Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, December 09–13, 2024

shutterstock 2306204237 (1)

Weekly Threat Briefing December 13, 2024

The Good

Cybercrime’s web of deception unraveled in South Korea as authorities dismantled a fraud network responsible for extorting $6.3 million through fake online trading platforms. Dubbed Operation Midas, the effort led to the arrest of 32 individuals and the seizure of 20 servers. In a significant move to combat surveillance abuses, the U.S. defense policy bill for 2025 introduced measures to shield military and diplomatic personnel from commercial spyware threats. The legislation calls for stringent cybersecurity standards, a review of spyware incidents, and regular reporting to Congress. 

  • The South Korean law enforcement, in collaboration with the Korean Financial Security Institute (K-FSI), conducted Operation Midas to take down a sophisticated fraud network that extorted $6.3 million from victims using fake online trading platforms. The operation identified 125 illegal home trading system programs operated by an unnamed fraudulent organization. The perpetrators made operational security mistakes, allowing K-FSI to analyze over 170 fake HTS servers and seize 20 servers used by the fraud ring. In total, 32 people involved in the scheme were arrested.
  • Global law enforcement agencies seized 27 platforms used for launching DDoS attacks, leading to the arrest of three administrators in France and Germany and the identification of over 300 users. The operation, known as PowerOFF, aimed to disrupt cybercriminals' attempts to create chaos during the festive season. The platforms disrupted were used for illegal traffic flooding, causing financial loss and reputational damage.
  • The U.S. government's defense policy bill for 2025 includes measures to protect military and diplomatic personnel from commercial spyware. The bill mandates cybersecurity standards, review of past spyware incidents, and reporting to Congress. Spyware, used by governments to surveil individuals, has prompted the U.S. to take action. The State Department is leading an international effort to deter spyware abuses, while the U.S. has imposed visa restrictions on those involved in surveillance tech abuses. 

​​The Bad

The subtle art of deception found a new stage with a Microsoft Teams call, as attackers used social engineering to manipulate victims into granting remote access. By convincing users to install AnyDesk, they gained control of systems, executing commands to download the DarkGate malware. Russian APT Secret Blizzard has resurfaced and used the Amadey bot to infiltrate Ukrainian military devices and deploy their Tavdig backdoor. In a phishing spree dubbed "Aggressive Inventory Zombies (AIZ)," scammers impersonated brands like Etsy, Amazon, and Binance to target retail and crypto audiences. 

  • Researchers observed an incident where an attacker employed social engineering via a Microsoft Teams call to spoof a user’s client and obtain remote access to their system. The adversary instructed the victim to download AnyDesk, a tool used for remote access. After obtaining access to the device, the adversary dropped many suspicious files, one of which was DarkGate. A series of commands executed by Autoit3.exe led to an attempted C2 connection and the subsequent download of a rogue payload. 
  • Microsoft warned of the Russian APT Secret Blizzard using tools from other cybercrime gangs to assist the Kremlin's military actions in Ukraine by installing custom malware on Ukrainian military devices. This cyber-espionage gang has targeted foreign ministries, embassies, and defense sectors globally. From March to April 2024, they used the Amadey bot to deploy their Tavdig backdoor on targeted Ukrainian military devices.
  • Researchers observed suspicious domains impersonating brands like Etsy in a widespread phishing and pig-butchering network targeting retail brands and a crypto phishing campaign. The retail phishing campaign, dubbed "Aggressive Inventory Zombies (AIZ)," targets major retailers and marketplaces, like Amazon, BestBuy, eBay, Wayfair, Costco, Rakuten, etc, and also targets crypto audiences from Binance, Kraken, etc. The operators behind this campaign have been creating phishing sites using a popular website template and integrating chat services for phishing activities. It's believed that the threat actor has some financial ties to India.
  • A large-scale fraudulent campaign by Smishing Triad has been targeting consumers in the UAE, where scammers impersonate law enforcement officers to extort money from victims. There has been a surge in fraudulent activities around UAE's National Day, resulting in significant financial losses. The fraudsters use social engineering tactics, phishing, smishing, and vishing activities, often taking advantage of relaxed citizens during festive periods. The group exploited domain names and infrastructure to carry out its fraudulent activities.
  • CYFIRMA found a complex cyberattack aimed at valuable individuals in Southern Asia. An unknown attacker used the SpyNote RAT to create a malicious Android payload to target the targeted systems. The malware was delivered through WhatsApp with four apps disguised under names like “Best Friend.” These apps connected to a single C2 server and operated secretly. The malware could access sensitive permissions, like location tracking and reading text messages, and directed victims to enable accessibility settings, which allowed deeper control over their devices.
  • CERT-UA identified a series of phishing emails targeting Ukrainian defense companies and security forces. The emails advertised a fake NATO standards conference, but contained a malicious link that, when clicked, infected the victim's computer with malware. The phishing attack was carried out by UAC-0185, which aims to steal credentials from messaging services and military systems. The group also ran a remote management program, MESHAGENT, on the victim's device to gain unauthorized access.

