Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 24–28, 2025

shutterstock_2407335865

Weekly Threat Briefing • February 28, 2025

The Good

Amid the relentless tide of cyber threats, some positive strides are being made to fortify the digital ecosystem. OpenSSF has introduced the Open Source Project Security (OSPS) Baseline, a structured set of best practices designed to help developers mitigate risks and align with regulations like the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and frameworks like NIST’s Secure Software Development Framework. Meanwhile, vlt has upped supply chain security in the JavaScript ecosystem with reproduce, a new tool that verifies whether npm packages can be faithfully rebuilt from their source code. This initiative marks crucial progress in securing the foundations of open-source development.

  • The Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) has launched new best practices to improve the security of open-source projects. The Open Source Project Security (OSPS) Baseline outlines tasks for developers to minimize risks and ensure compliance with regulations such as the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act, aligning with other security standards like the NIST Secure Software Development Framework.
  • vlt, an open-source JavaScript package manager, has launched reproduce, a tool that verifies whether published npm packages can be accurately rebuilt from their source code. This tool aims to improve upon traditional methods of provenance in the JavaScript ecosystem. Its relevance is underscored by recent supply chain incidents, such as the compromise of the Ultralytics PyPI package and another incident involving a malicious version of the BoltDB package.
  • OpenAI has taken down ChatGPT accounts used by Chinese threat actors, particularly for developing spying tools. A recent report from the company highlighted one operation called ‘Peer Review’, using ChatGPT accounts to create and share spying tools. These tools were designed to analyze social media posts about Chinese politics and to find calls for human rights demonstrations in China, which would be reported to Chinese authorities. The chatbot was also abused for a different China-linked operation that involved generating social media content written in English and long-form news articles written in Spanish.

The Bad

Cyber threats are escalating, with the Vo1d botnet infecting 1.6 million Android TV devices across 226 nations, enabling ad fraud and illegal proxy services. Meanwhile, GitVenom is deceiving gamers and crypto investors with hundreds of fake GitHub repositories, distributing stealers, RATs, and clipboard hijackers, netting attackers 5 BTC. On the espionage front, Lotus Blossom is targeting government and telecom sectors in the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, using the Sagerunex backdoor and leveraging Dropbox, Twitter, and Zimbra webmail for covert operations.

