Evasion
LeakNet ransomware uses ClickFix, Deno runtime in stealthy attacks
The LeakNet ransomware gang is now using the ClickFix technique for initial access into corporate environments and deploys a malware loader based on the open-source Deno runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript. The attacker is using the legitimate Deno to decode and execute a malicious payload directly into system memory, minimizing forensic evidence on the disk and […]
New ‘BlackSanta’ EDR killer spotted targeting HR departments
For more than a year, a Russian-speaking threat actor targeted human resource (HR) departments with malware that delivers a new EDR killer named BlackSanta. Described as “sophisticated,” the campaign mixes social engineering with advanced evasion techniques to steal sensitive information from compromised systems. It is unclear how the attack begins, but researchers at Aryaka, a network […]
New ‘Zombie ZIP’ technique lets malware slip past security tools
A new technique dubbed “Zombie ZIP” helps conceal payloads in compressed files specially created to avoid detection from security solutions such as antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) products. Trying to extract the files with standard utilities like WinRAR or 7-Zip results in errors or corrupted data. The technique works by manipulating ZIP headers to trick parsing engines into […]
Predator spyware hooks iOS SpringBoard to hide mic, camera activity
Intellexa’s Predator spyware can hide iOS recording indicators while secretly streaming camera and microphone feeds to its operators. The malware does not exploit any iOS vulnerability but leverages previously obtained kernel-level access to hijack system indicators that would otherwise expose its surveillance operation. Apple introduced recording indicators on the status bar in iOS 14 to alert […]
Ransomware gang uses ISPsystem VMs for stealthy payload delivery
Ransomware operators are hosting and delivering malicious payloads at scale by abusing virtual machines (VMs) provisioned by ISPsystem, a legitimate virtual infrastructure management provider. Researchers at cybersecurity company Sophos observed the tactic while investigating recent ‘WantToCry’ ransomware incidents. They found the attackers used Windows VMs with identical hostnames, suggesting default templates generated by ISPsystem’s VMmanager. Diving deeper, […]
Gootloader now uses 1,000-part ZIP archives for stealthy delivery
The Gootloader malware, typically used for initial access, is now using a malformed ZIP archive designed to evade detection by concatenating up to 1,000 archives. In doing so, the malware, which is an archived JScript file, causes many tools to crash when trying to analyze it. According to researchers, the malicious file is successfully unpacked using the default […]
Ransomware gangs turn to Shanya EXE packer to hide EDR killers
Multiple ransomware gangs are using a packer-as-a-service platform named Shanya to help them deploy payloads that disable endpoint detection and response solutions on victim systems. Packer services provide cybercriminals with specialized tools to package their payloads in a way that obfuscates malicious code to evade detection by most known security tools and antivirus engines. The Shanya packer […]
Crypto24 ransomware hits large orgs with custom EDR evasion tool
The Crypto24 ransomware group has been using custom utilities to evade security solutions on breached networks, exfiltrate data, and encrypt files. The threat group’s earliest activity was reported on GeekFeed forums in September 2024, though it never reached notable levels of notoriety. According to Trend Micro researchers tracking Crypto24’s operations, the hackers have hit several large organizations in the United […]
New EDR killer tool used by eight different ransomware groups
A new Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) killer that is considered to be the evolution of ‘EDRKillShifter,’ developed by RansomHub, has been observed in attacks by eight different ransomware gangs. Such tools help ransomware operators turn off security products on breached systems so they can deploy payloads, escalate privileges, attempt lateral movement, and ultimately encrypt devices on […]
New Ghost Calls tactic abuses Zoom and Microsoft Teams for C2 operations
A new post-exploitation command-and-control (C2) evasion method called ‘Ghost Calls’ abuses TURN servers used by conferencing apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to tunnel traffic through trusted infrastructure. Ghost Calls uses legitimate credentials, WebRTC, and custom tooling to bypass most existing defenses and anti-abuse measures, without relying on an exploit. This new tactic was presented […]