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Greetings to your weekly cybersecurity update. In a digital environment where change is the only constant, the previous week has served as a vivid reminder that vigilance is not merely a recommended practice, but an essential requirement for survival.
From major enterprises undertaking strategic initiatives to safeguard the cloud to advanced threat actors infiltrating the defenses of renowned brands, the cyber battlefield continues to be as dynamic as ever, necessitating our complete focus.
This week, Palo Alto Networks captured attention by issuing an urgent patch for a critical zero-day flaw found in its PAN-OS software, impacting its GlobalProtect gateways. The flaw enabled unauthenticated remote code execution, causing a wave of urgency across the industry as IT teams rushed to implement the remedy.
Our in-depth analysis delves into the technical intricacies of this exploit, the swift reaction from Palo Alto’s Unit 42, and the immediate measures security teams must undertake to alleviate this significant risk before it is extensively exploited in the wild.
On the offensive side, Zscaler confronted the rising threat of AI-powered phishing schemes by launching a new array of features for its Zero Trust Exchange. Their latest research report, published this week, underscores a significant uptick in sophisticated, context-aware phishing emails over the past quarter.
We will dissect how Zscaler’s new AI-driven functionalities aim to identify and obstruct these elusive threats in real-time, providing an additional layer of defense in the battle against social manipulation and credential theft.
In a substantial setback for the automotive industry, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) acknowledged a serious data breach. The event led to the unauthorized extraction of sensitive employee information and internal engineering documents.
Although JLR has asserted that customer financial data remained secure, the breach raises pressing concerns regarding supply chain security and the safeguarding of intellectual property within the manufacturing sector. We will evaluate the attack vector, the possible repercussions for JLR, and the lessons that other entities in the industry should derive from this high-profile incident.
Aside from these prominent stories, we are also monitoring a rise in DDoS attacks aimed at financial institutions and new alerts from CISA regarding state-sponsored entities targeting critical infrastructure. In this issue, we furnish comprehensive evaluations of each event, delivering expert commentary and actionable insights to aid you in reinforcing your organization’s defenses.
Threats
Hackers Exploit Email Marketing Services for Phishing
Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging legitimate email marketing services to outsmart security filters and disseminate harmful content. By capitalizing on the trusted domains of these platforms, attackers can mask phishing attempts and amplify the chances of their emails landing in inboxes. These campaigns frequently utilize the platform’s own click-tracking and URL redirection capabilities to direct users to malicious websites after they engage with a seemingly benign link. One significant incident involved a data breach at Mailchimp, where hackers accessed customer accounts and data. Read More
macOS Security Features Turned Against Users
A complex attack trend consists of exploiting macOS’s built-in security features to distribute malware. Attackers are discovering methods to misuse tools like Keychain for credential theft, circumvent System Integrity Protection (SIP) for persistent infections, and deceive users into granting permissions through Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC). Other manipulated features include Gatekeeper, which validates downloaded applications, and File Quarantine, which flags files sourced from the internet. Read More
Commercial Spyware Vendors Are a Major Source of Exploits
A report from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) underscores the significant role of commercial spyware vendors in the development and distribution of sophisticated surveillance tools. These firms are accountable for a considerable number of 0-day exploits that target products from companies like Google and Apple. The report highlights that the private sector is now a significant contributor to creating some of the most advanced cyber capabilities, marketing them as “turnkey espionage solutions” to government clients. Read More
New “TinyLoader” Malware Targets Windows Systems
A stealthy malware loader known as TinyLoader is actively targeting Windows users. It propagates through shared network drives and deceptive shortcut files, serving as an initial access point for more hazardous malware, such as RedLine Stealer and DCRat. TinyLoader can move laterally across networks and can also compromise systems through removable media like USB drives. Once it obtains administrative rights, it can hijack file associations to ensure it executes every time a user opens a common file type, like a .txt file. Read More
