CyberWire Daily: "Hackers Beware, Fines Are in the Air"
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Dave Buettner, CyberWire Network

1. UK Unveils Comprehensive Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill

The United Kingdom has officially revealed the full scope of its forthcoming Cybersecurity and Resilience (CSR) Bill, a legislative measure aimed at fortifying the protection of critical national infrastructure against escalating cyber threats. Tech Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted the bill's three primary pillars:

• Expanded Regulatory Compliance: Organizations will be required to adhere to stringent security directives, including the timely patching of known vulnerabilities.
• Enhanced Government Regulatory Powers: The bill grants authorities the flexibility to swiftly update regulations in response to emerging threats.
• Unified Regulatory Strategy: A standardized approach for data centers and other critical entities is under consideration, ensuring cohesive defense mechanisms across sectors.

Failing to comply with these directives could result in significant financial penalties, notably £100,000 per day or 10% of annual turnover for non-compliant entities. Additionally, the bill mandates that significant breaches must be reported within 24 hours, aligning UK standards more closely with those of the EU and the US.

Dave Buettner emphasized the urgency behind this legislation, noting that cyberattacks on UK utilities surged by 586% in 2023. Experts caution that while the bill is a crucial step toward modernizing the UK's cyber defenses, it will require sustained investment and comprehensive staff training to be effectively implemented. The CSR Bill is slated for parliamentary review later this year.

2. Apple Alerts Users to Critical Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Apple Inc. has issued an urgent security advisory addressing three critical zero-day vulnerabilities currently being exploited in sophisticated cyberattacks. These vulnerabilities impact a wide range of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and Vision Pro.

The identified flaws include:

• USB Restricted Mode Bypass: Allows attackers with physical access to devices to circumvent security restrictions.
• Safari Sandbox Escape: Enables malicious web content to break free from the browser's protective sandbox environment.
• Core Media Use-After-Free Bug: Potentially leads to privilege escalation by exploiting memory management flaws.

Apple has promptly released security patches for all affected systems and is urging users to update their devices immediately. Additional recommendations include avoiding untrusted applications, enabling lockdown mode, and activating automatic updates.

These vulnerabilities were discovered by renowned security researchers, including those from the Citizen Lab, and are reportedly being leveraged in targeted attacks. Dave Buettner underscored the significance of these vulnerabilities, highlighting the breadth of devices affected and the potential risks to users.

3. Interlock Ransomware Group Targets National Presto Industries

The Interlock Ransomware Group has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on National Presto Industries, a prominent manufacturer known for home appliances and military-grade ammunition. The attack, which occurred on March 1, resulted in the theft of nearly 3 million files.

Initially, National Presto Industries disclosed the breach without specifying the use of ransomware. However, details from Interlock's leak site indicate that multiple subsidiaries, including National Defense Corporation and Amtech, were significantly impacted. Despite the extensive data theft, Interlock asserts that their extortion efforts failed after the company downplayed the breach's severity and successfully restored operations.

Dave Buettner reported on the extensive data loss and the implications for National Presto Industries, emphasizing the group's confidence in their ability to undermine company responses. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by sophisticated ransomware groups and the importance of robust incident response strategies.

4. Microsoft Identifies Critical Vulnerability in Canon Printer Drivers

Microsoft's Offensive Security team has identified a critical vulnerability in Canon printer drivers, carrying a severity score of 9.4. This flaw affects several Canon printer models using outdated driver versions, making them susceptible to malicious exploits.

The vulnerability allows attackers to:

• Halt Printing Operations: Disrupt normal printer functionality, causing operational downtimes.
• Execute Arbitrary Code: Run malicious applications that could compromise the entire system.

Canon has advised users to update their printer drivers immediately via the official Canon website to mitigate these risks. The vulnerability is rooted in EMF recode processing, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with outdated drivers and the Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack technique.

Dave Buettner elaborated on the implications of this vulnerability, noting that BYOVD attacks involve attackers installing known vulnerable drivers to exploit system weaknesses, often aiming for higher-privilege access such as kernel-level control. This incident underscores the critical need for organizations to maintain updated drivers and employ rigorous security protocols to defend against such sophisticated attack vectors.

