Researchers discovered a malicious package on the npm package registry that resembles a library for Ethereum smart contract vulnerabilities but actually drops an open-source remote access trojan called Quasar RAT onto developer systems.

****SUMMARY****

*   **Malicious NPM Package Identified:** “ethereumvulncontracthandler” disguises as a vulnerability scanner but installs Quasar RAT malware.

*   **Technical Details:** The package uses obfuscation and downloads scripts to modify Windows settings, ensuring persistence and communication with a command-and-control server.

*   **Quasar RAT Risks:** This malware enables keystroke logging, credential theft, and data breaches, posing significant risks to developers handling sensitive Ethereum projects.

*   **Supply Chain Attack:** The package exploits trust in dependencies, infiltrating systems through a seemingly legitimate tool.

*   **Prevention Tips:** Experts recommend strict vetting of third-party code, robust access controls, and dependency scans to secure the software supply chain.

Cybersecurity researchers at Socket recently uncovered a malicious NPM package, “ethereumvulncontracthandler,” posing as a legitimate tool for detecting vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts. However, this package secretly installs Quasar RAT, a sophisticated remote access trojan, onto developers’ systems.

This malicious package was published on December 18, 2024, by an actor using the alias “solidit-dev-416.” Further probing revealed that it utilizes heavy obfuscation techniques like Base64 and XOR encoding to evade detection. Upon installation, it downloads a malicious script from a remote server, which silently executes to deploy Quasar RAT on Windows systems.

The threat actor has employed various deceptive tactics to ensure the malware’s persistence. The initial npm package serves as a loader, and retrieves/executes Quasar RAT from a remote server. Once executed, the malicious script runs hidden PowerShell commands and installs Quasar RAT.

For this purpose, it also modifies the Windows registry to ensure persistence. The infected machine then communicates with a command-and-control server at captchacdncom:7000, allowing the threat actor to maintain control and potentially spread the infection further.

For your information, Quasar RAT is a dangerous malware known for its extensive capabilities such as keystroke logging, screenshot capturing, and credential harvesting. It has become a significant threat to developers, potentially exposing private keys and sensitive information.

Another malware campaign targeting Roblox developers was recently discovered, which leveraged NPM packages to steal sensitive data and compromise systems. The campaign also involved dropping Quasar RAT payloads.

Quasar RAT in action (Via Socket Research Team)

Such incidents highlight the need for developers to be vigilant, scrutinize third-party code, especially from unknown sources, and use tools to monitor dependencies for potential threats. This proactive identification and mitigation of malicious packages can help safeguard systems and prevent malicious actors from infiltrating.

“For both individual developers and large organizations, the presence of Quasar RAT in a trusted environment can have catastrophic consequences. Ethereum developers, in particular, face the risk of exposing private keys and credentials linked to significant financial assets,” researchers noted in their blog post.

Commenting on this, Jason Soroko, Senior Fellow at Sectigo, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based provider of comprehensive certificate lifecycle management (CLM), told Hackread, _“_Ethereum smart contracts are the backbone of decentralized applications. This malicious NPM package disguises itself as a vulnerability scanner but installs Quasar RAT to monitor sensitive projects, steal data, and undermine systems. Security teams must validate unverified code, monitor registry changes, and watch for abnormal network activity._“_

1.  **Supply Chain Attack Hits Vant npm Packages with Monero Miner**
2.  **Luna Grabber Malware Hits Roblox Devs Through npm Packages**
3.  **Hackers Use Fake PoCs on GitHub to Steal WordPress, AWS Keys**
4.  **FortiGuard Labs: Series of Malicious NPM Packages Stealing Data**
5.  **Protestware Uses npm Packages to Call for Peace in Gaza, Ukraine**

NPM Package Disguised as an Ethereum Tool Deploys Quasar RAT

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit has been released for a now-patched security flaw impacting Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) that could trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
The out-of-bounds reads vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-49113 (CVSS score: 7.5). It was addressed by Microsoft as part of Patch Tuesday updates for December 2024, alongside CVE-2024-49112 (

LDAPNightmare PoC Exploit Crashes LSASS and Reboots Windows Domain Controllers

Windows servers are vulnerable to a dangerous LDAP vulnerability that could be used to crash multiple servers at once and should be patched immediately.

