.6 million. Researchers demonstrate a method to bypass the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. Apple sends potential spyware victims to a nonprofit for help. Our guest is Sven Krasser, CrowdStrike's Senior Vice President Data Science and Chief Scientist, talking about balancing AI and human intervention. Hackers supersize their McDonald’s delivery orders. 

Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.

Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn.

Today, our guest is Sven Krasser, CrowdStrike's Senior Vice President Data Science and Chief Scientist, talking about balancing AI and human intervention.

Judge rules NSO Group is liable for spyware hacks targeting 1,400 WhatsApp user devices (Recorded Future)

Chinese cyber center points finger at U.S. over alleged cyberattacks to steal trade secrets (CyberScoop)

Inside Operation Destabilise: How a ransomware investigation linked Russian money laundering and street-level drug dealing (Recorded Future)

Suspected LockBit dev faces extradition to the US (The Register)

Apache fixes remote code execution bypass in Tomcat web server (Bleeping Computer)

Siemens Warn of Critical Vulnerability in UMC (GovInfoSecurity)

Italy's Privacy Watchdog Fines OpenAI for ChatGPT's Violations in Collecting Users Personal Data (SecurityWeek)

WPA3 Network Password Bypassed via MITM Attack & Social Engineering (CyberSecurityNews.com)

Apple Warns Users Of iPhone Spyware Attacks—What You Need To Know (Forbes)

McDonald’s Delivery App Vulnerability Let Anyone Place an Order for Just $0.01 (CyberSecurityNews.com)

We want to ensure that you are getting the most out of the podcast. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey as we continually work to improve the show. 

You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info.

The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

CEO and co-founder of SafeGuard Cyber Jim Zufoletti shares his journey starting out as an intrepreneur and transformation into a serial entrepreneur in cybersecurity. Jim shares how he got his feet wet working for others as an intrepreneur and catching the entrepreneurial bug in the mid-90s. He has co-founded a number of companies starting with FreeMarkets, a B2B ecommerce company. After that went public and Jim moved on, he went to business school at the University of Virginia and crossed paths with his future co-founder of SafeGuard Cyber. At UVA, Jim was inspired by a professor who exposed him to the effectuation approach to entrepreneurship, Along those lines, Jim recommends those looking to start a business in cyber build their experience portfolio. Jim took what he learned to help build where he is today. His company helps protect the humans in this new digital world with the current work from home environment. And, we thank Jim for sharing his story with us.