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Amazon Attributes Earlier npm Supply Chain Attacks to North Korea's Sapphire Sleet

  Amazon has linked a series of high-profile npm supply chain compromises spanning 2025 and 2026 to the North Korean threat group Sapphire S...

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User Privacy
Cyber Security Data Leak Location Sharing User Privacy

Location Sharing: Convenience at the Cost of Safety

 

Location sharing has become a routine feature in messaging, navigation, and social apps, yet it carries security and privacy risks that many users underestimate. While convenient for coordinating meetups or ensuring family safety, careless configuration can expose sensitive patterns about your daily life to strangers, advertisers, and even attackers who compromise the platforms you trust. 

The most immediate danger is physical safety. Continuous location sharing reveals where you live, work, study, and spend leisure time, effectively mapping your routine for anyone with access. Stalkers, harassers, or opportunistic criminals can exploit this data to time thefts, orchestrate impersonation scams, or physically follow you. Real-time updates on platforms like Snapchat’s Snap Maps make it trivial to see when you are home or away, turning a social feature into a surveillance tool if permissions are too broad. 

Beyond individual bad actors, the apps themselves and their data ecosystems present another layer of risk. Many services collect and retain location histories, which can be sold to data brokers, advertisers, or accessed by third parties through data breaches. Incidents like the Gravy Analytics hack show how aggregated location data can leak at scale, exposing users who never intended their movements to be public. Even when companies claim strong security, breaches and insider misuse remain persistent threats in today’s threat landscape. 

Location data also fuels more sophisticated cyberattacks through social engineering and targeted fraud. Attackers can correlate your whereabouts with spending habits, social posts, and device usage to craft convincing phishing messages, fake support calls, or credential-reset scams. For example, seeing that you just visited a shopping mall or a specific campus building can help criminals personalize spam about credit-card fraud or IT alerts, increasing the chance you click a malicious link. Geotagged photos and live stories further amplify this risk by publicly broadcasting your precise coordinates. 

Mitigating these risks requires deliberate permission management and a mindset Of location sharing has become a routine feature in messaging, navigation, and social apps, yet it carries security and privacy risks that many users underestimate. While convenient for coordinating meetups or ensuring family safety, careless configuration can expose sensitive patterns about your daily life to strangers, advertisers, and even attackers who compromise the platforms you trust.
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Microsoft
ClickFix Cyber Attacks data security Data Stealer Enterprise security Infostealer Malware Malware attacks Microsoft

Microsoft Warns of Rising ACR Stealer Campaigns Targeting Enterprise Credentials

 

Microsoft has observed an uptick in attacks using the ACR Stealer information-stealing malware family. Attackers distributed the malicious payload targeting enterprise users and compromising browser data, authentication tokens, and sensitive business files between late April and mid-June 2026. 

The malware operators used ClickFix social engineering, WebDAV servers, and Microsoft HTML Application Host utilities to deliver the payload to the target systems. Microsoft notes that ACR Stealer is a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) that likely represents repackaged Amatera Stealer. It is a remote-access tool that steals credentials and sensitive data from the target systems and uses various methods to avoid detection. Microsoft reported that there are two main attack chains that the attackers used to distribute ACR Stealer. 

The first one began with a ClickFix lure诱导 users to run a command that triggered a remote WebDAV server. Specifically, the malicious command used rundll32.exe, a legitimate Windows process, to execute a DLL file located on the remote server. The attackers used WebDAV to host the payload because the file system structure of the server was similar to the standard Windows file system, which helped the malicious traffic to blend in with network traffic. 

After establishing a connection to the command-and-control (C2) server, the attackers delivered an obfuscated PowerShell script that initiated the malware installation process. It downloaded the malware payload as a Python loader, installed scheduled tasks to maintain persistence, and attempted to clear the event logs, PowerShell history, and other tracking mechanisms. The malware also used process injection to execute itself in memory, evading detection by security software. Some ACR Stealer variants used blockchain-based dead-drop resolvers to receive updates or C2 addresses. 

