Hackers exploit Tencent app flaw to deploy GrayRabbit malware
Source Bleeping Computer
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 16.3.0.3498 : patch affected systems as a priority.
Data as of 29 Oct 2026, 19:04 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 60% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 16.3.0.3498
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 16 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
AI-suggested
Tencent released an official fix in Sogou Input Method version 16.3.0.3498 that validates protocol handler URL arguments, restricts navigation to HTTPS, and limits allowed domains to those related to Sogou and Tencent. Users should update to this version or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Despite the patch, the embedded Chromium engine remains outdated and unsandboxed, so caution is advised. No additional vendor guidance indicates further immediate actions.
Description
A critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2026-51990) in Tencent's Sogou Input Method for Windows is actively exploited by the UNC3569 threat group to deploy the GrayRabbit backdoor malware. The attack chain abuses a custom URI handler, an unrestricted URL navigation in an embedded Chromium webview, and a known flaw in an outdated Chromium 80 engine running without sandboxing. Tencent released a patch in version 16.3.0.3498 that validates URL arguments and restricts navigation to approved domains, but the underlying Chromium engine remains outdated and unsandboxed.