Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, May 19–23, 2025

shutterstock 1720680223

Weekly Threat Briefing May 23, 2025

The Good

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.

  • A major Europol-coordinated operation, part of Operation Endgame, dismantled initial access malware used in ransomware attacks, targeting strains like Bumblebee, DanaBot, QakBot, and TrickBot. Authorities seized 300 servers, 650 domains, and €3.5 million ($3.9 million) in cryptocurrency, issuing international arrest warrants for 20 individuals involved in ransomware operations. U.S. authorities issued federal indictments against individuals linked to QakBot and DanaBot malware, including 16 Russians and a lead developer from Moscow. 
  • Microsoft, alongside global law enforcement and cybersecurity partners, has dismantled the Lumma Stealer network, responsible for widespread credential theft, financial fraud, and ransomware attacks. Over 2,300 domains linked to nearly 400,000 infections were seized, disrupting the malware's operations. Legal actions included redirecting malicious domains to Microsoft-controlled servers for intelligence gathering.
  • Japan has enacted the Active Cyberdefense Law, allowing offensive cyber operations to counter threats preemptively, marking a departure from its pacifist stance. The law enables law enforcement to neutralize hostile servers and empowers the Self-Defence Forces to manage sophisticated cyber incidents. It permits the analysis of foreign internet traffic while protecting domestic communications, raising privacy concerns. An independent oversight panel will authorize data collection and offensive actions. This legislation responds to increasing cyber threats, including high-profile breaches by Chinese hackers and significant financial cybercrimes totaling $2 billion in unauthorized trades.
  • The Netherlands has updated its espionage law, introducing stricter penalties for cyber-related offenses, with sentences up to 12 years for severe cases. The law broadens punishable actions to include leaking sensitive non-classified information, diaspora espionage, and political manipulation. It also addresses indirect foreign influence through bribery and psychological pressure. Key sectors like telecommunications and biotechnology are prioritized for protection against cyber threats. Additionally, the law allows prosecution for foreign monitoring of diaspora communities and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding sensitive data, including trade secrets and political insights.
The Bad

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. 

  • Hackers are using fake apps to target macOS users, aiming to steal seed phrases that secure access to cryptocurrency wallets. The malware impersonates the legitimate Ledger app and tricks users into entering their seed phrases on phishing pages. The campaign has evolved since August 2024, with the latest malware, Odyssey, replacing the Ledger Live app on victims' devices. It includes a phishing page that prompts users to enter their 24-word seed phrase after a fake error message. The malware can also steal macOS usernames and exfiltrate data to a C2 server. Copycat attacks have emerged, including the AMOS stealer, which uses a DMG file to bypass security and install a trojanized Ledger Live clone.
  • Datadog identified three malicious targeting Solidity developers: solaibot, among-eth, and blankebesxstnion. These extensions disguise themselves as legitimate tools while concealing harmful code. The extensions deliver multi-stage, obfuscated malware, including payloads hidden inside image files hosted online, to exfiltrate data and establish persistence on Windows systems. The malware campaign is attributed to a single threat actor, MUT-9332, who previously distributed a Monero cryptominer via backdoored VS Code extensions. The malicious extensions were downloaded fewer than 50 times before being removed from the VS Code Marketplace, and metadata suggests they impersonated legitimate publishers. The browser extension in extension.zip exfiltrates Ethereum wallet credentials by injecting scripts into Chromium-based browsers.
  • Sophisticated has been discovered targeting WooCommerce checkout pages on WordPress sites. The malware injects fake payment forms to steal sensitive customer data, including credit card details. The malware uses browser localStorage to store stolen data persistently across sessions, ensuring resilience and anti-forensic capabilities. The infection likely originated from a compromised WordPress admin account, with malicious JavaScript injected via a plugin like Simple Custom CSS and JS.
  • Cybercriminals impersonated , a popular AI media generation platform, through fake Facebook ads and websites to distribute malware. The malicious campaign uses filename masquerading, where files appear as media files but are actually executables. The malware employs .NET Native AOT compilation to complicate analysis and evade traditional detection methods. The infection chain begins with social media malvertising, directing users to spoofed Kling AI websites. The fake websites prompt users to upload images or generate media, delivering disguised executables in zip archives. The second-stage payload, PureHVNC RAT, includes extensive stealing capabilities targeting browser extensions and cryptocurrency wallets. Vietnamese threat actors are suspected due to references in the code and other indicators like language and phone numbers.
  • A campaign has been discovered involving over 100 malicious that impersonate legitimate tools like VPNs and YouTube to steal browser cookies and execute remote scripts. These extensions, promoted through fake domains, request risky permissions to hijack accounts and modify network traffic. Despite Google's removal of many extensions, some remain accessible, posing significant threats to users. The malicious extensions can retrieve and send cookies to remote servers, enabling attackers to breach corporate networks and access sensitive information.
  • Threat actors have distributed a trojanized version of the KeePass password manager, called , to install Cobalt Strike beacons, steal credentials, and deploy ransomware. The malicious KeePass installer was promoted via Bing advertisements and fake software sites, utilizing modified open-source code. KeeLoader includes functionality to export KeePass database data (including credentials) in cleartext, which is then stolen. Cobalt Strike watermarks in this campaign are linked to an Initial Access Broker associated with Black Basta ransomware attacks. The activity is attributed to UNC4696, a threat actor group previously linked to Nitrogen Loader campaigns and BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware.
  • Cybersecurity researchers have identified a phishing campaign using the , targeting Microsoft 365 Outlook credentials through AitM techniques that bypass multi-factor authentication. The kit operates as a PhaaS tool, allowing attackers to create tailored campaigns using deceptive webpages, such as cloned Adobe login pages. Stolen credentials are sent to a remote PHP script on teffcopipe[.]com. The kit employs obfuscated PHP files and utilizes valid Let’s Encrypt certificates to enhance its legitimacy.
  • The (ModiLoader) malware is being distributed via phishing emails impersonating a Turkish bank, prompting users to open malicious attachments containing BAT files. DBatLoader executes SnakeKeylogger, a .NET-based malware that exfiltrates data through emails, FTP, SMTP, or Telegram. The malware uses obfuscated and decrypted BAT scripts, DLL side-loading, and disguised file names to evade detection and execute malicious activities. It manipulates legitimate processes (e.g., easinvoker.exe, powershell.exe) and tools (cmd.exe, extrac32.exe, etc.) for malicious purposes like bypassing Windows Defender and injecting SnakeKeylogger. 
New Threats