In this technique, the attackers used publicly accessible blockchain addresses to store encryption keys and other data needed to retrieve the payload, also known as EtherHiding. The second attack chain also began with a ClickFix lure but used MSHTA to execute the payload. In this method, the attackers tricked the users into launching a Microsoft HTML Application that delivered an obfuscated PowerShell downloader to the target system. The downloader then retrieved an encrypted payload from a public steganographic JPEG image and executed it in memory. 

In both attack chains, the malware maintained persistence by installing scheduled tasks, encrypting and decrypting browser credentials using Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI), and injecting itself into processes. It also stole browser data, including cookies, tokens, and passwords, by targeting the Chromium database used by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. 

Additionally, the malware scanned the target system for PDF files, Microsoft 365 documents, and files stored in the Desktop, Downloads, and other folders and enterprise file-sharing platforms such as OneDrive and SharePoint. Microsoft notes that the observed attacks only represent a subset of the initial ACR Stealer delivery methods. The tech giant added that the malware operators could use various other attack chains to compromise enterprise systems. 

Microsoft advises users never to copy commands from websites that claim to repair errors or confirm their human identity, as attackers often use such websites to deliver malware. It also recommends that organizations limit user access to unnecessary online resources and deny access to domains associated with new and suspicious websites. 

The company also advises organizations to use application control policies to block PowerShell, Python, MSHTA, rundll32.exe, and other utilities from running obfuscated scripts or downloading content from remote or user-controlled sites. Microsoft also published a list of mitigation measures and indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can help organizations detect ACR Stealer attacks.
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Third-Party Breach
cybersecurity news Data Breach Ernst & Young ShinyHunters Supply Chain Attack Tax Data Exposure Third-Party Breach

ShinyHunters Claims Responsibility for EY Data Breach as Investigation Continues


 

The cyberattack involving Ernst & Young (EY) has entered a new phase after the ShinyHunters extortion group claimed responsibility for the intrusion, alleging that it stole data from the third-party support ticket platform used by the global professional services firm. While EY has acknowledged the underlying breach, the company has not confirmed the group's claims, and no leaked data has been independently verified at the time of writing.

The development comes weeks after EY disclosed that an unauthorized party had accessed a third-party support ticket platform used by its IT teams between March 28 and April 12, 2026, potentially exposing documents associated with client tax preparation. The firm had previously informed affected customers that files stored within the support environment could contain personal and financial information submitted through IT support requests, along with documents related to tax services.

According to breach notifications filed with several U.S. state regulators, the exposed records may include sensitive information such as client names, addresses, Social Security numbers, financial account details, payment card information, and other tax-related records. However, EY has not disclosed how many individuals were affected, whether customers outside the United States were impacted, or the identity of the third-party support platform involved in the incident.

The latest development centers on ShinyHunters' public assertion that it carried out the attack and obtained data from the compromised environment. The group has reportedly threatened to publish the allegedly stolen information if its demands are not met. Despite these claims, EY has neither attributed the incident to ShinyHunters nor confirmed that the attackers possess company or client data. Security researchers also note that threat actors have, on occasion, exaggerated or misrepresented claims to increase pressure on victims, making independent verification essential before drawing conclusions.

EY has stated that it immediately activated its incident response procedures after detecting suspicious activity and engaged an independent cybersecurity firm to assist with forensic analysis and remediation. The company says it has contained the unauthorized access, secured the affected environment, and notified relevant federal law enforcement authorities. It also maintains that its investigation has found no evidence that the compromised information has been misused or that individual clients were specifically targeted.

As part of its response, EY continues to provide eligible affected customers with 24 months of complimentary Experian identity restoration, identity monitoring, and credit monitoring services, with enrollment available through October 31, 2026.

Although the breach itself has already been disclosed, the emergence of an alleged threat actor highlights how cyber incidents often evolve long after the initial discovery. Public claims made by ransomware or extortion groups can influence regulatory scrutiny, customer communication, and incident response strategies, even before their assertions are independently verified.

The incident also reinforces the importance of third-party risk management. Organizations that rely on external platforms to process or store sensitive customer information should continuously assess vendor security controls, restrict unnecessary access to confidential data, and maintain comprehensive monitoring and incident response capabilities to reduce the impact of supply chain compromises.

