COVID-19 Will Apparently Not Delay CCPA Enforcement, The National Law Review, March 26, 2020. The information in this alert is general in nature and does not take into account the specific needs of your IT ecosystem and network, which may vary and require unique action. ohi <> Loans to Insiders and Affiliates (Regulation O and W).

Given the inherent nature of threat intelligence, the content contained in this alert is based on information gathered and understood at the time of its creation. accenture Accenture Technology leverages design thinking, industry insights and the latest digital and Security methodologies to help clients innovate, grow and improve their businesses. Subscribe to Accenture's Cyber Defense Blog, Digital Engineering and Manufacturing Jobs, Do Not Sell My Personal Information (for CA), e657ff4838e474653b55367aa9d4a0641b35378e2e379ad0fdd1631b3b763ef0. Encrypt data-at-rest where possible and protect decryption keys and technology. In the second interview, our senior management would love to get to know you. ohi In one intrusion, Accenture Security also observed the threat group avoiding the use of common post-exploitation tools or commodity malware in favor of credential access. endstream endobj 979 0 obj <.

Patch infrastructure to the highest available level, as threat actors are often better able to exploit older systems with existing vulnerabilities. Under an affiliate model, developers partner with affiliates who are responsible for various tasks or stages of the operation lifecycle, such as distributing the malware, providing initial access to organizations or even target selection and reconnaissance. Persistence endobj In addition, the threat group will typically contact the victim multiple times, using different communication methods, to apply additional pressure during extortion attempts. We want to get to know the real you and help you explore and grow - whatever it is you're great at. Based on collection sources, the threat group has been in operations since at least December 2020 and has continued to target victims through March 2021. Client relationship management at multiple levels of client hierarchy; Business Development of up between 10 million-50 million, driving revenues within the assigned account scope by being the owner of the entire Opportunity Management cycle. In addition, we identified similarities in the Hades ransom notes to those that have been used by REvil ransomware operators, where portions of the ransom notes observed contain identical wording. , To shore up their loan portfolios and to provide customers some financial relief to those hardest hit during recent events, banks can look to dust off loan modification programs launched through the Dodd-Frank Act, and used during the 2008 financial crisis (e.g., Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), Cash For Keys program)as credit workout activities to keep consumers in their homes. Figure 1. Creates a copy of itself at the path %appdata%\[created folder]\[create file with no extension] with a variable folder and file name. Its how we improve our business performance and build on Accentures reputation in the marketplace. <> accenture Encrypt data at rest where possible and protect related keys and technology. endobj He is a senior incident response and threat hunt lead on the CIFR team. Additionally, banks should consider if there are alternatives to loan modifications (e.g., another borrower assuming the loan under theGarn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act). Use MFA where possible for authenticating corporate accounts to include remote access mechanisms and security tools. As a result, banks should consider allocating greater effort (e.g., workforce, control monitoring) to high risk areas that are likely to see a spike in volume. In addition, the threat actors operated out of the root of C:\ProgramData where several executables tied to the intrusion set were found. Instead, it persisted within the victims network via the VPN IP pool or installed AnyDesk to allow external remote access to compromised devices. We comply with all laws, whether local, national or regional. Please try logging in with your registered email address and password. Third parties are also required to comply with our Code when acting on our behalf. Banksshould rigorously review any temporary or permanent modifications in underwriting criteria as a result of recent events and assess downstream impacts to their portfolios. The Accenture Business Ethics Helpline is answered by a neutral third party. Secure Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections with complex passwords, virtual private networks (VPNs) and Network Level Authentication (NLA), if RDP connections must be used. The use of legitimate credentials, service creation, remote management software and distribution of command and control (C2) beacons across victim environments using Cobalt Strike are the predominant approaches used by the threat group to further its foothold and maintain persistence. accenture Accenture Security observed the threat group leveraging Mimikatz in at least one intrusion set, as well as PowerShell to dump ntds.dit and exfiltrate it for offline analysis. With our Code of Business Ethics, we want to help our people make ethical behavior a natural part of what we do every daywith each other, our clients, our business partners, and our communities. Hunt for attacker TTPs, including common living off the land techniques, to proactively detect and respond to a cyber-attack and mitigate its impact. We work together to build a better, stronger company for future generations, protecting the Accenture brand, information, intellectual property and our people. Fair Credit Reporting (Regulation V), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, November 14, 2012. endobj There is already a separate, active Accenture Careers account with the same email address as your LinkedIn account email address.