  • A malware campaign named GitVenom has been targeting GitHub users, particularly gamers and crypto investors. The campaign involves hundreds of fake GitHub repositories created by threat actors, disguised as open-source projects such as automation tools, crypto bots, and hacking utilities. These repositories contain malicious code written in various programming languages. The attackers use AI-generated README files, tags, and fake commits to make the repositories appear legitimate. The malware aims to download further malicious components and execute them. The campaign has deployed a Node.js stealer, AsyncRAT and Quasar backdoors, and a clipboard hijacker, enabling the operators to earn around 5 BTC. The campaign may have been active for several years, with most infection attempts observed in Russia, Brazil, and Turkey.
  • CYFIRMA researchers found SpyLend, an Android malware, downloaded 100,000 times from Google Play, disguised as the Finance Simplified app. It targets Indian users through unauthorized loan applications, leading to predatory lending, blackmail, and extortion. The app tricks users by showing fake loan applications instead of providing useful features. It directs users to download malicious apps from other sites, bypassing safety measures. Once installed, it steals sensitive information and can manipulate photos to create fake nudes for extortion.
  • A large-scale malware campaign used a faulty Windows driver to avoid detection and spread a variant of Gh0st RAT. Thousands of harmful samples were found with the capability to disable EDR software using a Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack. Findings suggest the possible involvement of Silver Fox APT. The malware is distributed via fake applications on deceptive websites and messaging apps. It drops the driver and subsequent malware, which targets security processes. The modified driver allowed attackers to bypass Windows protections, leading to the installation of HiddenGh0st, used for remote control and data theft.
  • A security flaw in Cyberhaven's browser extension allowed hackers to steal cookies when users visited rogue sites. The browser extension comprises a pop-up, a background script, and content scripts. While content scripts run alongside web pages, they can communicate with the background script. The flaw arose as the extension allowed websites to access user cookies without restrictions, leading to potential cookie theft. Hackers could exploit this by setting up a bogus site on subdomains linked to GitHub. Cyberhaven patched the flaw by revising its user identification to minimize cookie access and enhance security against these attacks.
  • Since November 2024, a new variant of the Vo1d botnet has infected 1,590,299 Android TV devices in 226 nations. The botnet peaked on January 14, 2025, and has 800,000 active bots. It has evolved with advanced encryption and stealth features. The infected nations are Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Argentina, Thailand, and China. The botnet facilitates illegal activities by using compromised devices as proxy servers and engages in ad fraud. Android TV users must apply firmware updates and isolate IoT devices from sensitive data on the network.
  • A new SQL injection vulnerability in the Exim mail transfer agent (CVE-2025-26794) can let attackers take control of email systems and compromise databases. This issue affects Exim version 4.98 installations that use SQLite to store hints databases, with risks including data theft and full system takeover. The flaw arises from how Exim processes SQL queries under certain configurations. Systems are at risk when compiled with the _USE_SQLITE_ option and when ETRN commands are enabled without proper safety measures. Attackers can inject harmful SQL commands through crafted email transactions, gaining access to sensitive database information.
  • A malware campaign was aimed at the Royal Thai Police by the Chinese group Mustang Panda. It uses fake FBI documents to deliver a shortcut file that runs the Yokai backdoor. The attack involves a rogue RAR archive holding a shortcut file and a disguised PDF. The shortcut uses Windows FTP to execute commands from the PDF, leading to a trojanized PDF-XChange Driver Installer. This trojan employs evasion techniques, connects to a C2 server, and targets Thailand specifically. The campaign reflects Mustang Panda's TTPs, focusing on government bodies in Asia.
  • A potential supply chain compromise has resulted in the hijacking of 16 Chrome extensions, endangering over 3.2 million Google Chrome users. The attackers injected harmful scripts to redirect web traffic for fraud. Hackers gained control via compromised developer accounts to push harmful updates to the Chrome Web Store, unnoticed by users. The malicious code could steal data, modify web activity, and inject ads without users' knowledge. Although Google has removed the affected extensions from the store, they remain installed for users.
  • A threat actor named Lotus Blossom (aka Spring Dragon, Billbug, Thrip) conducted multiple cyber espionage campaigns against the government, manufacturing, telecommunications, and media sectors in the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to deliver Sagerunex backdoor and other hacking tools for post-compromise activities. Persistence was gained using specific commands to install Sagerunex within the system registry and configure it to run as a service on infected endpoints. Thr group has also developed novel variants of Sagerunex that can use third-party cloud services like Dropbox, Twitter, and the Zimbra webmail as C2 tunnels.

New Threats

This week, new threats were also found propagating through GitHub, and vulnerabilities in Windows and WordPress. Over 1,100 rogue GitHub repositories spread Redox Stealer, stealing crypto wallets, browser cookies, and gaming credentials while promising game mods and cracked software. Meanwhile, LCRYX ransomware has resurfaced, encrypting Windows files, disabling security tools, and damaging the Master Boot Record (MBR) to pressure victims into paying a $500 Bitcoin ransom. Lastly, a critical WordPress flaw in the Essential Addons for Elementor plugin exposed over two million sites to XSS attacks, phishing, and malware distribution via malicious URL parameters.

