CyberSecurity news
FlagThis - #supplychainattack
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@securebulletin.com
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A concerning trend of hackers exploiting open-source software supply chains has been identified, with malicious backdoors being planted in Python and NPM packages. Security researchers at Checkmarx Zero have uncovered a sophisticated campaign where attackers are using typosquatting and name-confusion tactics to trick users into downloading harmful software. This cross-ecosystem approach targets both Windows and Linux systems, deploying multi-platform payloads with the capability to steal data and establish remote control. These findings highlight the growing need for enhanced security measures within open-source ecosystems to combat supply chain attacks.
This campaign leverages the Python Package Index (PyPI) and Node Package Manager (NPM) by mimicking legitimate software. Specifically, the attack targeted users of "colorama," a popular Python tool, and "colorizr," a similar JavaScript package, by uploading packages with names like "coloramapkgs" and "colorizator". The malicious packages carry dangerous payloads designed to give attackers remote access and control, allowing them to harvest and exfiltrate sensitive data. On Windows systems, the malware attempts to bypass antivirus software, while on Linux, it establishes encrypted connections, steals information, and maintains a hidden presence. Fortunately, the identified malicious packages have been removed from public software repositories, limiting their immediate potential for damage. However, the lack of clear attribution data makes it difficult to trace the campaign back to a known adversary. Vet, an open-source tool designed to help developers and security engineers spot risks in their software supply chains, goes beyond traditional software composition analysis by detecting known vulnerabilities and flagging malicious packages. It supports ecosystems like npm, PyPI, Maven, Go, Docker, and GitHub Actions, assisting in the detection of supply chain attacks. Recommended read:
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Bill Toulas@BleepingComputer
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Printer maker Procolored has been distributing malware-laced drivers to its users for at least six months. Security researcher Karsten Hahn from G Data discovered that the official software supplied with Procolored printers contained a remote access trojan (XRed) and a cryptocurrency stealer (SnipVex). These malicious files were available through the company's website, putting users at risk of having their Windows PCs compromised and cryptocurrency wallets stolen. The discovery began when YouTuber Cameron Coward, known as Serial Hobbyism, received a printer from Procolored and encountered malware alerts during setup.
Hahn's investigation revealed that 39 files on Procolored's Mega.nz account triggered malware detections, indicating a widespread issue. The XRed backdoor allows for keylogging, remote shell access, file deletion, and directory listing, while the SnipVex virus, a .NET-based clipbanker, replaces Bitcoin addresses in the clipboard, potentially redirecting cryptocurrency transactions to the attacker's wallet. Hahn traced the attacker's wallet to approximately 9.3 BTC, or $100,000 USD, accumulated before transactions stopped. Procolored acknowledged the issue, stating that the software was initially transferred via USB drives and that a virus might have been introduced during this process. The company has temporarily removed all software from its official website and is conducting a comprehensive malware scan. This incident highlights the critical importance of supply chain security within the digital printing industry and emphasizes the need for rigorous security measures during software development, testing, and distribution. Recommended read:
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lucija.valentic@reversinglabs.com (Lucija@Blog (Main)
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A malicious Python package named `solana-token` has been discovered on the Python Package Index (PyPI) targeting Solana developers. This rogue package, posing as a utility for the Solana blockchain, was designed to exfiltrate source code and developer secrets from compromised machines to a hard-coded IP address. The ReversingLabs research team uncovered this supply chain attack, highlighting the increasing trend of malicious actors targeting cryptocurrency projects. Before being taken down, the `solana-token` package was downloaded over 600 times, potentially distributed through developer-focused platforms.
The malicious package contained telltale signs of compromise, including hardcoded IP addresses, outbound communications to non-standard network ports, and code that reads local files, typical of information stealers. One insidious method employed by the package scanned the Python execution stack, copied, and exfiltrated source code contained in all the files in the execution chain to a remote server. The objective was to steal sensitive information such as developer secrets and hardcoded crypto credentials, which could grant attackers unauthorized access to cryptocurrency wallets and critical infrastructure. This incident is not isolated, a previous package with the same name was published and removed in 2024, suggesting that the same malicious actors may be behind the new malicious version, said the report. Cybersecurity experts recommend that organizations respond to address the increasing number of supply chain threats targeting cryptocurrency projects by aggressively monitoring for suspicious activity and unexplained changes within open source and commercial, third-party software modules. By stopping malicious code before it is allowed to penetrate secure development environments, teams can prevent destructive supply chain attacks. Recommended read:
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TIGR Threat@Security Risk Advisors
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A supply chain attack has successfully compromised the 'rand-user-agent' npm package, injecting obfuscated code designed to activate a remote access trojan (RAT) on unsuspecting users' systems. This JavaScript library, used for generating randomized user-agent strings beneficial for web scraping and automated testing, has been averaging 45,000 weekly downloads despite being deprecated. The malicious activity was detected by an automated malware analysis pipeline on May 5, 2025, which flagged the [email protected] version for containing unusual code indicative of a supply chain attack.
