Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 18–22

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 18–22 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing April 22, 2022

The Good

Governments are realizing that multilateral collaboration, not only among private organizations, but also among different nations is the way to create a secure cyberspace. In this regard, the U.S. is partnering with six other countries to safeguard the cross-border flow of data. Cybercriminals making mistakes and leaving gaps in their malware architecture has always been a good piece of news. Due to this very reason, researchers were able to build a decryptor for the Yanluowang ransomware.

  • The U.S. is partnering with six other countries—Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan—to create privacy and cybersecurity standards for the data that cross over into each other’s borders.
  • A security lapse discovered in the encryption process of the Yanluowang ransomware has enabled researchers to build a decryptor. This decryptor is available for free to the victims who are infected by the ransomware. The ransomware was first spotted in October 2021 and was used in highly targeted attacks against large organizations.
  • U.S Cyber Command allocated over $236 million in the command’s fiscal year 2023 spending request. The funds would augment operational support to each of the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture components to deliver critical cyber capabilities.
  • Australia’s financial intelligence and regulatory body AUSTRAC released two financial crime guides to aid organizations in detecting and preventing ransomware attacks and the exploitation of digital currencies. The guides assist businesses in identifying if a certain payment is associated with a ransomware attack or if someone is leveraging digital currencies to commit financial frauds.
  • The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) is organizing Locked Shields 2022, an international live-fire cyber defense exercise for the protection of national civilian and military IT systems and critical infrastructure.

The Bad

Do not speak ill of the dead for they may come alive. It’s been almost a year since Emotet was shut down and now, it’s back from its grave and quickly rising to the forefront of the threat landscape via rapidly spreading email scams. Not only Emotet, but we also have another resurrection on our hands this week. REvil’s servers are up on the Tor network and the gang has already listed two fresh victims on its new leak site. New week, new crypto hack. A cyberattack on BeanStalk Farms resulted in the loss of millions worth of cryptocurrency.

  • An attack on a third-party system has disrupted the operations of a Canadian airline company, Sunwing Airlines Inc. The firm disclosed that the third-party system used for check-ins and boarding was breached, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at the airport.
  • The FBI has shared an advisory to warn organizations about the escalating attacks by BlackCat ransomware. The note reveals that the ransomware has targeted at least 60 organizations worldwide between November 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, the operators announced nine new victims as of April 21.
  • Researchers have spotted REvil ransomware’s servers being up in the Tor network after several months of inactivity. A new leak site associated with the ransomware is being promoted on a RuTOR dark web marketplace. The site includes a list of organizations targeted by the ransomware, out of which two are new ones.
  • The FBI has issued an advisory about the potential impact of ransomware attacks on organizations in the Food and Agriculture (FA) sector in the U.S. Two such attacks disrupting the supply of seeds and fertilizers were reported in early 2022.
  • The Unified Government (UG) of Wyandotte County and Kansas City experienced a cyberattack at its data centers. According to the UG, it is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and Mid-America Regional Council cybersecurity task force to restore data services. It is yet to be determined if any data was compromised.
  • Scammers are taking advantage of the ongoing geopolitical war to deceive Ukrainians, as well as people from other nations, into sending donations to the wrong recipients. The scams are being carried out through fake donation sites, fake Red Cross portals, and social media. In one such instance, the scammer known as @Xenta777 on Twitter had asked people to make military equipment-related donations.
  • GitHub reported that threat actors used stolen OAuth user tokens to exfiltrate private data from several organizations. The stolen OAuth tokens were linked to two OAuth integrators, Heroku and Travis-CI. The first intrusion was detected on April 12 after the company’s security team identified unauthorized access to its npm production infrastructure using a compromised AWS API key.
  • BeanStalk Farms, an Ethereum-based stablecoin protocol, suffered a loss of around $182 million following a cyberattack. The attackers got away with around $80 million of crypto tokens by projecting a flash loan on the lending platform Aave, which is used to amass a large amount of Beanstalk’s native governance token, Stalk.
  • Researchers observed that the recent Emotet outbreak is being spread through various malicious Microsoft Office files that come attached with phishing emails. The emails include ‘Re:’ or ‘Fe:’ in the subject line. The attached Excel files and Word documents contain the ‘Enable Content’ button that, if clicked, causes the download of malicious macros.
  • Several instances of IRS tax scams targeting users in the U.S were reported recently. In one incident, threat actors used phishing emails that appeared to come from the IRS to warn the recipients about the last date for filing the tax and asked them to complete the tax filing by clicking on malicious attachments. In some cases, the cybercriminals also impersonated federal agencies such as DHS to warn victims about overdue payments to the IRS, which should be paid via a link that redirects them to a fake PayPal site.

New Threats

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, the latter has had no respite from cyberattacks. The Russia-linked Gamaredon group is now launching targeted attacks using four new malware variants. Threat actors are back at spreading malware via fake Windows updates. They are propagating the 'Inno Stealer' malware through SEO poisoning tactics. There’s a new location in the cyber underground, named Industrial Spy, for the sale of stolen enterprise data.

