Today the threat of cyber attacks is ever-present, and businesses of all sizes need to have a solid incident response plan in place. A cybersecurity incident response plan is a critical element in ensuring that a company can respond effectively to a cyber attack.

Cybersecurity incident response refers to the process of identifying, investigating, and responding to cyber security incidents in a manner that limits the impact of the attack. Incident response is an essential aspect of any cybersecurity program, and it requires a coordinated effort across different parts of the organization.

An incident response plan is a set of procedures that guides an organization’s response to a cybersecurity incident. The plan outlines the steps that need to be taken to identify, contain, eradicate, and recover from an incident. It also defines the roles and responsibilities of the incident response team and other stakeholders.

A typical incident response plan consists of six phases: preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.

The first phase, preparation, involves creating an incident response plan and establishing an incident response team. The team should consist of individuals from different parts of the organization, such as IT, legal, and public relations. The team should also have access to the necessary tools and resources, including incident response software and communication systems.

The second phase, identification, involves detecting and analyzing the incident. This may involve monitoring network traffic, reviewing logs, and conducting interviews with employees. Once the incident is identified, the incident response team should classify it based on its severity and potential impact.

The third phase, containment, involves taking steps to limit the impact of the incident. This may involve isolating affected systems or networks, disabling user accounts, or shutting down systems altogether. The goal of containment is to prevent the incident from spreading and causing further damage.

The fourth phase, eradication, involves removing the threat from the affected systems or networks. This may involve removing malware, restoring data from backups, or rebuilding systems from scratch. The goal of eradication is to ensure that the incident is fully resolved and that the organization can resume normal operations.

The fifth phase, recovery, involves restoring systems and data to their normal state. This may involve testing systems and networks to ensure that they are functioning properly and restoring data from backups. The goal of recovery is to minimize the impact of the incident on the organization and its customers.

The final phase, lessons learned, involves reviewing the incident response process and identifying areas for improvement. This may involve conducting a post-mortem analysis of the incident, documenting lessons learned, and updating the incident response plan accordingly.

A cybersecurity incident response plan is critical to the success of any organization’s cybersecurity program. Having a well-defined plan in place, an organization can minimize the impact of a cyber attack and quickly return to normal operations. The incident response plan should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains effective in the face of evolving threats. With the right incident response plan and a dedicated incident response team, organizations can ensure that they are prepared to respond to any cybersecurity incident that may arise.

There have been several incidents of CISCO router hacking over the years, some of which have resulted in significant data breaches and network disruptions. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Shadow Brokers: In 2017, a group calling themselves the Shadow Brokers released a trove of hacking tools allegedly stolen from the NSA. Among these tools were exploits targeting vulnerabilities in CISCO routers. The exploits, dubbed “EPICBANANA” and “EXTRABACON,” could allow attackers to gain access to the routers and take control of the network.

The tools were believed to have been used by the NSA’s elite hacking team, the Tailored Access Operations (TAO), and included a range of exploits and vulnerabilities targeting various software and hardware systems.

The release of the NSA tools caused widespread concern among security experts and government agencies, as the tools could be used by cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers to launch sophisticated attacks against targets around the world. The Shadow Brokers claimed that they were auctioning off the remaining tools to the highest bidder, but it’s unclear if they were able to sell them or if they are still in possession of them.

The incident highlights the risks associated with the development and stockpiling of offensive cyber tools by government agencies. While these tools can be useful for intelligence gathering and national security purposes, they can also be stolen, leaked, or otherwise compromised, potentially causing significant damage to the security and stability of private networks, the internet, and global networks.

• Vault 7: In 2017, WikiLeaks published a series of documents allegedly detailing the CIA’s hacking capabilities. Among the tools described were exploits targeting CISCO routers.

The documents, believed to have been leaked by an insider, provided an unprecedented glimpse into the world of cyber espionage and the tools and techniques used by the CIA to carry out their operations.

Among the tools described in the Vault 7 leaks were several exploits targeting vulnerabilities in CISCO routers, which are widely used in enterprise networks and critical infrastructure systems. These exploits, codenamed “CherryBlossom” and “CherryBomb,” could allow the CIA to monitor and manipulate network traffic passing through the routers.

The Vault 7 leaks caused widespread concern among security experts and government agencies, as they revealed the extent to which intelligence agencies can carry out sophisticated cyber attacks against targets around the world. The leaks also raised questions about the legality and ethics of government-sponsored hacking, considering the potential for collateral damage and unintended consequences within their own countries and allies.

In response to the leaks, CISCO released a statement urging customers to ensure that their software was up-to-date and to implement strong security practices to defend against cyber attacks. This incident reinforces the importance of strong cybersecurity practices, watching the government in their work, and keeping your networks secure with patching, and monitoring.

3. VPNFilter: In 2018, a malware campaign dubbed VPNFilter was discovered to be targeting CISCO routers, among other devices. The malware could allow attackers to spy on network traffic, steal sensitive data, and even render the routers inoperable. The campaign was believed to be the work of a Russian state-sponsored hacking group.
4. SolarWinds: In 2020, it was discovered that a supply chain attack on software provider SolarWinds had resulted in the compromise of numerous government agencies and private sector organizations. Among the targets were CISCO routers, which were exploited to move laterally within networks and gain access to sensitive data.

