Blog

Target: IT (Elementary)

Tags: Isolation, Safe Workspace^®, Safe Browser, Zero-day, Safe Browser, Protection By Containment™

Recent cyberattacks have compromised over 6,000 WordPress sites using rogue plugins to install information stealers. These plugins quietly collect sensitive data from visitors, highlighting
how easily even trusted sites can become threats. This alarming trend indicates that traditional security solutions are insufficient, especially as threats evolve. The GoDaddy Security team discovered this attack [2] and is now tracked under the new threat, ClickFix.

Detection Is not Enough

As web browsers increasingly become prime targets for attackers, vulnerabilities are exploited in new and complex ways [3], steadily increasing browser-based threats.
Detection-based solutions struggle to keep up with these evolving attacks because they rely on identifying known patterns and signatures that sophisticated exploits can easily bypass.
Moreover, browsers frequently release updates to patch newly discovered vulnerabilities. While regularly updating the browser and implementing attack detection measures helps, it
does not limit the attackers’ new capabilities. Therefore, a different approach is needed. Application isolation is a powerful method for reducing threat exposure by confining web interactions within a secure, contained environment. When a user accesses a potentially compromised site, application isolation can prevent malicious scripts and plugins from interacting with the rest
of the system. This effectively traps threats before they can cause damage, blocking malware from infiltrating beyond the browser.

Protection By Containment™ Technology

The BUFFERZONE® Safe Workspace® is a comprehensive security suite designed to protect endpoints through BUFFERZONE®’s patented Protection By Containment™ isolation technology. Unlike traditional virtual machines, it creates a lightweight, isolated environment for running applications with minimal resource consumption and intuitive user experience.
This suite effectively safeguards against prominent endpoint attack vectors and includes several key components: Safe Browser, which secures web browsing and file downloads;
SafeBridge®, a zero-trust file security solution that uses Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) to neutralize evasive malware; Safe Removables, which isolates USBs, CDs, and DVDs, allowing files and media to be viewed and edited within a secure container; and Safe Mail, a Microsoft Outlook plugin that applies CDR to emails, enabling safe opening of links and attachments within the virtual container.

If users visit a compromised WordPress site, such as in a  ClickFix attack, the BUFFERZONE® Safe Browser’s containment solution confines any malware within the container, preventing
it from accessing sensitive data outside the isolated environment.

In today’s threat landscape, where even reputable websites are frequent targets of mass hacks, application isolation and advanced solutions like BUFFERZONE® Safe Browser are essential
for proactive cybersecurity. As hackers increasingly exploit plugins to distribute infostealers, robust prevention measures are crucial to shield individuals and organizations from the escalating
risk of data breaches.

Conclusion

In an era where cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever, relying on outdated methods is a recipe for disaster. Organizations can create a resilient defense against external threats
based on containment technology and keep their IT safe. This prevention approach, grounded in Zero Trust principles, offers a proactive way to mitigate risk and ensure the highest level
of security. So, stop worrying about browsing attacks and start isolating—your digital assets depend on it.

References

[1] Lawrence Abrams, Over 6,000 WordPress sites hacked to install plugins pushing infostealers, https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-6-000-wordpress-sites-hacked-to-install-plugins-pushing-infostealers/

[2] Denis Sinegubko, Threat Actors Push ClickFix Fake Browser Updates Using Stolen Credentials, https://www.godaddy.com/resources/news/threat-actors-push-clickfix-fake-browser-updates-using-stolen-credentials

[3] BUFFERZONE, Stop Worrying and Start Isolating – 4th Zero-Day Exploit Discovered in May 2024, https://bufferzonesecurity.com/stop-worrying-and-start-isolating-4th-zero-day-exploit-discovered-in-may-2024/