NTLM Archives

Winsage

April 19, 2025

Windows vulnerability with NTLM hash abuse exploited for phishing

A vulnerability in Windows, identified as CVE-2025-24054, is being exploited in phishing campaigns targeting government and private organizations. Initially considered low-risk, it was addressed in Microsoft's March 2025 Patch Tuesday updates. Following the release of these patches, Check Point observed a rise in exploitation attempts, particularly linked to the Russian group APT28. Attackers sent phishing emails with Dropbox links containing .library-ms files, which, when accessed, connected to an external SMB server controlled by the attackers, allowing interception of NTLM hashes. A subsequent wave of attacks involved .library-ms files sent as direct attachments, requiring minimal user interaction to exploit the vulnerability. The malicious ZIP archive also contained files exploiting older NTLM vulnerabilities. Check Point identified the attackers' SMB servers with specific IP addresses. Despite being classified as medium-severity, the vulnerability's potential impact is significant, prompting organizations to apply the March 2025 updates and consider disabling NTLM authentication if not essential.

Winsage

April 17, 2025

Windows NTLM hash leak flaw exploited in phishing attacks on governments

A vulnerability in Windows, identified as CVE-2025-24054, is being actively exploited in phishing campaigns targeting government and private sectors. Initially addressed in Microsoft's March 2025 Patch Tuesday, it was not considered actively exploited at that time. Researchers from Check Point reported increased exploitation activities shortly after the patches were released, particularly between March 20 and 25, 2025. Some attacks were linked to the Russian state-sponsored group APT28, but definitive attribution is lacking. The vulnerability allows attackers to capture NTLM hashes through phishing emails containing manipulated .library-ms files that trigger the flaw when interacted with. Check Point noted that subsequent attacks involved .library-ms files sent directly, requiring minimal user interaction to exploit. The malicious files also included additional components that exploit older vulnerabilities related to NTLM hash leaks. The attacker-controlled SMB servers were traced to specific IP addresses. Although rated as medium severity, the potential for authentication bypass and privilege escalation makes it a significant concern, prompting recommendations for organizations to install updates and disable NTLM authentication if not necessary.

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.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Microsoft delays WSUS driver sync deprecation indefinitely

Microsoft has indefinitely postponed the removal of driver synchronization within Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) in response to customer feedback. The planned removal, originally set for April 18, 2025, has been put on hold as the company works on a revised timeline. This decision marks a shift from previous communications that indicated the deprecation of WSUS driver synchronization. Microsoft had initially announced the intention to phase out this feature in June 2024 and had encouraged IT administrators to adopt cloud-based solutions. Despite the earlier deprecation announcement, Microsoft will continue to support existing WSUS capabilities and publish updates.

Winsage

March 28, 2025

Windows Users at Risk: New Zero-Day Exploit Steals Passwords Without Interaction

A newly uncovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows allows hackers to steal NTLM credentials simply by previewing a malicious file, affecting multiple Windows versions, including Windows 7 and Windows 11 v24H2. Microsoft has not yet issued a patch for this vulnerability, leaving millions of users exposed. The flaw was reported by security researcher Mitja Kolsek from ACROS Security, who noted that stolen credentials could lead to unauthorized access to networks. ACROS Security has created a temporary micro-patch available through its 0patch platform, which users are encouraged to implement. Additionally, a separate zero-day vulnerability identified in Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers allows attackers to bypass sandbox protection with a click on a malicious link, primarily targeting media organizations and government agencies in Russia. Users are advised to install the 0patch fix, avoid interacting with unfamiliar files, and update their browsers to protect against these 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

Windows Passwords At Risk As New 0-Day Confirmed—Act Now

Windows users are facing multiple zero-day vulnerabilities affecting various operating system versions, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, and Windows 11 v24H2, with no official patch available from Microsoft. A new vulnerability allows attackers to obtain NTLM credentials by having a user view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. This vulnerability is distinct from a previously reported incident and remains undisclosed until Microsoft issues a patch. NTLM vulnerabilities can enable credential theft, and while not classified as critical, they have been exploited in real-world attacks. Users may need to wait for the next Patch Tuesday for an official fix, but can utilize a micro-patch solution from ACROS Security's 0patch to address the vulnerability temporarily.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

0patch releases yet another free fix for yet another 0day vulnerability in Windows that Microsoft has not addressed

0patch has released micropatches for a critical SCF File NTLM hash disclosure vulnerability affecting all Windows versions from Windows 7 to Windows 11 and Windows Server editions from 2008 to 2025. This vulnerability allows attackers to obtain users' NTLM credentials by having them view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. 0patch operates on a subscription model and provides security fixes for unsupported Windows versions, as well as complimentary patches for unaddressed vulnerabilities. Specific details about the vulnerability are currently withheld, pending an official fix from Microsoft.