Hackers linked to Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service exploited previously patched vulnerabilities in iOS and Android devices to target visitors of multiple websites, including a site celebrating American independence and a luxury UK hotel near sensitive government institutions. The attackers used JavaScript injection, proxy domains, and a compromised Ukrainian web analytics service to deliver three zero-click exploit chains, including the DarkSword iOS exploit kit. The attacks aimed to steal browser cookies, Wi-Fi passwords, and device data from diplomatic and high-profile targets related to Ukraine.
A large-scale watering hole campaign attributed with moderate-to-high confidence to APT29 targets mobile devices by compromising legitimate websites, impersonating high-profile domains, and supply-chain compromising a Ukrainian analytics service. The campaign uses injected JavaScript to profile devices and deliver platform-specific n-day exploits against iOS and Android. Exploited vulnerabilities include multiple CVEs from 2024 to 2026. The final payloads exfiltrate sensitive data such as browser cookies, Wi-Fi passwords, and device information without establishing persistence, consistent with intelligence-gathering objectives.
Seven months after initial disclosure, the Coruna iOS exploit framework continues to evolve, now deploying two distinct chains based on device operating system version. Targets running iOS 17.2.1 or earlier receive the legacy Coruna framework, while later builds receive DarkSword-derived chains. Analysis identified 608 domains delivering Coruna-family code, with 93 sites mapping to 21 distinct tracking collectors. Distribution spans dating portals, AI-companion platforms, cryptocurrency promotions, media streaming services, and compromised legitimate sites. The attack requires no user interaction beyond loading a webpage, operating through hidden iframes that deploy browser exploits leading to native code execution. Recovered modules include kernel memory manipulation, code-signing enforcement changes, process memory access, encrypted command-and-control communication, and cleanup routines. One delivery vector involves compromised npm packages, enabling legitimate websites to serve exploits through their o...
The DarkSword/Coruna iOS exploitation platform was found exposed via open directories on five hosts, revealing an active commercial exploitation-as-a-service operation targeting cryptocurrency wallets. The platform extracts BIP39 recovery phrases from 18 different wallet applications and automates theft. Analysis uncovered victim data and an agent/reseller model. A separate China-based operator uses identical tooling on independent infrastructure, indicating multiple threat actors. The infrastructure was actively polling Chinese iOS devices during analysis. Development targeting iOS 26 via CVE-2026-31001 was identified but not yet deployed.
Scammers have weaponized fake iPhone Duo preorder pages to deploy the DarkSword exploit chain against vulnerable iPhones. The fraudulent pages mimic Apple's design and offer a $500 voucher to lure victims, but simply opening the page in Safari triggers an exploitation attempt without requiring user interaction. The attack targets iPhones running unpatched iOS versions, attempting to bypass security protections and deploy a payload designed to steal saved credentials, cryptocurrency wallet data, notes, messages, contacts, and other sensitive information. The exploit leverages vulnerabilities previously disclosed by Google in March 2026 and patched by Apple. If successful, the payload establishes communication with command-and-control servers and can execute additional commands remotely while attempting to cover its tracks by deleting diagnostic reports.
