CyberSecurity news
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@office365itpros.com
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References:
Tony Redmond
, Talkback Resources
Microsoft is bolstering its security posture through advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud services. The company has released a new e-book that advocates for the development of AI-powered Security Operations Centers (SOCs), aiming to unify security operations and provide a more robust defense against contemporary cyber threats. This initiative underscores Microsoft's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to tackle the evolving landscape of cybersecurity challenges.
In addition to its focus on security operations, Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot AI assistant. Users will now benefit from audio overviews generated from Word and PDF files, as well as Teams meeting recordings stored within OneDrive for Business. This feature utilizes the Azure Audio Stack to create audio streams that can be saved as MP3 files, offering a new way to consume and interact with digital content. Furthermore, Microsoft has launched workload orchestration in Azure Arc, designed to simplify the deployment and management of Kubernetes-based applications across distributed edge environments, ensuring consistent management in diverse locations such as factories and retail stores. These developments highlight Microsoft's strategic direction towards integrating AI and cloud capabilities to improve both security and user productivity. The emphasis on unified SOCs and enhanced AI features in Copilot demonstrates a clear effort to provide more intelligent and streamlined solutions for businesses navigating the complexities of the modern digital world. The introduction of workload orchestration in Azure Arc further extends these benefits to edge computing scenarios, facilitating more efficient application management in a wider range of environments. Recommended read:
References :
@cyberscoop.com
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Microsoft has issued its July 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, a crucial monthly release that addresses a significant number of vulnerabilities across its product lines. This release tackles a total of 130 CVEs, with 10 of them classified as critical. Notably, while no vulnerabilities were reported as actively exploited in the wild at the time of the release, one flaw in Microsoft SQL Server (CVE-2025-49719) has been publicly disclosed. This information disclosure vulnerability, rated as important with a CVSS score of 7.5, means that technical details are available, potentially increasing the risk of future exploitation. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability, particularly as it affects SQL Server versions 2016 through 2022 and does not require authentication to exploit, potentially exposing sensitive data like credentials.
Among the critical vulnerabilities addressed, a particularly concerning one is a remote code execution (RCE) flaw in Windows SPNEGO Extended Negotiation (NEGOEX), designated CVE-2025-47981. This vulnerability carries a high CVSS score of 9.8 and is described as a heap-based buffer overflow, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to execute code remotely on a target system with low attack complexity and no user interaction. The nature of this flaw makes it a prime target for attackers seeking initial access or lateral movement within networks. Microsoft has also highlighted critical RCE vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office, with several rated as "more likely" to be exploited, including some that can be triggered via the preview pane without requiring a user to open a document, posing a significant risk to users' security. The July Patch Tuesday also includes fixes for vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint, with an RCE flaw that requires authenticated access but could allow an attacker to execute code on the server. Additionally, vulnerabilities impacting Windows Hyper-V and other system components have been addressed. With a total of 130 CVEs patched, including numerous critical flaws, it is imperative for all organizations to review and apply these updates promptly to protect their systems and data from potential exploitation. The proactive patching of these vulnerabilities is essential for maintaining a strong security posture against the ever-evolving threat landscape. Recommended read:
References :
@cyberpress.org
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Iranian advanced persistent threat (APT) groups have significantly escalated their cyberattacks against critical U.S. infrastructure, with a notable 133% surge in activity observed during May and June 2025. The transportation and manufacturing sectors have been identified as the primary targets of these intensified operations. This trend aligns with ongoing geopolitical tensions, as well as recent warnings issued by U.S. authorities like CISA and the Department of Homeland Security, which highlighted U.S. entities as prime targets for Iranian cyber actors.
Nozomi Networks Labs reported a total of 28 distinct cyber incidents linked to Iranian APTs during May and June, a substantial increase from the 12 incidents recorded in the preceding two months. Among the most active groups identified are MuddyWater, which targeted at least five U.S. companies primarily in the transportation and manufacturing sectors, and APT33, responsible for attacks on at least three U.S. entities. Other groups such as OilRig, CyberAv3ngers, Fox Kitten, and Homeland Justice were also observed conducting attacks against U.S. companies in these critical industries. The resurfacing of the Iranian-backed Pay2Key ransomware, now operating as Pay2Key.I2P, further highlights the evolving threat landscape. This ransomware-as-a-service operation, linked to the Fox Kitten APT group, is reportedly offering an 80% profit share to affiliates targeting Iran's adversaries, including the U.S. and Israel. This financially motivated scheme has also demonstrated an ideological commitment, with claims of over 51 successful ransom payouts, netting substantial profits. The use of the Invisible Internet Project (I2P) for its infrastructure represents a notable shift in RaaS operations, potentially enhancing its evasiveness. Recommended read:
References :
Aman Mishra@gbhackers.com
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Hackers have successfully compromised the popular WordPress plugin Gravity Forms, embedding malicious code into versions downloaded directly from the official gravityforms.com website. This sophisticated supply chain attack targets a significant portion of WordPress websites relying on Gravity Forms for form creation and data collection. The attackers are reportedly exploiting a vulnerability within the plugin, specifically targeting the gf_api_token parameter. This allows them to inject malicious PHP code into core plugin files, such as gravityforms/common.php and includes/settings/class-settings.php, creating backdoors that can lead to remote code execution and unauthorized access.
The malicious campaign was first detected when security researchers observed suspicious HTTP POST requests to a newly registered domain, gravityapi.org, which served as a command-and-control server. The injected malware is capable of exfiltrating sensitive WordPress site data, including URLs, plugin lists, user counts, and environment details, transmitting this information to the attacker-controlled domain. Upon receiving a response, the malware can deploy further payloads, such as writing a backdoored PHP file to the server that masquerades as legitimate content management tools. This backdoor enables attackers to execute arbitrary code, create new administrator accounts, upload files, and manipulate site content with devastating effects. In response to the discovered vulnerability, Gravity Forms has swiftly released version 2.9.13 of the plugin, which is confirmed to be free of the backdoor. Additionally, the registrar Namecheap has suspended the malicious gravityapi.org domain to disrupt ongoing exploitation efforts. Website administrators are strongly advised to update their Gravity Forms plugin to the latest version immediately to mitigate the risk of compromise. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity, particularly POST requests to the identified malicious domain, is also a crucial step in preventing unauthorized access and code execution on affected WordPress sites. Recommended read:
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