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A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in KMPlayer 4.2.2.65. Affected is an unknown function of the component AVI File Handler. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2024-41200. Access to the local network is required for this attack to succeed. There is no exploit available.

Случайный клик по объявлению рискует обернуться атакой HeadLace.

In the title of this post, keep in mind the keyword is may; as a forewarning, this is not a post that definitively says you must use a VPN regardless of the circumstances… because that is simply not true.

From a privacy lens, VPNs are niche tools - once some criteria are met, they can prove useful in some circumstances.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Preface
• Keep internet traffic private from ISP and other third parties
• Keep IP address private from visited sites and during P2P activities
• Encrypt traffic data when on unfamiliar networks***
• Circumventing censorship
• • Unblocking geo-restricted content
• Final thoughts

Preface

While a VPN can be a useful tool in improving your privacy - and security - it is important to realize that a VPN is far from a one-size fits all privacy tool. In most situations, a VPN should not be thought of as a security tool - except in the case where they are being used for their original purpose, which is to bridge two networks together.

You should determine whether a VPN is “for you” by carefully weighing whether your goals/wants/needs align with what a VPN can truly provide. Users should also keep in mind the limitations of a VPN may affect their privacy.

A VPN cannot make you anonymous, despite what many marketing gimmicks and claims insist. A VPN is not at all a viable substitute for using tools/services that respect user privacy (including using "basic" privacy practices) or basic personal cybersecurity hygiene.

Keep internet traffic private from ISP and other third parties

VPNs effectively remove the ability of third parties - such as your internet service provider (ISP) to sniff (see) your internet traffic. In most simple cases, your ISP would only see that you are 1) online and 2) connected to a VPN service.

If a user's main concern is keeping their internet traffic private from their ISP, then using a (trustworthy) VPN is a good choice. By connecting to the VPN provider’s servers, you are effectively routing your internet traffic through the VPN provider in place of your ISP. In essence, your internet traffic is kept between you and your VPN provider; assuming your VPN provider has an honored and verified "no logs" policy, this can prove a marked improvement for your privacy.

Additionally, assuming you are not connected to a "hostile" network, VPNs can be effective in preventing third parties from snooping on your traffic.

Though, it's worth nothing that a VPN is not a silver bullet against some entities - such as well-funded and well-resourced public and private organizations. Some "adversaries" may be capable of employing advanced techniques both online and offline to expose your internet activities and possibly connect your activities to your real world identity. This can range from your “adversary” taking advantage of VPN tunnel leaks or exploiting other operational weaknesses surrounding your VPN.

Of course, using a VPN isn't a replacement for basics such as forcing HTTPS within the browser; a VPN can't encrypt the connection from your device to a website and without the encryption provided by HTTPS, data transmitted between your device and that web server is unencrypted. This unencrypted traffic can be easily captured by any third parties listening in on the connection - which is trivial since the data is transmitted in plaintext.

Keep IP address private from visited sites and during P2P activities

When configured and working properly - without leaks - a VPN effectively masks your IP address from the sites you visit and during peer-to-peer (P2P) activities. P2P activities frequently include torrenting and participating in video/audio calls in the browser (usually facilitated by WebRTC). In place of your IP address, the VPN provider’s server IP address is shared during P2P activities.

While this doesn’t provide anonymity, hiding your IP address can provide some privacy benefits, removing a piece of identifying information about your approximate location, ISP, and devices. This can be especially important during P2P activities, where these data points combined with other data about your activities can reveal more than you may have intended (or be aware of).

To ensure your IP isn’t accidentally revealed during P2P activities, you should make sure the VPN provider resists IPv6 leaks. You should also address the potential for WebRTC leaking your IP address, even while connected to the VPN server, from within your own browser.

Be aware that your VPN provider will have your IP address(es) since you are connecting to their servers.

Encrypt traffic data when on unfamiliar networks***

This "benefit" comes with a huge caveat. In May 2024, researchers disclosed the TunnelVision vulnerability (which has existed since 2002), which can force VPN apps to send/receive some or all traffic outside of the encrypted tunnel.