Source: Andriy Popov via Alamy Stock Photo

One of two critical Active Directory Domain Controller vulnerabilities patched by Microsoft last month goes beyond the original denial-of-service (DoS) attack chain and can be used to crash multiple, unpatched Windows servers at once. And experts are concerned many organizations remain vulnerable.

Researchers at SafeBreach have put together an analysis of the DoS bug, tracked as CVE-2024-49113. This vulnerability, along with a similar remote control execution (RCE) bug, tracked as CVE-2024-49112, with a CVSS score of 9.8, was discovered in Active Directory's Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) used to search the databases. Both were patched in December's Microsoft security update.

Microsoft hasn't provided many details about the LDAP flaws, despite their severity and potential impact, which is why SafeBreach said it decided to dig deeper and find out more.

"LDAP is the protocol that workstations and servers in Microsoft's Active Directory use to access and maintain directory services information," the SafeBreach report explained.

Additional analysis of the DoS LDAP bug showed the attack chain could also be used by a threat actor to achieve RCE but, worse yet, could be exploited to crash any Windows server, as long as the target system's domain controller has a DNS server connected to the Internet.

**Why The Microsoft LDAP Flaw Is So Dangerous**

Prior to December's Patch Tuesday update, every single organization running Windows Servers was vulnerable to the flaw, Tal Be'ery, chief technology officer and co-founder of Zengo Wallet, explains.

"So the question is, how many of these organizations patched all of their systems and mainly domain controllers?" he adds.

There's no indication yet the vulnerability is being exploited in the wild, but Be'ery points to PatchPoint's release of exploit code as a signal to threat actors.

"We assume that such code is already being used, but we don't have any positive evidence for it yet," he adds.

Threat actors typically have to work their way from a single, hacked device through what Be'ery compares to a Chutes and Ladders game-like maze, ultimately hopping their way from one compromise to the big prize — the domain controller stuffed full of credentials. It's the time these hackers spend trying to work their way deeper into the system that affords defenders opportunities to stop the cyberattack before it escalates.

"With this LDAP vulnerability hackers can go immediately straight from square 1 to 100 \[domain controllers\] before defenders can respond," he adds.

The SafeBreach research also confirmed Microsoft's December 2024 patches are effective, so administrators are urged to patch Windows Servers and all domain controllers immediately.

If servers can't be patched, Be'ery recommends defenders "use compensating controls such as LDAP and RPC firewalls to block the exploit of this vulnerability."

**About the Author**

Dark Reading

Becky Bracken is a veteran multimedia journalist covering cybersecurity for Dark Reading.

Unpatched Active Directory Flaw Can Crash Any Microsoft Server

New episode “In The Trend of VM” (#10): 8 trending vulnerabilities of November, zero budget VM and who should look for patches. The competition for the best question on the topic of VM continues. 😉🎁 📹 Video on YouTube, LinkedIn🗞 Post on Habr (rus)🗒 Digest on the PT website Content: 🔻 00:29 Spoofing – Windows […]

**New episode “In The Trend of VM” (#10): 8 trending vulnerabilities of November, zero budget VM and who should look for patches.** The competition for the best question on the topic of VM continues. 😉🎁

📹 Video on YouTube, LinkedIn  
🗞 Post on Habr (rus)  
🗒 Digest on the PT website

Content:

🔻 00:29 **Spoofing** – Windows NTLM (CVE-2024-43451)  
🔻 01:16 **Elevation of Privilege** – Windows Task Scheduler (CVE-2024-49039)  
🔻 02:16 **Spoofing** – Microsoft Exchange (CVE-2024-49040)  
🔻 03:03 **Elevation of Privilege** – needrestart (CVE-2024-48990)  
🔻 04:11 **Remote Code Execution** – FortiManager “FortiJump” (CVE-2024-47575)  
🔻 05:19 **Authentication Bypass** – PAN-OS (CVE-2024-0012)  
🔻 06:32 **Elevation of Privilege** – PAN-OS (CVE-2024-9474)  
🔻 07:42 **Path Traversal** – Zyxel firewall (CVE-2024-11667)  
🔻 08:37 Is it possible to Manage Vulnerabilities with no budget?  
🔻 09:53 Should a VM specialist specify a patch to install on the host in a Vulnerability Remediation task?  
🔻 10:51 Full digest of trending vulnerabilities  
🔻 11:18 Backstage

На русском

Hi! My name is Alexander and I am a Vulnerability Management specialist. You can read more about me here. Currently, the best way to follow me is my Telegram channel @avleonovcom. I update it more often than this site. If you haven’t used Telegram yet, give it a try. It’s great. You can discuss my posts or ask questions at @avleonovchat.

