Mandiant has identified a novel method to bypass browser isolation technology and achieve command-and-control operations through QR codes. Browser isolation is an increasingly popular security technology that routes all local web browser requests through remote web browsers hosted in a cloud environment or virtual machines. Any scripts or content on the visited web page is executed on the remote browser rather than the local one. The rendered pixel stream of the page is then sent back to the local browser that made the original request, only displaying what the page looks like and protecting the local device from any malicious code. Many command and control servers utilize HTTP for communication, causing remote browser isolation to filter the malicious traffic and making these communication models ineffective. The new technique by Mandiant attempts to bypass these restrictions, and though it has some practical limitations, it demonstrates that existing security protections in browsers are far from perfect, calling for "defense in depth" strategies that combine additional measures. Background on C2s and browser isolation C2 channels enable malicious communications between attackers and compromised systems, giving remote actors control over the breached device and the ability to execute commands, exfiltrate data, and more. Because browsers constantly interact with external servers by design, isolation measures are activated to prevent attackers from accessing sensitive data on the underlying system in security-critical environments. This is achieved by running the browser in a separate sandboxed environment hosted on the cloud, a local virtual machine, or on-premises. When isolation is active, the isolated browser handles incoming HTTP requests, and only the visual content of the page is streamed to the local browser, meaning that scripts or commands in the HTTP response never reach the target. This blocks attackers from directly accessing the HTTP responses or injecting malicious commands into the browser, making covert C2 communications more difficult. Mandiant's bypass trick Mandiant researchers have devised a new technique that can bypass existing isolation mechanisms in modern browsers. Instead of embedding commands in HTTP responses, the attacker encodes them in a QR code displayed visually on a webpage. As the visual rendering of a webpage is not stripped during browser isolation requests, the QR codes are able to make it back to the client initiating the request. In Mandiant's study, the "victim's" local browser is a headless client controlled by malware that has previously infected the device, which captures the retrieved QR code and decodes it to get the instructions. Mandiant's proof-of-concept demonstrates the attack on the latest Google Chrome web browser, integrating the implant through Cobalt Strike's External C2 feature, a widely abused pen-testing kit. Not perfect While the PoC shows the attack is feasible, the technique isn't flawless, especially considering real-world applicability. First, the data stream is limited to a maximum of 2,189 bytes, which is roughly 74% of the maximum data QR codes can carry, and the packets need to drop in size even more if there are issues reading the QR codes on the malware's interpreter. Second, latency needs to be taken into account, as each request takes approximately 5 seconds. This limits the data transfer rates to about 438 bytes/sec, so the technique is not suitable for sending large payloads or facilitating SOCKS proxying. Finally, Mandiant says its study did not consider additional security measures like domain reputation, URL scanning, data loss prevention, and request heuristics, that may, in some cases, block this attack or render it ineffective. Although Mandiant's QR-code-based C2 technique is low bandwidth, it could still be dangerous if not blocked. Therefore, admins in critical environments are recommended to monitor for abnormal traffic and headless browsers operating in automation mode.In this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we look at Recall arriving to more devices in the latest Windows 11 preview build, Microsoft reiterating the importance of TPM 2.0 for modern computers, Windows 11 version 24H2 arriving to more users, some new known bugs, app updates, and more. Table of contents: Here we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And of course, you may find a word or two about older but still supported versions. December is here, which means it is time to take a look at the latest stats from Statcounter and Valve. in November 2024, while its gaming audience . As for browsers, while Chrome increased its market share. This week, Microsoft published a blog post to detail the importance of the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 requirement in Windows 11. Besides highlighting its features and capabilities, Microsoft stressed that , so do not expect the company to lower Windows 11 hardware requirements. Still, some users found that "officially." In a separate post, Microsoft detailed for compatible Surface devices running Windows 11 version 24H2, which is . Microsoft also published several new support documents, some of which are quite interesting. For one, the company described backup options available to Windows 10 and 11, and one of those options is , which even Microsoft does not recommend using (in other support articles). Another document how to fix issues with Windows 11 using Windows Update. Although Windows 11 24H2 is now available to more customers, the operating system still has a pretty hefty list of known issues. this week, warning users that Outlook might fail to start if Google Workspace Sync is installed. Fortunately, there is a workaround for the problem. On the bright side, preventing gamers from updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 