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Malicious GitHub PoC Exploit Spreads Infostealer Malware

 

A malicious GitHub repository disguises a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit for CVE-2024-49113, also known as "LDAPNightmare," delivering infostealer malware that sends sensitive data to an external FTP server. Disguised as a legitimate PoC, the exploit tricks users into executing malware.

While using fake PoC exploits is not a new tactic, Trend Micro's discovery shows that cybercriminals continue to deceive unsuspecting users. This malicious repository appears to be a fork of SafeBreach Labs' original PoC for CVE-2024-49113, which was released on January 1, 2025.

CVE-2024-49113 is one of two vulnerabilities affecting the Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), which was patched by Microsoft during December 2024's Patch Tuesday. The other vulnerability, CVE-2024-49112, is a critical remote code execution (RCE) flaw.

SafeBreach's blog post initially mislabeled the vulnerability as CVE-2024-49112, which sparked interest in LDAPNightmare, potentially attracting threat actors looking to exploit this buzz.

The PoC from the malicious repository contains a UPX-packed executable, 'poc.exe,' which drops a PowerShell script in the victim's %Temp% folder upon execution. The script sets up a scheduled job that runs an encoded script, which fetches another script from Pastebin.

This final payload gathers information such as computer details, process lists, network data, and installed updates, which it then compresses into a ZIP file and uploads to an external FTP server using hardcoded credentials.

Users downloading PoCs from GitHub should exercise caution, trusting only reputable cybersecurity firms and researchers. Verifying repository authenticity and reviewing code before execution is essential. For added security, consider uploading binaries to VirusTotal and avoid anything that appears obfuscated.

Play Ransomware Threat Intensifies with State-Sponsored Links and Advanced Tactics

 

Play ransomware continues to be a formidable cybersecurity threat, with over 300 successful attacks reported globally since its first detection in 2022. Named for the “.PLAY” extension it appends to encrypted files, this ransomware has been linked to Andariel, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group operating under the Reconnaissance General Bureau. 

This connection highlights the increasing involvement of state-backed actors in sophisticated cybercrime campaigns targeting both public and private sector organizations worldwide. Recent analysis by AhnLab sheds light on how Play ransomware gains access to its victims’ networks. The attackers exploit vulnerabilities in widely used software systems or misuse valid user accounts. 

Known flaws in Microsoft Exchange Server’s ProxyNotShell vulnerabilities (CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082) and Fortinet’s FortiOS (CVE-2020-12812 and CVE-2018-13379) have been frequently abused by these attackers. After infiltrating a network, they use port scanning techniques to gather information about active systems and services, collect Active Directory data, and identify paths for privilege escalation. These escalated privileges allow the attackers to obtain administrator-level access, steal credentials, and ultimately gain control over the domain environment. 

One of the key challenges in detecting Play ransomware lies in its ability to blend malicious activities with legitimate operations. The attackers often use tools like Process Hacker to disable security products. Many of these tools are not inherently malicious and are commonly used for legitimate purposes, making it difficult for security systems to distinguish between normal and nefarious activities. This ability to evade detection underscores the sophistication of Play ransomware and its operators. 

The impact of a Play ransomware attack goes beyond encryption. Like many modern ransomware variants, Play uses double-extortion tactics, exfiltrating sensitive data before locking systems. This exfiltrated data is then leveraged to pressure victims into paying ransoms by threatening to leak the information on dark web forums. The combination of system disruption and the risk of public data exposure makes Play ransomware particularly damaging to its targets. To mitigate the risks posed by Play ransomware, cybersecurity experts and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recommend implementing proactive defenses. 

Organizations should ensure that software, operating systems, and firmware are regularly updated to address vulnerabilities. Phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) is crucial to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, while employee training on recognizing phishing attempts remains essential. Additionally, network segmentation can limit the attackers’ ability to move laterally, reducing the overall impact of an attack. 

Play ransomware illustrates the evolving complexity of cyber threats, particularly those linked to state-sponsored groups. Its reliance on exploiting known vulnerabilities, combined with its use of legitimate tools, highlights the critical need for organizations to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity measures. By prioritizing vulnerability management, user education, and proactive defenses, organizations can better protect themselves against the ongoing threat posed by Play ransomware and similar cyber campaigns.

Three Russian Nationals Charged with Money Laundering via Crypto-Mixing Services

 


The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged three Russian nationals with money laundering for operating two sanctioned cryptocurrency mixing services, Blender.io and Sinbad.io. A federal grand jury in Georgia indicted Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, and Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasov for their alleged involvement in these operations. 

