Threatcon - Symantec Corp.

The ThreatCon is currently at Level 2: Elevated.

On May 14, 2013, Microsoft released its scheduled patch update for May 2013. This month's update covers vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Windows operating system, Internet Explorer, Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Lync, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Windows Essentials. Ten security bulletins have been released to address these issues.

This month's update addresses CVE-2013-1347, a zero-day vulnerability that was seen in the wild as part of a watering hole attack.

Customers are advised to install all applicable updates as soon as possible.

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for May 2013
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-may

New Internet Explorer 8 Zero-Day Used in Watering Hole Attack
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/new-internet-explorer-8-zero-day-used-watering-hole-attack

Microsoft Internet Explorer CVE-2013-1347 Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/59641

ThreatCon Level 1
Low : Basic network posture
This condition applies when there is no discernible network incident activity and no malicious code activity with a moderate or severe risk rating. Under these conditions, only a routine security posture, designed to defeat normal network threats, is warranted. Automated systems and alerting mechanisms should be used.

ThreatCon Level 2
Medium : Increased alertness
This condition applies when knowledge or the expectation of attack activity is present, without specific events occurring or when malicious code reaches a moderate risk rating. Under this condition, a careful examination of vulnerable and exposed systems is appropriate, security applications should be updated with new signatures and/or rules as soon as they become available and careful monitoring of logs is recommended. Changes to the security infrastructure are not required.

ThreatCon Level 3
High : Known threat
This condition applies when an isolated threat to the computing infrastructure is currently underway or when malicious code reaches a severe risk rating. Under this condition, increased monitoring is necessary, security applications should be updated with new signatures and/or rules as soon as they become available and redeployment and reconfiguration of security systems is recommended. People should be able to maintain this posture for a few weeks at a time, as threats come and go.

ThreatCon Level 4
Extreme : Full alert
This condition applies when extreme global network incident activity is in progress. Implementation of measures in this Threat Condition for more than a short period probably will create hardship and affect the normal operations of network infrastructure.