Storm Watch by GreyNoise Intelligence

Forecast = Router-geddon: Ballista storms brewing with a chance of unforgivable vulnerabilities. Patch umbrella required.

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In this episode of Storm ⚡ ️Watch, the crew laments the sorry state of modern edge computing through the lens of Steve Coley's 2007 paper on "Unforgivable Vulnerabilities". The discussion examines security flaws that should never appear in properly developed software yet continue to plague systems today. These vulnerabilities demonstrate a systematic disregard for secure development practices and would be immediately obvious to anyone with basic security awareness. The team breaks down "The Lucky 13" vulnerabilities, including buffer overflows, cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and hard-coded credentials, while also exploring how modern AI tools might inadvertently introduce these same issues into today's codebase, and how one might go about properly and safely use them in coding and security engineering.

The episode also features an in-depth analysis of the newly discovered Ballista botnet that's actively targeting TP-Link Archer routers through a vulnerability discovered two years ago. First detected on January 10, 2025, this botnet has already infected over 6,000 devices worldwide, with the most recent activity observed in mid-February. The threat actors behind Ballista, believed to be based in Italy, have targeted organizations across multiple sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, services, and technology in the US, Australia, China, and Mexico. The botnet exploits CVE-2023-1389 to spread malware that establishes encrypted command and control channels, enabling attackers to launch DDoS attacks and further compromise vulnerable systems.\

The team rounds out the episode with updates from their partner organizations. Censys shares insights on JunOS vulnerabilities and the RedPenguin threat actor, along with an investigation into server misidentification issues. RunZero discusses the importance of cybersecurity labeling for end-of-life and end-of-support consumer IoT devices. GreyNoise alerts listeners to a new surge in SSRF exploitation attempts reminiscent of the 2019 Capital One breach and promotes their upcoming webinar on March 24th.

As always, the Storm⚡️Watch crew delivers actionable intelligence and expert analysis to help security professionals stay ahead of emerging threats in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

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Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of compromised credentials and scattered vulnerabilities—stay alert out there!

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In this episode of Storm⚡️Watch, we're unpacking some of the most pressing developments in cybersecurity and what they mean for the industry. First, we tackle the state of CISA and its mounting challenges. From allegations that the Trump administration ordered U.S. Cyber Command and CISA to stand down on addressing Russian cyber threats, to financial groups pushing back against CISA's proposed incident reporting rule, there's no shortage of turbulence. Adding fuel to the fire, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has disbanded eight federal advisory committees, including key cybersecurity groups, citing compliance with a Trump-era executive order. Critics argue these cuts could weaken public-private collaboration and hinder CISA's ability to protect critical infrastructure. We'll break down what all this means for the future of cybersecurity leadership in the U.S.

Next, we revisit a shocking case involving a U.S. soldier who plans to plead guilty to hacking 15 telecom carriers. This story highlights the ongoing risks posed by insider threats and the vulnerabilities within telecom networks, which are often targeted for their treasure troves of sensitive data. We'll explore how this case unfolded, what it reveals about vetting processes for individuals with access to critical systems, and the broader implications for cybersecurity in government-affiliated organizations.

We also spotlight some fascinating research from Censys on a phishing scam exploiting toll systems across multiple states. Attackers are leveraging cheap foreign SIM cards and Chinese-hosted infrastructure in a campaign that keeps evolving. Plus, RunZero sheds light on a critical vulnerability affecting Edimax IP cameras (CVE-2025-1316), while GreyNoise reports on mass exploitation of a PHP-CGI vulnerability (CVE-2024-4577) and active threats linked to Silk Typhoon-associated CVEs.

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Forecast = Ransomware storms surge with an 87% spike in industrial attacks—brace for ICS strikes from GRAPHITE and BAUXITE! Infostealers hit healthcare and education, while VPN vulnerabilities pour in—grab your digital umbrella!

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It's report season and today the crew kicks things off with a breakdown of Veracode's State of Software Security 2025 Report, highlighting significant improvements in OWASP Top 10 pass rates but also noting concerning trends in high-severity flaws and security debt.

Next, we take a peek at Dragos's 2025 OT/ICS Cybersecurity Report, which reveals an increase in ransomware attacks against industrial organizations and the emergence of new threat groups like GRAPHITE and BAUXITE. The report also details the evolution of malware targeting critical infrastructure, such as Fuxnet and FrostyGoop.

The Huntress 2025 Cyber Threat Report is then discussed, showcasing the dominance of infostealers and malicious scripts in the threat landscape, with healthcare and education sectors being prime targets. The report also highlights the shift in ransomware tactics towards data theft and extortion.

