TLP:WHITE Product ID: A20-283A
October 9, 2020
APT Actors Chaining Vulnerabilities Against
SLTT, Critical Infrastructure, and Elections
Organizations
SUMMARY
This joint cybersecurity advisory uses the MITRE Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common
Knowledge (ATT&CK®) framework. See the ATT&CK for Enterprise framework for all referenced
threat actor techniques.
Note: the analysis in this joint cybersecurity advisory is ongoing, and the information provided should
not be considered comprehensive. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will
update this advisory as new information is available.
This joint cybersecurity advisory was written by CISA with contributions from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI).
CISA has recently observed advanced persistent threat (APT) actors exploiting multiple legacy
vulnerabilities in combination with a newer privilege escalation vulnerability—CVE-2020-1472—in
Windows Netlogon. The commonly used tactic, known as vulnerability chaining, exploits multiple
vulnerabilities in the course of a single intrusion to compromise a network or application.
This recent malicious activity has often, but not exclusively, been directed at federal and state, local,
tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government networks. Although it does not appear these targets are
being selected because of their proximity to elections information, there may be some risk to elections
information housed on government networks.
CISA is aware of some instances where this activity resulted in unauthorized access to elections
support systems; however, CISA has no evidence to date that integrity of elections data has been
compromised. There are steps that election officials, their supporting SLTT IT staff, and vendors can
take to help defend against this malicious cyber activity.
Some common tactics, techniques, and procedures used by APT actors include leveraging legacy
network access and virtual private network (VPN) vulnerabilities in association with the recent critical
To report suspicious or criminal activity related to information found in this Joint Cybersecurity Advisory, contact
your local FBI field office at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field, or the FBI’s 24/7 Cyber Watch (CyWatch) at
(855) 292-3937 or by e-mail at CyWatch@fbi.gov. When available, please include the following information
regarding the incident: date, time, and location of the incident; type of activity; number of people affected; type of
equipment used for the activity; the name of the submitting company or organization; and a designated point of
contact. To request incident response resources or technical assistance related to these threats, contact CISA at
Central@cisa.dhs.gov.
This document is marked TLP:WHITE. Disclosure is not limited. Sources may use TLP:WHITE when information
carries minimal or no foreseeable risk of misuse, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures for public
release. Subject to standard copyright rules, TLP:WHITE information may be distributed without restriction.
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CVE-2020-1472 Netlogon vulnerability. CISA is aware of multiple cases where the Fortinet FortiOS
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) VPN vulnerability CVE-2018-13379 has been exploited to gain access to
networks. To a lesser extent, CISA has also observed threat actors exploiting MobileIron vulnerability
CVE-2020-15505. While these exploits have been observed recently, this activity is ongoing and still
unfolding.
After gaining initial access, the actors exploit CVE-2020-1472 to compromise all Active Directory (AD)
identity services. Actors have then been observed using legitimate remote access tools, such as VPN
and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), to access the environment with the compromised credentials.
Observed activity targets multiple sectors, and is not limited to SLTT entities.
CISA recommends network staff and administrators review internet-facing infrastructure for these and
similar vulnerabilities that have or could be exploited to a similar effect, including Juniper CVE-2020-
1631, Pulse Secure CVE-2019-115101, Citrix NetScaler CVE-2019-197812, and Palo Alto Networks
CVE-2020-2021 (this list is not considered exhaustive).
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Initial Access
APT threat actors are actively leveraging legacy vulnerabilities in internet-facing infrastructure (Exploit
Public-Facing Application [T1190], External Remote Services [T1133]) to gain initial access into
systems. The APT actors appear to have predominately gained initial access via the Fortinet FortiOS
VPN vulnerability CVE-2018-13379.
Although not observed in this campaign, other vulnerabilities, listed below, could be used to gain
network access (as analysis is evolving, these listed vulnerabilities should not be considered
comprehensive). As a best practice, it is critical to patch all known vulnerabilities within internet-facing
infrastructure.
