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ACSC Threat Report 2017   Reports and statistics

Oct 15, 2017 - This is the third Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) Threat Report. It continues to reflect on the experience, focus, and mandates of the ASD’s ACSC’s member organisations. The report provides an insight into what the Centre has been seeing, learning, and responding to, focusing on specific areas of change or new knowledge obtained.

Critical vulnerabilities in Ivanti Connect Secure (ICS) and Ivanti Policy Secure (IPS)   Alert

Feb 1, 2024 - The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is aware of critical vulnerabilities affecting Ivanti Connect Secure (ICS), formerly known as Pulse Connect Secure, and Ivanti Policy Secure (IPS) gateways. The vulnerabilities affect all supported versions and configurations of the products. Customers should apply the mitigations made available by Ivanti and implement patches as they become available.

2023-01: ASD's ACSC Ransomware Profile - Royal   Advisory

Jan 24, 2023 - The Australian Signals Directorate's Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD's ACSC) is aware of a ransomware variant called Royal, which is being used by cybercriminals to conduct ransomware attacks against multiple sectors and organisations worldwide, including Australia. Once gaining access to a victim’s environment, cybercriminals use this ransomware for similar purposes to other variants such as encrypting their data and extorting a ransom to return access to the sensitive files.

ASD's ACSC Advisory 2020-012: Critical remote code execution vulnerability in Windows DNS server (CVE-2020-1350)   Advisory

Jul 15, 2020 - An adversary who successfully exploits the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the Local System Account. The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) strongly recommends users apply the security patch to their Windows DNS servers to prevent an adversary from exploiting this vulnerability.

2023-03: ASD's ACSC Ransomware Profile – Lockbit 3.0   Advisory

Jun 15, 2023 - The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) is aware of Lockbit 3.0 which is the newest version of Lockbit ransomware. It is used by cybercriminals to conduct ransomware attacks against multiple sectors and organisations worldwide, including Australia. Once gaining access to a victim’s environment, cybercriminals use this ransomware for similar purposes as other variants such as encrypting their data, and extorting a ransom to return access to the sensitive files.

Active exploitation of vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services   Alert

May 22, 2020 - The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) is aware that sophisticated actors are actively exploiting a deserialisation vulnerability existing in all versions of Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) using the .NET framework (.NET). The vulnerability exploits the service’s VIEWSTATE parameter to allow for remote code execution by unauthorised users.

Secure your website   Guidance

Jul 29, 2024 - Small business account for over 95% of all businesses in Australia and 72% of them have a website. However, in a world in which websites are increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals, only 36% check for updates every week. For those small businesses with a website, or that are considering one, these three quick wins will help you protect your money, data and reputation.

DDoS threats being made against Australian organisations   Alert

May 25, 2020 - Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) is aware of a number of Denial of Service (DoS) for ransom threats being made against Australian organisations, primarily in the banking and finance sector.

Active exploitation of critical vulnerability in Citrix Application Delivery Controller and Citrix Gateway   Alert

Jan 13, 2020 - The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is aware of ongoing attempts to exploit a critical vulnerability in Citrix Application Delivery Controller (ADC) (formerly known as NetScaler ADC), Citrix Gateway (formerly known as NetScaler Gateway) and Citrix SD-WAN WANOP.

2021-006: ASD's ACSC Ransomware Profile - Lockbit 2.0   Advisory

Aug 5, 2021 - The LockBit ransomware restricts access to corporate files and systems by encrypting them into a locked and unusable format. Victims receive instructions on how to engage with the offenders after encryption. LockBit affiliates have successfully deployed ransomware on corporate systems in a variety of countries and sectors, including Australia, where the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) is aware of numerous incidents since 2020. LockBit affiliates are known to implement the ‘double extortion’ technique by uploading stolen and sensitive victim information to their dark web site ‘LockBit 2.0’, and threatening to sell and/or release this information if their ransom demands are not met.

Advisory 2021-004: Active exploitation of ForgeRock Access Manager / OpenAM servers   Advisory

Jul 9, 2021 - The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD's ACSC) has identified targeting and compromise of Australian organisations with vulnerable internet-accessible servers running ForgeRock Access Manager (ForgeRock AM). ForgeRock AM was previously known as OpenAM. The ASD's ACSC has observed malicious actors exploiting the vulnerability in ForgeRock AM/OpenAM to gain initial access to networks in multiple organisations, and facilitate further access within these networks. On 7 July 2021 the ASD's ACSC alerted organisations that this vulnerability was being actively exploited. This ASD's ACSC advisory provides recommendations for securing ForgeRock AM against vulnerability CVE-2021-35464, and advice on identifying potential successful exploitation of this vulnerability.

