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Posted by: thepinetree on 10/22/2020 07:48 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 10/22/2020 07:48 PM
Expires: 01/01/2025 12:00 AM
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Russian State Sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat Actor Compromise s US Government Targets
Washington, DC...This joint cybersecurity advisory—written by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—provides information on Russian state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) actor activity targeting various US state, local, territorial, and tribal (SLTT) government networks, as well as aviation networks. This advisory updates joint CISA-FBI cybersecurity advisory AA20-283A: APT Actors Chaining Vulnerabilities Against SLTT, Critical Infrastructure, and Elections Organizations.
Since at least September 2020, a Russian state-sponsored APT actor—known variously as Berserk Bear, Energetic Bear, TeamSpy, Dragonfly, Havex, Crouching Yeti, and Koala in open-source reporting—has conducted a campaign against a wide variety of US targets. The Russian state-sponsored APT actor has targeted dozens of SLTT government and aviation networks, attempted intrusions at several SLTT organizations, successfully compromised network infrastructure, and as of 1 October 2020, exfiltrated data from at least two victim servers.
The Russian-sponsored APT actor is obtaining user and administrator credentials to establish initial access, enable lateral movement once inside the network, and locate high value assets in order to exfiltrate data. In at least one compromise, the APT actor laterally traversed an SLTT victim network and accessed documents related to:
Sensitive network configurations and passwords.
Standard operating procedures (SOP), such as enrolling in multi-factor authentication (MFA).
IT instructions, such as requesting password resets.
Vendors and purchasing information.
Printing access badges.
To date, the FBI and CISA have no information to indicate this APT actor has intentionally disrupted any aviation, education, or government operations. However, the actor may be seeking access to obtain future disruption options, to influence US policies and actions, or to delegitimize SLTT
government entities.
As this recent malicious activity has been directed at SLTT government networks, there may be some
risk to elections information housed on SLTT government networks. However, the FBI and CISA have
no evidence to date that integrity of elections data has been compromised. Due to the heightened
awareness surrounding elections infrastructure and the targeting of SLTT government networks, the
FBI and CISA will continue to monitor this activity and its proximity to elections infrastructure.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The FBI and CISA have observed Russian state-sponsored APT actor activity targeting US SLTT
government networks, as well as aviation networks. The APT actor is using Turkish IP addresses
213.74.101[.]65, 213.74.139[.]196, and 212.252.30[.]170 to connect to victim web servers
(Exploit Public Facing Application [T1190]).
The actor is using 213.74.101[.]65 and 213.74.139[.]196 to attempt brute force logins and, in
several instances, attempted Structured Query Language (SQL) injections on victim websites (Brute
Force [T1110]; Exploit Public Facing Application [T1190]). The APT actor also hosted malicious
domains, including possible aviation sector target columbusairports.microsoftonline[.]host,
which resolved to 108.177.235[.]92 and [cityname].westus2.cloudapp.azure.com; these
domains are US registered and are likely SLTT government targets (Drive-By Compromise [T1189]).
The APT actor scanned for vulnerable Citrix and Microsoft Exchange services and identified
vulnerable systems, likely for future exploitation. This actor continues to exploit a Citrix Directory
Traversal Bug (CVE-2019-19781), and a Microsoft Exchange remote code execution flaw (CVE-2020-
0688).
The APT actor has been observed using Cisco AnyConnect Secure Socket Layer (SSL) virtual private
network (VPN) connections to enable remote logins on at least one victim network, possibly enabled
by an Exim Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) vulnerability (CVE 2019-10149) (External Remote
Services [T1133]). More recently, the APT actor enumerated and exploited a Fortinet VPN
vulnerability (CVE-2018-13379) for Initial Access [TA0001] and a Windows Netlogon vulnerability
(CVE-2020-1472) to obtain access to Windows Active Directory (AD) servers for Privilege Escalation
[TA004] within the network (Valid Accounts [T1078]). These vulnerabilities can also be leveraged to
compromise other devices on the network (Lateral Movement [TA0008]) and to maintain Persistence
[TA0003]).
Between early February and mid-September, these APT actors used 213.74.101[.]65,
212.252.30[.]170, 5.196.167[.]184, 37.139.7[.]16, 149.56.20[.]55, 91.227.68[.]97, and
5.45.119[.]124 to target US SLTT government networks. Successful authentications—including the
compromise of Microsoft Office 365 (O365) accounts—have been observed on at least one victim
network (Valid Accounts [T1078]).