• Citrix NetScaler CVE-2020-19781
• MobileIron CVE-2020-15505
• Pulse Secure CVE-2019-11510
• Palo Alto Networks CVE-2020-2012
• F5 BIG-IP CVE-2020-5902
FortiGuard ForitOS SSL VPN CVE-2018-13379
CVE-2018-13379 is a path traversal vulnerability in the FortiOS SSL VPN web portal. An
unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to download FortiOS system files through
specially crafted HTTP resource requests.
MobileIron Core & Connector Vulnerability CVE-2020-15505
1 https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-010a
2 https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-031a
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CVE-2020-15505 is a remote code execution vulnerability in MobileIron Core & Connector versions
10.3 and earlier. This vulnerability allows an external attacker, with no privileges, to execute code of
their choice on the vulnerable system. As mobile device management (MDM) systems are critical to
configuration management for external devices, they are usually highly permissioned and make a
valuable target for threat actors.
Privilege Escalation
Post initial access, the APT actors use multiple techniques to expand access to the environment. The
actors are leveraging CVE-2020-1472 in Windows Netlogon to escalate privileges and obtain access
to Windows AD servers. Actors are also leveraging the opensource tools such as Mimikatz and the
CrackMapExec tool to obtain Valid Account [T1078] credentials from AD servers. Actors are also
leveraging the opensource tools such as Mimikatz and the CrackMapExec tool to obtain Valid
Account [T1078] credentials from AD servers.
Microsoft Netlogon Remote Protocol Vulnerability: CVE-2020-1472
CVE-2020-1472 is a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Netlogon Remote Protocol (MS-NRPC), a
core authentication component of Active Directory. This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated
attacker with network access to a domain controller to completely compromise all AD identity services
(Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts [T1078.002]). Malicious actors can leverage this vulnerability to
compromise other devices on the network (Lateral Movement [TA0008]).
Persistence
Once system access has been achieved, the APT actors use abuse of legitimate credentials (Valid
Account [T1078]) to log in via VPN or Remote Access Services [T1133] to maintain persistence.
MITIGATIONS
Organizations with externally facing infrastructure devices that have the vulnerabilities listed in this
joint cybersecurity advisory, or other vulnerabilities, should move forward with an “assume breach”
mentality. As initial exploitation and escalation may be the only observable exploitation activity, most
mitigations will need to focus on more traditional network hygiene and user management activities.
Keep Systems Up to Date
Patch systems and equipment promptly and diligently. Establishing and consistently maintaining a
thorough patching cycle continues to be the best defense against adversary TTPs. See table 1 for
patch information on CVEs mentioned in this report.
Table 1: Patch information for CVEs
Vulnerability Vulnerable Products Patch Information
CVE-2018-13379 • FortiOS 6.0 Fortiguard Security Advisory:
• FortiOS 5.6 FG-IR-18-384
• FortiOS 5.4
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Vulnerability Vulnerable Products Patch Information
CVE-2019-19781 • Citrix Application Delivery Citrix blog post: firmware
Controller updates for Citrix ADC and
• Citrix Gateway Citrix Gateway versions 11.1
• Citrix SDWAN WANOP and 12.0
Citrix blog post: security
updates for Citrix SD-WAN
WANOP release 10.2.6 and
11.0.3
Citrix blog post: firmware
updates for Citrix ADC and
Citrix Gateway versions 12.1
and 13.0
Citrix blog post: firmware
updates for Citrix ADC and
Citrix Gateway version 10.5
CVE-2020-5902 • Big-IP devices (LTM, AAM, F5 Security Advisory:
Advanced WAF, AFM, Analytics, K52145254: TMUI RCE
APM, ASM, DDHD, DNS, FPS, vulnerability CVE-2020-5902
GTM, Link Controller, PEM, SSLO,
CGNAT)
CVE-2020-11510 • Pulse Connect Secure 9.0R1 - Pulse Secure Out-of-Cycle
9.0R3.3, 8.3R1 - 8.3R7, 8.2R1 - Advisory: Multiple
8.2R12, 8.1R1 - 8.1R15 vulnerabilities resolved in
• Pulse Policy Secure 9.0R1 - Pulse Connect Secure / Pulse
9.0R3.1, 5.4R1 - 5.4R7, 5.3R1 -
Policy Secure 9.0RX
5.3R12, 5.2R1 - 5.2R12, 5.1R1 -
5.1R15
CVE-2020-15505 • MobileIron Core & Connector Mobile Iron Blog: MobileIron
versions 10.3.0.3 and earlier, Security Updates Available
10.4.0.0, 10.4.0.1, 10.4.0.2,
10.4.0.3, 10.5.1.0, 10.5.2.0 and
10.6.0.0
• Sentry versions 9.7.2 and earlier,
and 9.8.0;
• Monitor and Reporting Database
(RDB) version 2.0.0.1 and earlier
