Oluwapelumi Adejumo@CryptoSlate
// 44d
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has confirmed a record-breaking theft of approximately $1.46 billion in digital assets from one of its offline Ethereum wallets. The attack, which occurred on Friday, is believed to be the largest crypto heist on record. Bybit disclosed that a highly sophisticated attack resulted in the theft of more than Rs 11,972 crores in digital assets.
The theft targeted an Ethereum cold wallet, involving a manipulation of a transaction from the cold wallet to a warm wallet. This allowed the attacker to gain control and transfer the funds to an unidentified address. The incident highlights the rising trend of cryptocurrency heists, driven by the allure of profits and challenges in tracing such crimes.
Recommended read:
References :
- www.techmeme.com: ZachXBT: crypto exchange Bybit has experienced $1.46B worth of "suspicious outflows"; Bybit CEO confirms hacker took control of cold ETH wallet
- CryptoSlate: The crypto exchange ByBit has been hacked, and roughly $1.5 billion in Ethereum (ETH) has been stolen — making this one of the biggest hacks in history.
- infosec.exchange: NEW: Crypto exchange Bybit said it was hacked and suffered a loss of around $1.4 billion (~401,346 ETH) at the time of the hack.
- PCMag UK security: The Bybit exchange lost 400,000 in ETH, or about $1.4 billion, before the price began to slide, making it the biggest crypto-related hack in history.
- techcrunch.com: TechCrunch reports on the Bybit hack, disclosing a loss of approximately $1.4 billion in Ethereum.
- ciso2ciso.com: In a major cybersecurity incident, Bybit, the world’s 2nd-largest crypto exchange suffered a $1.4 billion ETH hack from a cold wallet breach.
- ciso2ciso.com: Bybit Hack: $1.4B Stolen from World’s 2nd Largest Crypto Exchange – Source:hackread.com
- cryptoslate.com: ByBit suffers $1.5 billion Ethereum heist in cold wallet breach
- www.coindesk.com: Bybit experiences USD1.46B in suspicious outflows
- BleepingComputer: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit revealed today that an unknown attacker stole over $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency from one of its ETH cold wallets.
- The Cryptonomist: 3 Best Bybit Alternatives As Top CEX Is Hacked
- Gulf Business: ‘Worst hack in history’: Dubai crypto exchange Bybit suffers $1.5bn ether heist
- Anonymous ???????? :af:: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit revealed today that an unknown attacker stole over $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency from one of its ETH cold wallets.
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: Hacker steals record $1.46 billion in ETH from Bybit cold wallet
- Techmeme: Bybit Loses $1.5B in Hack but Can Cover Loss, CEO Confirms (Oliver Knight/CoinDesk)
- Report Boom: Report on the Bybit crypto heist, detailing the incident and security recommendations.
- thehackernews.com: Report on the Bybit hack, highlighting the scale of the theft and its implications.
- reportboom.com: Reportboom article about Bybit's $1.46B Crypto Heist.
- www.it-daily.net: Bybit hacked: record theft of 1.5 billion US dollars
- Protos: News about the Bybit cryptocurrency exchange being hacked for over \$1.4 billion.
- The420.in: On Friday, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit disclosed that a highly sophisticated attack resulted in the theft of more than Rs 11,972 crores in digital assets from one of its offline Ethereum wallets—the largest crypto heist on record.
- TechSpot: The hackers stole the crypto from Bybit's cold wallet, an offline storage system.
- Talkback Resources: Crypto exchange Bybit was targeted in a $1.46 billion theft by the Lazarus Group, highlighting the rising trend of cryptocurrency heists driven by the allure of profits and challenges in tracing such crimes.
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit revealed today that an unknown attacker stole over $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency from one of its ETH cold wallets.
- www.the420.in: The420.in: Biggest Crypto Heist Ever: Bybit Loses Rs 12,000+ Crore in Sophisticated Ethereum Wallet Attack!
- www.cnbc.com: This report discusses the Bybit hack, detailing the amount stolen and the potential impact on the crypto market.
- www.engadget.com: This news piece reports on the massive crypto heist from Bybit, highlighting the scale of the incident and the impact on the crypto market.
- Techmeme: Arkham says ZachXBT submitted proof that North Korea's Lazarus Group is behind Bybit's $1.5B hack, which is the largest single theft in crypto history
- BrianKrebs: Infosec exchange post describing Bybit breach.
- Talkback Resources: Bybit cryptocurrency exchange suffered a cyberattack resulting in the theft of $1.5 billion worth of digital currency, including over 400,000 ETH and stETH, with potential vulnerabilities in the Safe.global platform's user interface exploited.
- securityaffairs.com: SecurityAffairs reports Lazarus APT stole $1.5B from Bybit, it is the largest cryptocurrency heist ever.
- gulfbusiness.com: ‘Worst hack in history’: Dubai crypto exchange Bybit suffers $1.5bn ether heist
- techcrunch.com: Crypto exchange Bybit says it was hacked and lost around $1.4B
- Tekedia: The cryptocurrency industry has been rocked by what is now considered the largest digital asset theft in history, as Bybit, a leading crypto exchange, confirmed on Friday that hackers stole approximately $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH) from one of its offline wallets.
- blog.checkpoint.com: What the Bybit Hack Means for Crypto Security and the Future of Multisig Protection
- Dan Goodin: Crypto exchange Bybit said it was hacked and suffered a loss of around $1.4 billion (~401,346 ETH) at the time of the hack.
- BleepingComputer: Crypto exchange Bybit revealed today that an unknown attacker stole over $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency from one of its ETH cold wallets.
- Security Boulevard: North Korea’s Lazarus Group Hacks Bybit, Steals $1.5 Billion in Crypto
- bsky.app: Elliptic is following the money on this ByBit hack - the biggest theft ot all time. “Within 2 hours of the theft, the stolen funds were sent to 50 different wallets, each holding approximately 10,000 ETH. These are now being systematically emptied�.
