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Threat Alert: Hackers Using AI and New Tech to Target Businesses

Hackers are exploiting the advantages of new tech and the availability of credentials, commercial tools, and other resources to launch advanced attacks faster, causing concerns among cybersecurity professionals.

Global Threat Landscape Report 2025

The 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report by FortiGuard Labs highlights a “dramatic escalation in scale and advancement of cyberattacks” due to the fast adoption of the present hostile tech and commercial malware and attacker toolkits.

According to the report, the data suggests cybercriminals are advancing faster than ever, “automating reconnaissance, compressing the time between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation, and scaling their operations through the industrialization of cybercrime.”

According to the researchers, hackers are exploiting all types of threat resources in a “systematic way” to disrupt traditional advantages enjoyed by defenders. This has put organizations on alert as they are implementing new defense measures and leveling up to mitigate these changing threats.

Game changer AI

AI has become a key tool for hackers in launching phishing attacks which are highly effective and work as initial access vectors for more harmful attacks like identity theft or ransomware.

A range of new tools such as WormGPT and FraudGPT text generators; DeepFaceLab and Faceswap deepfake tools; BlackmailerV3, an AI-driven extortion toolkit for customizing automatic blackmail emails, and AI-generated phishing pages like Robin Banks and EvilProxy, making it simple for threat actors to make a swift and dirty cybercrime business.

The report highlights that the growing cybercrime industry is running on “cheap and accessible wins.” With AI evolving, the bar has dropped for cybercriminals to access tactics and intelligence needed for cyberattacks “regardless of an adversary's technical knowledge.”

These tools also allow cybercriminals to build better and more convincing phishing threats and scale a cybercriminal enterprise faster, increasing their success rate.

Attackers leveraging automated scanning

Attackers are now using automated scanning for vulnerable systems reaching “unprecedented levels” at billions of scans per month, 36,000 scans every second. The report suggests a yearly rise in active scanning to 16.7%. The defenders have less time to patch vulnerable systems due to threat actors leveraging automation, disclosing security loopholes impacting organizations.

According to researchers, “Tools like SIPVicious and commercial scanning tools are weaponized to identify soft targets before patches can be applied, signaling a significant 'left-of-boom' shift in adversary strategy.”

Password Management Breached: Critical Vulnerabilities Expose Millions

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Password

Bugs Critical Vulnerability Data Breach Enterprise security Organization security Password

Password Management Breached: Critical Vulnerabilities Expose Millions

Password management solutions are the unsung heroes in enterprise security. They protect our digital identities, ensuring sensitive info such as passwords, personal details, or financial data is kept safe from threat actors.

However, in a recent breach, several critical vulnerabilities have been discovered in Vaultwarden, a famous public-source choice for the Bitwarden password management server. The bugs can enable hackers to get illegal access to administrative commands, run arbitrary code, and increase privileges inside organizations using the platform.

Admin Panel Access via CSRF: CVE Pending (CVSS 7.1)

This flaw allows hackers to enter the Vaultwarden admin panel via a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack. Hackers can send unauthorized requests to the admin panel and adjust its settings by fooling a genuine user into opening a malicious webpage. This needs the DISABLE_ADMIN_TOKEN option to be activated because the authentication cookie will not be sent throughout site boundaries.

Remote Code Execution in Admin Panel: CVE-2025-24364 (CVSS 7.2)

A stronger flaw enables hackers with unauthorized access to the admin panel to run arbitrary code on the server. This bug concerns modifying the icon caching functionality to insert malicious code, which is used to run when the admin interacts with select settings.

Privilege Escalation via Variable Confusion: CVE-2025-24365 (CVSS 8.1)

The flaw lets hackers widen their privileges inside an organization, they can gain owner rights of other organizations by abusing a variable confusion flaw in the OrgHeaders trait, to potentially access confidential data.

Aftermath and Mitigation

The flaws mentioned in the blog impact Vaultwarden variants <= 1.32.7. Experts have advised users to immediately update to the patched version 1.33.0 or later to fix these issues.

Vaultwardens’s user base must take immediate action to minimize potential threats as it has more than 1.5 million downloads and 181 million Docker pulls, which is a massive figure.

