In a shocking revelation, technology giant Cisco Systems announced that hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in its digital security devices to breach government networks worldwide. The company disclosed in a blog post that its Adaptive Security Appliances were targeted by a group of hackers identified as “UAT4356,” described as a sophisticated state-sponsored actor.
Cisco’s investigation uncovered government networks globally that had fallen victim to the cyber attack. The company promptly patched the vulnerabilities but urged customers to update their software immediately to prevent further breaches. The breaches were said to have occurred earlier this year, although specific details were not provided.
Security experts have noted that hackers are increasingly targeting edge devices like routers, which are located at the perimeter of a network and are harder to monitor. Cisco also warned that the UAT4356 hackers may be looking to target network devices from other vendors, including Microsoft.
While Microsoft has not yet responded to the situation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) stated that there is no evidence of the activity affecting U.S. government networks at present. However, CISA issued an alert regarding the Cisco vulnerabilities to raise awareness among users.
The news of this cyber breach serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat posed by cyber attackers, especially to critical infrastructure and government networks. It underscores the importance of staying vigilant and updating security measures to safeguard against such malicious activities.