Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 10–14

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 10–14 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing April 14, 2023

The Good

Traditional security models are no longer enough to protect systems, networks, and data from advanced and sophisticated cyber threats. Organizations should adopt better security practices and guidelines that are built on observations and experiences from past security incidents. Keeping this in mind, the CISA has issued an updated version of the Zero Trust Maturity Model for public and private sectors, based on suggestions from the public on the previous version. Besides this, the agency has published a separate guideline to enhance the security of technology products shipped to customers.

  • The CISA released an updated version of the Zero Trust Maturity Model to assist law enforcement agencies and organizations in the development and implementation of zero trust strategies. The latest version (2.0) is built on the public feedback of version 1.0 and includes the implementation of the zero trust strategy across five pillars - identity, devices, networks, data and applications, and workloads.
  • Google collaborated with several other companies to form a new group, called the Hacking Policy Council, that will advocate better regulations and policies for vulnerability management and disclosure. The council is an initiative of the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law.
  • A new guidance to enhance the security of software and technology products has been issued by the CISA in collaboration with the FBI, the NSA, and security agencies from the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance. The authorities urged manufacturers to ship only those products to customers that follow secure-by-design and secure-by-default approaches.

The Bad

Despite these positive developments, several organizations fell victim to different security incidents that either led to the exposure of sensitive data or the loss of funds. While a cryptocurrency firm announced a loss of $23 million worth of cryptocurrencies in a hack, a security lapse at a Canada-based cloud accounting startup caused the leakage of personal details of over 30 million users online. In other news, threat actors have dumped the personal data of over 400,000 Kodi users on underground forums, thus increasing the risk of identity theft.

  • FreshBooks, a Canadian unicorn startup building cloud accounting software, had left exposed the sensitive data of over 30 million users due to a misconfigured AWS bucket. The exposed database was first discovered in January 2023 and included login details and hash passwords of users.
  • Hackers hacked South Korea-based GDAC and stole nearly $13 million worth of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Wemix tokens from the firm. GDAC said it notified the authorities and is working to recover the funds.
  • Crypto exchange Bitrue spotted a brief exploit of one of its hot wallets, which resulted in the theft of $23 million worth of ETH, GALA, QNT, SHIB, MATIC, and HOT. The firm has temporarily suspended its operations, including withdrawals.
  • Yum! Brands began notifying users that the personal information of an undisclosed number of individuals was stolen in a ransomware attack that occurred in January. This included names, driver’s license numbers, and other ID card numbers of users.
  • A cyberattack at Belgian HR and payroll giant SD Worx caused the shutdown of all IT systems for its U.K and Ireland services. The security advisory from the firm disclosed that it observed malicious activities in the hosted data center, following which it took immediate mitigation measures.
  • Several controllers operated by the Galil Sewage Corporation, Jordan Valley, were paralyzed following a cyberattack. While the source of the attack is unknown, the company experts spent an entire day recovering the operations.
  • In the latest update on the 3CX supply chain attack, Mandiant determined that the attackers infected 3CX systems with TAXHAUL aka TxRLoader malware. When executed on Windows systems, the malware uses the Windows CryptUnprotectData API to decrypt the shellcode with a cryptographic key unique to each compromised host.
  • A new advisory from the FBI warned that scammers are impersonating Chinese government officials in an attempt to pilfer sensitive details from Chinese nationals based in the U.S. The scam creates a sense of urgency and threatens targets by showing them fake documents, like warrants, to prove their accusations. In another advisory, the FCC warned users against Juice Jacking attacks that enabled attackers to install malware or malicious software on their phones, tablets, or computers by hijacking public charging stations.
  • An investigation into the 2021 ransomware attack on Suffolk County, New York, revealed that hackers spent eight months inside the systems before launching the attack. They exploited the Log4j vulnerability to break into the county clerk’s office, established persistence, installed Bitcoin mining software, and harvested credentials.
  • The Lürssen shipyard group, Germany, suffered a ransomware attack over the Easter holiday. Not many details are available presently; however, it is reported that the company has initiated an investigation to understand the scope and impact of the attack. Furthermore, the company has taken necessary security measures to prevent the ransomware from spreading further.
  • Hackers dumped the private data of around 400,000 Kodi users on several hacking forums. The media player maker suffered a data breach on February 16 and 21 after threat actors compromised the account of an inactive administrator and accessed the web-based MyBB admin console.

