A sophisticated malware campaign delivering PureLog Stealer has been identified, targeting healthcare, government, hospitality, and education sectors in multiple countries. The attack uses localized copyright violation lures to trick victims into executing a multi-stage infection chain. The malware employs encrypted payloads, remote key retrieval, and fileless execution techniques to evade detection. It utilizes a Python-based loader and dual .NET loaders to run PureLog Stealer entirely in memory. The campaign incorporates AMSI bypass, registry persistence, screenshot capture, and victim fingerprinting for stealth and intelligence gathering. Evidence confirms communication with PureLog-associated infrastructure.
This analysis delves into the Beast ransomware, a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) that emerged in June 2024 as a successor to Monster ransomware. The investigation focuses on a Beast ransomware server detected in March 2026, revealing the operators' toolkit and attack methodology. The toolkit includes various tools for reconnaissance, network mapping, credential theft, persistence, lateral movement, exfiltration, and impact. Notable findings include the presence of both Windows and Linux versions of Beast ransomware, indicating targeting of workstations and Linux servers on VMware ESXi hypervisors. The report highlights the importance of proactive collection of internet telemetry in identifying ransomware operators' toolkits before they can be used against targets.
A large-scale malvertising campaign targeting U.S.tax form searchers has been uncovered. The attack chain begins with Google Ads, using dual commercial cloaking services to evade detection. Victims are directed to rogue ScreenConnect installers, leading to a multi-stage crypter that ultimately deploys a BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver) tool. This tool, named HwAudKiller, exploits a previously undocumented Huawei audio driver to terminate antivirus and EDR processes from kernel mode. The campaign's sophistication lies in its use of commodity tools and services, combining free-tier ScreenConnect instances, off-the-shelf crypters, and a signed driver with an exploitable weakness. The attackers consistently deploy multiple remote access tools on compromised hosts for redundancy, indicating a likely pre-ransomware or initial access broker operation.
Analysis reveals a six-month buildup of Iran-linked cyber infrastructure, including US-based shell companies, designed to weather kinetic strikes and ensure the resilience of its global hacking operations. The post Iran Readied Cyberattack Capabilities for Response Prior to Epic Fury appeared first on SecurityWeek .
This analysis explores the ecosystem of EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) killers, tools used by ransomware attackers to disrupt security solutions before deploying encryptors. The research, based on almost 90 EDR killers tracked in the wild, reveals that these tools are fundamental in modern ransomware operations. Affiliates, not operators, typically choose EDR killers, leading to greater tooling diversity in larger affiliate pools. The same vulnerable driver can appear in unrelated tools, and tools can switch between drivers, making driver-based attribution unreliable. The landscape includes forked proofs of concept, professional implementations, and commercial offerings. While Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) technique dominates, custom scripts, anti-rootkits, and driverless approaches are also utilized. The analysis emphasizes the importance of looking beyond drivers to understand the full scope of EDR killer ecosystem and its implications for cybersecurity.
During tax season, threat actors exploit the urgency of time-sensitive tax-related emails to trick targets into opening malicious attachments, scanning QR codes, or following link chains. Recent campaigns identified by Microsoft Threat Intelligence use lures around W-2 forms, tax forms, and impersonation of government tax agencies and financial institutions. These campaigns aim to harvest credentials or deliver malware, often using phishing-as-a-service platforms for convincing credential theft and MFA bypass. Notable tactics include using legitimate remote monitoring tools, targeting specific industries and roles like accountants, and employing sophisticated social engineering techniques. The campaigns leverage various file formats, legitimate infrastructure, and multiple user interactions to complicate detection.
It was previously estimated that more than 1.6 million people may be affected by the Marquis data breach. The post Marquis Data Breach Affects 672,000 Individuals appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The threat group ShinyHunters has adopted a new tactic of subdomain impersonation for initial access, moving away from newly registered lookalike domains. They are utilizing mobile-first lures and outsourcing spam services to scale their operations. The group is likely reusing previously stolen CRM and ERP data to drive social engineering attacks. Their approach involves phone-guided adversary-in-the-middle phishing to capture credentials and authenticated sessions. ShinyHunters is also scaling vishing operations through paid contractors and specialized harassment services. This evolution in tactics allows for rapid identity-to-SaaS compromise without deploying malware, making traditional domain-based monitoring less effective.