Breaches at this scale could have a severe impact because password management solutions are the backbone of enterprise security. Businesses using Vaultwarden should immediately conduct threat analysis to analyze their exposure and implement vital updates. Experts also advise reviewing access controls, using two-factor authentication, and looking for any fishy activity.

Enhancing EU Cybersecurity: Key Takeaways from the NIS2 Directive

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Privacy

Data Laws European Union NIS2 Directive Organization security Privacy

Enhancing EU Cybersecurity: Key Takeaways from the NIS2 Directive

The European Union has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of the NIS2 Directive. This directive, which builds upon the original Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive, aims to bolster cybersecurity across the EU by imposing stricter requirements and expanding its scope. But how far does the NIS2 Directive reach, and what implications does it have for organizations within the EU?

A Broader Scope

One of the most notable changes in the NIS2 Directive is its expanded scope. While the original NIS Directive primarily targeted operators of essential services and digital service providers, NIS2 extends its reach to include a wider range of sectors. This includes public administration entities, the healthcare sector, and providers of digital infrastructure. By broadening the scope, the EU aims to ensure that more entities are covered under the directive, thereby enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of the region.

Enhanced Security Requirements

The move brings more stringent security requirements for entities within its scope. Organizations are now required to implement robust cybersecurity measures, including risk management practices, incident response plans, and regular security assessments. These measures are designed to ensure that organizations are better prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

Additionally, the directive emphasizes the importance of supply chain security. Organizations must now assess and manage the cybersecurity risks associated with their supply chains, ensuring that third-party vendors and partners adhere to the same high standards of security.

Incident Reporting Obligations

Another significant aspect of the NIS2 Directive is the enhanced incident reporting obligations. Under the new directive, organizations are required to report significant cybersecurity incidents to the relevant authorities within 24 hours of detection. This rapid reporting is crucial for enabling a swift response to cyber threats and minimizing the potential impact on critical infrastructure and services.

The directive also mandates that organizations provide detailed information about the incident, including the nature of the threat, the affected systems, and the measures taken to mitigate the impact. This level of transparency is intended to facilitate better coordination and information sharing among EU member states, ultimately strengthening the collective cybersecurity resilience of the region.

Governance and Accountability

Organizations are required to designate a responsible person or team for overseeing cybersecurity measures and ensuring compliance with the directive. This includes conducting regular audits and assessments to verify the effectiveness of the implemented security measures.

Organizations that fail to meet the requirements of the NIS2 Directive may face significant fines and other sanctions. This serves as a strong incentive for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and ensure that they are fully compliant with the directive.

Challenges and Opportunities

It also offers numerous opportunities. By implementing the required cybersecurity measures, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and reduce the risk of cyber incidents. This not only protects their own operations but also contributes to the overall security of the EU.

The directive also encourages greater collaboration and information sharing among EU member states. This collective approach to cybersecurity can lead to more effective threat detection and response, ultimately making the region more resilient to cyber threats.

Beyond Prioritization: Security Journey for Organizations

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Threat Intelligence

Corporate Cyber Security Organization security Risk Assessment Threat Intelligence

Beyond Prioritization: Security Journey for Organizations

Prioritization tools typically rely on factors like severity, exploitability, and potential impact. While these criteria are valuable, they don't provide the full picture.

Organizations face an overwhelming number of vulnerabilities, and deciding which ones to address first can be a challenge for many. However, it's essential to recognize that prioritization is merely the beginning of a more comprehensive security journey.

The Limitations of Prioritization

Prioritization tools typically rely on factors like severity, exploitability, and potential impact. While these criteria are valuable, they don't provide the full picture. Here are some limitations:

Context Matters: Prioritization tools often lack context. They don't consider an organization's unique environment, business processes, or specific threats. A high-severity vulnerability might be less critical if it doesn't align with an organization's risk profile.
Dynamic Threat Landscape: Threats evolve rapidly. A vulnerability that seems low-risk today could become a weaponized exploit tomorrow. Prioritization models need to account for this dynamic nature.
Resource Constraints: Organizations have finite resources—time, budget, and personnel. Prioritization doesn't address how to allocate these resources effectively.

