Unit 42 researchers identified a new wave of Prometei botnet attacks in March 2025. The malware, which includes Linux and Windows variants, allows remote control of compromised systems for cryptocurrency mining and credential theft. Prometei is actively developed, incorporating new modules and methods, including a backdoor for various malicious activities. It uses a domain generation algorithm for C2 infrastructure and self-updating features for evasion. The article analyzes versions three and four of the Linux variant, highlighting differences from version two. Prometei's modular architecture makes it highly adaptable, with components for brute-forcing credentials, exploiting vulnerabilities, mining cryptocurrency, stealing data, and C2 communication. The botnet's primary goal is Monero mining, but it also has secondary capabilities like credential theft and deploying additional malware payloads.
CyberEye is a modular, .NET-based Remote Access Trojan that utilizes Telegram for Command and Control, eliminating the need for attackers to maintain their own infrastructure. It offers a wide array of surveillance and data theft capabilities, including keylogging, file grabbing, and clipboard hijacking. The malware employs advanced defense evasion techniques, disabling Windows Defender through PowerShell and registry manipulations. Its modules harvest browser credentials, Wi-Fi passwords, gaming profiles, and session data from various applications. The builder framework allows adversaries to customize payloads, making it accessible to less technically skilled threat actors. CyberEye's persistence mechanisms, anti-analysis features, and use of public messaging platforms for C2 make it a significant threat to both consumers and enterprises.
The UNC1151 threat actor is conducting a spearphishing campaign exploiting a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-42009) in the Roundcube webmail client. Malicious JavaScript embedded in phishing emails installs a stealthy Service Worker in victims' browsers upon opening the email, intercepting login credentials and exfiltrating them without further user interaction. A second vulnerability (CVE-2025-49113) may be chained to increase persistence and impact. Stolen credentials enable attackers to access mailboxes, harvest address books, and propagate phishing internally, facilitating lateral movement. The campaign primarily targets Polish organizations but also threatens neighboring Central European countries with significant Roundcube deployments. Organizations are urged to patch vulnerabilities, monitor for unusual Service Worker activity, enforce multi-factor authentication, and enhance email filtering to mitigate risks.
A new Go-based Linux botnet named PumaBot has been identified targeting IoT devices, particularly surveillance systems. It brute-forces SSH credentials using lists from a C2 server, then deploys itself and establishes persistence. The malware disguises itself as legitimate system files, creates systemd services, and adds SSH keys for backdoor access. It also includes components for credential theft and system monitoring. The botnet demonstrates sophisticated evasion techniques and aims for long-term access to compromised devices.
A sophisticated phishing campaign has been identified that leverages Google Apps Script to create a false sense of security. The attack begins with an email masquerading as an invoice, containing a link to a webpage hosted on Google's trusted environment. When clicked, the link redirects to a fake invoice page, followed by a fraudulent login window designed to capture credentials. The use of Google's domain (script.google.com) adds credibility to the scam, making it more likely for users to fall victim. Once credentials are entered, they are transmitted to the attacker, and the user is redirected to a legitimate Microsoft login page to avoid suspicion. This technique demonstrates how threat actors are exploiting trusted platforms to make their attacks more convincing and effective.
A sophisticated campaign using typo-squatted 'Spectrum' domains has been uncovered, spreading a new Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) variant. The attack, disguised as a CAPTCHA verification, employs dynamic payloads based on the victim's operating system. For macOS users, a malicious shell script steals system passwords and downloads an AMOS variant. The script uses native macOS commands to harvest credentials, bypass security, and execute malicious binaries. Russian-language comments in the source code suggest involvement of Russian-speaking cybercriminals. The campaign's delivery sites show flawed logic, indicating hasty assembly. This multi-platform social engineering attack targets both consumer and corporate users, highlighting an increasing trend in cross-platform threats.
This analysis explores the connections between two Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platforms: Tycoon2FA and Dadsec. The investigation reveals shared infrastructure and operational similarities, suggesting a common origin or adaptation. The report details the evolving tactics of Tycoon2FA, including its use of Cloudflare Turnstile, anti-analysis techniques, and sophisticated phishing pages. Key findings include the rapid expansion of Tycoon2FA's infrastructure, with thousands of new phishing pages detected since July 2024. The analysis also uncovers the platform's advanced features, such as MFA bypass capabilities and real-time credential interception. The report emphasizes the growing threat posed by PhaaS platforms and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in cybersecurity defenses.
