CyberSecurity news
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SonicWall has released patches to address three newly discovered vulnerabilities in its NetExtender Windows client, a widely-used VPN tool providing secure remote access to internal networks for organizations. The vulnerabilities affect NetExtender for Windows versions 10.3.1 and earlier, and include a high-severity flaw related to improper privilege management, identified as CVE-2025-23008, with a CVSS score of 7.2. This vulnerability could allow a low-privileged attacker to modify critical configurations, potentially re-routing VPN connections or weakening security settings.
The updates also address two medium-severity vulnerabilities: CVE-2025-23009, a local privilege escalation vulnerability via arbitrary file deletion, and CVE-2025-23010, a link following file access issue. The file deletion flaw could allow attackers to delete arbitrary files on the system, potentially escalating privileges or disrupting services. The symlink vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate file operations and redirect them to unauthorized locations. SonicWall strongly advises users of the NetExtender Windows (32 and 64 bit) client to upgrade to version 10.3.2 or later to mitigate these risks. While there is no evidence of active exploitation of these vulnerabilities in the wild, SonicWall notes that its products are often targeted by malicious actors. The NetExtender for Linux client is not affected by these security defects. Organizations are urged to apply the patches promptly to prevent potential unauthorized configuration changes, privilege escalation, or file path manipulation. Recommended read:
References :
@The DefendOps Diaries
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Vivaldi browser has integrated Proton VPN directly into its system, offering users a seamless way to protect their data from 'Big Tech' surveillance. The integration means users can now access VPN services without the need for external downloads or plugin activations. This move signifies a commitment to enhancing user privacy and challenging the data collection practices of major tech firms. The VPN button is available directly in the toolbar to improve user experience.
Vivaldi's partnership with Proton VPN brings browser-level privacy tools to users, allowing them to encrypt all internet traffic and protect them from persistent tracking. When enabled, browsing activity is transmitted through Proton VPN's encrypted tunnels, which obfuscates the user's IP address. The integration aims to provide enhanced protection against tracking and surveillance and sets new standards in digital security. Recommended read:
References :
Mandvi@Cyber Security News
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The FishMonger APT, a Chinese cyber-espionage group with ties to the cybersecurity contractor I-SOON, has been implicated in a global espionage operation known as Operation FishMedley. This campaign, active in 2022, targeted a diverse range of entities, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and think tanks across Asia, Europe, and the United States. These findings come as the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against I-SOON employees for their alleged involvement in espionage campaigns spanning from 2016 to 2023.
The attacks involved sophisticated malware implants such as ShadowPad, Spyder, and SodaMaster, tools frequently associated with China-aligned threat actors. These implants facilitated data theft, surveillance, and network penetration. One case revealed attackers used the Impacket tool to escalate privileges, execute commands, and extract sensitive authentication data from a US-based NGO. ESET's independent research confirms FishMonger is an espionage team operated by I-SOON, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by China-aligned APT groups to sensitive sectors worldwide. Recommended read:
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info@thehackernews.com (The@The Hacker News
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The APT group SideWinder is expanding its attacks, now targeting maritime, nuclear, and IT sectors across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Previously focused on government, military, and diplomatic institutions, the group has shifted its attention to maritime infrastructure, logistics companies, nuclear power plants, and energy facilities. The attacks, observed by Kaspersky, have spread across multiple countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Djibouti, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Kaspersky experts have noted an increase in attacks on nuclear power plants and energy generation facilities with the attackers utilizing spear-phishing emails and malicious documents containing industry-specific terminology to gain trust. The group exploits an older Microsoft Office vulnerability (CVE-2017-11882) to bypass detection systems and access operational data, research projects, and personnel data. According to Kaspersky researchers Giampaolo Dedola and Vasily Berdnikov, SideWinder constantly works to improve its toolsets, stay ahead of security software detections, extend persistence on compromised networks, and hide its presence on infected systems. Recommended read:
References :
@gbhackers.com
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SonicWall firewalls are facing a critical threat due to a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-53704. This flaw allows attackers to hijack active SSL VPN sessions, potentially granting them unauthorized access to networks. Bishop Fox researchers discovered nearly 4,500 internet-exposed SonicWall firewalls at risk, highlighting the widespread nature of the vulnerability. The affected SonicOS versions include 7.1.x, 7.1.2-7019, and 8.0.0-8035, which are used in various Gen firewalls.
A proof-of-concept exploit has been released for CVE-2024-53704, increasing the urgency for organizations to apply the necessary patches. The exploit involves sending a specially crafted session cookie to the SSL VPN endpoint, bypassing authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication. By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers can access sensitive internal resources, Virtual Office bookmarks, and VPN client configurations, establishing new VPN tunnels into private networks. SonicWall has urged organizations to immediately apply patches to mitigate the vulnerability. Recommended read:
References :
@gbhackers.com
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A massive brute force password attack is currently targeting a wide range of networking devices, including VPNs and firewalls from Palo Alto Networks, Ivanti, and SonicWall. The attack, which began recently, utilizes almost 2.8 million IP addresses in an attempt to guess the credentials for these devices. Once access is gained, threat actors can hijack devices or gain access to entire networks.
A brute force attack involves repeatedly attempting to log into an account or device using numerous username and password combinations until the correct one is discovered. This type of attack highlights the importance of strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive systems and data from unauthorized access. The attack was first reported by BleepingComputer on February 8, 2025. Recommended read:
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CISO2CISO Editor 2@ciso2ciso.com
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A new China-aligned cyber espionage group named PlushDaemon has been discovered conducting a supply chain attack against a South Korean VPN provider, IPany. The group compromised the VPN provider's software installer, replacing it with a malicious version that deploys the custom SlowStepper malware. This malware is a sophisticated backdoor with a large toolkit composed of around 30 modules, programmed in C++, Python, and Go, designed for espionage activities. The initial access vector for the group is typically by hijacking legitimate software updates of Chinese applications, but this supply chain attack marks a significant departure from their usual tactics.
ESET Research identified the attack after detecting malicious code in a Windows NSIS installer downloaded from the IPany website in May 2024. The compromised installer included both the legitimate VPN software and the SlowStepper backdoor. ESET researchers notified IPany, and the malicious installer has since been removed. PlushDaemon, active since at least 2019, is believed to be the exclusive user of the SlowStepper malware and has targeted individuals and entities in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, the US, and New Zealand. The group is also known to gain access via vulnerabilities in legitimate web servers. Recommended read:
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