Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 22–26

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 22–26 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing April 26, 2024

The Good

In a critical development, the CISA announced its initiative to distribute a list of critical software products to federal agencies, aimed at strengthening the nation's cyber defenses. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has implemented new regulations in response to conservative pressures to protect the privacy of abortion providers and patients.

  • As part of efforts to enhance U.S. cyber defenses, the CISA announced to provide federal agencies with a list of critical software products by September 30. These EO-critical software products meet specific criteria and are crucial for managing system privileges and network protections. The initiative follows a Government Accountability Office report highlighting the need for agencies to address cybersecurity requirements, especially in procuring IoT devices.

  • The Biden administration introduced new privacy regulations aimed at protecting abortion providers and patients from conservative legal threats. The rules, issued by the HHS, prevent healthcare entities from sharing patient information with state officials investigating or prosecuting abortion-related cases. They safeguard individuals seeking abortions across state lines or facing state abortion bans due to circumstances like rape. Despite the controversy, officials stress the importance of privacy and patient rights.

The Bad

Amidst the persistent threat of job lure-based attacks, the Lazarus Group leveraged its time-tested tactic to infect users with the FudModule rootkit across Asia. In a different research, experts analyzed cloud-based pinyin keyboard apps from major vendors and found that mass surveillance data of billions of users could be at risk. Separately, a campaign dubbed CoralRaider was seen distributing infostealer malware globally, also targeting organizations in Japan and Syria.

  • A new malware campaign named ArcaneDoor, attributed to the sophisticated state-sponsored actor UAT4356, leveraged two zero-day bugs in Cisco networking gear to deploy custom malware and extract sensitive data. The campaign targeted Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense Software. The implants deployed, Line Runner and Line Dancer, allow for malicious actions such as configuration modification and network traffic exfiltration.

  • Sekoia researchers successfully inspected a C2 server for a variant of the PlugX malware, capturing over 2.5 million connections from unique IP addresses across 170 countries in six months. The sinkhole operation enabled analysis of traffic patterns, mapping of infections, and formulation of disinfection strategies. Although predominantly observed in 15 countries, the infections span globally, with notable concentrations in countries associated with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

  • Unpublished GitHub and GitLab comments become hotbeds for cybercriminals to deploy phishing links and leave them as it is. This security issue allowed anyone to upload malware, such as the Redline Stealer Trojan, to repositories without the owners' knowledge. Even if discovered, owners can't remove the uploaded files. The method involves leaving unpublished comments with malware files, ensuring the links remain active.

  • Lazarus was spotted employing fake job offers to distribute Kaolin RAT and FudModule rootkit in Asia under Operation Dream Job. The campaign delivers malware through social media and instant messaging platforms. Payload fetches shellcode from the C2 domain and initiates a multi-stage infection process. Kaolin RAT facilitates FudModule rootkit deployment, evading detection with file manipulation and C2 communication.

  • Security researcher Pierre Barre has identified 18 vulnerabilities in the Brocade SANnav storage area network management application. These flaws, including unauthenticated remote login issues, exposed the appliance and Fibre Channel switches to multiple cyber threats. Three of nine CVE-assigned bugs allowed attackers to intercept credentials and compromise the entire Fibre Channel infrastructure.

  • Experts at ASEC unearthed a malicious info-stealer developed with Electron, a framework for JavaScript-based applications such as Discord and Microsoft VSCode. The malware, distributed via Nullsoft Scriptable Install System installer format, exhibited two distinct cases of malicious behavior. In Case #1, the malware utilized node.js scripts packaged inside the Electron application to execute malicious actions. Case #2 involved the malware strain masquerading as a TeamViewer-related file, which uploaded collected user information to a file-sharing service.

  • The Godfather mobile banking trojan, discovered in 2022, now boasts over 1,000 samples targeting 237 banking apps across 57 countries, revealed a Zimperium report. Godfather’s developers have automated sample creation to evade detection. According to experts, mobile malware, including other families like Nexus and Saderat, are rapidly multiplying, with some families amassing over 100,000 unique samples.

