5 ways to find and fix open source vulnerabilities

Guest post by Limor Wainstein A recent discovery of surreptitious execution of cryptomining code by a sandboxed app, riding piggyback on the open source software OSS ecosystem, raises pertinent questions about the security of open source code and its dependencies. Programmers often use OSS as a...

A week in security (May 7 – May 13)

Last week on Labs, we looked at the case of a fake Android AV, an annoying adware that goes by the name of Kuik, the return of threat actors behind the Shopper Stop tech scam, a new Netflix phishing scam, the recent zero-day vulnerability in Internet Explorer, and the insufficiency of merely...

When you shouldn’t trust a trusted root certificate

Root certificates are the cornerstone of authentication and security in software and on the Internet. They're issued by a certified authority CA and, essentially, verify that the software/website owner is who they say they are. We have talked about certificates in general before, but a recent eve...

A week in security (October 9 – October 15)

Last week on the Labs blog, we talked about GDPR as part of our series in the National Cyber Security Awareness Month NCSAM. We also discussed a new method for phishing Apple ID passwords and the possible ramifications. We analyzed the malvertising chain due to a script that was found on popular...

A week in security (July 17 – July 23)

Over the last week, we have covered Play Protect, android’s new security system and how the Dutch police ran Hansa Market after the take down of Alpha Bay, both major players on the Dark Web. We also provided some tips on how to stay cyber safe this summer. We also saw how the Terror exploit kit...

Amazon and Apple impersonated in “$149.99 unauthorized charge” scam

If you’ve spent any time browsing lately, you may have run into a full-screen popup warning you that your Apple ID or Amazon account was just used for a mysterious $149.99 purchase. It looks urgent. It looks official. And if you look at two examples side by side, it becomes obvious that it’s...

SMS scammers use toll fees as a lure

In April 2024, the FBI warned about a new type of smishing scam. Smishing is the term we use for phishing attacks sent via text message. This particular smishing scam tries to trick users into clicking a link by telling them they owe a “small amount” in toll fees. The scammers send a text claimin...

A week in security (July 8 – July 14)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs: "Nearly all" AT&T customers had phone records stolen in new data breach disclosure Fake Microsoft Teams for Mac delivers Atomic Stealer Dangerous monitoring tool mSpy suffers data breach, exposes customer details iPhone users in 98 countries warned about spyware by...

Update your iPhones and iPads now: Apple patches security vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS

Apple has released a security update for iOS and iPadOS to patch two zero-day vulnerabilities which are reported to already have been exploited. Zero-day vulnerabilities are discovered by attackers before the software company itself - meaning the vendor has zero days to fix them. Both the two...

[updated] Atlassian: “Take immediate action” to patch your Confluence Data Center and Server instances

Atlassian has released an advisory about a critical severity authentication vulnerability in the Confluence Server and Data Center. All versions of Confluence Data Center and Server are affected by this unexploited vulnerability. Atlassian Cloud sites are not impacted by this vulnerability, so if...

Cisco IOS XE vulnerability widely exploited in the wild

An authentication bypass affecting Cisco IOS X was disclosed on October 16, 2023. Researchers have found since then that the vulnerability is widely being exploited in the wild to help install implants on affected switches and routers. Cisco IOS XE is a universally deployed Internetworking...

Ransomware review: August 2023

This article is based on research by Marcelo Rivero, Malwarebytes' ransomware specialist, who monitors information published by ransomware gangs on their Dark Web sites. In this report, "known attacks" are those where the victim did not pay a ransom. This provides the best overall picture of...

MakeMoney malvertising campaign adds fake update template

Malware authors and distributors are following the ebbs and flow of the threat landscape. One campaign we have tracked for a numbers of years recently introduced a new scheme to possibly completely move away from drive-by downloads via exploit kit. In this quick blog post, we will look at this ne...

A week in security (January 24 – 30)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs: QNAP update stops Deadbolt ransomware, annoys some users, starts debate Big Mother is watching: What parents REALLY think about tracking their kids Update now! Apple patches another actively used zero-day Let’s Encrypt to revoke “mis-issued” certificates North...

Is your web browser vulnerable to data theft? XS-Leak explained

In recent news, IT security researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum RUB and the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences have disclosed 14 new cross-site leak also known as XSLeak or XS-Leak attacks that can affects modern browsers, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and...

Password usage analysis of brute force attacks on honeypot servers

As Microsoft’s Head of Deception, Ross Bevington is responsible for setting up and maintaining honeypots that look like legitimate systems and servers. Honeypot systems are designed to pose as an attractive target for attackers. Sometimes they are left vulnerable to create a controllable and safe...

Cyberbullying 101: A Primer for kids, teens, and parents

At some point in our lives, we have likely either been bullied, stood back and watched others bullying, or participated in the act. Playing the role of offender, offended, and by-stander has become easier, thanks to the Internet and the technologies that make it possible to keep up connected. In...

