HHS alerted members of the healthcare sector to a potential cyber threat following Microsoft and Department of Homeland Security reports of a vulnerability called "Hidden Cobra."
According to the HHS June 15 warning, the threat affects Microsoft products, including Windows operating systems.
"These vulnerabilities allow an attacker to remotely run programs or attacks on systems. This could allow an attacker to perform a wide range of actions including exfiltrating documents or data, or gain access to other internal systems via the local network once initial access is gained," an HHS Healthcare Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center statement reads.
Hidden Cobra has been used by cyberacttackers affiliated with the North Korean government to target the media, aerospace, financial and critical infrastructure in the U.S., according to the DHS alert.
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