The information was stolen from a marketing tool after an employee fell victim to a targeted phone phishing attack. The post Security Firm Aura Discloses Data Breach Impacting 900,000 Records appeared first on SecurityWeek .
A newly discovered loader called SILENTCONNECT is being used in active campaigns to silently install ScreenConnect, a remote monitoring and management tool, on victim machines. The infection chain begins with users being redirected to a Cloudflare Turnstile CAPTCHA page disguised as a digital invitation. Upon clicking, a VBScript file is downloaded, which retrieves and executes C# source code in memory using PowerShell. SILENTCONNECT employs various evasion techniques, including PEB masquerading and UAC bypass. The campaigns leverage trusted hosting providers like Google Drive and Cloudflare, and abuse living-off-the-land binaries. The loader has been active since March 2025 and poses a significant threat due to its stealthy nature and effectiveness.
The IndonesianFoods campaign saw attackers flood the npm registry with junk packages. We explore how it works, and how to safeguard enterprise development.
With exploitation of vulnerabilities taking just days, preemptive security must be the new model for defenders. The post The Collapse of Predictive Security in the Age of Machine-Speed Attacks appeared first on SecurityWeek .
A massive network of over 20,000 fraudulent e-commerce domains has been uncovered, all sharing common infrastructure and design patterns. These fake shops, primarily using the .shop domain, are designed to steal payment details and personal data from unsuspecting consumers. The operation is highly industrialized, with domains resolving to just 36 IP addresses, indicating a franchise-style model where a core team manages servers and templates while individual operators launch storefronts. The shops use familiar e-commerce tactics and psychological pressure to lure victims. To protect yourself, use browser protection tools, scrutinize unfamiliar domains, be wary of deep discounts, and look for independent reviews before making purchases.
Targeting six iOS vulnerabilities and leading to full device compromise, the exploit chain is meant for surveillance. The post ‘DarkSword’ iOS Exploit Kit Used by State-Sponsored Hackers, Spyware Vendors appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Zscaler ThreatLabz identified a new command-and-control framework implant called SnappyClient, delivered via HijackLoader. SnappyClient is a C++-based implant with data theft and remote access capabilities. It employs evasion techniques like AMSI bypass, Heaven's Gate, direct system calls, and transacted hollowing. The malware receives configuration files from its C2 server and uses a custom encrypted network protocol. SnappyClient's main functions include stealing browser data, taking screenshots, keylogging, and providing remote shell access. Analysis suggests potential ties to HijackLoader based on code similarities. The primary goal appears to be cryptocurrency theft, targeting wallet addresses and crypto-related applications.
The sanctions target two Chinese individuals, two Chinese companies, and one Iranian firm involved in hacking EU member states. The post EU Sanctions Chinese, Iranian Firms Supporting Hacking Operations appeared first on SecurityWeek .
From Chaos to Control examines the chaos that often comes from shadow AI hidden in SaaS apps and urges better visibility and control over agentic AI. The post Shadow AI Risk: How SaaS Apps Are Quietly Enabling Massive Breaches appeared first on SecurityWeek .
A very popular target of attackers scanning our honeypots is "phpmyadmin". phpMyAdmin is a script first released in the late 90s, before many security concepts had&#;x26;#;xc2;&#;x26;#;xa0;been discovered. It&#;x26;#;39;s rich history of vulnerabilities made it a favorite target. Its alternative, "adminer", began appearing about a decade later (https://www.adminer.org). One of its main "selling" points was simplicity. Adminer is just a single PHP file. It requires no configuration. Copy it to your server, and you are ready to go. "adminer" has a much better security record&#;x26;#;xc2;&#;x26;#;xa0;and claims to prioritize security in its development.
