Cyber espionage Archives

Winsage

December 18, 2025

China-Aligned Threat Group Uses Windows Group Policy to Deploy Espionage Malware

A newly identified cyber threat cluster called LongNosedGoblin has been linked to cyber espionage attacks targeting governmental entities in Southeast Asia and Japan, with activities traced back to at least September 2023. The group uses Group Policy to spread malware and employs cloud services like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive for command and control. Key tools include NosyHistorian, NosyDoor, NosyStealer, NosyDownloader, and NosyLogger, which perform functions such as collecting browser history, executing commands, and logging keystrokes. ESET first detected LongNosedGoblin's activities in February 2024, identifying malware on a governmental system. The attacks showed a targeted approach, with specific tools affecting select victims. Additionally, a variant of NosyDoor was found targeting an organization in an EU country, indicating a possible connection to other China-aligned threat groups.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft Silently Fixes 8-Year Windows Security Flaw

Microsoft addressed a critical vulnerability in Windows, identified as CVE-2025-9491, which had existed for nearly eight years and allowed cybercriminals to conceal malicious commands within .LNK (shortcut) files. This flaw was exploited by state-sponsored hacking groups from countries including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, with evidence of nearly 1,000 malicious shortcut files used in various campaigns. The vulnerability was initially downplayed by Microsoft, which stated it did not require immediate servicing. However, as exploitation increased, Microsoft eventually included a fix in its November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, which was not publicly announced. The fix allows the entire Target command to be displayed in the Properties dialog, addressing the security risk. Research indicated that around 70% of campaigns exploiting this flaw were focused on espionage and information theft across multiple sectors.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Microsoft Silently Activates Critical Windows Security Update

Microsoft has enhanced its Windows security measures by addressing the CVE-2025-9491 vulnerability, which has existed for nearly eight years and was exploited by state-sponsored groups for cyber espionage and data theft. The vulnerability was previously identified as ZDI-CAN-25373 and ZDI-25-148 by Trend Micro. The November Patch Tuesday updates have fixed this issue, which was described as having been demoted from a vulnerability to a functional bug. The update modifies the Properties dialog of a .lnk file to display the entire Target command in a single line. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the update but stated that it is continuously rolling out enhancements for security and user experience.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Microsoft Silently Patches Windows LNK Flaw After Years of Active Exploitation

Microsoft has addressed a long-standing security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-9491, which has been exploited since 2017. This vulnerability involves a misinterpretation issue within Windows Shortcut (LNK) files, potentially allowing remote code execution. The flaw was highlighted in the November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, with a CVSS score of 7.8/7.0. It allows crafted .LNK files to obscure harmful content, making it invisible to users, thus enabling attackers to execute code under the current user's context. The vulnerability was exploited by various state-sponsored groups, including those from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, for data theft and espionage. Microsoft initially deemed the flaw not warranting immediate attention, citing user interaction requirements and existing system warnings. Subsequent investigations revealed its exploitation by cyber espionage groups, including XDSpy and China-affiliated actors targeting European entities. The recent patch aims to ensure that the entire Target command is displayed in the Properties dialog, while 0patch provides warnings for LNK files exceeding 260 characters.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

New Warning As Microsoft Windows Attacks Confirmed

Microsoft has rolled out an emergency security update for Windows users, but a new vulnerability, CVE-2025-9491, is being exploited by attackers and remains unpatched. This vulnerability is being actively exploited by threat actors associated with China, primarily targeting European diplomatic entities in Hungary, Belgium, and other nations. The attacks involve phishing emails with embedded URLs that deliver malicious LNK files, allowing attackers to execute obfuscated PowerShell commands and deploy a multi-stage malware chain, culminating in the PlugX remote access trojan. Users are advised to block .lnk files from untrusted sources to mitigate risks.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows LNK UI Spoofing Vulnerability Weaponized for Remote Code Execution

A cyber espionage campaign targeting European diplomatic institutions has been attributed to the Chinese-affiliated threat actor UNC6384, which exploits the ZDI-CAN-25373 vulnerability in Windows shortcut files. The campaign, noted for its use of social engineering tactics that mimic legitimate diplomatic events, has specifically targeted entities in Hungary, Belgium, and surrounding European nations between September and October 2025. The attack utilizes spearphishing emails with malicious LNK files related to European Commission and NATO meetings, leading to the deployment of PlugX, a remote access trojan. The attack chain involves a weaponized LNK file that executes PowerShell commands to unpack a tar archive containing a malicious DLL and an encrypted payload. UNC6384 employs advanced techniques to evade detection, including dynamic loading of Windows API functions and anti-analysis measures. The malware allows extensive espionage activities and creates hidden directories for persistent access. Recommendations for organizations include disabling automatic LNK file resolution, blocking known command and control domains, and enhancing user training to defend against such threats.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

