exploits Archives

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

12 Android apps secretly recorded your conversations

Recent findings from cybersecurity experts at ESET revealed that several Android applications, disguised as harmless tools, have been secretly recording conversations and stealing sensitive data. These malicious apps infiltrated devices through the Google Play Store and third-party platforms, compromising the privacy of thousands of users. One tactic used by cybercriminals involved romantic deception, where victims were coaxed into downloading a seemingly harmless messaging app containing the VajraSpy Trojan, which activated upon installation to record conversations and harvest personal data. The identified malicious apps fall into three categories: 1. Standard Messaging Apps with Hidden Trojans: These apps, including Hello Chat, MeetMe, and Chit Chat, request access to personal data and operate silently in the background, stealing contacts, SMS messages, call logs, device location, and installed app lists. 2. Apps Exploiting Accessibility Features: Apps like Wave Chat exploit Android’s accessibility features to intercept communications from secure platforms, record phone calls, keystrokes, and ambient sounds. 3. Single Non-Messaging App: Nidus, a news app, requests a phone number for sign-in and collects contacts and files, increasing the risk of data theft. The 12 malicious Android apps identified include: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Chat, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. The first six apps were available on the Google Play Store and had over 1,400 downloads before removal. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately to protect their personal data.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Microsoft’s Patch for Symlink Vulnerability Introduces New Windows Denial-of-Service Flaw

In early April 2025, Microsoft addressed a security vulnerability (CVE-2025-21204) related to symbolic links in the Windows servicing stack, specifically affecting the c:inetpub directory used by Internet Information Services (IIS). The updates created the c:inetpub folder with appropriate permissions to mitigate risks. However, this fix introduced a new denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability, allowing non-administrative users to create junction points on the c: drive, disrupting the Windows Update mechanism. A command such as "mklink /j c:inetpub c:windowssystem32notepad.exe" could be used to exploit this flaw, preventing systems from receiving future security patches. As of April 25, Microsoft had not released a patch or acknowledged the issue, leaving systems vulnerable and emphasizing the need for monitoring user permissions and manually removing suspicious symlinks.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Critical Windows Update Stack Vulnerability Allows Code Execution & Privilege Escalation

A security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21204 has been discovered in the Windows Update Stack, allowing local attackers to execute unauthorized code and escalate privileges to SYSTEM-level access. This vulnerability, with a CVSS score of 7.8 (High), affects Windows 10 versions 1507, 1607, and 1809, among likely other supported Windows 10/11 and Windows Server versions. The flaw arises from a design issue where Windows Update processes do not properly follow directory junctions, enabling attackers with limited user privileges to redirect trusted paths to locations containing malicious code. Microsoft has introduced a mitigation strategy in its April 2025 cumulative update, which includes creating a new folder at the root of system drives and implementing detection rules for suspicious junction creations. Organizations are advised to apply the April 2025 security updates, restrict ACLs on specific directories, prevent symbolic link creation, and monitor file creation activities in certain directories.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

Hackers Exploiting NTLM Spoofing Vulnerability in Wild to Compromise Systems

Cybercriminals are exploiting a vulnerability in Windows systems known as CVE-2025-24054, which involves NTLM hash disclosure through spoofing techniques. This flaw allows attackers to leak NTLM hashes, leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within networks. It is triggered when a user extracts a ZIP archive containing a malicious .library-ms file, causing Windows Explorer to initiate SMB authentication requests that expose NTLMv2-SSP hashes. Exploitation of this vulnerability began shortly after a security patch was released on March 11, 2025, with campaigns targeting government and private institutions in Poland and Romania. These campaigns utilized spear-phishing emails containing malicious ZIP archives, which, when interacted with, leaked NTLM hashes. The malicious files included various types designed to initiate SMB connections to attacker-controlled servers, allowing for pass-the-hash attacks and privilege escalation. The stolen hashes were sent to servers in several countries, indicating potential links to state-sponsored groups. One campaign involved Dropbox links that exploited the vulnerability upon user interaction. Microsoft has recommended immediate patching, enhancing network defenses, user education, network segmentation, and regular security audits to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

Windows NTLM vulnerability exploited in multiple attack campaigns (CVE-2025-24054)

CVE-2025-24054 is a vulnerability that allows attackers to capture NTLMv2-SSP hashes from a victim's machine during authentication requests to an attacker-controlled SMB server. Active exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed since March 19, 2025, targeting government and private sectors in Poland and Romania. The attacks involve phishing emails that lead victims to download an archive file containing exploits designed to leak NTLMv2-SSP hashes. Microsoft has released patches for this vulnerability, but users on older, unsupported versions may need to consider micropatching.