The team also quickly covers a recent and _massive_ $1.5 billion Ethereum heist.

We *FINALLY* cover some recent findings from Censys, including their innovative approach to discovering non-standard port usage in Industrial Control System protocols. This segment also touches on the growing threat posed by vulnerabilities in edge security products.

We also *FINALLY* get around to checking out VulnCheck's research, including an analysis of Black Basta ransomware group's tactics based on leaked chat logs, and their efforts to automate Stakeholder Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) for more effective vulnerability prioritization.

The episode wraps up with mentions of GreyNoise's latest reports on mass internet exploitation and a newly discovered DDoS botnet, providing listeners with a well-rounded view of the current cybersecurity landscape.

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Forecast = Expect a storm of insights as we tackle cybersecurity's cloudy diversity gaps, edge device downpours, and ransomware winds blowing from Black Basta!

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In this episode of Storm⚡️Watch, we kick things off with an insightful interview with Mary N. Chaney, the CEO of Minorities in Cybersecurity (MiC). MiC is a groundbreaking organization dedicated to addressing the lack of support and representation for women and minority leaders in cybersecurity. Mary shares how MiC is building a community that fosters leadership development and equips members with essential skills for career advancement. We also discuss the alarming statistics that highlight the underrepresentation of minorities in cybersecurity leadership roles and explore how MiC's programs, like The MiC Inclusive Community™ and The MiC Leadership Series™, are making a tangible difference.

Next, the crew descends into a critical discussion about edge security products, drawing on insights from Censys. These devices, while vital for network protection, are increasingly becoming prime targets for attackers. We examine recent vulnerabilities added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, including flaws in products from Palo Alto Networks and SonicWall, and explore how state-sponsored actors like Salt Typhoon are exploiting these weaknesses. The conversation underscores the importance of proactive patch management and tools like attack surface monitoring to mitigate risks.

In the next segment, we analyze leaked chat logs from the Black Basta ransomware group with insights from VulnCheck. These logs reveal how Black Basta prioritizes vulnerabilities in widely used enterprise technologies, their rapid response to new advisories, and even their pre-publication knowledge of certain CVEs. We break down their strategy for selecting targets based on financial viability, industry focus, and vulnerability presence, offering actionable advice for defenders to stay ahead.

Finally, we turn our attention to GreyNoise's recent observations of active exploitation campaigns targeting Cisco vulnerabilities by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored group. Using data from GreyNoise's global observation grid, we discuss how legacy vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-0171 remain valuable tools for advanced threat actors. This segment highlights the importance of patching unaddressed issues and leveraging real-time threat intelligence to protect critical infrastructure.

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Forecast: Expect increased malicious activity targeting enterprise network infrastructure and remote work platforms.

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In this episode of Storm⚡️Watch, the crew tackles some of the most pressing stories in cybersecurity and tech.

First, we explore the case of Christian Marie Chapman, an Arizona woman who faces federal prison time for orchestrating a scheme that allowed North Korean IT workers to pose as U.S.-based employees. This operation, which generated over $17 million for North Korea, involved Chapman running a "laptop farm" that enabled remote access to U.S. company networks. The scheme not only compromised sensitive company data but also funneled money to North Korea's weapons programs. This story underscores the critical need for robust identity verification and background checks in hiring processes, especially in remote IT roles, to avoid inadvertently aiding malicious actors.

Next, we discuss GreyNoise's findings on the active exploitation of a high-severity vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS (CVE-2025-0108). This authentication bypass flaw allows attackers to execute unauthorized PHP scripts, posing significant risks to unpatched systems. Organizations are urged to apply security patches immediately and restrict access to firewall management interfaces to mitigate potential breaches. GreyNoise's real-time intelligence highlights the importance of staying vigilant against evolving threats.

In our featured segment, we sit down with Dennis Fisher, a celebrated journalist with over two decades of experience in cybersecurity reporting. Fisher shares insights from his career, including his work as co-founder of *Threatpost* and Editor-in-Chief at *Decipher*. Known for his analytical approach, Fisher has covered major cybersecurity events and delved into the motivations behind both attackers and defenders. His expertise offers a unique perspective on the complexities of information security.

Finally, we touch on broader issues in vulnerability management and encryption policies. From GreyNoise's observations of exploitation surges in vulnerabilities like ThinkPHP and ownCloud to Censys' argument against weakening encryption standards, these discussions emphasize the need for proactive measures and smarter prioritization in cybersecurity strategies. Whether it's patching overlooked vulnerabilities or resisting calls to weaken encryption under the guise of security, staying informed is key to navigating today's threat landscape.

