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Kaspersky

Fake Software Installers Disable Windows Update and Weaken Microsoft Defender
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Fake Software Installers Disable Windows Update and Weaken Microsoft Defender

An active malware campaign is using counterfeit software-download websites to distribute malicious installers, primarily targeting users seeking popular software. This campaign has significantly affected China-based operations of multinational corporations and Chinese-speaking users. The malware, once executed, can establish persistence, undermine security measures, and communicate with attacker-controlled infrastructure. Victims span various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, gaming, technology, logistics, government, and education. Microsoft associates this campaign with a Chinese threat cluster called Silver Fox, known for using spoofed vendor download pages to spread Gh0st RAT and ValleyRAT. The malicious websites are hosted on .com.cn and .hl.cn domains, featuring Chinese-language content. The downloaded files are dynamically generated, and upon execution, they deploy a wrapper installer that initiates the malware payload. The malware achieves persistence through scheduled tasks and interferes with Windows Update services. The campaign establishes command-and-control communication over non-standard ports, with two identified domains linked to the activity. Microsoft Defender has detected the threat and initiated containment procedures. Kaspersky reported a related malicious installer exploiting a legitimate adware application to execute a backdoor, which captures keystrokes and clipboard contents. ValleyRAT, a sophisticated implant, can collect system information, reboot the computer, capture screenshots, and transmit logs. The attackers are motivated by cyber espionage and financial gain, targeting organizations globally. A subgroup within GoldenEyeDog, known as CuboidalCanine, has also been linked to the use of ValleyRAT, particularly in the gambling industry. In June 2026, Chinese authorities addressed cybercrime cases involving a new variant of the Silver Fox trojan.
Fake Microsoft Edge, Kaspersky and Razer Installers Used to Compromise Windows Systems
Winsage
September 2, 2026

Fake Microsoft Edge, Kaspersky and Razer Installers Used to Compromise Windows Systems

An ongoing malware campaign is targeting Windows devices through counterfeit download pages for well-known software brands like Microsoft Edge, Kaspersky, and Razer. The campaign affects various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, gaming, technology, logistics, government, and education. It utilizes high-fidelity fraudulent websites that closely mimic legitimate vendors, with observed lure domains such as app-microsoft-edge[.]com[.]cn and kaspersky-lab[.]hl[.]cn. Attackers employ evasion tactics like server-side payload regeneration and create multiple copies of the same archive in quick succession. Victims are lured into downloading ZIP files that contain a bundled wrapper installer, which activates a stage-one executable in randomized directories. The malware often masquerades as legitimate software, with some payloads impersonating known applications. Persistence is achieved through scheduled tasks with unusual names, and the malware employs various evasion techniques, including deleting shadow copies and altering file permissions. Microsoft Defender has identified activity across multiple stages of the attack, including delivery, execution, and command-and-control communications. To mitigate risks, organizations are advised to block downloads from unofficial sources, enforce Tamper Protection, and implement Attack Surface Reduction rules. Indicators of compromise (IOCs) include specific lure domains and URLs associated with the campaign.
ValleyRAT Backdoor Hides in Signed Adware That Users Add to Antivirus Exclusions
Tech Optimizer
August 31, 2026

ValleyRAT Backdoor Hides in Signed Adware That Users Add to Antivirus Exclusions

Silver Fox is linked to the distribution of a backdoor malware called ValleyRAT, disguised as the legitimate QN Wallpaper adware application. Once installed, ValleyRAT provides complete control over the compromised machine. The malware uses DLL sideloading to operate under the guise of a legitimate process, bypassing security measures. It disables Windows Defender and adds itself to autorun entries, and can mark its process as critical, causing system crashes if terminated. Kaspersky has identified specific indicators of compromise (IoCs) including hashes, command-and-control servers, and associated domains. In 2026, Kaspersky recorded over 100,000 detections of ValleyRAT affecting more than 1,500 unique users, mainly in China and India.
New Android Malware Spotted Infecting Cars Via Software Updates
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

New Android Malware Spotted Infecting Cars Via Software Updates

A new strain of Android malware has emerged, targeting automotive head units responsible for infotainment, connectivity, and navigation in vehicles. Discovered by Kaspersky in June, this is the first documented instance of malware affecting car head units, specifically within the firmware updaters of Android-based software developed by DoFun, a Hong Kong company. The malware, disguised as an application called JarService, infiltrates devices without user awareness. It is delivered through a legitimate system application called TWCore, which collects analytics and updates software. The malware aims to convert the head unit into a botnet, equipped with commands to download and execute code and display advertisements, potentially for online ad fraud. Kaspersky notified DoFun, which addressed the vulnerabilities, and noted similarities between this malware and a previous threat called BadBox, which affected various Android devices.
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