MITIGATIONS
Indicators of Compromise
The APT actor used the following IP addresses and domains to carry out its objectives:
213.74.101[.]65
213.74.139[.]196
212.252.30[.]170
5.196.167[.]184
37.139.7[.]16
149.56.20[.]55
91.227.68[.]97
138.201.186[.]43
5.45.119[.]124
193.37.212[.]43
146.0.77[.]60
51.159.28[.]101
columbusairports.microsoftonline[.]host
microsoftonline[.]host
email.microsoftonline[.]services
microsoftonline[.]services
[cityname].westus2.cloudapp.azure.com
IP address 51.159.28[.]101 appears to have been configured to receive stolen Windows New
Technology Local Area Network Manager (NTLM) credentials. FBI and CISA recommend
organizations take defensive actions to mitigate the risk of leaking NTLM credentials; specifically,
organizations should disable NTLM or restrict outgoing NTLM. Organizations should consider
blocking IP address 51.159.28[.]101 (although this action alone may not mitigate the threat, as the
APT actor has likely established, or will establish, additional infrastructure points).
Organizations should check available logs for traffic to/from IP address 51.159.28[.]101 for
indications of credential-harvesting activity. As the APT actors likely have—or will—establish
additional infrastructure points, organizations should also monitor for Server Message Block (SMB) or
WebDAV activity leaving the network to other IP addresses.
Refer to AA20-296A.stix for a downloadable copy of IOCs.
Network Defense-in-Depth
Proper network defense-in-depth and adherence to information security best practices can assist in
mitigating the threat and reducing the risk to critical infrastructure. The following guidance may assist
organizations in developing network defense procedures.
Keep all applications updated according to vendor recommendations, and especially prioritize
updates for external facing applications and remote access services to address CVE-2019-
19781, CVE-2020-0688, CVE 2019-10149, CVE-2018-13379, and CVE-2020-1472. Refer to
Table 1 for patch information on these CVEs.
Table 1: Patch information for CVEs
Vulnerability Vulnerable Products Patch Information
CVE-2019-19781 Citrix Application Delivery
Controller
Citrix Gateway
Citrix SDWAN WANOP
Citrix blog post: firmware
updates for Citrix ADC and
Citrix Gateway versions 11.1
and 12.0
Citrix blog post: security
updates for Citrix SD-WAN
WANOP release 10.2.6 and
11.0.3
Citrix blog post: firmware
updates for Citrix ADC and
Citrix Gateway versions 12.1
and 13.0
Citrix blog post: firmware
updates for Citrix ADC and
Citrix Gateway version 10.5
Vulnerability Vulnerable Products Patch Information
CVE-2020-0688 Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
Service Pack 3 Update Rollup 30
Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Cumulative Update 23
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
Cumulative Update 14
Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
Cumulative Update 15
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019
Cumulative Update 3
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019
Cumulative Update 4
Microsoft Security Advisory for
CVE-2020-0688
CVE-2019-10149 Exim versions 4.87–4.91 Exim page for CVE-2019-
10149
CVE-2018-13379 FortiOS 6.0: 6.0.0 to 6.0.4
FortiOS 5.6: 5.6.3 to 5.6.7
FortiOS 5.4: 5.4.6 to 5.4.12
Fortinet Security Advisory:
FG-IR-18-384
CVE-2020-1472 Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-
based Systems Service Pack 1
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-
based Systems Service Pack 1
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server
Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server
Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1903
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1909
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 2004
(Server Core installation)
Microsoft Security Advisory for
CVE-2020-1472
Follow Microsoft’s guidance on monitoring logs for activity related to the Netlogon vulnerability,
CVE-2020-1472.
If appropriate for your organization’s network, prevent external communication of all versions
of SMB and related protocols at the network boundary by blocking Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) ports 139 and 445 and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port 137. See the CISA
publication on SMB Security Best Practices for more information.
Implement the prevention, detection, and mitigation strategies outlined in:
o CISA Alert TA15-314A – Compromised Web Servers and Web Shells – Threat
Awareness and Guidance
o National Security Agency Cybersecurity Information Sheet U/OO/134094-20 – Detect
and Prevent Web Shells Malware.
Isolate external facing services in a network demilitarized zone (DMZ) since they are more
exposed to malicious activity; enable robust logging, and monitor the logs for signs of
compromise.
Establish a training mechanism to inform end users on proper email and web usage,
highlighting current information and analysis and including common indicators of phishing.
End users should have clear instructions on how to report unusual or suspicious emails.
Implement application controls to only allow execution from specified application directories.
System administrators may implement this through Microsoft Software Restriction Policy,
AppLocker, or similar software. Safe defaults allow applications to run from PROGRAMFILES,
PROGRAMFILES(X86), and WINDOWS folders. All other locations should be disallowed unless an
exception is granted.
Block Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections originating from untrusted external
addresses unless an exception exists; routinely review exceptions on a regular basis for
validity.