NSA issues advice for securing wireless devices

By releasing an information sheet that provides guidance on securing wireless devices while in public pdf—for National Security System, Department of Defense, and Defense Industrial Base teleworkers—the NSA has provided useful information on malicious techniques used by cyber actors, and ways to...

Nope, that isn’t Elon Musk, and he isn’t offering a free Topmist Dust watch either

Elon Musk is an incredibly popular target for scammers and spammers on social media. Attach his name to something he has no involvement in and watch it fly. Verified accounts on Twitter continue to be favourites for account compromise / fake Elon scams. Those often turn out to be Bitcoin related...

Brave takes aim at Google with privacy-first search engine

The privacy-forward web browser Brave launched its new search engine in beta on Wednesday, promising a more private experience that does not track user searches, build user profiles, or require the use of an external, pre-existing search index to deliver results. Clear from the company’s early...

Cobalt Strike, a penetration testing tool abused by criminals

If you were to compose a list of tools and software developed by security and privacy defenders that ended up being abused by the bad guys, then Cobalt Strike would unfortunately be near the top of the list. Maybe only Metasploit could give it a run for the first place ranking. Metasploit—probabl...

Zoom deepfaker fools politicians…twice

We recently said deepfakes “remain the weapon of choice for malign interference campaigns, troll farms, revenge porn, and occasionally humorous celebrity face-swaps”. Skepticism that these techniques would work on a grand scale such as an election, remains in place. In the realm of malign...

Fake Trezor app steals more than $1 million worth of crypto coins

Several users of Trezor, a small hardware device that acts as a cryptocurrency wallet, have been duped by a fake app with the same name. The app was available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store and also claimed to be from SatoshiLabs, the creators of Trezor. According to the Washington Post, th...

PYSA, the ransomware attacking schools

The education sector’s cybersecurity problem has compounded in the last few months. A recent warning from the FBI, in mid-March, put schools in the US and UK on notice of increased attacks from the threat actors behind the PYSA ransomware. If this is the first time you’ve heard of this family, re...

Perkiler malware turns to SMB brute force to spread

Researchers at Guardicore have identified a new infection vector being used by the Perkiler malware where internet-facing Windows machines are breached through SMB password brute force. Perkiler is a complex Windows malware with rootkit components that is dropped by the Purple Fox exploit kit EK...

Gang arrested for SIM-swapping celebrities, stealing $100 million

The UKs National Crime Agency NCA—working alongside the US Secret Service, Homeland Security, the FBI, Europol, and the District Attorneys Office of Santa Clara California—spearheaded the arrest of eight British citizens in the UK and Scotland, aged between 18 to 26, for a string of SIM swapping...

Black Friday 2020: How to shop safely online

Black Friday 2020 promises to be somewhat different from years gone by thanks to COVID-19. The annual surge of in-store chaos and trolley dashes isn’t compatible with social distancing, and so retailers will be looking to drive shoppers online. Friday 27th November is when things kick off this...

Dutch ISP Ziggo demonstrates how not to inform your customers about a security flaw

“Can you have a look at this email I got, please?" my brother asked. “It looks convincing enough, but I don’t trust it,” he added and forwarded me the email he received from Ziggo, his Internet Service Provider ISP. Shortly after, he informed me that despite its suspicious aura, he found...

ParetoLogic facing complaint of alleged wrongdoing

A short while ago we reported on the FTC ruling against payment provider RevenueWire. Now, another Canadian company is under scrutiny, and the cases are very much related. Not only are these companies hailing from the same city, they also share some founders. The company ParetoLogic is involved i...

Coronavirus impacts security conferences and events: check your schedule

With coronavirus starting to take hold globally, international travel restrictions are kicking in and more workplaces are advising to work from home whenever possible. When self-isolation is a potential solution, public gatherings are increasingly looking like a terrible idea. Events are becoming...

How to prevent a rootkit attack

If you're ever at the receiving end of a rootkit attack, then you'll understand why they are considered one of the most dangerous cyberthreats today. Rootkits are a type of malware designed to stay undetected on your computer. Cybercriminals use rootkits to remotely access and control your machin...

The little-known ways mobile device sensors can be exploited by cybercriminals

The bevy of mobile device sensors in modern smartphones and tablets make them more akin to pocket-sized laboratories and media studios than mere communication devices. Cameras, microphones, accelerometers, and gyroscopes give incredible flexibility to app developers and utility to mobile device...

Here are the most popular robocall scams and how to avoid them

We recently examined how robocall scams are a serious threat to privacy, alongside the astonishing rate at which their volume continues to increase. Forty-three billion calls in 2019 with an average of 131 calls per person in the US alone is not something to be sniffed at. No matter how careful y...