Tech Optimizer

April 16, 2025

Hackers find a way around built-in Windows protections

Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a built-in security feature on Windows PCs that restricts the execution of unauthorized software by allowing only trusted applications. However, hackers have discovered multiple methods to bypass WDAC, exposing systems to malware and cyber threats. Techniques for bypassing WDAC include using Living-off-the-Land Binaries (LOLBins), DLL sideloading, and exploiting misconfigurations in WDAC policies. Attackers can execute unauthorized code without triggering alerts from traditional security solutions, enabling them to install ransomware or create backdoors. Microsoft operates a bug bounty program to address vulnerabilities in WDAC, but some bypass techniques remain unpatched for long periods. Users can mitigate risks by keeping Windows updated, being cautious with software downloads, and using strong antivirus software.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

Don’t delete inetpub folder. It’s a Windows security fix

A new folder, typically located at C:inetpub, appears on Windows systems after installing the April Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 and 11. This folder is created as a security measure related to the vulnerability CVE-2025-21204, which could allow unauthorized access to system-level file management. Microsoft advises users to leave this folder untouched, as it is established with read-only SYSTEM-level access to prevent privilege escalation exploits. The folder will be created even if Internet Information Services (IIS) is not installed, and there are currently no known exploits for CVE-2025-21204. If the folder is deleted, it can be recreated by enabling IIS in the Windows features settings. Users can also manually create the folder with the appropriate permissions if desired.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

No, it’s not OK to delete that new inetpub folder

Microsoft has introduced a new inetpub folder located at %systemdrive%inetpub on user devices as part of the April Patch Tuesday updates to enhance system protection. This folder is associated with Internet Information Services (IIS), which is not installed by default. Microsoft advises that this folder should not be deleted, regardless of whether IIS is active. The vulnerability CVE-2025-21204 allows an authenticated attacker to elevate privileges locally, enabling them to perform file management operations on the victim machine. The "link following flaw" refers to inadequate prevention of filename linking to unintended resources, and mitigating this risk involves denying access to specific files and setting appropriate folder permissions. The inetpub folder serves as a protective measure against potential exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft patches zero-day actively exploited in string of ransomware attacks

Microsoft has addressed a zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-29824, exploited by the group Storm-2460, affecting the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS). This vulnerability has been linked to ransomware attacks on organizations in the U.S., Venezuela, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. Storm-2460 has targeted firms in the IT and real estate sectors in the U.S., a financial institution in Venezuela, a software company in Spain, and a retail business in Saudi Arabia. The exploitation allows attackers to escalate privileges from standard user accounts, facilitated by the PipeMagic malware, which has a CVSS score of 7.8. Microsoft has patched 32 CLFS vulnerabilities since 2022, with six exploited in the wild. This month's security update is Microsoft's fourth addressing over 100 vulnerabilities in the past year, with 18 affecting Microsoft Office products classified as high-severity.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Exploitation of CLFS zero-day leads to ransomware activity

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) and Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) identified a zero-day elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS), designated as CVE-2025-29824. This vulnerability has been exploited by the PipeMagic malware, attributed to the group Storm-2460, affecting organizations in various sectors across the U.S., Venezuela, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. Microsoft released security updates on April 8, 2025, to address this vulnerability. The exploit allows attackers with standard user privileges to escalate their access, and it was executed from a dllhost.exe process. The exploit utilizes memory corruption techniques and the RtlSetAllBits API to gain all privileges and inject processes into SYSTEM processes. Post-exploitation, the attackers injected a payload into winlogon.exe, leading to ransomware activity characterized by file encryption and the creation of ransom notes. Indicators of compromise include the creation of a CLFS BLF file at C:ProgramDataSkyPDFPDUDrv.blf, command lines associated with ransomware activities, and specific domains linked to PipeMagic. Microsoft advises applying security updates promptly and recommends strategies for mitigating ransomware threats, including enabling cloud-delivered protection and utilizing device discovery.