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Bypassing Airport Security via SQL Injection
PLUS: BTS of Firefox's Lightning-Fast Response to In-the-Wild Exploit
Meghanadh Vasireddy
October 14, 2024
In partnership with
Good Morning! There is some wild cybersecurity news: a SQL injection vulnerability in the Known Crewmember system could've let anyone waltz past airport security and into airplane cockpits. In another corner of the tech world, Mozilla's Firefox team showed off their lightning-fast skills by patching a critical exploit in just 25 hours. And last but not least, a 15-year-old hacker schooled Zendesk on security, uncovering a major flaw they initially brushed off.
Bypassing Airport Security via SQL Injection
Ever wonder how pilots and flight attendants breeze through airport security? They use a system called Known Crewmember (KCM). But what if this system had a gaping security hole? That's exactly what security researchers Ian Carroll and Sam Curry uncovered in a recent investigation.
The duo found a SQL injection vulnerability in FlyCASS, a web-based interface used by smaller airlines to manage KCM and Cockpit Access Security System (CASS) authorizations. By exploiting this flaw, they were able to:
Login as an administrator for Air Transport International
Add fictitious employees to the KCM and CASS systems
Potentially bypass security screening and access airplane cockpits
The vulnerability was embarrassingly simple – a classic case of unsanitized user input. By inputting a single quote in the username field, the researchers triggered a MySQL error, revealing the underlying injection point. From there, they used the tried-and-true ' or '1'='1 technique to gain admin access.
The Aftermath: While the Department of Homeland Security initially took the disclosure seriously, the response became murky. The TSA issued statements that the researchers claim are incorrect, and communication broke down. The vulnerability has since been patched, but questions remain about the overall security of these critical systems.
Read More Here
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BTS of Firefox's Lightning-Fast Response to In-the-Wild Exploit
In the ever-evolving landscape of browser security, Mozilla's Firefox team recently showcased their prowess in rapid threat response. On October 11, 2024, the team received an alert about a Firefox exploit detected in the wild, setting off a race against time to protect users.
Mozilla's security experts sprang into action, tackling the threat head-on:
Exploit analysis and fix deployment in just 25 hours
Collaboration with ESET, highlighting the importance of industry partnerships
Swift convening of a cross-functional team to reverse engineer the exploit
Tech Deep Dive: The exploit chain, capable of remote code execution, required intense reverse engineering. Unlike controlled environments like pwn2own contests, this real-world scenario demanded quick thinking and adaptability. The team's previous experience in rapid patching (21 hours at pwn2own 2024) proved invaluable.
While the immediate threat is neutralized, Mozilla's work isn't done. The team is now focused on:
Implementing additional hardening measures
Analyzing the exploit for future preventative strategies
Read More Here
Zendesk's $50,000 Oversight: How a 15-Year-Old Hacker Exposed a Major Security Flaw
Zendesk, the customer service platform used by countless Fortune 500 companies, recently found itself in hot water. A teenage hacker uncovered a significant vulnerability that could have compromised hundreds of corporate Slack workspaces. The kicker? Zendesk initially dismissed the report as "out of scope."
Our young bug hunter discovered that Zendesk's email collaboration feature lacked proper safeguards against email spoofing. This oversight allowed potential attackers to:
Join any ongoing support conversation
Access sensitive ticket information
Potentially infiltrate connected Slack workspaces
The Fallout: After Zendesk's initial rejection, the researcher took matters into his own hands. He alerted affected companies directly, racking up over $50,000 in bug bounties. This move forced Zendesk to acknowledge the issue, but they took two months to implement a fix.
The Silver Lining: While Zendesk's response was less than stellar, this incident highlights the value of independent security research. It's a reminder that sometimes, the fresh perspective of a 15-year-old can spot what teams of professionals might miss.
Read More Here
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