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Zack Whittaker@techcrunch.com
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The FBI and cybersecurity firms are issuing warnings about the cybercrime group Scattered Spider, which has recently shifted its focus to targeting airlines and the transportation sector. According to a statement released by the FBI and reported by TechCrunch, recent cyberattacks resembling those of Scattered Spider have been observed within the airline sector. Cybersecurity experts from Google's Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 have also confirmed witnessing Scattered Spider attacks targeting the aviation industry. This shift in focus comes after the group recently targeted the U.K. retail and insurance industries, and previously, tech companies.
Scattered Spider is known to employ social engineering techniques, often impersonating employees or contractors to deceive IT help desks into granting access. These techniques frequently involve bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as convincing help desk services to add unauthorized MFA devices to compromised accounts. The FBI warns that Scattered Spider targets large corporations and their third-party IT providers, meaning any organization within the airline ecosystem, including trusted vendors and contractors, could be at risk. Unit 42 has also warned that organizations should be on high alert for sophisticated and targeted social engineering attacks and suspicious MFA reset requests. Once inside a system, Scattered Spider actors steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploy ransomware. The FBI is actively working with aviation and industry partners to address this activity and assist victims. The agency emphasizes the importance of early reporting, as it allows the FBI to engage promptly, share intelligence across the industry, and prevent further compromise. The recent attacks on the airline sector follow reported intrusions at Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet, with media reports linking the WestJet incident to Scattered Spider. The FBI recommends quickly reporting incidents to allow them to act fast, share intelligence, and limit damage. Recommended read:
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@www.helpnetsecurity.com
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Hackers Bypass Gmail MFA with Stolen Passwords - Russian hackers bypassed Gmail's multi-factor authentication via social engineering to steal app passwords for targeted attacks.
ImgSrc: img.helpnetsecu
Russian hackers have found a way to bypass Gmail's multi-factor authentication (MFA) to conduct targeted attacks against academics and critics engaging with Russia discussions. According to Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), the hackers are using stolen app passwords obtained through sophisticated and personalized social engineering attacks. These attacks involve posing as U.S. Department of State officials to build rapport with targets, eventually convincing them to create and share app-specific passwords.
App passwords are 16-digit codes that Google generates to allow certain apps or devices to access a Google Account, bypassing the usual second verification step of MFA. While useful for older or less secure apps that can't handle MFA, app passwords lack the extra layer of security, making them vulnerable to theft or phishing. In one instance, the attackers, tracked as UNC6293 and believed to be state-sponsored, contacted a target under the guise of a State Department representative, inviting them to a consultation in a private online conversation, further lending credibility by CCing four @state.gov accounts. This campaign, which took place between April and early June, involved meticulously crafted phishing messages that didn't rush the target into immediate action. Instead, the hackers focused on building trust through personalized emails and invitations to private conversations, using spoofed '@state.gov' addresses in the CC field to build credibility. Keir Giles, a prominent British researcher on Russia, was one such target. Google's researchers uncovered the slow-paced nature attackers used to build rapports with their victims, often sending them personalized emails and inviting them to private conversations or meetings. Recommended read:
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Pierluigi Paganini@Security Affairs
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McLaren Health Care, a nonprofit healthcare organization based in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is notifying over 743,000 individuals of a significant data breach. The breach, stemming from a ransomware attack that occurred in July 2024, involved unauthorized access to the healthcare provider's systems. The incident was discovered on August 5, 2024, after McLaren detected suspicious activity on its and Karmanos Cancer Institute’s computer systems.
