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283 articles · page 10 of 15

Cisco patches critical AsyncOS RCE exploited by APT

🔒 Cisco has released patches for a maximum-severity remote command execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-20393, CVSS 10.0) in AsyncOS that affects Cisco Secure Email Gateway and Secure Email and Web Manager. The defect stems from insufficient validation of HTTP requests in the Spam Quarantine feature and can allow arbitrary commands to run as root when the feature is enabled and reachable from the internet. Cisco says a China-nexus APT tracked as UAT-9686 exploited the bug in the wild, deploying tunneling tools, a log-cleaner and a Python backdoor, and that fixes remove persistence artifacts. Administrators should apply the provided fixed releases and follow the vendor's hardening guidance to restrict access and monitor for anomalous activity.
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Predicting 2026: Cyber Threats, AI Risks, and APTs

🔮 Cisco Talos outlines expectations for cybersecurity in 2026, warning of continued geopolitical-driven campaigns such as infostealers, phishing, and proxy-enabled destructive operations. The briefing highlights the growing risk posed by inadequately governed generative AI agents that could cause breaches or mimic insider threats through flawed design or prompt manipulation. Talos also emphasizes that familiar weaknesses — unpatched systems, leaked credentials, and absent MFA — will remain primary enablers of intrusion. The advisory specifically flags UAT-8837, a medium-confidence China-nexus APT targeting critical infrastructure since 2025, and urges patching, credential hygiene, and proactive hunting.
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Incident Response Perspectives with Terryn Valikodath

🔍 Terryn Valikodath, Senior Incident Response Consultant at Cisco Talos, describes a role that blends technical investigation with clear communication and proactive planning. He explains how his team balances developing incident response plans, running tabletop exercises and threat hunts with hands-on reactive investigations and remediation. Terryn highlights the reward of teaching through multi-day cyber range trainings and the satisfaction of helping organizations recover and build trust.
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CISOs Name Top 10 Vendors for AI-Enabled Security in 2025

🔒 The CSO 2025 Security Priorities Study asked more than 640 senior security executives to rank leaders in AI-enabled security, and established, name-brand vendors dominated the results. CISOs prioritized product innovation but heavily weighed reputation, breach history, business value, cost, time to integrate, and peer adoption. The top-ranked providers included Cisco, Microsoft, and Google, while MSSPs and cloud-native service providers also gained visibility as teams seek managed incident response.
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Cisco ISE XML Parsing Flaw Risks Sensitive Data Exposure

🔒 Cisco has disclosed a vulnerability (CVE-2026-20029) in Cisco ISE and ISE-PIC that could allow an authenticated administrator to read arbitrary files on the server due to improper XML parsing. Proof-of-concept exploit code exists though no active attacks are reported. Cisco assigns CVSS 4.9 (medium). Administrators should rotate credentials, limit who and what can reach ISE, and install the vendor patch as soon as service downtime allows.
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China-linked UAT-7290 Targets Telcos via Edge Exploits

🛡️ Cisco Talos warns that a China-linked actor tracked as UAT-7290 has expanded its focus to telecommunications providers in Southeastern Europe. The group leverages Linux-based malware and one-day public exploits against edge network devices, plus targeted SSH brute force, to gain initial access and escalate privileges. UAT-7290 also establishes Operational Relay Boxes (ORBs) that are reused by other China-aligned actors. Talos published technical details and IOCs to help affected organizations respond.
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Cisco switches enter reboot loops due to DNS client bug

⚠️ Multiple Cisco switch models are entering reboot loops after an apparent firmware bug in the internal DNS client began treating DNS lookup failures as fatal errors. The problem began around 2 AM and affected devices log fatal DNS_CLIENT errors (for example 'SRCADDRFAIL' when resolving 'www.cisco.com'), then reboot every few minutes, seriously disrupting network operations. Administrators report affected lines include CBS, SG and Catalyst C1200/C1300 series. Temporary mitigations include disabling DNS or SNTP on management interfaces or blocking outbound management access while Cisco investigates.
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From Resolutions to Response: UAT-7290 APT Disclosure

🔒 Cisco Talos' Threat Source newsletter contrasts personal resolution habits with practical security practices and highlights an important APT disclosure. The post details a new Talos finding on UAT-7290, an espionage-focused actor active since at least 2022 that targets South Asian telecom and network infrastructure using implants named RushDrop, DriveSwitch, and SilentRaid. It urges defenders to apply updated detection signatures, audit and harden internet-facing devices, and ensure incident response plans are ready, while also summarizing notable weekly headlines and telemetry.
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China-linked UAT-7290 Targets South Asian Telecoms

📡 Cisco Talos attributes a long-running cyber-espionage campaign to UAT-7290, a China-nexus actor targeting telecommunications providers since at least 2022. The group prioritizes public-facing edge devices in South Asia and has recently expanded activity into Southeastern Europe, using one-day exploits and SSH brute-force to gain persistent footholds. Its Linux-focused toolkit includes RushDrop, DriveSwitch and the modular backdoor SilentRaid, while Bulbature is used to convert compromised systems into relay nodes that can support other China-linked operators.
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China-linked UAT-7290 Targets Telecoms, Deploys ORBs

🔍 Cisco Talos attributes a China-nexus cluster named UAT-7290 to espionage-focused intrusions against South Asian and Southeastern European organizations. The actor conducts detailed reconnaissance and exploits one-day vulnerabilities and SSH brute force to compromise edge devices, primarily targeting telecommunications providers. UAT-7290 deploys Linux-based tooling including RushDrop, DriveSwitch, and SilentRaid, and uses the Bulbature backdoor to establish Operational Relay Box (ORB) nodes for broader access.
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UAT-7290: China-Nexus APT Targeting Telecom Edge Devices

