@The DefendOps Diaries
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A Russian threat actor, known as Water Gamayun or EncryptHub, is actively exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) framework, identified as CVE-2025-26633. This flaw, dubbed MSC EvilTwin, enables attackers to execute malicious code on infected Windows systems. The attackers manipulate .msc files and the MMC's Multilingual User Interface Path (MUIPath) to bypass security features and deploy various malicious payloads.
Water Gamayun employs sophisticated delivery methods, including provisioning packages, signed MSI files, and Windows MSC files. The group's arsenal includes custom backdoors like SilentPrism and DarkWisp, as well as variants of the EncryptHub Stealer, Stealc, and Rhadamanthys. These payloads are designed to maintain persistence, steal sensitive data, and exfiltrate it to command-and-control servers, using encrypted channels and anti-analysis techniques. Organizations can protect themselves through up-to-date patch management and advanced threat detection technologies.
Recommended read:
References :
- www.cybersecuritydive.com: Russian threat actor weaponized Microsoft Management Console flaw
- www.trendmicro.com: Trend Research discusses the delivery methods, custom payloads, and techniques used by Water Gamayun, the suspected Russian threat actor abusing a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console framework (CVE-2025-26633) to execute malicious code on infected machines.
- iHLS: A threat actor is leveraging a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) to distribute malware.
- Virus Bulletin: Trend Micro researchers identified a campaign by the Russian threat actor Water Gamayun exploiting CVE-2025-26633, a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console.
- doublepulsar.com: Bleeping Computer reports on claims of a breach of Oracle Cloud federated SSO login servers.
- www.cybersecuritydive.com: Confirmation of patient data stolen in alleged cloud breach.
- www.healthcareitnews.com: Reports indicate Oracle Health customers received a letter about a data compromise.
- Techzine Global: Oracle acknowledged the breach related to their health tech division.
- www.cybersecuritydive.com: Security firms brace for impact of potential Oracle Cloud breach
- DataBreaches.Net: Oracle attempt to hide serious cybersecurity incident from customers in Oracle SaaS service
- infosec.exchange: Oracle is apparently dealing with two separate breaches — one affecting Oracle Cloud, and one Oracle Health — but the company refuses to say what's actually going on.
- Risky Business Media: Risky Bulletin: Oracle's healthtech division hacked, customers extorted
- aboutdfir.com: Oracle Health breach compromises patient data at US hospitals A breach at Oracle Health impacts multiple US healthcare organizations and hospitals after a threat actor stole patient data from legacy servers. Oracle Health has not yet publicly disclosed the incident, but in private communications sent to impacted customers and from conversations with those involved, BleepingComputer confirmed […] The post appeared first on .
- techcrunch.com: Oracle under fire for its handling of separate security incidents
- techxplore.com: Oracle warns health customers of patient data breach
- The Register - Security: 1990s incident response in 2025 Two Oracle data security breaches have been reported in the past week, and the database goliath not only remains reluctant to acknowledge the disasters publicly – it may be scrubbing the web of evidence, too.…
- www.csoonline.com: Oracle’s healthcare subsidiary, Oracle Health, has suffered a data breach, potentially exposing customers’ sensitive data, the company told some of its customers.
- SiliconANGLE: Oracle denies cloud breach, while researchers point to credible indicators
- Danny Palmer: NEW: Oracle is apparently dealing with two separate breaches — one affecting Oracle Cloud, and one Oracle Health — but the company refuses to say what's actually going on. Both public and employees are confused at this point, as there is little transparency. Here's a recap of what's happening.
Pierluigi Paganini@Security Affairs
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The LockBit ransomware group, known for impacting numerous organizations globally, has faced a significant development with the extradition of Rostislav Panev to the United States. Panev, a dual Russian-Israeli national, is suspected of being a key developer for the LockBit ransomware operation. He was apprehended in Israel last August, where authorities discovered incriminating evidence on his laptop, including credentials for LockBit's internal control panel and source code for LockBit encryptors and the gang's StealBit data theft tool.
Panev is accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of developing LockBit's ransomware encryptors and StealBit, with activities spanning from June 2022 to February 2024. The LockBit ransomware group has been active since 2019, impacting over 2,500 victims across 120 countries. The extradition signifies a major step in holding individuals accountable for their roles in facilitating the widespread damage caused by LockBit ransomware.
Recommended read:
References :
- securityaffairs.com: The LockBit ransomware group has impacted over 2,500 victims in 120 countries.
- BleepingComputer: LockBit ransomware operator Rostislav Panev was extradited to the US, admitting to development and maintenance of the malware and providing technical guidance to the group.