New Threats

Coming to threats, QBot returned in a fresh attack campaign that targeted Korean users. A new RaaS gang was also discovered by researchers this week. Tracked as Read The Manual (RTM) Locker, the group is skilled in launching ransomware attacks against high-value organizations and later uses affiliates to initiate ransom negotiations. There were also reports of misuse of well-known ChatGPT and Chrome browser apps to propagate RedLine stealer and Monero mining malware, respectively.

  • Microsoft shared technical details of a new campaign that exploited a Secure Boot security feature bypass vulnerability (CVE-2022-21894) via a UEFI bootkit called BlackLotus. After execution, the bootkit writes malicious bootloader files to the EFI system partition and subsequently locks them to protect them from deletion or tampering.
  • A new commercial spyware, dubbed KingsPawn, was used to compromise the iPhones of high-profile individuals. The spyware was distributed using a zero-click exploit, named ENDOFDAYS, that targeted a zero-day flaw affecting iPhones running iOS 1.4 up to 14.4.2. The targeted victims include journalists, political opposition figures, and NGO workers in North America, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have been targeted in the campaign.
  • Researchers encountered a new email phishing campaign that spoofed a Ukraine company, Energoatom, to distribute the Havoc Demon backdoor. The phishing email included a macro-enabled document that contained a list of people supposedly approved to receive protective equipment. The malware is capable of executing PowerShell commands, manipulating processes, taking screenshots, manipulating files and directories, and executing malicious commands.
  • Kaspersky shared details of a Nokoyawa ransomware campaign that exploited a zero-day privilege escalation flaw (CVE-2023-28252) in Windows to gain initial access. The vulnerability was triggered by manipulating the base log file. The campaign is believed to be part of a large attack framework called Devil Shadow Botnet.
  • An NTT security analyst spotted a campaign that exploited a fake Google Chrome update error screen to distribute Monero mining malware. The malware used the BYOVD technique to abuse a bug in WinRing0x64.sys to gain system privilege access.
  • The CISA updated its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with two new security flaws affecting iPads, iPhones, and Macs. The agency warned that these flaws are being actively exploited in the wild and can allow attackers to launch arbitrary code attacks.
  • A new RedLine stealer attack campaign was spotted leveraging the rising popularity of AI platforms for propagation. The malware disguised as free downloads for the ChatGPT or Google Bard files to evade detection. These files were promoted through compromised Facebook business or community accounts.
  • Qakbot (aka Qbot) was found leveraging hijacked email chains to infect users in Korea. The malware disguised as PDF files attached to the email to hide its identity. The recipient addresses were obtained from the original email's recipients and CC list.
  • Researchers shared details of a new RaaS group called RTM Locker that provides and carries out opportunistic ransomware attacks to generate illicit profit. The group uses affiliates to extort the targeted victims.

Related Threat Briefings

Jun 6, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 02–06, 2025

Authorities have taken down a major hub for stolen financial data. The DOJ seized approximately 145 domains associated with the BidenCash marketplace, which had evolved from a small credit card shop in 2022 into a massive hub for stolen payment data. In a move to reinforce Europe’s cyber defenses, Microsoft is stepping in with strategic support. The newly launched European Security Program offers EU governments free access to AI-driven threat intelligence, vulnerability alerts, and guidance to counter attacks from state-sponsored actors. Not all GitHub projects are built with good intentions. Researchers uncovered a widespread campaign involving more than 130 repositories booby-trapped with malware disguised as game cheats, hacking tools, and utilities. A free software download could end up costing your entire crypto wallet. ViperSoftX is back in circulation, targeting crypto users with malicious PowerShell scripts bundled into cracked apps, keygens, and torrent packages. Some attackers mine crypto, JINX-0132 mines misconfigurations. This threat actor is running a stealthy cryptojacking campaign against DevOps platforms, exploiting exposed defaults and overlooked RCE flaws. Destruction masquerading as maintenance tools is hitting Ukraine’s infrastructure. Researchers attributed a new wiper malware called PathWiper to a Russia-linked APT group, targeting critical systems by leveraging legitimate administrative frameworks. A few swapped letters could be all it takes to get owned. A new supply chain attack targets Python and npm developers through typo-squatting and name confusion. A new Android banking trojan, named Crocodilus, has emerged in the threat landscape. It masquerades as legitimate apps like Google Chrome and uses overlay attacks to steal credentials from financial apps.