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Forecast = Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so we can expect continued Musk-y days ahead in these remaining DOGE days of Winter.

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In this week's episode of GreyNoise Storm⚡️Watch, we have a bit of an AI-theme.

First, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has sparked significant privacy and security concerns by accessing sensitive federal systems like Treasury databases and Education Department records through AI-driven analysis. Critics highlight undisclosed partnerships with vendors like Inventry.ai, which allegedly introduced algorithmic bias by disproportionately targeting diversity programs and climate initiatives while retaining fossil fuel subsidies. Cybersecurity experts warn about unvetted API integrations and data security risks, as Inventry.ai processed taxpayer information without proper FedRAMP authorization. These issues have led to bipartisan calls for stricter AI procurement rules and transparency mandates to rebuild public trust.

Meanwhile, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek faces scrutiny over its claims of rivaling GPT-4 at lower costs, with analysts questioning its $5.6M training budget and geopolitical alignment. The models show systematic pro-China biases, refusing to answer 88% of sensitive questions about Tiananmen Square or Taiwan while promoting CCP narratives in responses. Security researchers flag its opaque training data—potentially using OpenAI outputs—and anti-debugging features that hinder independent audits. These concerns have triggered bans in Australia, South Korea, and U.S. agencies like NASA, with EU officials noting non-compliance with cybersecurity standards.

On the defense front, Splunk's DECEIVE AI honeypot introduces innovative deception tech by letting users simulate systems via text prompts, democratizing access to advanced threat detection. While it offers dynamic behavioral analysis and safe sandboxing, security professionals caution about LLM hallucination risks that could tip off attackers and ethical questions around logging fabricated credentials. The open-source tool shows promise but remains untested against sophisticated adversaries.

Rounding out the cybersecurity landscape, Censys research exposes the BADBOX botnet's infrastructure and BeyondTrust vulnerabilities, while VulnCheck highlights 2024's exploitation trends and Zyxel's unpatched telnet flaws; and GreyNoise's latest Noiseletter showcases new platform features + upcoming events.

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Forecast: Murdoc botnet storms hit IoT devices, Mastercard's DNS flaw clouds visibility, and DHS shutdowns leave security in the dark.

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In this episode of Storm⚡️Watch, we explore a major DNS misconfiguration at Mastercard that went undetected for over four years. Security researcher Philippe Caturegli uncovered a simple but critical typo in Mastercard's DNS nameserver records where "akam.net" was written as "akam.ne". This error affected one in five DNS requests to Mastercard's infrastructure and could have allowed attackers to intercept emails, capture Windows authentication credentials, and distribute malware through trusted domains.

The cybersecurity community was rocked by news that several crucial Department of Homeland Security advisory committees have been terminated. The Cyber Safety Review Board, which was actively investigating the Salt Typhoon hacks targeting U.S. telecommunications companies, was among the disbanded groups. This move has interrupted ongoing investigations into communications targeting high-profile political figures and raised concerns about gaps in information sharing and policy recommendations.

A sophisticated new variant of the Mirai malware called the Murdoc Botnet has emerged, targeting IoT devices worldwide. With over 1,300 compromised devices and more than 100 command-and-control servers, this botnet specifically exploits vulnerabilities in AVTECH IP cameras and Huawei HG532 routers. Between December 2024 and January 2025, the botnet has launched significant DDoS campaigns against Japanese corporations, banks, and organizations across multiple sectors in various countries.

The 2022 HIPAA Breach Report reveals concerning trends in healthcare security. There were 626 incidents affecting over 41 million people, with hacking and IT incidents accounting for 74% of all large breaches. Surprisingly, paper records remain a significant vulnerability, especially in smaller breaches. The report highlights persistent issues with weak authentication practices, insufficient audit controls, and incomplete risk analyses, resulting in major settlements totaling over $2.4 million.

Join us for an in-depth discussion of these critical cybersecurity developments and their implications for the industry. Don't forget to check out the upcoming GreyNoise University Live event for more insights into threat intelligence and network security.

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Forecast: TikTok storm clears out as critical infrastructure takes a hit from FortiGate downpours.