A malicious campaign utilizing VenomRAT, a Remote Access Trojan, is analyzed. The attackers use a fake Bitdefender download website to spread malware, including VenomRAT, StormKitty, and SilentTrinity. These tools work together to provide initial access, steal credentials, and maintain long-term hidden access. The campaign's infrastructure includes multiple command and control servers and phishing sites impersonating banks and IT services. The analysis reveals the attackers' focus on harvesting financial credentials and crypto wallets while establishing persistent access for potential exploitation or sale. This campaign highlights the growing trend of sophisticated, modular malware built from open-source components, posing a significant threat to everyday internet users.
Zanubis is an evolving Android banking Trojan that emerged in 2022, targeting financial institutions in Peru before expanding to virtual cards and crypto wallets. It impersonates legitimate apps to trick users into granting accessibility permissions, enabling extensive data theft and device control. The malware has undergone significant development, incorporating features like SMS hijacking, screen recording, and device credential stealing. Recent versions show improved obfuscation, encryption, and silent installation techniques. The threat actors, likely based in Peru, continue to refine the malware's capabilities and targeting strategy, focusing on high-value financial targets in the region.
ESET collaborated with Microsoft and other partners in a global operation to disrupt Lumma Stealer, a prominent malware-as-a-service infostealer. ESET's contribution involved analyzing tens of thousands of malware samples to extract key data like C&C servers and affiliate identifiers. The operation targeted Lumma Stealer's infrastructure, aiming to render its exfiltration network nonoperational. Lumma Stealer had been actively developed and maintained by its operators, with regular updates to its code and network infrastructure. It employed various anti-analysis techniques and targeted a wide range of data, including credentials from browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, and other applications.
PupkinStealer is a newly identified .NET-based information-stealing malware that extracts sensitive data like web browser passwords and app session tokens, exfiltrating it via Telegram. It targets Chromium-based browsers, Telegram, and Discord, focusing on credential theft and session hijacking. The malware performs minimal system discovery, collects files from the desktop, and captures a screenshot. It packages stolen data into a ZIP archive and sends it to the attacker through Telegram's Bot API. PupkinStealer doesn't employ persistence mechanisms, relying on quick execution and low-profile behavior. Its primary evasion technique is leveraging legitimate Telegram infrastructure for communication.
As artificial intelligence (AI) surges into mainstream adoption, millions of users turn daily to AI-powered tools for content creation—from generating art and music to transforming photos into videos. But amid this excitement, cybercriminals have uncovered a potent new lure: fake AI platforms promising cutting-edge content generation in exchange for user uploads.
The article discusses updates to the OtterCookie malware utilized by the North Korea-linked attack group WaterPlum. The malware has evolved through four versions, with v3 and v4 being the focus. OtterCookie v3 introduced Windows support and enhanced file collection capabilities. Version 4 added new Stealer modules for credential theft, improved virtual environment detection, and modified clipboard stealing methods. The malware now targets various file types, including those related to cryptocurrencies, and has sophisticated methods for stealing browser credentials. The continuous updates to OtterCookie demonstrate WaterPlum's active development efforts, posing an ongoing threat to financial institutions and cryptocurrency operators worldwide.
Russian government-backed threat group COLDRIVER has developed a new malware called LOSTKEYS, capable of stealing files and system information. The group targets high-profile individuals, NGOs, and former intelligence officers through credential phishing and malware delivery. LOSTKEYS is delivered through a multi-step infection chain, starting with a fake CAPTCHA and involving PowerShell commands. The malware evades detection in VMs and uses a substitution cipher for decoding. COLDRIVER's primary goal is intelligence collection for Russia's strategic interests, targeting Western governments, militaries, journalists, and Ukraine-related individuals. The group has been linked to hack-and-leak campaigns in the UK and against NGOs.
A sophisticated cyber-attack campaign has been identified, combining phishing techniques targeting Office365 credentials with malware delivery. The attackers use a file deletion reminder as a pretext, exploiting a legitimate file-sharing service to appear more credible. Upon opening a shared PDF file, users are presented with two hyperlinks: 'Preview' leads to a fake Microsoft login page for credential theft, while 'Download' initiates the installation of ConnectWise RAT malware. The malware establishes persistence through system services and registry modifications. This dual-threat approach emphasizes the need for user vigilance and education in recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious emails.
Kaspersky researchers have discovered a new version of the Triada Trojan being distributed through infected Android device firmware. The malware is embedded into system files before devices are sold, making it nearly impossible to remove. It infects the Zygote process to compromise all apps on the device. The Trojan's modular architecture allows attackers to deliver targeted payloads for stealing cryptocurrency, credentials, and other sensitive data from popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and banking apps. It can also intercept SMS messages, make calls, and act as a reverse proxy. Over 4,500 infected devices have been detected worldwide, with the highest numbers in Russia, UK, Netherlands, Germany and Brazil. The attackers have stolen over $264,000 in cryptocurrency so far.