- Talkback Resources: Talkback Post about the $1.5B Bybit Hack: The Era of Operational Security Failures Has Arrived
- infosec.exchange: Reports that North Korean hackers stole $1.4 billion in crypto from Bybit.
- securityboulevard.com: North Korea's notorious Lazarus Group reportedly stole $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency from the Bybit exchange in what is being called the largest hack in the controversial market's history.
- billatnapier.medium.com: One of the Largest Hacks Ever? But Will The Hackers Be Able To Launder The Gains?
- thecyberexpress.com: thecyberexpress.com - Details on Bybit Cyberattack.
- Matthew Rosenquist: This may turn out to be the biggest hack in history! $1.5 BILLION.
- PCMag UK security: The $1.4 billion at Bybit—the largest known cryptocurrency heist in history—has been traced to the notorious Lazarus North Korean hacking group.
- www.nbcnews.com: Hackers steal $1.5 billion from exchange Bybit in biggest-ever crypto heist: Blockchain analysis firm Elliptic later linked the attack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking collective
- www.pcmag.com: Researchers spot the $1.4 billion stolen from Bybit moving through cryptocurrency wallets that were used in earlier heists attributed to North Korea's Lazarus hacking group.
- siliconangle.com: $1.5B in cryptocurrency stolen from Bybit in attack linked to North Korean hackers
- www.americanbanker.com: Nearly $1.5 billion in tokens lost in Bybit crypto exchange hack
- SiliconANGLE: SiliconAngle reports on the details of the Bybit hack and links it to North Korean hackers.
- techcrunch.com: TechCrunch reports on the massive crypto heist, citing research that points to North Korean hackers as perpetrators.
- OODAloop: Reports that North Korea’s Lazarus Group APT is Behind Largest Crypto Heist Ever
- : Looming Shadows: $1.5 Billion Crypto Heist Shakes Confidence in Security Measures
- Schneier on Security: Schneier on Security covers the North Korean Hackers Stealing $1.5B in Cryptocurrency.
- Dataconomy: How the Bybit hack shook the crypto world: $1.5B gone overnight
- be3.sk: Looming Shadows: $1.5 Billion Crypto Heist Shakes Confidence in Security Measures
- Risky Business Media: Risky Business #781 -- How Bybit oopsied $1.4bn
- cyberriskleaders.com: Bybit, a leading exchange, was hacked for USD1.4 billion in Ethereum and staked Ethereum, sending shockwaves through the digital asset community.
- www.csoonline.com: Independent investigation finds connections to the Lazarus Group.
- Cybercrime Magazine: Bybit suffers the largest crypto hack in history
- www.theguardian.com: Cyberattackers believed to be affiliated with the state-sponsored threat group pulled off the largest crypto heist reported to date, stealing $1.5 billion from exchange Bybit.
- bsky.app: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine. The multisig wallet platform has also confirmed these findings in a statement issued today.
- Sergiu Gatlan: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine. The multisig wallet platform has also confirmed these findings in a statement issued today.
- SecureWorld News: SecureWorld reports on the Bybit hack, attributing it to the Lazarus Group.
- OODAloop: The Largest Theft in History – Following the Money Trail from the Bybit Hack
- gbhackers.com: Researchers Uncover $1.4B in Sensitive Data Tied to ByBit Hack by Lazarus Group
- Secure Bulletin: Lazarus group’s Billion-Dollar Bybit heist: a cyber forensics analysis
- Talkback Resources: "
THN Weekly Recap: From $1.5B Crypto Heist to AI Misuse & Apple’s Data Dilemma [mal]
- infosec.exchange: NEW: Hacked crypto exchange Bybit is offering $140 million in bounties to anyone who can help locate and freeze the stolen ethereum.
- CyberInsider: Record $1.5 billion Bybit hack undermines trust in crypto security
- The Register - Security: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, just days after suspected North Korean operatives stole $1.5 billion in Ethereum from it, has launched a bounty program to help recover its funds.
- PCMag UK security: The malicious Javascript code used in the attack could secretly modify transactions for Safe{Wallet}, a cryptocurrency wallet provider. The suspected North Korean hackers who $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency from Bybit pulled off the heist by infiltrating a digital wallet provider and tampering with its software.
- techcrunch.com: Last week, hackers stole around $1.4 billion in Ethereum cryptocurrency from crypto exchange Bybit, believed to be the largest crypto heist in history. Now the company is offering a total of $140 million in bounties for anyone who can help trace and freeze the stolen funds. Bybit’s CEO and
- securityaffairs.com: The FBI confirmed that North Korea is responsible for the record-breaking cyber heist at the crypto exchange Bybit.
- The Register - Security: The FBI has officially accused North Korea's Lazarus Group of stealing $1.5 billion in Ethereum from crypto-exchange Bybit earlier this month, and asked for help tracking down the stolen funds.
- techcrunch.com: The FBI has said the North Korean government is “responsible� for the hack at crypto exchange Bybit, which resulted in the theft of more than $1.4 billion in Ethereum cryptocurrency.
- Talkback Resources: FBI Says North Korea Hacked Bybit as Details of $1.5B Heist Emerge [net] [mal]
- PCMag UK security: FBI Blames North Korea for Massive $1.4 Billion Cryptocurrency Heist
- The420.in: Rs 1.27 trillion Stolen: Bybit Joins the Ranks of Crypto’s Largest Thefts – Full List Inside
- Talkback Resources: Bybit Hack Traced to Safe{Wallet} Supply Chain Attack Exploited by North Korean Hackers [mal]
- Tekedia: Bybit Declares War on “Notorious� Lazarus Group After $1.4B Hack, Offers $140m Reward
- SecureWorld News: The FBI officially attributed the massive to North Korea's state-sponsored hacking group, TraderTraitor, more commonly known as the infamous Lazarus Group.