China-Linked Hackers Exploit Windows Shortcut Flaw to Target European Diplomats

A China-affiliated threat actor, UNC6384, has been conducting cyber attacks targeting diplomatic and governmental entities in Europe, including Hungary, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Serbia. These attacks exploit an unpatched Windows shortcut vulnerability (CVE-2025-9491) through spear-phishing emails that appear relevant to diplomatic events. The emails deliver malicious LNK files that deploy PlugX malware via DLL side-loading. PlugX is a remote access trojan that allows extensive control over compromised systems and has been linked to another hacking group, Mustang Panda. Microsoft Defender can detect these attacks, and Smart App Control provides additional protection. The LNK file executes a PowerShell command to extract a TAR archive containing a legitimate utility, a malicious DLL, and an encrypted PlugX payload. The size of the malicious artifacts has decreased significantly, indicating ongoing evolution. UNC6384 has also begun using HTML Application files to load external JavaScript for retrieving malicious payloads, aligning with Chinese intelligence objectives regarding European defense policies.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows LNK UI Spoofing Vulnerability Weaponized for Remote Code Execution

A cyber espionage campaign has been launched by the Chinese-affiliated threat actor UNC6384, targeting European diplomatic institutions using a vulnerability in the Windows shortcut (LNK) user interface, identified as ZDI-CAN-25373. This vulnerability was disclosed in March 2025. Between September and October 2025, entities in Hungary, Belgium, and neighboring European nations were specifically targeted. The attack utilizes spearphishing emails with conference-themed LNK files that exploit the Windows vulnerability to execute PowerShell commands, leading to the deployment of the PlugX remote access trojan (RAT). The attack sequence involves a weaponized LNK file that unpacks a tar archive containing a legitimate Canon printer assistant executable, a malicious DLL, and an encrypted payload. The Canon binary, despite being digitally signed, loads the malicious DLL which injects the PlugX payload into memory. The malware employs anti-analysis techniques and creates a hidden directory for persistent access. Recommendations for organizations include disabling automatic LNK file resolution, blocking known command and control domains, and monitoring for DLL side-loading attacks.

Tech Optimizer

August 25, 2025

New Android Spyware Masquerading as Antivirus Targets Business Executives

Doctor Web’s antivirus laboratory has identified a sophisticated Android backdoor malware named Android.Backdoor.916.origin, which has been evolving since January 2025. This spyware primarily targets Russian businesses through focused attacks, disseminated via private messages as a fake antivirus application called “GuardCB.” The app's icon resembles the Central Bank of the Russian Federation's emblem and is presented in Russian. Variants of the malware include names like “SECURITY_FSB” and “FSB,” falsely claiming to be security tools linked to Russian law enforcement. Upon execution, the malware simulates an antivirus scan, requesting extensive system permissions for surveillance and data exfiltration, including access to geolocation, audio recording, SMS, contacts, call logs, media files, and camera functions. It establishes connections to command-and-control servers, allowing attackers to send and receive sensitive data, initiate audio and video feeds, and execute commands. The malware employs keylogger functionality to intercept keystrokes and monitor specific applications for content theft. Doctor Web has notified domain registrars to disrupt the malware's infrastructure and confirms that all known variants are detected and neutralized by their antivirus solutions. Organizations are advised to enforce strict APK sideloading policies and verify app authenticity to counter such threats.

Tech Optimizer

August 1, 2025

Microsoft says Russian hackers are planting fake antivirus software in embassy attacks

Recent findings from Microsoft Threat Intelligence indicate that Russian state hackers are targeting foreign embassies in Moscow using a sophisticated malware called ApolloShadow, which disguises itself as Kaspersky antivirus software. This malware installs a TLS root certificate, allowing hackers to impersonate trusted websites accessed by compromised systems within the embassies. The attacks are categorized as adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attacks, enabling hackers to intercept and manipulate communications. The group behind these attacks, known as Secret Blizzard, has a history of targeting Ukrainian military technology and has now expanded its operations to conduct cyber espionage within Russia. Diplomats using local ISPs or telecommunications services in Russia are considered likely targets for these activities, which may utilize Russia's domestic intercept systems like the System for Operative Investigative Activities (SORM).