The global landscape of cybersecurity is facing unprecedented challenges. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, representing top intelligence agencies, has unveiled "The Dirty Dozen" list, pinpointing the 12 most exploited vulnerabilities of 2022. This analysis not only highlights the vulnerabilities but also sheds light on the global struggle to fortify digital defences.
Key Highlights:
- Five Eyes' Revelations: This alliance, comprising the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, has spotlighted the major cybersecurity threats of 2022.
- Persistent Threats: Over half of the vulnerabilities on 2022's list were also present in 2021, indicating a concerning trend of recurring threats.
Noteworthy Vulnerabilities Include:
- Fortinet SSL VPNs: Known since 2018, allowing control over system files through a path traversal bug.
- Zoho ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus: Chinese hackers utilized this RCE vulnerability in late 2021.
- Atlassian's Confluence Server: Still being widely exploited, despite its identification in 2021.
- Log4Shell: The 2021 Apache Log4j exploit remains a popular tool for cybercriminals.
- Spyware Controversies: The FBI identified the use of the NSO Group's spyware within the US Government. This discovery is surprising, especially since NSO was blacklisted by the Biden administration in 2021.
- Pegasus Concerns: NSO's notorious spyware, Pegasus, known to target journalists and dissidents worldwide, is believed to be used more extensively against US officials than previously acknowledged.
The unveiling of "The Dirty Dozen" crystalised the cyber realities affecting our CISO’s in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. As older vulnerabilities continue to plague systems and new threats emerge, it's imperative for organisations worldwide to ramp up their security measures, patching known flaws, and staying ahead of potential breaches.
Collaborative efforts, like that of the Five Eyes, are crucial in the global fight against cyber threats.
