Securing Digital Banking: RBI Mandates Migration to [.]bank[.]in Domains

Introduction 

India has always been celebrated as the land of abundance, once known as the ‘golden bird’ that attracted the world with its prosperity and wisdom. In the current century, as the world moves deeper into the age where every nation is redefining its strength through advancements in every sector, including technology, India is preparing for a powerful transformation. “Viksit Bharat 2047” is an initiative aimed at achieving  India's aspiration of becoming a developed nation by its centennial year of independence. India’s growth story is shifting as it takes a step towards development in every field and advances progress both in terms of generating economic growth and breakthroughs in technologies across industries. 

Today, when technology touches every aspect of our lives, ‘Cyber Security’ becomes a key area that will significantly drive progress and hold strong importance under the Viksit Bharat vision, especially with the rise of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, cryptography, 5G & 6G, robotics and automation, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR) & virtual reality (VR) etc. 

Key Initiatives Taken by the Centre

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre: 

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide a framework for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. I4C is actively working on initiatives to combat emerging threats in cyberspace, and it has become a strong pillar of India’s cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention. The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’, equipped with a 24x7 cybercrime helpline number 1930,  is one of the key components of the I4C.

Recently under I4C, key initiatives were launched to strengthen cybersecurity. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been incorporated to bring together banks, financial institutions, telecom companies, Internet Service Providers, and law enforcement agencies on a single platform to tackle online financial crimes efficiently. The Cyber Commandos Program will establish a specialised wing of trained Cyber Commandos in states, Union Territories, and Central Police Organisations to counter rising cyber threats. The Samanvay platform, a web-based Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facility System, has been introduced as a one-stop data repository for cybercrime to foster data sharing and collaboration. The Suspect Registry Portal, connected to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), has been designed to track cybercriminals and strengthen fraud risk management.

India’s AI Mission:-

The Indian Cabinet has approved a comprehensive national-level IndiaAI Mission. The mission aims to strengthen the Indian AI innovation ecosystem by democratizing computing access, improving data quality, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top AI talent, enabling industry collaboration, providing startup risk capital, ensuring socially impactful AI projects, and bolstering ethical AI. Through India AI Mission, the government is facilitating the development of India’s own foundational models, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and problem-specific AI solutions tailored to Indian needs.

The mission is implemented by the 'IndiaAI' Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) and consists of several components, such as IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI Future Skills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI. The main objective is to create and nurture an ecosystem for India’s AI innovation. 

Startup India:-  

With more than 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of January 15, 2025, India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. Startup India is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India on 16th January 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country, which will drive economic growth and generate large-scale employment opportunities.

Key Regulations:-

‍The Centre, in order to better regulate the cyber domain, has come up with significant regulations. To protect the personal data of citizens, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 has been enacted. The Intermediary Guidelines 2021 lay down obligations on social media platforms and intermediaries to ensure accountability and user safety. The Telecommunications Act 2023 has also been enacted. Further, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed by Parliament on 21st August 2025, aims to address related concerns. In addition, Cert-In issues guidelines & advisories from time to time, in order to strengthen cybersecurity.

CyberPeace Outlook 

CyberPeace has been at the forefront in transforming policy, technology, and ethical growth in the cyber landscape through its key initiatives. In 2023, CyberPeace hosted the Global CyberPeace Summit in collaboration with Civil 20 and G20 India, with knowledge support from the United Service Institution of India and participation from MeitY, NCIIPC, CERT-In, Zoom, Meta, InMobi, ICANN, Internet Society, MANRS, APNIC, and leading universities, which helped shape critical global conversations on trust, safety, and collaboration in cyberspace. 

Viksit Bharat 2047 is more than just a vision for economic success; it is a pledge to create a nation that is technologically secure, resilient, and globally competitive.  In this journey, cybersecurity will be at the heart of India's digital reboot, securing its innovation, empowering its citizens, and ensuring its future.