- ChinaTechNews.com: North Korea was behind the theft of approximately $1.5bn in virtual assets from a cryptocurrency exchange, the FBI has said, in what is being described as the biggest heist in history.
- Wallarm: API Armor: How Bybit’s Real-Time Blacklisting Is Thwarting a $1.5B Crypto Heist
Ojukwu Emmanuel@Tekedia
// 37d
On February 21, 2025, the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit suffered a massive security breach resulting in the theft of approximately $1.46 billion in crypto assets. Investigations have pointed towards the Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking collective, as the perpetrators behind the audacious heist. The FBI has officially accused the Lazarus Group of stealing $1.5 billion in Ethereum and has requested assistance in tracking down the stolen funds.
Bybit has declared war on the Lazarus Group following the incident and is offering a $140 million bounty for information leading to the recovery of the stolen cryptocurrency. CEO Ben Zhou has launched Lazarusbounty.com, a bounty site aiming for transparency on the Lazarus Group's money laundering activities. The attack involved exploiting vulnerabilities in a multisig wallet platform, Safe{Wallet}, by compromising a developer’s machine, enabling the transfer of over 400,000 ETH and stETH (worth over $1.5 billion) to an address under their control.
Recommended read:
References :
- The Register - Security: The FBI has officially accused North Korea's Lazarus Group of stealing $1.5 billion in Ethereum from crypto-exchange Bybit earlier this month, and asked for help tracking down the stolen funds.
- Secure Bulletin: The Lazarus Group, a notorious North Korean state-sponsored hacking collective, has once again demonstrated its sophistication and audacity with a staggering $1.5 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Bybit, a major crypto exchange.
- SecureWorld News: On February 21, 2025, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by the largest crypto heist in history. Dubai-based exchange Bybit was targeted in a malware-driven attack that resulted in the theft of approximately $1.46 billion in crypto assets.
- Tekedia: Bybit, a leading crypto exchange, has declared war on “notorious� Lazarus group, a hacker group made up of an unknown number of individuals, alleged to be run by the government of North Korea. This is coming after the crypto exchange experienced a security breach resulting in the unauthorized transfer of over $1.4 billion in liquid-staked crypto assets.
- ChinaTechNews.com: North Korea was behind the theft of approximately $1.5bn in virtual assets from a cryptocurrency exchange, the FBI has said, in what is being described as the biggest heist in history.
- iHLS: Largest-Ever Crypto Heist steals $1.4 Billion
- techcrunch.com: The FBI said the North Korean government is ‘responsible’ for the hack at crypto exchange Bybit, which resulted in the theft of more than $1.4 billion in Ethereum cryptocurrency.
- PCMag UK security: The FBI is urging the cryptocurrency industry to freeze any transactions tied to the Bybit heist. The FBI has the $1.4 billion cryptocurrency at Bybit to North Korean state-sponsored hackers after security researchers reached the same conclusion.
- Talkback Resources: FBI Says North Korea Hacked Bybit as Details of $1.5B Heist Emerge [net] [mal]
- thehackernews.com: Bybit Hack Traced to Safe{Wallet} Supply Chain Attack Exploited by North Korean Hackers
- PCMag UK security: FBI Blames North Korea for Massive $1.4 Billion Cryptocurrency Heist
- www.pcmag.com: FBI Blames North Korea for Massive $1.4 Billion Cryptocurrency Heist
- SecureWorld News: FBI Attributes Bybit Hack: FBI Attributes to North Korea, Urges Crypto Sector to Act
- Dan Goodin: InfoSec Exchange Post on the FBI attribution to the Lazarus group and Bybit hack
- bsky.app: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine. The multisig wallet platform has also confirmed these findings in a statement issued today.
- Wallarm: Lab Wallarm discusses how Bybit’s Real-Time Blacklisting Is Thwarting a $1.5B Crypto Heist
- infosec.exchange: NEW: Hacked crypto exchange Bybit is offering $140 million in bounties to anyone who can help locate and freeze the stolen ethereum. Bybit also disclosed preliminary results of investigations, which reveal hackers breached a developer’s device at a wallet platform Safe Wallet.
- securityaffairs.com: FBI: North Korea-linked TraderTraitor is responsible for $1.5 Billion Bybit hack
- Cybercrime Magazine: Bybit Suffers Largest Crypto Hack In History
- www.cnbc.com: Details on the attack in a news article
- The Register - Security: Bybit declares war on North Korea's Lazarus crime-ring to regain $1.5B stolen from wallet
- Sergiu Gatlan: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine. The multisig wallet platform has also confirmed these findings in a statement issued today.
- gbhackers.com: Researchers Uncover $1.4B in Sensitive Data Tied to ByBit Hack by Lazarus Group
- infosec.exchange: NEW: After security researchers and firms accused North Korea of the massive Bybit hack, the FBI follows suit. North Korean government hackers allegedly stoled more than $1.4 billion in Ethereum from the crypto exchange.
- www.cysecurity.news: Bybit Suffers Historic $1.5 Billion Crypto Hack, Lazarus Group Implicated
- infosec.exchange: Bybit, that major cryptocurrency exchange, has been hacked to the tune of $1.5 billion in digital assets stolen, in what’s estimated to be the largest crypto heist in history.
- BleepingComputer: Bybit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has fallen victim to a massive cyberattack, with approximately $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency stolen. The breach is believed to be the largest single theft in crypto history.
- Taggart :donor:: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit suffered a massive security breach, resulting in the loss of $1.5 billion in digital assets. The hack compromised the exchange's cold wallet and involved sophisticated techniques to steal the funds.
- www.cysecurity.news: CySecurity News report on the Bybit hack, its implications, and the potential Lazarus Group connection.
- The420.in: The 420 report on Bybit theft
- infosec.exchange: Details of the Bybit hack and Lazarus Group's involvement.