DEF CON 27 retrospective: badge life redux

Kickstarter or DEF CON attendee? Be forewarned, this light overview contains some mild spoilers. If you want the purest “Da Bomb” experience with no web-based OSINT hints, read no further. I’m not revealing any earth-shattering secrets here, but figured it was worth mentioning. Also DEF CON is ov...

A week in security (July 29 – August 4)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs we discussed the security and privacy changes in Android Q, how to get your Equifax money and stay safe doing it, and we looked at the strategy of getting a board of directors to invest in government cybersecurity. We also reviewed how a Capital One breach exposed...

Maine governor signs ISP privacy bill

Less than one week after Maine Governor Janet Mills received one of the nation’s most privacy-protective state bills on her desk, she signed it into law. The move makes Maine the latest US state to implement its own online privacy protections. The law, which will go into effect July 1, 2020, bloc...

A week in security (April 8 – 14)

Last week on Labs, we said hello to Baldr, a new stealer on the market, we wondered who is managing the security of medical management apps, discussed the different perceptions of personal information, and we looked at fake Instagram assistance apps found on Google Play that are stealing password...

New ‘Under the Radar’ report examines modern threats and future technologies

As if you haven't heard it enough from us, the threat landscape is changing. It's always changing, and usually not for the better. The new malware we see being developed and deployed in the wild have features and techniques that allow them to go beyond what they were originally able to do, either...

A week in security (October 22 – 28)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs, we took a look at some new Mac malware, gave you a roundup of 2018 exploit kits, and dispensed some advice on sextortion scams. We also looked at the Cathay Pacific breach, groaned at the revival of an old browser trick, and explained how voting machines and...

Reversing malware in a custom format: Hidden Bee elements

Malware can be made of many components. Often, we encounter macros and scripts that work as malicious downloaders. Some functionalities can also be achieved by position-independent code—so-called shellcode. But when it comes to more complex elements or core modules, we almost take it for granted...

We block shady ad blockers

Some of you have reached out to us concerning Malwarebytes blocking of certain ad blocking extensions, or an influx in web blocking notifications. First things first, this is not a false positive. Recently in their blog, AdGuard has discovered that numerous malicious ad blocking extensions were...

Netflix phish claims your membership is on hold

The days of ugly-looking phish pages hosted on something akin to a Geocities page are slowly receding into the distance. For quite some time now, phish attacks have made attempts to look fairly sophisticated and stand a decent chance of fooling anyone not keeping their guard up. Today, we have a...

Cloudflare’s new DNS service

Are you looking for a free way to speed up your internet and gain some extra privacy in the process? Keep reading, because Cloudflare the Web Performance & Security Company is offering a free new DNS service. And it helped me improve the speed of my DNS lookups. What is DNS? DNS is short for Doma...

A week in security (March 26 – April 01)

Last week, we looked at the thought process behind creating a ransomware decryptor, the inner workings of QuantLoader, the ways one can protect their Android devices, the exploit kits we have encountered this winter, the now-known epidemic of data breaches, the coming of TLS 1.3, and the ways one...

“Celebrating Stephen Hawking” with a 419 scam

The recently departed Stephen Hawking is apparently back from the dead, now a target for scammers wanting to extract some quick cash from the unwary in the form of a vaguely surreal 419 scam. The whole thing begins with an email from, er, Stephen Hawking titled "Celebrating Stephen Hawking." Clic...

Augmented Reality games and real-world trolling

Augmented Reality games—where you wave a device around and the digital collides with reality— have been booming in popularity ever since Pokemon GO! rolled into mobile storefronts. However, many AR games haven't really been designed with the possible consequences of real-world safety in mind. Tak...

IRISSCON security conference comes to Dublin in November

It's that time of the year when IRISSCON—the biggest security conference in Ireland, in my humble opinion—springs into life with a great collection of talks and Capture the Flag events. Held on November 23 in Dublin, there will be a strong focus on working in Infosec this year, alongside some of...

A new kind of Apple phishing scam

In a recent blog post, Felix Krause revealed a method for phishing Apple ID passwords on iOS that would be quite indistinguishable from a real iOS password request. This got us thinking about the ramifications—how else could this tactic be used in the Apple ecosystem, and what kind of damage coul...

Make way for the GDPR: Is your business ready?

In Week 2 of National Cyber Security Awareness Month NCSAM, the spotlight is on businesses—particularly, their more profound need to take cybersecurity seriously in this age of breaches. And what better way for them to start this off than to think about how they can improve on handling and storin...

Elaborate scripting-fu used in espionage attack against Saudi Arabia Government entity

This post was co-authored by David Sánchez and Jérôme Segura We recently came across a campaign targeting a Saudi Arabia Government entity via a malicious Word document which at first reminded us of an attack we had previously described on this blog. In our previous research, we detailed how an...