References

• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/i4c-foundation-day-celebration-shri-amit-shah-launches-key-initiatives-to-tackle-cybercrime
• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/indiaai-mission
• https://bharatarticles.com/viksit-bharat-2047-vision-challenges-and-roadmap-to-a-developed-india/
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2012355‍
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2093125

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Introduction

Cybercrime is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s era. As the digital world is evolving rapidly, so do the threats and challenges to curb these cybercrimes. The complexities associated with the evolving cybercrimes make it difficult to detect and investigate by the law enforcement across the world. India is one of those countries that is actively engaged in creating awareness about the cybercrimes and security concerns across the State. At the national level, initiatives like National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, CERT-In and I4C have been established to assist the law enforcement in dealing with cybercrimes in India. According to the press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 12,5153 cases of Financial Cyber Frauds were reported in the year 2023, which is the second highest in State-wise Reporting after UP. Maharashtra has been highlighted as one of the States with the highest cybercrime cases for the past few years. 

In response to curbing the increasing number of cases, the state of Maharashtra has launched the initiative ‘the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project’. The purpose of this project is to strengthen the system’s defense mechanism by establishing cybersecurity infrastructure, exploiting technological advancements and enhancing the skills of law enforcement agencies. 

Maharashtra Cyber Department and the Cyber Security Project

The Maharashtra Cyber Department, also referred as MahaCyber was established in the year 2016 and employs a multi-faceted approach to address cyberthreats. The objective is to provide a user-friendly space to report Cybercrimes, safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure from cyber threats, empowering the investigation law agencies ultimately improving its efficiency and creating awareness among common people.  

The Maharashtra Cyber Security Project aims to strengthen the department, bringing all the aspects of the cyber security system under one facility. The key components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project are as follows: 

• Command & Control Centre:

The Command & Control Centre will function as a 24/ complaint registration hub and grievance handling mechanism which can be accessed by calling the helpline number, mobile app or on the online portal. The Centre continuously monitors cyber threats, reduce the impact of cyber attacks and ensures that issues are resolved as soon as possible. 

• Technology Assisted Investigation (TAI):

Complaints that are registered are analysed and investigated by experts using cutting edge technologies such as Computer Forensic or Mobile Forensic, Voice Analysis System, Image Enhancement Tool, Deepfake Detection Solution to name a few which helps the Maharashtra Cyber Department to collect evidence, identify weak spots and mitigate the cyber threats effectively.   

• Computer Emergency Response Team – Maharashtra (CERT-MH):

The CRET-MH works on curbing cybercrimes which are especially targeted to affect the Critical Infrastructure like banks, railway services, electricity of the State and threats related to national security using technologies such as Deep web and Dark web analysis, Darknet & Threat Intelligence Feeds, Vulnerability Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform, Malware Analysis and Network Capture Analysis and coordinates with other agencies. 

• Security Operations Centre (SOC):

The SOC looks after the security of the MahaCyber from any cyber threats. It 24/7 monitors the infrastructure for any signs of breach or threats and thus aids in early detection and prevention of any further harm. 

• Centre of Excellence (COE):

The Centre of Excellence focuses on training the police officials to equip them with desired tools and technologies to deal with cyber threats. The Centre also works on creating awareness about various cyber threats among the citizens of the state. 

• Nodal Cyber Police Station:

The Nodal Cyber Police Station works as a focal point for all cybercrime related law enforcement activities. It is responsible for coordinating the investigation procedure and prevention of cybercrimes within the state. Such Cyber Police Stations have been established in each district of Maharashtra. 

Funds of Funds to scale up Startups

The government of Maharashtra through the Fund of Funds for Startups scheme has invested in more than 300 startups that align with the objective of cyber security and digital safety. The government is promoting ideas and cyber defence innovation which will help to push the boundaries of traditional cybersecurity tools and improve the State’s ability to tackle cybercrimes.  Such partnerships can be a cost-effective solution that proactively promotes a culture of cybersecurity across industries. 

Dynamic Cyber Platform

The government of Maharashtra has been working on creating a dynamic cyber platform that would assist them in tackling cybercrimes and save hundreds of crores of rupees in a short span of time. The platform will act as a link between various stakeholders such as banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and social media providers to provide a technology-driven solution to the evolving cybercrimes. As a part of this process, the government has invited tenders and has called top IT companies from the world to participate and aid them in setting up this dynamic cyber platform. 