Get the latest blogs delivered straight to your inbox. endstream The primary method for initial access into the victims network appears to be internet-facing systems via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Private Network (VPN) using legitimate credentials. %PDF-1.7 This will navigate you to Accenture.com Sign In page. The primary method for initial access into victim networks includes internet-facing systems via virtual private network (VPN) using legitimate credentials. Accenture accepts no liability for any action or failure to act in response to the information contained or referenced in this alert. Figure 5 includes the known impacted industry verticals to date, based on Accenture Securitys collection sources. accenture to regulations impacted by operationalizing the CARES Act and responding to the current economic environment. These changes can impact other regulations and ultimately the risk and compliance functions used to measure, monitor and manage the associated risks. accenture Accenture Security also analyzed the group's activities in the context of attribution, victimology, and TTPs employed according to OSINT and incident response data. Further, banks should conduct rigorous due diligence to identify any companies seeking funding under CARES or any other lending program that is an affiliate of the bank, in order to capture the appropriate compliance and reporting requirements. Accenture Security observed the threat group modify its tactics depending on the victim environment, favoring a more living off the land approach and often avoiding the use of common post-exploitation tools like Cobalt Strike. endobj 53IHi%J>WmlKJ<=V>~)Tr!~O'J tXO'dv'~L' g^yB|M'_/7a:}NB^@P+ @6l8+$Nt6@M-t;VS\ dRl5f0-" ^XLbKAuNg %A:(^AuDR-qAka$i3Z2gkby>O0Flr8 %1b#p 0b5,C`VqCjt{d7X#kF|cS ]#Opj]2kTCo 4$ During the interview, we'd love to get to know you and see if there is a match with our brand and brand values. <> Access at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text?loclr=bloglaw. Our Code of Business Ethics is who we are, every day. Privilege escalation Accenture Security assesses the group's operations have just begun, and their activity will likely continue to proliferate into the foreseeable future, targeting additional victims. Latest "News" from Karakurt[.] 6 0 obj We are agile, and we strive for high performance - by acting as entrepreneurs and owners of the company. To get this right, we must empower our people to make good decisions, act responsibly and speak up with confidence. You can then update your LinkedIn sign-in connection through the Edit Profile section. All materials are intended for the original recipient only. This is a developing story; additional details will be released to the community when available. We are publishing indicators to help organizations identify both the Unknown Threat Groups TTPs and the Hades Ransomware variant itself. Lateral Movement ]tech registered on, Karakurt known to be operational as early as, First known victim based on Accenture Securitys collection sources and intrusion analysis , First victim revealed on karakurt[. Interested in receiving the latest Financial Services blogs delivered straight to your inbox? Access at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/rulemaking/final-rules/fair-credit-reporting-regulation-v/. In most cases, you may remain anonymous; however, in certain countries this may not be possible due to local legal restrictions. You will meet all the other new joiners and continue your career at Accenture. You can then update your LinkedIn sign-in connection through the Edit Profile section. Access at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-paves-way-consumers-receive-economic-impact-payments-quicker/. Ensure that a robust crisis management and incident response plan are in place in the event of a high impact intrusion. 5 0 obj Receive job alerts, latest news and insider tips. Due to a lack of forensic evidence, it is unclear how the credentials were obtained by the threat group. Relaunches itself using the command line parameter go, Deletes itself and its copy using the following command structure where %s is the path to file executable: cmd /c waitfor /t %u pause /d y & attrib -h "%s" & del "%s" & rd "%s", Unpacks an executable in memory and executes it (i.e., the unpacked Hades sample), Deletes shadow copies through vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet, Traverses local directories and network shares looking for files to encrypt and skips files with specified extensions or strings, Adds an extension (different for each sample) to files that it encrypts and drops a ransom note with file name HOW-TO-DECRYPT-[extension].txt, As previously noted, the ransom note includes a URL to a TOR site for ransom instructions, Batch script that leverages wevtutil.exe to clear event logs on impacted hosts, Disabling Anti-Virus (AV) products on endpoints, as well as manually disabling Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) tools and prevention policies through the user interface, Modification of Group Policy Object (GPO) to disable windows audit logging. accenture High level Karakurt group website timeline, Subscribe to Accenture's Cyber Defense Blog, Digital Engineering