You probably saw some information on the news about Log4j over the weekend. Our security team has been monitoring the situation closely. The reason this particular vulnerability is getting so much attention and national press coverage is that it has impacted many big (and small) players on the internet. Some examples include Apple iCloud, Twitter, Amazon, Google and LinkedIn.

Log4Shell Security Vulnerability: What You Need to Know

Recently, a Log4Shell Security Vulnerability was announced. This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute any code on the target system with admin privileges. In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to know about Log4Shell and how it impacts your security, as well as the steps you should take now to protect yourself from future attacks.

What is Log4j?

Log4j is a free and open-source logging framework for use in Java applications. Log4j allows applications to log messages to a file via the Logging API to log messages with different levels of verbosity.

How Does The Log4j Security Vulnerability Affect Me?

The log4j vulnerability could allow attackers to execute any code on the target system with admin privileges. This could have a devastating impact on your company, as it would give attackers access to all of your data and systems. In order to protect yourself from future attacks, you should take the following steps:

  • Update to the latest version of Log4Shell
  • Use a secure logging framework like Log4j2
  • Harden your systems against attack

Do I Need Log4j?

A lot of people use Log4j in their applications. The most popular logging framework, Log4j, is used by organizations worldwide to produce applications that are easy to maintain. Unfortunately, logs can be a security liability when they’re not managed correctly. Let’s look at how you can use Log4j for your application and whether or not you need it.

How Do I Prevent Security Vulnerabilities?

The best way you can protect your system from security vulnerabilities is to maintain them well. Rather than working to make your system “harder to break in,” work towards making it “harder to break out.” Instead of trying ways to prevent hackers from getting inside, find ways of preventing them from even knowing about it. Remember that because there’s never been a completely secure computer, the only way you can truly stop hacking attempts is by reducing their success rate through other methods.

What If I Need Help?

If you’re concerned about the security of your systems, don’t worry - we can help. Our team of IT consultants is experienced in helping organizations protect their data and systems from attack. Contact us today (541) 243-4103 to learn more about our services and how we can help you keep your business safe. The good news is that this vulnerability is related to a tool used for logging on very specific software systems. We’ve performed an analysis of Network environments and did not find evidence that the computer systems we manage for our clients are exposed to this vulnerability.

Fresh eyes see things that others cannot – so at a minimum, ask your IT team to take a closer look for you. If you need an evaluation, we offer assessments of networks as an easy way to have a neutral third party take a closer look giving you credible validation of your IT systems' security, stability, and efficiency.