New Threats

Surveillance has reached unsettling new depths with the discovery of BoneSpy and PlainGnome, two spyware families linked to the Russian group Gamaredon. Designed for extensive espionage, these Android malware tools track GPS, capture audio, and harvest data. A new Android banking trojan has already caused havoc among Indian users, masquerading as utility and banking apps to steal sensitive financial information. With 419 devices compromised, the malware intercepts SMS messages, exfiltrates personal data via Supabase, and even tricks victims into entering details under the pretense of bill payment. Iranian threat actors have set their sights on critical infrastructure, deploying IOCONTROL malware to infiltrate IoT and OT/SCADA systems in Israel and the U.S. 

  • Two Android spyware families, BoneSpy and PlainGnome, linked to the Russian group Gamaredon, were designed for extensive surveillance, including tracking GPS, collecting data, and capturing audio. Gamaredon employs them for espionage purposes. BoneSpy has been active since 2021, while PlainGnome was identified in 2024. Both target Russian-speaking victims in former Soviet states. BoneSpy mimics legitimate apps, and PlainGnome uses a two-stage deployment to avoid detection.
  • McAfee spotted a new Android banking trojan targeting Indian users, which disguises itself as essential services like utility or banking apps to steal sensitive information. The malware has already infected 419 devices, intercepted 4,918 SMSes, and stolen 623 entries of card or bank-related personal information. It uses messaging platforms like WhatsApp for phishing, and once installed, it asks for financial information under the guise of a bill payment app. The malware exploits Supabase for data exfiltration and has different variants targeting specific banks and services.
  • Iranian threat actors are using a new malware called IOCONTROL to target IoT devices and OT/SCADA systems in Israel and the U.S. This malware targets various devices, including routers and fuel management systems. IOCONTROL can disrupt key infrastructure by controlling devices like pumps and payment terminals. The malware avoids detection through various measures and can execute commands like sending system information, running commands, and deleting itself. It operates via standard protocols used by IoT devices and has been reported to compromise gas stations.
  • Zloader, a trojan linked to Zeus malware, has evolved again, with a new version 2.9.4.0 featuring a custom DNS tunneling protocol for C2 communication. Originally designed for banking fraud, Zloader is now used for ransomware attacks. The new version offers enhanced anti-analysis techniques and an interactive shell for executing commands. It also employs targeted distribution methods, connecting it with Black Basta ransomware attacks.
  • A new malware technique uses a Windows accessibility system called UI Automation (UIA) to perform rogue actions without being detected by security software. Users can be tricked into running a UIA program, which can execute commands, access sensitive data, and redirect browsers to phishing sites. This method can also affect messaging apps and manipulate UI elements over a network. It can be abused to read messages, steal data, and execute harmful redirects.
  • A new series of cyberattacks on Chinese scientific organizations have been linked to the Patchwork APT group. This latest attack targets intellectual property related to scientific research. The method begins with a spear-phishing email that contains a harmful LNK file disguised as a document. When opened, it launches a multi-stage malware process while showing a harmless PDF. The main malware used in this campaign is BadNews, which communicates with a C2 server to steal data and receive instructions. Additionally, fake domains mimicking legitimate websites were identified to distribute more malware and steal data. 
  • Cybersecurity researchers have found a new surveillance program, called EagleMsgSpy, believed to be used by Chinese police for monitoring mobile devices. This Android tool has been active since at least 2017, with recent uploads to a malware scanning platform. EagleMsgSpy has two main parts: an installer APK and a surveillance client that runs silently on the device. EagleMsgSpy is capable of intercepting messages from apps like QQ, Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, and WeChat. It gathers extensive data and sends it to a C2 server, using secure communication methods. 
  • A new phishing campaign has been discovered, distributing a malware variant known as AppLite Banker. This campaign mainly targets Android devices, using advanced social engineering techniques to steal personal and corporate credentials. The current attacks exploit mobile vulnerabilities through fake job application pages and banking trojans. The attackers impersonate recruiters from reputable companies, sending phishing emails that lead users to fake websites. These sites trick users into downloading a fake CRM app, which then installs the AppLite malware.

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.