  • A malware campaign weaponized GitHub repositories disguised as game mods and cracked software, involving social engineering techniques and automatic data theft. Over 1,100 rogue repositories were detected spreading the Redox Stealer, which steals cryptocurrency wallet keys, browser cookies, and gaming platform credentials. Intruders use clever tactics to hide their activities, including fake descriptions and links to bypass detection. Many repositories continue to operate despite reports of malware indicating defects in monitoring.
  • An ongoing PayPal phishing scam is tricking users by sending false Macbook purchase notifications that appear to come from PayPal's address settings. Recipients are then tricked into calling the scammer's fake PayPal support number. The scammers direct individuals to a website like pplassist[. ]com, where they must enter a service code provided by the fake employee. Doing so downloads a malicious program allowing the scammers to control the victim’s computer. Once they gain access, scammers can steal money, install malware, or collect personal data.
  • A new technique lets hackers bypass Microsoft Outlook’s spam filters, delivering rogue ISO files directly to inboxes. They use hyperlink obfuscation to make rogue links look safe as ISO files can hide malware and bypass traditional detection. While Outlook usually flags risky files, hackers now disguise links to bypass these checks. This poses a significant threat to small and medium businesses as hackers can exploit user trust and evade protections. Firms must boost endpoint security until Microsoft updates its filters.
  • A recent scam targeted job seekers in the Web3 field using fake interviews via a rogue app, "GrassCall," which installs malware to pilfer cryptocurrency wallets. To assist those affected, a Telegram group was created for malware removal on Mac and Windows devices. The campaign was run by a Russian-speaking team dubbed "Crazy Evil." The team created a fake online presence, including a website and social media profiles, mimicking a company named "ChainSeeker.io", and posted fake job listings on sites like LinkedIn and CryptoJobsList. Victims were tricked into downloading GrassCall, which installs malware to steal passwords and cryptocurrency wallets. In light of the scam, CryptoJobsList removed the bogus listings and advised users to check their devices for malware.
  • A new malware campaign named PolarEdge has been targeting edge devices from Cisco, ASUS, QNAP, and Synology since late 2023. Attackers exploited a critical security flaw (CVE-2023-20118) in certain Cisco routers, which remains unpatched due to the devices' end-of-life (EoL) status. This flaw is used to deploy a TLS backdoor that allows command execution and client connection management. The malware has compromised over 2,017 unique IP addresses globally, mainly in the US, Taiwan, and other nations.
  • The LCRYX ransomware, based on VBScript, reappeared in February 2025 after first showing up in November 2024 to target Windows devices. It encrypts files with the .lcryx extension and demands a $500 Bitcoin ransom for decryption. The ransomware runs with administrative rights, disables important system tools, and restricts access to system settings. LCRYX employs complex encryption, deletes backups, disrupts system processes, modifies registry settings, and executes commands to damage the Master Boot Record (MBR). It also avoids detection by disabling antivirus (AV) features and hiding its files. After encryption, it leaves a ransom note, urging victims to pay for decryption keys, and uses psychological tactics to pressure victims. Users should use strong security measures and keep regular backups.
  • A critical security vulnerability, CVE-2025-24752, in the Essential Addons for Elementor plugin, used by over two million WordPress websites, has left sites vulnerable to script injection attacks through malicious URL parameters. The flaw, which scored 7.1 on the CVSS scale, allowed attackers to execute reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by exploiting insufficient input sanitization in the plugin’s password reset functionality. The vulnerability originated from the improper handling of the popup-selector query parameter in the plugin’s JavaScript code. Attackers could create URLs containing malicious scripts in this parameter, which were executed when users clicked the link, leading to potential session hijacking, phishing redirects, or malware distribution. 
  • A new scam targets PayPal users with bogus search ads and fraudulent payment links. Scammers use Google search ads that look like legitimate PayPal links, especially on mobile devices. They abuse PayPal’s “no-code checkout” feature to create bogus payment links, misleading users into contacting their fake customer support contact to steal their personal information.

Related Threat Briefings

Aug 29, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, August 25–29, 2025

From cryptocurrency scams to software vulnerabilities, recent global efforts showcase robust responses to sophisticated cyber threats. Cryptocurrency firms, including Chainalysis, Binance, OKX, and Tether, froze $46.9 million in funds stolen through Southeast Asia-based "romance baiting" scams, targeting victims via fake investment schemes. Meanwhile, the CISA introduced the new ‘Software Acquisition Guide: Supplier Response Web Tool’ to empower organizations to integrate cybersecurity into their procurement processes, addressing software supply chain vulnerabilities. Posing as a golden ticket from the Bangladesh Education Board, SikkahBot is preying on students with fake scholarship lures. Active since July 2024, this Android malware grabs high-risk permissions to intercept SMS and steal financial data. A data theft campaign attributed to UNC6395 targeted Salesforce instances via compromised OAuth tokens linked to the Salesloft Drift app, exfiltrating sensitive credentials. Blind Eagle's shadow looms over Colombia, with five activity clusters unleashing RATs and phishing on government sectors from May 2024 to July 2025. Click Studios is sounding the alarm on a dangerous flaw in Passwordstate’s password manager. This authentication bypass lets attackers access the admin section via a crafted URL. Truesec uncovered a cybercrime campaign distributing a trojanized "AppSuite PDF Editor" via Google ads, installing "TamperedChef" malware that steals credentials and web cookies. The Sangoma FreePBX Security Team has warned about an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability in FreePBX servers with the Administrator Control Panel (ACP) exposed to the internet.