- Talkback Resources: Bybit Hack Traced to Safe{Wallet} Supply Chain Attack Exploited by North Korean Hackers
- securityaffairs.com: The FBI confirmed that North Korea is responsible for the record-breaking cyber heist at the crypto exchange Bybit.
- Zack Whittaker: Grab some coffee — your weekly ~ this week in security ~ is out: • North Korea's record-breaking $1.4B crypto heist
- infosec.exchange: Infosec Exchange post about Bybit crypto heist.
- The Record: Experts from multiple blockchain security companies said that North Korean hackers were able to move all of the ETH coins stolen from Bybit to new addresses — the first step taken before the funds can be laundered further
- infosec.exchange: The (allegedly North Korean) hackers behind the Bybit crypto heist have already laundered all the stolen Ethereum, which was worth $1.4 billion.
- Metacurity: Lazarus Group hackers have laundered 100% of the $1.4 billion they stole from Bybit
Fiona Jackson@Security | TechRepublic
// 5d
North Korean IT workers are expanding their remote work scams into Europe following increased crackdowns in the United States. Google security researchers have identified a shift in focus towards European companies, with these North Korean operatives attempting to secure remote IT positions using fabricated identities and credentials. The workers are reportedly targeting organizations in Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, and may use AI-generated profile photos to enhance their credibility during video interviews.
This expansion poses a growing cybersecurity threat to European businesses. The IT workers often claim to be based in other countries, connecting via laptop farms to fraudulently secure remote freelance IT positions. Once inside a company, they may engage in cyber espionage and data theft to generate revenue for the North Korean government, including its weapons development programs. Over the last 30 days, nearly 24,000 unique IP addresses have attempted to access European portals, potentially as a precursor to targeted exploitation, highlighting the scale and coordinated nature of this operation.
Recommended read:
References :
- Risky Business Media: Risky Bulletin: North Korean IT worker scams expand to Europe
- PCMag UK security: As US Cracks Down, North Koreans Target Europe With Remote Work Scams
- The DefendOps Diaries: Explore the cybersecurity threat posed by North Korean IT workers infiltrating European companies using advanced tactics.
- BleepingComputer: ​North Korea's IT workers have expanded operations beyond the United States and are now increasingly targeting organizations across Europe.
- The Register - Security: North Korea’s fake tech workers now targeting European employers
- www.it-daily.net: Fake IT employee from North Korea had 12 identities
- : North Korea's Fake IT Worker Scheme Sets Sights on Europe
- www.itpro.com: Google warns that fake North Korean IT workers have expanded to Europe
- Blog: North Korean IT operatives, often termed "IT warriors," have broadened their scope beyond the United States, now targeting companies across Europe, notably in Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
- Help Net Security: North Korean IT workers are expanding their efforts beyond the US, and are seeking to fraudulently gain employment with organizations around the world, but most especially in Europe.
- Security Risk Advisors: DPRK IT Workers Expand Global Operations with Focus on European Targets
- Risky Business Media: Srsly Risky Biz: North Korean IT workers head to Europe
- Security | TechRepublic: North Korean Hackers Disguised as IT Workers Targeting UK, European Companies, Google Finds
- SecureWorld News: The Google Threat Intelligence team (GTIG) has published new research outlining how IT workers from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are expanding both the scope and scale of their operations, targeting companies across the globe with more advanced deception and cyber extortion tactics. The report offers a stark reminder that nation-state threats don't always originate with malware—they can also come disguised as job applicants.
info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
// 25d
North Korea-linked APT group ScarCruft has been identified deploying a new Android spyware dubbed KoSpy, targeting Korean and English-speaking users. The spyware was distributed through fake utility apps on the Google Play Store and third-party app stores like APKPure. At least five malicious applications, masquerading as File Manager, Phone Manager, Smart Manager, Software Update Utility, and Kakao Security, were used to trick users into installing the spyware onto their devices.
The malicious apps offer the promised functionality to avoid raising suspicion while stealthily deploying spyware-related components in the background. The spyware is designed to collect a wide range of data from compromised devices, including SMS messages, call logs, device location, files in local storage, screenshots, keystrokes, Wi-Fi network information, and the list of installed applications. It's also equipped to record audio and take photos. The apps have since been removed from the app marketplace.
Recommended read:
References :
- infosec.exchange: NEW: North Korean government hackers snuck spyware onto the official Android app store, and tricked a few people to download it, according to Lookout.
- techcrunch.com: North Korean government hackers snuck spyware on Android app store
- The DefendOps Diaries: KoSpy: Unmasking the North Korean Spyware Threat
- PCMag UK security: Suspected North Korean Hackers Infiltrate Google Play With 'KoSpy' Spyware
- BleepingComputer: New North Korean Android spyware slips onto Google Play
- bsky.app: A new Android spyware named 'KoSpy'Â is linked to North Korean threat actors who have infiltrated Google Play and third-party app store APKPure through at least five malicious apps. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-north-korean-android-spyware-slips-onto-google-play/
- The Record: A North Korean nation-state group tracked as APT37 or ScarCruft placed infected utilities in Android app stores as part of an espionage campaign, according to researchers
- www.scworld.com: Android spyware ‘KoSpy’ spread by suspected North Korean APT
- securityaffairs.com: North Korea-linked APT group ScarCruft spotted using new Android spyware KoSpy
- bsky.app: A new Android spyware named 'KoSpy'Â is linked to North Korean threat actors who have infiltrated Google Play and third-party app store APKPure through at least five malicious apps.
- The Hacker News: The North Korea-linked threat actor known as ScarCruft is said to have been behind a never-before-seen Android surveillance tool named KoSpy targeting Korean and English-speaking users.
- securityonline.info: North Korea’s APT ScarCruft Places Spyware on Google Play
- securityaffairs.com: North Korea-linked APT group ScarCruft used a new Android spyware dubbed KoSpy to target Korean and English-speaking users.