А всех русскоязычных я приглашаю в ещё один телеграмм канал @avleonovrus, первым делом теперь пишу туда.

**Post navigation**← The results of 2024 About Remote Code Execution – Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) (CVE-2024-49112) →

This is my personal blog. The opinions expressed here are my own and not of my employer. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used here for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement. You can freely use materials of this site, but it would be nice if you place a link on https://avleonov.com and send message about it at me@avleonov.com or contact me any other way.

New episode “In The Trend of VM” (#10): 8 trending vulnerabilities of November, zero budget VM and who should look for patches

A recent claim that a critical zero-day vulnerability existed in the popular open-source file archiver 7-Zip has been met with skepticism from the software's creator and other security researchers.

****SUMMARY****

*   **A user on X (@NSA\_Employee39) claimed to discover a zero-day exploit for 7-Zip, alleging a critical buffer overflow vulnerability.**

*   **The exploit purportedly involved a crafted .7z archive with a malformed LZMA stream to execute arbitrary code.**

*   **Cybersecurity experts and 7-Zip creator Igor Pavlov dismissed the claim, citing non-existent functions and failed reproduction attempts.**

*   **Researchers suggested the exploit code might have been generated by an AI, undermining its credibility.**

*   **The incident highlights the persistent threat of zero-day exploits and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.**

The cybersecurity community recently faced a stir caused by a user on the social media platform X (formally Twitter), claiming to possess a zero-day exploit for the popular file archiver 7-Zip.

For your information, this user, under the handle @NSA\_Employee39, alleged that they had discovered a critical vulnerability that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on a victim’s system by exploiting a buffer overflow within the 7-Zip software. The user provided a code snippet on Pastebin, purportedly demonstrating this exploit.

“This exploit targets a vulnerability in the LZMA decoder of the 7-Zip software. It uses a crafted .7z archive with a malformed LZMA stream to trigger a buffer overflow condition in the RC\_NORM function. By aligning offsets and payloads, the exploit manipulates the internal buffer pointers to execute shellcode which results in arbitrary code execution,” the user wrote on Pastebin.

Despite the initial attention, cybersecurity experts quickly began to express doubts about the exploit’s validity. Attempts to replicate the exploit proved unsuccessful, leading to scepticism about the code’s effectiveness.

The claim was later dismissed by 7-Zip’s creator, Igor Pavlov, who stated that the alleged vulnerability relies on a function (“RC\_NORM”) that does not exist in the 7-Zip LZMA decoder. Pavlov suggested that the code was likely generated by an AI model, further undermining its credibility.

Furthermore, security researcher @LowLevelTweets reported being unable to reproduce the claimed exploit, stating that it produced no crashes, hangs, or timeouts during their testing. These findings suggest that the reported 7-Zip zero-day may be a false alarm, potentially arising from artificially generated code or a misunderstanding of the software’s internal workings.

While this particular incident proved to be a false alarm, the threat of zero-day exploits remains a serious concern. These vulnerabilities are highly dangerous as they are unknown to software developers and thus lack any pre-existing defences.

Last month, Hackread reported a Windows zero-day vulnerability allowing attackers to steal NTLM credentials through a deceptive method. The vulnerability affected various Windows systems, including Windows Server 2022, Windows 11 (up to v24H2), Windows 10 (multiple versions), Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2.

To stay safe from zero-day exploits, comprehensive security software is important as it can provide essential protection against various threats, including viruses, malware, and zero-day exploits. These solutions typically include features like real-time threat detection, advanced threat defences, and strong privacy features to protect users from cybersecurity threats.