May 30, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, May 26–30, 2025

Under the hood of vulnerability management, NIST just added a sharper diagnostic tool. The new Likely Exploited Vulnerabilities metric offers deeper insight into which CVEs are likely being used in the wild, complementing EPSS with more contextual signals. Digital warfare is no longer a future threat, it's a current investment. The U.K. Ministry of Defence has unveiled a £1 billion Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to protect military networks and support offensive cyber missions. With AI-driven systems like the Digital Targeting Web in development, the goal is seamless coordination across weapons platforms. A quiet but relentless campaign has been unfolding across multiple industries. The Chinese group Earth Lamia is targeting finance, government, logistics, and more by exploiting known web app vulnerabilities. APT41 hides malware commands where no one’s looking: your calendar. In a creative twist on C2 infrastructure, China-backed APT41 embedded encrypted instructions inside Google Calendar events. AyySSHush doesn’t make noise, it builds armies. More than 9,000 ASUS routers have been compromised by this botnet, which quietly slips in through a CVE-2023-39780 exploit. Fake CAPTCHA prompts are now doing more than testing if you're human—they're installing malware. EDDIESTEALER, a new Rust-based infostealer, spreads through deceptive CAPTCHA pages that trigger malicious PowerShell scripts. Threat actors are wrapping their tools in layers of obfuscation, and DOUBLELOADER is no exception. This new backdoor uses the ALCATRAZ obfuscator—once seen in the game-hacking scene—to disguise its presence. A new Go-based botnet called PumaBot is clawing its way through Linux IoT devices. It brute-forces SSH credentials, impersonates Redis files for stealth, and deploys rootkits to mine crypto and steal credentials.

May 23, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, May 19–23, 2025

Operation Endgame just dealt a major blow to the ransomware supply chain. Europol led the charge in dismantling malware infrastructure tied to multiple malware families, seizing 300 servers and more. Japan has officially gone on the cyber offense. The new Active Cyberdefense Law allows preemptive strikes against foreign cyber threats. It enables traffic analysis and takedowns of hostile servers. Think twice before clicking on that Ledger update. A new macOS malware campaign is deploying fake versions of the Ledger Live app to steal cryptocurrency seed phrases. A Turkish phishing lure leads straight to SnakeKeylogger. Fake AI tools are the new phishing lures and they’re convincing. Cybercriminals cloned Kling AI’s brand through Facebook ads and spoofed websites to trick users into downloading malware. The DBatLoader (aka ModiLoader) malware is making the rounds again - this time disguised as a Turkish bank email. The copyright threat in your inbox might be bait. A phishing campaign sweeping across central and eastern Europe is using fake legal complaints to deliver the Rhadamanthys Stealer. Two years of silence, 6,200 downloads later - the malware is finally found. A malicious campaign targeting JavaScript developers slipped past detection by disguising harmful npm packages as plugins for frameworks like React, Vue.js, Vite, and Quill Editor. Researchers uncovered a stealthy new backdoor paired with a Monero coinminer, using the PyBitmessage library for encrypted peer-to-peer communications.

