The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has struck again! This January 2025 announcement isn’t just another bureaucratic disclosure; it’s one that could very well mean the difference between a smoothly running IT environment and a catastrophic data breach. Two new vulnerabilities have made their dubious debut in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, and they’re forcing organizations—federal or otherwise—to sit up straight and pay attention. So, what’s the deal here? Let’s dig into it.
Don’t be fooled by the dry technical jargon. These vulnerabilities could mean serious trouble for your network.
While this directive is legally binding only on federal agencies, CISA doesn’t pull punches when urging private-sector organizations to adopt the same standards. The recommendation? Incorporate KEV-listed vulnerabilities into comprehensive vulnerability management practices to safeguard your systems from exploitation.
And let’s not forget: when federal entities get hacked (due to their slower pace in patching vulnerabilities), these infiltrations ripple across contract holders, suppliers, and ecosystem partners. A hole in their shield could mean trouble for you.
Questions, comments, or concerns? Let’s keep the discussion going right here on WindowsForum.com. How is your organization handling these new vulnerabilities? Share your experience below! Your ingenious remediation practices could inspire others to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.
Source: CISA CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA
The Culprits: CVE-2024-12686 and CVE-2024-48365
Don’t be fooled by the dry technical jargon. These vulnerabilities could mean serious trouble for your network.1. CVE-2024-12686
This one’s a doozy, targeting BeyondTrust’s Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) systems. Essentially, it is an OS Command Injection vulnerability. Think of it this way: an OS command injection is like leaving the keys under the doormat for cyber intruders. Hackers can exploit this chink in the armor to execute arbitrary system commands at will. Imagine malicious code running rampant with elevated privileges—no Bueno, right? BeyondTrust, widely used in enterprise environments for secure remote access, becomes a cyberpunk’s playground with this vulnerability.How Does OS Command Injection Work?
The vulnerability enables attackers to input commands into a program during execution, often via unsanitized inputs. Imagine software with a poorly coded interface that interfaces directly with the operating system. If that input isn’t filtered or validated properly, arbitrary commands can be piped right into the OS shell—and voilà! The attacker has control.2. CVE-2024-48365
This one exploits Qlik Sense, a popular data analytics platform. It’s a vulnerability that leverages HTTP tunneling—a technique designed to bypass network restrictions. Essentially, by exploiting this flaw, bad actors could circumvent firewalls and route traffic as if they owned the place. It’s the perfect backdoor for attackers to launch targeted intrusions, data theft, or worse.What’s HTTP Tunneling Anyway?
Think of HTTP tunneling as digging a hidden tunnel under your security gates. It reroutes malicious data traffic through seemingly harmless HTTP or HTTPS protocols. This makes it sneakier than traditional attacks because it disguises the malicious payload within legitimate-looking traffic.Why You Should Care
Both vulnerabilities are actively exploited, meaning cybercriminals have already figured out how to weaponize them. These types of security flaws serve as prime attack vectors to infiltrate, maintain persistence, or propagate inside networks. If you’re dependent on BeyondTrust or use Qlik Sense for sensitive data analytics, this risk shoots through the roof.The Bigger Picture: CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
These vulnerabilities didn’t end up on some random bad-actors hit list. They’ve been memorialized in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, a living, breathing ledger of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). This catalog is a cornerstone of CISA’s Binding Operational Directive 22-01, aimed at reducing the risks associated with exploited vulnerabilities.What Is Binding Operational Directive 22-01?
Launched in late 2021, this directive obliges Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to patch vulnerabilities listed in the KEV catalog by specified deadlines. It’s essentially a security policy that says, “Remediate this now or suffer the consequences!”While this directive is legally binding only on federal agencies, CISA doesn’t pull punches when urging private-sector organizations to adopt the same standards. The recommendation? Incorporate KEV-listed vulnerabilities into comprehensive vulnerability management practices to safeguard your systems from exploitation.
What’s the Fuss About CVE Deadlines?
Each vulnerability listed in the catalog comes with a deadline—usually a tight one. It’s CISA saying, “Patch this by X date, or face potential disaster.” These deadlines create urgency but can overwhelm already-burdened IT teams.What You Should Do Right Now
Here’s a step-by-step map for ensuring you’re protected against the two new vulnerabilities:- Determine Exposure
- Apply the Fixes
- Assess Remote Access Practices
- Strengthen HTTP Traffic Analysis
- Adopt a Catalog-Driven Vulnerability Management System
Why This Matters Beyond Federal Networks
CISA may be calling the shots for FCEB agencies, but everyone should take notice. The public and private sectors alike are deeply interconnected. BeyondTrust and Qlik Sense are widely adopted outside federal enterprises, meaning the risks and consequences extend to businesses, universities, and even critical infrastructure.And let’s not forget: when federal entities get hacked (due to their slower pace in patching vulnerabilities), these infiltrations ripple across contract holders, suppliers, and ecosystem partners. A hole in their shield could mean trouble for you.
What About Windows Users?
Now, you might be asking, “Is this relevant to individual Windows environments or smaller Windows-based businesses?” It sure can be! Remote Access tools like BeyondTrust integrate deeply with Windows-based environments, especially those running Active Directory. Additionally, Qlik Sense installations frequently bring Windows Server setups into the equation. Untreated vulnerabilities could compromise the entire Windows ecosystem, accentuating risks like ransomware or lateral movement across networks.Final Words: Don’t Wait For Trouble—Act Now!
CISA’s advisory is clear: These vulnerabilities are being exploited as we speak. Threat actors won’t wait for you to patch your systems. Implement your fixes now, review incident-response measures, and—above all—get proactive instead of reactive.Questions, comments, or concerns? Let’s keep the discussion going right here on WindowsForum.com. How is your organization handling these new vulnerabilities? Share your experience below! Your ingenious remediation practices could inspire others to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.
Source: CISA CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog | CISA
