Passkeys have become a popular method for authentication, offering an alternative to traditional passwords. However, despite their advantages, there are several key issues that need to be addressed. This article explores the problems associated with passkeys and the need for further improvements in authentication methods.

Passkeys, often referred to as passwordless authentication, aim to provide a more convenient and secure way to access accounts and devices. Unlike passwords, which can be forgotten, stolen, or easily guessed, passkeys utilize unique characteristics of the user's device, such as biometrics or hardware-based keys, to grant access.

One of the primary concerns with passkeys is their reliance on specific devices or platforms. For instance, a passkey that works on an Android device might not be compatible with an iOS device or a different operating system. This lack of cross-platform compatibility limits the usability and convenience of passkeys, as users may need multiple passkeys for different devices or services.

Additionally, passkeys are vulnerable to potential security risks. While they eliminate the need for passwords, which are often weak and prone to hacking, passkeys are not immune to threats. If a passkey is compromised, it could lead to unauthorized access to the associated account or device. Furthermore, if the passkey is stored insecurely, such as in the cloud or on an easily accessible device, it could be accessed by malicious actors.

Another challenge is the adoption and support of passkeys across various platforms and services. Although major tech companies like Google have introduced passkey support, it requires widespread adoption from service providers and developers to offer a seamless experience for users. If passkey support remains limited, users may still need to rely on traditional password-based authentication methods.

To address these issues, further advancements in passkey technology and authentication methods are necessary. First and foremost, there should be greater collaboration between tech companies and service providers to establish standardized protocols for passkey implementation. This would enable interoperability across different platforms, making passkeys more accessible and user-friendly.

Enhancing the security of passkeys is also critical. Additional layers of protection, such as multi-factor authentication, can be integrated with passkeys to add an extra level of security. This could include biometric verification, device attestation, or behavioral analysis to ensure the legitimacy of the user.

Furthermore, educating users about the importance of passkey security and best practices is crucial. Users need to understand the risks associated with passkeys and be encouraged to store them securely, preferably using hardware-based solutions or secure vaults.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called on federal agencies to fully implement essential cloud security practices in order to enhance their cybersecurity posture. In a recent report, the GAO highlighted the importance of adopting and adhering to these practices to mitigate risks associated with cloud computing.

GoTo, the parent company of LastPass, has disclosed that hackers recently broke into its systems and seized encrypted backups belonging to users. It claimed that in addition to LastPass user data, hackers managed to obtain data from its other enterprise products.

The Sophos 2022 Threat Report, released by Sophos, a pioneer in next-generation cybersecurity, illustrates how the gravitational influence of ransomware is attracting other cyber threats to building one vast, linked ransomware delivery system, having essential ramifications for IT security.

Entry-level hackers can buy malware and spyware installation tools from illicit markets like Genesis, and also sell illegal passwords or other data in mass. Access brokers increasingly sell other criminal groups' credentials and susceptible software exploits.

A new ransomware-as-a-service economy has emerged in the last decade due to the rising popularity of ransomware. In 2022, this as-a-service business model has grown, and almost every component of the cybercrime toolkit from initial infection to methods of evading detection is now accessible for purchase, according to the researchers.

Several step-by-step tools and methods that attackers might use to spread the ransomware were revealed when an affiliate of the Conti ransomware published the deployment guide supplied by the operators. RaaS affiliates and other ransomware operators can use malware distribution platforms and IABs to discover and target potential victims once they have the virus they require. The second significant trend predicted by Sophos is being fueled by this.

Gootloader was launching innovative hybrid operations in 2021, as per Sophos's research, that blended broad campaigns with rigorous screening to identify targets for particular malware packs.

Ransomware distribution and delivery will continue to be adapted by well-known cyber threats. Which include spam, spyware, loaders, droppers, and other common malware in addition to increasingly sophisticated, manually handled first access brokers.

Data theft and exposure, threatening phone calls, distributed denial of service (DDoS) assaults, and other pressure tactics were all included in the list of ten pressure methods Sophos incident responders compiled in 2021.

Cryptocurrency will continue to feed cybercrimes like ransomware and unlawful crypto mining. In 2021, Sophos researchers discovered crypto miners like Lemon Duck and MrbMiner, which installed themselves on machines and servers by using newly revealed vulnerabilities and targets that had already been compromised by ransomware operators. Sophos anticipates that the trend will continue until international cryptocurrencies are better regulated.

In addition to promoting their products, cybercrime vendors sometimes post job openings to hire attackers with specialized capabilities. In addition to profiles of their abilities and qualifications, job seekers are posting help-wanted sites on some markets, which also have technical hiring personnel.

As web services grow, different kinds of credentials, particularly cookies, can be utilized in a variety of ways to penetrate networks more deeply and even get through MFA. Credential theft continues to be one of the simplest ways for new criminals to enter gray markets and start their careers.

Yanluowang ransomware Gang has published Cisco Systems' stolen data on the dark web and following the data leak, Cisco confirmed that the data was stolen from its network during an intrusion that took place in May. 

Cisco Security Incident Response (CSIRT) conducted an investigation wherein it was found that the attackers acquired control of a personal Google account that had the credentials saved in the browser. The threat actors compromised these credentials to launch voice phishing attacks. The idea behind the attacks was to lure the targeted employee into accepting the MFA notification. 