Following the discovery, McLaren Health Care launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists to secure their network and determine the nature and scope of the activity. The investigation revealed that unauthorized access to the network occurred between July 17, 2024, and August 3, 2024. A comprehensive forensic review of the potentially impacted files concluded on May 5, 2025, confirming that personal and protected health information was compromised. The INC ransomware gang was identified as the cause of the breach. The compromised information may include names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical information, and health insurance details. McLaren Health Care is providing impacted individuals with 12 months of free credit monitoring services and guidance on protecting themselves against fraud and identity theft. Written communications outlining the nature of the breach and the steps being taken were sent directly to the affected individuals. As of June 20, 2025, written notification has been issued to those affected by this data breach. Recommended read:
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@kirbyidau.com
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MKA Accountants, a Victorian accounting firm, has confirmed it fell victim to a ransomware attack by the Qilin group. The incident, which occurred in May 2025, resulted in the publication of sensitive company documents on Qilin's leak site. The stolen data included internal correspondence, financial statements, and insurance information, highlighting the severity of the breach and the potential impact on the firm's operations and client relationships. This attack underscores the growing threat posed by ransomware groups to organizations of all sizes, regardless of their industry.
The Qilin ransomware group has been rapidly gaining prominence in the cybercrime landscape. As established players like RansomHub and LockBit face internal turmoil and operational setbacks, Qilin has emerged as a technically advanced and full-service cybercrime platform. Recent reports indicate that Qilin is actively recruiting affiliates, possibly absorbing talent from defunct groups, and bolstering its capabilities to conduct sophisticated ransomware attacks. This rise in prominence positions Qilin as a major player in the evolving ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) ecosystem, posing a significant threat to businesses worldwide. To further pressure victims into paying ransoms, Qilin now offers a "Call Lawyer" feature within its affiliate panel. This addition aims to provide affiliates with legal counsel during ransom negotiations, potentially intimidating victims and increasing the likelihood of payment. Furthermore, Qilin provides other services to help affiliates maximize their success. This includes spam services, PB-scale data storage, a team of in-house journalists, and even the ability to conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, positioning Qilin as a comprehensive cybercrime operation and increasing it's market share. Recommended read:
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Waqas@hackread.com
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CoinMarketCap, a leading cryptocurrency data website, has been hacked, resulting in the theft of approximately $43,000 in cryptocurrency from 110 users. The attackers exploited a vulnerability in CoinMarketCap's animated logo, injecting malicious code that displayed a fake wallet verification popup. This popup prompted users to connect their crypto wallets and approve ERC-20 token access, enabling the scammers to drain their funds. Wallet providers like MetaMask and Phantom were quick to flag the site as unsafe, displaying browser warnings against using the platform. CoinMarketCap has since confirmed the removal of the malicious popup.
The attack, which ran for only a few hours, utilized a sophisticated phishing kit known as Inferno Drainer, a well-known crypto-drainer phishing kit. Security firm C/side linked the malicious code to Inferno Drainer. Data gleaned from a Telegram channel known as TheCommsLeaks revealed a live dashboard used by the attacker, showing real-time wallet connections, token transfers, and total values drained. Early figures showed 67 successful hits and over 1,300 wallet connections, with the payout quickly exceeding $21,000 in the initial wave. The individual behind the attack is reportedly a French-speaking actor known online as Zartix and Spadle, associated with an underground community called The Com. This community is also linked to the Scattered Spider group. The incident highlights the growing risks within the cryptocurrency space, where trusted platforms can be exploited through sophisticated scams. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of caution when connecting wallets to online platforms and the need for robust security measures to protect users from these kinds of attacks. Recommended read:
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Field Effect@Blog
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Blog
, securityaffairs.com
Multiple security vulnerabilities are being actively exploited across various systems, posing significant risks to organizations and individuals. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added a Linux Kernel vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this flaw. Furthermore, researchers have uncovered a vulnerability chain affecting a wide range of Linux distributions that could allow an unprivileged user to gain full root access. These vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-6018 and CVE-2025-6019, reside in the Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) configuration and libblockdev, respectively.