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Vulnerability Vulnerable Products Patch Information
CVE-2020-1631 • Junos OS 12.3, 12.3X48, 14.1X53, Juniper Security Advisory
15.1, 15.1X49, 15.1X53, 17.2, JSA11021
17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4,
19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 20.1
CVE-2020-2021 • PAN-OS 9.1 versions earlier than Palo Alto Networks Security
PAN-OS 9.1.3; PAN-OS 9.0 Advisory for CVE-2020-2021
versions earlier than PAN-OS
9.0.9; PAN-OS 8.1 versions earlier
than PAN-OS 8.1.15, and all
versions of PAN-OS 8.0 (EOL)
Microsoft Security Advisory for
CVE-2020-1472 • Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-
based Systems Service Pack 1 CVE-2020-1472
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-
based Systems Service Pack 1
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 (Server
Core installation)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019 (Server
Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1903
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 1909
(Server Core installation)
Windows Server, version 2004
(Server Core installation)
Comprehensive Account Resets
If there is an observation of CVE-2020-1472 Netlogon activity or other indications of valid credential
abuse detected, it should be assumed the APT actors have compromised AD administrative
accounts, the AD forest should not be fully trusted, and, therefore, a new forest should be deployed.
Existing hosts from the old compromised forest cannot be migrated in without being rebuilt and
rejoined to the new domain, but migration may be done through “creative destruction,” wherein as
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endpoints in the legacy forest are decommissioned, new ones can be built in the new forest. This will
need to be completed on on-premise as well as Azure hosted AD instances.
Note that fully resetting an AD forest is difficult and complex; it is best done with the assistance of
personnel who have successfully completed the task previously.
It is critical to perform a full password reset on all user and computer accounts in the AD forest. Use
the following steps as a guide.
1. Create a temporary administrator account, and use this account only for all administrative
actions
2. Reset the Kerberos Ticket Granting Ticket (krbtgt) password;3 this must be completed
before any additional actions and a second reset will take place in step 5
3. Wait for the krbtgt reset to propagate to all domain controllers (time may vary)
4. Reset all account passwords (passwords should be 15 characters or more and randomly
assigned):
a. User accounts (forced reset with no legacy password reuse)
b. Local accounts on hosts (including local accounts not covered by Local
Administrator Password Solution [LAPS])
c. Service accounts
d. Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) account
e. Domain Controller machine account
f. Application passwords
5. Reset the krbtgt password again
6. Wait for the krbtgt reset to propagate to all domain controllers (time may vary)
7. Reboot domain controllers
8. Reboot all endpoints
The following accounts should be reset:
• AD Kerberos Authentication Master (2x)
• All Active Directory Accounts
• All Active Directory Admin Accounts
• All Active Directory Service Accounts
• All Active Directory User Accounts
• DSRM Account on Domain Controllers
• Non-AD Privileged Application Accounts
• Non-AD Unprivileged Application Accounts
• Non-Windows Privileged Accounts
• Non-Windows User Accounts
• Windows Computer Accounts
3 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/ad-forest-recovery-resetting-the-krbtgt-password
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• Windows Local Admin
VPN Vulnerabilities
Implement the following recommendations to secure your organization’s VPNs:
• Update VPNs, network infrastructure devices, and devices being used to remote into work
environments with the latest software patches and security configurations. See CISA Tips
Understanding Patches and Securing Network Infrastructure Devices. Wherever possible,
enable automatic updates. See table 1 for patch information on VPN-related CVEs mentioned
in this report.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all VPN connections to increase
security. Physical security tokens are the most secure form of MFA, followed by authenticator
app-based MFA. SMS and email-based MFA should only be used when no other forms are
available. If MFA is not implemented, require teleworkers to use strong passwords. See CISA
Tips Choosing and Protecting Passwords and Supplementing Passwords for more
information.