“NotDoor” Backdoor Deployed Through Outlook
The Russian state-sponsored group APT28 (also referred to as Fancy Bear) is deploying a new backdoor named “NotDoor” to target organizations via Microsoft Outlook. The malware is concealed within legitimate Outlook macros and is capable of exfiltrating data, uploading files, and executing commands on an infected device. It maintains persistence by altering Outlook’s registry settings to disable security alerts and permit macros to operate on startup. Read More
“GhostRedirector” Manipulates Search Results via IIS
A hacking group known as “GhostRedirector” has been compromising Windows servers to manipulate search engine outcomes for financial gain. The attackers deploy a malicious module for Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) web server. This enables them to intercept and redirect web traffic or inject undesirable content into search results. The malicious module can be challenging to detect as it integrates closely with the server’s legitimate functions. Read More
Fake Microsoft Teams Sites Used to Distribute Malware
Threat actors are weaponizing counterfeit Microsoft Teams websites and even initiating…
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Teams calls to deceive users into installing malicious software. In certain instances, attackers mimic IT support personnel during calls to persuade victims to implement harmful PowerShell commands, resulting in the activation of ransomware. Another initiative utilizes a counterfeit Teams site to disseminate the “Odyssey” information-harvesting malware for macOS. Read More
“GPUGate” Malware Exploits Google Ads and GPUs
A complex malware initiative called “GPUGate” is misusing Google Ads and GitHub to distribute malware. The assault commences with harmful ads in Google search outcomes for phrases like “GitHub Desktop.” A distinctive feature of this attack is its application of the computer’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to execute specific tasks, assisting it in evading detection by security solutions that primarily monitor the CPU. Read More
Cyber Assaults
Unprecedented 11.5 Tbps DDoS Assault Strikes the Internet
An enormous UDP flood Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) assault has been documented, reaching a remarkable 11.5 terabits per second (Tbps). This assault underscores the increasing magnitude of DDoS threats confronting organizations. Read More
Hackers Utilize Hexstrike-AI to Take Advantage of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities
Threat actors are now capitalizing on a fresh AI-driven offensive security framework named Hexstrike-AI. The tool is being employed to automatically investigate and exploit previously unidentified “zero-day” weaknesses, greatly accelerating the attack process. Read More
“Dire Wolf” Ransomware Surfaces with Double Extortion Strategies
A new and advanced ransomware variant, referred to as “Dire Wolf,” has impacted 16 companies around the world since May 2025. This ransomware utilizes double extortion techniques, enhanced encryption, and anti-recovery methods to compel victims into compliance. Read More
Colombian Threat Actors Employ SWF and SVG Files to Avoid Detection
A malware campaign originating from Colombia is executing a multiphase attack that relies on Adobe Flash (SWF) and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file formats. This tactic enables the attackers to navigate past conventional security detection systems. Read More
AI Platforms Misused in Microsoft 365 Phishing Schemes
Cybercriminals are increasingly capitalizing on the confidence that organizations place in artificial intelligence platforms. These platforms are being leveraged in intricate phishing schemes to steal Microsoft 365 credentials. Read More
NightshadeC2 Botnet Utilizes “UAC Prompt Bombing” Technique
A recent botnet, identified as NightshadeC2, has been detected using a novel strategy called “UAC Prompt Bombing.” This approach enables it to bypass Windows Defender security protocols and was first observed in early August 2025. Read More
Critical SAP S/4HANA Vulnerability Under Active Exploitation
A significant security weakness in SAP S/4HANA is being actively exploited by adversaries. This flaw permits individuals with minimal user access to elevate their privileges and gain complete control over the compromised SAP systems. Read More
Weaknesses
MediaTek Addresses Numerous Chipset Vulnerabilities
MediaTek published its September 2025 security bulletin, tackling various high and medium-severity weaknesses across over 60 chipsets. The flaws, identified in modem and firmware components, could result in denial-of-service assaults or remote privilege escalation if exploited. These vulnerabilities encompass out-of-bounds writes, out-of-bounds reads, and use-after-free bugs. MediaTek confirmed that device manufacturers were provided the patches in July, and there is no indication of these vulnerabilities being exploited in real-world scenarios. Read more
