Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of SSRF attacks. OpenAI's skies clear, but third-party wrappers bring storms.
This week’s episode kicks off with a poll asking listeners which virtual assistant they use—Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or none at all due to privacy concerns. The results give us a snapshot of how people feel about these ubiquitous technologies and their trust levels in them.
We then tackle the headlines surrounding OpenAI and the alleged "attack" on its systems. While media outlets are buzzing with claims of vulnerabilities in ChatGPT, the reality is less dramatic. A third-party wrapper using OpenAI’s API introduced an SSRF vulnerability that’s being actively exploited. This issue highlights the risks of insecure third-party implementations rather than flaws in OpenAI's core infrastructure. It’s a reminder that integrations can be a weak link in the cybersecurity chain, and we explore how this misunderstanding has fueled sensationalized reporting.
Next up is a discussion on cybersecurity labeling for consumer IoT devices that have reached their End-of-Life (EOL) or End-of-Service (EOS). The idea is to inform users when their devices will no longer receive updates, but the execution is fraught with challenges. From complex software stacks to secondary markets breaking communication chains between vendors and consumers, we unpack why this labeling initiative is easier said than done. With home networks increasingly tied to employer networks, outdated IoT devices could become major security risks, especially in remote work setups.
Privacy concerns take center stage as we examine Amazon’s controversial decision to eliminate the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" feature on Echo devices starting March 28, 2025. This change means all voice data will be processed in Amazon’s cloud as part of its Alexa+ upgrade, which promises advanced generative AI capabilities. Critics argue this move erodes user privacy by removing local processing options entirely, raising questions about data retention and misuse. For privacy-conscious users, this might signal the end of their relationship with Echo devices.
We also cover two critical vulnerabilities making waves in the cybersecurity world. First is CVE-2025-23120, a post-authentication Remote Code Execution flaw in Veeam Backup & Replication software. Exploitable by any domain user due to weak authentication measures and unsafe deserialization practices, this vulnerability underscores why blacklist-based approaches are insufficient for robust security.
Then there’s CVE-2025-24813, a remote code execution vulnerability affecting Apache Tomcat servers that can be exploited with just one PUT request. This attack leverages session persistence mechanisms and deserialization processes to gain full remote access without authentication—a stark reminder of how seemingly benign requests can lead to catastrophic breaches.
Finally, we touch on updates from our benevolent overlords, including insights into ServiceNow vulnerabilities and upcoming events like NoiseFest at RSAC 2025. These resources continue to provide valuable intelligence for staying ahead of emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape.
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