Initial Access
Initial access hackers switch to Tsundere Bot for ransomware attacks
A prolific initial access broker tracked as TA584 has been observed using the Tsundere Bot alongside XWorm remote access trojan to gain network access that could lead to ransomware attacks. Proofpoint researchers have been tracking TA584’s activity since 2020 and say that the threat actor has significantly increased its operations recently, introducing a continuous attack chain that undermines static […]
Jordanian pleads guilty to selling access to 50 corporate networks
A Jordanian man has pleaded guilty to operating as an “access broker” who sold access to the computer networks of at least 50 companies. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured Albashiti’s extradition from Georgia (where he lived and was arrested) in July 2024. 40-year-old Feras Khalil Ahmad Albashiti (also known online as “r1z,” […]
China-linked hackers exploited Sitecore zero-day for initial access
An advanced threat actor tracked as UAT-8837 and believed to be linked to China has been focusing on critical infrastructure systems in North America, gaining access by exploiting both known and zero-day vulnerabilities. The hacker group has been active since at least 2025, and its purpose appears to be mainly to obtain initial access to […]
Ransomware IAB abuses EDR for stealthy malware execution
An initial access broker tracked as Storm-0249 is abusing endpoint detection and response solutions and trusted Microsoft Windows utilities to load malware, establish communication, and persistence in preparation for ransomware attacks. The threat actor has moved beyond mass phishing and adopted stealthier, more advanced methods that prove effective and difficult for defenders to counter, even if well documented. In […]
Ransomware gang sought BBC reporter’s help in hacking media giant
Threat actors claiming to represent the Medusa ransomware gang tempted a BBC correspondent to become an insider threat by offering a significant amount of money. Cybersecurity correspondent Joe Tidy revealed in a story on the BBC that the hackers wanted to use his laptop to breach the British public-service broadcaster’s network and then ask for a ransom. […]
Hackers exploit SAP NetWeaver bug to deploy Linux Auto-Color malware
Hackers were spotted exploiting a critical SAP NetWeaver vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-31324 to deploy the Auto-Color Linux malware in a cyberattack on a U.S.-based chemicals company. Cybersecurity firm Darktrace discovered the attack during an incident response in April 2025, where an investigation revealed that the Auto-Color malware had evolved to include additional advanced evasion tactics. Darktrace reports […]
Ryuk ransomware’s initial access expert extradited to the U.S.
A member of the notorious Ryuk ransomware operation who specialized in gaining initial access to corporate networks has been extradited to the United States. The suspect is a 33-year-old foreign man who was arrested in April 2025 in his home in Kyiv at the request of the FBI. He was extradited to the United States […]
Ransomware gang creates tool to automate VPN brute-force attacks
The Black Basta ransomware operation created an automated brute-forcing framework dubbed ‘BRUTED’ to breach edge networking devices like firewalls and VPNs. The framework has enabled BlackBasta to streamline initial network access and scale ransomware attacks on vulnerable internet-exposed endpoints. The discovery of BRUTED comes from EclecticIQ researcher Arda Büyükkaya following an in-depth examination of the ransomware gang’s leaked […]
BadPilot network hacking campaign fuels Russian SandWorm attacks
A subgroup of the Russian state-sponsored hacking group APT44, also known as ‘Seashell Blizzard’ and ‘Sandworm’, has been targeting critical organizations and governments in a multi-year campaign dubbed ‘BadPilot.’ The threat actor has been active since at least 2021 and is also responsible for breaching networks of organizations in energy, oil and gas, telecommunications, shipping, and […]
Hackers exploit SimpleHelp RMM flaws to deploy Sliver malware
Hackers are targeting vulnerable SimpleHelp RMM clients to create administrator accounts, drop backdoors, and potentially lay the groundwork for ransomware attacks. The flaws are tracked as CVE-2024-57726, CVE-2024-57727, and CVE-2024-57728 and were reported as potentially actively exploited by Arctic Wolf last week. However, the cybersecurity firm could not confirm for sure if the flaws were used. Cybersecurity firm Field […]