  • Researchers uncovered sensitive security bugs in popular keyboard apps from tech giants Samsung, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi, among others. These could enable attackers to intercept and decipher users' keystrokes, potentially exposing sensitive personal and financial information. The vulnerabilities affect up to one billion users worldwide, highlighting significant concerns regarding data security.

  • WPScan issued an alert regarding a critical security vulnerability, CVE-2024-27956, in the WP-Automatic plugin for WordPress. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially leading to site takeovers. Exploitation involves circumventing the plugin's user authentication mechanism, enabling unauthorized access to database and creation of admin accounts. Some attackers have also been observed in the wild.

  • Eric Daigle, a student at the University of British Columbia, disclosed vulnerabilities in the popular location-tracking app iSharing, allowing access to users' precise location data and personal information. The bugs, affecting over 35 million users, enabled unauthorized access to location data and exposed users' names, profile photos, email addresses, and phone numbers. Daigle's findings prompted iSharing to address the issue, acknowledging the oversight.

  • Cisco Talos uncovered an ongoing attack campaign by threat actor CoralRaider, distributing Cryptbot, LummaC2, and Rhadamanthys malware since February 2024. The campaign deploys a new PowerShell command-line argument in LNK files to evade antivirus. Utilizing a Content Delivery Network cache domain as a server, the campaign impacts victims globally, including the U.S., Nigeria, and Japan, with targets in various sectors.

  • Avast uncovered the sophisticated GuptiMiner malware campaign, exploiting eScan antivirus update mechanisms to distribute backdoors and coinminers. The threat, possibly linked to North Korean APT group Kimsuky, employs advanced techniques including DNS requests to attacker-controlled servers, sideloading, and payload extraction from innocuous images. GuptiMiner targets large corporate networks with two distinct backdoor variants.

  • A zero-day flaw discovered in the CrushFTP file transfer server is being actively exploited in the wild. The flaw, which has no CVE assigned, can allow threat actors to escape the virtual file system present in the CrushFTP application and download system files. According to reports, there have been several exploitation attempts against CrushFTP instances owned by multiple U.S. entities to gather politically motivated intelligence.

  • A new vulnerability unearthed in the Windows systems can allow attackers to gain rootkit-like privileges without requiring administrative privileges. The flaw, dubbed MagicDot, exists in the DOS-to-NT path conversion process within the OS. It can be exploited by sending specially crafted files and processes and manipulating archive files.

Related Threat Briefings

Apr 25, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, April 21–25, 2025

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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.

Mar 21, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 17–21, 2025

The race to outpace quantum threats is officially on. The NCSC has issued guidance to help organizations transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2035, with a focus on NIST-approved algorithms and planned support for critical sectors. A nationwide fraud crackdown ends with hundreds behind bars. Operation Henhouse led to 422 arrests and the seizure of millions in assets, as U.K. police target the country’s most widespread and costly crime - fraud. A threat actor briefly exposed their entire playbook. Researchers found a public server hosting tools tied to a campaign targeting South Korea, including a Rust-compiled payload delivering Cobalt Strike Cat and a list of over 1,000 potential targets. Phishing messages on Signal are leading to full system compromise. CERT-UA warns of DarkCrystal RAT attacks targeting Ukraine’s defense sector, using fake contacts and malicious files to trick victims into executing spyware. Ransomware slipped into VSCode under the radar. Two malicious extensions were discovered on the VSCode Marketplace, bypassing checks to deliver test-stage ransomware demanding ShibaCoin for decryption. Fake ads are being weaponized to steal Google credentials. A campaign targeting Semrush users is redirecting victims to spoofed login pages, where attackers harvest Google account logins through a fake “Log in with Google” prompt. A fake browser update could cost you more than a few clicks. A new ClearFake campaign is using fake reCAPTCHA and Turnstile pages to deliver malware like Lumma and Vidar Stealer, with payloads fetched through Binance’s Smart Chain. Hackers are quietly poisoning AI-generated code. A new supply chain attack targets AI editors like Copilot and Cursor, exploiting rules files to inject malicious prompts that trick the tools into writing compromised code.