1.  **Fake PoC Script Downloads VenomRAT**
2.  **Hackers Use Fake PoCs on GitHub to Steal AWS Keys**
3.  **Warning: Fake GitHub Repos Delivering Malware as PoCs**
4.  **LockBit 3.0 Posts Dubious Claims of Breaching Darktrace**
5.  **AI Generated Fake Obituary Websites Target Grieving Users**

Fake 7-Zip Exploit Code Traced to AI-Generated Misinterpretation

Proactive defenses, cross-sector collaboration, and resilience are key to combating increasingly sophisticated threats.

Source: Artur Szczybylo via Alamy Stock Photo

From the growing sophistication of zero-day exploits to the entrenchment of nation-state and cybercriminal alliances, 2024 delivered more evidence of how quickly the threat landscape continues to evolve. The year reinforced hard truths about the persistence of attackers and the systemic challenges of defense. We look back on some of the events that defined 2024 and the tactical insights that security teams can apply to stay ahead in the ongoing battle in 2025.

**Surging Zero-Day Exploits and Nation-State Collaboration**

Threat researchers continued to see a year-over-year increase of zero days. Recent analysis by Mandiant of 138 vulnerabilities that were disclosed in 2023 found the majority (97) were exploited as zero-days — an increase from 2022. Tom Kellermann, senior vice president of cyber strategy at Contrast Security, expects that number to increase in 2024.

The growth is a direct result of geopolitical tensions, he says. Nation-state actors, particularly China, are exploiting these types of vulnerabilities at unprecedented rates.

"The Chinese specifically have been doing tremendous research into exploiting zero-days and discovering them," Kellermann says. "I think everyone's kind of on their back foot when dealing with this because traditional cybersecurity defenses can't thwart those attacks."

The rise in these kinds of attacks includes a new trend in 2024: collaboration or coordination between nation-states and cybercrime rings, says Stephan Jou, senior director of security analytics at OpenText Cybersecurity.

"In this model, an attack with nation-state characteristics is launched at the same time, or followed closely by, an attack on the same target by an independent for-profit threat actor. Russia, for example, has been seen to collaborate with malware-as-a-service gangs, including Killnet, LokiBot, Gumblar, Pony Loader, and Amadey. China has entered similar relationships with the Storm-0558 and Red Relay cybercrime rings, typically to support its geopolitical agenda in the South China Sea."

Chester Wisniewski, global field CTO at Sophos, says China-sponsored attackers have developed assembly-line zero-day exploits shared through state-mandated disclosure laws. Attackers initially used zero-days in targeted attacks, then escalated them to widespread exploitation to cover their tracks. Proactive patch management and collaboration between vendors and organizations to mitigate threats is critical, he says.

"The real problem is this accumulation of stuff that's not getting patched," Wisniewski says. "We just keep launching more equipment out there onto the Internet. And it's getting more and more polluted, and nobody's responsible for taking care of it."

Jou agrees and says the lesson here is that defense against even sophisticated attacks comes back to the same basics: patch management, endpoint protection, email security, awareness training, and backup and disaster recovery planning.

"By ensuring that these unglamorous but essential best practices are in place, security teams can rob threat actors of many of their favorite tactics to abuse networks and businesses," he says.

**Resiliency Planning Needs More Focus**

Ransomware attacks in 2024 highlighted the fragility of supply chains and business continuity. Ransomware operators are now targeting service providers and supply chain networks, Wisniewski says. A cyberattack on Ahold Delhaize, the parent company of major US supermarket chains, including Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Food Lion, and Giant Food, disrupted services across its network in November, impacting more than 2,000 stores. For several days, customers had issues with online grocery delivery, offline websites, and limited pharmacy services.

Improving business continuity strategies to include modern segmentation tools can help minimize operational disruptions during incidents, Wisniewski says.

"When one part of a supply chain goes down, it impacts thousands of businesses," he says. "This amplifies the economic and operational pressure to comply with attackers' demands. You can't plan never to fail, but you can plan to fail gracefully."

Another headline-making business continuity incident this year was the CrowdStrike outage. In July, the company released a faulty software update that affected approximately 8.5 million devices running the Windows operating system. The glitch triggered widespread system crashes that resulted in multiple disruptions, particularly in the travel industry. Delta Air Lines was forced to cancel thousands of flights due to system disruptions. 

