# MA-1027.022024: MyCERT Advisory - Recent Cyber Incidents Launched by TA ROOTK1T ISC Team to Malaysia Organisations

**Date:** 06 Feb 2024  
**Source:** https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-1027.022024  
**Advisory ID:** MA-1027.022024

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**1.0 Introduction**
Lately, the Cyber999 Incident Response Team received several cyber incidents launched by the Threat Actor (TA) named "R00TK1T ISC CyberTeam" targeting organisations in Malaysia. These cyber incidents are web defacements, unauthorised access and data breach. Earlier, the TA also made announcements on the Internet to launch cyber-attacks on Malaysian infrastructure.
- <https://izoologic.com/region/central-asia/r00tk1t-hacking-group-threatens-malaysia-in-its-latest-post/>
Past incidents from the Internet reveal that the TA has previously targeted various sectors in multiple countries, including education, transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, and ICT services, by exploiting known vulnerabilities to conduct a number of cyber attacks to the targets.
- <https://thecyberexpress.com/loreal-data-breach-claimed-by-r00tk1t-hackers/>
- <https://smex.org/attacks-on-lebanons-government-websites-continue-to-implement-protective-standards-immediately/>
- <https://izoologic.com/region/europe/r00tk1t-hacktivist-group-issues-threats-against-sodexo/>on
Hence, in view of the current situation observed by us concerning the TA named "R00TK1T ISC CyberTeam", organisations, in particular, are advised to be constantly vigilant and cautious of potential cyber-attacks and always be prepared with necessary mitigation and prevention measures.
**2.0 Recommendations**
The following are best practices and recommendations for System Administrators:
- Ensure systems, applications and third-party add-ons are updated with the latest upgrades and security patches. If you are running older versions of operating systems or software, upgrade it to the newest version, as older versions are vulnerable and easily manipulated by intruders. Also, patch your web-based applications and network-based appliances accordingly.
- Refer to your respective vendors' websites for the latest patches, service packs and upgrades. Otherwise, you may also refer to MyCERT’s website for the latest advisories on patches, service packs and upgrades as below:
- <https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisories?id=431fab9c-d24c-4a27-ba93-e92edafdefa5>
- Update the Anti-virus software running on hosts and email gateways with the latest signature files and ensure the settings to scan all files are enabled.
- Configure systems properly to avoid incidents such as information disclosure and directory listing due to system misconfiguration.
- Always enable logging systems and server activities and keep them in a sufficient period.
- Backup critical information regularly to limit the impact of data or system loss and to help expedite the recovery process. Ideally, backup daily on a separate media and store offline at an alternate site.
- Organisations are recommended to apply an defence in-depth strategy in protecting their networks. Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and network and host-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) can prevent and log most generic attacks.
- Data Centres and Web Hosting Companies should beware of any software or third-party add-ons they are running by applying the latest patches or upgrades to prevent intrusions that may exploit unpatched applications.
- Organisations must ensure the contact information of System Administrators is made available in the event of a security incident at or originating from your site.
- Financial Institutions must be vigilant against any possibilities of phishing and fraudulent activities that target Internet banking. Customers must be advised adequately to avoid becoming victims of these scams by applying safe browsing, email, and Internet banking practices.
- System Administrators must immediately report any suspicious activities they observe in systems and networks under their administrations to relevant authorities and seek assistance. Incidents can be reported to the Cyber999 Incident Response Centre through our reporting channels, as listed at the end of the page, and we will respond accordingly. To report any critical incident, call Cyber999 via the 24x7 On Call Incident Reporting channel.
Notably, we have also constantly produced security advisories on software vulnerabilities as well as product updates such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, and Apple, as well as other cyber threats, which can be found in the following URL:
<https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisories?id=431fab9c-d24c-4a27-ba93-e92edafdefa5>
Please follow the best practices and guidelines accordingly to prevent any unwanted incidents from occurring.
For further enquiries on this advisory or to report any incident, please contact us through the following channels:
E-mail: cyber999[at]cybersecurity.my 
Phone: 1-300-88-2999 (monitored during business hours)  
Mobile: +60 19 2665850 (24x7 call incident reporting) 
Business Hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 -18:00 MYT 
Web: <https://www.mycert.org.my> 
Twitter: <https://twitter.com/mycert> 
Facebook: <https://www.facebook.com/mycert.org.my>