Infostealers remain among the most pervasive cybercrime threats, silently harvesting passwords, cookies, and session tokens that enable enterprise breaches. StealC is a malware-as-a-service infostealer written in C++ that collects credentials from browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, messaging applications, email clients, and gaming platforms while functioning as a secondary loader. Amadey operates as a modular backdoor loader active since 2018, delivering downstream payloads including StealC, Lumma Stealer, and ransomware through various backdoor commands. Both operate on commodity rental models where stolen credentials flow through underground markets to access brokers who resell enterprise access. On June 24, 2026, Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit coordinated with Europol to disrupt over 200 malicious command-and-control domains supporting these operations, using AI-assisted analysis tools including Microsoft Copilot for binary analysis and configuration extraction.
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.
IBM X-Force discovered a likely AI-generated malware named 'Slopoly' used in a ransomware attack by the Hive0163 group. This marks the beginning of AI adoption among cybercrime groups, potentially transforming the threat landscape. Slopoly, while relatively unsophisticated, demonstrates how easily threat actors can use AI to develop new malware quickly. The attack involved ClickFix social engineering, NodeSnake malware, and InterlockRAT, culminating in the deployment of Interlock ransomware. This incident highlights the growing trend of AI-generated and AI-integrated malware, which could lead to more ephemeral and difficult-to-attribute attacks, challenging traditional threat intelligence methods.
A new malware-as-a-service (MaaS) called TrustConnect has been discovered masquerading as a legitimate remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool. The malware, classified as a remote access trojan (RAT), uses a fake business website as its command and control center and MaaS portal. Priced at $300 per month, it offers features like a web-based C2 dashboard, automated payload generation with digital signatures, and remote desktop capabilities. The malware has been distributed through various email campaigns, often alongside legitimate RMM tools. Proofpoint researchers identified links between TrustConnect's creator and previous users of Redline stealer. The emergence of this new MaaS demonstrates the ongoing evolution of the cybercrime market and the thriving ecosystem of RMM abuse.
DragonForce, a ransomware group that emerged in late 2023, has become a significant cyber threat. They employ a dual-extortion strategy, encrypting and exfiltrating data, and have targeted various sectors, particularly manufacturing and construction. The group offers a flexible ransomware-as-a-service platform with advanced features, supporting multiple platforms and encryption modes. DragonForce has announced a shift to a cartel model, allowing affiliates to create their own brands. They've also introduced automated registration for new affiliates and a 'Company Data Audit' service to enhance extortion campaigns. The group has engaged in conflicts with rival ransomware operations and claims to have formed a coalition with other major groups. While their connection to DragonForce Malaysia remains unsubstantiated, technical analysis reveals similarities with other ransomware families and sophisticated attack techniques.
A Microsoft Teams voice-phishing campaign leveraging Quick Assist, a remote administration tool, was tracked in September 2025. The campaign uses help desk scams to gain initial access, followed by user group enumeration and the execution of a PowerShell script to download a command and control payload. The attack employs AMSI bypass, encrypted communications, and a web-socket remote access trojan. Multiple Microsoft 365 tenants with IT-related subdomains were used, along with various IPs and domains for C2 infrastructure. The campaign shows similarities to Storm-1811 and PhantomCaptcha activities, suggesting a complex cybercrime ecosystem. The attackers' ultimate goal may be ransomware deployment, although observed attempts were successfully blocked.
A multi-domain traffic distribution system (TDS) operation was discovered, centered around the domain toxicsnake-wifes.com. The infrastructure serves as a commodity cybercrime TDS farm, routing victims to phishing, scams, or malware payloads. The operation uses a first-stage JavaScript loader, followed by a second-stage that attempts to fetch upstream payloads. The cluster shares common WHOIS, DNS, and hosting patterns, indicative of bulletproof VPS usage. Multiple burner domains with similar tradecraft were identified, suggesting an organized operator cluster. The infrastructure employs obfuscation, dynamic remote injection, and disposable registration techniques. While the main payload was unreachable during analysis, historical evidence suggests the delivery of malicious content.
