CyberSecurity news
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Lawrence Abrams@BleepingComputer
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A recent Microsoft Entra ID security update caused widespread account lockouts across numerous organizations, highlighting the potential risks associated with new security feature deployments. The issue stemmed from the rollout of a new "leaked credentials" detection app called MACE (Microsoft Account Credential Evaluation). This new feature inadvertently flagged legitimate user accounts, triggering automatic lockouts despite strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) being in place.
Microsoft confirmed that the Entra account lockouts over the weekend were due to the invalidation of short-lived user refresh tokens mistakenly logged into internal systems. The problem was traced back to an internal logging mishap involving these tokens, where a subset of them were being logged internally, which deviates from the standard practice of logging only metadata. This logging error was identified on April 18, 2025, and promptly corrected. The incident caused significant disruption as Windows administrators from numerous organizations reported receiving alerts that user credentials had been found leaked on the dark web. However, users noticed discrepancies, such as passwordless accounts being affected and no matches on Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), raising suspicions of false positives. Microsoft has advised affected customers to use the “Confirm User Safe” feature in response to the erroneous alerts and is working to prevent future occurrences. Recommended read:
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@hackread.com
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A significant cybersecurity incident has come to light involving Fortinet devices. Reports indicate that over 16,000 internet-exposed Fortinet devices have been compromised using a symlink backdoor. This backdoor grants attackers read-only access to sensitive files, even after security patches are applied. The Shadowserver Foundation, a threat monitoring platform, has been tracking the situation and has reported the growing number of affected devices. This active exploitation underscores the critical need for organizations to implement security updates promptly and rigorously monitor their systems for any signs of suspicious activity.
Fortinet has acknowledged the attacks and has taken steps to address the issue. The company has released multiple updates across various FortiOS versions, including versions 7.6.2, 7.4.7, 7.2.11, 7.0.17, and 6.4.16. These updates not only remove the established backdoor but also modify the SSL-VPN interface to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Furthermore, Fortinet has launched an internal investigation and is collaborating with third-party experts to fully understand and mitigate the scope of the breach. An AV/IPS signature has also been developed to automatically detect and remove the malicious symlink. Concerns about espionage have also arisen after the exposure of a KeyPlug server. This server exposed Fortinet exploits and webshell activity, specifically targeting a major Japanese company, Shiseido. A recently exposed directory on infrastructure tied to KeyPlug malware revealed tooling likely used in active operations. The server was observed to be live for less than a day, highlighting the need for organizations to monitor for short-lived operational infrastructure. This discovery reveals the potential for advanced adversaries to maintain persistent access through sophisticated methods, making detection and remediation increasingly challenging. Recommended read:
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@www.bleepingcomputer.com
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Microsoft is set to block ActiveX controls by default in the Windows versions of Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2024. This move, announced in April 2025, aims to enhance security by addressing vulnerabilities associated with the legacy software framework. ActiveX controls, introduced in 1996, enabled developers to create interactive objects embedded in Office documents. However, over time, these controls have become a significant point of entry for cybercriminals, similar to macros in Excel, with examples such as the propagation of the TrickBot malware through ActiveX.
Microsoft's decision to disable ActiveX controls by default is part of a broader effort to bolster the security of its products. Since 2018, the company has implemented various measures to block attack vectors exploiting Office applications. These include blocking VBA macros, disabling Excel 4.0 (XLM) macros by default, blocking untrusted XLL add-ins, and phasing out VBScript. The default setting previously was to prompt users before enabling ActiveX, which required users to understand the risks before granting permissions. When the change is deployed, users will receive a notification stating "BLOCKED CONTENT: The ActiveX content in this file is blocked" if a document contains an ActiveX control. This measure is intended to reduce the risk of malware or unauthorized code execution. Users can re-enable ActiveX controls through the Trust Center, provided administrators have granted them access to the ActiveX settings page. This change is more secure as it blocks the controls entirely. Recommended read:
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@www.bleepingcomputer.com
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Over 16,000 Fortinet devices have been compromised due to a novel symlink backdoor, allowing attackers to maintain read-only access to sensitive files. This was reported by The Shadowserver Foundation. The attackers are exploiting known vulnerabilities in FortiGate devices, specifically targeting the SSL-VPN language file directory. By creating a symbolic link between the user filesystem and the root filesystem, attackers can bypass security measures and access critical files even after patches are applied.