Proof-of-concept (POC) code has been published for the Linux vulnerability chain, raising the potential for widespread exploitation. The libblockdev flaw is exploitable through the udisks daemon, a tool commonly deployed in Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Arch Linux, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). In addition to Linux vulnerabilities, there is also an increase in infostealer malware such as Lumma Stealer with new rules being added to detect associated command and control (CnC) domains. This highlights the diverse and evolving nature of cyber threats. The constant discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities underscore the critical importance of timely patching and robust security awareness. Organizations are advised to prioritize patching the Linux Kernel flaw added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, as well as the vulnerability chain affecting multiple Linux distributions. In addition to addressing Linux flaws, organizations need to also protect themselves from a range of malware, including the Lumma Stealer. The Cybersecurity community continues to identify and address many more vulnerabilities in a range of products including Apple products, TP-Link routers and Zyxel products. Regular security audits and proactive threat hunting are also essential for mitigating risks and maintaining a strong security posture. Recommended read:
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@www.elliptic.co
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Cyber warfare between Israel and Iran has significantly escalated, marked by disruptions to financial systems and critical infrastructure. In response to recent cyberattacks, the Iranian government admitted to shutting down the internet to protect against further Israeli incursions. This near-total internet blackout has severely limited Iranians' access to information about the ongoing conflict and their ability to communicate with loved ones both inside and outside the country. The government cited hacks on Bank Sepah and the cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex as reasons for restricting internet access.
The cyberattacks included a major outage at Bank Sepah, where the attackers, a group called Predatory Sparrow, claimed to have deleted data, exfiltrated internal documents, and destroyed backups. Predatory Sparrow also claimed responsibility for draining over $90 million in cryptocurrency from Nobitex, Iran's largest crypto exchange, rendering the stolen funds inaccessible. The group, which purports to be pro-Israel hacktivists, has previously disrupted key services in Iran, such as gas stations and steel plants. The U.S. cybersecurity groups have issued advisories warning that Iranian-affiliated threat actors may retaliate globally, targeting American companies in sectors like energy, finance, healthcare, and logistics. These alerts urge CISOs to elevate monitoring and reinforce incident response protocols due to the heightened geopolitical risk. The cyber conflict between Israel and Iran marks a significant turning point, with potential global implications for cybersecurity. Recommended read:
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Ashish Khaitan@The Cyber Express
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Oxford Council Cyberattack Exposes Election Data - Oxford City Council experienced a cyberattack that disrupted services and potentially exposed personal data of election workers from 2001 to 2022.
ImgSrc: thecyberexpress
Oxford City Council has suffered a cyberattack resulting in the potential exposure of personal data relating to election workers. The incident, which occurred the weekend of June 7th and 8th, involved unauthorized access to the council's network. Automated security systems detected and contained the intrusion, minimizing the attackers' access to systems and databases.
As a precaution, the council took down its main systems to conduct thorough security checks. Most systems are now safely operational, with the remainder expected to be back online shortly. While email systems and wider digital services remain secure, the attackers managed to access historic data on legacy systems, specifically impacting individuals who worked on Oxford City Council-administered elections between 2001 and 2022, including poll station workers and ballot counters. The council has stated that there is no evidence to suggest the accessed information has been shared with third parties, and investigations are ongoing to determine the precise nature and extent of the data compromised. Impacted individuals have been contacted, and the council has reported the incident to relevant government authorities and law enforcement agencies, assuring the public that actions have been taken to prevent further unauthorized access and that a full investigation is underway. Recommended read:
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Rescana@Rescana
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infosec.exchange
, WIRED
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Amidst escalating regional conflicts, Iran has taken the drastic measure of shutting down internet access for its citizens, a move the government defends as a necessary precaution against Israeli cyberattacks. This disruption has severely impacted communication within the country, leaving Iranians abroad unable to connect with loved ones. One such individual, Amir Rashidi, expressed his anxiety, stating he hadn't heard from his family in two days and was relying on someone else for updates. The situation highlights the growing intersection of cyber warfare and real-world consequences for civilians.