The injected RAT was designed to establish a persistent connection with a command and control (C2) server at http://85.239.62[.]36:3306. Upon activation, the RAT transmits critical machine identification data, including hostname, username, operating system type, and a generated UUID, enabling attackers to uniquely identify and manage compromised systems. Once connected, the RAT listens for commands from the C2 server, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system, execute arbitrary shell commands, and exfiltrate data from affected systems. Researchers at Aikido noted that threat actors exploited the package's semi-abandoned but still popular status to inject malicious code into unauthorized releases. The compromised versions of the package were promptly removed from the npm repository. Users are advised to check their systems for any installations of the compromised package and implement robust security practices to mitigate the risk of similar supply chain attacks. This incident underscores the critical importance of vigilant monitoring and dependency management in software development to protect against supply chain vulnerabilities. Recommended read:
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@securityonline.info
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Security researchers are raising alarms about the open-source library 'easyjson,' a Golang package used extensively across cloud-native technologies. A new investigation by cybersecurity firm Hunted Labs has revealed that easyjson is maintained and controlled by developers associated with VK Group, a major Russian internet conglomerate based in Moscow. VK Group's ties to the Kremlin, including its leadership being under U.S. and E.U. sanctions, have ignited concerns about potential supply chain risks for organizations relying on this library. Easyjson is used by the US government and American companies.
The 'easyjson' library is deeply embedded in the software ecosystem, particularly in cloud-native applications, distributed systems, and real-time analytics platforms. It's found to be widely used in projects like Helm, Istio, Kubernetes, ArgoCD, Grafana, Sigstore, and across many US Government and Fortune 500 organizations. This widespread integration makes it difficult to monitor, remove, or replace, according to Hunted Labs. The firm's report warns that "Any compromise of a serializer is extremely dangerous because they are: invisible, deeply integrated, hard to remove, and trusted by default.” Researchers fear that Russia could alter easyjson to steal data or otherwise be abused. Hunted Labs outlines alarming possibilities if easyjson were to be compromised or weaponized, including supply chain backdoors enabling mass compromise, remote code execution via crafted JSON inputs, espionage and covert data exfiltration, and even kill switch activation across critical systems. As Hayden Smith, a cofounder at Hunted Labs, stated, the package is "basically a linchpin for the cloud native ecosystem, that’s maintained by a group of individuals based in Moscow belonging to an organization that has this suspicious history." Recommended read:
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info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
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Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the Go programming language ecosystem, revealing three malicious Go modules designed to wipe Linux systems. These modules, named github.com/truthfulpharm/prototransform, github.com/blankloggia/go-mcp, and github.com/steelpoor/tlsproxy, contain obfuscated code that fetches next-stage payloads capable of irrevocably overwriting a Linux system's primary disk, rendering it unbootable. The attack, discovered in April 2025, highlights the dangers of direct dependency imports from public repositories and the effectiveness of code obfuscation in evading detection.
The malicious modules are designed to specifically target Linux environments. Upon execution, they retrieve a destructive shell script from a remote server using wget. This script, known as "done.sh," employs the Unix utility 'dd' to overwrite the entire primary disk ("/dev/sda") with zeroes. This process effectively eliminates the file system, operating system, and all user data, leaving affected systems crippled and data unrecoverable. According to Socket researcher Kush Pandya, this destructive method ensures no data recovery tool or forensic process can restore the data, emphasizing the extreme danger posed by modern supply-chain attacks. This incident underscores the escalating risks present in open-source supply chains and the potential for seemingly trusted code to become devastating threats. The impact of such an attack includes complete data loss, prolonged operational downtime, and severe financial and reputational damage for affected organizations. Security experts recommend thorough dependency audits, the implementation of automated code scanning tools, and continuous monitoring solutions to detect obfuscated or suspicious behaviors in third-party packages as crucial mitigation steps. Recommended read:
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securebulletin.com@Secure Bulletin
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Attackers are increasingly turning to trusted services like Gmail and Google APIs to create stealthy command-and-control (C2) channels. This tactic allows them to mask malicious activities within legitimate network traffic, making detection and mitigation significantly harder. By leveraging platforms like Gmail and Google Drive, threat actors can embed their communications within encrypted channels provided by reputable services, bypassing many traditional security measures. These communications are encrypted by Gmail’s TLS, further complicating detection efforts.
