Source URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/02/12/cisa-and-fbi-warn-malicious-cyber-actors-using-buffer-overflow-vulnerabilities-compromise-software
Source: Alerts
Title: CISA and FBI Warn of Malicious Cyber Actors Using Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities to Compromise Software
Feedly Summary: CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have released a Secure by Design Alert, Eliminating Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities, as part of their cooperative Secure by Design Alert series—an ongoing series aimed at advancing industry-wide best practices to eliminate entire classes of vulnerabilities during the design and development phases of the product lifecycle. “Eliminating Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities” describes proven techniques to prevent or mitigate buffer overflow vulnerabilities through secure by design principles and best practices.
Buffer overflow vulnerabilities are a prevalent type of defect in memory-safe software design that can lead to system compromise. These vulnerabilities can lead to data corruption, sensitive data exposure, program crashes, and unauthorized code execution. Threat actors frequently exploit these vulnerabilities to gain initial access to an organization’s network and then move laterally to the wider network.
CISA and FBI urge manufacturers review the Alert and, where feasible, eliminate this class of defect by developing new software using memory-safe languages, using secure by design methods, and implementing the best practices supplied in this Alert. CISA and FBI also urge software customers demand secure products from manufacturers that include these preventions. Visit CISA’s Secure by Design Pledge page to learn about our voluntary pledge, which focuses on enterprise software products and services—including on-premises software, cloud services, and software as a service (SaaS).
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The recent alert by CISA and the FBI emphasizes the critical need for secure by design practices to eliminate buffer overflow vulnerabilities in software development. This communication is pivotal for software security professionals and organizations in the field as it outlines actionable steps to enhance security during the product lifecycle.
Detailed Description: This alert falls under the categories of Information Security and Software Security, as it details significant vulnerabilities that impact software design and development. The report, titled “Eliminating Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities,” serves as a directive to both manufacturers and software customers, urging them to adopt more secure approaches.
Key Points:
– **Secure by Design Principles**: The alert is part of a broader initiative by CISA and the FBI to enhance security standards across industries.
– **Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities**: These vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences such as:
– Data corruption
– Exposure of sensitive information
– System crashes
– Unauthorized execution of code
– **Exploitation Risks**: Cyber attackers often exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, allowing them to navigate laterally within an organization’s network.
– **Recommendations for Manufacturers**:
– Review the alert’s guidelines.
– Develop new software using memory-safe programming languages.
– Implement secure by design methods and best practices.
– **Action for Customers**: Software purchasers are encouraged to demand that manufacturers adopt these secure development practices and utilize memory-safe languages.
– **Call to Action**: CISA promotes a Secure by Design Pledge aimed at ensuring that enterprise software products—spanning on-premises applications, cloud services, and SaaS—are developed with security in mind.
This alert emphasizes the importance of proactive measures in software development to preemptively address vulnerabilities that could be exploited, reinforcing the foundational principles of secure software design and the necessity for compliance in software security practices.