CCLearner, a utility program used to clean unwanted files including temporary internet files and invalid Windows Registry entries from a computer, has been hijacked and used by hackers to relay information about users. IT security experts commented below.
“Any and all software developed for Internet use can be hacked and compromised. Due to the behavior of approved software, it has made the detection of unwanted software and malware difficult to track down. The industry is in dire need of laws which specify how data can be collected from customers and where it can go and how it must behave (e.g. interacting with the DNS). Without these laws, it becomes nearly impossible to uncover traffic anomalies and network traffic analytics is the only fall back for investigating odd communication patterns.”
Ofer Maor, Director of Enterprise Solutionsat Synopsys:
“The recent incident with Avast’s platform CCleaner shows how attackers are stepping up their game to attack more allegedly secure customers. While recent ransomware attacks mostly affected random users with minimal consideration to the maintenance of their computer (such as installing updates), this attack targets the very users who follow best practices and regularly maintain their computer. And they do it by taking advantage of the very vendor the users expect to trust.
Attacks like this are likely the result of insufficient security and quality controls by the vendor, allowing attackers to maliciously inject code while the software is being created. These insufficient controls, however, are not the result of extreme negligence. They are, indeed, the standard for many vendors. These types of attacks just demonstrate the need for the software industry to mature itself the way other engineering disciplines have been in the past. We no longer accept lack of such controls in our cars or our bridges, and as the customers, we should no longer accepts such oversights with software.”
Javvad Malik, Security AdvocateatAlienVault:
“The attack mirrors the NotPetya ransomware technique of compromising a software provider that is trusted by consumers. A technique that is being used more often, even targeting security companies. It is therefore important that companies deploy effective threat detection and integrity controls to be able to identify where unauthorised access has been attempted or code has been changed.”
ISBuzz Team embodies the collaborative efforts of the dedicated staff at Information Security Buzz, converging a wide range of skills and viewpoints to present a unified, engaging voice in the information security realm. This entity isn't tied to a single individual; instead, it's a dynamic embodiment of a team diligently working behind the scenes to keep you updated and secure. When you read a post from ISBuzz Team, you're receiving the most relevant and actionable insights, curated and crafted by professionals tuned in to the pulse of the cybersecurity world. ISBuzz Team - your reliable compass in the fast-evolving landscape of information security
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.