A recent investigation by Socket's Threat Research Team uncovered a campaign using malicious Python packages to establish covert tunnels via Gmail’s SMTP protocol, enabling attackers to exfiltrate data and execute remote commands undetected. Seven malicious PyPI packages, operating under the "Coffin Codes" theme, were found abusing Gmail's SMTP servers and WebSockets for data exfiltration and remote command execution. These packages, once installed, establish an encrypted connection to Gmail’s SMTP server using hardcoded credentials, sending signals and critical information to attacker-controlled email addresses. The identified packages include Coffin-Codes-Pro, Coffin-Codes-NET2, Coffin-Codes-NET, Coffin-Codes-2022, Coffin2022, Coffin-Grave, and cfc-bsb. While the packages have been removed from PyPI, one of them was downloaded over 18,000 times before removal. The most advanced variants of the packages also establish outbound WebSocket connections, enabling attackers to issue commands, transfer files, and potentially gain deeper access into the victim's network. This highlights the ongoing risks posed by supply chain attacks and the exploitation of trusted cloud services. Recommended read:
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@Talkback Resources
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Cybersecurity researchers have recently discovered a series of malicious packages lurking within the npm registry, a popular repository for JavaScript packages. These packages are designed to mimic the legitimate "node-telegram-bot-api," a widely-used library for creating Telegram bots. However, instead of providing bot functionalities, these rogue packages install SSH backdoors on Linux systems, granting attackers persistent, passwordless remote access. The identified malicious packages include "node-telegram-utils," "node-telegram-bots-api," and "node-telegram-util," which have accumulated around 300 downloads collectively.
The packages employ a technique known as "typosquatting," where they use names similar to the legitimate library to deceive developers into installing them. They also utilize "starjacking" by linking to the genuine library's GitHub repository, further enhancing their appearance of authenticity. Once installed on a Linux system, these malicious packages inject SSH keys into the "~/.ssh/authorized_keys" file, enabling attackers to remotely access the compromised machine. They also collect system information, including the username and external IP address, and transmit it to a remote server controlled by the attackers. Security experts warn that simply removing the malicious packages is insufficient to eliminate the threat. The injected SSH keys provide a persistent backdoor, allowing attackers to execute code and exfiltrate data even after the packages are uninstalled. This incident highlights the growing threat of supply chain attacks targeting development ecosystems like npm, underscoring the importance of rigorous dependency auditing and vigilant monitoring to safeguard systems from malicious code and unauthorized access. The researchers at Socket recommend immediate defensive actions to combat these types of threats. Recommended read:
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Pierluigi Paganini@securityaffairs.com
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A new cybersecurity threat has emerged, with cheap Chinese Android phones being shipped with pre-installed malware disguised as popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. These trojanized applications contain cryptocurrency clippers, malicious programs designed to replace copied wallet addresses with those controlled by the attackers. This allows the theft of cryptocurrency during transactions without the user's knowledge. The campaign, active since June 2024, targets low-end devices, often mimicking premium brands like Samsung and Huawei, with models such as "S23 Ultra," "Note 13 Pro," and "P70 Ultra." At least four of the affected models are manufactured under the SHOWJI brand.
These counterfeit phones often spoof their technical specifications, falsely displaying that they are running the latest Android version and have improved hardware to avoid detection. According to researchers at Doctor Web, the infected devices ship with modified versions of WhatsApp that operate as clippers. These malicious programs quietly swap out wallet strings for popular coins like Ethereum and Tron whenever users send or receive them through chat. Victims remain unaware as the malware displays the correct wallet address on the sender’s screen but delivers the wrong one to the receiver, and vice versa, until the money disappears. The attackers have expanded their reach beyond WhatsApp and Telegram, with researchers identifying nearly 40 fake applications, including crypto wallets like Trust Wallet and MathWallet, and even QR code readers. The malware is injected using a tool called LSPatch, allowing modifications without altering the core app code, which helps evade detection and survive updates. Doctor Web reports that the malware hijacks the app update process to retrieve an APK file from a server under the attacker's control and searches for strings in chat conversations that match cryptocurrency wallet address patterns. Recommended read:
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@www.csoonline.com
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A new cyber threat called "slopsquatting" is emerging, exploiting AI-generated code and posing a risk to software supply chains. Researchers have discovered that AI code generation tools, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), often "hallucinate" non-existent software packages or dependencies. Attackers can capitalize on this by registering these hallucinated package names and uploading malicious code to public repositories like PyPI or npm. When developers use AI code assistants that suggest these non-existent packages, the system may inadvertently download and execute the attacker's malicious code, leading to a supply chain compromise.