Why Does The Initiative By Maharashtra’s Government Act As A Model For Other States

The components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project and the dynamic cyber platform create a comprehensive system which aims at tackling the increasing complexities of cyber threats. The initiative with integration on cutting edge technologies, specialised institutions, expert professionals from various industries and real-time monitoring of cybercrimes sets an example that Maharashtra is well-equipped to prevent, detect and respond to cybercrimes being reported in the State. The project collaborates between government and law enforcement agencies, providing them proper training and addressing grievances of the public. By working on four key areas, i.e. centralised platform for reporting, collaboration between government and private sectors, public awareness and use of advanced technologies, the Cyber Security System in Maharashtra serves as a model for creating secure digital space and tackling cybercrime effectively on a large scale.  

Other States in India could certainly adopt similar models and achieve success in curbing cybercrimes. They need to create a dedicated response team consisting of trained personnel, invest in advanced software as used by Maharashtra, foster partnerships with companies or startups involved in AI and technology to build resilient cybersecurity infrastructures. The government of Maharashtra can extend hands to assist other states to establish a model that addresses the evolving cybercrimes efficiently.  

References

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2003158 
• https://mhcyber.gov.in/about-us 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjPw-8afTTw 
• https://www.ltts.com/press-release/maharashtra-inaugurates-india-first-integrated-cyber-command-control-center-ltts 
• https://theprint.in/india/maharashtra-tackling-evolving-cyber-crimes-through-dynamic-platform-cm/2486772/ ‍
• https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dynamic-cyber-security-platform-in-the-offing-says-fadnavis

Introduction

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Recently, in April 2025, security researchers at Oligo Security exposed a substantial and wide-ranging threat impacting Apple's AirPlay protocol and its use via third-party Software Development Kit (SDK). According to the research, the recently discovered set of vulnerabilities titled "AirBorne" had the potential to enable remote code execution, escape permissions, and leak private data across many different Apple and third-party AirPlay-compatible devices. With well over 2.35 billion active Apple devices globally and tens of millions of third-party products that incorporate the AirPlay SDK, the scope of the problem is enormous. Those wireless-based vulnerabilities pose not only a technical threat but also increasingly an enterprise- and consumer-level security concern.

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Understanding AirBorne: What’s at Stake?

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AirBorne is the title given to a set of 23 vulnerabilities identified in the AirPlay communication protocol and its related SDK utilised by third-party vendors. Seventeen have been given official CVE designations. The most severe among them permit Remote Code Execution (RCE) with zero or limited user interaction. This provides hackers the ability to penetrate home networks, business environments, and even cars with CarPlay technology onboard.

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Types of Vulnerabilities Identified

AirBorne vulnerabilities support a range of attack types, including:

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• Zero-Click and One-Click RCE
• Access Control List (ACL) bypass
• User interaction bypass
• Local arbitrary file read
• Sensitive data disclosure
• Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks
• Denial of Service (DoS)

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Each vulnerability can be used individually or chained together to escalate access and broaden the attack surface.

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Remote Code Execution (RCE): Key Attack Scenarios

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1. MacOS – Zero-Click RCE (CVE-2025-24252 & CVE-2025-24206) These weaknesses enable attackers to run code on a MacOS system without any user action, as long as the AirPlay receiver is enabled and configured to accept connections from anyone on the same network. The threat of wormable malware propagating via corporate or public Wi-Fi networks is especially concerning.
2. MacOS – One-Click RCE (CVE-2025-24271 & CVE-2025-24137) If AirPlay is set to "Current User," attackers can exploit these CVEs to deploy malicious code with one click by the user. This raises the level of threat in shared office or home networks.
3. AirPlay SDK Devices – Zero-Click RCE (CVE-2025-24132) Third-party speakers and receivers through the AirPlay SDK are particularly susceptible, where exploitation requires no user intervention. Upon compromise, the attackers have the potential to play unauthorised media, turn microphones on, or monitor intimate spaces.
4. CarPlay Devices – RCE Over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB CVE-2025-24132 also affects CarPlay-enabled systems. Under certain circumstances, the perpetrators around can take advantage of predictable Wi-Fi credentials, intercept Bluetooth PINs, or utilise USB connections to take over dashboard features, which may distract drivers or listen in on in-car conversations.