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.

  • A phishing campaign targeting central and eastern Europe uses copyright infringement lures to distribute . Threat actors exploit DLL side-loading techniques by hijacking the execution flow of a legitimate PDF reader, delivering malicious payloads through emails that impersonate legal departments. These emails accuse recipients of copyright violations, leading to downloads from services like Mediafire. The malware establishes persistence via Windows Registry Run keys and exfiltrates sensitive information. The campaign primarily targets multimedia professionals, leveraging localized language to enhance credibility and engagement.
  • Socket identified targeting JavaScript frameworks such as React, Vue.js, Vite, and Quill Editor, which remained undetected for over two years, accumulating over 6,200 downloads. The threat actor, using the alias "xuxingfeng," published both malicious and legitimate packages to build trust and evade detection. Attackers used typosquatting and mimicry to trick developers into installing malicious packages by mimicking legitimate plugin names like vite-plugin-react-extend and quill-image-downloader. 
  • A threat actor named has been exploiting DNS misconfigurations since December 2023 to hijack abandoned cloud resources from high-profile organizations, including federal agencies, universities, healthcare entities, and corporations. Hazy Hawk uses hijacked subdomains to distribute scams and malware, leveraging the trustworthiness of compromised domains to bypass security controls and improve search engine rankings. The campaign targets multiple cloud providers like Azure, Amazon, Cloudflare, and others, exploiting vulnerable DNS CNAME records associated with abandoned resources. The actor employs advanced techniques like URL redirection, obfuscation, and content cloning to execute malware distribution chains, leading victims to scams and fraudulent content. They clone legitimate websites, like PBS[.]org, to deceive content crawlers and lure victims with enticing material, such as fake videos. Push notifications are employed as a persistence mechanism, inundating victims with scam-related alerts after approval.
  • The targeted high-level government institutions in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan using spear-phishing emails and exploiting vulnerabilities CVE-2017-0199 and CVE-2017-11882 in Microsoft Office. The attackers deployed the StealerBot malware through malicious documents, which enabled them to maintain persistent access and collect sensitive data. The operation involved geofenced payloads to ensure that only specific victims received the malicious content.
  • ASEC detected a new backdoor malware distributed with a Monero coinminer, leveraging the library for encrypted P2P communication to evade detection. The malware hides C2 commands within legitimate Bitmessage network messages, making it difficult for security products to classify its behavior as malicious. The malware decrypts and executes Monero coin miners and backdoor functions using XOR operations, exploiting infected systems for cryptocurrency mining. PyBitmessage-based backdoor malware downloads necessary files from GitHub or a suspected Russian personal drive and disguises itself as legitimate software. 
  • The tool disables Microsoft Defender by spoofing antivirus registration using an undocumented Windows Security Center API. It bypasses system safeguards by injecting its DLL into a trusted process (Taskmgr.exe), allowing it to register a fake antivirus product. Once registered, Microsoft Defender shuts down, leaving the device without active protection. The tool includes configuration options and creates persistence via Windows Task Scheduler.

Related Threat Briefings

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 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 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.