May 9, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, May 05–09, 2025

Another blow to DDoS-for-hire networks. Europol has shut down six services used to launch global cyberattacks, arresting suspects in Poland and seizing domains in the U.S. The UN has launched a new framework to help policymakers make sense of cyber intrusions. Called UNIDIR Intrusion Path, it complements models like MITRE ATT&CK but simplifies the technical details. It breaks down attacker activity into three layers, making it easier to evaluate threats in a policy context. Old routers are becoming cybercrime goldmines. The FBI has warned that end-of-life routers are being hijacked with malware like TheMoon and sold on proxy networks such as 5Socks and Anyproxy. These compromised devices are used for crypto theft, cybercrime-as-a-service, and even espionage. Crypto users on Discord are the latest targets of a phishing campaign tied to Inferno Drainer. Attackers were found impersonating the Collab.Land bot to trick users into signing malicious transactions. The Play ransomware group has joined the list of actors exploiting CVE-2025-29824. This Windows zero-day in the CLFS driver enables privilege escalation via a race condition during file operations. Linked to the Balloonfly group, the attacks targeted a U.S. organization and included deployment of the Grixba infostealer. COLDRIVER’s latest malware, LOSTKEYS, is now in play. The Russian state-backed group is deploying this tool to steal files and system data from advisors, journalists, NGOs, and individuals linked to Ukraine. Agenda’s playbook just got upgraded. The ransomware group has added two new tools: SmokeLoader and a stealthy .NET-based loader called NETXLOADER. The latter leverages techniques like JIT hooking and AES decryption to deploy ransomware. Corporate HR teams are the latest target in a spear-phishing spree by Venom Spider. Disguised as job applications, these emails deliver More_eggs backdoor, now upgraded with advanced features.

May 2, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, April 28–May 02, 2025

The FBI just dropped a massive breadcrumb trail. Details of 42,000 phishing domains tied to the LabHost platform have been released to help defenders investigate potential breaches. The service enabled the theft of 500,000 credit cards and over a million credentials. The takedown of JokerOTP has exposed just how far phishing has evolved. The tool was used in more than 28,000 attacks across 13 countries, tricking victims into handing over 2FA codes by mimicking trusted brands. The operation cost victims £7.5 million and has now led to serious criminal charges, thanks to a joint effort involving Europol and Dutch authorities. Malware’s now hitching a ride on Go modules. Socket has uncovered three malicious packages hiding disk-wiping payloads, designed to cause irreversible data loss, especially on Linux systems. These modules take advantage of Go’s decentralized ecosystem. In the shadows of the cybersecurity landscape, MintsLoader emerges as a formidable adversary, orchestrating a multi-faceted infection strategy that deploys the notorious GhostWeaver RAT. Some PyPI packages are doing more than importing functions. Researchers uncovered seven malicious Python packages under the “Coffin” naming scheme, using Gmail’s SMTP service as a stealthy C2 channel. Ransomware groups aren’t always the ones breaking the door open. Researchers have uncovered ToyMaker, an initial access broker selling network entry to ransomware groups. Using a custom malware strain called LAGTOY, ToyMaker establishes reverse shells and executes commands on compromised systems. New vulnerabilities in Apple’s AirPlay protocol, collectively dubbed AirBorne, expose billions of devices to remote code execution without user interaction. Sharp and TX stealers are back, donning a new cloak - named Hannibal Stealer. It is going after credentials from browsers, crypto wallets, FTP clients, and VPN apps. It even captures Discord tokens and Steam sessions.