Cisco revealed in a report published in August that the firm's networks had been infiltrated by the Yanluowang ransomware after hackers gained access to an employee's VPN account. The company further asserted that the only information taken was employee login information from Active Directory and non-sensitive files saved in a Box account.

Once the threat actors obtained the employee's Cisco credentials, the hackers employed social engineering and other techniques to get beyond multi-factor authentication (MFA) and gather more data.

After gaining initial access, the hackers registered a list of new devices for MFA, authenticated effectively to the Cisco VPN, and dropped multiple tools in the victim network including RATs such as LogMeIn, TeamViewer, Cobalt Strike, PowerSploit, Mimikatz, and Impacket, as per Security Affairs. 

Over the weekend, Cisco said in an update that "the content of these files matched what we have detected and released.  We continue to see no effect on the business, including Cisco goods or services, confidential customer data or sensitive employee data, copyrights, or supply chain activities, which is consistent with our previous examination of this incident."

The researchers at the cybersecurity firm eSentire linked Yanluowang with "Evil Corp" (UNC2165), the Lapsus$ gang, and FiveHands malware (UNC2447).

The hacked Google account of an employee that had enabled password synchronization through Google Chrome and saved their Cisco details in the browser allowed the thieves to initially access the Cisco VPN.

The leader of Yanluowang ransomware told BleepingComputer that they had stolen thousands of files totaling 55GB from a cache that contained sensitive information including technical schematics and source code. The hacker did not offer any evidence. The only thing they provided was a screenshot showing access to what seemed like a development system. 

Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at security awareness training company KnowBe4 implies that it goes unsaid that Cisco decided against paying the ransom demanded by the ransomware group, which resulted in the stolen data being posted. 

As part of the cybercrime gang's illegal surveillance and data theft operations, Microsoft claims to have banned accounts used by the Seaborgium troupe, which has ties to Russia, to spam and exploit login information.

In order to identify employees who work for the victims, the hackers exploited bogus LinkedIn profiles, email, OneDrive, and other Microsoft cloud services accounts.

Microsoft is keeping tabs on the cluster of espionage-related activities under the chemical element-themed moniker SEABORGIUM, which it claims is associated with a hacker organization also known as Callisto, COLDRIVER, and TA446.

Coldriver, alias Seaborgium, was accused of running a hack-and-leak campaign resulting in the publication of documents that were purportedly obtained from high-ranking Brexit supporters, including Richard Dearlove, a former British agent. 

Targets &Tactics

Microsoft reported that it had seen "only very modest changes in their social engineering tactics and in how they deliver the initial malicious URL to their targets."

The main targets are think tanks, higher education institutions, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), defense and intelligence consulting firms, and to a lesser extent, nations in the Baltics, Nordics, and Eastern Europe.

Former secret services, Russian affairs experts, and Russian nationals living abroad are further subjects of interest. It is estimated that more than 30 businesses and individual accounts were infected.

The process begins with the reconnaissance of potential targets using fictitious personas made on social media sites like LinkedIn, and then contact is established with them through neutral email messages sent from recently registered accounts that have been set up to match the names of the fictitious subjects.

If the target falls prey to the malicious code tactic, hackers launch the attack sequence by sending a weaponized message that contains a PDF document that has been compromised or a link to a file stored on OneDrive. 

According to Microsoft, "SEABORGIUM also abuses OneDrive to host PDF files that contain a link to the malicious URL.  Since the start of 2022, The actors have included a OneDrive link in the email body that, when clicked, takes the subscriber to a PDF file held within a SEABORGIUM-controlled OneDrive account."

Additionally, it has been discovered that the adversary conceals its operational network using open redirects which appear to be innocent to drive visitors to the malicious server, which then asks them to input their credentials in order to view the material.

The last stage of the attack involves leveraging the victim's email accounts with the stolen login information, exploiting the illegal logins to exfiltrate emails and attachments, setting up email forwarding rules to assure ongoing data gathering, and executing other key work.

Caution

According to Redmond, "SEABORGIUM has been spotted in a number of instances employing their impersonation accounts to encourage dialog with certain people of interest and, as a result, were involved in conversations, sometimes unintentionally, involving several users."

The enterprise security firm Proofpoint noted the group's propensity for reconnaissance and skilled impersonation for the delivery of malicious links. Proofpoint records the actor under the moniker TA446.

As per Microsoft, there are steps that may be taken to counter Seaborgium's strategies. This entails turning off email auto-forwarding and configuring Office 365 email settings to stop fake emails, spam, and emails containing viruses.

The security team also suggests utilizing more secure MFA techniques, such as FIDO tokens or authenticator tools with number matching, in place of telephony-based MFA and demanding multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users from all locations, even those that are trusted.

The Yanluowang ransomware organization broke into Cisco's business network in late May and stole internal data, the company said in a statement.

Hacker's compromised a Cisco employee's credentials after taking over a personal Google account where credentials saved in the victim's browser were being synced, according to an investigation by Cisco Security Incident Response (CSIRT) and Cisco Talos.

Azure Active Directory has received a handful of security updates from Microsoft. In preview, the business has unveiled a new access reviews tool that allows enterprises to delete inactive user accounts which may pose a security concern. Users who created the new Azure AD tenant after October 2019 received security defaults, however, customers who built Azure AD tenants before October 2019 did not receive security defaults.