- www.scworld.com: The LockBit ransomware group has been active since 2019 and has impacted over 2,500 victims in 120 countries, causing significant financial damage.
Shira Landau@Email Security - Blog
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The FBI has issued a warning regarding a new data extortion scam where criminals are impersonating the BianLian ransomware group. These fraudsters are sending physical letters through the United States Postal Service to corporate executives, claiming their networks have been breached. The letters demand Bitcoin payments in exchange for preventing the release of sensitive company data.
Analysis suggests these letters are fraudulent, and organizations, particularly within the US healthcare sector, are advised to report such incidents to the FBI. Security vendors, including Arctic Wolf and Guidepoint Security, have studied these letters and believe the campaign is a ruse by someone pretending to be BianLian. The letters mimic conventional ransom notes, demanding payments of between $250,000 to $350,000 within 10 days.
This activity highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who are now employing postal mail to target high-profile individuals in an attempt to extort money under false pretenses. The FBI urges companies to implement internal protocols for verifying ransom demands and to remain vigilant against these deceptive practices. It’s crucial for organizations to discern fake attacks from real ones amidst the increasing complexity of cybercrime.
Recommended read:
References :
- Arctic Wolf: Self-Proclaimed “BianLian Group� Uses Physical Mail to Extort Organizations
- CyberInsider: Fake BianLian Ransom Notes Delivered to Executives via Post Mail
- DataBreaches.Net: Bogus ‘BianLian’ Gang Sends Snail-Mail Extortion Letters
- www.csoonline.com: Ransomware goes postal: US healthcare firms receive fake extortion letters
- PCMag UK security: Businesses Are Receiving Snail Mail Ransomware Threats, But It's a Scam
- BrianKrebs: Someone has been snail mailing letters to various businesses pretending to be the BianLian ransomware group.
- Cyber Security News: FBI Warns of Data Extortion Scam Targeting Corporate Executives
- gbhackers.com: FBI Warns: Threat Actors Impersonating BianLian Group to Target Corporate Executives
- techcrunch.com: There is no confirmed link between the campaign and the actual BianLian ransomware group, making this an elaborate impersonation.
- thecyberexpress.com: FBI Issues Urgent Warning About Data Extortion Scam Targeting Corporate Executives
- Email Security - Blog: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently released an urgent advisory pertaining to a sophisticated email-based extortion campaign.
- Threats | CyberScoop: The FBI is warning business leaders about the scam perpetrated by an unidentified threat group.
- gbhackers.com: The novel approach highlights a shift in extortion tactics.
- Vulnerable U: Executives Receive Fake Snail Mail BianLian Ransomware Notes
- Malwarebytes: Ransomware threat mailed in letters to business owners
- www.scworld.com: The FBI is warning of a ransomware operation targeting C-suite executives via the US Postal Service.
- Cyber Security News: Fake BianLian Ransom Scams Target U.S. Firms Through Mailed Letters
- borncity.com: CISA warning: Cyber criminals (BianLian Groupe) attempt to blackmail executives
- Jon Greig: The FBI warned executives of a new scam where people claiming to be part of the BianLian ransomware gang are mailing physical letters with threats Arctic Wolf said it is aware of at least 20 organizations or executives who have received these letters
- Kali Linux Tutorials: Cyber Threat Group Sends Paper-Based Extortion Letters
- The DefendOps Diaries: Cybercriminals exploit YouTube's copyright system to extort creators, spreading malware and demanding ransoms.
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: Cybercriminals are sending bogus copyright claims to YouTubers to coerce them into promoting malware and cryptocurrency miners on their videos.
@www.reliaquest.com
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ReliaQuest researchers are warning that the BlackLock ransomware group is poised to become the most prolific ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation in 2025. BlackLock, also known as El Dorado, first emerged in early 2024 and quickly ascended the ranks of ransomware groups. By the fourth quarter of 2024, it was already the seventh most prolific group based on data leaks, experiencing a massive 1,425% increase in activity compared to the previous quarter.
BlackLock's success is attributed to its active presence and strong reputation within the RAMP forum, a Russian-language platform for ransomware activities. The group is also known for its aggressive recruitment of traffers, initial access brokers, and affiliates. They employ double extortion tactics, encrypting data and exfiltrating sensitive information, threatening to publish it if a ransom is not paid. Their custom-built ransomware targets Windows, VMWare ESXi, and Linux environments.
Recommended read:
References :
- AAKL: ReliaQuest: Threat Spotlight: Inside the World’s Fastest Rising Ransomware Operator — BlackLock More: Infosecurity-Magazine: BlackLock On Track to Be 2025’s Most Prolific Ransomware Group
- Christoffer S.: ReliaQuest Inside the World’s Fastest Rising Ransomware Operator - BlackLock Somewhat of a deep dive into a relatively new RaaS (BlackLock), a very active group both on RAMP and with adding new victims to their leaksite.