Roman Vitalyevich Ostapenko, 45, and Alexander Evgenievich Oleynik, 44, were arrested on December 1, 2024. Anton Vyachlavovich Tarasov, 32, remains at large. The DOJ alleges that the trio operated both Blender.io and Sinbad.io, with Sinbad.io considered the successor to Blender.io. Charges filed include:
  • Roman Ostapenko: Conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of operating an unlicensed money transmission business.
  • Alexander Oleynik and Anton Tarasov: One count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmission business.
Sinbad.io’s Role in Cybercrime 
 
In November 2023, the FBI seized Sinbad.io following its alleged use by cybercriminal groups, notably the Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking organization. The U.S. Department of the Treasury identified Sinbad.io as a preferred platform for laundering stolen cryptocurrency. Authorities claim Sinbad.io was used to process significant sums of illicit funds, including portions of the $600 million stolen from Axie Infinity in March 2022 and the $100 million taken from Horizon Bridge. 
 
Blender.io became the first cryptocurrency mixer sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in May 2022. The service was accused of aiding North Korean hackers in laundering stolen cryptocurrency. Authorities from multiple jurisdictions have since dismantled the infrastructure supporting these services. Despite assurances from Blender.io's operators that they would not retain user data or transaction logs, the service was implicated in concealing illicit transactions. Although Blender.io reportedly ceased operations in 2018, Sinbad.io began operations shortly after, continuing similar activities. 

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings 
 
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is leading the prosecution. Details regarding the locations of Ostapenko and Oleynik's arrests or potential extradition remain undisclosed. An arrest warrant has been issued for Tarasov, who is still at large. 
 
“These mixers were allegedly operated by the defendants to enable state-sponsored hackers and other cybercriminals to profit from crimes that threaten public safety and national security,” stated Brent Wible, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ's Criminal Division. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to locate Tarasov and further dismantle networks facilitating cybercrime.

Global Apps Exploited to Harvest Sensitive Location Data

 


Rogue actors within the advertising industry are reportedly exploiting major global apps to collect sensitive user location data on a massive scale. This data is then funneled to a location data firm whose subsidiary has previously sold global tracking information to U.S. law enforcement agencies. 
 
Hacked files from the location data company Gravy Analytics reveal that numerous popular apps are involved in this data collection. These apps span across categories, including games like Candy Crush, dating platforms such as Tinder, pregnancy tracking tools, and religious prayer apps available on both Android and iOS. Since this data gathering occurs through the advertising ecosystem rather than direct app development, users — and even app developers — are likely unaware of these invasive practices. 

How the Data Collection Works 
 
Zach Edwards, a senior threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Silent Push, analyzed the data and shared with 404 Media, “For the first time publicly, we seem to have proof that one of the largest data brokers selling to both commercial and government clients appears to be acquiring their data from the online advertising bid stream,” rather than through embedded app code. This discovery offers rare insight into the shadowy world of real-time bidding (RTB). Historically, location data providers paid app developers to integrate tracking code that harvested user data. However, many companies now exploit the advertising ecosystem, where firms bid to place ads in apps. Data brokers can tap into this system, silently collecting users' mobile phone locations without consent. “This is a nightmare scenario for privacy,” Edwards added. “Not only does this data breach involve data scraped from RTB systems, but there’s a company out there acting recklessly, collecting and using every piece of data it encounters.” 

The compromised data from Gravy Analytics includes tens of millions of cellphone location points from users in the United States, Russia, and Europe. Some files also list specific apps associated with each data point. Upon reviewing the leaked files, 404 Media identified a wide range of popular apps implicated in this breach, including:
  • Dating Apps: Tinder, Grindr
  • Mobile Games: Candy Crush, Temple Run, Subway Surfers, Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
  • Transit App: Moovit
  • Health & Fitness: My Period Calendar & Tracker, MyFitnessPal
  • Social Media: Tumblr
  • Email Services: Yahoo Mail
  • Productivity Tools: Microsoft 365
  • Travel Apps: Flightradar24
  • Religious Apps: Muslim prayer apps, Christian Bible apps
  • Privacy Tools: Various VPN apps
Ironically, some users turned to VPN apps to protect their privacy, only to have their location data compromised. 

This breach highlights a dangerous loophole in the advertising ecosystem, where sensitive user data can be harvested without clear consent or awareness. The involvement of a company with a history of selling data to government agencies raises serious concerns about surveillance and misuse. As the digital world grows increasingly interconnected, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger data privacy regulations and more transparent data practices. 

Can Users Trust Their Apps Anymore? 
 
With popular and widely trusted apps implicated in this data collection scheme, users are left questioning whether their privacy is truly protected. Stronger privacy safeguards and greater accountability in digital advertising are now more critical than ever. 