5. Check Point Software Reports Data Breach Amidst Discrepancies

Check Point Software has confirmed a data breach, originally claimed by the threat actor Core Injection. The company states that the breach occurred in December 2024, involving limited access that posed no threat to customers or systems. According to Check Point, compromised credentials provided access to a small portal, exposing basic account and contact information from three organizations.

However, cybersecurity expert Alon Gal disputed Check Point's account, presenting evidence from leaked data that indicates the breach affected over 121,000 accounts with admin-level access, far exceeding the company's initial description. Gal also pointed out the absence of any public SEC disclosure regarding the December incident, raising concerns about the integrity and transparency of Check Point's response.

Dave Buettner highlighted the ongoing scrutiny of Check Point's security measures, noting past vulnerabilities in their VPN and security gateway products. The discrepancy between Check Point's official statements and expert analyses fuels ongoing debates about the true scale and impact of the breach, as well as the company's overall security posture.

6. FTC Enforces Privacy Obligations on 23andMe During Bankruptcy Proceedings

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a stern warning to the bankruptcy trustees of 23andMe, a leading genetic testing company, ensuring that any sale of the company's assets must uphold prior privacy commitments made to consumers. Filed under Chapter 11 on March 23, 23andMe holds sensitive genetic and health data from millions of users.

FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson emphasized that prospective buyers are legally bound to respect the company's existing promises, which include:

• Restrictions on Sharing Personal Data: Users' genetic information cannot be shared without explicit consent or legal orders.
• Data Security Guarantees: Ensuring robust protections for stored genetic and health data.

This directive comes in the wake of a significant 2023 data breach that affected approximately 6.9 million users, resulting in a $30 million settlement. The breach exposed genetic and ancestry data through a credential stuffing attack, intensifying concerns over data protection practices.

Dave Buettner discussed the implications of the FTC's intervention, noting that the regulation seeks to preserve consumer trust and protect genetic privacy even as the company navigates bankruptcy. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also monitoring the case closely to ensure comprehensive protection of consumer data.

23andMe has so far refrained from commenting on the FTC's stance but continues to offer users options to delete their data or revoke research consent, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage the fallout from the breach and maintain user trust.

7. Canadian Hacker Arrested for Texas Republican Party System Breaches

A Canadian national, Aubrey Cottle (also known as Curtainer), affiliated with the Anonymous collective, has been arrested and charged in the United States for alleged unauthorized breaches of systems linked to the Texas Republican Party. Prosecutors allege that Cottle infiltrated Epic, a hosting provider serving the Texas GOP and Texas Right to Life, extracting and publicly disseminating personal data.

The unsealed complaint in Texas details evidence of Cottle's activities, including taking credit for the hack on platforms like Discord and TikTok. A 2022 raid on his Ontario residence uncovered 20 terabytes of stolen data, underscoring the magnitude of the breach. Cottle faces charges for unlawfully using personal identifying information, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison upon conviction.

Dave Buettner reported on Cottle's history of targeting conservative platforms and his media appearances discussing Anonymous operations. The investigation, led jointly by the FBI and Canadian authorities since 2022, culminated in his arrest as a direct response to aggressive protests against Texas abortion laws. The resulting data leaks from Epic-hosted sites have had widespread repercussions, exposing extensive personal information and highlighting vulnerabilities within political party infrastructures.

8. GCHQ Intern Pleads Guilty to Stealing Classified Data

Hassan Arshad, a 25-year-old student intern at the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), pleaded guilty to charges of stealing highly classified data on August 24, 2022, just days before his year-long placement concluded. Arshad admitted to violating the Computer Misuse Act by:

• Unauthorized Data Access: Downloading classified information, including sensitive names and a valuable tool, using his GCHQ-issued phone within secure areas.
• Data Transfer: Transferring the stolen data to a personal hard drive at his residence.

Prosecutors revealed that the stolen software was valued at millions of pounds, underscoring the potential national security implications. Additionally, investigators discovered indecent images of a child on Arshad's devices, for which he had previously pleaded guilty. Despite these charges, Arshad claimed his actions were driven by curiosity, not financial gain.