Critical Next.js Flaw Allows Bypass of Authorization
A critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-29927, has been discovered in the widely-used Next.js web development framework. The flaw enables attackers to bypass authorization controls and access restricted areas, including admin panels. By manipulating the x-middleware-subrequest header, an attacker can deceive an application into neglecting security checks. Vercel, the firm behind Next.js, has released fixes to remedy the issue, which is projected to impact over 300,000 services. Read more
Azure Active Directory Vulnerability Compromises Sensitive Credentials
A major vulnerability in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) configurations allows for the exposure of application credentials, such as ClientId and ClientSecret. Attackers who acquire these credentials can impersonate trusted applications, access sensitive information across Microsoft 365 services like SharePoint and OneDrive, and even deploy malicious apps to create persistent backdoors. The issue arises from credentials being unintentionally exposed in configuration files. Read more
MobSF Security Tool Vulnerable to Malicious File Uploads
A significant flaw (CVE-2023-37576) was identified in the Mobile Security Framework (MobSF), a commonly used open-source tool for mobile app security evaluation. The vulnerability, present in version 4.4.0, was attributed to inadequate path validation, which allowed authenticated attackers to upload and execute harmful files on the system operating MobSF. This path traversal weakness could transform the security tool into a vector for system compromise. The problem has since been rectified. Read more
PoC Exploit Released for IIS Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit has been disclosed for a serious remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE-2025-53772) in Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) Web Deploy tool. The flaw arises from the insecure deserialization of HTTP header content, allowing an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This follows other initiatives targeting outdated IIS vulnerabilities, such as a buffer overflow flaw (CVE-2017-7269) in IIS 6.0 that was exploited to install cryptocurrency miners. Read more
CISA Alerts of Actively Exploited WhatsApp Zero-Day
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a caution regarding a zero-day vulnerability in WhatsApp (CVE-2025-55177) that is being actively exploited. The flaw, categorized as an incorrect authorization issue, enables attackers to manipulate the device synchronization process to transmit malicious content from a controlled URL. This could result in data theft or device compromise, potentially through zero-click assaults. The vulnerability was added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, necessitating that federal agencies implement patches. Read more
Google Releases Chrome 140 With Essential Security Fixes
Google has launched Chrome 140, which incorporates patches for six security vulnerabilities. The fixes address medium-severity flaws in components such as the Toolbar (CVE-2025-9865), Extensions (CVE-2025-9866), and Downloads (CVE-2025-9867). These vulnerabilities could have led to unexpected browser behavior or security threats like privilege escalation. The update was rolled out for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Read more
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New “Namespace Reuse” Vulnerability Affects Major AI Platforms
A recent AI supply-chain assault technique known as “Model Namespace Reuse” has been identified, impacting platforms such as Microsoft Azure AI, Google Vertex AI, and Hugging Face. This vulnerability enables attackers to upload a harmful AI model with the identical name as an authentic but deleted or neglected one. When a project tries to retrieve the model by name, it unwittingly downloads the malicious variant, resulting in remote code execution (RCE) within the victim’s ecosystem. Read more
Sitecore Zero-Day Flaw
Details regarding the “Sitecore zero-day flaw” from the provided link could not be obtained at this time. Read more
Data Breach
Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, Cloudflare, and PagerDuty Targeted by Supply Chain Attack
A complex supply chain assault directed at the Salesloft Drift application has affected several prominent technology companies, including Palo Alto Networks, Zscaler, Cloudflare, and PagerDuty. The attackers took advantage of compromised OAuth tokens to obtain unauthorized entry to the companies’ Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) systems and exfiltrate data.
