Ledger has requested that resellers and distributors in several Asian countries suspend sales and remove their wallets from shelves due to an ongoing investigation into device tampering linked to a supply-chain attack.
Cisco Talos identified a Chinese-speaking cybercrime group, UAT-10147, conducting large-scale attacks against Windows and Linux web servers globally. The group exploits publicly disclosed vulnerabilities to gain initial access and integrates AI-driven tools to automate exploitation, reconnaissance, payload generation, validation, and persistence. Targets include organizations in government, education, media, technology, and gaming sectors across Brazil, Bolivia, China, Canada, and Vietnam. The actor deploys malware for SEO fraud and data theft, using multiple open-source offensive frameworks and privilege escalation tools. The infection chains involve multi-stage scripts that evade detection and establish persistence via backdoors and rogue accounts. Talos assesses this as a financially motivated campaign leveraging semi-autonomous AI orchestration to scale complex intrusions efficiently.
OkoBot is a malicious framework delivering over 20 payloads aimed at stealing cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, credentials, and sensitive data. It spreads via ClickFix attacks and trojanized GitHub repositories. The infection chain involves multiple stages, starting with a PowerShell script that installs an SSH bot to collect system info and disable Windows Defender notifications. Key modules include browser injectors, fake seed phrase prompts targeting hardware wallets, keyloggers, and spyware that records video and keystrokes. The campaign has been active since early 2025 with a global reach, primarily impacting Brazil, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. Indicators of compromise and detailed telemetry are available from Kaspersky. No official patch or remediation is noted.
In January 2026, researchers identified a sophisticated malware framework dubbed OkoBot that targets cryptocurrency users through a multi-stage infection chain. The campaign begins with TookPS PowerShell scripts delivered via ClickFix attacks or fake software on GitHub. An automated SSH bot deploys over 20 malicious modules including HDUtil launcher, browser extension injectors installing Rilide stealer, and specialized tools like SeedHunter for wallet seed phrase theft and OkoSpyware for window capture. The framework uses VMProtect obfuscation, UAC bypass techniques, and maintains persistence through RDP access and scheduled tasks. Victims span more than 25 countries with concentrations in Brazil, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. Attribution suggests Russian-speaking threat actors based on geoblocking patterns and Russian language artifacts.
An ongoing malware campaign is targeting WhatsApp users in multiple countries with deceptive messages that push VBScript files, leading to remote system access. [...]
A malware-as-a-service campaign named Weedhack targets Minecraft users by distributing malicious Java JAR files via SEO poisoning and YouTube videos. The malware steals credentials, system information, and can remotely control infected systems. It is notable for its ease of access, free tier, and appeal to younger users, with infections primarily in the U. S.and several other countries. Additionally, a large CountLoader campaign spreads cryptocurrency clipper malware via cracked software, and a separate campaign distributes cryptocurrency miners through pirated content sites. These campaigns leverage sophisticated persistence and evasion techniques and have been active since early 2026.
A sophisticated CHM-based malware campaign has been identified targeting Vietnamese victims through a trojanized CV document. The infection chain utilizes a compiled HTML file that deploys a multi-stage payload delivery mechanism involving Python interpreters, C++ DLLs, and layered XOR encryption. The malware establishes persistence through Shell hijacking and scheduled tasks, ultimately delivering a weaponized version of Rebex.Common.dll functioning as a Telegram-based remote access trojan. The RAT communicates via Telegram bot API, supporting commands for file download, token swapping, and arbitrary command execution. The infection demonstrates characteristics typical of targeted state-sponsored activity rather than opportunistic cybercrime, employing techniques historically associated with advanced threat actors operating in the Southeast Asian region.
Silver Fox, a threat actor, is exploiting Japan's tax filing and organizational change season with a targeted spearphishing campaign against Japanese businesses. The group sends convincing phishing emails related to tax compliance, salary adjustments, and HR matters, tricking recipients into opening malicious links or attachments. The campaign capitalizes on the high volume of legitimate financial and HR communications during this period, increasing the risk of compromise. Silver Fox has expanded its targets from Chinese-speaking entities to Southeast Asia, Japan, and potentially North America. The group uses ValleyRAT, a remote access trojan, to gain control of compromised machines and steal sensitive information. To protect against this threat, organizations should increase vigilance, reinforce awareness about phishing attempts, and verify the authenticity of tax- and HR-themed requests.
The state-sponsored hackers deployed custom tools and stayed dormant in the compromised environments for months. The post China-Linked Hackers Hit Asian Militaries in Patient Espionage Operation appeared first on SecurityWeek .
The social media giant has disabled more than 150,000 accounts powering scam centers in Asia. The post Meta Launches New Protection Tools as It Helps Disrupt Scam Centers appeared first on SecurityWeek .
Check Point Research has identified a Chinese-nexus advanced persistent threat group named Silver Dragon, targeting organizations in Southeast Asia and Europe since mid-2024. The group, likely operating under APT41, exploits public-facing servers and uses phishing emails for initial access. They deploy custom tools including GearDoor, a backdoor using Google Drive for command and control, SSHcmd for remote access, and SilverScreen for covert screen monitoring. Silver Dragon primarily focuses on government entities, utilizing Cobalt Strike beacons and DNS tunneling for communication. The group's sophisticated tactics and evolving toolkit demonstrate a well-resourced and adaptable threat actor.
Key Findings Introduction In recent months, Check Point Research (CPR) has been tracking a sophisticated, Chinese-aligned threat group whose activity demonstrates operational correlation with campaigns previously associated with APT41. We have designated this activity cluster as Silver Dragon. This group actively targets organizations in Southeast Asia and Europe, with a particular focus on government entities. […] The post Silver Dragon Targets Organizations in Southeast Asia and Europe appeared first on Check Point Research .
