Remediation Plan - CVE-2023-34362
Executive Summary
In this scenario-based case study, I developed a comprehensive Remediation Plan addressing a supply chain compromise within a critical HR & Payroll provider. Modeled after the real-world MOVEit Transfer vulnerability (CVE-2023-34362), this project simulates the post-incident response phase required by GRC teams.
The objective was to translate technical failure into a business-focused strategic roadmap, demonstrating the ability to manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance (UK GDPR), and restore operational resilience.
Frameworks Applied: ISO 27001, ISO 27005 (Risk Management), NIST CSF, CIS Controls v8.
1. Methodology & Approach
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
I moved beyond the technical exploit to identify the organizational failures that allowed the breach to occur.
- People: Lack of security awareness regarding third-party file transfer risks.
- Process: Failure in the Vendor Risk Management (VRM) lifecycle and delayed patch management policies.
- Technology: Absence of network segmentation for critical assets and insufficient EDR coverage.
Threat & Asset Modelling
I mapped critical business assets (Payroll Databases, Identity Management Systems) against relevant threat actors using a structured matrix. This ensured that the most valuable data received the highest priority for protection.
Risk Quantification
Using ISO 27005 methodologies and CVSS scoring, I assessed the inherent risk of unpatched systems versus the residual risk after control implementation. This quantitative approach allows stakeholders to see the “Return on Security Investment” (ROSI).
2. Strategic Control Implementation
I designed a remediation roadmap focusing on immediate stabilization and long-term governance.
| Domain | Control Implemented | KPI for Success |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Security | Enforced Phishing-Resistant MFA & RBAC | 100% MFA adoption rate for admin accounts. |
| Vulnerability Mgmt | Automated Patching Cycles (72h SLA for Critical) | <48h Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR). |
| Supplier Assurance | New Vendor Risk Assessment Framework | 100% of Tier-1 vendors audited annually. |
| Monitoring | SIEM Log Ingestion for File Transfer Activity | <1 hour detection time for anomalous data egress. |
3. Business Impact Analysis
Effective GRC requires speaking the language of the business. I analyzed the impact of the controls on operations:
- Financial Risk: Reduced potential regulatory fines (GDPR 4% turnover) by demonstrating “State of the Art” security measures.
- Operational Resilience: Transitioned from a “Fragile” state to a “Resilient” state by implementing redundant backups and tested Incident Response (IR) playbooks.
- Compliance Alignment: Ensured the new architecture aligns with UK GDPR Article 32 (Security of Processing) and ISO 27001 Annex A controls.
Key Competencies Demonstrated
- Governance & Strategy: Ability to author policy and remediation plans that align with business goals.
- Risk Management: Proficiency in translating technical vulnerabilities (CVEs) into business risk registers.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Application of GDPR and ISO standards in a practical, recovery-focused scenario.
- Control Design: Developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) security controls.