- Mycomputerspot Security Newsletter
- Posts
- Fail-Safe Friday - Executive Action Brief
In partnership with
In the last 72 hours, three signals stand out: (1) state-backed persistence on virtualization—a multi-agency advisory details BRICKSTORM backdoors operating across VMware vSphere; (2) mobile zero-days - Google’s December Android bulletin fixes two actively exploited flaws; and (3) exploit velocity - CISA added fresh KEV items on Dec 2–3.
Weekend priorities: hunt + evict on vSphere, force mobile patch rollouts, and close KEV gaps with attestation.
This newsletter you couldn’t wait to open? It runs on beehiiv — the absolute best platform for email newsletters.
Our editor makes your content look like Picasso in the inbox. Your website? Beautiful and ready to capture subscribers on day one.
And when it’s time to monetize, you don’t need to duct-tape a dozen tools together. Paid subscriptions, referrals, and a (super easy-to-use) global ad network — it’s all built in.
beehiiv isn’t just the best choice. It’s the only choice that makes sense.
Top-level takeaways this week:
Virtualization & Identity Adjacent ↑ — Hypervisor-layer persistence (BRICKSTORM) raises blast radius across identity, storage, and backups.
Exploit & Zero-Day Velocity ↑ — Android bulletin confirms two in-the-wild zero-days; patch windows compress.
Compliance & Assurance ↑ — Two KEV rounds in three days push KEV-tracker governance and evidence collection to the forefront.
1) BRICKSTORM backdoor targeting VMware vSphere – High
What changed: A joint CISA/NSA/CSE advisory with a Malware Analysis Report details long-term persistence in vSphere environments; independent news coverage underscores potential sabotage risk.
Why this matters: Hypervisor footholds enable credential theft, VM cloning, and stealthy east-west moves that bypass traditional endpoint controls.
2) Android December bulletin fixes two zero-days – High
What changed: Google published the Android Security Bulletin - December 2025 (updated Dec 4) and the Pixel Update Bulletin, confirming actively exploited flaws and patch levels 2025-12-05.
Why this matters: Mobile device compromise undermines MFA, SSO tokens, and executive communications; stale handsets become high-value pivots.
3) Microsoft Edge tracking Chromium fixes – Medium-High
What changed: Microsoft posted Edge security release notes on Dec 2, acknowledging incoming Chromium fixes; verify auto-update enforcement and version parity with Chrome.
Why this matters: Misaligned browser versions create session-theft risk and widen phish-to-persistence chains.
4) CISA KEV cadence: additions on Dec 2–3 – Medium
What changed: CISA announced two KEV additions (Dec 2) and one KEV addition (Dec 3).
Why this matters: KEV listings signal operationalized exploitation; unpatched assets now carry technical and compliance risk.
Stage | Vector | What We’re Seeing |
|---|---|---|
Initial Access | Virtualization & Mgmt Planes | BRICKSTORM emphasizes hypervisor/VM admin targeting and credential harvesting. |
Privilege & Persistence | Token/session & control-plane abuse | Browser/mobile deltas → token theft; vSphere persistence via startup scripts & services. |
Impact | Data interception & takeover | Control of vCenter/ESXi plus stale mobile fleets enables exfiltration and covert staging. |
Don’t get SaaD. Get Rippling.
Software sprawl is draining your team’s time, money, and sanity. Our State of Software Sprawl report exposes the true cost of “Software as a Disservice” and why unified systems are the future.
🔄 Patch & Hardening
vSphere/VMware: Validate builds, SSO, and access; rotate service accounts, inspect ESXi startup scripts, and restrict mgmt planes (VPN/JIT, allow-lists).
Android/Pixel: Enforce 2025-12-05 patch level; block corporate access for devices below baseline; require Play Protect and device attestation.
Browsers: Confirm Chrome/Edge version parity; enforce auto-update, block legacy builds at proxies/EPP.
KEV governance: Map Dec 2–3 items to asset owners; update remediation evidence (ticket links, screenshots, hashes).
🧑💻 People & Monitoring
Virtualization: Alert on new vCenter admin principals, VM clones/snapshots outside change windows, and shell/SSH to ESXi.
Mobile: Detect unusual OAuth refresh, risky device posture, and rare ASN logins after handset updates.
Browsers: Hunt for sudden cookie reuse from uncommon IP/UA post-crash or post-update.
📋 Process
Freeze non-essential hypervisor and gateway changes through Monday.
Run a 30-minute tabletop: “vSphere persistence → token theft → data exfil via SaaS.”
🤝 Partners
MSPs: attest to vSphere hardening and browser patch enforcement.
MDM owners: provide fleet-level Android patch compliance; quarantine non-compliant devices.
vSphere persistence: Watch for /etc/rc.local.d or cron changes; alert on ESXi hostd/vpxa restarts plus unexpected SCP transfers.
Token theft: Sequence of browser crash → new session from rare ASN without interactive MFA.
Mobile exploit trail: New device build + sudden API scope expansion from mobile UAs; correlate with MDM non-compliance.
Overall: High for virtualization-layer persistence and identity-adjacent token theft; Medium-High for mobile-borne access on stale devices; Medium for lagging KEV items.
Hypervisors are crown jewels: Govern vSphere like domain controllers.
Mobile zero-days break assumptions: Treat handset patching as a gate to sensitive apps.
KEV = compliance + security: Close gaps and attest with evidence.
🔄 Verify: vSphere admin access, startup scripts, and network exposure are constrained and monitored.
📊 Validate: Android/Pixel devices meet 2025-12-05; block non-compliant devices from SSO.
💼 Confirm: Browser versions are current and updates enforced; exceptions are documented.
🔹 Rehearse: Monday tabletop: “vSphere backdoor → SSO token theft → SaaS exfil.”
Final Insight: Your quiet weekend hinges on three controls: lock the hypervisor, force mobile patches, and prove KEV closure.
Turn AI into Your Income Engine
Ready to transform artificial intelligence from a buzzword into your personal revenue generator
HubSpot’s groundbreaking guide "200+ AI-Powered Income Ideas" is your gateway to financial innovation in the digital age.
Inside you'll discover:
A curated collection of 200+ profitable opportunities spanning content creation, e-commerce, gaming, and emerging digital markets—each vetted for real-world potential
Step-by-step implementation guides designed for beginners, making AI accessible regardless of your technical background
Cutting-edge strategies aligned with current market trends, ensuring your ventures stay ahead of the curve
Download your guide today and unlock a future where artificial intelligence powers your success. Your next income stream is waiting.