LockBit 5.0, the latest version of the notorious ransomware, has been released with support for Windows, Linux, and ESXi systems. This update brings improved defense evasion, faster encryption, and enhanced modularity. The Windows variant employs extensive anti-analysis techniques, while Linux and ESXi versions remain unpacked. All variants share a common encryption scheme using XChaCha20 and Curve25519. LockBit 5.0 demonstrates a focus on enterprise and infrastructure targets, including explicit support for Proxmox virtualization. The group's data leak site reveals a primary focus on the U.S.business sector, with victims spanning various industries. LockBit's infrastructure has shown connections to SmokeLoader, suggesting possible cooperation or infrastructure reuse among malware operators.
Windows will have runtime safeguards enabled by default, ensuring that only properly signed software runs. The post Microsoft to Enable ‘Windows Baseline Security’ With New Runtime Integrity Safeguards appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Threat actors from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran have been observed launching attacks. The post Hacktivists, State Actors, Cybercriminals Target Global Defense Industry, Google Warns appeared first on SecurityWeek .
A convincing lookalike of the popular 7-Zip archiver site has been serving a trojanized installer that silently converts victims' machines into residential proxy nodes. The fake site, 7zip[.]com, distributes a functional copy of 7-Zip alongside concealed malware. The malware deploys three components: Uphero.exe (service manager), hero.exe (proxy payload), and hero.dll (supporting library). It establishes persistence through Windows services, manipulates firewall rules, and profiles the host system. The primary function is to enroll infected hosts as residential proxy nodes, allowing third parties to route traffic through victims' IP addresses. This campaign appears to be part of a broader operation with similar tactics used for other fake installers. The malware incorporates multiple evasion techniques and uses encrypted communications.
Between June and December 2025, state-sponsored threat group Lotus Blossom compromised the hosting infrastructure for Notepad++, allowing them to intercept and redirect update traffic. This enabled selective targeting of users primarily in Southeast Asian government, telecommunications and critical infrastructure sectors. Two infection chains were identified - one using Lua script injection to deliver Cobalt Strike and another using DLL side-loading for a Chrysalis backdoor. The campaign affected additional sectors across South America, US, Europe and Southeast Asia including cloud hosting, energy, financial, government, manufacturing and software development. The attack exploited insufficient verification in older versions of the Notepad++ updater to serve malicious installers to targeted victims.
After a decade and a half of service, the current certificates will expire, and new ones will be rolled out. The post Microsoft to Refresh Windows Secure Boot Certificates in June 2026 appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Unit 42 discovered a rogue virtual machine used by the cybercrime group Muddled Libra during an incident response investigation. The VM provided insights into the group's operational methods, including reconnaissance, tool downloads, persistence establishment, certificate theft, and interactions with the target's infrastructure. Muddled Libra created the VM after gaining unauthorized access to the target's VMware vSphere environment. The group's tactics involve minimal malware use, preferring to leverage the target's assets. Their attack chain included creating a VM, downloading tools, establishing C2, using stolen certificates, and attempting data exfiltration. The article details the group's activities, tools used, and troubleshooting efforts during the attack.
The SSHStalker Linux botnet has infected approximately 7,000 systems by leveraging traditional mass-compromise techniques. It uses a pipeline that deploys various scanners and malware to propagate and maintain control over infected devices. Although it employs old methods, the botnet remains effective in targeting Linux environments. There are no known exploits in the wild specifically tied to this botnet, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The threat is rated medium severity due to its ability to compromise numerous systems and potentially disrupt operations or facilitate further attacks. European organizations running Linux servers or IoT devices are at risk, especially those with weak SSH credentials or exposed services. Mitigation requires focused hardening of SSH access, continuous monitoring for unusual scanning activity, and rapid incident response to contain infections. Countries with significant Linux infrastructure and high-value targets in technology and finance sectors are more likely to be affected. Given the botnet’s reliance on old techniques, organizations can defend effectively by applying best practices and proactive network hygiene.
China-linked UNC3886 targeted all four major telecom providers, but did not disrupt services or access customer information. The post Singapore: Rootkits, Zero-Day Used in Chinese Attack on Major Telecom Firms appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The KRVTZ-NET IDS alerts dated 2026-02-10 represent network reconnaissance activity detected by an intrusion detection system. These alerts are categorized as low severity and are derived from open-source intelligence (OSINT) feeds, indicating observation-level data rather than confirmed exploitation. No specific affected products or versions are identified, and no patches or known exploits exist for this activity. The alerts primarily signify reconnaissance efforts, which are often preliminary steps in an attack chain. European organizations should be aware that such reconnaissance can precede more targeted attacks, though the current threat level is low. Mitigation should focus on enhancing network monitoring and anomaly detection to identify and respond to reconnaissance attempts promptly. Countries with significant internet infrastructure and critical industries may be more likely to observe such activity. Given the low severity and lack of exploitation, the suggested severity is low. Defenders should treat these alerts as early warnings and maintain vigilance against potential escalation.
GuLoader, a malware downloader active since 2019, primarily delivers RATs and information stealers. It employs sophisticated anti-analysis techniques, including polymorphic code for dynamic constant construction and complex exception-based control flow obfuscation. The malware has evolved to handle multiple exception types, making tracing its execution flow challenging. GuLoader uses dynamic hashing, encrypted strings, and stack-based string encryption to conceal critical information. It often hosts payloads on trusted cloud services to bypass reputation-based detection. The malware's consistent development and updating of anti-analysis techniques suggest it will remain a significant threat in the future.
A recent supply chain attack targeting EmEditor users has been uncovered, involving watering hole tactics. The investigation reveals multiple domains masquerading as EmEditor-related sites, all registered through NameSilo LLC in December 2025. The domains resolve to various IP addresses, with some changes observed in February 2026. Additional domains with similar patterns were discovered, along with peculiar HTTP header behavior. A potential early stage of the campaign was identified, sharing similar characteristics with the initial report. The attackers continued their activities even after exposure, utilizing PowerShell scripts and various domains for command and control purposes. The analysis provides a comprehensive list of indicators, including domain names, IP addresses, and file hashes associated with the attack.
As only data exfiltration for extortion no longer delivers ROI, ransomware gangs may increasingly encrypting data for additional leverage. The post Ransomware Groups May Pivot Back to Encryption as Data Theft Tactics Falter appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Romania’s national oil pipeline operator, Conpet, experienced a cyberattack that disrupted its IT systems and took its website offline, although operational technology systems controlling the pipeline remained unaffected. The attack highlights the risk to critical infrastructure organizations from cyber threats targeting their IT environments. No known exploits are currently active in the wild, and the severity is assessed as medium. The incident underscores the importance of securing IT systems that support critical infrastructure to prevent operational disruptions and reputational damage. European organizations in the energy sector should be vigilant and enhance their cyber defenses accordingly.
