Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB05-229

Daily Brief

The PSEPC Daily Brief is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB05-229 - 30 November 2005

News

CCIRC releases Advisory AV05-037: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Applet Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
On November 29, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) released Advisory AV05-037 to draw attention to multiple Sun Alert Notifications addressing privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that could lead to the remote execution of arbitrary code with the privilege of the local user. The advisory includes an assessment of the multiple vulnerabilities, a list of the affected versions and suggested actions.
(Source: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, 29 November 2005 )
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To view all CCIRC Alerts and Advisories, click here.

CFIA confirms that virus detected on first B.C. farm has low pathogenicity
On November 29, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed that the avian influenza strain detected on the first B.C. poultry farm is H5N2, a low pathogenicity subtype that closely resembles viruses detected sporadically in North American domestic birds since 2002. N-typing of the virus from the other infected farm is ongoing, with results expected in a few days. Precautionary quarantines remain in place on 78 premises within the surveillance zone and three other premises with known links to the first infected farm. Testing of birds on these premises is ongoing and has detected no additional evidence of the avian influenza virus. The quarantines could be lifted as early as December 10, provided that no further cases are found between now and then.
(Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 29 November 2005)
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In brief

WHO releases cumulative number of confirmed human cases of avian influenza
On November 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest report citing the cumulative number of confirmed human cases of avian influenza H5N1. In total, 68 human deaths have occurred in Asia due to avian influenza.
(Source: World Health Organization , 29 November 2005)
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WHO releases update on avian influenza situation in Indonesia and China
On November 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an update on the avian influenza situation in Indonesia and China. In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health has confirmed another case of avian influenza in a 16-year-old boy. In China, the WHO will be participating in a joint mission to Anhiu Province to investigate circumstances surrounding two previously confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans.
(Source: World Health Organization , 29 November 2005)
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Detroit-Windsor Tunnel closed for two hours due to power loss
On November 29, a brief power outage forced the closure of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel for approximately two hours. Traffic was re-routed several kilometres to the Ambassador Bridge . The outage occurred when a compressor failed at a station in Detroit , causing several substations to go offline.
(Source: Bloomberg.com , 29 November 2005 )
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Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has not detected any significant new threats. However, an advisory has been issued, AV05-037, to address recently disclosed vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as low. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.

Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (NOC) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The NOC can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

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