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VulnHunter
AI Security Apache API capital one Claude Code Technology VulnHunter

Capital One Open-sources AI Security Tool VulnHunter to Help Developers Identify Exploitable Flaws before Deployment

 




Capital One has released VulnHunter, an open-source AI-powered application security tool designed to identify exploitable software vulnerabilities before code reaches production. Published under the Apache 2.0 licence, the framework combines agentic reasoning with code analysis to trace how an attacker could move through an application, determine whether a vulnerability is genuinely exploitable, and generate remediation guidance for developers.

Unlike many traditional static analysis tools that begin with suspicious code patterns and work backwards to determine whether they are reachable, VulnHunter adopts what Capital One describes as an attacker-first approach. The framework starts from external entry points such as API endpoints, network message handlers and file upload interfaces before following the application's execution path to assess whether malicious input can successfully bypass existing security controls and reach vulnerable code.

A distinguishing component of the framework is its built-in falsification engine. Rather than presenting every suspected issue to developers, VulnHunter attempts to invalidate its own findings by testing assumptions, examining application logic and identifying conditions that would prevent an exploit from succeeding. Findings that fail these internal verification steps are discarded, while validated issues are accompanied by a detailed explanation of the attack path, supporting evidence gathered from the codebase and a proposed code change that developers can review before deployment.

Capital One said the current implementation operates within Anthropic's Claude Code environment using Claude Opus 4.8, although the framework has been designed with the flexibility to support additional foundation models and coding environments in the future.

The financial institution said it decided to release the project publicly because software supply chains have become increasingly interconnected, making application security a shared challenge rather than one that can be solved by individual organisations. Chris Nims, Capital One's Chief Information Security Officer, said the growing accessibility of AI-driven offensive capabilities has reduced the time defenders have to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. By making VulnHunter openly available, the company hopes security researchers and developers will continue improving the framework while strengthening software security across the wider ecosystem.

The release builds on Capital One's wider investment in open-source software and secure software development. The company began publishing open-source projects more than a decade ago, later adopting an open-source-first strategy and expanding its participation in community-driven security initiatives. It has since contributed to dozens of public projects and joined the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) as a premier member to support collaborative efforts around software supply chain security and governance.

Capital One also said it evaluated VulnHunter internally across thousands of software repositories spanning multiple business units before its public release. According to the company, the framework helped identify and remediate vulnerabilities more efficiently than previous manual review processes by reducing unnecessary alerts and providing developers with evidence-backed remediation guidance.

The announcement comes as organisations increasingly explore AI-assisted approaches to application security in response to the growing use of AI by threat actors to discover software weaknesses, automate exploit development and accelerate attacks. Security teams have also faced persistent challenges with alert fatigue caused by conventional vulnerability scanners that frequently generate false positives requiring extensive manual verification.

Capital One believes embedding security analysis directly into the software development lifecycle can help organisations identify exploitable weaknesses earlier, allowing developers to address issues before applications are deployed. As AI continues to reshape both offensive and defensive cybersecurity capabilities, tools that combine contextual code analysis, automated reasoning and actionable remediation may become an increasingly important part of modern secure software development practices.



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WhatsApp security
Android 16 security flaw Android lock screen bug Gemini vulnerability Google Gemini Vulnerabilities and Exploits WhatsApp security

Google to Patch Gemini Flaw That Lets Locked Android 16 Phones Send SMS and WhatsApp Messages Without PIN

 

Google is preparing to roll out a fix for a newly identified security vulnerability in its Gemini AI assistant that could allow unauthorized users with physical access to a locked Android 16 device to send SMS and WhatsApp messages without entering the device's PIN.

According to reports by The Register, the flaw affects Android 16 smartphones where Gemini is enabled on the lock screen. The issue enables an attacker to bypass authentication and send messages while the device remains locked, posing a potential security risk for users.

The publication stated that it has received several reports since May highlighting the authentication bypass on Android 16 devices with Gemini lock screen access enabled. In May 2026, a security researcher also documented successfully reproducing the vulnerability on a fully updated Pixel 6a using Gemini's Deep Research feature.