Meta's AI Bots on WhatsApp Spark Privacy and Usability Concerns




WhatsApp, the world's most widely used messaging app, is celebrated for its simplicity, privacy, and user-friendly design. However, upcoming changes could drastically reshape the app. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, is testing a new feature: AI bots. While some view this as a groundbreaking innovation, others question its necessity and raise concerns about privacy, clutter, and added complexity. 
 
Meta is introducing a new "AI" tab in WhatsApp, currently in beta testing for Android users. This feature will allow users to interact with AI-powered chatbots on various topics. These bots include both third-party models and Meta’s in-house virtual assistant, "Meta AI." To make room for this update, the existing "Communities" tab will merge with the "Chats" section, with the AI tab taking its place. Although Meta presents this as an upgrade, many users feel it disrupts WhatsApp's clean and straightforward design. 
 
Meta’s strategy seems focused on expanding its AI ecosystem across its platforms—Instagram, Facebook, and now WhatsApp. By introducing AI bots, Meta aims to boost user engagement and explore new revenue opportunities. However, this shift risks undermining WhatsApp’s core values of simplicity and secure communication. The addition of AI could clutter the interface and complicate user experience. 

Key Concerns Among Users 
 
1. Loss of Simplicity: WhatsApp’s minimalistic design has been central to its popularity. Adding AI features could make the app feel overloaded and detract from its primary function as a messaging platform. 
 
2. Privacy and Security Risks: Known for its end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp prioritizes user privacy. Introducing AI bots raises questions about data security and how Meta will prevent misuse of these bots. 
 
3. Unwanted Features: Many users believe AI bots are unnecessary for a messaging app. Unlike optional AI tools on platforms like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, Meta's integration feels forced.
 
4. Cluttered Interface: Replacing the "Communities" tab with the AI tab consumes valuable space, potentially disrupting how users navigate the app. 

The Bigger Picture 

Meta may eventually allow users to create custom AI bots within WhatsApp, a feature already available on Instagram. However, this could introduce significant risks. Poorly moderated bots might spread harmful or misleading content, threatening user trust and safety. 

WhatsApp users value its security and simplicity. While some might welcome AI bots, most prefer such features to remain optional and unobtrusive. Since the AI bot feature is still in testing, it’s unclear whether Meta will implement it globally. Many hope WhatsApp will stay true to its core strengths—simplicity, privacy, and reliability—rather than adopting features that could alienate its loyal user base. Will this AI integration enhance the platform or compromise its identity? Only time will tell.

Researchers Hijack Hacker Backdoors Through Abandoned Infrastructure

 

Shadow IT has long been a pressing concern for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Forgotten systems, infrastructure, or hardware connected to enterprise networks often resurface as entry points for data breaches or compromises years later. However, new findings from watchTowr Labs reveal that this issue extends beyond enterprise networks, offering a unique opportunity to exploit the sloppy practices of malicious hackers themselves.

In a recent post, watchTowr Labs CEO Benjamin Harris and researcher Aliz Hammond unveiled their discovery of thousands of live backdoors used by hackers, accessed through abandoned infrastructure and expired domains.

“Put simply — we have been hijacking backdoors (that were reliant on now-abandoned infrastructure and/or expired domains) that themselves existed inside backdoors, and have since been watching the results flood in,” Harris and Hammond wrote.

Their method involved identifying and purchasing expired domains — often costing as little as $20 — linked to older web shells. By redirecting these domains to their logging server, the team tracked incoming traffic from compromised hosts.

Among the attackers’ missteps were unprotected or poorly secured web shells, many of which contained code that enabled researchers to overwrite hardcoded passwords with their own credentials. This allowed watchTowr Labs to monitor and document compromised hosts without illegal interference.

The researchers uncovered a vast network of backdoors, impacting thousands of victims worldwide. For instance, one backdoor tied to a previous Lazarus Group operation connected to over 3,900 unique compromised domains. Victims included government organizations in Bangladesh, China, and Nigeria, as well as universities across China, Thailand, and South Korea.

Interestingly, much of the attacker traffic appeared to originate from Chinese and Hong Kong IP addresses, targeting Chinese organizations. However, Harris and Hammond noted this could reflect their sample size and emphasized that hackers often use proxy infrastructure in other countries.

Throughout their research, watchTowr Labs took care to remain within legal boundaries. “These requests were coming to us, we didn’t manipulate systems into communicating with us, and we certainly did not respond with code to be evaluated,” the researchers clarified. The compromised domains were ultimately handed over to the nonprofit Shadowserver Foundation, which converted them into a sinkhole to prevent further misuse.