This vulnerability arises because popular programming languages rely heavily on centralized package repositories and open-source software. The combination of this reliance with the increasing use of AI code-generating tools creates a novel attack vector. A study analyzing 16 code generation AI models found that nearly 20% of the recommended packages were non-existent. When the same prompts were repeated, a significant portion of the hallucinated packages were repeatedly suggested, making the attack vector more viable for malicious actors. This repeatability suggests that the hallucinations are not simply random errors but a persistent phenomenon, increasing the potential for exploitation. Security experts warn that slopsquatting represents a form of typosquatting, where variations or misspellings of common terms are used to deceive users. To mitigate this threat, developers should exercise caution when using AI-generated code and verify the existence and integrity of all suggested packages. Organizations should also implement robust security measures to detect and prevent the installation of malicious packages from public repositories. As AI code generation tools become more prevalent, it is crucial to address this new vulnerability to protect the software supply chain from potential attacks. Recommended read:
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lucija.valentic@reversinglabs.com (Lucija@Blog (Main)
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ReversingLabs has identified a malicious npm package named "pdf-to-office" that targeted cryptocurrency users by injecting malicious code into locally installed Atomic Wallet and Exodus software. The package, posing as a utility for converting PDF files to Microsoft Office documents, actually overwrites existing, legitimate files within the crypto wallet installations. This allowed attackers to silently hijack crypto transfers by swapping out the intended destination address with one belonging to the malicious actor. The ReversingLabs team continues to track threat actors using a variety of techniques to hijack popular crypto packages.
This attack vector involved the malicious patching of local software, a technique that allows attackers to intercept cryptocurrency transfers without raising immediate suspicion. The "pdf-to-office" package targeted specific versions of both Atomic Wallet (2.91.5 and 2.90.6) and Exodus (25.13.3 and 25.9.2), ensuring that the correct Javascript files were overwritten. Once executed, the malicious code would check for the presence of the "atomic/resources/app.asar" archive for Atomic Wallet and "src/app/ui/index.js" for Exodus. The compromised wallets would then channel crypto funds to the attacker's address, even if the "pdf-to-office" package was subsequently removed from the system. ReversingLabs' Spectra Assure platform flagged the package as suspicious due to its behaviors mirroring previous npm-based malware campaigns. The initial release was on March 24, 2025, before being removed. The latest version, 1.1.2, was uploaded on April 8 and remains available for download. Recommended read:
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info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
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A new phishing campaign called 'PoisonSeed' has emerged, posing a significant cybersecurity threat by targeting customer relationship management (CRM) platforms and bulk email service providers. The campaign leverages compromised credentials to distribute emails containing cryptocurrency seed phrases, aiming to drain victims' digital wallets. This activity forms part of a broader supply chain attack, impacting enterprise organizations and individuals outside the cryptocurrency industry, with crypto companies like Coinbase and Ledger and bulk email providers such as Mailchimp, SendGrid, Hubspot, Mailgun, and Zoho among the targeted companies.
PoisonSeed's method involves creating convincing phishing pages mimicking login portals for popular CRM and email platforms. These deceptive pages trick victims into revealing their credentials, after which the attackers automate the export of email lists and create API keys for persistent access. Compromised accounts are then used to send bulk phishing emails with urgent lures, such as fake wallet migration notices, urging recipients to set up new cryptocurrency wallets using a provided seed phrase. If entered, this seed phrase allows attackers to access the wallet and steal funds, initiating a cryptocurrency seed phrase poisoning attack. Silent Push analysts have identified an extensive list of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) associated with PoisonSeed's infrastructure, including phishing domains like mailchimp-sso[.]com and C2 Servers with IP addresses such as 212.224.88[.]188. While PoisonSeed shares some tactics with known groups like Scattered Spider and CryptoChameleon, it's considered a distinct entity with a focus on cryptocurrency theft rather than ransomware attacks. This malicious campaign exploits CRM credentials to spread cryptocurrency seed phrase attacks, placing many wallets at risk of compromise. Recommended read:
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