- Secure Bulletin: New Android spyware “KoSpy� linked to North Korean APT37
- securityonline.info: North Korean ScarCruft APT Targets Users with Novel KoSpy Android Spyware
- Carly Page: North Korean-linked hackers uploaded Android spyware to Google Play. The spyware, which collects an “extensive amount� of sensitive data, was downloaded more than 10 times before Google removed it, according to Lookout
Oluwapelumi Adejumo@CryptoSlate
// 43d
The FBI has officially attributed the massive $1.4 billion Ethereum theft from the Bybit crypto exchange to the North Korean Lazarus Group. This determination follows accusations from security researchers and firms, solidifying suspicions surrounding the notorious state-sponsored hacking collective. The incident is considered the largest crypto theft in history, underscoring the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting digital assets.
The Lazarus Group's attack involved compromising a developer's machine associated with Safe Wallet, a multisig wallet platform. By injecting malicious code into a JavaScript file, the attackers manipulated a planned transfer of funds from Bybit's cold wallet to its hot wallet. This allowed them to redirect over 400,000 ETH and stETH, worth approximately $1.5 billion, to an address under their control. The attack exploited vulnerabilities in Bybit's cold wallet management and multi-signature approval systems, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures within the digital asset space.
Recommended read:
References :
- blog.checkpoint.com: Check Point Research Explains What the Bybit Hack Means.
- securityaffairs.com: Lazarus APT stole $1.5B from Bybit, it is the largest cryptocurrency heist ever
- www.the420.in: Largest cryptocurrency heist ever: Bybit Loses Rs 12,000+ Crore.
- Talkback Resources: Bybit Confirms Record-Breaking $1.46 Billion Crypto Heist in Sophisticated Cold Wallet Attack
- The420.in: On Friday, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit disclosed that a highly sophisticated attack resulted in the theft of more than Rs 11,972 crores in digital assets from one of its offline Ethereum wallets—the largest crypto heist on record.
- Check Point Blog: Executive Summary: In one of the largest thefts in digital asset history, hackers gained access to an offline Ethereum wallet and stole $1.5 billion worth of digital assets, primarily consisting of Ethereum tokens.
- BleepingComputer: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit revealed today that an unknown attacker stole over $1.46 billion worth of cryptocurrency from one of its ETH cold wallets.
- billatnapier.medium.com: One of the Largest Hacks Ever? But Will The Hackers Be Able To Launder The Gains?
- thecyberexpress.com: Bybit ETH Cold Wallet Compromised in Complex Cyberattack, Platform Secures Funds
- PCMag UK security: $1.4 Billion Bybit Crypto Heist Tied to North Korean Hackers
- Cybercrime Magazine: Cybersecurity wake-up call for cryptocurrency exchanges
- infosec.exchange: NEW: After security researchers and firms accused North Korea of the massive Bybit hack, the FBI follows suit. North Korean government hackers allegedly stoled more than $1.4 billion in Ethereum from the crypto exchange.
- Secure Bulletin: Lazarus group’s Billion-Dollar Bybit heist: a cyber forensics analysis
- SecureWorld News: Bybit Hack: $1.46 Billion Crypto Heist Points to North Korea's Lazarus Group
- The Register - Security: The Register reports FBI officially fingers North Korea for $1.5B Bybit crypto-burglary.
- infosec.exchange: Hacked crypto exchange Bybit is offering $140 million in bounties to anyone who can help locate and freeze the stolen ethereum. Bybit also disclosed preliminary results of investigations, which reveal hackers breached a developer’s device at a wallet platform Safe Wallet.
- Sergiu Gatlan: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine. The multisig wallet platform has also confirmed these findings in a statement issued today.
- securityaffairs.com: The FBI confirmed that North Korea is responsible for the record-breaking cyber heist at the crypto exchange Bybit.
- PCMag UK security: The FBI is urging the cryptocurrency industry to freeze any transactions tied to the Bybit heist.
- SecureWorld News: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officially attributed the massive to North Korea's state-sponsored hacking group, TraderTraitor, more commonly known as the infamous Lazarus Group.
- infosec.exchange: Bybit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has been hacked to the tune of $1.5 billion in digital assets stolen, in what’s estimated to be the largest crypto heist in history.
- Talkback Resources: FBI Says North Korea Hacked Bybit as Details of $1.5B Heist Emerge [net] [mal]
- iHLS: Largest-Ever Crypto Heist steals $1.4 Billion
- www.cysecurity.news: CySecurity News report on Bybit's $1.5 billion crypto hack.
- Wallarm: API Armor: How Bybit’s Real-Time Blacklisting Is Thwarting a $1.5B Crypto Heist
- www.cysecurity.news: CySecurity News article on the Bybit hack and Lazarus Group involvement.
- Zack Whittaker: Grab some coffee — your weekly ~ this week in security ~ is out: • North Korea's record-breaking $1.4B crypto heist
- Malware ? Graham Cluley: In episode 406 of the "Smashing Security" podcast, we explore how the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has been hacked to the jaw-dropping tune of $1.5 billion
Guru Baran@Cyber Security News
// 77d
A North Korean IT worker, who adopted the alias 'Bane', is at the center of a fraudulent scheme that targeted numerous US companies. This individual, along with others, is accused of infiltrating these companies to steal confidential source codes, and then demand ransom payments to prevent the release of the stolen data. This is not an isolated incident as it seems the operation has been ongoing since 2018 and ran until around August 2024 with other North Korean nationals involved.
Five individuals have been indicted in connection with this cyber operation. The individuals are accused of creating fake US worker visa documents and setting up staffing companies to secure employment for remote contractors, specifically North Korean IT workers, in positions such as mobile app developers and specialist engineers. These individuals also established US bank accounts and used other payment platforms to launder the money. The scheme successfully deceived at least 64 US companies, with payments made by just ten of these organizations totaling approximately $866,255.