The UNC2814 threat actor, active since at least 2017, has been conducting a Chinese cyberespionage campaign targeting telecommunications companies and government organizations across 42 countries. Google recently disrupted this campaign, which focused on espionage activities rather than destructive attacks. The threat actor's operations involve sophisticated techniques to infiltrate and maintain persistence within targeted networks. Although no specific vulnerabilities or exploits have been publicly disclosed, the campaign's longevity and broad geographic scope highlight its strategic nature. The medium severity rating reflects the espionage focus, limited public exploit details, and absence of widespread destructive impact. Organizations in telecommunications and government sectors worldwide should remain vigilant against such advanced persistent threats. Mitigation requires enhanced threat detection, network segmentation, and intelligence sharing. Countries with significant telecom infrastructure and geopolitical interest in China are at higher risk. Overall, this campaign underscores the ongoing cyberespionage risks posed by state-sponsored actors targeting critical sectors globally.
In January 2026, a new variant of the PlugX malware was observed being used in targeted attacks. Analysis suggests involvement of the UNC6384 APT group, linked to Mustang Panda, targeting government agencies in Southeast Asia. The malware uses a browser updater disguise to download and execute a malicious MSI file, leading to PlugX infection. The STATICPLUGIN downloader uses a revoked code-signing certificate from a Chinese company. The PlugX variant employs DLL sideloading and shellcode execution techniques. Its configuration is encrypted using RC4 and custom encoding. C2 servers were identified as fruitbrat[.]com and 108.165.255[.]97:443. The ongoing improvements to PlugX indicate its continued use in targeted attacks by APT groups.
The malware leverages Gemini to analyze on-screen elements and ensure that it remains on the device even after a reboot. The post PromptSpy Android Malware Abuses Gemini AI at Runtime for Persistence appeared first on SecurityWeek .
This intelligence report details a hybrid cryptocurrency investment scam campaign targeting users in Asia, particularly Japan. The scam combines malvertising techniques to attract victims with pig butchering tactics using AI-powered chatbots for sustained engagement. Victims are lured through social media ads impersonating financial experts, directed to lure websites, and then to messaging apps where automated bots manipulate them into making increasingly large investments. The campaign uses over 23,000 domains, many generated algorithmically, and shows signs of expanding globally. This approach represents a scalable, automated evolution of traditional investment fraud methods, potentially transforming labor-intensive scams into more efficient operations.
UAT-8099 is a malware campaign active from August 2025 to early 2026 targeting vulnerable IIS servers, primarily in Asia, with a focus on Thailand and Vietnam. It uses web shells, PowerShell scripts, and the GotoHTTP tool to maintain persistent remote access. New BadIIS malware variants show enhanced persistence, regional customization, and SEO fraud capabilities, with a Linux ELF variant indicating cross-platform targeting. The campaign shares infrastructure with the WEBJACK campaign, suggesting operational overlap. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, advanced evasion and persistence techniques pose risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. European organizations with exposed IIS servers, especially those with business ties to Asia, should be vigilant. Targeted detection of web shells, PowerShell abuse, and monitoring for GotoHTTP traffic are critical mitigations. Germany, France, and the UK are most likely affected due to IIS usage and strategic interests in Asia.
Operation Hanoi Thief is a spear-phishing campaign targeting Vietnamese IT professionals and recruitment teams. It uses malicious ZIP files containing fake resumes and LNK files that execute a pseudo-polyglot payload. This payload deploys a C++ DLL implant named LOTUSHARVEST via DLL sideloading, which steals browser credentials and history. The stolen data is exfiltrated to attacker-controlled servers. The campaign uses anti-analysis techniques and abuses trusted Windows tools to evade detection. While it shares similarities with Chinese-origin campaigns, state sponsorship is not confirmed. The attack primarily affects Vietnam's IT and recruitment sectors, with no known exploits in the wild beyond spear-phishing. The campaign poses a medium severity threat due to its targeted nature and credential theft capabilities. European organizations are not directly targeted but could be at risk if similar tactics spread. Mitigation requires focused user training, monitoring for DLL sideloading, and blocking known indicators of compromise.
A Chinese-speaking threat actor group, tracked as CL-UNK-1037, has been conducting a large-scale SEO poisoning campaign called Operation Rewrite. The attackers use a malicious IIS module named BadIIS to intercept and alter web traffic on compromised servers, manipulating search engine results to redirect users to malicious sites. The campaign primarily targets East and Southeast Asia, with a focus on Vietnam. The attackers employ various tools including native IIS modules, ASP.NET handlers, and PHP scripts. The operation shows links to previously known threat groups like Group 9 and possibly DragonRank. The campaign demonstrates sophisticated techniques for search result manipulation and traffic redirection, posing significant risks to unsuspecting internet users.
A sophisticated Android banking trojan named RedHook has been discovered targeting Vietnamese users through spoofed government and financial websites. The malware uses WebSocket to communicate with its command-and-control server and supports over 30 remote commands, enabling complete control over compromised devices. RedHook combines phishing, RAT, and keylogging capabilities to exfiltrate credentials and conduct fraud. It abuses Android's MediaProjection API for screen capture and sends data to a live C2 server. The malware's low antivirus detection rate makes it a stealthy and active threat. Code artifacts suggest development by a Chinese-speaking threat actor or group. An exposed AWS S3 bucket revealed operational data dating back to November 2024, indicating a shift from previous scam campaigns to this advanced banking trojan.