The Holistic Approach

To move beyond prioritization, consider the following steps:

Risk Assessment: Start by understanding your organization's risk appetite. Conduct a risk assessment that considers business impact, regulatory compliance, and threat intelligence. This assessment informs your vulnerability management strategy.
Asset Inventory: Create a comprehensive asset inventory. Knowing what you're protecting allows you to prioritize vulnerabilities based on critical assets. Not all systems are equal; some are more vital to your operations.
Threat Intelligence: Stay informed about emerging threats. Collaborate with industry peers, subscribe to threat feeds, and monitor security forums. Threat intelligence helps you contextualize vulnerabilities.
Attack Surface Reduction: Minimize your attack surface. Remove unnecessary services, close unused ports, and segment your network. Fewer entry points mean fewer vulnerabilities to manage.
Patch Management: Prioritize patching based on risk. Critical systems should receive immediate attention, while less critical ones can follow a staggered schedule.
Security Hygiene: Regularly review configurations, permissions, and access controls. Misconfigurations often lead to vulnerabilities. Implement security baselines and automate hygiene checks.
Incident Response Readiness: Prepare for incidents. Develop an incident response plan, conduct tabletop exercises, and ensure your team knows how to respond effectively.

Transparency and Communication

Transparency is crucial. Communicate with stakeholders—executives, IT teams, and end-users. Explain the rationale behind vulnerability management decisions. Transparency builds trust and ensures everyone understands the risks.

Vulnerability prioritization is essential, but it's not the destination—it's the starting point. Embrace a holistic approach that considers context, risk, and resource constraints. By navigating the security journey with diligence and transparency, organizations can better protect their digital assets.

How North Korean Attackers Deployed Malware Via VPN Bug Exploit

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VPN

Bug Exploit malware North Korea Organization security VPN

How North Korean Attackers Deployed Malware Via VPN Bug Exploit

In a concerning event, North Korean state-sponsored have again displayed their advanced cyber capabilities by abusing flaws in VPN software updates to plant malware. The incident highlights the rising threats from state-sponsored actors in the cybersecurity sector. "The Information Community attributes these hacking activities to the Kimsuky and Andariel hacking organizations under the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau, noting the unprecedented nature of both organizations targeting the same sector simultaneously for specific policy objectives," NCSC said.

Attack Vector Details

The NCSC (National Cyber Security Center) recently detected two infamous North Korean hacking groups named Kimsuky (APT43) and Andariel (APT45) as the masterminds of these attacks. The groups have a past of attacking South Korean companies and have set their eyes on exploiting bugs in VPN software updates. Threat actors leveraged these flaws, gained access to networks, deployed malware, and stole sensitive data, including trade secrets.

How the attack works

The actors used a multi-dimensional approach to attack their targets. First, they identified and compromised vulnerabilities in the VPN software update mechanisms. Once the update started, the attackers secretly installed malware on the victim's system. The malware then set up a backdoor, letting the hackers build persistent access to the compromised network.

A key tactic used by attackers was to disguise the malware as a genuine software update. Not only did it help escape detection, but it also ensured that the dangerous malware was planted successfully. The malware was built to extract sensitive information, including intellectual property and secret business info that can be used for economic espionage purposes or can be sold on the dark web.

Learnings for the Cybersecurity Sector

The incident underscores important issues in cybersecurity, the main being the importance of strengthening software update mechanisms. Software updates are a routine part of keeping the system secure, and users trust them easily. This trust gives threat actors leverage and allows them to attack, as shown in this case.

The second issue, the attack highlights an urgent need for strong threat intelligence and monitoring. Organizations must stay on alert and constantly look out for signs of attacks. A sophisticated threat detection system and frequent security audits can help detect and mitigate possible threats before they can cause major damage.

Tips on Staying Safe

Here are some key strategies organizations can adopt for multi-layered security:

Regular patching and updates ensure all software like VPNs, are updated with the latest security patches, reducing the risk of flaws being abused.

Implementing a "Zero Trust Framework" which assumes internal and external threats, the model requires strict authorization for each user and device trying to access the network.

