Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - January 16–20

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - January 16–20 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing January 20, 2023

The Good

Building a credible cyber defense posture is important owing to the surge in sophistication in the cyber threat landscape. Keeping this in view, the NIST plans to reveal an updated version of its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) that will focus on more collaboration and better defense approaches across all economic sectors. The Nordic countries are also working on building a common cybersecurity strategy to enhance their intelligence-sharing capabilities.

  • The NIST has announced its intent to revise its Cybersecurity Framework document to foster more collaboration and expand cyber defense inclusivity across all economic sectors. The new version, CSF 2.0, is likely to go public by March 3 and will include changes to the recommended cybersecurity best practices, and sector-specific needs.
  • Norway will develop a common cybersecurity strategy for the Nordic countries that include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands. The strategy will serve to enhance intelligence sharing between these countries as part of their efforts to improve their common military strategies.
  • Avast has released a free decryptor for the BianLian ransomware to help victims to recover their locked files without paying the hackers. The decryptor comes about half a year after increased activity from the ransomware over the summer of 2022.

The Bad

This week, PayPal and Norton LifeLock fell victim to multiple credential-stuffing attacks that collectively impacted the personal information of over 1 million customers. So, secure your accounts with MFA before it’s too late! Meanwhile, T-Mobile disclosed a new data breach that impacted its 37 million users. This is the eighth time that the firm has suffered a security breach in less than five years.

  • PayPal disclosed that the login credentials of 35,000 US customers were accessed in an unauthorized manner in a credential-stuffing attack spree between December 6 and 8, 2022. While there has been evidence of unauthorized transactions, threat actors may have accessed personal information such as names, social security numbers, addresses, and dates of birth of customers.

  • In a data breach at T-Mobile, the personal details of around 37 million users have been exposed. These include names, billing addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth of users. However, payment card details and other financial information were not exposed.

  • Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) suffered another ransomware attack just months after several ministries were crippled in a wide-ranging attack by Conti ransomware. Cybersecurity experts were called in to address the situation.

  • Around 300 U.K. stores of Yum! Brands were closed for one day following a ransomware attack. The attackers took company data but there is no evidence of customer data being stolen. The company has alerted law enforcement agencies and hired cybersecurity professionals to conduct an investigation.

  • Canadian alcohol retail giant LCBO suffered a Magecart skimming attack twice since December. While the first infection occurred on December 28, the second infection began on January 5 and lasted until January 10.

  • Mailchimp disclosed a data breach that affected its 133 customer accounts. A social engineering attack tricked employees and contractors into handing over their login credentials. Reports suggest that one of the compromised accounts belonged to WooCommerce.

  • Researchers uncovered a new Payzero scam that can enable scammers to abuse Web3 technology and steal digital assets such as NFT tokens from victims. Here, the scammers typically pay nothing to the victims for their digital assets and simply trick them into allowing the transfer of token ownership via fake smart contracts.

  • Hackers are setting up fake websites for popular free and open-source software to promote malicious downloads through advertisements in Google search results. At least one prominent user in the cryptocurrency scene has fallen victim to the campaign.

  • Researchers discovered three malicious PyPI packages, named colorslib, httpslib, libhttps, to infect compromised machines with information-stealing malware in a new supply chain attack. The packages were uploaded by a threat actor using the alias Lolip0p.

  • A data breach at a third-service provider resulted in the compromise of the personal information of roughly 18,000 Nissan customers in North America. The car manufacturer learned about the attack in June 2022. The compromised information includes birth dates and NMAC account numbers.

  • Two specialty medical care firms, one in Texas and another in Pennsylvania, reported separate ransomware attacks that affected nearly 600,000 individuals. Both attacks occurred in 2022.

  • Nearly one million active and inactive Norton LifeLock accounts have been targeted in multiple credential-stuffing attacks. The attacks started on December 1, with a large number of failed login attempts observed on December 12. The company took several actions to secure the accounts.

New Threats

There has been a significant increase in the abuse of Google Ads to deliver malware. One such campaign spotted lately was used to distribute Vidar Stealer and IcedID trojan. In another update, a new variant of the Turian backdoor, which includes additional obfuscation techniques, was used by Vixen Panda APT to target government organizations in Iran. A long-term campaign associated with Roaming Mantis has also been found using a new attack technique to ensnare more Android users.

  • A new Android malware dubbed Hook is being sold on underground forums for $5000/month. The malware is promoted by the creators of Ermac and can help threat actors steal credentials from over 460 banking and crypto apps via overlaid login pages. Researchers claim that the malware borrows its source code from Ermac.
  • A China-linked threat actor exploited a recently disclosed Fortinet FortiOS SSL-VPN vulnerability (CVE-2022-42475) to deploy a backdoor called Boldmove. Both Windows and Linux variants of the malware can be used to enable lateral movement and the tunneling of commands to the C2 server.
  • The Roaming Mantis attack campaign has been found implementing a new DNS changer to control infected Android devices and steal sensitive information. The changes were done to deploy the Wroba Android malware (a.k.a Moqhao, XLoader) to steal user credentials.
  • Vixen Panda is using a new Turian backdoor variant to target Iranian government organizations. The latest version includes additional obfuscation techniques, a modified network protocol, and a new C2 decryption algorithm.
  • Earth Bogle APT has been found distributing NjRAT malware to target victims in the Middle East and North Africa. The attackers are leveraging Discord, Facebook, OneDrive, and other platforms to spread the malware. The campaign has been active since mid-2022.
  • In another latest update, threat actors are leveraging Google Ads to deploy Vidar Stealer and IcedID trojan on victims’ systems. The campaign has been active since November 2022 and uses fake websites of Audacity, Blender, and GIMP to target users.
  • More than 4400 internet-exposed servers running vulnerable versions of Sophos Firewall can be exploited to execute malicious code. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-3236, received a patch in September last year.
  • Bitdefender security analysts stumbled across a malware threat campaign dropping EyeSpy spyware. The campaign started in May 2022 and has been targeting 20Speed VPN users through trojanized installers. Users in Iran, the U.S., and Germany are targeted by the spyware.

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.