Three Buddy Problem

Security Conversations
Three Buddy Problem

The Three Buddy Problem is a popular Security Conversations podcast that goes beyond industry talking points to discuss what others won’t -- nation-state malware, attribution, cyberwar, ethics, privacy, and the messy realities of securing computers and corporate networks. Hosted by three veteran security pros -- journalist Ryan Naraine and malware paleontologists Costin Raiu and Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade -- the weekly show attracts a highly engaged audience of security researchers, corporate defenders, CISOs, and policymakers. Connect with Ryan on Twitter (Open DMs).

  1. Inside the DeepSeek AI existential crisis, Chinese 'backdoor' in medical devices

    6 DAYS AGO

    Inside the DeepSeek AI existential crisis, Chinese 'backdoor' in medical devices

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 32: In this episode, we rummage through the DeepSeek hype and break down what makes it different from OpenAI’s models, why it’s stirring up existential controversies, and what it means for the broader tech landscape. We get into the privacy concerns, the geo-political implications, how AI models handle data, the ongoing debate over IP theft and innovation, and the challenges that come with a Chinese company shipping an open-source alternative. Beyond AI, we dig into some of the latest headlines; from a Chinese ‘backdoor’ in medical devices, problems with CISA’s backdoor bulletin, the risks of insecure IoT, phishing attacks on influencers, and ongoing battles over censorship in the VPN space. We also touch on WhatsApp catching spyware vendor Paragon Solutions and potential shifts in U.S. government policy on commercial mercenary hacking and surveillance companies. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)DeepSeek Privacy PolicyWhite House evaluates effect of China AI app DeepSeek on national securityWhy ‘Distillation’ Has Become the Scariest Word for AI CompaniesMicrosoft Probing If DeepSeek-Linked Group Improperly Obtained OpenAI DataU.S. Navy bans use of DeepSeek AIWiz Research Uncovers Exposed DeepSeek Database Leaking Sensitive InformationScatterBrain: Unmasking the Shadow of PoisonPlug's ObfuscatorScatterBrain: Deobfuscation library for PoisionPlug.SHADOW's ScatterBrain obfuscatorCISA, FDA Warn of Dangerous Backdoor in Contec Patient MonitorsCISA advisory: Contec CMS8000 contains a backdoorContec CMS 8000 product manualNordVPN NordWhisperWhatsApp: Spyware company Paragon targeted users in two dozen countriesX Phishing Campaign Targeting High Profile Accounts, Promoting Crypto ScamsLABScon24: Follow the Money -- CCP’s Ownership of Firms Investing in the USA (Elly Rostoum)Binarly Post-Quantum Readiness Technology

    2h 20m
  2. Death of the CSRB, zero-days storms at the edge, Juniper router backdoors

    JAN 24

    Death of the CSRB, zero-days storms at the edge, Juniper router backdoors

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 31: Dennis Fisher steps in for Ryan Naraine to moderate discussion on a very busy week in cybersecurity. The cast dig into the wave of big research reports, the disbanding of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), the ongoing flood of exploits targeting security appliances from Ivanti and SonicWall, and the recent Lumen research on Juniper router backdoors. Plus, the challenges of coordinating disclosures, the tough realities of intelligence work, and the complex landscape of nation-state attacks -- especially around Chinese threat actors and Western defenses. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Dennis Fisher. Ryan Naraine in on work travel. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)DHS Disbands Cyber Safety Review Board, Ending One of CISA’s Few Bright SpotsCSRB report on Microsoft Exchange Online IntrusionSenator Ron Wyden on CSRB disbandmentCISA CSRB: good riddanceThreat Actors Chained Vulnerabilities in Ivanti Cloud Service ApplicationsSonicWall confirms new 0day exploited in the wildThe J-Magic Show: Magic Packets and Where to Find Them

    1h 49m
  3. Inside the PlugX malware removal operation, CISA takes victory lap and another Fortinet 0day

    JAN 17

    Inside the PlugX malware removal operation, CISA takes victory lap and another Fortinet 0day