Aug 22, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, August 18–22, 2025

As cyber threats evolve, global takedown efforts are stepping up to safeguard digital ecosystems. INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti arrested 1,209 cybercriminals across 18 African nations, recovering $97.4 million and dismantling over 11,000 malicious infrastructures. In another coordinated operation, U.S. authorities seized the Rapper Bot DDoS botnet, which had been active since 2021 and targeted 18,000 victims across 80 countries. The Python Package Index (PyPI) introduced defenses against domain resurrection attacks to prevent account hijacking and supply chain attacks. Berserk Bear hackers are wielding a seven-year-old Cisco flaw to infiltrate global critical infrastructure. Exploiting CVE-2018-0171, these FSB-linked attackers trigger device reloads and use custom SNMP tools. MuddyWater APT is targeting CFOs with spear-phishing, using Firebase-hosted phishing pages and custom CAPTCHAs. With a diplomat’s charm, malicious emails are smuggling XenoRAT into South Korea’s embassies via GitHub traps. Since March, this spearphishing spree has targeted European missions. Masquerading as an Australian electronics store, Cookie Spider’s malvertising campaign unleashed the AMOS malware on over 300 targets. Fraudsters posing as celebrity podcast reps are reeling in business owners with a bait. This podcast imposter scam lures victims into tech-check calls that grant remote access. A zero-day flaw has Apple racing to patch millions of devices with emergency iOS and iPadOS updates.

Aug 15, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, August 11–15, 2025

Ransomware gangs are taking heavy hits on multiple fronts. In Operation Checkmate, U.S. authorities seized $1.1 million in ransom-linked cryptocurrency and shut down four servers and nine domains tied to the BlackSuit group. At the same time, researchers dealt a critical blow to DarkBit ransomware, linked to Iran’s MuddyWater APT, by exploiting flaws in its AES-128-CBC key generation to crack the encryption.

Aug 8, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, August 04–08, 2025

In the wake of recent cyberattacks, the US federal judiciary is locking down sensitive court documents with a fortified approach to cybersecurity. Courts nationwide are enforcing stricter access controls, monitored handling procedures, and a mandatory IT security “scorecard” for annual self-assessments to pinpoint vulnerabilities. DARPA is raising the stakes at DEF CON, pitting seven AI-powered cyber reasoning systems against each other to secure the open-source software underpinning critical infrastructure. These autonomous tools, designed to detect and patch vulnerabilities in code vital to water systems and financial institutions, analyzed 7.8 million lines in preliminary rounds, catching 59% of synthetic flaws and uncovering real ones. Akira ransomware is striking with surgical precision, exploiting a suspected zero-day flaw in SonicWall SSL VPN devices, even those fully patched. Since mid-July 2025, attackers have used Virtual Private Server logins to bypass MFA, hitting multiple targets in rapid succession. A stealthy Python-based PXA Stealer is sweeping across 62 countries, pilfering sensitive data from unsuspecting victims. This infostealer campaign has exfiltrated hundreds of thousands of passwords and more. Phishing emails disguised as court summons are delivering a malicious payload to Ukrainian government and defense sectors, courtesy of UAC-0099. A cunning Android RAT, PlayPraetor, is sweeping through six countries, already compromising over 11,000 devices with its deceptive tactics. It masquerades as legitimate apps via fake Google Play Store pages and Meta Ads. ClickTok is luring TikTok Shop users into a trap with a crafty blend of phishing and malware. This global campaign deploys over 10,000 fake TikTok websites and 5,000 malicious apps, impersonating TikTok’s e-commerce platforms to steal cryptocurrency wallet credentials. Ghost Calls, a new evasion tactic, is turning Zoom and Microsoft Teams into covert channels for malicious activity, slipping past traditional defenses with ease.

