Customers of Cleo-managed file switch software program are being urged to make sure that their situations aren’t uncovered to the web following stories of mass exploitation of a vulnerability affecting absolutely patched techniques.
Cybersecurity firm Huntress stated it found proof of risk actors exploiting the problem en masse on December 3, 2024. The vulnerability, which impacts Cleo’s LexiCom, VLTransfer, and Concord software program, considerations a case of unauthenticated distant code execution.
The safety gap is tracked as CVE-2024-50623, with Cleo noting that the flaw is the results of an unrestricted file add that might pave the best way for the execution of arbitrary code.
The Illinois-based firm, which has over 4,200 prospects internationally, has since issued one other advisory (CVE pending), warning of a separate “unauthenticated malicious hosts vulnerability that might result in distant code execution.”
The event comes after Huntress stated the patches launched for CVE-2024-50623 don’t utterly mitigate the underlying software program flaw. The difficulty impacts the under merchandise and is predicted to be patched later this week –
- Cleo Concord (as much as model 5.8.0.23)
- Cleo VLTrader (as much as model 5.8.0.23)
- Cleo LexiCom (as much as model 5.8.0.23)
Within the assaults detected by the cybersecurity firm, the vulnerability has been discovered to be exploited to drop a number of information, together with an XML file that is configured to run an embedded PowerShell command that is accountable for retrieving a next-stage Java Archive (JAR) file from a distant server.
Particularly, the intrusions leverage the actual fact information positioned within the “autorun” sub-directory inside the set up folder and are instantly learn, interpreted, and evaluated by the inclined software program.
As many as at the least 10 companies have had their Cleo servers compromised, with a spike in exploitation noticed on December 8, 2024, at round 7 a.m. UTC. Proof gathered up to now pins the earliest date of exploration to December 3, 2024.
Sufferer organizations span shopper product corporations, logistics and delivery organizations, and meals suppliers. Customers are suggested to make sure that their software program is up-to-date to make sure that they’re protected towards the risk.
Ransomware teams like Cl0p (aka Lace Tempest) have beforehand set their sights on numerous managed file switch instruments prior to now, and it seems like the newest assault exercise isn’t any completely different.
In response to safety researcher Kevin Beaumont (aka GossiTheDog), “Termite ransomware group operators (and possibly different teams) have a zero-day exploit for Cleo LexiCom, VLTransfer, and Concord.”
Cybersecurity firm Rapid7 stated it additionally has confirmed profitable exploitation of the Cleo subject towards buyer environments. It is value noting that Termite has claimed accountability for the latest cyber assault on provide chain agency Blue Yonder.
Broadcom’s Symantec Risk Hunter Crew instructed The Hacker Information that “Termite seems to be utilizing a modified model of Babuk ransomware, which, when executed on a machine, encrypts focused information and provides a .termite extension.”
“Since we noticed that Blue Yonder had an occasion of Cleo’s software program open to the web through Shodan, and Termite has claimed Blue Yonder amongst its victims, which was additionally confirmed by their itemizing and open listing of information, I might say that Gossi is right in his assertion,” Jamie Levy, Huntress’ Director of Adversary Techniques, instructed the publication.
“For what it is value, there have been some rumblings that Termite could be the brand new Cl0p, there may be some information that appears to help this as Cl0p’s actions have waned whereas Termite’s actions have elevated. They’re additionally working in some related fashions. We’re probably not within the attribution sport, however it would not be stunning in any respect if we’re seeing a shift in these ransomware gangs in the mean time.”
(This can be a growing story. Please verify again for extra updates.)
