Short Takes – 12-18-24

FBI Warns of HiatusRAT Attacks on Cameras, DVR Systems. SecurityWeek.com article. Pull quote: “They used the Ingram scanning tool to mainly target Xiongmai and Hikvision devices with telnet access in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance countries, looking for those impacted by vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-7921, CVE-2018-9995, CVE-2020-25078, CVE-2021-33044, and CVE-2021-36260.”

NASA astronauts stuck in space after Boeing spaceship hit new delay. TheHill.com article.  Pull quote: ““NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than late March 2025 to launch four crew members to the International Space Station,” NASA said in a release.”

Congress strikes deal to avert government shutdown. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Johnson said the goal was for “a very simple, very clean” stopgap funding plan “to get us into next year when we have a unified government.” But he added that “acts of God,” such as hurricanes, required disaster aid and other additions to the package.” Morning story.

Trump, Vance call for streamlined CR and debt ceiling debate. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “Trump said in a post later a post on Truth Social that he would primary any Republican who supported the original temporary funding bill that included the Democrat requests. He said it would “bring the mess of the Debt Limit" to his administration.” Evening story.

Johnson considers plan B amid Trump World opposition to spending deal. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The back-up option Johnson is examining is a “clean” continuing resolution, two sources familiar with the matter told The Hill. That would entail dropping the additional provisions that were included in the initial 1,500-page spending package negotiated by congressional leaders, including disaster aid and economic assistance for farmers.”

Axiom Space Accelerates Axiom Station Assembly. AxiomSpace.com press release. Pull quote: ““The result – free-flight capability after the launch and berthing of PPTM,” Greeley explained, “allowing us to add modules while on orbit once we have separated from station. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition from a government to a commercial platform, maintaining a continuous human presence on orbit to serve a community of global customers and partners, to include NASA.””