Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Google Says Criminals Used AI to Discover and Code ExploitA cybercriminal group came close to launching a mass attack earlier this year, armed with a software exploit that an AI model had built from scratch, said Google researchers. Google said it worked with the affected vendor to patch the flaw before an attack could be launched.

Vendor Details Mitigations, Promises Patched PAN-OS Software in Coming WeeksPalo Alto Networks warned that a critical vulnerability in the PAN-OS software that runs its firewalls is being actively exploited in the wild by attackers. The vendor detailed temporary mitigations and promised to release updated software to fully patch the flaw later this month.

Vendor Issues Hotfix for Critical Flaw in FortiClient Endpoint Management ServerFortinet's endpoint management security server software is under fire from attackers, who are actively targeting two critical flaws, including a fresh zero-day that facilitates unauthenticated remote code or command execution. The vendor has issued a hotfix and promised a full patch.

Police Fanned Out Early Sunday Brandishing an Advisory of a CVSS 10 VulnerabilityPolice officers across Germany roused corporate IT administrators during the early hours of Sunday morning. Their message to bleary-eyed admins was to immediately patch a critical vulnerability in popular product lifecycle management software from U.S. vendor PTC.

Vendor Ships Emergency Fixes, Warning Flaw Facilitates Full System CompromiseAttackers are targeting a zero-day vulnerability in Cisco's Unified Communications and Webex products that facilitates remote code execution and root-level access to the underlying operating system, risking full system compromise. Cisco has released patches, warning that no workarounds exist.

Also: China-Linked APT Hijack Updates, Condé Nast Data Leaked, La Poste HitThis week, a Clop-linked vendor breach hit Korean Air, a China-linked APT hijacked software updates, a critical zero-day flaw remained unpatched, Condé Nast faced a data leak, La Poste was disrupted and Korean police extradited a malware operation suspect.

Also: npm Packages Infiltrated, FBI Issues Fraud Alert, Campbell's Soup Cans CISOThis week, a recently fixed Oracle flaw is being actively exploited, Shelly tackled Pro 4PM DoS bug, "Shai-Hulud 2.0" hit npm, the FBI warned of rising bank account takeover scams, regulators fined Comcast over a vendor breach, Iberia reported a supplier incident and Campbell's canned its CISO.

Experts Detail Upsides of Bug Bounties and Getting Devices Into Researchers' HandsAs fresh vulnerabilities in hardware keep coming to light, one question remains: What vendors can do to better prevent, identify and eradiate flaws? One shortlist offered by veteran hardware hackers centered on the upsides of engagement, including bug bounty programs.

Security Experts Advise Immediate Patching; Zero-Day Attacks Began Last MonthAffiliates of Russian-speaking ransomware operation Medusa began targeting a zero-day vulnerability in widely used Fortra GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer software one week before the vendor issued a security alert, patch and mitigation instructions for the flaw, say security experts.

Cierant Corp. Says Cleo MFT Zero-Day Exploit Compromised Health Plan Client DataA Connecticut-based firm that provides print and electronic document management services to health plans has reported to regulators that an exploit of a vulnerability in file transfer software from third-party vendor Cleo has resulted in a health data compromise affecting nearly 233,000 people.

Many SonicWall Firewalls Are Unsupported or Lack Patches for Known VulnerabilitiesThousands of SonicWall network security devices remain exposed with critical security flaws, including 20,000 running outdated firmware that no longer receives vendor support. Despite patches available for some of these flaws, many organizations continue to run the outdated firmware.

Firewall Vendor Warns Attackers Using Valid Credentials They Previously StoleAttackers wielding an emerging strain of ransomware called Helldown have been gaining a foothold in victims' networks by exploiting a previously unknown flaw in their Zyxel firewalls, security researchers warn. Zyxel has warned attackers may be using valid credentials they previously stole.

No Patch Yet; Management Interface Lockdown Blunts Attacks, Networking Giant SaysAttackers are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in some types of Palo Alto Networks firewalls, the cybersecurity giant warned. While details of the flaw remain scant - no patch is available - the vendor urged customers to ensure their firewall management interfaces are not internet-exposed.

Company Addresses Flaws in End-of-Life NAS DevicesNetworking solutions vendor Zyxel fixed critical vulnerabilities in end-of-life network-attached storage devices that allow remote code execution. It left two vulnerabilities allowing attacks by authenticated local attackers unpatched.