Tata Sky v/s Linkedin and RBI & Meity Summoned At Parliament

Introduction

To combat the problem of annoying calls and SMS, telecom regulator TRAI has urged service providers to create a uniform digital platform in two months that will allow them to request, maintain, and withdraw customers’ approval for promotional calls and messages. In the initial stage, only subscribers will be able to initiate the process of registering their consent to receive promotional calls and SMS, and later, business entities will be able to contact customers to seek their consent to receive promotional messages, according to a statement issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Saturday.

TRAI Directs Telecom Providers to Set Up Digital Platform

TRAI has now directed all access providers to develop and deploy the Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) facility for creating a unified platform and process to digitally register customers’ consent across all service providers and principal entities. Consent is received and maintained under the current system by several key entities such as banks, other financial institutions, insurance firms, trading companies, business entities, real estate businesses, and so on.

The purpose, scope of consent, and the principal entity or brand name shall be clearly mentioned in the consent-seeking message sent over the short code,” according to the statement.

It stated that only approved online or app links, call-back numbers, and so on will be permitted to be used in consent-seeking communications.

TRAI issued guidelines to guarantee that all voice-based Telemarketers are brought under a single Distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform for more efficient monitoring of nuisance calls and unwanted communications. It also instructs operators to actively deploy AI/ML-based anti-phishing systems as well as to integrate tech solutions on the DLT platform to deal with malicious calls and texts.

TRAI has issued two separate Directions to Access Service Providers under TCCCPR-2018 (Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations) to ensure that all promotional messages are sent through Registered Telemarketers (RTMs) using approved Headers and Message Templates on Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) platform, and to stop misuse of Headers and Message Templates,” the regulator said in a statement.

Users can already block telemarketing calls and texts by texting 1909 from their registered mobile number. By dialing 1909, customers can opt out of getting advertising calls by activating the do not disturb (DND) feature.

Telecom providers operate DLT platforms, and businesses involved in sending bulk promotional or transactional SMS must register by providing their company information, including sender IDs and SMS templates.

According to the instructions, telecom companies will send consent-seeking messages using the common short code 127. The goal, extent of consent, and primary entity/brand name must be clearly stated in the consent-seeking message delivered via the shortcode.

TRAI stated that only whitelisted URLs/APKs (Android package kits file format)/OTT links/call back numbers, etc., shall be used in consent-seeking messages.

Telcos must “ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by unregistered telemarketers or telemarketers using telephone numbers (10 digits numbers).” Telecom providers have been urged to act against all erring telemarketers in accordance with the applicable regulations and legal requirements.

Users can, however, refuse to receive any consent-seeking messages launched by any significant Telcos have been urged to create an SMS/IVR (interactive voice response)/online service for this purpose.

According to TRAI’s timeline, the consent-taking process by primary companies will begin on September 1.According to a nationwide survey conducted by a local circle, 66% of mobile users continue to receive three or more bothersome calls per day, the majority of which originate from personal cell numbers.

There are scams surfacing on the internet with new types of scams, like WhatsApp international call scams. The latest scam is targeting Delhi police, the scammers pretend to be police officials of Delhi and ask for the personal details of the users and the calling them from a 9-digit number.

A recent scam

A Twitter user reported receiving an automated call from +91 96681 9555, stating, “This call is from Delhi Police.” It went on to ask her to stay in the queue since some of her documents needed to be picked up. Then he said he is a sub-inspector at New Delhi’s Kirti Nagar police station. He then questioned if she had lately misplaced her Aadhaar card, PAN card, or ATM card, to which she replied ‘no’. The fraudster then claims to be a cop and asks her to validate the final four digits of her card because they have discovered a card with her name on it. And so many other people tweeted about this.

The scams are constantly increasing as earlier these scammers asked for account details and claimed to be Delhi police and used 9-digit numbers for scamming people.

TRAI’s new guidelines regarding the consent to receive any promotional calls and messages to telecommunication providers will be able to curb the scams.

The e- KYC is an essential requirement as e-KYC offers a more secure identity verification process in an increasingly digital age that uses biometric technologies to provide quick results.

Conclusion

The aim is to prevent unwanted calls and communications sent to customers via digital methods without their permission. Once this platform is implemented, an organization can only send promotional calls or messages with the customer’s explicit approval. Companies use a variety of methods to notify clients about their products, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media. Customers, however, are constantly assaulted with the same calls and messages as a result of this practice. With the constant increase in scams, the new guideline of TRAI will also curb the calling of Scams. digital KYC prevents SIM fraud and offers a more secure identity verification method.

Executive Summary:

A new threat being uncovered in today’s threat landscape is that while threat actors took an average of one hour and seven minutes to leverage Proof-of-Concept(PoC) exploits after they went public, now the time is at a record low of 22 minutes. This incredibly fast exploitation means that there is very limited time for organizations’ IT departments to address these issues and close the leaks before they are exploited. Cloudflare released the Application Security report which shows that the attack percentage is more often higher than the rate at which individuals invent and develop security countermeasures like the WAF rules and software patches. In one case, Cloudflare noted an attacker using a PoC-based attack within a mere 22 minutes from the moment it was released, leaving almost no time for a remediation window. 