and Manufacturing Jobs, Cyber Investigations and Threat Intelligence, Do Not Sell My Personal Information (for CA). Our Code is more than just a documentits what we believe, how we live and how we lead. This is a developing story; additional technical analysis of the intrusion clusters, attacker TTPs and indicators of compromise (IOCs) will be released to the community in a separate blog post. To help our clients better respond to the challenges created by the global health crisis, Accenture has created a hub of all our latest thinking on a variety of, how banks can manage the business impact of the pandemic, To find out more on the topic and how we can help you, please contact the authors. %PDF-1.6 % Defense evasion 2 0 obj accenture Contact our recruiters in case of questions, they are here to help and guide you. To help our clients better respond to the challenges created by the global health crisis,Accenture has created a hub of all our latest thinking on a variety ofCOVID-19topics, including a document onhow banks can manage the business impact of the pandemic. The Account Executive will be expected to build an account plan for area of work together with the Client Account Lead, Technology Account Lead and will be responsible for growth of the technology footprint and client relationship management at existing and new prospects. accenture 7 0 obj 1 0 obj Train users of all systems to positively identify and safely handle e-mails that could be part of a phishing campaign. Observed multiple methods for internal network reconnaissance, such as various reconnaissance scripts and tools used to collect network, host, and domain information. Copyright 2021 Accenture. Access at: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/covid-19-will-apparently-not-delay-ccpa-enforcement. QK2Wcti=~[}^):fAh{Sb,F_y\)04[}EH6FE;}MfwKS 4V::9Ec/ChuT a@ Do not store credentials in files and scripts on shared locations, Where possible, deny caching of credentials in memory (e.g., Credential Guard). Access at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/rulemaking/regulations/1002/. accenture ohi hb```"B Of note, we observed significant effort by the threat group to disable or bypass endpoint defenses, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tooling, using both custom tooling and hands on keys approaches. raindrops The profiles of the three (3) known victims are a strong indicator of Big Game Hunting, with target selection and deployment methods aimed toward high-value payouts. The opinions, statements, and assessments in this report are solely those of the individual author(s) and do not constitute legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Accenture, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. Install and update anti-virus software to proactively identify and protect against malware. Follow us @AccentureSecure on Twitter or visit us at www.accenture.com/security. Great! 4 0 obj As large-scale events like the global health crisis impacting theUnited Statesand the global economy evolve, certain actions and outcomes are becoming more likely to occur, including increased requests for consumer support and relief, temporary easing of regulatory and compliance requirements, and new government backed programs to shore-up bank lending capabilities. Impeding defenses was achieved through use of domain administrator credentials and includes the following: Discovery 0 The presence of Karakurt was first identified in June 2021 as it registered its apparent dump-site domains: karakurt[. Of note, Karakurt focuses solely on data exfiltration and subsequent extortion, rather than the more destructive ransomware deployment. Customer facing teams across deposit and lending products, particularly credit cards and mortgages, should make sure their teams are educated in the SCRA requirements to advise customers on their options and rights, as well as any additional programs the bank may offer. We believe it is crucial that you know where you stand during your application, and what the next steps are. Helped by our team of highly skilled professionals, we enable clients to innovate safely, build cyber resilience and grow with confidence. Apply by sending in your CV and cover letter and let's get started. While Accenture Security identified that the threat group utilized attack infrastructure previously associated with other cybercrime operators, we are not yet able to determine if the threat group operates under an affiliate-based model, or a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, based on observed intrusion clusters. xXMk1tL Our Code is organized into six fundamental behaviors. Accenture Security identified a total of six (6) of these addresses, indicating there could be three (3) additional victims we are unaware of at this time. 1 0 obj The group was then able to leverage previously obtained user, service, and administrator credentials to move laterally and take action on objectives. All rights reserved. accenture All rights reserved. If the threat groups preferred tools are not present within victims networks, it will download common remote management and file transfer utilities via a browser to support subsequent exfiltration activities (e.g., AnyDesk, FileZilla, 7zip, etc.).