Source: Leviathan Security

In summary, attackers can manipulate the DHCP server and enable option 121 to route VPN traffic through the DHCP server itself instead of the VPN tunnel, essentially exposing the sent/received traffic. In most cases, while this attack is carried out, the VPN app will report that the connection is "good." This attack is most effective if performed by someone with administrative control over a network - such as a network administrator... which could be any network outside of your direct control.

Therefore, using a VPN on an unfamiliar network can be prove useless on a truly "hostile" network. Additionally, researchers believe this attack has been 1) known to attackers prior to disclosure and 2) used in the wild. This attack is not effective on Linux or Android devices.

With that said, assuming the network is not hostile or exploiting something like TunnelVision (there is little a user can do to confirm this) this is a benefit primarily for those who frequently find themselves using Wi-Fi networks outside of their home. While security hasn’t been a modern-day concern on public or otherwise unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, privacy does remain a concern.

Depending on the ISP for the unfamiliar network, your browsing data could be collected, analyzed, and then sold/shared with third parties. Users may want to abstain from conducting sensitive activities when on an unfamiliar network, regardless of using a VPN or not.

A good and “trustworthy” VPN can effectively eliminate common privacy risks that can arise from using unfamiliar and/or public Wi-Fi networks. Again, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN servers; third parties on a public Wi-Fi network such as the network administrator and the ISP for the network would only be able to see your active connection to the VPN provider, assuming other advanced methods of monitoring traffic/undermining VPN connections...

The post How Using a VPN May Benefit Your Privacy appeared first on Security Boulevard.

South Korea's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) warns that state-backed DPRK hackers hijacked flaws in a VPN's software update to deploy malware and breach networks. [...]

Ученые пересматривают основы квантовой теории.

via the comic & dry wit of Randall Munroe, creator of XKCD

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The post Randall Munroe’s XKCD ‘Exam Numbers’ appeared first on Security Boulevard.

A vulnerability was found in Traffic Manager Plugin up to 1.4.5 on WordPress. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2024-7485. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability was found in Blox Page Builder Plugin up to 1.0.65 on WordPress. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. This vulnerability was named CVE-2024-6315. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability was found in CRM Perks Forms Plugin up to 1.1.3 on WordPress. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2024-7484. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability was found in Horizontal Scrolling Announcements Plugin up to 2.4 on WordPress and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component Shortcode Handler. The manipulation leads to sql injection. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-5000. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability has been found in Pantera CMS 401.152/402.072 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component User Profile Management. The manipulation leads to Privilege Escalation. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2024-40531. The attack can be launched remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in AMD 3rd Gen EPYC Processors, 4th Gen EPYC Processors, EPYC Embedded 7003 and EPYC Embedded 9003. Affected is an unknown function of the component SEV-SNP. The manipulation leads to improper input validation. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2024-21978. The attack needs to be approached locally. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Pantera CRM 401.152/402.072. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Header Handler. The manipulation of the argument X-Forwarded-For leads to permission issues. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2024-40530. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no exploit available.

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in AMD 3rd Gen EPYC Processors, 4th Gen EPYC Processors, EPYC Embedded 7003 and EPYC Embedded 9003. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component SNP Firmware. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-31355. Attacking locally is a requirement. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in AMD 3rd Gen EPYC Processors, 4th Gen EPYC Processors, EPYC Embedded 7003 and EPYC Embedded 9003. This affects an unknown part of the component SNP Firmware. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2024-21980. Local access is required to approach this attack. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Electronic manufacturing services provider Keytronic has revealed that it suffered losses of over $17 million due to a May ransomware attack. [...]

Researchers urge organizations using Apache OFBiz to address a critical bug, following reports of active exploitation of another flaw. Experts urge organizations to address a new critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-38856, in Apache OFBiz. The vulnerability is an incorrect authorization issue in Apache OFBiz that impacts versions through 18.12.14, version 18.12.15 addressed the flaw. “Unauthenticated […]