due to incompatibility with certain Ubisoft games. The list of available Copilot+ PCs with ARM processors will soon expand to a new device category. GEEKOM, a popular maker of mini PC, is with a Snapdragon X Elite processor inside. Microsoft is also working on new Copilot+ PCs. A new report emerged and the upcoming devices, like Intel-powered Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, a Copilot+ PC Surface Laptop Studio, and even an 11-inch Surface tablet with "premium materials" and a Snapdragon processor. Sadly, what Microsoft is not working on is apparently the successor to the Surface Studio 2 Plus, which is now killed. The company that its largest consumer computer is no longer in production. If you want one, act fast while stock lasts. Microsoft returned from the Thanksgiving break with a bunch of new Windows 11 preview builds: Some interesting findings in recent Windows 11 preview builds include the ability to and : In addition to new builds, Microsoft released . The latest version makes it easier to update Win32 apps that are "provided and updated" outside the store. The release joined a big list of other improvements and new features that Microsoft implemented in 2024. . This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties. Copilot Vision, a feature that was announced in October 2024, for Copilot Pro users. Microsoft describes Vision as an extra pair of eyes and an assistant that can provide you with additional information about something you are currently browsing. As of right now, Copilot VIsion is only available on a limited set of websites and for a limited set of users in the United States. Microsoft Edge is infamous for aggressively attempting to remain the default browser on Windows, so . In the latest Firefox beta releases, developers implemented a new mechanism to make Firefox the default browser, so watch out. As for Microsoft Edge, version 132 in the Beta Channel . In the Dev Channel, with various improvements and fixes. Other notable updates include the following: . And here are the newest drivers released this week: Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts and more. Playground Games released a new content update. " " brought new high-performance cards, "extreme experiences" on the map, holiday props, and other content. In addition, there are several important fixes and improvements. By the way, you still have a few days to purchase the previous entry, before the delisting on December 15. Hurry up! is also getting a new update. While its details are not revealed yet, Turn10 Studios confirmed that the update will introduce on compatible hardware. Mojang released with a new eery biome, a new hostile mob (the Creaking), and other changes. The update is now available across platforms for and Microsoft announced for Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers. During this month, subscribers will be able to play and more. Speaking of the biggest launch in December 2024, you can check out ahead of the global launch on December 9 (Bethesda confirmed ). Spoiler alert: they are quite hefty. With 2024 going into the sunset, many services and companies are offering their customers yearly recaps with interesting stats and data. , giving gamers a way to recap their year of gaming with a personalized look at stats and achievements. and . You can grab these games for free until the next Thursday. If you play on Xbox, look out for the upcoming that will let you play over 35 indie games for free next week. As usual, you can find more deals and specials . Other gaming stories include the following: . . . . Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need. will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by , or optionally , along with an option of an ad-free tier.At first glance, President-elect Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees are an odd list of ideologues and eccentrics chosen for political loyalty more than any substantive qualifications. But a more important and potentially dangerous factor ties their nominations together: They are foot soldiers in a power grab that, if it succeeds, would weaken the institutional guardrails that limit the president’s powers and concentrate more authority in Trump’s hands. Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host who could become defense secretary, has proposed purging military officers he sees as too committed to diversity, including Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “The Pentagon likes to say our diversity is our strength,” Hegseth said in June. “What a bunch of garbage.” (“Pete’s a leader,” former Trump aide Steve Bannon said. “He’s kind of a madman — but hey, you need that.”) Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who as director of national intelligence would oversee the CIA and 17 other agencies, has criticized the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine so fervently that a Russian state television host once called her “our girlfriend.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine activist who is Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services, has said he wants to fire hundreds of senior officials in the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health on “day one.” Trump has encouraged him to “go wild.” Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, didn’t last long. He withdrew his name from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz had promised to purge the Justice Department and FBI of anyone who might get in the president’s way. Their pledges are all in keeping with Trump’s broader promise to dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy and bring what remains under his personal control. During his first term, Trump often expressed frustration at the legal and political limits on what he could do as president. In 2018, he expressed an expansive view of his powers under the Constitution: “I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want.” But in practice, he found himself hemmed in by experienced Cabinet officials, White House lawyers and military officers, some of whom dubbed themselves “the adults in the room.” His attorneys general, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, quietly sidelined his demands that they prosecute Hillary Clinton and other top Democrats. His last defense secretary, Mark Esper, resisted his proposal to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy active-duty troops against demonstrators in Washington and other cities. So it’s no surprise that he wants to bring those national security agencies to heel. But Trump’s plans to expand his personal authority extend much further. He has vowed to weaken civil service rules that protect federal bureaucrats from being fired if they disagree with their bosses’ decisions. “We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the president,” he said last year, adding: “I will wield that power very aggressively.” Trump also has proposed weakening Congress’ power to direct spending. He plans to revive the practice of “impounding” funds — blocking agencies from spending money that Congress has appropriated for programs he doesn’t like. A 1974 law made impoundment illegal, but Trump has suggested he will ignore the prohibition and challenge it in court. And Trump warned the Senate that if it refuses to confirm any of his Cabinet nominees, he may put them in office anyway — by using “recess appointments,” which allow a president to fill top jobs when Congress isn’t in session. And if the Congress doesn’t recess, Trump threatened to adjourn both chambers under a presidential power laid out in the Constitution for “extraordinary occasions.” That makes it all the more important that Republicans in the Senate preserve their constitutional powers, subject Trump’s nominees to searching scrutiny and reject any that are unqualified, dangerous or both. They will help determine whether Trump can undo the checks and balances the Founders wrote into the Constitution and turn the executive branch into an instrument of a would-be autocrat’s will. McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Jets officially eliminated from playoff contention after losing to Dolphins in OT
NFL Week 14 big questions and takeaways: Vikings keep rolling, Eagles hang on
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The mood in the Eagles' locker room was a bit more bleak than it should have been for a team riding a nine-game winning streak and celebrating a franchise rushing record. Former 1,000-yard receiver DeVonta Smith — who caught a touchdown pass and not much else — was exasperated at the offensive no-show. A.J. Brown, who holds a slew of team receiving records, had as much to offer in his sour postgame interview as he did on the field when he was held to four catches. This was the sullen attitude of a team still in the hunt for a top seed in the NFC? Here's the good news for the Philadelphia: Saquon Barkley rushed for 124 yards to break the Eagles season record , and Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in Sunday's 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers. Barkley's consistent brilliance aside, Hurts and the Eagles slogged through another rough offensive outing. “Everybody has a reason to want more,” Hurts said. The Eagles (11-2) maintained their position as the No. 2 team in the NFC, behind Detroit (12-1), after a mostly lethargic effort against the Panthers (3-10). Hurts’ passing numbers were a pedestrian 14 of 21 for 108 yards. Brown had four catches for 43 yards — and threw his helmet in anger after a three-and-out — and Smith had four catches for 37 yards. What do the Eagles need to improve on? “Passing,” Brown deadpanned. How tough was it for the receivers to find a rhythm? “Incredibly tough,” he said. Hurts didn't do enough to get Smith and Brown involved, one reason why the lowly Panthers stayed in striking distance until the final possession. He took four sacks. He held the ball too long as open receivers ran with their arms up trying to get their QB's attention. “I play my role in how we execute,” Hurts said. “But ultimately it's about what position we put ourselves in. It's not my choice.” That message will surely reverberate through coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's offices this week. “I think that’s fair that the questions are about our pass game right now,” Sirianni said. The Eagles at least had Barkley to bail them out. Barkley added another milestone in his MVP push when he used a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter to surpass LeSean McCoy's Eagles record of 1,607 yards, set in 2013. Barkley now has 1,623 yards with four games left. “How cool is it that we have a team rushing record in Week 13?” Sirianni said. Hurts had flashes of form, like when he hit Grant Calcaterra with a 4-yard TD pass and Barkley ran in the 2-point conversion for a 22-16 lead early in the fourth. Bryce Young gamely moved the Panthers into Eagles territory on the final drive. He completed a 13-yard pass on fourth down that moved the ball to the 38, and a second-down pass to Xavier Legette gave the Eagles a brief scare when the receiver seemed to have the ball in the end zone. He didn't. Young eluded a pass rush on fourth down but his final attempt was incomplete. He finished 19 of 34 for 191 yards. Panthers coach Dave Canales said Legette “absolutely” had to make the catch. “That’s a big play we’re counting on. He’d be the first one to tell you he’s got to make that play,” Canales said. “Bryce steps up, makes a beautiful throw in the situation. We had the coverage we wanted, all that. Those are the plays that we’ve just got to find a way to make for us to get back on the winning column.” A 12 1/2-point underdog according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Panthers played more like a team with playoff seeding at stake. Chuba Hubbard, who rushed for 92 yards and topped 1,000 on the season, made it 16-14 on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Eddy Pineiro, who kicked a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter, missed the extra point. Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was examined earlier for a concussion, changed the game late in the second quarter when he picked off Young’s deep pass at Philadelphia’s 41. Hurts scrambled 15 yards on the next drive and finished it with a 4-yard TD pass to Smith for a 14-10 lead. Gardner-Johnson’s pick bailed out an uneven effort by the Eagles. They failed to score on their opening drive for the 13th time this season, but the offensive bursts that usually follow never came. Hurts scored on tush push early in the second quarter, his 13th rushing score of the season, for a 7-3 lead. With nothing to lose, the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-3, and Young hit Tommy Tremble for a 3-yard TD and a 10-7 advantage. The Eagles did just enough. Their challenge now is getting the receivers' production up — and getting them happy — headed into the postseason. “Let the dissatisfaction fuel you for more,” Hurts said. “I think that’s always a fair place to be. And so we know there’s more out there for us, and we’re in pursuit of trying to find it.” Panthers kickoff and punt returner Raheem Blackshear suffered a chest injury. ... RB Jonathon Brooks left with a right knee injury — the same knee in which he tore the ACL last year with Texas. The Panthers had been very cautious bringing the second-round pick along. ... CB Jaycee Horn hurt his groin. Panthers: Host Dallas next Sunday. Eagles: Host cross-state rival Pittsburgh next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAKRON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Johnson had 18 points in Akron's 92-84 victory against Omaha on Saturday night. Johnson added five assists for the Zips (3-2). Isaiah Gray scored 16 points while going 6 of 10 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 2 for 4 from the line. Amani Lyles had 15 points and shot 6 for 9, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. Marquel Sutton led the way for the Mavericks (2-5) with 26 points and six rebounds. Lance Waddles added 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Omaha. JJ White also had 16 points. Akron led 40-36 at halftime, with Gray racking up 12 points. Tavari Johnson scored a team-high 12 points for Akron after intermission. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray's development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he's on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. Story continues below video “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap," said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that's nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. "I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It's not just me, it's the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC.
Southern Co. stock rises Thursday, still underperforms market
Circle Chart ( formerly known as Gaon Chart) has revealed its chart rankings for the week of November 24 to 30! TWS topped this week’s physical album chart with their new single album “ Last Bell ,” which debuted at No. 1. WayV’s new mini album “ FREQUENCY ” entered the chart at No. 2, while “ I-LAND 2 ” girl group izna’s debut mini album “ N/a ” followed at No. 3. Red Velvet ’s Irene ’s solo debut mini album “ Like A Flower ” entered the chart at No. 4, and NCT DREAM ’s latest album “ DREAMSCAPE ” climbed back up to No. 5 for the week. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon topped the download chart with his new single “ HOME SWEET HOME ” featuring Taeyang and Daesung , which rose to No. 1 this week. BTS ’s V ’s new single “ Winter Ahead ” with Park Hyo Shin debuted at No. 2, while the Korean version of WayV’s title track “ FREQUENCY ” debuted at No. 3. PLAVE’s “We don’t stop” (from the soundtrack of “The Fiery Priest 2”) stayed strong at No. 4, with Irene’s solo debut track “ Like A Flower ” entering the chart at No. 5. BLACKPINK ’s Rosé and Bruno Mars once again maintained their triple crown on the Circle charts, where their smash hit “ APT. ” topped the overall digital chart, streaming chart, and global K-pop chart for the sixth week in a row. G-Dragon’s “HOME SWEET HOME” shot to No. 2 on the overall digital chart this week, while his previous single “ POWER ” held steady at No. 4. aespa ’s “ Whiplash ” stayed strong at No. 3 on this week’s chart, with Hwang Karam’s “I’m Firefly” rising to No. 5. The top four songs on this week’s streaming chart and overall digital chart were exactly the same: Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” came in at No. 1, G-Dragon’s “HOME SWEET HOME” at No. 2, aespa’s “Whiplash” at No. 3, and G-Dragon’s “POWER” at No. 4. Finally, aespa’s Karina ’s solo song “UP” rounded out the top five for the week. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” continued its reign at No. 1 on the global K-pop chart this week, while Rosé’s new pre-release single “ number one girl ” rose to No. 4. G-Dragon’s “HOME SWEET HOME” soared to No. 2 for the week, followed by aespa’s “Whiplash” at No. 3 and BTS’s Jin ’s “ Running Wild ” at No. 5. The top four artists on this week’s social chart remained exactly the same as last week: BLACKPINK remained No. 1, trailed by BABYMONSTER at No. 2, FIFTY FIFTY at No. 3, and BTS at No. 4. Finally, NewJeans rose to No. 5 for the week. Congratulations to all of the artists! Source ( 1 )Notable quotes by Jimmy CarterSemona scores 15 as Stonehill takes down Lafayette 70-65