Using advanced endpoint protection solutions that can identify and respond to suspicious activities on individual systems.

5 Attack Trends Your Company Should Be Aware Of

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Organization security

Attack Trends Cyber Security End User Microsoft Organization security

5 Attack Trends Your Company Should Be Aware Of

Cybersecurity is always evolving and demands ongoing awareness

Every day, Microsoft analyzes over 78 trillion security signals to gain a deeper understanding of the current threat pathways and methodologies. Since last year, we've seen a shift in how threat actors scale and use nation-state backing. It's apparent that companies are facing more threats than ever before, and attack chains are becoming more complicated. Dwell times have decreased, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) have evolved to be more agile and evasive.

Based on these findings, here are five attack trends that end-user organizations should be watching regularly.

1. Gaining Stealth by avoiding custom tools and malware

Some threat actor organizations prioritize stealth by using tools and processes that are already installed on their victims' systems. This enables attackers to fly under the radar and go undiscovered by concealing their operations among other threat actors that use similar approaches to launch assaults.

Volt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored actor, is an example of this trend, having made news for targeting US critical infrastructure using living-off-the-land practices.

2. Blending cyber and influence operations for greater results

Nation-state actors have also developed a new type of tactics that blends cyber and influence operations (IO) techniques. This hybrid, known as "cyber-enabled influence operations," combines cyber methods such as data theft, defacement, distributed denial-of-service, and ransomware with influence methods such as data leaks, sockpuppets, victim impersonation, misleading social media posts, and malicious SMS/email communication to boost, exaggerate, or compensate for weaknesses in adversaries' network access or cyberattack capabilities.

For example, Microsoft has noticed various Iranian actors trying to use bulk SMS texting to increase and psychologically impact their cyber-influence activities. We're also seeing more cyber-enabled influence operations attempt to imitate alleged victim organizations or key figures inside those organizations to lend legitimacy to the impacts of the malware or compromise.

3. Developing Covert Networks Using SOHO Network Edge Devices

The increased use of small-office/home-office (SOHO) network edge devices is especially relevant for distributed or remote employees. Threat actors are increasingly using target SOHO devices—such as the router at a local coffee shop—to assemble hidden networks.

Some adversaries will even employ programs to locate susceptible endpoints around the world and identify potential targets for their next attack. This approach complicates attribution by having attacks appear from almost anywhere.

4. Quickly Implementing Publicly Disclosed Proofs of Concept for Initial Access and Persistence

Microsoft has noticed an increase in the number of nation-state subgroups using publicly released proof-of-concept (POC) code to exploit vulnerabilities in Internet-facing apps.

This tendency can be seen in threat groups such as Mint Sandstorm, an Iranian nation-state actor that quickly exploited N-day vulnerabilities in common corporate systems and launched highly focused phishing attacks to get speedy and effective access to target environments.

5. Prioritizing Specialization in the Ransomware Economy

We've noticed a persistent trend toward ransomware expertise. Rather than conducting an end-to-end ransomware campaign, threat actors are focusing on a limited set of skills and services.

This specialization has a breaking effect, distributing components of a ransomware attack across different vendors in a complicated underground market. Companies can no longer think of ransomware attacks as originating from a single threat actor or group.

Instead, they might be attacking the entire ransomware-as-a-service ecosystem. In response, Microsoft Threat Intelligence now tracks ransomware providers individually, identifying which groups deal in initial access and which supply additional services.

As cyber defenses seek better ways to strengthen their security stance, it is critical to look to and learn from past trends and breaches. By examining these occurrences and understanding different attackers' motivations and preferred TTPs, we can better prevent such breaches in the future.

Trust in Cyber Takes a Knock as CNI Budgets Flatline

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Trust

Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security Organization security State Actors Trust

Trust in Cyber Takes a Knock as CNI Budgets Flatline

Trust in cybersecurity technologies has become one of the most difficult hurdles for critical national infrastructure (CNI) providers as sophisticated nation-state threats grow, according to a recent Bridewell assessment.