The internet blackout is not the first instance of Iran limiting connectivity. In the past, similar restrictions were imposed during periods of political unrest, such as protests in 2019 and 2022. These shutdowns are implemented by pushing people towards domestic apps, which are often less secure, while also severely restricting access to vital information. Experts like Doug Madory from Kentik have documented significant drops in internet connectivity within Iran following recent Israeli airstrikes, with reductions of 54% initially, followed by further declines of 49% and, subsequently, a staggering 90%. In a defensive maneuver against cyber threats, Iran is throttling its National Internet Infrastructure. The country claims it is restricting internet connectivity to counter cyber attacks amid regional conflict. The stated aim is to impede cyber intrusions and the synchronization of adversarial operations. An example of the threats Iran faces is demonstrated by the Israeli-linked hackers who seized and burned $90 million from Iran's Nobitex exchange. Recommended read:
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CISA@Alerts
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www.cybersecuritydive.com
, Tenable Blog
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Tenable's 2025 Cloud Security Risk Report has revealed a concerning trend: a significant percentage of public cloud storage resources are exposing sensitive data. The study found that nearly one in ten publicly accessible cloud storage buckets contain sensitive information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Intellectual Property (IP), Payment Card Industry (PCI) data, and Protected Health Information (PHI). Worryingly, 97% of this exposed data is classified as restricted or confidential. This highlights the ongoing challenge organizations face in properly securing their cloud environments despite increased awareness of cloud security risks.
Researchers found that misconfigured access settings and overly permissive policies are major contributing factors to these exposures. For instance, more than half of organizations (54%) store at least one secret directly in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elastic Container Service (ECS) task definitions. Similarly, a significant portion of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Cloud Run and Microsoft Azure Logic Apps workflows are also exposed. Tenable emphasizes the need for automated data discovery and classification, elimination of public access by default, enterprise-grade secrets management, and identity-intelligent Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) to mitigate these risks. While the report highlights the risks from insecure cloud configurations, it also points to some positive developments. The number of organizations with "toxic cloud trilogies" – workloads that are publicly exposed, critically vulnerable, and highly privileged – has declined from 38% to 29% over the past year. However, this still represents a substantial risk. Tenable stresses that exposed secrets and sensitive data are systemic risks that must be eliminated to prevent data exfiltration and environment takeover, emphasizing that attackers often exploit public access, steal embedded secrets, or abuse overprivileged identities to compromise cloud environments. Recommended read:
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@www.huntress.com
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The North Korea-aligned threat actor known as BlueNoroff, also tracked as TA444, Sapphire Sleet, COPERNICIUM, STARDUST CHOLLIMA, or CageyChameleon, has been observed targeting an employee in the Web3 sector with deceptive tactics. According to research shared by Huntress, these tactics include the use of deepfake Zoom calls featuring synthetic personas of company executives to trick victims into installing malware on their Apple macOS devices. This sophisticated social engineering campaign highlights the evolving techniques employed by threat actors to compromise systems and gain access to sensitive information.
Huntress researchers Alden Schmidt, Stuart Ashenbrenner, and Jonathan Semon provided detailed analysis of a recent BlueNoroff intrusion targeting a cryptocurrency foundation employee. The employee was initially contacted via Telegram and enticed to schedule a meeting through a Calendly link. This link redirected the user to a fake Zoom domain controlled by the attackers. During the deepfake Zoom meeting, the employee was prompted to download a malicious Zoom extension, delivered via Telegram, under the guise of a microphone issue fix. This extension, named "zoom_sdk_support.scpt," initiated the malware installation process. The AppleScript downloaded a payload from a malicious website, disabling bash history logging and checking for Rosetta 2 installation on the compromised Mac. It then proceeded to create a hidden file and download binaries to the "/tmp/icloud_helper" directory, prompting the user for their system password and wiping the history of executed commands to cover their tracks. This intrusion led to the discovery of eight distinct malicious binaries on the victim host, including Telegram 2, Root Troy V4, and InjectWithDyld. The Field Effect Analysis team has also been investigating similar activity related to BlueNoroff. Recommended read:
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Graham Cluley@Blog RSS Feed
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The Qilin ransomware group is introducing a new tactic to pressure victims into paying larger ransoms. They are now offering a "Call Lawyer" button within their affiliate panel, providing legal counsel to cybercriminals attempting to extort money. This feature aims to give affiliates an edge in ransom negotiations by providing them with on-call legal support. Qilin believes that the presence of a lawyer in communication with victims will increase the likelihood of a successful ransom payment due to the potential legal ramifications and associated costs for the victim company.