- www.helpnetsecurity.com: BlackLock ransomware onslaught: What to expect and how to fight it
- www.reliaquest.com: ReliaQuest: Threat Spotlight: Inside the World’s Fastest Rising Ransomware Operator — BlackLock
- Help Net Security: In-depth analysis of the BlackLock ransomware group and their operational methods.
- www.infosecurity-magazine.com: ReliaQuest: Threat Spotlight: Inside the World’s Fastest Rising Ransomware Operator — BlackLock More: Infosecurity-Magazine: BlackLock On Track to Be 2025’s Most Prolific Ransomware Group
- cyberpress.org: BlackLock Ransomware Evolves: Threatens Windows, VMware ESXi, and Linux Systems
- gbhackers.com: BlackLock Ransomware Targets Windows, VMware ESXi, & Linux Environments
- Cyber Security News: BlackLock Ransomware Evolves: Threatens Windows, VMware ESXi, and Linux Systems
- gbhackers.com: BlackLock Ransomware Targets Windows, VMware ESXi, & Linux Environments
@ofac.treasury.gov
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North Korean IT workers are increasingly engaging in aggressive extortion tactics against companies that unknowingly hired them. The FBI and Mandiant have issued warnings about these workers, who exploit remote access to steal sensitive data and demand ransom payments. After being discovered, some of these workers hold stolen data and proprietary code hostage, threatening to publicly release it if demands are not met. There have also been reports of workers attempting to steal code repositories, company credentials, and session cookies for further compromise.
This escalation in tactics is attributed to increased law enforcement action, sanctions, and media coverage, which have impacted the success of their schemes. The US Department of Justice has indicted several individuals, including North Korean nationals, for their involvement in elaborate "laptop farm" schemes. These schemes involve using stolen identities, forged documents and remote access software to deceive companies into hiring North Korean IT workers and generating revenue for the DPRK regime. The indicted individuals are accused of generating over $800,000, which was then laundered, highlighting the sophistication and reach of this cybercrime operation.
Recommended read:
References :
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean Fake IT Workers More Aggressively Extorting Enterprises
- Cyber Security News: North Korean IT Workers Demands Ransomware By Stealing Companies Source Codes
- securityonline.info: North Korean IT Workers Indicted in Elaborate “Laptop Farm� Scheme to Evade Sanctions
- www.justice.gov: This highlights the evolving cybercrime tactics of North Korea
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean Fake IT Workers More Aggressively Extorting Enterprises
- cybersecuritynews.com: North Korean IT Workers Demands Ransomware By Stealing Companies Source Codes
- www.bleepingcomputer.com: The FBI warns that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort US companies that have been tricked into hiring them.
- Techmeme: The FBI warns that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort US companies that have been tricked into hiring them (Sergiu Gatlan/BleepingComputer)
- oodaloop.com: DoJ nabs five suspects in North Korean remote worker scheme
- www.computerworld.com: DOJ indicts North Korean conspirators for remote IT work scheme
- www.csoonline.com: DOJ indicts North Korean conspirators for remote IT work scheme
- The420.in: FBI Warns: North Korean Hackers Stealing Source Code to Extort Employers
- ciso2ciso.com: DOJ indicts North Korean conspirators for remote IT work scheme
- www.the420.in: FBI Warns: North Korean Hackers Stealing Source Code to Extort Employers
- Pyrzout :vm:: DOJ indicts North Korean conspirators for remote IT work scheme – Source: www.computerworld.com
- Techmeme: The FBI warns that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort US companies that have been tricked into hiring them (Sergiu Gatlan/BleepingComputer)
- ciso2ciso.com: US Charges Five People Over North Korean IT Worker Scheme – Source: www.securityweek.com
- www.helpnetsecurity.com: North Korean IT workers are extorting employers, FBI warns
- The Register: North Korean dev who renamed himself 'Bane' accused of IT worker fraud scheme
- The Register - Security: North Korean dev who renamed himself 'Bane' accused of IT worker fraud scheme
- ciso2ciso.com: North Korean dev who renamed himself ‘Bane’ accused of IT worker fraud scheme – Source: go.theregister.com
- Techmeme: The FBI warns that North Korean IT workers are abusing their access to steal source code and extort US companies that have been tricked into hiring them (Sergiu Gatlan/BleepingComputer)
- Help Net Security: North Korean IT workers are extorting employers, FBI warns
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