Researchers observed that threat actors are leveraging a new method to exploit previously patched vulnerabilities in Fortinet's FortiOS, specifically targeting FortiGate VPN appliances. The original flaw, CVE-2023-27997, had a fix issued, but threat actors can still gain access by manipulating symbolic links during the device's boot process. This enables threat actors with prior access to maintain control over the device, even after firmware updates. The issue stems from how FortiOS handles file permissions and symlinks when restarting, allowing malicious files to persist and re-enable vulnerabilities that were supposedly fixed. Fortinet has responded by releasing several updates and new security measures to block further attacks. These measures include launching an internal investigation, coordinating with third-party experts, and developing an AV/IPS signature to detect and remove the symbolic link automatically. Multiple updates have been issued across different FortiOS versions, including 7.6.2, 7.4.7, 7.2.11, 7.0.17, and 6.4.16. These updates not only remove the backdoor but also modify the SSL-VPN interface to prevent future occurrences. Organizations are urged to upgrade to the latest secure versions to mitigate the risk. Recommended read:
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@securityonline.info
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A critical security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-3102, has been discovered in the SureTriggers WordPress plugin, a widely used automation tool active on over 100,000 websites. The flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication and create administrator accounts, potentially leading to complete site takeover. Security researchers disclosed that the vulnerability stems from a missing empty value check in the plugin's `authenticate_user()` function, specifically affecting versions up to 1.0.78.
This vulnerability is particularly dangerous when the SureTriggers plugin is installed but not yet configured with a valid API key. In this state, an attacker can send requests with a blank secret key, tricking the plugin into granting access to sensitive REST API functions, including the ability to create new admin accounts. Exploiting this flaw could enable malicious actors to upload malicious themes or plugins, inject spam, redirect site visitors, and establish persistent backdoors, ultimately gaining full control of the affected WordPress site. WordPress site owners are strongly urged to immediately update to SureTriggers version 1.0.79, which includes a patch for the vulnerability. Users should also review their WordPress user lists for any unfamiliar administrator accounts and ensure that all API-driven plugins have their keys properly configured and stored securely. Within hours of the public disclosure, hackers began actively exploiting the flaw, creating bogus administrator accounts. The attack attempts have originated from two different IP addresses - 2a01:e5c0:3167::2 (IPv6) 89.169.15.201 (IPv4). Recommended read:
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@Talkback Resources
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A critical spoofing vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-30401, has been discovered in WhatsApp for Windows. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has released a security update to address this flaw, which impacts versions prior to 2.2450.6. The vulnerability could allow attackers to trick users and enable remote code execution on their devices. Users of WhatsApp for Windows are strongly advised to update to the latest version immediately to mitigate the risk. This issue arises from a discrepancy in how WhatsApp handles file attachments, specifically the mismatch between the MIME type and file extension handling.
The exploit mechanism involves attackers sending maliciously crafted files with altered file types to potential targets. The WhatsApp application displays attachments based on their MIME type but selects the file opening handler based on the attachment's filename extension. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious file that appears harmless, such as an image, but when opened, executes arbitrary code. The spoofing technique takes advantage of the discrepancy between MIME type and file extension handling, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system. The discovery of CVE-2025-30401 has raised concerns within the cybersecurity community, highlighting the importance of maintaining robust security practices in widely-used applications. While Meta has not reported any exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild, vulnerabilities in messaging applications like WhatsApp are frequently targeted by malicious actors. The impact of a successful exploit could include unauthorized system access and data theft, posing significant risks to users. To ensure protection, users should promptly update their WhatsApp for Windows application to version 2.2450.6 or later. Recommended read:
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@blog.extensiontotal.com
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Multiple malicious Visual Studio Code (VSCode) extensions have been identified, posing a significant threat to developers. Discovered on April 4, 2025, these extensions, found on the Microsoft VSCode Marketplace, masquerade as legitimate development tools. They include names such as "Discord Rich Presence" and "Rojo – Roblox Studio Sync" and operate by surreptitiously downloading and executing a PowerShell script. This script then disables Windows security features, establishes persistence through scheduled tasks, and installs the XMRig cryptominer, designed to mine Ethereum and Monero, all without the user's knowledge.
The attack employs a sophisticated multi-stage approach. Once installed, the malicious extensions download a PowerShell loader from a remote command-and-control (C2) server. This loader then disables security services to evade detection and deploys the XMRig cryptominer to exploit the victim's system resources for cryptocurrency mining. Notably, the attackers even install legitimate versions of the extensions they impersonate, a tactic designed to maintain the appearance of normalcy and prevent users from suspecting any malicious activity, further highlighting the deceptive nature of this campaign. Researchers at ExtensionTotal uncovered the malicious extensions and noted many had artificially inflated install counts designed to reduce suspicion. This incident underscores the growing threat of supply chain attacks targeting development environments. By exploiting vulnerabilities in the VSCode Marketplace, malicious actors can distribute malware to a wide range of developers. The fact that these extensions were able to bypass Microsoft's safety review processes raises concerns about the security of the marketplace. Users are strongly advised to exercise caution when installing VSCode extensions, carefully reviewing publisher details and extension permissions before installation. This serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures and constant vigilance to protect against evolving cyber threats. Recommended read:
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