This analysis examines a multi-stage Windows malware campaign called SHADOW#REACTOR. The infection chain uses obfuscated VBS, PowerShell downloaders, and text-based payloads to deliver a Remcos RAT backdoor. Key features include fragmented text staging, .NET Reactor protection, reflective loading, and MSBuild abuse as a living-off-the-land binary. The campaign leverages complex obfuscation and in-memory execution to evade detection while establishing persistent remote access. Defensive recommendations focus on script execution monitoring, LOLBin abuse detection, and enhanced PowerShell logging to counter the sophisticated evasion techniques employed.
Threat actors exploited Cloudflare's free-tier infrastructure and Python environments to deploy AsyncRAT, demonstrating advanced evasion techniques. The attack begins with phishing emails containing Dropbox links to malicious files. It uses legitimate Python downloads and sophisticated code injection targeting explorer.exe. The campaign ensures persistence through multiple vectors, including startup folder scripts and WebDAV mounting. It abuses trusted infrastructure like Cloudflare to mask activities and evade detection. The attackers employ social engineering tactics, such as displaying legitimate PDF documents, to reduce suspicion. This campaign highlights the trend of abusing cloud services for malware delivery and execution, emphasizing the need for multi-layered security approaches.
In 2025, AI did not revolutionize cyber attacks as predicted. Instead, adversaries used AI to accelerate traditional tradecraft, focusing on speed and accessibility rather than new offensive capabilities. The article examines several case studies showcasing AI-generated scripts for credential theft and browser exploitation. These attacks, while faster and more accessible to less-skilled operators, still rely on familiar techniques detectable by basic security measures. The outlook for 2026 suggests continued AI-driven commoditization of tradecraft, with more templated attacks and improved phishing attempts. However, fundamental security practices remain effective against these evolving threats.
APT28 was seen impersonating popular webmail and VPN services, including Microsoft OWA, Google, and Sophos VPN portals. The post Russia’s APT28 Targeting Energy Research, Defense Collaboration Entities appeared first on SecurityWeek .
For the latest discoveries in cyber research for the week of 12th January, please download our Threat Intelligence Bulletin. TOP ATTACKS AND BREACHES Manage My Health, New Zealand’s largest patient portal, has acknowledged a cyberattack occurred on December 2025, that potentially exposed data of nearly 110K users. An alleged attacker, dubbed Kazu, claimed responsibility and […] The post 12th January – Threat Intelligence Report appeared first on Check Point Research .
The Knownsec leak exposes a state-aligned Chinese cyber contractor deeply integrated with national security and intelligence operations. Internal documents reveal Knownsec's role in developing offensive cyber capabilities, large-scale reconnaissance systems, and data fusion platforms for public security bureaus and military clients. Key products include ZoomEye for global IP scanning, GhostX for exploitation, and Passive Radar for covert network mapping. The leak provides unprecedented insight into Knownsec's organizational structure, personnel, and strategic targeting of foreign critical infrastructure, particularly in Taiwan and other Asian countries. It demonstrates how commercial entities like Knownsec function as core components of China's cyber-espionage ecosystem, blending state objectives with industrial-scale development of intrusion and surveillance technologies.
Other noteworthy stories that might have slipped under the radar: Jaguar Land Rover sales crash, hundreds of gen-AI data policy violations, and Chinese cyberattacks against Taiwan intensified. The post In Other News: 8,000 Ransomware Attacks, China Hacked US Gov Emails, IDHS Breach Impacts 700k appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The North Korean state-sponsored espionage group Kimsuky has targeted government organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. The post FBI: North Korean Spear-Phishing Attacks Use Malicious QR Codes appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Reverse engineers must have a good understanding of the environment where malware are executed (read: the operating system). In a previous diary, I talked about malicious code that could be executed when loading a DLL[1]. Today, I'll show you how a malware can hide suspicious information related to created processes.
UAT-7290, a sophisticated threat actor active since 2022, is targeting critical infrastructure entities in South Asia, particularly telecommunications providers. The group's arsenal includes malware families like RushDrop, DriveSwitch, SilentRaid, and Bulbature. UAT-7290 conducts extensive reconnaissance before intrusions, using one-day exploits and SSH brute force to compromise edge devices. The actor is believed to be a China-nexus APT, sharing similarities with APT10 and other known Chinese threat groups. UAT-7290 has recently expanded its targeting to Southeastern Europe and may establish Operational Relay Boxes for other China-nexus actors. Their malware suite primarily focuses on Linux systems but can also utilize Windows-based implants.
Between February and September 2025, BlueDelta, a Russian state-sponsored threat group linked to the GRU, conducted multiple credential-harvesting campaigns. The group targeted individuals associated with energy research, defense cooperation, and government communication networks in Turkey, Europe, North Macedonia, and Uzbekistan. BlueDelta impersonated legitimate webmail and VPN services, using free hosting and tunneling services to host phishing content and capture user data. The campaigns incorporated PDF lures and customized JavaScript to increase authenticity and operational efficiency. This activity demonstrates BlueDelta's continued focus on low-cost, high-yield methods for collecting information supporting Russian intelligence objectives.
A malicious WordPress plugin named 'Modern Recent Posts' has been discovered, targeting administrators with fake browser update pop-ups. The plugin injects malicious JavaScript from an external domain, only affecting logged-in administrators on Windows machines. The campaign uses social engineering tactics to trick users into downloading potential malware. The plugin includes persistence mechanisms and can self-update. This sophisticated attack demonstrates a focused approach on high-value targets, leveraging trust in security updates to compromise local machines. The malware's stealthy nature and targeted delivery system make it particularly dangerous for WordPress site owners.
The critical-severity vulnerability allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands. The post Hackers Exploit Zero-Day in Discontinued D-Link Devices appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The initial access broker (IAB) relies on credentials exfiltrated using information stealers to hack organizations. The post Dozens of Major Data Breaches Linked to Single Threat Actor appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Recently, a new "breed" of IP-based KVM devices has been released. In the past, IP-based KVM devices required dedicated "server-grade" hardware using IPMI. They often cost several $100 per server, and are only available for specific systems that support the respective add-on cards. These cards are usually used to provide "Lights Out" access to servers, allowing a complete reboot and interaction with the pre-boot environment via simple web-based tools. In some cases, these IPMI tools can also be used via various enterprise/data center management tools.
Hackers have compromised a file transfer system at Sedgwick’s subsidiary that serves government agencies. The post Sedgwick Confirms Cyberattack on Government Subsidiary appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The 2-million-device-strong botnet allows monetization through DDoS attacks, app installs, and the selling of proxy bandwidth. The post Kimwolf Android Botnet Grows Through Residential Proxy Networks appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The RondoDox botnet is actively exploiting the React2Shell vulnerability to compromise thousands of unpatched devices. This threat leverages a known code execution flaw to hijack vulnerable systems, primarily targeting those that have not applied available patches. While exploitation in the wild is not yet widely confirmed, the botnet's activity indicates a growing risk of large-scale device compromise. European organizations with unpatched infrastructure are at risk of device hijacking, leading to potential service disruption and data integrity issues. The threat is medium severity but could escalate if exploitation becomes widespread. Mitigation requires immediate patching of affected systems and enhanced network monitoring for unusual botnet-related traffic. Countries with high IoT and enterprise device usage, especially those with historically targeted sectors, are more likely to be affected. The threat does not require user interaction but targets unpatched systems, increasing its potential impact. Defenders should prioritize vulnerability management and incident response readiness to mitigate this evolving botnet threat.
