Cyber Brief: Active exploitation, misconfiguration and response gaps

Today’s cyber reporting shows a familiar pattern as organisations move further into the new year. Attackers are actively exploiting known weaknesses, misconfigurations continue to create avoidable exposure and response coordination gaps are extending the impact of incidents. Together, these themes highlight the importance of maintaining strong fundamentals alongside day-to-day operational pressures.

Active exploitation targets known weaknesses

Threat reporting published today highlights continued exploitation of known vulnerabilities and exposed services. Rather than relying on zero-day techniques, attackers are prioritising weaknesses that remain unpatched or poorly secured.
In several incidents reviewed, attackers focused on speed. Once an exposed system was identified, access was gained quickly and followed by credential harvesting or persistence mechanisms. This rapid exploitation window leaves little time for reactive defence, particularly where patching and configuration management lag behind disclosure.
The reporting reinforces that attackers benefit from predictable gaps. Delays in remediation, incomplete asset visibility and limited monitoring continue to provide reliable opportunities for compromise.

Why it matters
Active exploitation thrives on delay. Organisations should prioritise patching, improve asset visibility and monitor exposed services to reduce risk.

Source
CISA

Misconfiguration remains a leading cause of exposure

Cloud and infrastructure analysis released today highlights that misconfiguration remains one of the most common causes of security exposure. Changes made under time pressure, inherited permissions and unclear ownership frequently result in systems being more accessible than intended.
In several cases examined, services were exposed externally without awareness or granted broader access than required for operational needs. Attackers actively scan for these conditions and exploit them without needing to bypass security controls.
The reporting emphasises that misconfiguration is rarely caused by lack of tooling. Instead, it reflects gaps in governance, review processes and accountability.

Why it matters
Misconfiguration creates silent exposure. Regular configuration reviews, clear ownership and guardrails reduce the likelihood of unintended access.

Source
The Register

Response coordination gaps slow containment and recovery

UK-focused reporting today highlights that response coordination remains a challenge during incidents. While detection has improved, organisations often struggle to align technical teams, leadership and external partners once an issue is identified.
In multiple incidents reviewed, delays occurred due to unclear decision authority and uncertainty around escalation routes. These coordination gaps extended containment timelines and increased operational impact even when the technical cause was understood.
The reporting reinforces that effective incident response relies on preparation, communication and rehearsal, not just technical capability.

Why it matters
Clear coordination reduces impact. Defined roles, escalation routes and regular exercising improve response speed and confidence.

Source
Computer Weekly

Today’s Key Actions

1. Prioritise remediation of exposed and high-risk systems.
2. Review configurations for externally accessible services.
3. Improve asset visibility and monitoring coverage.
4. Test response coordination and escalation routes.
5. Update risk registers to reflect exploitation, misconfiguration and response risks.

Secarma Insight

Today’s stories underline a consistent message. Many incidents succeed because of gaps that develop gradually rather than sudden failures. Strong configuration management, disciplined remediation and well-rehearsed response coordination help organisations reduce disruption and maintain control as operational demands increase.

Get in touch with us to prioritise your next steps and strengthen your security posture.