Mar 14, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 10–14, 2025

A Russian hosting provider is feeling the heat from global sanctions. Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. have sanctioned Zservers, a bulletproof hosting provider linked to ransomware and fraud, freezing its assets and restricting operations. Switzerland is tightening its grip on cyber incident reporting. Starting April 1, critical infrastructure operatorsmust report cyberattacks to the NCSC within 24 hours, reinforcing national cybersecurity defenses. Cybercriminals are upgrading their toolkit for long-term access. Ragnar Loader is being leveraged by ransomware groups like FIN7, FIN8, and Ragnar Locker, evolving into a stealthier and more modular malware for persistent system compromise. Chinese hackers are slipping past defenses in Juniper routers. The UNC3886 threat group is backdooring older Juniper MX routers, bypassing security protections and embedding custom TinyShell malware to maintain access. North Korean hackers are adding ransomware to their arsenal. Moonstone Sleet (Storm-1789) is deploying Qilin ransomware, using fake companies and trojanized tools to infiltrate targets through LinkedIn and freelance platforms. A botnet is turning home routers into attack platforms. The Ballista botnet is exploiting an unpatched TP-Link Archer router flaw (CVE-2023-1389) to spread stealthily, using Tor domains and remote command execution to launch DDoS attacks worldwide. Copy, paste, and lose your crypto. MassJacker hijacks clipboard transactions, swapping wallet addresses with attacker-controlled ones, stealing funds from victims who unknowingly send money to the wrong destination. A fake CAPTCHA is all it takes to get root access. The OBSCURE#BAT campaign is using social engineering tactics to install the r77 rootkit, bypassing defenses and targeting English-speaking users with stealthy, persistent malware.

Mar 7, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 03–07, 2025

The code caves of GitHub just got a cleanup crew courtesy of Microsoft. A sprawling malvertising campaign that snagged nearly a million devices worldwide has been knocked down a peg. Cheap Android gadgets are getting a breather from a relentless digital pest. The BadBox 2.0 botnet, a souped-up sequel backed by multiple threat crews, saw 24 shady apps booted from Google Play and half a million infected devices cut off from their puppet masters, thanks to some crafty sinkholing and Google’s cleanup sweep. A sneaky gatecrasher has turned WordPress into a redirect rollercoaster. A malicious JavaScript injection lurking in a theme file has snagged at least 31 sites, pulling visitors through a two-step detour to shady third-party domains. Japan’s digital defenses are under siege from a shadowy crew with a taste for chaos. Since January, unknown threat actors have been prying open organizations in tech, telecom, entertainment, and more, exploiting CVE-2024-4577 in PHP-CGI on Windows. Crooks posing as the Electronic Frontier Foundation are targeting Albion Online players with phishing emails and fake PDFs, claiming account trouble. It’s a ruse to drop Stealc malware and Pyramid C2. A fresh face in the cybercrime underworld is juggling a bag of nasty surprises. EncryptHub is hitting users of QQ Talk, WeChat, Google Meet, and more with trojanized apps and slick multi-stage attacks. The Eleven11bot botnet, loosely tied to Iran, has taken over 86,000 IoT devices to slam telecoms and gaming servers with relentless DDoS barrages. Social media’s sunny side has a dark shadow creeping across the Middle East and North Africa. Since September 2024, Desert Dexter has been slinging a tweaked AsyncRAT via legit file-sharing sites and Telegram. For detailed Cyber Threat Intel, click ‘Read More’.

