Cyber Threat Report: 'ArcaneDoor - New espionage-focused campaign found targeting perimeter network devices'

This blog post from Cisco Talos discusses ArcaneDoor, an espionage-focused campaign targeting perimeter network devices, which are crucial for data transfer in and out of networks. Talos identify the associated intrusion set as UAT4356, a sophisticated state-sponsored actor who has targeted government networks globally as part of the campaign. Two critical vulnerabilities in Cisco ASA devices, CVE-2024-20353 and CVE-2024-20359, were exploited as zero days by the campaign and patches have no been released to address them. The actors deployed advanced custom malware: Line Dancer and Line Runner. Line Dancer is described as an in-memory only implant which enables adversaries to upload and execute arbitrary shellcode whilst Line Runner is more a persistent backdoor. The post provides recommendations for identifying potential compromises as well as outlining indicators of compromise (IoCs) which they associate with the group.

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.

Privileged Account Management

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

Restrict File and Directory Permissions

Restrict access by setting directory and file permissions that are not specific to users or privileged accounts.

User Account Management

Manage the creation, modification, use, and permissions associated to user accounts.

Execution Prevention

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

Audit

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

Software Configuration

Implement configuration changes to software (other than the operating system) to mitigate security risks associated to how the software operates.

Restrict Registry Permissions

Restrict the ability to modify certain hives or keys in the Windows Registry.

Network Intrusion Prevention

Use intrusion detection signatures to block traffic at network boundaries.

Restrict Web-Based Content

Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, 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.

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.

Disable or Remove Feature or Program

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

Encrypt Sensitive Information

Protect sensitive information with strong encryption.

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.

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...

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.

Antivirus/Antimalware

Use signatures or heuristics to detect malicious software.

Code Signing

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

Data Loss Prevention

Use a data loss prevention (DLP) strategy to categorize sensitive data, identify data formats indicative of personal identifiable information (PII), and restrict exfiltration of sensitive data.(Citation: PurpleSec Data Loss Prevention)

Remote Data Storage

Use remote security log and sensitive file storage where access can be controlled better to prevent exposure of intrusion detection log data or sensitive information.

Operating System Configuration

Make configuration changes related to the operating system or a common feature of the operating system that result in system hardening against techniques.

Password Policies

Set and enforce secure password policies for accounts.

Privileged Process Integrity

Protect processes with high privileges that can be used to interact with critical system components through use of protected process light, anti-process injection defenses, or other process integrity enforcement measures.