malicious links Archives

Winsage

May 28, 2025

All Windows users must ‘watch out’ and delete ‘Microsoft’ updates now

Windows 10 and Windows 11 users are experiencing a rise in phishing emails that appear to be from Microsoft, according to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting center. Over 250 users have reported receiving fraudulent messages claiming their devices are infected with malware, often encouraging them to click on malicious links. These emails may look credible, sometimes using legitimate Microsoft addresses. Action Fraud advises users to verify messages directly with organizations using official contact details and warns that legitimate institutions will never request personal information via email. Microsoft also states it does not send unsolicited emails or calls for personal information and recommends downloading software only from official sources.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Microsoft’s ‘Patch Tuesday’ Update Fixes Seven Zero-Day Exploits

Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday update addresses 72 security vulnerabilities, including five critical zero-day vulnerabilities. Four of these zero-days are elevation of privilege flaws: - CVE-2025-32701 and CVE-2025-32706 target the Windows Common Log File System Driver. - CVE-2025-30400 affects the Microsoft DWM Core Library. - CVE-2025-32709 involves the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges locally. The fifth zero-day, CVE-2025-30397, is a remote code execution vulnerability in the Microsoft Scripting Engine, which can be exploited through malicious links in Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer. CVE-2025-30397, CVE-2025-32701, and CVE-2025-30400 were discovered by the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, while CVE-2025-32706 was disclosed by the Google Threat Intelligence Group and CrowdStrike, and CVE-2025-32709 was reported by an anonymous researcher. Additionally, a publicly disclosed spoofing flaw in Microsoft Defender, CVE-2025-26685, allows unauthenticated attackers with local network access to impersonate another account. The final zero-day, CVE-2025-32702, is a remote code execution vulnerability in Visual Studio.

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.

Tech Optimizer

April 3, 2025

1,500+ PostgreSQL Servers Compromised With Fileless Malware Attack

A cryptojacking campaign has targeted over 1,500 organizations by exploiting inadequately secured PostgreSQL database servers. The attackers, identified as JINX-0126, use advanced techniques including credential brute-forcing and fileless execution to deploy Monero (XMR)-mining malware. Approximately 30% of cloud-hosted PostgreSQL servers are affected due to weak or default credentials. The attackers execute commands using PostgreSQL’s COPY FROM PROGRAM function, bypassing standard detection mechanisms. They have been linked to three cryptocurrency wallets with around 550 active mining workers, generating a hashrate of 4.04 GH/s and approximately €10.40 per hour in XMR revenue. The attack begins with credential spraying against default accounts, followed by an SQL injection to fetch the payload. The malware operates in memory, modifies PostgreSQL’s configuration to maintain persistence, and creates cron jobs for reactivation. The campaign reveals significant security gaps in cloud environments, with recommendations for improved access controls and monitoring.

Tech Optimizer

April 1, 2025

This Antivirus Software Is So Strong That It Will Humiliate The Bad Guys Of The Cyber World (50% Off)

Bitdefender offers comprehensive protection against current and emerging online threats with a lightweight design that maintains device performance. It is currently providing a 50% discount on its multi-device bundles, including the Total Security bundle, which covers up to five devices across various platforms for an introductory price. The Internet Security and Antivirus Plus bundles are also available at discounted rates for Windows PCs. All bundles include features like File Shredder, Social Network Protection, and safe online banking through Safepay. Bitdefender utilizes advanced AI technology to predict and neutralize threats while optimizing device performance.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

PJobRAT Android RAT as Dating & Instant Messaging Apps Attacking Military Personnel

PJobRAT is an Android Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that re-emerged in 2023 with improved capabilities and a refined targeting strategy, previously known for attacking Indian military personnel in 2021. It is now targeting users in Taiwan through social engineering tactics, disguising itself as legitimate dating and messaging apps. The malware is distributed via compromised WordPress sites hosting fake applications like “SaangalLite” and “CChat.” The infection footprint is small, indicating highly targeted attacks rather than widespread campaigns. PJobRAT retains its core functionality of exfiltrating sensitive information, including SMS messages, contacts, and media files, while enhancing command execution capabilities. Upon installation, the malicious apps request extensive permissions to operate continuously in the background. The malware uses a dual-channel communication infrastructure, with Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) as the primary command channel and a secondary HTTP-based channel for data exfiltration to a command-and-control server. The campaign appears to have concluded, but the evolution of PJobRAT highlights the ongoing threat of sophisticated mobile malware targeting high-value individuals.

Tech Optimizer

March 27, 2025

Do Macs need antivirus? Debunking the security myth

Many users believe that Macs are immune to cybersecurity threats, leading them to neglect protective measures. This perception originated from Apple's marketing and the historical lower targeting of Macs due to their smaller market share. However, as the popularity of Macs has increased, so has the development of malware aimed at macOS. Reports indicate that malware targeting Macs has now outpaced that targeting Windows on a per-device basis. While macOS includes strong security features like XProtect, Gatekeeper, and System Integrity Protection, these are not foolproof. XProtect only defends against known malware, leaving users vulnerable to new threats. Macs are susceptible to various types of malware, including adware, Trojans, and phishing attacks. Antivirus software is important for Macs as it protects against evolving malware, shields users from phishing and online scams, enhances privacy protection, and prevents cross-platform threats.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affecting various Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, Windows 11 v24H2, and Server 2025, allows attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through interactions with malicious files in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been fully documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches available for free until Microsoft releases a permanent fix. These micropatches support a wide range of Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems. The micropatches have been automatically distributed to affected systems with the 0patch Agent installed.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affects all Windows operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025, allowing attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through malicious files viewed in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view previously downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been publicly documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches through 0patch to temporarily mitigate the issue, which will be available at no cost until Microsoft releases a permanent solution. The micropatches support various Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems, and can be automatically deployed without requiring system reboots.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Hackers Exploit Windows MMC Zero-Day Vulnerability to Execute Malicious Code

Russian threat actors are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), identified as CVE-2025-26633, allowing them to bypass security features and execute harmful code. The hacking group Water Gamayun, also known as EncryptHub and Larva-208, is behind this campaign, using a weaponized version of the vulnerability called “MSC EvilTwin” to deploy various malicious payloads, including information stealers and backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions, particularly older systems like Windows Server 2016. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added CVE-2025-26633 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, requiring federal agencies to patch affected systems by April 1, 2025. Microsoft included this vulnerability in its March 2025 Patch Tuesday update. Recommended mitigations include applying security patches, restricting network access to MMC ports, and monitoring for unusual MMC activity.