EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
“Is the internet on fire?” asked one anonymous cyber security expert, upon hearing of the Log4j vulnerability. In the ensuing days, many shared the sentiment.
In case the Log4j vulnerability breezed by you, this article contains an overview of what the vulnerability is, why it matters and how to safeguard your organization, as to avoid a holiday nightmare.
Get granular insights designed to help you upgrade your approach to Logj4 and similar software vulnerabilities that are bound to pop up in the future.
What is Log4J
To bring you up to speed, Log4j is an alarming security flaw that has the potential to impact nearly every organization in the world. Patches are available, but experts contend that it may be too little too late.
Attackers may have exploited the flaw to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks, where they may launch cyber attacks that devastate business operations.
Why does it matter
The Log4j vulnerability matters on a number of different levels.
- It can affect your organization’s security and may lead to breaches. More specifically, it can affect everything from the cloud to developer tools.
- It highlights the need for stronger monitoring of software components.
- It emphasizes the importance of owning a security solution that can identify zero-day threats.
How can you protect your organization?
Take action. Update systems with patches. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages organizations to:
- Discover all internet-facing resources that permit data inputs and that leverage the Log4j library anywhere across the stack.
- Identify all assets that rely on the Log4j library.
- Isolate or update assets.
- Assume compromise, identify common post-exploit sources and activity and search for indicators of malicious activity.
- Hunt for traffic anomalies.
Holiday warnings
You’re not the only one with holiday plans. Hackers have holiday plans too, and they often include breaking into networks or similarly nefarious activities. Historically, hackers have shown a penchant for launching attacks during holiday weekends.
Experts advise organizations to take extra cyber security precautions in preparing for the weeks ahead. The Log4j vulnerability offers a ultra easy route to perceived riches.
In summary
Use of the Log4j vulnerability to break into systems could lead to the launch of remote-code execution attacks, giving hackers control over servers. Alternatively, Log4j exploitation can result in devastating ransomware attacks, data loss, cryptomining attacks, DDoS attacks, or other malicious activities designed to decimate.
Ensure that your organization has pursued patching and other immediate remediation imperatives to guard against any Log4j-related threats.
Due to the vast volume of software in use across the world, the best means of identifying vulnerabilities and zero-day attacks consists of adopting artificial intelligence-based security technologies.
“There’s no way to win against these types of threats without AI,” says Tsion Gonen, Head of Cloud Product at Check Point Software.
For more information about the Log4j vulnerability, see Cyber Talk’s past coverage.
Lastly, to learn more about pressing issues in the cyber world, please join us at the premiere cyber security event of the year – CPX 360 2022. Register here.