The Cybersecurity (CS) Digest is a curated bi-weekly news summary for cybersecurity professionals. It is transmitted in an HTML-formatted email and provides links to articles and news summaries across a spectrum of cybersecurity topics.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Critical Infrastructure:

DHS Cybersecurity Program Finds Few Takers - GovTech

Program to share threat information was opened to state and local government last year, but few seem to be aware of it.

New Cyber-Security Legislation After New 9/11 Commission Report : A “9/10 Ability to Protect Against Cyber-Attacks” - Gillibrand Senate

New cyber information sharing tax credit would incentivize critical infrastructure businesses to join information-sharing organizations to strengthen their cyber security.

Cyberwarfare:

China Warplane in ‘Dangerous’ Intercept with US Jet: Pentagon - Yahoo

A Chinese fighter jet flew perilously close to a US military aircraft this week in a "very dangerous" incident in international air space east of Hainan Island, the Pentagon said Friday.

Nuke Regulator Hacked By Suspected Foreign Powers - NextGov

Nuclear Regulatory Commission computers within the past three years were successfully hacked by foreigners twice and also by an unidentifiable individual, according to an internal investigation.

Data Security:

Intelligence Insiders Disclose Bug Information with Tor Developers - Threat Post

The executive director of the Tor Project told the BBC that U.S. and U.K. intelligence agencies are in an internal cat and mouse game, with one faction trying to break the anonymity network, and another one sharing bugs anonymously with Tor developers.

‘Reveton’ Ransomware Upgraded with Powerful Password Stealer - Network World

A type of malware called Reveton, which falsely warns users they’ve broken the law and demands payment of a fine, has been upgraded with powerful password stealing functions, according to Avast.

New Attack Binds Malware In Parallel To Software Downloads - Threat Post

In order to solve problems—problems such as intelligence agencies or hackers infecting open source software distribution systems with malware—one must first understand how problems may be exploited.

50% of corporate passwords crackable within a few minutes - SC Magazine

The twin dangers of high-powered password-crunching `brute force' attack software - when combined with a lax approach to password security in many corporates - means that around 50 percent of US corporate passwords can now be cracked in a matter of minutes.
Tags: Password Security

U.S. Undercover Investigators Among Those Exposed in Data Breach - Reuters

A cyber attack at a firm that performs background checks for U.S. government employees compromised data of at least 25,000 workers, including some undercover investigators, and that number could rise, agency officials said on Friday.

Hacker Strikes State of Delaware Website - Dover Post

A hacker appeared to have broken into the state of Delaware’s treasury division website early Monday morning, posting an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian message.

Chinese Hackers Targeted MH 370 Investigation and Appear to Have Stolen Classified Documents - NextGov

Chinese hackers targeted the computers of high-ranking officials from the Malaysian government and Malaysia Airlines and stole classified information during the early stages of the investigation into missing flight MH 370.

Healthcare Security:

Cyber Attack Nets 4.5 Million Records From Large Hospital System - Forbes

In what could well be the largest single health data breach by a publicly traded company, Community Health Systems (CHS) announced earlier today that information on 4.5 million patients was stolen as part of a cyber attack they believe originated in China.

High Performance Computing:

Finalists Compete for Coveted ACM Gordon Bell Prize in High Performance Computing - Scientific Computing

With five technical papers contending for one of the highest honored awards in high performance computing (HPC), the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) awards committee has four months left to choose a winner for the prestigious 2014 Gordon Bell Prize.

Mobile Security:

Most Popular Android Apps Open Users to MITM Attacks - Net-Security

An analysis of the 1,000 most popular free Android apps from the Google Play store has revealed a depressing fact: most of them sport an SSL/TLS vulnerability that can be misused for executing man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, and occasionally additional ones, as well.

New Framework Facilitates Use of New Android Security Modules - Homeland Security Newswire

Computer security researchers have developed a modification to the core Android operating system that allows developers and users to plug in new security enhancements. The new Android Security Modules (ASM) framework aims to eliminate the bottleneck that prevents developers and users from taking advantage of new security tools.

Hackers Transform a Smartphone Gyroscope Into an Always-on Microphone - Engadget

Apps that use your smartphone's microphone need to ask permission, but the motion sensors? No say-so needed. That might not sound like a big deal, but security researchers from Stanford University and defense firm Rafael have discovered a way to turn Android phone gyroscopes into crude microphones.

Don’t Think You’re SAFE From Windows Zombies Just ‘cos You Have an iPhone - The Register

Fanbois aren't safe from Windows malware - and it's all down to iTunes syncing.

Network Security:

Hardcoded Password in Netis, Netcore Routers Offers Backdoor to Devices - Softpedia

A password planted in the firmware of some routers manufactured in China offers attackers the possibility to bypass device security and access it in order to run arbitrary code.

Navy Awards $2.5B In Contracts for CANES - Defense Systems

The Navy has awarded a potential $2.5 billion worth of contracts to five companies for full deployment production of the Navy’s Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services system, which is intended to improve interoperability across the fleet.

Traffic Lights System Hacked In Michigan - Softpedia

Basic security issues in the networked system regulating traffic flow in Michigan allowed a team of researchers to take control of about 100 traffic lights.

Software Security:

NIST Releases Secure Shell Guidance Document - Threat Post

NIST released a report yesterday urging enterprises, government agencies and other IT shops that rely on Secure Shell implementations to re-assess their deployments and be wary of a number of weaknesses plaguing those systems.

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