  • A Hive ransomware affiliate has been found exploiting the ProxyShell vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange servers to deploy various backdoors, including the Cobalt Strike Beacon. Once the threat actors perform reconnaissance, they steal admin account credentials, exfiltrate valuable data, and deploy the ransomware in the final stage.
  • Over 400 samples of Ginzo stealer have appeared since it was first discovered on March 24, 2022. The malware is available for free on underground forums. The attackers have also set up a Telegram channel to sell the stealer. The malware is capable of harvesting data like screenshots, credentials, cookies, and telegram credentials. It can also steal cryptocurrency wallets and system information.
  • Russian state-sponsored threat actor group known as Gamaredon has been found targeting Ukrainians with four new variants of the Pteredo backdoor, also tracked as Pteranodon. All the four variants were observed using obfuscated VBS droppers that add Scheduled Tasks and then fetch additional modules from the C2 server. It should be noted that the Pteredo backdoor is still under active development.
  • In an attempt to spread the new Inno Stealer malware, threat actors are leveraging SEO poisoning tactics to promote fake Windows 11 updates. The malware is capable of stealing browser data and cryptocurrency wallets. According to researchers, the malware is written in Delphi and removes security solutions from Emisoft and ESET from the victim’s system.
  • Security researchers have found a connection between Conti ransomware and the recently emerged Karakurt data extortion group. The intelligence team has managed to connect the dots by obtaining remote access to multiple servers that are actively being used as C2 communication systems by threat actors. Since its inception in December 2021, the Karakurt group has claimed more than 40 victims across the globe.
  • A new variant of BotenaGo botnet is stealthily targeting a pool of IoT devices, including the Lilin security camera DVR devices. The variant derives its code from the source code of the original botnet that was leaked in October 2021.
  • A new zero-click flaw identified in iOS systems has been exploited to propagate Pegasus or Candiru spyware. At least 65 individuals have been targeted in the attack, including members of the European Parliament, Catalan presidents, legislators, and civil society organizations. The flaw affects various versions of the operating system prior to iOS 13.2 and was exploited using an exploit kit called HOMAGE.
  • Threat actors have launched a new marketplace called Industrial Spy that sells stolen data from breached companies. While the premium stolen datasets are priced at millions of dollars, lower-tier data are sold for as little as $2. The marketplace also offers free stolen data packs in a bid to attract more threat actors to use the site.
  • The New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) warned T-Mobile customers against a new SMS phishing campaign that sends users malicious links using unblockable texts.
  • Avast has published a technical report on a newly found malware, dubbed Certishell, that is targeting Czech and Slovak users exclusively. The malware contains modules for remote access, cryptomining, and even ransomware. It is being distributed via pirated copies of movies and songs, cracked software, and keygens of games and common tools.
  • Operators of the LemonDuck botnet are back in a new cryptocurrency mining campaign. The attackers take advantage of misconfigured Docker API on the Linux platform to launch malicious payloads. The campaign is currently active.
  • A new report reveals that the recently discovered Nokoyawa ransomware is a variant of Nemt ransomware. Researchers came to the conclusion after assessing the encryption technique, ransom note, and C2 servers used by both ransomware.

Related Threat Briefings

Jun 27, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 23–27, 2025

A Common Good Cyber Fund was launched to support non-profits delivering critical cybersecurity services for public benefit. The fund is backed by the U.K and Canada, with G7 leaders endorsing similar initiatives. A phishing email is all it takes to breach critical infrastructure. The OneClik APT campaign is targeting energy and oil sectors using Microsoft ClickOnce to deliver a .NET loader and Golang backdoor. A handful of outdated routers is all it takes to build a persistent espionage network. The LapDogs campaign is targeting SOHO devices with a custom backdoor called ShortLeash, giving attackers root access and control over compromised systems. A familiar package name could be hiding far more than useful code. North Korean actors behind the Contagious Interview campaign have published 35 malicious npm packages, including keyloggers and multi-stage malware. A fake Windows update might just be the start of something worse. The EvilConwi campaign is abusing ConnectWise ScreenConnect to deliver signed malware through tampered installers. Encrypted messaging apps aren’t immune to state-backed malware delivery. APT28 is targeting Ukrainian government entities via Signal, sharing macro-laced documents that deploy a backdoor named Covenant. Some WordPress plugins are doing a lot more than extending site functionality. Researchers uncovered a long-running malware campaign that uses rogue plugins to skim credit card data, steal credentials, and manage backend systems on infected sites.

Jun 20, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 16–20, 2025

As cybercriminals weave intricate webs in the digital underworld, global defenders are cutting through the chaos. Six nations toppled Archetyp Market, a darknet drug bazaar with €250 million ($288 million) in Monero deals, nabbing its admin and vendors while seizing €7.8 million ($9 million) in assets. The U.K unveiled a Cyber Growth Action Plan, injecting £16m ($21.2m) to fortify its £13.2bn ($17.5bn) cybersecurity industry after attacks bled retailers like M&S. Stateside, the U.S. reclaimed $225 million in crypto from investment scams, marking the Secret Service’s biggest digital heist bust yet. Cloud services are being quietly turned into covert attack channels. The Serpentine#Cloud campaign is abusing Cloudflare Tunnels and Python to deploy fileless malware via invoice-themed phishing lures. A popular WordPress plugin is exposing sites to full takeover. It affects the AI Engine plugin, impacting over 100,000 websites and opening the door to site-wide compromise. An official-looking email from the tax department may be anything but. Silver Fox APT is targeting Taiwanese users with phishing emails posing as the National Taxation Bureau, delivering malware like Winos 4.0, HoldingHands RAT, and Gh0stCringe. A new Android trojan is turning devices into data-harvesting tools under attackers’ full control. Attributed to the LARVA-398 group, AntiDot has infected thousands of devices through phishing and malicious ads. A fake job offer could now come bundled with custom-built spyware. PylangGhost is targeting crypto professionals in India. Delivered through spoofed job sites, the malware includes registry tampering, remote control, and data exfiltration modules aimed at compromising Windows systems. One compromised travel site is now a launchpad for infostealer infections. A new ClickFix variant, LightPerlGirl, is using fake Cloudflare CAPTCHA prompts and clipboard hijacking to deliver the Lumma infostealer.

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.