Apr 25, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, April 21–25, 2025

AI security finally has a global playbook. ETSI has released TS 104 223, a first-of-its-kind technical specification outlining how to secure AI systems across their entire lifecycle - from design to decommissioning. MITRE’s latest update is catching up with the cloud. ATT&CK v17 expands the framework to include ESXi and adds more than 140 defensive analytics. Platform-specific data collection advice, improved mitigation mapping, and deeper coverage of mobile threats like SIM swaps round out the upgrade. An APT group with deep roots in Southeast Asia is quietly siphoning data through everyday cloud platforms. Earth Kurma has been active since late 2020, targeting government and telecom entities across the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Signal and WhatsApp are the new frontline for cloud compromise. Russian actors are running OAuth phishing campaigns against Microsoft 365 users tied to Ukraine and human rights work. A forged email that passes every security check - that’s the new phishing trick. Attackers are using DKIM replay tactics to forward legitimate Google security alerts to unsuspecting victims. It starts with a fake sales order and ends with FormBook silently stealing your data. A recent phishing campaign has been abusing a long-patched Microsoft flaw to deliver a fileless variant of the malware. Docker containers aren’t always what they seem. A new threat named TenoBot is targeting systems running outdated Teneo Web3 node software, deploying malicious containers to hijack environments. A stealthy new RAT is slipping through Ivanti Connect Secure devices in Japan. Dubbed DslogdRAT, the malware exploits a zero-day flaw to execute commands via web shell and quietly exfiltrate data using encoded C2 traffic.

Apr 11, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, April 07–11, 2025

The U.K. government rolled out a Cyber Governance Code of Practice aimed at directors and board members, not just CISOs. Backed by the NCSC and other national bodies, the code includes practical actions, modular training, and a board-level toolkit. Startups building the future of cyber defense are getting serious backing. The British Business Bank has committed most of a £50 million fund to Osney Capital, which will invest in early-stage cybersecurity companies across the U.K. A torrent download might be doing more than delivering cracked software. A campaign has been distributing ViperSoftX to Korean users, likely run by Arabic-speaking threat actors. Invasive spyware campaigns are zeroing in on high-risk communities. MOONSHINE and BADBAZAAR are being deployed through trojanized mobile apps to surveil Uyghur, Tibetan, and Taiwanese individuals, as well as civil society groups. Search for QuickBooks during tax season, and you might land on a trap. Threat actors are placing deceptive Google Ads that link to phishing pages almost identical to the real QuickBooks login portal. It starts with a PDF search and ends with malware on your machine. A new campaign is using fake CAPTCHAs and Cloudflare Turnstile to lure users into downloading LegionLoader. Seed phrases aren’t supposed to come from strangers. The PoisonSeed campaign is targeting crypto holders and enterprise users by compromising bulk email services. Victims are lured with fake wallet setup instructions that embed attacker-controlled recovery phrases - giving threat actors full access once the wallets are used. A Chinese-linked threat group, ToddyCat, has been exploiting a security vulnerability in ESET's software to deliver a new malware, TCESB, in Asia.

Mar 28, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 24–28, 2025

The U.K’s NCSC is putting domain abuse in its crosshairs. New guidance targets registrars with a push to curb malicious domain registrations and hijacks. The recommendations focus on tightening security at registration, offering enhanced protections to customers, and more. Europe is getting serious about the quantum future. ETSI has rolled out a new quantum-safe encryption standard featuring Covercrypt, a novel key encapsulation scheme with built-in access controls. By tying decryption permissions to user attributes, Covercrypt delivers speed and post-quantum security. Medusa isn’t just encrypting files, it’s dismantling defenses first. The RaaS has been leveraging a malicious driver called ABYSSWORKER in BYOVD attacks to disable endpoint protections. FamousSparrow has returned with new tools and a familiar agenda. The Chinese APT group was behind a July 2024 attack targeting a U.S. trade group and a Mexican research institute, deploying a web shell on an IIS server to drop SparrowDoor and ShadowPad. A supply chain attack snuck through npm by modifying what developers thought they could trust. Threat actors used two packages to inject malware into the widely used ethers library. Lucid isn’t just phishing - it’s engineering trust through your inbox. This advanced PhaaS platform weaponizes the built-in features of iMessage and RCS to create hyper-realistic scams. Known for years of corporate espionage, RedCurl has shifted gears with a new ransomware called QWCrypt. The malware was found in a North American network, targeting hypervisors for maximum disruption. PlayBoy Locker is offering ransomware with a user manual and tech support. The newly investigated RaaS platform operates on an affiliate model and comes packed with features. Targeting Windows, NAS, and ESXi systems, it moves laterally using LDAP scans and abuses Restart Manager DLLs to shut down active processes before encryption.