Dave Buettner discussed the gravity of Arshad's breach, emphasizing the breach of trust inherent in an organization like GCHQ. Arshad faces sentencing on June 13 and remains on bail with strict conditions, including a ban on accessing the dark web. His legal counsel described his actions as "reckless," while the presiding judge warned that a custodial sentence is likely given the severity of his offenses.

9. Threat Vector Segment: Preparing for a Post-Quantum World and Understanding AI Confabulations

In the Threat Vector segment, host David Moulton engages in a crucial discussion with Richu Chanakeshva, Senior Product Manager at Palo Alto Networks. The conversation centers on two pivotal topics shaping the future of cybersecurity:

a. Post-Quantum Cryptography

Richu Chanakeshva elaborates on the impending necessity for organizations to brace for a post-quantum world. Quantum computers, while not yet ubiquitous, possess the capability to solve complex mathematical problems exponentially faster than classical computers. This advancement threatens to undermine current cryptographic standards, rendering much of today's encrypted data vulnerable. Chanakeshva explains:

"The ability to exist either as 0, 1 or a combination of it all at the same time is a property called superposition... the speed at which you can arrive at different outputs is significantly reduced."
— Richu Chanakeshva [16:45]

He underscores the importance of developing and adopting quantum-resistant algorithms proactively to ensure data security remains robust against quantum-enabled threats.

b. AI Confabulations

The discussion shifts to the phenomenon of AI confabulations, previously referred to as AI hallucinations. Unlike human sensory delusions, AI confabulations arise from predictive algorithms stitching together plausible-sounding but fictional outputs when faced with ambiguous or incomplete data. This distinction is critical for refining AI training methods to minimize erroneous outputs.

"Recognizing these errors as confabulations can guide us toward refining AI training methods, ensuring our digital companions are less prone to creative storytelling when they should simply admit, I don't know."
— Dave Buettner [20:03]

David Moulton concludes by emphasizing the strategic importance of preparing for these technological advancements:

"Quantum computing may not be an immediate crisis, but waiting to prepare could be a huge mistake."
— David Moulton [20:28]

This segment serves as a clarion call for organizations to invest in forward-looking cybersecurity measures that address both the challenges posed by quantum computing and the nuanced risks of advanced AI systems.

10. Reflections on AI Missteps and the Path Forward

In the final discussion, Dave Buettner delves deeper into understanding AI's tendencies to generate confabulations. Drawing parallels from the Integrative Psyche publication, he highlights that unlike humans, AI lacks perception and instead relies on predictive models that can inadvertently produce fabricated narratives to fill knowledge gaps.

This realization prompts a reevaluation of AI development strategies, urging a focus on improving data completeness and enhancing the AI's ability to admit uncertainty rather than fabricate responses. Such advancements are essential for building trustworthy AI systems that support cybersecurity without introducing new vulnerabilities through misinformation.

Conclusion

The episode "Hackers Beware, Fines Are in the Air" offers a comprehensive overview of significant cybersecurity developments as of April 2025. From legislative advancements in the UK and critical vulnerabilities uncovered by major tech companies to high-profile cyberattacks and legal repercussions for cyber offenders, the episode underscores the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the intensified regulatory responses.

Furthermore, the insightful Threat Vector segment underscores the forward-looking challenges posed by quantum computing and AI, emphasizing the imperative for organizations to proactively adapt their cybersecurity frameworks. Dave Buettner effectively weaves these narratives to provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current and future state of cybersecurity, ensuring they remain informed and prepared in this dynamic field.

Notable Quotes:

• Richu Chanakeshva [16:45]: "The ability to exist either as 0, 1 or a combination of it all at the same time is a property called superposition... the speed at which you can arrive at different outputs is significantly reduced."

• David Moulton [20:28]: "Quantum computing may not be an immediate crisis, but waiting to prepare could be a huge mistake."

• Dave Buettner [20:03]: "Recognizing these errors as confabulations can guide us toward refining AI training methods, ensuring our digital companions are less prone to creative storytelling when they should simply admit, I don't know."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the podcast episode, providing a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed on the latest cybersecurity trends and challenges.