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In this episode of Storm⚡️Watch, we explore the dramatic conclusion of TikTok's presence in the United States and its unexpected return. The saga, which began in 2019 with initial government scrutiny, culminated in a series of significant events in January 2025, including the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the federal ban law and TikTok's brief operational shutdown. We'll discuss the emergence of alternative platforms like Xiaohongshu (REDNote) in the U.S. market and examine recent security concerns, including Remy's investigation into potential backdoor vulnerabilities.

The conversation then shifts to a major cybersecurity operation where the Justice Department and FBI successfully removed malware deployed by China-backed hackers using PlugX. We'll share insights from CISA Director Jen Easterly's recent comments on the Salt Typhoon campaign and their approach to tracking cyber threats.

A significant portion of our discussion focuses on the FortiGate configuration leak incident. The Belsen Group's release of sensitive data from over 15,000 FortiGate devices has exposed critical infrastructure vulnerabilities across multiple countries. The leak, stemming from a 2022 authentication bypass vulnerability (CVE-2022-40684), primarily affected devices in Mexico and the UAE, with configuration files containing firewall rules, VPN credentials, and digital certificates being exposed.

We wrap up with an analysis of recent Volt Typhoon activities and their implications for global cybersecurity, along with some suspicious thoughts from GreyNoise. This episode provides crucial insights into the evolving landscape of international cyber threats and the continuous challenges faced by security professionals worldwide.

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Forecast: Breach storms surge with Chinese actors, Ivanti spreads wider, and malware disguises itself—stay alert and patched!

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This episode of Storm⚡️Watch features exciting developments in security tooling and concerning breaches in critical infrastructure.

We're thrilled to finally talk about Censeye on the pod! It's Censys's powerful new automated hunting platform that's revolutionizing how security teams conduct threat hunting. This innovative tool combines automation with Censys's comprehensive internet scanning capabilities, complete with new gadgets that enhance threat detection and analysis capabilities.

In major security news, a significant breach at the US Treasury's Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) has been attributed to Chinese state-sponsored actors. This concerning development potentially exposed sensitive data about national security reviews of foreign investments in American companies.

The Ivanti vulnerability situation continues to evolve, with UK domain registry giant Nominet now confirming they've been impacted by the recent Ivanti VPN exploits. This development highlights the expanding blast radius of this critical security issue.

2025 has already seen sophisticated threat actors weaponizing exploits, with researchers uncovering an information stealer disguised as a proof-of-concept exploit for the LDAPNightmare vulnerability (CVE-2024-49113).

We'll explore how Censys Search is strengthening phishing prevention through advanced SSL/TLS certificate monitoring, providing organizations with crucial tools to identify and prevent potential phishing campaigns.

The episode concludes with an in-depth look at GreyNoise classifications, particularly focusing on suspicious activity patterns identified in the last 24 hours. We'll break down what these classifications mean for security teams and how to leverage this intelligence effectively.

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Forecast: Cyber conditions are turbulent with two major Chinese state-sponsored storms impacting U.S. infrastructure, with aftershocks expected into mid-January.

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In today's episode of Storm Watch, we cover two major cybersecurity incidents that have significantly impacted U.S. infrastructure. The BeyondTrust breach, initially discovered in early December 2024, involved a compromised Remote Support SaaS API key that allowed attackers to reset passwords and access workstations remotely. The Treasury Department was notably affected, with attackers accessing unclassified documents in the Office of Financial Research and Office of Foreign Assets Control. The incident exposed critical vulnerabilities, including a severe command injection flaw with a CVSS score of 9.8, and over 13,500 BeyondTrust instances remain exposed online.

The conversation then shifts to the extensive telecommunications breaches known as the Salt Typhoon campaign, where Chinese state actors successfully infiltrated nine major U.S. telecom companies. This sophisticated espionage operation gained the capability to geolocate millions of individuals and potentially record phone calls, though actual communication interception was limited to fewer than 100 high-profile targets. The breach revealed shocking security lapses, such as a single administrator account having access to over 100,000 routers and the use of primitive passwords like "1111" for management systems.

Major carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies were among the affected companies, with varying degrees of impact and response effectiveness. T-Mobile stands out for their quick detection and mitigation of the attack. In response to these incidents, the FCC is preparing to vote on new cybersecurity regulations by mid-January 2025, while the White House has outlined key areas for improvement including configuration management, vulnerability management, network segmentation, and enhanced information sharing across the sector.

The episode wraps up with insights from recent Censys Rapid Response posts and the latest GreyNoise blog entry about profiling benign internet scanners in 2024, along with VulnCheck's analysis of the most dangerous software weaknesses and a discussion of the Four-Faith Industrial Router vulnerability being exploited in the wild.

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