Qilin's legal assistance service offers several advantages for its affiliates, including legal assessments of stolen data, classification of legal violations, and evaluation of potential damages. It also provides guidance on how to inflict maximum economic damage on a victim company if they refuse to pay the ransom. This addition is part of Qilin's effort to position itself as a full-service cybercrime platform, offering extensive support options and robust solutions for highly targeted ransomware attacks. This development indicates a shift in the cybercrime landscape, with ransomware groups like Qilin attempting to mimic legitimate business tactics to increase their success rates. Qilin has become a prominent player in the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) market, attracting affiliates from other groups and leading in the number of victims targeted in recent months. The group's mature ecosystem, advanced evasion features, and comprehensive operational features position it as a significant threat in the cybercrime world. Recommended read:
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@nvd.nist.gov
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A critical security vulnerability, CVE-2025-49763, has been identified in Apache Traffic Server (ATS). This flaw, discovered by Imperva's Offensive Security Team, resides within the ESI plugin of ATS and can be exploited by remote, unauthenticated attackers to trigger denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. The vulnerability stems from the potential for attackers to initiate an "avalanche" of internal ESI requests, leading to the exhaustion of server memory. The CVSS v3.1 score is estimated at 7.5, classifying it as a high-severity issue.
The memory exhaustion vulnerability allows malicious actors to potentially crash proxy nodes within the Apache Traffic Server infrastructure. To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-49763, security experts advise upgrading ATS to the latest version and carefully configuring Access Control List (ACL) settings. Specifically, administrators should define limits for the ESI plugin to prevent excessive resource consumption by unauthorized requests. In addition to this vulnerability (CVE-2025-49763), another CVE, CVE-2025-31698, was recently published, concerning ACL misconfigurations in Apache Traffic Server. This highlights the need for diligent security practices. Users of Apache Traffic Server versions 10.0.0 through 10.0.6 and 9.0.0 through 9.2.10 are advised to upgrade to versions 9.2.11 or 10.0.6 to address the ACL issue. A new setting, proxy.config.acl.subjects, allows administrators to specify which IP addresses to use for ACL checks when ATS is configured to accept PROXY protocol. Recommended read:
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@blog.criminalip.io
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CIP Blog
, Ubuntu security notices
A critical security vulnerability, CVE-2025-49113, has been identified in Roundcube webmail, a popular skinnable AJAX based webmail solution for IMAP servers. The flaw allows for remote code execution (RCE) through the exploitation of email subject lines. Attackers can inject malicious PHP code into the subject header field, which, when processed by Roundcube, allows them to execute arbitrary commands on the server. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without any user interaction, enabling attackers to compromise systems simply by sending a malicious email.
This vulnerability affects Roundcube versions up to 1.6.4. Security researchers confirmed that the flaw was actively exploited to install backdoors and exfiltrate system information. As of June 2025, the Shadowserver Foundation reported that over 84,925 Roundcube instances were exposed to this vulnerability. Criminal IP Asset Search has also identified tens of thousands of affected cases, highlighting the widespread nature of the threat. The vulnerability was patched in version 1.6.5. Ubuntu has released security notices (USN-7584-1) addressing the Roundcube vulnerability. It was discovered that Roundcube Webmail did not properly sanitize the _from parameter in a URL, leading to PHP Object Deserialization. A remote attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code. The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the specified package versions for your Ubuntu release, which is available via standard system updates or Ubuntu Pro with ESM Apps. Given the severity and active exploitation of CVE-2025-49113, users are strongly advised to update their Roundcube installations immediately to the latest version. Recommended read:
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Dissent@DataBreaches.Net
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A massive collection of 16 billion login credentials has been discovered, representing one of the largest data thefts in history. Cybernews reports that the exposed data likely originates from various infostealers, malicious software designed to gather sensitive information from infected devices. Researchers have uncovered 30 exposed data sets containing millions to over 3.5 billion records each, totaling the astounding 16 billion credentials. These datasets include logins for major platforms like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Telegram, raising significant concerns about widespread account compromise.