The event dominated news cycles for several days. In its wake, analysts pointed to the critical need for better process adherence and visibility. But Dror Liwer, cofounder of Coro, says it also highlights a need for security leaders to  effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders — whether technical teams, business executives, or external parties — when managing the fallout of a large-scale incident.

**Critical Infrastructure Is a Growing Target**

Attacks on critical infrastructure reached new levels in 2024. In September, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a notice that government-run water systems were at risk of attack by nation-states after officials reported a cybersecurity issue at a facility in Arkansas City, Kansas, which was forced to switch to manual operations while the situation was resolved.

Barry Mainz, CEO of Forescout, says cyberattacks are evolving to target critical services, like municipal water authorities and airport landing systems. This year made it clear that attackers are shifting their focus from well-protected facilities to more vulnerable upstream systems, like water supplies and power grids, he says.

"If you just zoom out a bit and look at where the vulnerabilities are, the bad actors are saying, 'Well, it's a lot harder now since people are spending money to secure certain IT functions. We're going to go down the food chain a little bit,'" Mainz says.

One of the key challenges in securing critical infrastructure is the inherent complexity of operational environments. Many industrial systems operate using legacy equipment that was never designed with cybersecurity in mind. In addition, there is often a lack of visibility into connected devices within these environments, which can make detecting threats extremely difficult.

"I think the lesson is we've got to invest in a cybersecurity strategy for not only IT systems but \[operational technology\] systems," Mainz says. "And also we need to think structurally about how we manage those systems because the people that actually manage those OT systems, they're not IT professionals.”

A better approach, he says, involves adopting advanced monitoring and threat detection tools as well as fostering collaboration between IT and OT teams. By breaking down silos and improving communication, organizations can better address the unique security requirements of critical infrastructure. Mainz pointed to the importance of government and private-sector partnerships in bolstering defenses.

**Telecom Can't Be Trusted**

We wrap up 2024 with news that Salt Typhoon, a cyber-espionage group allegedly linked to the Chinese government, has successfully infiltrated telecommunications networks in multiple countries. In the US alone, FBI officials say at least eight major telecom companies, including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, were compromised. The group gained access to sensitive data, such as call logs, unencrypted text messages, and, in some cases, live call audio. The FBI recommended that Americans use encrypted messaging apps, like Signal and WhatsApp, to ensure their communications stay hidden.

The ongoing issues around nation-state attackers and their use of telecom is one of his biggest worries heading into 2025, Kellermann says. He also points to T-Mobile's acquisition of Sprint in 2020, which he says is concerning because "Sprint used to be the classified backbone network of the US government." This means that if there are security vulnerabilities within T-Mobile's infrastructure, they could potentially compromise sensitive government communications or systems that were part of Sprint's legacy network. 

"I think the people are ignoring that and are not paying attention fully," he says.

**About the Author**

Contributing Writer, Dark Reading

Joan Goodchild is a veteran journalist, editor, and writer who has been covering security for more than a decade. She has written for several publications and previously served as editor-in-chief for CSO Online.

What Security Lessons Did We Learn in 2024?

Secure Gaming during holidays is essential as cyberattacks rise by 50%. Protect accounts with 2FA, avoid fake promotions,…

Secure Gaming during holidays is essential as cyberattacks rise by 50%. Protect accounts with 2FA, avoid fake promotions, use secure downloads, and trust verified tools to enjoy safe, uninterrupted gameplay.

The holiday season is a time of joy for gamers, with more free time to play, exciting events, and in-game promotions. However, this festive period comes with higher risks of cyberattacks than any other period of the year.

Studies by Wowvendor, a company dealing in WoW services, indicate that hackers increase their activity by 50% during the holidays and especially prey on gamers via malware and phishing. This article will detail these risks and give some useful advice on how to enjoy gaming without compromising your account security.

****The Rise of Cyber Threats During Holidays****

The gaming community gets busy during the holidays. Unfortunately, cybercriminals find this an attractive target. The key reasons for increased risks are as follows:

*   **Increased player traffic** – A large consumer base of online gaming creates, in turn, more opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
*   **Attractive holiday promotions** – Many players get tricked into fake giveaways and deals, without knowing it compromises their data security.
*   **Malware in pirated games** – Most of the time, hackers put harmful software inside cracked versions of popular titles.