Recommended read:
References :
- ciso2ciso.com: The U.S. has sanctioned North Korean IT worker network supporting WMD programs.
- : The sanctions target organizations and individuals believed to be generating illicit revenue for the North Korean government.
- malware.news: The U.S. has continued its crackdown against North Korean IT worker scams with sanctions against the country's government weapons trading office Department 53 and its Laos-based front companies Korea Osong Shipping and Chonsurim Trading Corporation.
- The Hacker News: The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions against a Chinese cybersecurity company and a Shanghai-based cyber actor for their alleged links to the Salt Typhoon group and the recent compromise of the federal agency.
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean dev who renamed himself ‘Bane’ accused of IT worker fraud scheme – Source: go.theregister.com
- Cyber Security News: Reporting on the alleged scheme and its impact on businesses.
- The Register: The article details how North Korean individuals pose as IT workers, gaining access to sensitive information and demanding extortion.
- Pyrzout :vm:: North Korean dev who renamed himself ‘Bane’ accused of IT worker fraud scheme
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean dev who renamed himself ‘Bane’ accused of IT worker fraud scheme – Source: go.theregister.com
- go.theregister.com: North Korean developers are engaged in a long-running fraudulent scheme involving remote IT workers.
- www.justice.gov: Indictments issued in connection with the fraudulent remote IT worker scheme. The scheme includes North Korean nationals. The targets include American businesses.
- cybersecuritynews.com: North Korean IT workers masquerading as remote workers have been breaking into Western companies, stealing confidential source codes, and requesting ransoms to prevent their release.
- oodaloop.com: The Department of Justice has arrested several individuals who were involved with a North Korean program to trick companies into hiring North Koreans for remote positions.
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: The FBI warned today that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort U.S. companies that have been tricked into hiring them.
- www.computerworld.com: The US Department of Justice this week announced that it had indicted two North Korean nationals and three other men, accusing them of participating in a conspiracy designed to trick US companies into funding the North Korean regime.
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean Fake IT Workers More Aggressively Extorting Enterprises
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean Fake IT Workers More Aggressively Extorting Enterprises
- Techmeme: The FBI warns that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort US companies that have been tricked into hiring them (Sergiu Gatlan/BleepingComputer)
- www.techmeme.com: The FBI warned today that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort U.S. companies that have been tricked into hiring them.
- CSO Online: One recent case saw a bad actor use deepfake video technology and automated voice translation in a video interview, though this didn’t work particularly well and the interviewers were easily able to tell that something was wrong.
- ciso2ciso.com: US Charges Five People Over North Korean IT Worker Scheme – Source: www.securityweek.com
- Pyrzout :vm:: DOJ indicts North Korean conspirators for remote IT work scheme
- ciso2ciso.com: News article about North Korean hackers.
- ciso2ciso.com: US Charges Five People Over North Korean IT Worker Scheme – Source: www.securityweek.com
- Help Net Security: The FBI is on a mission to raise awareness about the threat that North Korean IT workers present to organizations in the US and around the world.
- : The FBI warned about North Korean IT workers increasingly exploiting remote access to steal sensitive data and extort companies.
- The Hacker News: The indictment targets individuals including two North Korean nationals, a Mexican national, and two U.S. nationals.
- BleepingComputer: The FBI warned today that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort U.S. companies that have been tricked into hiring them.
@gbhackers.com
// 54d
North Korean hackers, specifically the Kimsuky APT group (also known as Emerald Sleet), have been observed employing a new tactic to compromise targets. The group is tricking individuals into running PowerShell as an administrator, then instructing them to paste and execute malicious code they provide. The threat actor masquerades as a South Korean government official, building rapport before sending a spear-phishing email with a PDF attachment containing instructions to open PowerShell as an administrator and paste a specific code snippet.
If the target executes the code, it downloads and installs a browser-based remote desktop tool along with a certificate and PIN. The code then sends a web request to register the victim device, granting the threat actor access for data exfiltration. Microsoft Threat Intelligence has observed this tactic in limited attacks since January 2025, describing it as a departure from the threat actor's usual tradecraft.
Recommended read:
References :
- gbhackers.com: Microsoft Threat Intelligence has exposed a novel cyberattack method employed by the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, Emerald Sleet (also known as Kimsuky or VELVET CHOLLIMA).
- securityaffairs.com: North Korea-linked APT Emerald Sleet is using a new tactic
- The Hacker News: The North Korea-linked threat actor known as Kimsuky has been observed using a new tactic that involves deceiving targets.
- gbhackers.com: Microsoft Threat Intelligence has exposed a novel cyberattack method employed by the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, Emerald Sleet (also known as Kimsuky or VELVET CHOLLIMA).
- BleepingComputer: North Korean state actor 'Kimsuky' (aka 'Emerald Sleet' or 'Velvet Chollima') has been observed using a new tactic inspired from the now widespread ClickFix campaigns.
- : Microsoft Threat Intelligence has observed North Korean state actor Emerald Sleet (also known as Kimsuky and VELVET CHOLLIMA) using a new tactic: tricking targets into running PowerShell as an administrator and then pasting and running code provided by the threat actor.
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: Reports on Emerald Sleet's activity exploiting PowerShell.
- www.microsoft.com: The BadPilot campaign: Seashell Blizzard subgroup conducts multiyear global access operation
- www.scworld.com: PowerShell exploited in new Kimsuky intrusions
- Talkback Resources: Kimsuky, a North Korean nation-state threat actor, is conducting an ongoing cyber attack campaign named DEEP#DRIVE targeting South Korean business, government, and cryptocurrency sectors using tailored phishing lures and leveraging PowerShell scripts and Dropbox for payload delivery and data exfiltration.