Aug 1, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, July 28–August 01, 2025

Picture this: a tool so fast it dissects malware at lightning speed, giving your team the edge in a digital arms race. Meet Thorium, the CISA’s latest open-source gem. This platform automates cyberattack investigations, processing over 1,700 jobs per second and ingesting 10 million files per hour per permission group. Meanwhile, as AI reshapes the battlefield, OWASP is arming professionals with fresh guidance to secure agentic AI applications driven by LLMs. It’s a playbook for locking down user authentication with OAuth 2.0, encrypting sensitive data, and bolstering supply chain security. Cybercriminals are donning digital disguises, impersonating trusted enterprises with fake Microsoft OAuth applications to steal credentials and bypass multi-factor authentication. Hackers exploited a critical SAP NetWeaver flaw to deploy the Auto-Color Linux malware. This malware, equipped with a rootkit and adaptive evasion tactics, adjusts its behavior based on user privileges. Operation CargoTalon, tied to threat cluster UNG0901, targeted organizations with EAGLET malware hidden in fake invoice files, quietly siphoning off sensitive data to a C2 server. A newly discovered cyberattack technique, dubbed Man in the Prompt, is turning browser extensions into unwitting accomplices in data theft from generative AI tools. DoubleTrouble is targeting users through Discord-hosted APKs, disguising itself as a legitimate app to slip past defenses. A stealthy Android banking trojan, RedHook, is targeting Vietnamese users through phishing sites mimicking trusted agencies. Spread via a malicious APK on an exposed AWS S3 bucket, it exploits accessibility services to steal credentials and banking details, with over 500 infections tied to Chinese-speaking actors.

Jul 25, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, July 21–25, 2025

The BlackSuit ransomware crew just lost its home turf. As part of Operation Checkmate, international law enforcement has seized the group’s dark web extortion and negotiation sites. New York is taking aim at cyber threats to its water systems. A newly proposed set of regulations outlines mandatory IT and OT cybersecurity measures for water and wastewater infrastructure, aligning with federal guidelines and introducing funding to support modernization across the state. Not every scam needs sophistication, sometimes all it takes is a lonely heart and a convincing profile picture. SarangTrap, a massive mobile spyware campaign, is luring victims on Android and iOS through fake dating apps. Storm-2603 is slipping through SharePoint’s cracks and locking the doors behind it. The suspected China-based threat group is exploiting two SharePoint vulnerabilities to deploy Warlock ransomware. A trusted source turned treacherous. Hackers launched a supply chain attack on Arch Linux by slipping malware into three AUR packages. These packages silently deployed a RAT that gave attackers persistent control over infected machines. A browser tweak here, a fake mod there, and suddenly your crypto wallet spills its secrets. In a new campaign, the Scavenger trojan exploits DLL Search Order Hijacking to infiltrate password managers and wallets. A new RaaS group called Chaos is conducting high-impact ransomware campaigns through a number of tactics, using remote management tools for long-term access. Mimo is getting stealthier and greedier. The financially motivated group has moved from targeting Craft CMS to Magento, exploiting PHP-FPM vulnerabilities to deploy malware via fileless techniques.