This project sheds light on the vulnerabilities stemming from abandoned and expired infrastructure. “As the Internet ages, and as we begin to truly understand the scope of impact for abandoned and expired infrastructure, we’re likely to see problems like this continue,” Harris and Hammond wrote.

Despite the serious implications, the findings also offer a silver lining. “It’s somewhat encouraging to see that attackers make the same mistakes as defenders,” the researchers noted, adding that vulnerabilities such as expired domains and unprotected web shells show attackers are not infallible.

The work by watchTowr Labs underscores the importance of vigilance in cybersecurity, highlighting that shadow IT — whether in enterprise environments or hacker operations — remains a critical issue. As Harris and Hammond humorously concluded, “Perhaps attackers need to attend more Washington D.C. cybersecurity conferences for tips on properly managing their shadow IT.”

Rajasthan Police Arrest 30 in ₹30 Crore Cyber Fraud Under 'Operation Cyber Shield'

 


In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Rajasthan Police arrested 30 individuals involved in cyber fraud on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The arrests were the result of coordinated raids conducted across 40 locations in five police station areas in Jaipur. The accused, linked to eight separate gangs, are suspected of fraudulent activities amounting to ₹30 crore. Additionally, two minors connected to these cybercrime operations were also detained. 

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Jaipur West), Amit Kumar, the arrested individuals were not only actively engaged in cyber fraud but were also training others in sophisticated techniques to deceive victims. The gangs employed various deceptive strategies, including impersonating monks and astrologers to exploit vulnerable individuals by offering rituals to solve personal problems. A notable suspect, a 25-year-old from the Tonk district, had reportedly received specialized cybercrime training in Sri Lanka. This international connection highlights the organized and transnational nature of these criminal operations, reflecting a growing trend in cyber-enabled economic crimes. 
 
‘Operation Cyber Shield’: A Targeted Response to Rising Cybercrime 

 Launched on January 2, 2025, the month-long ‘Operation Cyber Shield’ is a dedicated campaign aimed at combating the surge in cybercrime across Rajasthan. This initiative focuses on dismantling the infrastructure supporting organized cyber-enabled financial fraud, addressing public complaints, and raising cybersecurity awareness among citizens. Key achievements of the operation's initial phase include:
  • Blocked Bank Accounts: 135 bank accounts linked to fraudulent transactions were blocked.
  • Unified Payments Interfaces (UPIs): 64 UPIs were frozen to disrupt the flow of illicit funds.
  • ATM Seizures: 20 ATMs used in the scams were deactivated.
These proactive measures aim to cut off financial channels used by cybercriminals and prevent further victimization. 
 
Seized Items and Ongoing Investigations During the raids, authorities seized a significant amount of equipment used in fraudulent operations. The recovered items include:
  • Laptops and mobile phones for executing and managing scams.
  • ATM cards and WiFi routers to facilitate transactions and maintain anonymity.
  • CCTV cameras and HDMI cables potentially used for surveillance and monitoring.
  • Bank passbooks, cheque books, and passports indicating attempts at identity fraud and money laundering.
Six criminal cases have been registered under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act at Kardhani, Kalwar, Harmada, Karni Vihar, and Bindayaka police stations. These cases are currently under detailed investigation. 
 
The alarming rise in cybercrime across Rajasthan — especially in digital arrest scams, online betting frauds, and financial scams — has led authorities to prioritize immediate action. Many victims of these frauds are elderly individuals and women, who are often targeted due to their perceived vulnerability. To counter this, the Cyber Crime Branch has initiated “hotspot mapping” to identify and monitor regions with a high frequency of cybercriminal activity. This strategic approach aids in disrupting criminal networks and preventing future offenses. 

Beyond enforcement, ‘Operation Cyber Shield’ emphasizes public education on cybersecurity. The campaign aims to:
  • Raise Awareness: Inform citizens about common cyber fraud tactics to prevent victimization.
  • Address Complaints Promptly: Ensure that public grievances related to cybercrime are effectively resolved.
  • Prevent Cybercrime: Equip individuals with knowledge and tools to recognize and report suspicious activities.
By combining stringent law enforcement with widespread awareness efforts, Rajasthan Police seeks to curb the growing menace of cyber fraud and build a more secure digital environment for its citizens. 
  
The success of this operation underscores Rajasthan Police's commitment to dismantling cybercrime networks and protecting citizens from digital threats. ‘Operation Cyber Shield’ not only aims to bring offenders to justice but also empowers the public to stay vigilant against cybercriminal tactics. As the campaign progresses, authorities continue to urge citizens to report suspicious online activities and adopt safe digital practices. Through proactive measures and community involvement, Rajasthan moves closer to safeguarding its people from the ever-evolving challenges of cybercrime.