Despite the constant growth of vulnerabilities in various applications and systems, the share of exploited vulnerabilities, which are accompanied by some level of public exploit or PoC code, has remained relatively stable over the past several years and fluctuates around 50%. These vulnerabilities with publicly known exploit code, 41% was initially attacked in the zero-day mode while of those with no known code, 84% was first attacked in the same mode. 

Modus Operandi:

The modus operandi of the attack involving the rapid weaponization of proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits is characterized by the following steps:

• Vulnerability Identification: Threat actors bring together the exploitation of a system vulnerability that may be in the software or hardware of the system; this may be a code error, design failure, or a configuration error. This is normally achieved using vulnerability scanners and test procedures that have to be performed manually. 

• Vulnerability Analysis: After the vulnerability is identified, the attackers study how it operates to determine when and how it can be triggered and what consequences that action will have. This means that one needs to analyze the details of the PoC code or system to find out the connection sequence that leads to vulnerability exploitation. 

• Exploit Code Development: Being aware of the weakness, the attackers develop a small program or script denoted as the PoC that addresses exclusively the identified vulnerability and manipulates it in a moderated manner. This particular code is meant to be utilized in showing a particular penalty, which could be unauthorized access or alteration of data. 

• Public Disclosure and Weaponization: The PoC exploit is released which is frequently done shortly after the vulnerability has been announced to the public. This makes it easier for the attackers to exploit it while waiting for the software developer to release the patch. To illustrate, Cloudflare has spotted an attacker using the PoC-based exploit 22 minutes after the publication only. 

• Attack Execution: The attackers then use the weaponized PoC exploit to attack systems which are known to be vulnerable to it. Some of the actions that are tried in this context are attempts at running remote code, unauthorized access and so on. The pace at which it happens is often much faster than the pace at which humans put in place proper security defense mechanisms, such as the WAF rules or software application fixes. 

• Targeted Operations: Sometimes, they act as if it’s a planned operation, where the attackers are selective in the system or organization to attack. For example, exploitation of CVE-2022-47966 in ManageEngine software was used during the espionage subprocess, where to perform such activity, the attackers used the mentioned vulnerability to install tools and malware connected with espionage. 

Precautions: Mitigation

Following are the mitigating measures against the PoC Exploits: 

1. Fast Patching and New Vulnerability Handling 

• Introduce proper patching procedures to address quickly the security released updates and disclosed vulnerabilities. 

• Focus should be made on the patching of those vulnerabilities that are observed to be having available PoC exploits, which often risks being exploited almost immediately.

• It is necessary to frequently check for the new vulnerability disclosures and PoC releases and have a prepared incident response plan for this purpose. 

2. Leverage AI-Powered Security Tools 

•  Employ intelligent security applications which can easily generate desirable protection rules and signatures as attackers ramp up the weaponization of PoC exploits. 

• Step up use of artificial intelligence (AI) - fueled endpoint detection and response (EDR) applications to quickly detect and mitigate the attempts. 

• Integrate Artificial Intelligence based SIEM tools to Detect & analyze Indicators of compromise to form faster reaction. 

 3. Network Segmentation and Hardening 

• Use strong networking segregation to prevent the attacker’s movement across the network and also restrict the effects of successful attacks. 

• Secure any that are accessible from the internet, and service or protocols such as RDP, CIFS, or Active directory. 

• Limit the usage of native scripting applications as much as possible because cyber attackers may exploit them. 

4. Vulnerability Disclosure and PoC Management 

• Inform the vendors of the bugs and PoC exploits and make sure there is a common understanding of when they are reported, to ensure fast response and mitigation. 

• It is suggested to incorporate mechanisms like digital signing and encryption for managing and distributing PoC exploits to prevent them from being accessed by unauthorized persons. 

• Exploits used in PoC should be simple and independent with clear and meaningful variable and function names that help reduce time spent on triage and remediation. 

5. Risk Assessment and Response to Incidents 

• Maintain constant supervision of the environment with an intention of identifying signs of a compromise, as well as, attempts of exploitation. 

• Support a frequent detection, analysis and fighting of threats, which use PoC exploits into the system and its components. 

• Regularly communicate with security researchers and vendors to understand the existing threats and how to prevent them.

Conclusion:

The rapid process of monetization of Proof of Concept (POC) exploits is one of the most innovative and constantly expanding global threats to cybersecurity at the present moment. Cyber security experts must react quickly while applying a patch, incorporate AI to their security tools, efficiently subdivide their networks and always heed their vulnerability announcements. Stronger incident response plan would aid in handling these kinds of menaces. Hence, applying measures mentioned above, the organizations will be able to prevent the acceleration of turning PoC exploits into weapons and the probability of neutral affecting cyber attacks. 