Jul 18, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, July 14–18, 2025

A keyboard army just lost its command center. Europol’s Operation Eastwood has crippled the pro-Russian hacktivist group NoName057(16). The international effort, involving law enforcement from 12 nations, led to two arrests and the takedown of over 100 servers linked to the group’s “DDoSia” project. Britain wants bug-hunters on its side. The NCSC has launched the Vulnerability Research Initiative, a new program inviting external researchers to help uncover security flaws in widely used hardware and software. Cisco Talos uncovered a MaaS campaign targeting Ukraine, where attackers used Amadey malware and GitHub repositories to stage payloads. The setup mimics tactics from a SmokeLoader phishing operation. Over 600 malicious domains are distributing fake Telegram APKs to unsuspecting users. Most are hosted in China and exploit the Janus vulnerability in Android. Users who trusted GravityForms’ official site got more than they expected. A supply chain attack injected backdoors into plugin files distributed via the official site and Composer. The H2Miner botnet has resurfaced with updated scripts that mine Monero, kill rival malware, and deploy multiple malware. Bundled with it is Lcrypt0rx, a likely AI-generated ransomware that exhibits sloppy logic, malformed syntax, and weak encryption using XOR. A new Konfety variant uses the same package name as a legitimate app but hides the real payload in a lookalike version distributed through third-party stores. One sandbox escape makes five. Google patched a high-severity Chrome flaw that lets attackers break out of the browser’s sandbox using crafted HTML and unvalidated GPU commands.

Jul 11, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, July 07–11, 2025

You don’t need to visit shady corners of the internet to get infected, GitHub will do. A malware campaign is disguising Lumma Stealer as tools like Free VPN for PC, using polished project pages, Base64 payloads, and trusted Windows processes to slip past defenses. The Anatsa banking trojan slipped back into Google Play, targeting North American users with fake maintenance screens while logging keystrokes and automating fraudulent transactions. Crypto users are being lured in by fake AI and gaming firms offering too-good-to-be-true deals.

Jul 4, 2025

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

It looked like a crypto investment until €460 million vanished. Operation BORRELLI dismantled a global fraud ring that scammed over 5,000 victims, with arrests in Madrid and the Canary Islands. A fake workforce was quietly funding a real regime. The DoJ disrupted a North Korean scheme where remote IT workers used stolen identities to get jobs at over 100 U.S. companies. The operation funneled $5 million to the DPRK, exposed military tech, and led to raids across 16 states. Sometimes, the app that looks harmless is just the decoy. Recent investigations uncovered massive Android fraud schemes, including IconAds and Kaleidoscope, which used icon hiding, fake apps, and third-party distribution to flood ad networks with billions of fake requests. Two different names - same tactics, same tools, same playbook. Researchers have found striking overlaps between TA829 and the lesser-known UNK_GreenSec, both of which use phishing lures and REM Proxy services through compromised MikroTik routers. It starts with what looks like an official message from the Colombian government. Behind it is a phishing campaign delivering DCRAT, a modular remote access tool designed for theft and system control. Botnet operators are now turning broken routers into system wreckers. RondoDox is a new Linux-based botnet exploiting CVE-2024-3721 and CVE-2024-12856 to gain remote access to TBK DVRs and Four-Faith routers. That Zoom update request on Telegram? It could be a trap. North Korean actors are deploying NimDoor malware to infiltrate Web3 and crypto platforms using social engineering via Telegram. Google has patched CVE-2025-6554, a critical zero-day in Chrome’s V8 engine that was exploited in the wild to execute arbitrary code.

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 13, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, June 09–13, 2025

A global sweep just knocked out thousands of malicious command centers. INTERPOL’s Operation Secure led to the dismantling of over 20,000 malicious IPs tied to 69 malware strains across 26 countries. NIST has published new guidance to help organizations put Zero Trust Architecture into action, offering 19 real-world implementations built with industry partners. CyberEye lowers the barrier for cybercrime with a plug-and-play toolkit. This .NET-based RAT uses Telegram for command and control while offering modules for keylogging, credential theft, and platform-specific data grabbing. The TokenBreak attack manipulates how text is tokenized in classification models to sneak past defenses. A Mirai variant is actively exploiting a command injection vulnerability in TBK DVR-4104 and DVR-4216 devices, to conscript them into a botnet for DDoS attacks. Unpatched IT tools are once again opening the door to ransomware attacks. CISA has warned about vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp RMM software being exploited by groups like Play and DragonForce in double-extortion campaigns. Fog ransomware operators are blurring the line between admin tools and attack chains. In a recent incident, they deployed a mix of open-source and legitimate software to gain persistence and exfiltrate data undetected. Over 20 phishing applications impersonating popular crypto wallets have been found stealing mnemonic phrases to drain users’ funds.