The Trust Deficit

The IT services firm's most recent Cyber Security in Critical National Infrastructure report is based on interviews with over 1000 CISOs and equivalents from CNI providers in the United States and the United Kingdom.

It found that over a third (31%) identified "trust in cybersecurity tools" as a key challenge this year, up 121% from the 2023 edition of the survey.

Confidence in tools took a hit last year when the UK joined the US and other nations in warning providers of key services about China-backed action against CNI, according to the research.

74% of respondents expressed fear about Chinese state actors, which is comparable to 73% anxiety about Russian state operatives.

These worries are likely to have been heightened recently, with the United States warning in February that Chinese agents have pre-positioned themselves in several CNI networks to unleash damaging strikes in the event of a military conflict.

Budget Constraints

Budgets have declined in tandem with trust in tooling. According to the research, the share of IT (33%) and OT (30%) budgets set aside for cybersecurity has dropped drastically from 44% and 43% the previous year, respectively.

The dramatic reduction is evident across the board, from new recruits to training and risk assessments to technological investments.

Despite these financial challenges, nearly a third (30%) of CNI respondents who were victims of a ransomware attack last year informed Bridewell that they paid the extortionists.

Bridewell cautioned that, in addition to the fees, CNI enterprises could face legal consequences.

Ransom payments could, for example, be sent to persons facing legal repercussions from the United Kingdom, the United States, or the European Union. The UK's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has warned that payments may violate the law in other jurisdictions, according to the report.

Interestingly, more than a quarter (27%) of respondents reported that ransomware intrusions had a psychological impact on employees.

The Way Forward

Bridewell CEO Anthony Young expressed sympathy for those firms that do wind up paying.

If the firm is unable to recover, paying the ransom may be the only viable alternative for resuming operations short of reinstalling its systems from the start, he argued.

However, this tough decision can be avoided by implementing a security plan that reduces the possibility of threat actors obtaining access and moving through your systems without being detected and effectively removed.

SaaS Challenges and How to Overcome Them

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Technology

IBM IT Organization security saaS Technology

SaaS Challenges and How to Overcome Them

According to 25% of participants in an IBM study conducted in September 2022 among 3,000 companies and tech executives worldwide, security worries stand in the way of their ability to achieve their cloud-related goals. Nowadays, a lot of organizations think that using the cloud comes with hazards. However, the truth is not quite that dire; if you follow certain security best practices, the cloud may be a safe haven for your data.

Businesses need to have a solid security plan in place to handle their SaaS security concerns if they want to fully benefit from cloud computing. In the first place, what are these worries?

SaaS Challenges

Lack of experts in IT security. Companies compete intensely to attract qualified specialists in the tight market for IT security professionals, especially those working on cloud security. In the United States, there are often insufficient skilled workers to cover only 66% of cybersecurity job openings.
Problems with cloud migration. A major obstacle to cloud adoption, according to 78% of cloud decision-makers surveyed by Flexera in 2023, was a lack of resources and experience. Inexperience with cloud systems can result in security-compromising migration errors.
Insider dangers and data breaches. Regretfully, the largest challenge facing cloud computing is still data breaches. 39% of the firms polled in the 2023 Thales Cloud Security Study reported having data breaches.
SaaS enlargement. Some businesses utilize more SaaS technologies than they require. According to BetterCloud, companies used 130 SaaS apps on average in 2022, which is 18% more than in 2021. Managing multiple SaaS apps increases the amount of knowledge and error-proneness that can arise.
Adherence to regulations. The technology used in clouds is quite recent. As a result, there may be gaps in some SaaS standards, and industry or national compliance standards are frequently different. Security is compromised when SaaS tools are used that don't adhere to international rules or lack industry standards.
Security and certification requirements. To protect client data, SaaS providers must adhere to industry standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Although it requires more work for vendors, certifying adherence to such standards is crucial for reducing security threats.

Monitoring Leading SaaS Security Trends

Cyberattacks will cost businesses $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, a 300% increase over 2015, predicts McKinsey. Businesses need to keep up with the latest developments in data security if they want to reduce the risk and expense of cyberattacks. They must adopt a shared responsibility model and cloud-native solutions built with DevSecOps standards to actively manage their SaaS security.

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