Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

ClickFix campaign exploits CAPTCHAs, attack activity spikes ahead of CVE disclosures, and Vietnamese-speaking threat group deploys PXA Stealer.

This research explores an unconventional malware delivery vector, demonstrating how trusted creative software tools can be repurposed to deliver payloads in ways that bypass common defences, user expectations, and AI-based analysis. The work concludes with the creation of a successful Proof-of-Concept (PoC) for code execution and AV/EDR evasion using the open-source 3D software suite Blender.

Cybersecurity teams worldwide have been fighting against ransomware attacks on ESXi infrastructure for years. ESXi is a lightweight, bare-metal hypervisor developed by VMware that allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server. ESXi is widely used in enterprise environments, often hosting virtual machines that support essential services for an entire organization.

Steganography is the art of hiding information inside a seemingly ordinary, legitimate object so that no one suspects anything is hidden. The technique T1027.003 has been around for a long time and is increasingly used by malware authors and threat actors to avoid detection. This involves hiding malicious payloads inside innocent-looking files such as images, audio, or documents. By embedding malware in these files, attackers can bypass traditional security tools that scan for obvious threats.

Cybercriminals are shifting tactics. Rather than relying solely on ransomware’s tried-and-true method of using encryption to lock files and demand payment to decrypt, many are now instead embracing exfiltration and extortion, with encryption as a secondary tactic. This marks a significant evolution in ransom-based attack methods, one where encryption is optional, but leverage is mandatory.

‘Plague’ represents a newly identified Linux backdoor that has quietly evaded detection by traditional antivirus solutions for over a year. Its primary mechanism involves operating as a malicious PAM, allowing attackers to silently bypass system authentication and establish persistent SSH access to compromised Linux systems.

The UK will ban public bodies from paying ransoms and introduce new reporting rules for ransomware incidents. Public sector organisations must prepare to recover without paying. Private firms must notify the government if they plan to pay. Attackers may shift focus to private targets and use data leaks over encryption. Organisations need better visibility, response readiness, and tested recovery plans. Payment is no longer a fallback.