%PDF-1.7 Using valid credentials, pre-existing living off the land tools and techniques and remote management software has enabled the threat group to further evade defenses. This involves identifying business opportunities, selling concepts to the client where required and influencing the client to give additional business based on demonstrated capability and past performance; Conduct research as well as competitor analysis, delivering client presentations, preparing estimates, proposals and participating in negotiations; Assuring the client of the commitment and driving the delivery process by working collaboratively with delivery management to address all issues that may affect delivery; Work closely with Solutions Architects to build customized solutions and pitches to enhance revenue growth; Build an account plan for the account scope with details of the relationships required, the opportunities to pursue, target revenues, competitor analysis, potential threats and weaknesses that need to be addressed; Pricing decisions within the scope of the Master Services Agreement. 9 0 obj Requires that any account that receives forbearance under the CARES Act be reported to the credit bureau reporting agencies as current or as the status reported prior to receiving forbearance. If you suspect any misconduct or unethical behavior, please visit the Accenture Business Ethics Helpline website where you may report your concern. Together, we have proven that we can succeedproviding value to our clients and shareholders and opportunities for our peoplewhile being a powerful force for good. Besides our high-profile, challenging projects and our nurturing work environment, we offer excellent employee benefits, including: Hospitalization insurance and extensive group insurance package, Green mobility program: e-bikes, public transport, bike 2 work allowance,, Flexrewards: decide on your rewards package with our flexible benefits tool, Discount program: get discounts at your favorite (online) shops, Are you ready to join Accenturefor a career where you can be yourself and do what you love? Known victims include a large US transportation & logistics organization, a large US consumer products organization, and a global manufacturing organization. As the government rolls out the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which has many implications, including providing small businesses funding to maintain employee payroll and temporary protections for homeowners under financial hardship, banks should be looking at processes, risks and controls related. For all analyzed samples, the ransom notes identified instruct the victim to install Tor browser and visit the specified page. accenture As this is a developing story, additional indicators will be released, when available. An unknown financially motivated threat group is using the self-proclaimed Hades ransomware variant in cybercrime operations that have impacted at least three (3) victims since December 2020. <>/Metadata 395 0 R/ViewerPreferences 396 0 R>> ]nz cloud infrastructure, leveraging the MEGAsync utility. You also can find a country-specific phone number to speak with an agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week. accenture xj0B-%C4B Ordered by potential impact, below are related regulatory and other considerations: While not a comprehensive list of all the potential impacts and regulatory considerations arising from the promulgation of the CARES Act or socio-economic behavior changes as a result of recent events, these areas represent heighted risks banks should consider when managing, monitoring, and assessing risk and compliance across their functions. The Tor pages differ only in the Victim ID that is provided, indicating each Tor address may be uniquely generated for each victim. Maintain best practices against malware, such as patching, updating anti-virus software, implementing strict network egress policies, and using application whitelisting where feasible. The Evolution to GRC 5.0: Achieving Cognitive GRC, Opportunities and challenges for integrating ESG risk into existing frameworks, The importance of building trust in the financial services workplace explained in 6 eye-opening statistics. This individual should have extensive complex sales experience. accenture Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Paves Way for Consumers to Receive Economic Impact Payments Quicker, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, April 13, 2020. A special thanks to the following individuals who also contributed: Jon Begley, Alison Ali, Curt Wilson, Nancy Strutt, Leo Fernandes, Max Smith and the Accenture Cyber Investigation & Forensic Response (CIFR) team. In addition, the use of Angry IP Scanner was identified in at least one intrusion set. By joining us, youll become part of a global company with a world-class brand and reputation. We will continue to discuss your ambitions, past experiences and we can answer any question you have about the position and work at Accenture. Your email address will not be published. This will