Proxylogon

ProxyLogon is a significant software vulnerability that was discovered in Microsoft Exchange Server. It is part of an exploit chain, including CVE-2021-26855, which is a server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability. This flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and impersonate users. ProxyLogon was likely used to compromise nodes, along with other vulnerabilities such as ProxyShell. It also includes arbitrary file write vulnerabilities CVE-2021-27065 and CVE-2021-26858 on Windows systems, both of which have high CVSS ratings of 7.8. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities has led to widespread cyberattacks, targeting hotels, governments, and private companies worldwide since March 2021. The FBI has taken action against these threats by receiving court approval to remove the Russian Snake data theft malware, the Emotet malware, and web shells on Microsoft Exchange servers deployed in ProxyLogon attacks. These exploits were often used by state-sponsored actors, including China-backed APT groups, for stealing geopolitical secrets from various regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. To protect against the exploitation of these vulnerabilities, Anti-Exploitation modules and Behavioral Threat Protection have been recommended. These protections, delivered through Cortex XSIAM, defend against credential-based attacks using behavioral analytics. They offer protection against various vulnerabilities, including those associated with ProxyShell and ProxyLogon. Furthermore, the implementation of these protective measures is crucial in preparing organizations for upcoming cybersecurity deadlines set by federal and state regulators.