🔍 Cisco Talos discloses UAT-7290, a China‑nexus APT active since at least 2022 that targets telecommunications infrastructure in South Asia and has recently expanded into Southeastern Europe. The actor conducts extensive reconnaissance, uses one‑day exploits and target-specific SSH brute force, and primarily deploys a Linux-centric toolset including RushDrop, DriveSwitch, SilentRaid, and Bulbature. Talos notes UAT-7290 also provisions Operational Relay Box (ORB) nodes that may support other China-nexus operators and provides ClamAV and Snort signatures for detection.
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Cisco patches XML parsing flaw in ISE and Snort 3 software

🔒 Cisco has issued updates to address a medium-severity XML parsing vulnerability (CVE-2026-20029, CVSS 4.9) in Identity Services Engine (ISE) and ISE Passive Identity Connector. The flaw in the licensing feature allows an authenticated administrator to upload a crafted file and read arbitrary files from the underlying operating system. Cisco lists specific fixed releases and patches (pre-3.2 must migrate; 3.2/3.3/3.4 have patches; 3.5 not vulnerable), reports no workaround, and acknowledges a public PoC while noting no known in-the-wild exploitation. The advisory also includes fixes for two Snort 3 DCE/RPC issues affecting multiple Cisco products.
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Cisco patches ISE flaw after PoC exploit released; update

🔒 Cisco has released patches for an Identity Services Engine (ISE) XML-parsing vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-20029 that can be abused by remote attackers with valid administrative credentials. The flaw in ISE and ISE Passive Identity Connector allows a crafted XML upload to read arbitrary files on the host. Cisco notes a public proof-of-concept is available and urges customers to upgrade to patched releases rather than rely on temporary mitigations.
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UK launches £210M plan to strengthen public cyberdefenses

🔒 The UK is investing more than £210 million to boost cyber defenses across government departments and the wider public sector through a new Government Cyber Action Plan. The initiative creates a dedicated Government Cyber Unit, mandates minimum security standards, and strengthens incident response capabilities. A new Software Security Ambassador Scheme will promote best practices with firms including Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Sage, NCC Group, and Santander. The plan builds on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and earlier measures to curb ransom payments and telecom spoofing.
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How Cisco Talos Powers Security Across Cisco Products

🔐 Cisco Talos is the threat intelligence and security research arm that underpins Cisco's defensive products. Its telemetry-driven intelligence feeds reputation and detection services across the portfolio, including SNORT and SnortML for deep packet inspection and zero-day detection. Talos also powers web and DNS filtering, email threat prevention, layered malware protection, and investigative tooling such as Orbital and Talos IR.
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SASE Certifications: Validating Converged Network Security

🔐 This article outlines seven certification programs from leading vendors that validate skills in converged, cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architectures. It summarizes entry to professional-level credentials from Cato Networks, Cisco, Fortinet, Netskope, Palo Alto Networks, Versa, and Zscaler, highlighting target audiences, exam formats, costs, and key competencies such as SD‑WAN, ZTNA, CASB and FWaaS. The piece also notes Gartner’s market projection and emphasizes that these credentials address a widening skills gap as enterprises migrate from perimeter-based defenses.
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Weekly Recap - Firewall Exploits, AI Data Theft and More

⚡ Over the past week attackers exploited flaws in edge and network products from Fortinet, SonicWall, Cisco, and WatchGuard, targeting firewalls and appliances to gain deeper access. Browser extensions and Android TVs were abused for data theft and botnet recruitment. Campaigns by groups such as Ink Dragon, Kimsuky, and LongNosedGoblin deployed implants and innovative delivery chains, highlighting the urgent need for rapid patching, inventory verification, and tighter controls on trusted systems.
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Credential-based attacks target Cisco and Palo Alto VPNs

🔒 Security researchers observed a coordinated credential-stuffing campaign targeting Cisco SSL VPN and Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect portals over a two-day span in mid-December. GreyNoise reported millions of automated login sessions from more than 10,000 unique IPs, using a consistent TCP fingerprint and a Firefox-like user agent. The activity did not exploit software flaws but instead relied on large-scale username/password probes. Analysts urged enforcing strong passwords and MFA, auditing exposed edge devices, and leveraging threat-intel blocklists to filter malicious traffic.
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Cisco Confirms Zero-Day in Secure Email Appliances

⚠️ Cisco Talos has identified an active campaign exploiting a zero-day in AsyncOS, impacting Cisco Secure Email Gateway, Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager. The flaw targets systems with the spam quarantine feature enabled and has been active since at least late November; a vendor patch is not yet available. Cisco currently recommends wiping and rebuilding compromised devices, and analysts urge restricting access to management ports and deploying compensating controls while organizations plan remediation.
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Large Password-Spraying Campaign Targets Cisco, PAN VPNs

🔐 An automated password-spraying campaign is targeting multiple VPN platforms, with credential-based attacks observed against Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect portals and Cisco SSL VPN gateways. GreyNoise recorded login attempts peaking at 1.7 million over 16 hours from more than 10,000 unique IPs, largely originating from the 3xK GmbH hosting space. The actor reused common username/password combinations and used an unusual Firefox user agent, indicating scripted credential probing rather than exploitation. Administrators are advised to enforce strong passwords, enable MFA, audit appliances, and block known malicious IPs.
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