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 30: We discuss French threat-intel Sekoia creating a portal to handle “sovereign disinfections” of the PlugX malware, CISA leadership taking a victory lap using the ‘Secure by Design’ pledge as a trophy, the new Biden cybersecurity Executive Order, another Fortinet zero-day, the TikTok ban and Ukrainian hackers targeting Russian companies. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)Court-Authorized Operation Removes PlugX Malware from Over 4,200 Infected U.S. ComputersPlugX removal affidavitSekoia -- PlugX worm disinfection campaignJen Easterly: Building a secure by Design ecosystem Trump zeroes in on Sean Plankey to lead CISASean Plankey bioBiden cybersecurity executive orderBiden executive order aims to shore up US cyber defensesGravy Analytics accused of negligence over location data breachTracking the mobile trackers (Costin Raiu) - YouTubeRussia's largest platform for state procurement hit by cyberattack from pro-Ukraine groupNew Star Blizzard spear-phishing campaign targets WhatsApp accountsUK proposes ransomware payment banFortinet authentication bypass zero-day Fortinet: Deep dive into a Linux rootkit malwareBernardo Quintero's new book on VirusTotal (Spanish-language)

    1h 60m
  4. Hijacking .gov backdoors, Ivanti 0days and a Samsung 0-click vuln

    JAN 10

    Hijacking .gov backdoors, Ivanti 0days and a Samsung 0-click vuln

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 29: Another day, another Ivanti zero-day being exploited in the wild. Plus, China's strange response to Volt Typhoon attribution, Japan blames China for hacks, a Samsung 0-click vulnerability found by Project Zero, Kim Zetter's reporting on drone sightings and a nuclear scare. Plus, hijacking abandoned .gov backdoors and Ukrainian hacktivists wiping a major Russian ISP. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)Ivanti Connect Secure zero-day advisoryMandiant report on new Ivanti zero-dayChina Daily responds to Volt Typhoon attributionJapan warns about Chinese 'MirrorFace' attacksWho is MirrorFace?Natalie Silvanovich on new Samsung 0-clickKim Zetter: Anatomy of a Nuclear ScareBackdooring .gov backdoors via $20 domainsAPT32 poisoning GitHub, targeting Chinese security prosUkraine wipes Russian ISPRussian internet provider confirms network ‘destroyed’ by Ukrainian hackersMullvad: Quantum-resistant tunnels on desktop VPNFundraiser for Marc RogersCNN: Amit Yoran has died at 54

    1h 48m
  5. US Treasury hacked via BeyondTrust, MISP and the threat actor naming mess

    JAN 3

    US Treasury hacked via BeyondTrust, MISP and the threat actor naming mess

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 28: In this episode, we explore the ongoing challenges of threat actor naming in cybersecurity and the confusion caused by a lack of standardization, methodological inconsistencies and skewed, marketing-driven incentives. Plus, the US Treasury/BeyondTrust hack, the surge in 0day discoveries, a new variant of the Xdr33 CIA Hive malware, and exclusive new information on the Cyberhaven Chrome extension security incident. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)BeyondTrust statement on hack investigationU.S. Treasury says it was hacked by China-backed actorsAnother Palo Alto 0day exploited in the wildUS telcos say they've evicted Salt Typhoon Chinese hackersGoogle: What is BeyondCorp?Introducing the MISP Threat Actor Naming StandardMISP: Recommendations on Naming Threat ActorsNew variant of the CIA HIVE attack kitXdr33 Variant Of CIA's HIVE Attack Kit EmergesSavvy Seahorse connection to Cyberhaven incidentUS sanctions China's Integrity Technology over Flax Typhoon hacksOperation AuroraAPT1 Exposing One of China’s Cyber Espionage Units

    1h 49m
  6. Palo Alto network edge device backdoor, Cyberhaven browser extension hack, 2024 research highlights

    12/27/2024

    Palo Alto network edge device backdoor, Cyberhaven browser extension hack, 2024 research highlights

