Multiple vulnerabilities in Plex Media Server version 1.43.2 and earlier are actively exploited in the wild to achieve remote code execution. Attackers chain four CVEs to deploy the XMRig cryptominer and a proxy tool named myawesomeproxy. Exploitation attempts began on October 17, 2026, with malicious payloads downloaded from known IP addresses. The proxy software may enable threat actors to use residential IPs to access corporate VPNs and email systems. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available via the plex2shell project. No official patch or remediation information is currently provided.
This investigation uncovered new tools and techniques used by the Curly COMrades threat actor to establish covert, long-term access to victim networks. The attackers exploited Hyper-V virtualization on compromised Windows 10 machines to create hidden remote operating environments. They deployed a minimalistic Alpine Linux-based virtual machine hosting custom malware for reverse shell and proxy operations. This approach effectively bypassed traditional host-based EDR detections. The threat actor also demonstrated persistence through PowerShell scripts, Kerberos ticket manipulation, and local account creation. International collaboration with the Georgian CERT aided in analyzing the command and control infrastructure.
The PolarEdge threat actor operates a sophisticated botnet infrastructure leveraging a newly discovered RPX_Client component and over 140 VPS nodes as RPX Servers. This infrastructure uses a multi-hop relay design involving more than 25,000 compromised IoT devices to conceal attack origins and enable proxy services and remote command execution. The botnet exploits CVE-2023-20118 to compromise IoT devices, facilitating anonymized and encrypted communications via SOCKS5 and Trojan protocols. Despite no known active exploits in the wild, the infrastructure poses a medium severity risk due to its potential for stealthy persistence, evasion, and large-scale disruptive attacks such as DDoS. The use of suspicious certificates and reverse-connect proxies complicates detection and mitigation efforts. The threat primarily impacts IoT ecosystems globally, with a focus on European organizations.
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.
This analysis reveals the complex operations of Lumma affiliates within a vast information-stealing ecosystem. Affiliates utilize various tools and services, including proxy networks, VPNs, anti-detect browsers, and crypting services. The investigation uncovered previously undocumented tools and showed that affiliates often run multiple schemes simultaneously, such as rental scams, while also using other infostealers like Vidar, Stealc, and Meduza Stealer. Lumma affiliates are deeply integrated into the cybercriminal ecosystem, leveraging underground forums for resources, marketplaces, and operational support. The analysis highlights the resilience of Lumma's infrastructure and the challenges in disrupting such decentralized cybercriminal networks.
A sophisticated backdoor targeting Exchange servers of high-value organizations in Asia has been discovered. The malware, named GhostContainer, is a multi-functional backdoor that can be dynamically extended with additional modules. It leverages several open-source projects and employs various evasion techniques to avoid detection. The backdoor grants attackers full control over the Exchange server and can function as a proxy or tunnel. The malware is believed to be part of an APT campaign targeting government and high-tech companies in Asia. It includes components for C2 parsing, virtual page injection, and web proxy functionality. The attackers demonstrated expertise in exploiting Exchange systems and assembling sophisticated espionage tools.