Researchers noted that these datasets were not simply recycled from old data leaks but represent new, potentially "weaponized" information. The exposed data contains a mix of details from stealer malware, credential stuffing sets, and repackaged leaks. While it was not possible to compare data between the different sets effectively, the sheer volume and the platforms targeted highlight the severity of the situation. The data sets were only exposed for a short period and it remains unknown who controlled the large amount of data. The exposure of these 16 billion credentials poses a significant risk of account takeovers, identity theft, and targeted phishing attacks. Cybercriminals now have access to an unprecedented volume of personal data. Users are advised to take immediate action to protect their accounts, including enabling multi-factor authentication and using strong, unique passwords for all online services. News sources indicate that this is not a new data breach but is rather a compilation of previously leaked credentials. Recommended read:
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@nvd.nist.gov
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Two high-severity vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2025-5349 and CVE-2025-5777, have been discovered in Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway products. According to a Citrix advisory released on June 17, 2025, these flaws pose a significant risk to organizations using the affected products. It is strongly recommended that users update their systems as soon as possible to mitigate potential exploits. These vulnerabilities affect NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway versions 14.1 before 14.1-43.56, 13.1 before 13.1-58.32, 13.1-FIPS and NDcPP before 13.1-37.235-FIPS and NDcPP, and 12.1-FIPS before 12.1-55.328-FIPS. Note that versions 12.1 and 13.0 are End Of Life (EOL) and are also vulnerable.
CVE-2025-5777, which has a CVSS score of 9.3, stems from insufficient input validation, leading to a memory overread. This vulnerability is only exploitable when NetScaler is configured as a Gateway, encompassing VPN virtual servers, ICA Proxy, CVPN, or RDP Proxy, or when configured as an AAA virtual server. CVE-2025-5349, with a CVSS score of 8.7, is attributed to improper access control on the NetScaler Management Interface. Exploitation of this vulnerability requires the attacker to have access to the NSIP address, the Cluster Management IP, or the local GSLB Site IP. The National Vulnerability Database provides additional detail on both CVE-2025-5349 and CVE-2025-5777. To address these vulnerabilities, Citrix advises upgrading to the latest versions of NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. Additionally, after upgrading all NetScaler appliances in a high availability (HA) pair or cluster to the fixed builds, Citrix recommends executing the following commands to terminate all active ICA and PCoIP sessions: `kill icaconnection -all` and `kill pcoipConnection -all`. CERT-In has also issued an advisory regarding these vulnerabilities. Further information regarding the impact on businesses can be found on Cyberexpress. Recommended read:
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sila.ozeren@picussecurity.com (Sıla@Resources-2
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Resources-2
, securityonline.info
A new report has revealed that the Silver Fox APT group, a China-based state-sponsored actor active since 2024, is targeting the public sector through trojanized medical software. The group, also known as Void Arachne or The Great Thief of Valley, is known for cyber espionage, data theft, and financially motivated intrusions, targeting healthcare organizations, government entities, and critical infrastructure. Their campaigns involve a custom remote access trojan called Winos 4.0 (ValleyRAT), derived from the Gh0st RAT malware family.