2021-009: Malicious actors deploying Gootkit Loader on Australian Networks   Advisory

Aug 27, 2021 - From April 2021, the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) has received an increase in reporting of malicious actors targeting Australian networks with Gootkit JavaScript (JS) Loaders. Open-source reporting confirms that Gootkit JS Loaders are a precursor to several malware families traditionally used for cybercrime, notably, Gootkit, REvil ransomware, Kronos, or CobaltStrike. The ASD’s ACSC is providing this information to enable organisations to undertake their own risk assessments and take appropriate actions to secure their systems and networks. The ASD’s ACSC will update this advisory if more information becomes available.

Seniors  

Jun 23, 2023 - This guide provides some simple steps and resources to protect your personal information, accounts and life savings when going online.

2021-003: Ongoing campaign using Avaddon Ransomware   Advisory

May 8, 2021 - The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is aware of an ongoing ransomware campaign utilising the Avaddon Ransomware malware. This campaign is actively targeting Australian organisations in a variety of sectors. This advisory provides details of Avaddon threat actors, dark web activity, targeted countries and sectors, the malware infection chain, and known Techniques, Tools, and Procedures (TTPs). If activity is identified relating to this advisory please report any findings to the ACSC.

Small business  

Jun 15, 2023 - Basic steps to protect your business and staff from cyberthreats. Our guide has information and resources to help you and your staff prepare for cyberattacks.

Update your devices  

Jan 25, 2023 - Updates are new, improved, or fixed versions of software. Regular updates are critical in maintaining a secure system. It's important to check for any updates and make sure that automatic updates are switched on. 

Mitigations for network defence   Publication

Oct 15, 2025 - This guidance provides actions for both executives and technical staff to strengthen their organisation’s network infrastructure.

Multiple high-severity vulnerabilities in F5 products and incident impacting F5   Alert

Oct 16, 2025 - F5 has released multiple security advisories affecting BIG-IP, BIG-IP Next, F5OS, and Silverline products. The most critical issues include vulnerabilities in SCP/SFTP, SSL/TLS, HTTP/2, and TMM components, with several rated high (CVSS up to 8.8). Exploitation could allow remote code execution, data exposure, or denial of service.

Watch out for threats  

Nov 2, 2022 - Know what to look for to stay in control of your devices and applications.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Supply chain risks and mitigations   Publication

Oct 16, 2025 - This guidance is intended for organisations and staff that deploy or develop AI or ML systems and components.

Exercise in a Box  

Nov 17, 2022 - This service provides an all-in-one platform that organisations can use to assess and improve their cybersecurity practices, in a controlled environment, and as many times as they want.

CI Fortify   Publication

Oct 13, 2025 - Actionable guidance for CI operators to isolate and rebuild critical services and OT systems during crisis or service disruption.

Call for presentations  

Jul 9, 2025 -

Turn on multi-factor authentication  

Nov 9, 2022 - Protect your important accounts with extra login steps.

Set up and perform regular backups  

Nov 9, 2022 - Backing up and having backups mean you can restore your files if something goes wrong. It is a precautionary measure so that your data is accessible in case something happens to your computer.

Critical vulnerability in Oracle E-Business Suite   Alert

Oct 7, 2025 - ASD’s ACSC recommends organisations update affected products to the latest versions and follow the advice detailed in the Oracle Security Advisory.

Gateway security guidance package: Overview   Publication

Jul 29, 2025 - This page provides an overview of ASD’s Gateway security guidance package.

Gateway security guidance package: Executive guidance   Publication

Jul 29, 2025 - The purpose of this guidance is to inform decision-makers at the executive level of their responsibilities, the appropriate considerations needed to make informed risk-based decisions, and to meet policy obligations when leading the design or consumption of their organisation’s gateway services.

Critical vulnerabilities in Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway Products   Alert

Jul 4, 2025 - The ASD's ACSC is aware of critical vulnerabilities in Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway Products (CVE-2025-5349, CVE-2025-5777).

Recognise and report scams  

Feb 1, 2023 - Scams are a common way that cybercriminals compromise accounts. Being alert to scam messages is a great way to protect yourself online.