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Other Exploits Beyond RCE

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AirBorne also opens the door for:

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• Sensitive Information Disclosure: Exposing private logs or user metadata over local networks (CVE-2025-24270).
• Local Arbitrary File Access: Letting attackers read restricted files on a device (CVE-2025-24270 group).
• DoS Attacks: Exploiting NULL pointer dereferences or misformatted data to crash processes like the AirPlay receiver or WindowServer, forcing user logouts or system instability (CVE-2025-24129, CVE-2025-24177, etc.).

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How the Attack Works: A Technical Breakdown

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AirPlay sends on port 7000 via HTTP and RTSP, typically encoded in Apple's own plist (property list) form. Exploits result from incorrect treatment of these plists, especially when skipping type checking or assuming invalid data will be valid. For instance, CVE-2025-24129 illustrates how a broken plist can produce type confusion to crash or execute code based on configuration.

A hacker must be within the same Wi-Fi network as the targeted device. This connection might be through a hacked laptop, public wireless with shared access, or an insecure corporate connection. Once in proximity, the hacker has the ability to use AirBorne bugs to hijack AirPlay-enabled devices. There, bad code can be released to spy, gain long-term network access, or spread control to other devices on the network, perhaps creating a botnet or stealing critical data.

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The Espionage Angle

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Most third-party AirPlay-compatible devices, including smart speakers, contain built-in microphones. In theory, that leaves the door open for such devices to become eavesdropping tools. While Oligo did not show a functional exploit for the purposes of espionage, the risk suggests the gravity of the situation.

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The CarPlay Risk Factor

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Besides smart home appliances, vulnerabilities in AirBorne have also been found for Apple CarPlay by Oligo. Those vulnerabilities, when exploited, may enable attackers to take over an automobile's entertainment system. Fortunately, the attacks would need pairing directly through USB or Bluetooth and are much less practical. Even so, it illustrates how networks of connected components remain at risk in various situations, ranging from residences to automobiles.

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How to Protect Yourself and Your Organisation

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1. Immediate Actions:

• Update Devices: Ensure all Apple devices and third-party gadgets are upgraded to the latest software version.
• Disable AirPlay Receiver: If AirPlay is not in use, disable it in system settings.
• Restrict AirPlay Access: Use firewalls to block port 7000 from untrusted IPs.
• Set AirPlay to “Current User” to limit network-based attack.

2. Organisational Recommendations:

• Communicate the patch urgency to employees and stakeholders.
• Inventory all AirPlay-enabled hardware, including in meeting rooms and vehicles.
• Isolate vulnerable devices on segmented networks until updated.

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Conclusion

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The AirBorne vulnerabilities illustrate that even mature systems such as Apple's are not immune from foundational security weaknesses. The extensive deployment of AirPlay across devices, industries, and ecosystems makes these vulnerabilities a systemic threat. Oligo's discovery has served to catalyse immediate response from Apple, but since third-party devices remain vulnerable, responsibility falls to users and organisations to install patches, implement robust configurations, and compartmentalise possible attack surfaces. Effective proactive cybersecurity hygiene, network segmentation, and timely patches are the strongest defences to avoid these kinds of wormable, scalable attacks from becoming large-scale breaches.

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References

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• https://www.oligo.security/blog/airborne
• https://www.wired.com/story/airborne-airplay-flaws/
• https://thehackernews.com/2025/05/wormable-airplay-flaws-enable-zero.html
• https://www.securityweek.com/airplay-vulnerabilities-expose-apple-devices-to-zero-click-takeover/
• https://www.pcmag.com/news/airborne-flaw-exposes-airplay-devices-to-hacking-how-to-protect-yourself
• https://cyberguy.com/security/hackers-breaking-into-apple-devices-through-airplay/

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