Reference:

https://www.mayrhofer.eu.org/post/vulnerability-disclosure-is-positive/

https://www.uptycs.com/blog/new-poc-exploit-backdoor-malware

https://www.balbix.com/insights/attack-vectors-and-breach-methods/

https://blog.cloudflare.com/application-security-report-2024-update

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Introduction

MSMEs, being the cornerstone of the Indian economy, are one of the most vulnerable targets in cyberspace and no enterprise is too small to be a target for malicious actors. MSMEs hardly ever perform a cyber-risk assessment, but when they do, they may run into a number of internal problems, such as cyberattacks brought on by inadequate networking security, online fraud, ransomware assaults, etc.  Tackling cyber threats in MSMEs is critical mainly because of their high level of dependance on digital technologies and the growing sophistication of cyber attacks. Protecting them from cyber threats is essential, as a security breach can have devastating consequences, including financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

Key Cyber Threats that MSMEs are facing

MSMEs are most vulnerable to are phishing attacks, ransomware, malware and viruses, insider threats, social engineering attacks, supply chain attacks, credential stuffing and brute force attacks and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks. Some of these attacks are described as under-

• Insider threats arise from employees or contractors who intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. It involves data theft, misuse of access privileges, or accidental data exposure. 
• Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security by pretexting, baiting, and impersonation. 
• Supply chain attacks exploit the trust in relationships between businesses and their suppliers and introduce malware, compromise data integrity, and disrupt operations.
• Credential stuffing and brute force attacks give unauthorized access to accounts and systems, leading to data breaches and financial losses.

Challenges Faced by MSMEs in Cybersecurity

The challenges faced  by MSMEs in cyber security are mainly due to limited resources and budget constraints which leads to other issues such as a lack of specialized expertise as MSMEs often lack the IT support of cyber security experts. Awareness and training are needed to mitigate poor understanding of cyber threats and their complexity in nature. Vulnerabilities in the supply chain are present as they rely on third-party vendors and partners often, introducing potential supply chain vulnerabilities. Regulatory compliance is often complex and is taken seriously only when an issue crops up but it needs special attention especially with the DPDP Act coming in. The lack of an incident response plan leads to delayed and inadequate responses to cyber incidents, increasing the impact of breaches.

Best Practices for Tackling Cyber Threats for MSMEs

To effectively tackle cyber threats, MSMEs should adopt a comprehensive approach such as:

• Implementing and enforcing strong access controls by using MFA or 2FA and password policies. Limiting employee access as role based and updating the same as and when needed.
• Regularly apply security patches and use automated patch management solutions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
• Conduct employee training and awareness programs and promote a security-first approach for the employees and assessing employee readiness to identify improvement areas.
• Implement network security measures by using firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Using secure Wi-Fi networks via strong encryptions and changing default credentials for the router are recommended, as is segmenting networks to limit lateral movement within the network in case of a breach.
• Regular data backup ensures that in case of an attack, data loss can be recovered and made available in secure offsite locations to protect it from unauthorized access. 
• Developing an incident response plan that outlines the roles, responsibilities and procedure for responding to cyber incidents with regular drills to ensure readiness and clear communication protocols for incident reporting to regulators, stakeholders and customers.
• Implement endpoint security solutions using antivirus and anti-malware softwares. Devices should be against unauthorized access and implement mobile device management solutions enforcing security policies on employee-owned devices used for work purposes.
• Cyber insurance coverage will help in transferring financial risks in case of cyber incidents. It should have comprehensive coverage including business interruptions, data restoration, legal liabilities and incident response costs.

Recommended Cybersecurity Solutions Tailored for MSMEs

1. A Managed Security Service Provider offers outsourced cybersecurity services, including threat monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management that may be lacking in-house.
2. Cloud-Based Security Solutions such as firewall as a service and Security Information and Event Management , provide scalable and cost-effective protection for MSMEs.
3. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Tools detect and respond to threats on endpoints, providing real-time visibility into potential threats and automating incident response actions.
4. Security Awareness Training Platforms deliver interactive training sessions and simulations to educate employees about cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Conclusion

Addressing cyber threats in MSMEs requires a proactive and multi-layered approach that encompasses technical solutions, employee training, and strategic planning. By implementing best practices and leveraging cybersecurity solutions tailored to their specific needs, MSMEs can significantly enhance their resilience against cyber threats. As cyber threats continue to evolve, staying informed about the latest trends and adopting a culture of security awareness will be essential for MSMEs to protect their assets, reputation, and bottom line.

References:

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/security-tech/security/cyber-security-pitfalls-and-how-negligence-can-be-expensive-for-msmes/articleshow/99508822.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0112/3-ways-cyber-crime-impacts-business.aspx 
• https://www.financialexpress.com/business/sme-msme-tech-cisco-launches-new-tool-for-smbs-to-assess-their-cybersecurity-readiness-2538348/ 
• https://www.cloverinfotech.com/blog/small-businesses-big-problems-are-cyber-attacks-crushing-indias-msmes/ 

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