Comprehensive Account Resets
For accounts where NTLM password hashes or Kerberos tickets may have been compromised (e.g.,
through CVE-2020-1472), a double-password-reset may be required in order to prevent continued
exploitation of those accounts. For domain-admin-level credentials, a reset of KRB-TGT “Golden
Tickets” may be required and, for this, Microsoft has released specialized guidance. Such a reset
should be performed very carefully if needed.
If there is an observation of CVE-2020-1472 Netlogon activity or other indications of valid credential
abuse, it should be assumed the APT actors have compromised AD administrative accounts. In such
cases, the AD forest should not be fully trusted, and, therefore, a new forest should be deployed.
Existing hosts from the old compromised forest cannot be migrated in without being rebuilt and
rejoined to the new domain, but migration may be done through “creative destruction,” wherein, as
endpoints in the legacy forest are decommissioned, new ones can be built in the new forest. This will
need to be completed in on-premise—as well as in Azure-hosted—AD instances.
Note that fully resetting an AD forest is difficult and complex; it is best done with the assistance of
personnel who have successfully completed the task previously.
It is critical to perform a full password reset on all user and computer accounts in the AD forest. Use
the following steps as a guide.
1. Create a temporary administrator account, and use this account only for all administrative
actions
2. Reset the Kerberos Ticket Granting Ticket (krbtgt) password;1 this must be completed before
any additional actions (a second reset will take place in step 5)
3. Wait for the krbtgt reset to propagate to all domain controllers (time may vary)
4. Reset all account passwords (passwords should be 15 characters or more and randomly
assigned):
a. User accounts (forced reset with no legacy password reuse)
b. Local accounts on hosts (including local accounts not covered by Local Administrator
Password Solution [LAPS])
c. Service accounts
d. Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) account
e. Domain Controller machine account
f. Application passwords
5. Reset the krbtgt password again
6. Wait for the krbtgt reset to propagate to all domain controllers (time may vary)
7. Reboot domain controllers
8. Reboot all endpoints
The following accounts should be reset:
AD Kerberos Authentication Master (2x)
All Active Directory Accounts
All Active Directory Admin Accounts
All Active Directory Service Accounts
All Active Directory User Accounts
DSRM Account on Domain Controllers
Non-AD Privileged Application Accounts
Non-AD Unprivileged Application Accounts
Non-Windows Privileged Accounts
Non-Windows User Accounts
Windows Computer Accounts
Windows Local Admin
1 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/ad-forest-recovery-resetting-thekrbtgt-
password
VPN Vulnerabilities
Implement the following recommendations to secure your organization’s VPNs:
Update VPNs, network infrastructure devices, and devices being used to remote into work
environments with the latest software patches and security configurations. See CISA
Tips Understanding Patches and Software Updates and Securing Network Infrastructure
Devices. Wherever possible, enable automatic updates.
Implement MFA on all VPN connections to increase security. Physical security tokens are
the most secure form of MFA, followed by authenticator app-based MFA. SMS and emailbased
MFA should only be used when no other forms are available. If MFA is not
implemented, require teleworkers to use strong passwords. See CISA Tips Choosing and
Protecting Passwords and Supplementing Passwords for more information.
Discontinue unused VPN servers. Reduce your organization’s attack surface by discontinuing unused
VPN servers, which may act as a point of entry for attackers. To protect your organization against
VPN vulnerabilities:
Audit configuration and patch management programs.
Monitor network traffic for unexpected and unapproved protocols, especially outbound to the
Internet (e.g., Secure Shell [SSH], SMB, RDP).
Implement MFA, especially for privileged accounts.
Use separate administrative accounts on separate administration workstations.
Keep software up to date. Enable automatic updates, if available.
REFERENCES
APT Actors Chaining Vulnerabilities Against SLTT, Critical Infrastructure, and Elections
Organizations – https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-283a
CISA Activity Alert CVE-2019-19781 – https://us-cert/cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-031a
CISA Vulnerability Bulletin – https://us-cert/cisa.gov/ncas/bulletins/SB19-161
CISA Current Activity – https://us-cert.cisa/ncas/current-activity/2020/03/10/unpatchedmicrosoft-
exchange-servers-vulnerable-cve-2020-0688
Citrix Directory Traversal Bug (CVE-2019-19781) – https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-
19781
Microsoft Exchange remote code execution flaw (CVE-2020-0688) –
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-0688
CVE-2018-13379 – https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-13379
CVE-2020-1472 – https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-1472
CVE 2019-10149 – https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-10149
NCCIC/USCERT Alert TA15-314A – Compromised Web Servers and Web Shells – Threat
Awareness and Guidance – https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/TA15-314A
NCCIC/US-CERT publication on SMB Security Best Practices – https://uscert.
cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/01/16/SMB-Security-Best-Practices
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