One of my clients got an email today with this subject: RV: UPDATE YOUR E-MAIL SECURITY IMMEDIATELY (IUEU). It was from “Squirrel Mail Security Team”<sec20106@secmail.org>. Since my client uses DreamHost as his hosting company (as do I and we both use SquirrelMail) I immediately contacted DreamHost and they said the email was a fake. I’ve pasted the body of the actual email below – but if you get this email, DELETE IT. Do not click on the link inside it, do not open the attachment.

“Dear E-Mail User

Due to the package compromise of 1.4.11,1.4.12 and 1.4.13, we are forced to release 1.4.15 to ensure no confusions. While initial review didn’t uncover a need for concern, several proof of concepts show that the package alterations introduce a high risk security issue, allowing remote inclusion of files. These changes would allow a remote user the ability to execute exploit code on a victim machine, without any user interaction on the victim’s server. This could grant the attacker the ability to deploy further code on the victim’s server.
So upgrade to Squirrel Mail Development Team by click Squirrel Mail Login SquirrelMail 1.4.15 Released

We STRONGLY advise all users of 1.4.11, 1.4.12 and 1.4.13 upgrade immediately.”

 

Note that if you clicked on the “click Squirrel Mail Login”, you were taken to some website in the UK. And this email also had an attachment – DO NOT OPEN IT. Throw this away asap.

If you found this article helpful, please take a moment to share it with your friends, it will be much appreciated. Thanks! Jill