Cyber Threat Report: 'Connect:fun Detailing an exploitation campaign targeting FortiClient EMS via CVE-2023-48788'

This report from Vedere Labs at Forescout Research details an exploitation campaign which they have designated Connect:fun. The attacks exploit CVE-2023-48788 in Fortinet’s FortiClient EMS before using ScreenConnect and Powerfun tools for post-exploitation activities. The report discusses a specific incident at a media company targeted by the attack. Although the report doesn't name a specific threat actor or intrusion set, the researchers suggest that the actor behind the attack has been active since 2022 and uses Vietnamese and German languages in their infrastructure.

Execution Prevention

Block execution of code on a system through application control, and/or script blocking.

Network Intrusion Prevention

Use intrusion detection signatures to block traffic at network boundaries.

Audit

Perform audits or scans of systems, permissions, insecure software, insecure configurations, etc. to identify potential weaknesses.

Behavior Prevention on Endpoint

Use capabilities to prevent suspicious behavior patterns from occurring on endpoint systems. This could include suspicious process, file, API call, etc. behavior.

Antivirus/Antimalware

Use signatures or heuristics to detect malicious software.

User Training

Train users to be aware of access or manipulation attempts by an adversary to reduce the risk of successful spearphishing, social engineering, and other techniques that involve user interaction.

Application Isolation and Sandboxing

Restrict execution of code to a virtual environment on or in transit to an endpoint system.

Exploit Protection

Use capabilities to detect and block conditions that may lead to or be indicative of a software exploit occurring.

Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning is used to find potentially exploitable software vulnerabilities to remediate them.

Privileged Account Management

Manage the creation, modification, use, and permissions associated to privileged accounts, including SYSTEM and root.

Update Software

Perform regular software updates to mitigate exploitation risk.

Network Segmentation

Architect sections of the network to isolate critical systems, functions, or resources. Use physical and logical segmentation to prevent access to potentially sensitive systems and information. Use a DMZ to contain any internet-facing services...

Disable or Remove Feature or Program

Remove or deny access to unnecessary and potentially vulnerable software to prevent abuse by adversaries.

Code Signing

Enforce binary and application integrity with digital signature verification to prevent untrusted code from executing.

Multi-factor Authentication

Use two or more pieces of evidence to authenticate to a system; such as username and password in addition to a token from a physical smart card or token generator.

Limit Access to Resource Over Network

Prevent access to file shares, remote access to systems, unnecessary services. Mechanisms to limit access may include use of network concentrators, RDP gateways, etc.

Filter Network Traffic

Use network appliances to filter ingress or egress traffic and perform protocol-based filtering. Configure software on endpoints to filter network traffic.