Feb 21, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 17–21, 2025

Google is stepping up its defenses against the quantum threat. The company is rolling out quantum-resistant digital signatures in Cloud KMS, following NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standards. Supply chain attacks just got harder to pull off. Apiiro has released two open-source tools to detect malicious code in software projects. With high detection rates across PyPI and npm packages, these tools add a crucial layer of security for developers. China’s Salt Typhoon is making itself at home in global telecom networks. The group has been caught using JumbledPath, a custom-built spying tool, to infiltrate ISPs in the U.S., Italy, South Africa, and Thailand. ShadowPad malware is once again causing havoc in Europe. Trend Micro flagged 21 targeted companies across 15 countries, with manufacturing firms bearing the brunt. A RAT is hiding in plain sight. SectopRAT has been spotted disguised as a fake Google Docs Chrome extension. It steals browser data, targets VPNs and cryptocurrency wallets, and injects malicious scripts into web pages. Darcula Suite is taking PhaaS to the next level. The upcoming update, currently in beta, will let users generate their own phishing kits by cloning real websites and customizing attack elements. A new payment card skimming campaign is turning Stripe’s old API into a weapon. Hackers are injecting malicious scripts into checkout pages, validating stolen card details through Stripe before exfiltration. LummaC2 is spreading through cracked software downloads again. ASEC found it disguised as a pirated Total Commander installer, hiding behind Google Collab Drive and Reddit links.

Feb 14, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 10–14, 2025

Cyber defenders are sharpening their tools, and EARLYCROW is the latest weapon against stealthy APT operations. This method detects C2 activity over HTTP(S) using a novel traffic analysis format called PAIRFLOW. India is taking digital banking security up a notch. The RBI is launching a dedicated domain to curb financial fraud and enhance trust in online banking. Starting April 2025, financial institutions will register under this domain. China’s RedMike hackers are dialing into telecom networks - literally. Between December 2024 and January 2025, they targeted over 1,000 unpatched Cisco devices. Their primary focus? Global telecoms and university networks in Argentina, Bangladesh, and the U.S. Russia’s Sandworm hackers are using pirated software as bait. Their latest attack on Ukrainian Windows users disguises malware inside trojanized KMS activators and fake Windows updates. Love is in the air, but so are phishing scams. In late January, cybercriminals launched a Valentine’s-themed phishing campaign, offering fake gift baskets in exchange for stolen credentials. Cybercriminals are upping their game with Astaroth, a phishing kit that doesn’t just steal credentials but also hijacks entire sessions. By using a reverse proxy, Astaroth intercepts logins and 2FA tokens in real time, allowing attackers to bypass security measures undetected. South America’s foreign ministry was caught in the crosshairs of an advanced cyber-espionage campaign. In November 2024, attackers linked to REF7707 deployed the PATHLOADER and FINALDRAFT malware to infiltrate diplomatic networks. A new malware named Ratatouille is stirring up trouble by bypassing UAC and using I2P for anonymous communications. Spreading through phishing emails and fake CAPTCHA pages, it tricks victims into running an embedded PowerShell script.

Feb 7, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 03–07, 2025

PyPI is taking a "dead but not gone" approach to abandoned software with Project Archival, a new system that flags inactive projects while keeping them accessible. Developers will see warnings about outdated dependencies, helping them make smarter security choices and avoid relying on unmaintained code. The U.K is bringing earthquake-style metrics to cybersecurity with its new Cyber Monitoring Centre, designed to track digital disasters as precisely as natural ones. Inspired by the Richter scale, the CMC will quantify cyber incidents based on financial impact and affected users, offering clearer insights for national security planning. Kimsuky is back with another phishing trick, this time using fake Office and PDF files to sneak forceCopy malware onto victims' systems. Its latest campaign delivers PEBBLEDASH and RDP Wrapper by disguising malware as harmless shortcuts, ultimately hijacking browser credentials and sensitive data. Hackers have found a new way to skim credit card data - by hiding malware inside Google Tag Manager scripts. CISA is flagging major security holes in Microsoft Outlook and Sophos XG Firewall, urging agencies to patch them before February 27. One flaw allows remote code execution in Outlook, while another exposes firewall users to serious risks. Bitcoin scammers are switching tactics, swapping static images for video attachments in MMS to make their schemes more convincing. A recent case involved a tiny .3gp video luring victims into WhatsApp groups where scammers apply pressure to extract money or personal data. XE Group has shifted from credit card skimming to zero-day exploitation, now targeting manufacturing and distribution companies. A new version of ValleyRAT is making the rounds, using stealthy techniques to infiltrate systems. Morphisec found the malware being spread through fake Chrome downloads from a fraudulent Chinese telecom site.