- The Hacker News: North Korean APT43 Uses PowerShell and Dropbox in Targeted South Korea Cyberattacks
- MSSP feed for Latest: Ongoing Kimsuky Attack Campaign Exploits PowerShell, Dropbox
- securityaffairs.com: Analyzing DEEP#DRIVE: North Korean
do son@securityonline.info
// 6d
Cybersecurity analysts have uncovered a sophisticated campaign exploiting a fake Zoom installer to deliver BlackSuit ransomware across Windows-based systems. The attack, beginning with a malicious download from a website mimicking the teleconferencing application Zoom, lures unsuspecting victims into installing malware capable of crippling entire networks. When the victim clicked the “Download” button, they unknowingly triggered a chain reaction of events.
The fake installer, crafted with Inno Setup, hides the d3f@ckloader, a Pascal-based loader. After gaining initial access, the attackers deploy Brute Ratel and Cobalt Strike for lateral movement, using QDoor to facilitate RDP access. After 9 days, they deploy the BlackSuit ransomware across the network, deleting Volume Shadow Copies to hinder data recovery efforts before encrypting files and dropping ransom notes. The attackers also used WinRAR to compress file share data and uploaded the archives to Bublup, a cloud storage service for data exfiltration.
Recommended read:
References :
- bsky.app: The notorious North Korean Lazarus hacking group has reportedly adopted 'ClickFix' tactics to deploy malware targeting job seekers in the cryptocurrency industry, particularly centralized finance (CeFi).
- BleepingComputer: North Korean hackers adopt ClickFix attacks to target crypto firms
- Cyber Security News: Hackers Exploit Zoom Installer to Gain RDP Access and Launch BlackSuit Ransomware Attack
- gbhackers.com: Beware! A Fake Zoom Installer Drops BlackSuit Ransomware on Your Windows Systems
- Virus Bulletin: The DFIR Report researchers look into a fake Zoom installer that used d3f@ckloader & IDAT loader to drop SectopRAT, which dropped Cobalt Strike & Brute Ratel after 9 days. For later movement the threat actor used QDoor & finally deployed BlackSuit ransomware.
- Osint10x: Fake Zoom Ends in BlackSuit Ransomware
- securityonline.info: Fake Zoom, Real Ransom: Nine-Day Malware Intrusion Ends with BlackSuit Ransomware Blast
- bsky.app: Lazarus adopts ClickFix technique.
- : New “ClickFake Interview†campaign attributed to the Lazarus Group targets crypto professionals with fake job offers
- BleepingComputer: Report of the Lazarus Group adopting the ClickFix technique for malware deployment.
Sergiu Gatlan@BleepingComputer
// 30d
Microsoft has identified a North Korean hacking group known as Moonstone Sleet, previously tracked as Storm-1789, deploying Qilin ransomware in limited attacks. This represents a shift for the group, as they have historically used custom-built ransomware. The adoption of Qilin ransomware signifies a move towards Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), where they utilize ransomware developed by external operators rather than relying solely on their own tools.
Moonstone Sleet's move to RaaS marks a new era in cyber threats, primarily driven by financial motivations, a departure from previous espionage-focused operations. They have been observed demanding ransoms as high as $6.6 million in Bitcoin. The group has also been known to use creative tactics, including fake companies, trojanized software, and even a malicious game to infiltrate targets, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness.
Recommended read:
References :
- gbhackers.com: North Korean Moonstone Sleet Uses Creative Tactics to Deploy Custom Ransomware
- The DefendOps Diaries: Moonstone Sleet's Shift to Ransomware-as-a-Service: A New Era in Cyber Threats
- BleepingComputer: Microsoft: North Korean hackers join Qilin ransomware gang
- Cyber Security News: North Korean Moonstone Sleet Deploys Custom Ransomware with Creative Tactics
- securityaffairs.com: Microsoft researchers reported that North Korea-linked APT tracked as Moonstone Sleet has employed the Qilin ransomware in limited attacks.
- www.scworld.com: Moonstone Sleet was previously reported to have been behind a FakePenny ransomware attack.
@Talkback Resources
// 52d
Kimsuky, a North Korean advanced persistent threat operation also known as APT43, is actively targeting South Korean entities within the business, government, and cryptocurrency sectors. The hacking group employs a sophisticated attack campaign, named DEEP#DRIVE, that starts with spear-phishing emails designed to establish trust by spoofing a South Korean government official. These emails contain malicious PDF documents and links redirecting victims to websites hosting PowerShell code, ultimately leading to code execution on the targeted systems.
This campaign leverages tailored phishing lures written in Korean and disguised as legitimate documents, such as work logs, insurance documents, and crypto-related files. The attack chain heavily relies on PowerShell scripts for payload delivery, reconnaissance, and execution. Dropbox is utilized for payload distribution and data exfiltration, using OAuth token-based authentication for Dropbox API interactions, which allows for seamless exfiltration of data while bypassing traditional IP or domain blocklists. This makes the threat actors difficult to detect.
Recommended read:
References :
- Talkback Resources: North Korean APT43 Uses PowerShell and Dropbox in Targeted South Korea Cyberattacks
- The Hacker News: North Korean APT43 Uses PowerShell and Dropbox in Targeted South Korea Cyberattacks
- www.scworld.com: PowerShell exploited in new Kimsuky intrusions
- MSSP feed for Latest: PowerShell Exploited in New Kimsuky Intrusions
- MSSP feed for Latest: The Hacker News report on Kimsuky's ongoing attacks using PowerShell and Dropbox.
Ojukwu Emmanuel@Tekedia
// 37d
The Bybit cryptocurrency exchange has reportedly suffered a massive security breach, with hackers allegedly linked to North Korea making off with $1.4 billion in Ethereum. This incident is being called potentially the largest crypto theft in history. Experts from multiple blockchain security companies have confirmed that the stolen Ethereum has already been moved to new addresses, marking the initial phase of money laundering.