For instance, cybersecurity companies have informed that the number of phishing emails with “in-game rewards notifications” and “discount offers” have spiked around the times of past holiday seasons. These examples of threats put the importance of vigilance during peak gaming hours deeper into focus.

****Common Cyber Threats to Gamers****

Cyber threats range from gaming cyber attacks and data security incidents to DDoS attacks. This will likely impact some players more and possibly their performance during peak gaming periods. Understanding these dangers can help players stay protected:

****Fake add-ons, mods and Phishing schemes** **

Hacks through counterfeit mods are common in games such as World of Warcraft. Hackers distribute these infected mods using counterfeit mods and give the malware the chance to steal login credentials or infect the device they’re playing on. Additionally, fraudulent links and websites trick people into providing personal information or downloading malicious software.

****DDoS attacks** **

The gaming industry is seeing a lot of DDoS attacks (distributed denial of service attacks), wherein hacker group gets a network of infected devices (botnet) that perform a network DDoS attack to inundate a game server or a group of players with a massive amount of traffic. This overload disrupts the server or network connection and has broken the game so that normal users can’t even get in.

These attacks send many requests and place a heavy load onto the server. Hackers aim at certain players’ IP addresses and try to degrade their connection, or that of the player behind it, to give themselves an in-game advantage. This type of targeted interference disrupts competitive gameplay and can negatively impact a game’s experience for the player.

Additionally, the number of ransomware attacks against gaming accounts has risen as well. They involve locking players out of their accounts and asking for payment to access them. When you are faced with unfamiliar software or links, it’s best to stay awake and alert to risks.

****Best Practices for Secure Gaming****

A large number of cyber attacks on gamers can stem from unauthorized downloads, according to leading cyber security firm Kaspersky. To enjoy your games safely during the holidays, follow these cybersecurity tips:

*   **Download software from official sources** — Do not download games or updates from untrusted websites — they can hide malware.
*   **Use two-factor authentication (2FA)** — It simply gives you extra protection for your gaming accounts.
*   **Verify promotional offers** — Don’t accept offers that are simply too good even to be true. There are always official channels for you to confirm their legitimacy.
*   **Avoid cracked games** — First and foremost pirated games are illegal, and they’re dangerous for security reasons too.

Working with your use of strong, unique passwords across all your accounts, these measures can go a long way toward mitigating your risk of being victimized in this way.

****The Role of Gaming Companies****

Leading gaming companies have stepped up their efforts to combat cyber threats. Their initiatives include:

*   **Enhanced security systems** – AI detecting and blocking unusual activity on gaming networks.
*   **Regular updates and patches** – Time and time again, developers release updates to patch vulnerabilities, and protect players with updates.
*   **Player education** – Many platforms offer users a way of recognizing and preventing scammers.

For instance, World of Warcraft’s creators, Blizzard Entertainment, is constantly monitoring its ecosystem for threats and expelling them while at the same time urging players to use solutions, for example, 2FA. Machine learning has been introduced into other companies, such as Valve and Riot Games, in an attempt to detect possible hacking through in-game behaviours.

****Advanced Cybersecurity Tools for Gamers****

Gamers now have access to cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions tailored to safeguard their online experience:

*   **Gaming-optimized VPNs** – VPN services will make sure that you have safe, encrypted connections while reducing latency and optimizing the routing of the server. It shields against DDoS attacks and keeps the gameplay smooth.
*   **Anti-phishing extensions** – Google Safe Browsing and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen are tools that actively block malicious sites and alert players that a phishing page is attempting to lure them into a trick.
*   **Behavioural analytics and anti-cheat systems** – Dedicated platforms use machine learning to analyze login patterns and in-game behaviour, detecting anomalies like hacking or unauthorized access.
*   **DDoS mitigation services** – Distribution denial-of-service attacks that cause gaming servers to stop working are identified and neutralized by Cloudflare, Akamai Prolexic, and other companies that protect gaming servers so that gamers can continue enjoying online sessions uninterrupted.

With these state-of-the-art tools, gamers will be protected from changing threats, which will protect gaming for the holidays and beyond.

