CyberSecurity news
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@therecord.media - 45d
The U.S. Department of Justice, working with the FBI, has successfully removed the PlugX malware from over 4,250 infected computers within the United States. This multi-month operation targeted the command and control infrastructure used by hackers linked to the People's Republic of China (PRC). PlugX, a remote access trojan (RAT), has been used by the group known as Mustang Panda, or Twill Typhoon, since 2014, to infiltrate systems and steal information from victims across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as Chinese dissident groups. The Justice Department obtained court orders to authorize the operation and eliminate the malware, which is known for its capability to remotely control and extract information from compromised devices. This action aimed to disrupt the ability of state-sponsored cyber threat actors from further malicious activities on affected networks.
The removal of PlugX involved a self-delete command that was developed by French cybersecurity firm Sekoia. The FBI tested the method before deploying it. This command deleted the malware from infected computers without impacting their legitimate functions or collecting any further content. The operation was conducted in partnership with French law enforcement, which also identified a botnet of infected devices in its own investigation. This international cooperation highlights the ongoing efforts to counteract nation-state cyber threats and protect U.S. cybersecurity. The owners of the affected devices have been notified of the actions through their internet service providers. Recommended read:
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do son@securityonline.info - 74d
The FBI has issued a warning regarding a new HiatusRAT malware campaign which is targeting web cameras and DVRs, particularly those made by Chinese manufacturers. The attackers are exploiting vulnerabilities like weak default passwords, and are using tools like Ingram and Medusa to gain unauthorized access. Once compromised the devices are used as proxies and converted into covert communication channels. This campaign is targeting IoT devices in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. System administrators are urged to limit the use of the affected devices or isolate them from the rest of the network to prevent further exploitation.
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@www.justice.gov - 28d
U.S. and Dutch law enforcement agencies have jointly dismantled a network of 39 domains and associated servers used in Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud operations. The operation, codenamed "Operation Heart Blocker," took place on January 29th and targeted the infrastructure of a group known as "The Manipulaters," which also went by the name Saim Raza. This group operated online marketplaces originating from Pakistan, selling phishing toolkits, scam pages, email extractors, and fraud-enabling tools. The services marketed were utilized by transnational organized crime groups in the US who used these tools to target various victims with BEC schemes. These attacks tricked victim companies into making fraudulent payments which are estimated to have caused over $3 million in losses.
The seized domains and servers contained millions of records, including at least 100,000 pertaining to Dutch citizens. "The Manipulaters" marketed their services under various brands, including Heartsender, Fudpage, and Fudtools which specialized in spam and malware dissemination. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Saim Raza-run websites not only sold the tools, but they also provided training to end users through instructional videos on how to execute schemes using the malicious programs, making them accessible to those without the technical expertise. The service was estimated to have thousands of customers. The tools were used to acquire victim user credentials which were then utilized to further the fraudulent schemes. Users can check to see if they were impacted by credential theft via a Dutch Police website. Recommended read:
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@thecyberexpress.com - 37d
US cybersecurity agencies, CISA and the FBI, have issued warnings regarding the active exploitation of four critical vulnerabilities within Ivanti Cloud Service Appliances (CSA). These flaws, designated as CVE-2024-8963, CVE-2024-9379, CVE-2024-8190, and CVE-2024-9380, are being leveraged by Chinese state-sponsored actors to breach vulnerable networks. The agencies released detailed technical information, including indicators of compromise (IOCs), highlighting that attackers are using two primary exploit chains to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, and implant webshells on victim systems.
Specifically, one exploit chain combines CVE-2024-8963, CVE-2024-8190, and CVE-2024-9380, while the other uses CVE-2024-8963 along with CVE-2024-9379. These vulnerabilities affect Ivanti CSA versions 4.6x before 519, and versions 5.0.1 and below for CVE-2024-9379 and CVE-2024-9380. Notably, CSA version 4.6 is end-of-life and does not receive security patches, making it particularly susceptible. The agencies urge organizations to apply patches promptly and implement robust security measures to defend against these active threats, further highlighting the speed at which disclosed vulnerabilities are weaponized. Recommended read:
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Pierluigi Paganini@Security Affairs - 21h
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securityaffairs.com
, The420.in
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The LockBit ransomware group has targeted newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel with an alleged "birthday gift" consisting of leaked classified documents. LockBitSupp, the group's alleged leader, posted a message on February 25, 2025, mocking Patel and claiming the group possesses sensitive data that could "destroy" the FBI. This incident raises serious cybersecurity concerns about potential data breaches targeting high-profile individuals and agencies.
The post, found on LockBit's dark leak blog, describes an "archive of classified information" containing over 250 folders of materials dating back to May 29, 2024. This stolen data is presented as a "guide, roadmap, and some friendly advice" to the new FBI Director. The ransomware cartel's actions represent a bold threat, highlighting the increasing sophistication and audacity of cybercriminals targeting government entities and their leadership. Recommended read:
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