Although Google has addressed similar Gemini-related lock screen vulnerabilities in the past, security researchers continue to identify new methods to bypass authentication. This latest issue differs from earlier Gemini lock screen exploits reported since September 2025.

The exploit relies on a specific multi-touch gesture. When Gemini's access to messaging apps has been revoked, attempting to send an SMS from the lock screen normally prompts users to enter their PIN. However, simultaneously pressing the "Continue" prompt and Gemini's "Add attachment" button reportedly allows the message to be sent without authentication.

Researchers also found that an attacker can reconnect previously disabled apps, such as WhatsApp, to Gemini directly from the lock screen. By entering prompts like "@WhatsApp" in Gemini's interface, the app can reportedly regain access without requesting a PIN.

One of the more concerning aspects of the vulnerability is that these permission changes persist even after the device is unlocked later. Users checking Gemini's settings may discover that apps like WhatsApp have been connected despite no authentication having taken place.

The attack requires physical possession of the affected Android device and cannot be executed remotely. However, security experts note that phones are often left unattended, misplaced, or briefly handled by others, creating opportunities for misuse.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company is aware of the vulnerability and that a software fix is expected to begin rolling out this week.

"A spokesperson at Google told The Register that this new bug is known about, and that a fix is scheduled to be rolled-out this week."

Until the update becomes widely available, users are advised to limit Gemini's lock screen capabilities. This can be done by opening the Gemini app, tapping the profile picture, navigating to Settings > Gemini on lock screen, and either disabling "Use Gemini without unlocking" or turning off "Make calls and send messages without unlocking."

The incident highlights the growing security challenges associated with AI assistants gaining expanded functionality on locked devices. As AI features become more capable without requiring user authentication, maintaining device security becomes increasingly complex.
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EY
Customer Data customer data leak Cyberattack Data Breach Data Leak data security EY

Ernst & Young Notifies Clients Following Third-Party Support Platform Data Breach

 

The company Ernst & Young (EY) has sent out notices to the affected clients about the data breach involving the third-party support ticket platform, which EY’s employees used, and therefore, potentially exposed documents with sensitive tax details to hackers. EY is one of the world’s largest accounting firms that is known to have faced a cybersecurity incident when the unauthorized party gained access to the third-party support ticket platform used by EY’s IT staff on March 28, 2026, and removed several documents from it, reported on April 23, 2026. 

A company statement noted, after reviewing the activity within its environment with the help of outside cybersecurity experts, that the threat actors accessed the EY environment between March 28, 2026, and April 12, 2026. As per the breach notification letter, the documents removed from the support platform could include personal information or financial information, as well as details provided to EY’s support teams during the process of submitting the tickets or in connection with the preparation of the clients’ tax returns. 

EY acknowledges that tax-related information may have been involved in the data security incident but chose not to identify what specific details were affected, as the breach notification letters also include placeholders for the affected customers’ personal information. The company also declined to indicate how many clients were affected by the breach or whether it was limited to the U.S., as there are other EY entities around the globe. EY announced that after detecting the issue, the company took measures to secure the affected systems by cutting down the unauthorized access, and notified the appropriate federal agencies. 

Furthermore, EY has found no evidence that the information from the breach had been deployed or that any particular individuals were the specific targets. Nevertheless, the firm offered its affected clients with credit monitoring and identity theft protection services for 24 months for free from Experian. The customers whose data was at risk were encouraged to sign up for the monitoring services by October 31, 2026. 

At the moment of the announcement, neither ransomware gangs nor data extortionists have claimed responsibility for the cyberattack, nor did any bad actors leak the data or sell it on the dark web. The attack involving the third-party support ticket platform yet again demonstrated the challenges organizations face regarding their ability to protect clients’ data and ensure that their vendors and partners do the same. 

Experts note that companies should invest in making sure their third-party vendors have reliable security practices in place, monitor their activity on a regular basis, and avoid storing any sensitive data on the platforms that can be accessed by numerous individuals, as in the case of EY’s tickets system, to mitigate the risks of supply chain breaches and data leakage incidents.
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