****Stay on the Safe Side****

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your favourite games and communities. While cyber threats do increase during this period, staying informed and adopting secure practices can protect your gaming experience. From using official platforms to enabling two-factor authentication, every step you take helps reduce risks.

Gaming companies are also playing their part by providing services and insights that enhance player safety. By working together and staying alert, gamers can fully embrace the holiday spirit, free from cybersecurity concerns.

1.  What is Blockchain Gaming and its Play-to-Earn Model?
2.  Exploring Data Privacy and Security in B2B Gaming Data
3.  The Rise of Blockchain Gaming and Secure Marketplaces
4.  Winos4.0 Malware Targeting Windows via Fake Gaming Apps
5.  Gcore Thwarts 500 Million PPS DDoS Attack on Gaming Company

Secure Gaming During the Holidays

An overview of incidents and news surrounding Artificial Intelligence in 2024.

A popular saying is: “To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer.”

Even though the saying is older than you might think, it did not come about earlier than the concept of artificial intelligence (AI).

And as long as we have been waiting for AI technology to become commonplace, if AI has taught us one thing this year, then it’s that when humans and AI cooperate, amazing things can happen. But amazing is not always positive.

There have been some incidents in the past year that have made many people even more afraid of AI than they already were.

We started off 2024 with a warning from the British National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) telling us it expects AI to heighten the global ransomware threat.

A lot of AI related stories this year dealt with social media and other public sources that were scraped to train an AI model.

For example, X was accused of unlawfully using the personal data of 60 million+ users to train its AI called Grok. Underlining that fear, we saw a hoax go viral on Instagram Stories that told people they could stop Meta from harvesting content by copying and pasting some text.

Facebook had to admit that it scrapes the public photos, posts and other data from the accounts of Australian adult users to train its AI models, which no doubt contributed to Australia’s ban on social media for children under the age of 16.

As with many developing technologies, sometimes the race to stay ahead is more important than security. This was best demonstrated when an AI companion site called Muah.ai got breached and details of all its users’ fantasies were stolen. The hacker described the platform as “a handful of open-source projects duct-taped together.”

We also saw an AI supply-chain breach when a chatbot provider exposed 346,000 customer files, including ID documents, resumes, and medical records.

And if the accidents didn’t scare people off, there were also some outright scams targeting people that were eager to use some of the popular applications of AI. A free AI editor lured victims into installing an information stealer which came in both Windows and MacOS flavors.

We saw further refinement of an ongoing type of AI-supported scam known as deepfakes. Deepfakes are AI-generated realistic media, created with the aim of tricking people into thinking the content of the video or image actually happened. Deepfakes can be used in scams and in disinformation campaigns.

A deepfake of Elon Musk was named the internet’s biggest scammer as it tricked an 82-year-old into paying $690,000 through a series of transactions. And AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities, including Taylor Swift, led to calls for laws to make the creation of such images illegal.

Video aside, we reported on scammers using AI to fake the voices of loved ones to tell them they’ve been in an accident. Reportedly, with the advancements in technology, only one or two minutes of audio—perhaps taken from social media or other online sources—are needed to generate a convincing deepfake recording.

Voice recognition doesn’t always work the other way around though. Some AI models have trouble understanding spoken words. McDonalds ended its AI drive through order taker experiment with IBM after too many incidents, including customers getting 260 Chicken McNuggets or bacon added to their ice cream.

To sign off on a positive note, a mobile network operator is using AI in the battle against phone scammers. AI Granny Daisy uses several AI models that work together listening to what scammers have to say, and then responding in a lifelike manner to give the scammers the idea they are working on an “easy” target. Playing on the scammers’ biases about older people, Daisy usually acts as a chatty granny while at the same time wasting the scammers’ time that they can’t use to work on real victims.

What do you think? Do the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to AI, or is it the other way round? Let us know in the comments section.

 2024 in AI: It&#8217;s changed the world, but it’s not all good 

From zero-day exploits to 5G network vulnerabilities, these are the threats that are expected to persist over the next 12 months.

In 2024, we at Dark Reading covered a variety of attacks, exploits, and, of course, vulnerabilities across the board. Here, we recount 10 emerging threats organizations should be prepared for — as detailed by Dr. Jason Clark in "10 Emerging Vulnerabilities Every Enterprise Should Know," a Dark Reading webinar — as they continuously rise and develop in 2025.