TA584, a prominent initial access broker targeting organizations globally, demonstrated significant changes in attack strategies throughout 2025. The actor expanded its global targeting, adopted ClickFix social engineering techniques, and began delivering new malware called Tsundere Bot. TA584's operational tempo increased, with monthly campaigns tripling from March to December. The actor uses various delivery methods via email, often sending from compromised individual accounts. TA584's campaigns now feature rapid succession and overlapping, with distinct lure themes and short operational lifespans. The actor has shown adaptability in social engineering, brand impersonation, and payload delivery, making static detection less effective. Recent payloads include XWorm with the 'P0WER' configuration and the newly observed Tsundere Bot, both likely part of Malware-as-a-Service offerings.
A Vietnamese threat actor is employing AI to develop code for an ongoing phishing campaign delivering PureRAT malware and other payloads. The attacks begin with phishing emails disguised as job opportunities, potentially targeting work computers. The attacker's use of AI is evidenced by detailed comments and numbered steps in scripts, as well as instructions in debug messages. The attack chain involves malicious archives, sideloaded DLLs, and batch scripts likely authored using AI. The attacker appears to be continually refining their methods and may be selling access to compromised organizations. This case demonstrates how AI can lower the barrier to entry for less skilled attackers, helping them write code and build attack toolkits.
An analysis of Chinese hosting environments identified over 18,000 active malware command-and-control (C2) servers distributed across 48 infrastructure providers, with China Unicom hosting nearly half. The majority of malicious activity is C2 infrastructure (84%), followed by phishing (13%). Key malware families such as Mozi, ARL, and Cobalt Strike dominate C2 activity, supporting both cybercrime and state-linked operations. High-trust networks like China169 Backbone and CERNET are exploited, revealing persistent abuse patterns and infrastructure reuse across campaigns.
RedVDS, a virtual dedicated server provider, has been utilized by multiple financially motivated threat actors for business email compromise, phishing, account takeover, and financial fraud. The service offers inexpensive Windows-based RDP servers with full administrator control, attracting cybercriminals worldwide. Microsoft's investigation revealed a global network targeting multiple sectors across various countries. RedVDS uses a single, cloned Windows host image, leaving unique technical fingerprints. The service operates through cryptocurrency payments and supports various digital currencies. Microsoft's analysis uncovered the infrastructure, provisioning methods, and tools deployed on RedVDS hosts, including mass mailers, email harvesters, privacy tools, and automation scripts.
A hacker known as "James" leaked the complete user database of BreachForums, a major Dark Web forum for stolen data trading and hacking discussions. The breach exposes detailed user metadata including usernames, hashed passwords, emails, IP addresses, and PGP keys, affecting over 320,000 users and potentially aiding law enforcement investigations. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in cybercriminal infrastructure and provides actionable intelligence on key threat actors and forum operators.
GOLD SALEM is a financially motivated cybercrime group deploying Warlock ransomware through sophisticated tradecraft, including exploiting SharePoint vulnerabilities for initial access. Over six months and 11 incidents, they targeted IT, industrial, and technology sectors using ransomware variants such as Warlock, LockBit, and Babuk. Their operations involve advanced techniques like zero-day exploitation and repurposing legitimate tools (Velociraptor, VMTools AV killer, Cloudflared) to evade detection and maintain persistence. Executables are often named after victim organizations, indicating targeted attacks. While evidence suggests possible Chinese origins, the group primarily pursues financial gain. The threat poses a medium severity risk but demonstrates capabilities that could escalate impact if defenses are weak. European organizations in critical infrastructure and technology sectors should be vigilant against these tactics.
A sophisticated phishing campaign targets Booking.com hotel partners and their customers by compromising hotel administrators' systems with malware such as PureRAT. Attackers gain access to booking management accounts and use spear-phishing emails impersonating Booking.com to trick guests into paying twice for reservations. The campaign employs social engineering tactics, malicious sites, and a complex infrastructure involving compromised legitimate websites and bulletproof hosting. This operation is part of a broader cybercrime ecosystem offering specialized services to facilitate attacks on booking platforms. The threat impacts the confidentiality and financial integrity of hotel bookings and customer payments. European hospitality businesses relying on Booking.com, especially in countries with large tourism sectors, are at risk. Mitigation requires targeted security controls on hotel admin systems, user awareness training, and monitoring for unusual booking activities.