Ari Redbord, a former federal prosecutor and senior Treasury official, highlighted the "unprecedented level of operational efficiency" displayed by the hackers in rapidly laundering the stolen funds. He suggested that North Korea might have expanded its money laundering infrastructure or that underground financial networks, particularly in China, have enhanced their capacity to process illicit funds. The FBI has also linked North Korea-linked TraderTraitor as responsible for the $1.5 Billion Bybit hack
Recommended read:
References :
- Sergiu Gatlan: Forensic investigators have discovered that North Korean Lazarus hackers stole $1.5 billion from Bybit after first breaching a Safe{Wallet} developer machine.
- Secure Bulletin: The Lazarus Group, a notorious North Korean state-sponsored hacking collective, has once again demonstrated its sophistication and audacity with a staggering $1.5 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Bybit, a major crypto exchange.
- securityaffairs.com: The FBI confirmed that North Korea is responsible for the record-breaking cyber heist at the crypto exchange Bybit.
- infosec.exchange: Hacked crypto exchange Bybit is offering $140 million in bounties to anyone who can help locate and freeze the stolen ethereum. Bybit also disclosed preliminary results of investigations, which reveal hackers breached a developer’s device at a wallet platform Safe Wallet.
- SecureWorld News: Bybit Hack: FBI Attributes to North Korea, Urges Crypto Sector to Act
- The Register - Security: FBI officially fingers North Korea for $1.5B Bybit crypto-burglary
- PCMag UK security: FBI Blames North Korea for Massive $1.4 Billion Cryptocurrency Heist
- Zack Whittaker: your weekly ~ this week in security ~ is out: • North Korea's record-breaking $1.4B crypto heist
- www.cysecurity.news: Bybit Suffers Historic $1.5 Billion Crypto Hack, Lazarus Group Implicated
- infosec.exchange: NEW: The (allegedly North Korean) hackers behind the Bybit crypto heist have already laundered all the stolen Ethereum, which was worth $1.4 billion. Ari Redbord, former federal prosecutor and senior Treasury official, told me this laundering shows “unprecedented level of operational efficiency,� but there's more steps they need to take to cash out. “This rapid laundering suggests that North Korea has either expanded its money laundering infrastructure or that underground financial networks, particularly in China, have enhanced their capacity to absorb and process illicit funds,� said Redbord.
- The Record: Experts from multiple blockchain security companies said that North Korean hackers were able to move all of the ETH coins stolen from Bybit to new addresses — the first step taken before the funds can be laundered further
- The Record: A provincial court in Barcelona has ordered that three former senior executives at NSO Group be indicted for their alleged role in a high-profile hacking scandal in which at least 63 Catalan civil society members were targeted with the company’s surveillance technology
- Know Your Adversary: News item discussing the massive Bybit crypto theft, potentially the largest in history.
- Metacurity: Lazarus Group hackers have laundered 100% of the $1.4 billion they stole from Bybit
- The Hacker News: Safe{Wallet} Confirms North Korean TraderTraitor Hackers Stole $1.5 Billion in Bybit Heist
Cynthia B@Metacurity
// 34d
The Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking organization, has reportedly laundered 100% of the $1.4 billion stolen from the Bybit cryptocurrency exchange. This information was initially reported by The Record and other cybersecurity news outlets. The stolen funds, in the form of Ethereum (ETH), were moved to new addresses, which is the first step in laundering cryptocurrency.
This rapid laundering of such a large sum indicates a high level of operational efficiency by the North Korean hackers. Ari Redbord, a former federal prosecutor and senior Treasury official, described this event as showing “unprecedented level of operational efficiency.” He also suggested that North Korea has expanded its money laundering infrastructure or that underground financial networks, especially in China, have improved their ability to handle illicit funds. This situation underscores the increasing sophistication of North Korea's cybercrime activities and their ability to quickly process stolen cryptocurrency.
Recommended read:
References :
- infosec.exchange: NEW: The (allegedly North Korean) hackers behind the Bybit crypto heist have already laundered all the stolen Ethereum, which was worth $1.4 billion.
- Metacurity: Lazarus Group hackers have laundered 100% of the $1.4 billion they stole from Bybit
- Resources-2: FBI Confirms North Korean Lazarus Group Behind $1.5 Billion Bybit Crypto Heist
- : North Korea Targeting Crypto Industry, Says FBI
- fortune.com: How North Korea cracked Bybit’s crypto safe to steal $1.5 billion in a record heist
- Kaspersky official blog: How to store cryptocurrency after the Bybit hack | Kaspersky official blog
Help Net Security@Help Net Security
// 66d
Researchers have uncovered that the Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, is using a web-based administrative panel built with React and Node.js to manage their global cyber operations. This platform gives them a centralized control point for overseeing compromised systems, organizing stolen data, and delivering malicious payloads. The administrative layer, dubbed "Phantom Circuit," is consistent across the group's command-and-control servers, allowing them to orchestrate campaigns with precise control, even while varying their payloads and obfuscation techniques.
This hidden framework is part of a supply chain attack named "Operation Phantom Circuit," where the Lazarus Group targets cryptocurrency entities and software developers by embedding backdoors into legitimate software packages. They trick developers into downloading and running compromised open-source GitHub repositories, which then connect to the group's C2 infrastructure. This approach allows the Lazarus Group to infiltrate companies around the world and exfiltrate sensitive data back to Pyongyang. The operation has claimed over 233 victims, primarily within the cryptocurrency industry, between September 2024 and January 2025, and it is linked to North Korea through the use of Astrill VPNs and six distinct North Korean IP addresses.
Recommended read:
References :
- ciso2ciso.com: The ongoing investigation into recent attacks by the Lazarus Group on cryptocurrency entities and software developers.
- The Hacker News: The Lazarus Group uses React application for C2 control.
- Pyrzout :vm:: North Koreans clone open source projects to plant backdoors, steal credentials – Source: go.theregister.com
- gbhackers.com: Reporting on the Lazarus Group's targeting of developers through malicious NPM packages
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