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 27: We discuss the discovery of a Palo Alto network firewall attack and a stealthy network ed ge device backdoor (LITTLELAMB.WOOLTEA), the Cyberhaven hack and the shady world of browser extensions, and a look back at the top research projects that caught our attention in 2025. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)LITTLELAMB.WOOLTEA: Stealthy Network Edge Device Backdoor Palo Alto: Operation Lunar PeekInvestigating Ivanti Connect Secure VPN Exploitation and Persistence Attempts“A Digital Prison”: Surveillance and the suppression of civil society in SerbiaCyberhaven breach reported. Employee phished and pushed malicious chrome extensionGRU 29155 doing cyber operationsHow a Group of Israel-Linked Hackers Has Pushed the Limits of Cyberwar Sophos Used Custom Implants to Surveil Chinese Hackers Targeting Firewall Zero-DaysOperation MiddleFloor: Unmasking the Disinformation Campaign Targeting Moldova's National ElectionsNSPX30: A sophisticated AitM-enabled implant evolving since 2005backdoor in upstream xz/liblzma leading to ssh server compromisePKfail: Untrusted Platform Keys Undermine Secure Boot on UEFI EcosystemThe Tech Coup - How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley

    1h 53m
  7. US government's VPN advice, dropping bombs on ransomware gangs

    12/23/2024

    US government's VPN advice, dropping bombs on ransomware gangs

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 26: We dive deep into the shadowy world of surveillance and cyber operations, unpacking Amnesty International's explosive report on NoviSpy, a previously unknown Android implant used against Serbian activists, and the links to Israeli forensics software vendor Cellebrite. Plus, thoughts on the US government’s controversial guidance on VPNs, Chinese reports on US intel agency hacking, TP-Link sanctions chatter, Mossad's dramatic exploding beeper operation and the ethical, legal, and security implications of escalating cyber-deterrence. Also, a mysterious BeyondTrust 0-day! Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)Surveillance and the suppression of civil society in SerbiaCISA: VPN and mobile device security guidanceCostin Raiu: Staying safe from Pegasus, Chrysaor and other APT mobile malware (2024 update) Bitsight: The Aftermath of the Kaspersky BanUS Probes China-Founded Router Maker TP-LinkRob Joyce: Move away from TP-LinkChina report on US intelligence corporate hackingForeign hackers need to face real consequencesIsrael's Mossad spent years orchestrating Hezbollah pager plotBeyondTrust 0daySophos Firewall CVSS 9.8 bulletin

    1h 59m
  8. Surveillance economics, Turla and Careto, and the AI screenshots nobody asked for

    12/13/2024

    Surveillance economics, Turla and Careto, and the AI screenshots nobody asked for

    Three Buddy Problem - Episode 25: An update on Romania’s cancelled election, the implications of TikTok on democratic processes, and the broader issues around surveillance capitalism and micro-targeting. Plus, news on Turla piggybacking on cybercriminal malware to hit Ukraine, the return of Careto and the absence of IOCs, Claroty report on an Iran-linked cyberweapon targeting critical infrastructure, ethical considerations in cyberwarfare, and the implications of quantum computing on security and cryptocurrencies. Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine. Links: Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)Turla using tools of other groups to attack Ukraine (Microsoft)EpicTurla.com: The lost reportsMicrosoft Recall screenshots credit cards and SSNsStephan Casas: macOS applications quietly capturing screenshotsCVE-2024-49138 - MS 0day exploited in the wildSanctions hit Chinese company behind Sophos 0day attackSentinelLabs: Operation Digital EyeCareto APT’s recent attacks discoveredClaroty: Inside a New OT/IoT cyberweaponPredatory Sparrow: cyber sabotage with a conscience?Willow, Google's state-of-the-art quantum chipWhat sucks in security? Research findings from 50+ security leaders

    2h 14m
See All (150)

4.9
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

The Three Buddy Problem is a popular Security Conversations podcast that goes beyond industry talking points to discuss what others won’t -- nation-state malware, attribution, cyberwar, ethics, privacy, and the messy realities of securing computers and corporate networks. Hosted by three veteran security pros -- journalist Ryan Naraine and malware paleontologists Costin Raiu and Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade -- the weekly show attracts a highly engaged audience of security researchers, corporate defenders, CISOs, and policymakers. Connect with Ryan on Twitter (Open DMs).

Information

  • Creator
    Security Conversations
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Naraine Group
  • Show Website
    Three Buddy Problem

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