Vulnerabilities exploited in CISCO routers had been previously discovered and addressed by the company. Right now, many organizations had not applied the necessary security patches or updates, leaving their networks vulnerable to attack. This is a reminder of the importance of keeping software up-to-date and implementing robust security practices. Also a reminder to keep an eye on your own government, as they sometimes are the biggest problem.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/medusa-ransomware-gang-picks-up-steam-as-it-targets-companies-worldwide/

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/fbi-director-wray-again-warns-national-security-threat-tiktok-poses?videoPosition=aniplayer_AV62cf06064203de29964ba1d6-1678379886131&videoId=78813

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/fbi-director-wray-again-warns-national-security-threat-tiktok-poses

Iran has been operating a number of botnets used for various malicious activities, including cyber espionage, political influence campaigns, and cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. These botnets are operated by Iran’s intelligence agencies and affiliated hacking groups, that use sophisticated techniques to evade detection and attribution.

The most well-known Iranian botnets is the APT33 botnet, also known as Elfin. APT33 is believed to be operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has been linked to a range of cyber espionage activities targeting companies in the aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. APT33 has been used to target government agencies and political targets in the Middle East and other regions.

The next most well known is the APT34 botnet, also known as OilRig. APT34 has been used in a number of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, including the 2017 cyberattack against a Saudi petrochemical plant. APT34 has also been used to target government agencies and political targets in the Middle East and other regions.

Iran’s use of botnets also extends beyond traditional cyber espionage and political influence campaigns. In recent years, Iran has been using botnets for darker and more destructive purposes, such as cyberattacks against critical infrastructure and sabotage.

One example of this is the 2019 cyberattack against a Saudi oil refinery, which was carried out by Iran using a botnet. The attack caused significant damage to the facility and resulted in a temporary disruption of global oil supplies.

These darker purposes underscores the country’s destructive cyber operations. Sanctions and walling off Iran is our best defense.

North Korea, AKA The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has been operating several botnets used for financial gain and political influence campaigns. These botnets are operated by the country’s intelligence agencies and cybercriminal organizations, which use sophisticated techniques to evade detection and attribution.

One of the most notorious North Korean botnets is the Lazarus Group’s botnet. The Lazarus Group is a state-sponsored hacking group that has been linked to several high-profile cyber attacks, including the 2014 Sony Pictures hack and the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist. The group has used botnets to carry out these attacks, which involved stealing millions of dollars from banks and financial institutions.

Another North Korean botnet is the Andariel botnet, which was uncovered by South Korean researchers in 2017. Andariel has been used to target South Korean government agencies and financial institutions, as well as foreign companies operating in South Korea. The botnet is operated by North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, which is responsible for the country’s cyber espionage activities.

North Korea is linked to the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries. The attack was carried out using a variant of the Lazarus Group’s botnet, which was able to spread the ransomware rapidly by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.

North Korea’s continues to engage in cybercrime and political influence campaigns for financial gain and geopolitical purposes. It also is a total dictatorship, and has slavery and state murder as a part of it’s operation. As terrible evil places, there are few worse on earth today.

Russia has been behind a number of notorious botnets that have been used for various malicious activities, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, spamming, credential theft, and espionage. These botnets are operated by a range of actors, including state-sponsored hacking groups and cybercriminal organizations.

One of the most well-known Russian botnets is the Mirai botnet, which was used in a series of large-scale DDoS attacks in 2016. Mirai infected IoT devices such as routers and cameras to create a massive network of zombie devices that could be controlled remotely. The botnet was used to target a number of high-profile websites and services, including Dyn, a DNS provider that was responsible for routing much of the internet’s traffic.

Another Russian botnet is the Kelihos botnet, which was discovered in 2010 and believed to have been operated by a Russian cybercriminal known as “Spam King.” Kelihos was used for a range of malicious activities, including spamming, phishing, and malware distribution. The botnet was dismantled in 2017 following an international law enforcement operation, but it is believed that many of its members continue to operate other botnets and engage in cybercrime.

Russia has a number of state-sponsored hacking groups that use botnets for espionage and political influence campaigns. For example, the Fancy Bear hacking group, linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, has been involved in a number of cyber attacks against political targets, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Fancy Bear has been known to use botnets to distribute phishing emails and malware to its targets.

Botnets by Russian actors highlights the country’s evil operations in the cyber domain and its willingness to use these capabilities for geopolitical purposes. It also underscores the need for continued international sanctions and coordination in combating cyber threats posed by the Russians. They are running an evil empire. We need to stop them.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/china-linked-hackers-gather-more-info-than-spy-balloons-cyber-security-report_5091730.html?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=TheLibertyDaily

China has been sponsoring and using botnets for various cyber activities, including…

Industrial espionage
Intellectual property theft
Cybercrime

The Chinese government has been a sponsor a number of hacking groups and cybercriminal organizations that use botnets as part of their operations.

One of the most notorious botnets associated with China is the APT10 botnet, also known as Stone Panda or Red Apollo. This botnet has been linked to a range of cyber espionage and intellectual property theft activities, including attacks on companies in the aerospace, defense, healthcare, and technology sectors. The APT10 botnet is operated by a state-sponsored hacking group known as the Ministry of State Security, which has been linked to numerous other cyber attacks against foreign targets.

Another Chinese botnet is the GhostNet botnet, which was uncovered in 2009. This botnet was used to spy on government and private organizations in over 100 countries, including embassies, military installations, and media organizations. The GhostNet botnet was operated by a Chinese espionage group known as the Shadow Network, which is linked to the Chinese military.

In addition to these state-sponsored botnets, China has also been linked to a number of cybercrime-related botnets. The Kelihos botnet was believed to be operated by a Russian cybercriminal, but it was also found to have a large number of Chinese victims and to be controlled from servers in China. The Kelihos botnet was used for a range of criminal activities, including spamming, phishing, and malware distribution.

China’s use of botnets highlights the country’s growing capabilities in the cyber domain and the increasing role of state-sponsored cyber activities in geopolitical conflicts. It also underscores the need for continued international cooperation and coordination in combating cyber threats. Sanctions should be taken immediately against them, and we should begin major economic walls to hold them accountable for their bad actions!