Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 22 - 26, 2021

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 22 - 26, 2021 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing • February 26, 2021

The Good

Stop what you are doing as I have brought some fresh baked good news for you. We all need hope and optimism in our daily lives and here comes your weekly dose of the same. Android users rejoice as now they get the Password Checkup feature. Researchers invented means to detect hidden cryptomining malware and they are in the search for a partner to bring the solution to the market. Let’s toast to a better cyberplace.

  • Google and the Linux Foundation joined hands to form a plan where the former would fund Linux kernel developers to work entirely on security.
  • The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the foundation of a new bureau of international cyberspace policy at the State Department as part of the Cyber Diplomacy Act.
  • Ten strategic organizations, including the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, have joined hands to collaborate and enhance cyber-resilience while educating organizations and individuals on cybersecurity.
  • Researchers from the Idaho National Laboratory invented a way to quickly identify hidden cryptomining malware.
  • The Password Checkup feature was introduced for Android devices, as a part of the Autofill with Google mechanism. This feature will check stored passwords against a database containing records from public data breaches to see if the password was previously leaked.

The Bad

The week found itself among a whole heap of cyberattacks. Bombardier got bombarded with a data breach and some of its sensitive data was leaked online. Although unfortunate, it’s not very shocking as ransomware attackers are constantly posting stolen information on dedicated leak sites. Google alerts have become a convenient tool for attackers to spread malware on victim systems.

  • Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting QuickBooks in an attempt to deliver malware and exploit the accounting software. The credentials from QuickBooks databases are later put on sale on the dark web.
  • Reports of threat campaigns attempting to fool Turkish social media users into downloading Android apps containing the Cerberus and Anubis banking trojan have surfaced.
  • French authorities are warning the country’s healthcare sector of the discovery of stolen credentials, apparently belonging to hospital workers. The credentials are put for sale on the dark web.
  • The Clop ransomware gang has leaked online the screenshots of blueprints allegedly stolen from aerospace giant Bombardier. The gang had abused the vulnerability in the Acellion’s legacy file-transfer software to gain access to the networks of Bombardier.
  • Ukrainian security and defense websites suffered massive attacks that began on February 18. The threat actor attempted to compromise the websites to deploy a DDoS bot.
  • Texas-based Austin Energy has issued a warning about a scam that threatens customers to pay their pending bills. The scammers pretend to be from the company and warn customers that their utilities will be disconnected if they don’t make immediate payment.
  • Threat actors are leveraging Google Alerts to promote a fake Flash Player updater that installs other unwanted programs on users’ computers. The modus operandi includes threat actors creating fake stories with titles containing popular keywords that index on Google Search.
  • The IRS and Security Summit financial industry partners are warning about scams that are aimed at stealing personal information from taxpayers.

New Threats

New threats are always around the corner. And this week is nothing special. But, something worrying came up. Four new ICS threat actors emerged just like the four horsemen riding into the battlefield. A new malware called Silver Sparrow affecting Apple M1-powered Macs has been uncovered and I’d suggest you get some reading done about it so that you don’t become a victim in the long list of victims.

  • Four new ICS threat actors—Kamacite, Stibnite, Vanadinite, and Talonite—were identified by Dragos. These groups were spotted targeting energy and manufacturing sectors.

  • Malicious hackers have started scanning the internet for VMware vCenter servers that are vulnerable to a critical remote code execution vulnerability. The flaw is tracked as CVE-2021-21972 and can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious commands with elevated privileges.

  • Chinese cyberespionage gang TA413 launched attacks against Tibetan organizations using a malicious Firefox add-on. Dubbed FriarFox, this add-on allowed the hackers to steal Firefox and Gmail browser data, along with delivering malware on infected computers.

  • A botnet used for cryptocurrency mining activities is abusing Bitcoin blockchain transactions to stay under the radar. As a part of the campaign, the threat actors have been found abusing remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE-2015-1427 and CVE-2019-9028) in Hadoop Yarn and Elasticsearch.

  • Botnet operators are abusing VPN servers provided by Powerhouse Management to bounce and amplify junk traffic as part of DDoS attacks. The root cause of the attack is a yet-to-be-identified service that runs on UDP port 20811 on Powerhouse VPN servers.

  • Researchers have detected a new variant of MINEBRIDGE RAT that includes new TTPs and social engineering lure. The malware, which is linked to the TA505 threat actor group, uses a job resume theme to attract recipients.

  • Researchers are warning of recent phishing attacks targeting at least 10,000 Microsoft email users. The emails appear to come from popular mail couriers such as FedEx and DHL Express.

  • Think tanks in the U.K are warning about a silent stealing fraud that targets online users. The modus operandi of the fraud involves stealing £10 each from 100,000 customers rather than stealing a large amount directly from a bank.

  • Researchers have demonstrated a new class of attacks called Shadow attacks that could let attackers replace content in digitally signed PDF documents. The attack is successful on 16 PDF viewers, including Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, Perfect PDF, and Okular.

  • Security researchers have discovered a new malware called Silver Sparrow on nearly 30,000 Apple Macs. The malware comes with a mechanism to self-destruct itself.

  • An ongoing espionage campaign aimed at the defense industry has been tracked by researchers. Tied to the North Korea-based Lazarus group, the attack involves the use of ThreatNeedle malware that exfiltrates sensitive information.

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Jul 4, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 30–July 04, 2025

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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

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Jun 13, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 09–13, 2025

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Jun 6, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 02–06, 2025

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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 16, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, May 12–16, 2025

Not every AI tool on Facebook is what it claims to be. Threat actors are luring users with fake content-generation apps, pushing Noodlophile malware to tens of thousands of victims. Disguised as AI-powered services, these tools trick users into executing malicious files that steal browser credentials, crypto wallet data, and other sensitive information through a layered infection chain. OtterCookie is getting smarter with every version. The North Korea-linked group WaterPlum is actively using the malware to breach financial institutions and crypto platforms worldwide. Since late 2024, new iterations have added capabilities like credential theft from browsers and file uploads - each version revealing signs of modular development and distinct authorship. A flaw in Linux’s nftables is turning dirty sets into dangerous ones. A critical double-free vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting memory corruption. Kernel-level fixes are already rolling out to improve cleanup routines and patch the vulnerable destroy path.

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.