Discontinue unused VPN servers. Reduce your organization’s attack surface by discontinuing
unused VPN servers, which may act as a point of entry for attackers. How to protect your organization
against VPN vulnerabilities:
• Audit configuration and patch management programs.
• Monitor network traffic for unexpected and unapproved protocols, especially outbound to the
internet (e.g., SSH, SMB, RDP).
• Implement MFA, especially for privileged accounts.
• Use separate administrative accounts on separate administration workstations.
• Keep software up to date. Enable automatic updates, if available.
To secure your organization’s Netlogon channel connections:
• Update all Domain Controllers and Read Only Domain Controllers. On August 11, 2020,
Microsoft released software updates to mitigate CVE-2020-1472. Applying this update to
domain controllers is currently the only mitigation to this vulnerability (aside from removing
affected domain controllers from the network).
• Monitor for new events, and address non-compliant devices that are using vulnerable
Netlogon secure channel connections.
• Block public access to potentially vulnerable ports, such as 445 (SMB) and 135 (RPC).
To protect your organization against this CVE, follow advice from Microsoft, including:
• Update your domain controllers with an update released August 11, 2020 or later.
• Find which devices are making vulnerable connections by monitoring event logs.
• Address non-compliant devices making vulnerable connections.
• Enable enforcement mode to address CVE-2020-1472 in your environment.
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How to uncover and mitigate malicious activity
• Collect and remove for further analysis:
o Relevant artifacts, logs, and data
• Implement mitigation steps that avoid tipping off the adversary that their presence in the
network has been discovered.
• Consider soliciting incident response support from a third-party IT security organization to:
o Provide subject matter expertise and technical support to the incident response,
o Ensure that the actor is eradicated from the network, and
o Avoid residual issues that could result in follow-up compromises once the incident is
closed
RESOURCES
• CISA VPN-Related Guidance
• CISA Infographic: Risk Vulnerability And Assessment (RVA) Mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK
FRAMEWORK
• National Security Agency InfoSheet: Configuring IPsec Virtual Private Networks
• CISA Joint Advisory: AA20-245A: Technical Approaches to Uncovering and Remediating
Malicious Activity
• CISA Activity Alert: AA20-073A: Enterprise VPN Security
• CISA Activity Alert: AA20-031A: Detecting Citrix CVE-2019-19781
• CISA Activity Alert: AA20-010A: Continued Exploitation of Pulse Secure VPN Vulnerability
• Cybersecurity Alerts and Advisories: Subscriptions to CISA Alerts and MS-ISAC Advisories
CONTACT INFORMATION
Recipients of this report are encouraged to contribute any additional information that they may have
related to this threat.
For any questions related to this report or to report an intrusion and request resources for incident
response or technical assistance, please contact:
• CISA (888-282-0870 or Central@cisa.dhs.gov), or
• The FBI through the FBI Cyber Division (855-292-3937 or CyWatch@fbi.gov) or a local field
office.
FEEDBACK
CISA strives to make this report a valuable tool for our partners and welcomes feedback on how this
publication could be improved. You can help by answering a few short questions about this report at
the following URL: https://www.us-cert.gov/forms/feedback.
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