navigate you to Accenture.com Sign In page. At Accenture, our people care deeply about doing the right thing. Maintain best practices against ransomware, such as patching, firewalling infection vectors, updating anti-virus software, employing a resilient backup strategy (e.g., 3-2-1, 3-2-2, etc. stream Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) was also leveraged for host-to-host lateral movement. The information outlined in this blog is based on information collected from CIFR incident response engagements, threat intelligence insights, open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis and various media and industry reports. Extensive work experience in a global delivery center and client sites; Experience of working in a Global Delivery Model; Proven capability to building relationships with middle and senior management in clients; Deep Account Management and Project Management experience; Knowledge of industry specific products, services and solutions; Good understanding of industry specific business issues and drivers; Proven experience in a rapidly growing account; Hands-on experience with proposal/RFP creation and leading RFP/proposal presentations; Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; Wide variety of IT and business consulting engagement experience. endobj 4" The first name is required and cannot be empty, The last name is required and cannot be empty. Required fields are marked *. If we are all happy to proceed after the interviews, we'd like to make you an offer to join Accenture. Please try logging in with your registered email address and password. The use of legitimate credentials, service creation, and distribution of Command and Control (C2) beacons across victim environments through the use of Cobalt Strike and Empire, so far appear to be the predominant approach used by the unknown threat group to further their foothold and maintain persistence. <> As the government rolls out the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which has many implications, including providing small businesses funding to maintain employee payroll and temporary protections for homeowners under financial hardship, banks should be looking at processes, risks and controls relatedto regulations impacted by operationalizing the CARES Act and responding to the current economic environment. Apply now and change the world around you. Our expertise, capabilities and experience mean that our clients (including some of the biggest brands in the world) trust us to find the right solutions for their needs. Download the conduct guidelines for our suppliers who support our work for the U.S. federal government. With the anticipated rise in loan modification programs and the CARES Act lending program for SBA qualified borrowers, banks should make sure that the loans extended to potential officers and directors of the bank do not include any favorable terms, rates or discounts. Ensure all internet-facing security and remote access appliances are patched to the latest versions. The first name is required and cannot be empty, The last name is required and cannot be empty. A previously unconfirmed, financially motivated threat group operating under the self-proclaimed name, Karakurt started ramping up attacks late in the third quarter of 2021 and continued into the fourth quarter. ]group on, First update to karakurt[. Accenture Security is a leading provider of end-to-end cybersecurity services, including advanced cyber defense, applied cybersecurity solutions and managed security operations. This also may explain the relatively low number of known victims since Hades was first identified publicly in December 2020. The first name is required and cannot be empty, The last name is required and cannot be empty. The CIFR team helps Accentures global clients prepare for, respond to and recover from cyber intrusions and minimize business impact. Initial access endobj %%EOF The threat group is financially motivated, opportunistic in nature, and so far, appears to target smaller companies or corporate subsidiaries versus the alternative big game hunting approach. We all serve Accenture's clients, regardless of role - focusing on the best interests of our clients while acting as stewards of Accenture. All trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Actions taken by the bank to close a customers account during a widespread economic downturn to pursue property (e.g., foreclosure, repossession) should be made with the utmost care, as reputation risks are heightened and repercussions (both regulatory and socially) can be extremely damaging. Download the conduct guidelines for our suppliers (PDF). The threat group has been seen utilizing 7zip and WinZip for compression, as well as Rclone or FileZilla (SFTP) for staging and final exfiltration to Mega.io cloud storage. However, based on intrusion data from incident response engagements, the operators tailor their tactics and tooling to carefully selected targets and run a more hands on keyboard operation to inflict maximum damage and higher payouts.