- Palo Alto Networks verified that the occurrence was limited to its CRM platform, with no company products or services being impacted. The breach revealed business contact details and internal sales information. Read More
- Zscaler also confirmed a data breach impacting customer information housed in Salesforce, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Zscaler stated that its own products and infrastructure remained uncompromised. Read More
- Cloudflare indicated that the attackers accessed customer support case information between August 12 and August 17, 2025. The company cautioned that any sensitive data shared by customers in support tickets should be regarded as compromised. Read More
- PagerDuty announced that the breach revealed customer contact data preserved in its Salesforce instance. The company found no evidence suggesting that its own platform or internal systems were infiltrated. Read More
Jaguar Land Rover Suspends Production Following Cyberattack
Luxury automobile manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) had to suspend production at its Halewood facility due to a serious cybersecurity incident that affected its global IT systems. The attack, occurring in early September 2025, caused significant disruptions to the organization’s manufacturing processes. A group of hackers known as “Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters” has taken responsibility for the breach. Read More
Bridgestone Manufacturing Interrupted by Cyberattack
Tire giant Bridgestone confirmed that a cyberattack in early September 2025 impacted a number of its manufacturing sites in North America, causing operational interruptions. The company stated that it responded rapidly to contain the incident and believes no customer data was exposed. The full extent of the impact on the supply chain remains under investigation. Read More
Wealthsimple Reveals Customer Data Breach
Canadian financial services company Wealthsimple disclosed that it experienced a data breach in late August 2025, resulting in unauthorized access to the personal information of a small fraction of its clients. The firm has reassured customers that their funds and account passwords are secure. The breach was attributed to a compromised third-party software package. Read More
Additional News
Salesforce Enhances Security with New Forensic Investigation Manual
Salesforce has introduced a detailed forensic investigation manual to assist organizations in identifying, analyzing, and responding to security incidents in their environments. The manual concentrates on three main pillars for a comprehensive investigation: examining activity logs to monitor user actions, understanding user permissions to assess the potential repercussions of a breach, and leveraging backup data to detect data manipulation. This effort seeks to provide a structured framework for businesses to manage cyber incidents more effectively, particularly after a series of intricate cyber campaigns. The manual highlights tools like Login History, Setup Audit Trail, and Event Monitoring to enhance visibility into user activities. Read More
Wireshark Launches Version 4.4.9 with Essential Bug Fixes
The Wireshark team has released version 4.4.9, a maintenance update aimed at enhancing stability and dependability. This update for the widely-used network protocol analyzer resolves several critical bugs, including a security vulnerability in the SSH dissector that could potentially crash the application. The new version also supports various protocols and ensures a more stable experience for users, resulting in more effective network analysis. Read More
Nmap Commemorates 28 Years of Network Security Advancement
Nmap, the esteemed network scanner, recently celebrated its 28th anniversary. Launched on September 1, 1997, as a straightforward port scanner, Nmap has developed into an indispensable and extensive network security suite utilized by professionals globally. Over the years, it has integrated advanced features such as operating system and service version detection, the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) for automated functions, and sophisticated host discovery methods. Its ongoing development has cemented its position as a vital tool for network discovery and security assessment. Read More
Microsoft to Phase Out Editor Browser Extensions
Microsoft has declared the discontinuation of its Editor browser extensions for both Edge and Chrome, effective October 31, 2025. The company intends to integrate the AI-driven writing assistance features, such as grammar and spelling checks, directly into the native proofreading tools of the Microsoft Edge browser. This action is aimed at streamlining the user experience and removing the necessity for a standalone extension. Read More
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Mis-Issued TLS Certificates for 1.1.1.1 DNS Service Present Security Risk
A potential security issue has arisen following the discovery that three TLS certificates for the 1.1.1.1 DNS service, managed by Cloudflare and APNIC, were mis-issued. The certificates were granted in May 2025 by a subordinate certificate authority but went unnoticed until four months later. DNS over TLS (DoT) is a protocol that encrypts DNS queries to avert eavesdropping and tampering, and the mis-issuance of certificates could compromise this security measure. Read More
Google Services Face Widespread Disruptions
Multiple Google services, including Gmail and YouTube, experienced notable outages across various regions in Europe and several U.S. cities on Thursday morning. Monitoring platforms recorded an increase in complaints from nations such as Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. The reason behind the outage has not yet been publicly revealed by Google. Read More
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