Threats Tagged 'uac bypass'

AvisLoader is a newly discovered Windows malware loader that uses the Tox encrypted peer-to-peer messaging network for command-and-control communications, making traditional domain-based takedowns ineffective. The infection begins with a ClickFix social engineering technique, where victims are tricked into copying and executing malicious commands disguised as document verification steps. The loader is delivered through Cloudflare infrastructure and includes various stealth capabilities such as shortcut modification for persistence, UAC bypass attempts via UACME method 41, and process-hiding functionality through API hooking. Operators manage infected systems through a web-based Command Center that enables client management, task configuration, and payload distribution over the Tox network. The malware's architecture allows operators to maintain control by simply copying their Tox save file when relocating infrastructure, with clients automatically following without requiring domain updates.

A previously unknown modular multi-stage framework named MovieReaper has been discovered targeting users through compromised torrent files. Attackers compromised the public torrent repository itorrents[.]org, enabling them to distribute malicious loaders disguised as popular movies, including "The Odyssey." The campaign began in mid-August 2026 and affected hundreds of victims across multiple countries. The malware employs a sophisticated infection chain with fileless execution, utilizing blockchain network Solana for C2 infrastructure resilience. The framework includes multiple stages: an initial loader with anti-sandbox checks, shellcode that retrieves C2 addresses from Solana blockchain, UAC bypass with persistence mechanisms, and a final file manager module providing comprehensive file system access. The campaign demonstrates advanced evasion techniques including manual API resolution, vectored exception handling, and in-memory execution.

MediumVulnerabilityBelgiumColombiaFinland+9#cve#cve-2026-3102#solana

VectraRAT is a previously undocumented Malware-as-a-Service platform combining a Go-based control server (VectraHub) with a native C++ Windows implant, renting from $250 monthly. The developer, operating under the handle 'Vectra' (formerly 'Nyxel'), has been active since August 2022 without prior public documentation. The platform offers hidden desktop control, keylogging, clipboard hijacking with cryptocurrency address replacement, browser credential theft, and a UAC bypass achieving elevation without user prompts. Delivered through Amadey loader and ClickFix campaigns targeting tax-themed lures, 48% of observed victims run corporate Windows editions including Windows Server 2025. Infrastructure analysis revealed exposed directories and operational panels across multiple hosting providers, with victims spanning the United States, Russia, Germany, and other nations.

MediumMalwareUnited StatesBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryCzechia+4#amadey#maas platform#vidar

A phishing campaign impersonates sales staff from overseas companies, sending emails with malicious GZ compressed files. Extracting these files delivers an injector executable that uses multiple UAC bypass techniques and exploits a vulnerable driver (DCRCVDrv.sys) to disable security products at the kernel level. The injector then uses process hollowing to inject PhantomStealer malware into a legitimate process. PhantomStealer steals sensitive information including keystrokes, screenshots, browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallet data, and manipulates clipboard contents to replace wallet addresses with attacker-controlled ones.

A sophisticated phishing campaign targets Windows users with fraudulent Bank of America emails, delivering ScreenConnect remote monitoring software as malware. The attack begins with convincing emails mimicking Bank of America branding, directing victims to fake security pages. Windows users receive AccountGuard.zip containing a VBS file with multiple layers of base64-encoded content. The attack chain deploys complex decoding scripts and employs a UAC bypass exploit via ICMLuaUtil COM interface to install ScreenConnect with administrator privileges. Additional components use SDDL and ACLs to hide the installation, prevent uninstallation, and conceal the malicious service. The installed client connects to command-and-control infrastructure in the UAE. Mac users encounter traditional credential phishing pages requesting banking credentials and personal information instead of receiving malware payloads.

A sophisticated multi-stage infection chain was analyzed following successful containment by MDR SOC operations. Initial access occurred through spear-phishing using a logistics rate confirmation lure, delivering CrySome remote access trojan via multiple stages. The attack chain leveraged living-off-the-land techniques, ICMLuaUtil COM interface for UAC bypass, and in-memory AMSI patching. WinDefCtl, an open-source Defender disruption tool, was deployed to weaken endpoint protections before the final payload. CrySome RAT established persistence through scheduled tasks and provided operators with capabilities including hidden VNC, remote command execution, system reconnaissance, and credential theft targeting Chromium-based browsers. The campaign demonstrated modern threat actors' reliance on publicly available tooling combined with legitimate Windows processes to minimize detection while achieving comprehensive system compromise.

An active malware campaign has been discovered distributing malicious VBScript files through WhatsApp direct messages since June 2026. The operation affects users across multiple countries, with Malaysia experiencing the highest concentration of victims. Attackers compromise WhatsApp accounts and send weaponized VBS files disguised as business and financial documents to contacts. The multi-stage infection chain ultimately deploys legitimate ManageEngine Endpoint Central RMM software, providing persistent remote access to compromised systems. The scripts employ heavy obfuscation, Chinese-language comments, and modify Windows UAC settings. Infrastructure overlaps with ValleyRAT and Gh0st RAT operations suggest possible Chinese-speaking operators, though attribution remains uncertain. The campaign primarily targets individual users through opportunistic rather than focused methods, exploiting social engineering techniques with localized filenames in multiple languages.

MediumMalwareAustraliaBrazilBritish Indian Ocean Territory+7#uac bypass#valleyrat#gh0st rat

A sophisticated multi-stage intrusion campaign was identified leveraging a weaponized PowerShell payload disguised as a JPEG image file (sysupdate.jpeg) to deploy a trojanized ConnectWise ScreenConnect instance for covert remote access. The attack likely originates through social engineering techniques including phishing emails or malicious attachments. Upon execution, the malware establishes a staging environment, retrieves additional payloads from attacker-controlled infrastructure, and dynamically compiles a custom launcher using Microsoft's legitimate .NET compiler (csc.exe) to evade detection. The intrusion abuses ComputerDefaults.exe and a malicious ms-settings registry hijack to perform a fileless UAC bypass and obtain elevated privileges. Once elevated, the malware deploys a persistent service masquerading as OneDriveServers and launches a modified ScreenConnect framework capable of credential interception, remote command execution, surveillance operations, SYSTEM-level execution, encrypted command...

In February 2026, an attack chain was discovered that utilized a fraudulent Adobe Acrobat Reader download page to deceive victims into installing ConnectWise's ScreenConnect, a legitimate remote access tool exploited for malicious purposes. The attack employs sophisticated evasion techniques including heavy obfuscation, .NET reflection for in-memory payload execution, and dynamic code construction. A VBScript loader initiates the chain by downloading and executing obfuscated PowerShell commands that compile C# code entirely in memory. The loader manipulates the Process Environment Block to masquerade as legitimate Windows processes and abuses auto-elevated COM objects to bypass User Account Control without user prompts. This multi-layered approach successfully evades signature-based defenses and hinders forensic analysis while ultimately deploying ScreenConnect for unauthorized remote access.

A multi-stage malware delivery campaign was uncovered, initially detected through a suspicious VBS file. The investigation revealed a complex attack infrastructure using Unicode obfuscation, PNG-based payload staging, and reflectively loaded .NET execution. The attacker utilized open directories to host multiple obfuscated VBS files, each mapping to different malware payloads including XWorm and Remcos RAT. A secondary infection vector involving a weaponized 'PDF' and batch script was also discovered. The campaign demonstrated a modular approach, allowing for payload rotation and multiple attack vectors from the same domain. This sophisticated infrastructure design enables rapid modification and expansion of available payloads without altering the initial delivery mechanism.

MediumMalwareUnited StatesUnited KingdomGermany+9#uac bypass#kramer#scorpiorat