Attacks, Vulnerabilities and Actors 28 August to 3 September 2023

For a detailed threat digest, download the pdf file here Summary HiveForce Labs recently made several significant discoveries related to cybersecurity threats. Over the past week, the fact that there were a total of six attacks executed, one vulnerability, and two different adversaries highlights...

Qualys Top 20 Most Exploited Vulnerabilities

The earlier blog posts showcased an overview of the vulnerability threat landscape that is either remotely exploited or most targeted by attackers. A quick recap – We focused on high-risk vulnerabilities that can be remotely exploited with or without authentication, and with the view on the time ...

A week in security (August 28 - September 3)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs: 2.6 million DuoLingo users have scraped data released Google strengthens its Workplace suite protection Meal delivery service PurFoods announces major data breach Cisco VPNs without MFA are under attack by ransomware operator "An influx of Elons," a hospital visit,...

Threat Actors Targeting Microsoft SQL Servers to Deploy FreeWorld Ransomware

Threat actors are exploiting poorly secured Microsoft SQL MS SQL servers to deliver Cobalt Strike and a ransomware strain called FreeWorld. Cybersecurity firm Securonix, which has dubbed the campaign DBJAMMER, said it stands out for the way the toolset and infrastructure is employed. "Some of the...

New open-source infostealer, and reflections on 2023 so far

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Threat Source newsletter. Im covering for Jon this week whilst he takes some well-deserved holiday. Whats on my mind this week? Well, apart from a new horror film that I just read about called "Slotherhouse" where the killer is, um, a sloth I predict nothing b...

SapphireStealer Malware: A Gateway to Espionage and Ransomware Operations

An open-source .NET-based information stealer malware dubbed SapphireStealer is being used by multiple entities to enhance its capabilities and spawn their own bespoke variants. "Information-stealing malware like SapphireStealer can be used to obtain sensitive information, including corporate...

Unmasking Trickbot, One of the World’s Top Cybercrime Gangs

A WIRED investigation into a cache of documents posted by an unknown figure lays bare the Trickbot ransomware gang’s secrets, including the identity of a central member...

CISA and FBI Publish Joint Advisory on QakBot Infrastructure

Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA and Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory CSA, Identification and Disruption of QakBot Infrastructure, to help organizations detect and protect against newly identified QakBot-related activity a...

Identification and Disruption of QakBot Infrastructure

SUMMARY The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA and Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI are releasing this joint Cybersecurity Advisory CSA to disseminate QakBot infrastructure indicators of compromise IOCs identified through FBI investigations as of August 2023. On August 25, F...

Unveiling New Windows Ransomware Named Trash Panda

Threat Level Attack Report For a detailed threat advisory, download the pdf file here Summary Trash Panda is a ransomware that encrypts files on Windows machines, replaces the desktop wallpaper, and drops a ransom note with political messages. It adds a ‘.monochrome’ extension to the encrypted...

IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Non-mobile statistics

IT threat evolution in Q2 2023 IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Non-mobile statistics IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Mobile statistics These statistics are based on detection verdicts of Kaspersky products and services received from users who consented to providing statistical data. Quarterly...

IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Mobile statistics

IT threat evolution in Q2 2023 IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Non-mobile statistics IT threat evolution in Q2 2023. Mobile statistics These statistics are based on detection verdicts of Kaspersky products received from users who consented to providing statistical data. Quarterly figures Accordin...

FBI Dismantles QakBot Malware, Frees 700,000 Computers, Seizes $8.6 Million

A coordinated law enforcement effort codenamed Operation Duck Hunt has felled QakBot, a notorious Windows malware family that's estimated to have compromised over 700,000 computers globally and facilitated financial fraud as well as ransomware. To that end, the U.S. Justice Department DoJ said th...

Social Security Numbers leaked in ransomware attack on Ohio History Connection

The Ohio History Connection OHC has posted a breach notification in which it discloses that a ransomware attack successfully encrypted internal data servers. During the attack, the cybercriminals may have had access to names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers SSNs of current and former OHC...

U.S. Hacks QakBot, Quietly Removes Botnet Infections

The U.S. government today announced a coordinated crackdown against QakBot, a complex malware family used by multiple cybercrime groups to lay the groundwork for ransomware infections. The international law enforcement operation involved seizing control over the botnets online infrastructure, and...

Under Siege: Rapid7-Observed Exploitation of Cisco ASA SSL VPNs

Tyler Starks, Christiaan Beek, Robert Knapp, Zach Dayton, and Caitlin Condon contributed to this blog. Rapid7’s managed detection and response MDR teams have observed increased threat activity targeting Cisco ASA SSL VPN appliances physical and virtual dating back to at least March 2023. In some...

Attacks, Vulnerabilities and Actors 21 August to 27 August 2023

For a detailed threat digest, download the pdf file here Summary HiveForce Labs recently made several significant discoveries related to cybersecurity threats. Over the past week, the fact that there were a total of twelve attacks executed, six vulnerabilities, and three different adversaries...

Citrix NetScaler Alert: Ransomware Hackers Exploiting Critical Vulnerability

Unpatched Citrix NetScaler systems exposed to the internet are being targeted by unknown threat actors in what's suspected to be a ransomware attack. Cybersecurity company Sophos is tracking the activity cluster under the moniker STAC4663. Attack chains involve the exploitation of CVE-2023-3519, ...

Cisco VPNs without MFA are under attack by ransomware operator

The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team PSIRT has posted a blog about Akira ransomware targeting VPNs without Multi-Factor Authentication MFA. The Cisco team states that it is aware of reports of the Akira ransomware group going specifically after Cisco VPNs that are not configured for...

Meal delivery service PurFoods announces major data breach

An organisation that provides home delivery meals has revealed that around 1.2 million people's personal data may be at risk, after the company suffered a ransomware attack earlier in the year. PurFoods, which offers up a service called Moms Meals, helps to provide meals for folks in a variety of...