The German hosting provider aurologic GmbH has become a critical infrastructure hub for multiple high-risk and sanctioned cybercrime networks, including entities involved in disinformation and malware campaigns. Despite public scrutiny and sanctions, aurologic continues to provide upstream transit services, enabling threat actors to maintain operational stability. The provider's approach to abuse handling is reactive and legally compliant rather than proactive, allowing malicious infrastructure to persist. This situation highlights challenges in accountability within the hosting ecosystem and the risks posed by infrastructure neutrality when it enables cybercrime. Numerous suspicious domains linked to aurologic-hosted networks have been identified, associated with malware families and threat actor tools. European organizations, especially in Germany, face increased risks due to this infrastructure's stability and continued operation. Mitigation requires enhanced monitoring of traffic from these domains, collaboration with upstream providers, and pressure on hosting providers to adopt proactive abuse prevention. Countries with significant internet infrastructure and cybercrime targets in Europe are most likely to be affected.
Cybercriminals are targeting trucking and logistics companies to steal cargo freight through elaborate attack chains. They compromise companies and use their access to bid on cargo shipments, which they then steal and sell. The threat actors typically deliver remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools as a first-stage payload. This cyber-enabled theft is part of a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise that has increased due to digital transformation. The attackers use tactics such as compromising load boards, email thread hijacking, and direct targeting via email campaigns. They deliver RMM tools like ScreenConnect, SimpleHelp, and PDQ Connect, which grant full control of compromised machines. The activity has been observed since at least June 2025, with nearly two dozen campaigns in the last two months alone.
TA585 is a sophisticated cybercriminal threat actor that operates its entire attack chain, from infrastructure to email delivery and malware installation. The actor demonstrates innovation in the evolving cybercrime landscape, using unique web injection campaigns and complex filtering techniques. TA585 frequently delivers MonsterV2, a versatile malware with remote access trojan, loader, and stealer capabilities. MonsterV2 is used by multiple threat actors and avoids infecting computers in Commonwealth of Independent States countries. The malware is actively maintained and updated, with pricing ranging from $800 to $2,000 per month. TA585's campaigns often involve compromised websites, fake CAPTCHAs, and GitHub-themed attacks to deliver various payloads.
A Chinese-speaking cybercrime group, UAT-8099, is targeting high-value Internet Information Services (IIS) servers for search engine optimization fraud and data theft. The group focuses on reputable servers in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Canada, and Brazil, affecting universities, tech firms, and telecom providers. UAT-8099 uses web shells, hacking tools, Cobalt Strike, and BadIIS malware to manipulate search rankings and maintain persistence. They exploit weak file upload settings, enable guest accounts, and use RDP for access. The group also steals valuable credentials, configuration files, and certificates. New BadIIS variants with low detection rates and Chinese debug strings have been identified. The attackers employ SEO techniques like backlinking and inject malicious JavaScript to redirect users to fraudulent websites.
The SystemBC botnet, composed of over 80 C2s and 1,500 daily victims, primarily targets VPS systems from commercial providers. It creates proxies enabling high volumes of malicious traffic for various criminal threat groups. The network is used by multiple proxy services, including REM Proxy, which offers tiered packages for different cybercriminal needs. SystemBC's infrastructure allows for massive data transfers, with some bots generating over 16 GB of proxy data in 24 hours. The botnet is used for various malicious activities, including brute-forcing WordPress credentials, web-scraping, and supporting ransomware operations. The report highlights the evolving nature of proxy services in the cybercriminal ecosystem and their role in facilitating large-scale attacks.
Proofpoint researchers have observed an increase in cybercriminals using Stealerium-based malware, an open-source infostealer available on GitHub. Multiple stealers share code with Stealerium, including Phantom Stealer. Campaigns delivering Stealerium have used various lures and file types, targeting industries like hospitality, education, and finance. The malware can exfiltrate a wide range of data, including browser credentials, credit card info, and crypto wallet data. It uses anti-analysis techniques and can exfiltrate data through multiple channels like SMTP, Discord, and Telegram. The rise in Stealerium usage reflects the growing trend of threat actors pivoting to information stealers as identity theft becomes a priority.
