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Several news outlets report on the growing interest in quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize various fields. Research is exploring how quantum computing can redefine randomness and advance machine learning capabilities by utilizing concepts like Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVM). Additionally, research is focusing on developing quantum-resistant encryption methods to safeguard internet security from future quantum attacks. The advancements highlight quantum computing as a pivotal technology for the future.

Multiple reports highlight the growing threat of supply chain attacks using large language models (LLMs). Attackers are increasingly using stolen credentials to jailbreak existing LLMs for spear phishing and social engineering campaigns. This evolution poses significant risks to organizations relying on software and services provided via supply chains, and new security measures are needed to mitigate these threats.

Lumma is a sophisticated information stealer available as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) on Russian-speaking forums and Telegram. It targets Windows systems to steal credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, browser data, and 2FA details using various techniques to avoid detection. It offers tiered subscription plans with features such as binary morphing and server-side data decryption. The stealer is actively used in campaigns involving phishing, malvertising, and fake software updates targeting manufacturing, transportation, gamers, cracked software users, and crypto enthusiasts, making it a dominant force in the info-stealer market.

Strategic secret governance is essential for cybersecurity. It involves managing Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and secrets. NHIs are machine identities used in cybersecurity and it involves protecting sensitive keys, passwords and certificates from unauthorized access. Efficient secret governance helps organizations manage access controls and audit secret usage in order to comply with regulatory requirements. Proper secret governance minimizes the risk of security breaches. This is required to protect against threats and vulnerabilities in any organization.

A Russia-linked tanker, Eagle S, has been detained by Finnish authorities for allegedly damaging undersea power and data cables in the Baltic Sea, connecting Finland to Estonia. The incident is under investigation, and the tanker is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, raising concerns over potential sabotage on critical infrastructure. This action highlights the vulnerabilities of undersea cables to external threats and underscores the geopolitical tensions in the region.

Several industrial control system (ICS) vulnerabilities have been disclosed. These include 29 vulnerabilities in Hitachi Disk Array Systems, an improper check vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks products, and an unrestricted file upload issue in Philips products using Apache Struts. Additionally, ABB Cylon Aspect and HMS Ewon Flexy 205 products have been found vulnerable to code injection and remote code execution, respectively. These vulnerabilities, some with publicly available exploits, pose a risk to industrial and infrastructure environments, requiring prompt patching and mitigation.

Multiple botnets, including FICORA (Mirai variant) and CAPSAICIN (Kaiten variant), are actively exploiting known vulnerabilities in older D-Link routers to conduct DDoS attacks and propagate malware. These botnets target vulnerabilities in the HNAP interface, allowing remote attackers to execute malicious commands. The ongoing attacks highlight the persistent risks associated with outdated and unpatched devices, emphasizing the need for users to update or replace vulnerable equipment immediately.

Mark Sokolovsky, the operator of the Raccoon Stealer malware-as-a-service (MaaS) operation, has been sentenced to five years in prison. Raccoon Stealer has been a significant malware platform since 2019, enabling cybercriminals to steal sensitive data. The sentencing highlights efforts to combat international cybercrime and bring perpetrators to justice. This should act as a deterrent to others involved in malware creation and distribution. The severity of the sentence is a clear sign that authorities take such operations very seriously.

Cryptocurrency platforms have been hit by hackers, resulting in $2.2 billion worth of cryptocurrency being stolen in 2024. North Korea-affiliated hackers were responsible for $1.34 billion of the stolen funds across 47 incidents. Initially, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms were the primary targets but, in Q2 and Q3 2024, centralized services were targeted more. This shows that hacking of crypto platforms is a major issue and has become a large source of income for cyber criminals. The attacks are getting more sophisticated and need to be more carefully defended.

The Tor Project is seeking volunteers to establish 200 WebTunnel bridges to counter increased online censorship in Russia, which is actively blocking access to Tor and other circumvention tools. This highlights the ongoing struggle for internet freedom and the need for resilient anonymity tools.

A data broker, SL Data Services, exposed 644,869 sensitive files, including background checks, in a publicly accessible cloud storage container. The files contained personal information like names, addresses, phone numbers, and criminal histories. This highlights the risks of data brokers and the need for individuals to protect their personal information.

ESET researchers discovered Bootkitty, the first UEFI bootkit designed for Linux systems. While appearing to be a proof-of-concept, its existence signals a concerning shift in the UEFI threat landscape, expanding threats beyond traditionally targeted Windows systems. Further research is needed to determine its potential for active exploitation and the extent of its capabilities.

Multiple critical vulnerabilities have been disclosed impacting various Industrial Control Systems (ICS) products. These vulnerabilities, identified in AutomationDirect’s C-More EA9 Programming Software, Planet Technology’s industrial switch WGS-804HPT, and other products, could enable remote code execution (RCE) and other serious security compromises if exploited. The vulnerabilities highlight the ongoing challenge of securing critical infrastructure against sophisticated cyberattacks. Organizations are urged to apply the necessary mitigations and keep their ICS software updated to prevent attacks and minimize the risk to their operations.

A global money laundering operation, uncovered in Operation Destabilise, facilitated billions of dollars in illicit funds for drug traffickers, ransomware gangs, and potentially sanctioned Russian elites. The operation, led by the NCA, involved arrests and disruptions across multiple countries, highlighting the scale and complexity of international financial crime. This underscores the need for cross-border cooperation to combat cybercrime.

Multiple vulnerabilities have been added to the U.S. CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. These include issues in Zyxel firewalls, Cisco ASA, and others, highlighting the ongoing need for timely patching and vulnerability management. Active exploitation in the wild is a key concern.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued alerts about multiple vulnerabilities being actively exploited in the wild, affecting popular software and hardware products such as Zyxel firewalls, CyberPanel, North Grid, and ProjectSend. These vulnerabilities pose significant security risks, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access and control of affected systems. Organizations are strongly urged to apply the necessary security updates or mitigations immediately to prevent exploitation. The vulnerabilities include CVE-2024-51378 (CyberPanel), which has a CVSS score of 10.0. Specific details on each vulnerability and remediation steps can be found in the respective security advisories issued by CISA and the affected vendors.

The Russian state-sponsored group Secret Blizzard has been found to have hijacked the infrastructure of other hacking groups for its operations, with a recent campaign targeting the Pakistan-based espionage cluster Storm-0156 (also known as SideCopy, Transparent Tribe, or APT36). Secret Blizzard’s actions involved installing backdoors, collecting intelligence, and compromising target devices in regions like South Asia and Ukraine. This sophisticated espionage operation highlights the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the ability of nation-state actors to leverage the resources of other groups for their malicious activities.

This cluster involves incidents related to the takedown of various criminal communication platforms. The MATRIX encrypted messaging service, used by criminals for illegal activities, was dismantled in an international operation involving French and Dutch authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol. The criminals were monitored for months before the operation was conducted. This demonstrates the continued efforts to disrupt and counteract criminal activity online through international cooperation.

A massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack campaign, launched by the threat actor known as Matrix, compromised over 35 million internet-connected devices globally. The majority of affected devices were located in China and Japan. This attack highlights the vulnerability of IoT devices and the potential for large-scale disruptions.