The Silver Fox APT employs a multi-stage campaign that utilizes backdoored medical software and cloud infrastructure to deploy remote access tools, disable antivirus software, and exfiltrate data from healthcare and public sector targets. One confirmed case involves a trojanized MediaViewerLauncher.exe, disguised as a Philips DICOM Viewer. This trojanized binary acts as a first-stage loader, initiating the malware chain. The group also exploits popular applications like Chrome, VPN clients, deepfake tools, and voice changers with backdoored installers, distributed through phishing or poisoned search results. Once executed, the malware reaches out to an Alibaba Cloud Object Storage bucket to retrieve an encrypted configuration file (i.dat), containing URLs and filenames for second-stage payloads disguised as benign media files (e.g., a.gif, s.jpeg). These payloads then deploy DLL loaders, anti-virus evasion logic, and a vulnerable driver (TrueSightKiller) to disable security software. The group also uses PowerShell exclusions to suppress Defender scans and employs RPC-based task creation and BYOVD techniques to terminate processes like MsMpEng.exe (Windows Defender). In a separate campaign, Silver Fox is also targeting Taiwan via phishing emails with malware families HoldingHands RAT and Gh0stCringe, using fake tax lures and PDF documents. Recommended read:
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info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
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Fake Minecraft Mods Steal Gamers' Data - A multi-stage malware campaign targeting Minecraft players via fake mods on GitHub steals gamers' data, including passwords and crypto wallets.
ImgSrc: blogger.googleu
Check Point Research has revealed a significant malware campaign targeting Minecraft players. The campaign, active since March 2025, involves malicious modifications (mods) distributed through the Stargazers Ghost Network on GitHub. These fake mods, impersonating legitimate "Scripts & Macro" tools or cheats, are designed to surreptitiously steal gamers' sensitive data. The malware is written primarily in Java, a language often overlooked by security solutions, and contains Russian-language artifacts suggesting the involvement of a Russian-speaking threat actor. The popularity of Minecraft, with over 200 million monthly active players and over 300 million copies sold, makes it a prime target for such attacks.
The multi-stage infection chain begins when a user downloads and installs a malicious JAR file, disguised as a Minecraft mod, into the game's mods folder. This initial Java downloader employs anti-analysis techniques to evade detection by antivirus software. Once executed, it retrieves and loads a second-stage Java-based stealer into memory. This stealer then collects Minecraft tokens, account credentials from popular launchers like Feather and Lunar, Discord tokens, Telegram data, IP addresses, and player UUIDs. The stolen data is then exfiltrated to a Pastebin-hosted URL, paving the way for the final, most potent payload. The final stage involves a .NET stealer with extensive capabilities, designed to steal a wide range of information. This includes browser data from Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, cryptocurrency wallet credentials, VPN credentials from NordVPN and ProtonVPN, and files from various directories such as Desktop and Documents. It can also capture screenshots and clipboard contents and harvest credentials from Steam, Discord, Telegram, and FileZilla. Over 1,500 Minecraft players have already been infected by these malicious mods distributed on GitHub. Researchers have flagged approximately 500 GitHub repositories used in the campaign. Recommended read:
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Nicholas Kitonyi@NFTgators
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A pro-Israel hacking group, known as Predatory Sparrow, has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack against Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The attack resulted in the theft of approximately $90 million in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Dogecoin, as well as over 100 other cryptocurrencies. According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, the funds were drained from the exchange’s wallets into blockchain addresses containing anti-government messages explicitly referencing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The attackers, instead of attempting to profit financially, intentionally destroyed the stolen cryptocurrency in what has been described as a symbolic political statement. The funds were sent to blockchain addresses with the phrase "F***iRGCTerrorists" embedded within them. Experts say that generating addresses with such specific terms requires significant computing power, suggesting the primary goal was to send a message rather than to gain financially. The incident underscores the rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran and the vulnerability of cryptocurrency exchanges to politically motivated cyberattacks. The cyberattack on Nobitex is part of a broader pattern of cyber warfare between Israel and Iran. While the physical conflict has seen airstrikes and other military actions, the digital realm has become another battleground, with potentially significant repercussions for both countries and the wider global community. This incident also follows reports of internet restrictions within Iran, limiting citizens' access to information and communication amidst escalating tensions. The global cybersecurity community needs to stay prepared for security repercussions for the two combatants and the wider global community as the cyberwarfare portion of the conflict is already spilling over off the battlefield and outside the region. Recommended read:
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