**Zero-Day Exploits**

Zero-days and their increase in volume across the cybersecurity landscape is a particularly concerning trend, as there is no patch for these bugs when they're discovered. Attackers are also able to exploit systems using these vulnerabilities undetected, as safeguards have not been put in place by organizations or enterprises yet.

High-profile zero-day vulnerabilities include Log4Shell, tracked as CVE-2021-44228, a critical RCE bug within Log4j's Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI). By exploiting the vulnerability, attackers were able to easily take control of vulnerable systems, a considerable threat as Log4j is used in nearly every Java application.

Other vulnerabilities include PrintNightmare and Proxyshell, both remote execution flaws that were exploited quickly and widely, according to Clark.

"The rise in zero-day exploits is partly driven by just more sophisticated threat actors," Clark said in the Dark Reading webinar. "This can include things like nation-states and also using them in targeted attacks."

Chad Graham, cyber incident response team (CIRT) manager at Critical Start, however, believes that advancements with AI will change the landscape in 2025.

"Both attackers and defenders will rely on AI-driven tools to automate the search for hidden software flaws," Graham says. "This shift will likely result in a more dynamic cybersecurity landscape, where continuous innovation and adaptation become the norm."

**Supply Chain Attacks**

Supply chain attacks remain an active threat and tend toward the severe as their impact cascades on to multiple parties: customers, suppliers, and other third parties. Attackers exploit a trusted resource and ultimately gain access to not just one organization, but multiple. These kinds of threats remain concerning as organizations depend more and more on outsourcing services.

The best known example is the SolarWinds breach, which impacted the SolarWinds Orion system, at the hands of a group known as Nobelium. More than 30,000 organizations — including state and federal agencies — used the Orion network management system, resulting in the backdoor malware compromising thousands of data, network, and systems.

Tracked as CVE-2020-10148 with a CVSS score of 9.8, the authentication bypass bug allowed an unauthenticated attacker to execute API commands. The attackers in question were advanced persistent threat (APT) actors who infiltrated into the SolarWinds’ supply chain to insert a backdoor.

"The complexity of modern supply chains makes it challenging to secure all the dependencies," Clark said in the webinar. "This underscores the need for rigorous third-party risk management."

In the year ahead, Dana Simberkoff, chief risk, privacy, and information security officer at AvePoint, believes that there will be a sharpened focus on supply chains and third-party risk management.

"The CrowdStrike incident wasn't just a wake-up call — it was a stark reminder that in our interconnected ecosystem, one weak link can trigger a catastrophic chain reaction," Simberkoff says.

**Remote Work Infrastructure Exploits**

Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have leaned into remote and hybrid work offerings, increasing the risk of cybersecurity threats and becoming a significant concern. Attackers focus on vulnerabilities that allow users to engage in remote work such as VPNs, remote desktop protocols (RDPs), and phishing attacks through platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

There have been several notable incidents in which VPNs and RDPs were leveraged, allowing threat actors to gain access to enterprise systems and networks. In addition, remote workers are often operating from less secure environments, causing an uptick in phishing attacks as the threat actors try to take advantage of these blind spots.

"The shift to remote work has expanded the overall attack surface, Clark said in the webinar. "Remote workers often need more security controls than those that are working \[onsite\], which can lead to significant vulnerabilities."

Recent examples of vulnerabilities remote and hybrid work vulnerabilities include CVE-2024-38199, a remote code execution vulnerability (RCE) in the Windows or Line Printer Deamon (LPD) Service, and CVE-2024-21433, a Windows Print Spooler elevation of privilege vulnerability.

"Remote work infrastructure will continue to be a prime target for cybercriminals in 2025, with an increase in sophisticated attacks on cloud services, VPNs, and collaboration tools," says Stephen Kowski, field CTO at SlashNext Email Security+. "We'll likely see more AI-powered threats designed to bypass traditional security measures, exploiting vulnerabilities in interconnected devices and home networks."

**Exploitation of AI and Machine Learning Systems**

With the rise of AI and its increasing use amid the public, comes widespread risk of exploitation from attackers. Clark noted of adversarial attacks, data poisoning, and model inversion attacks that are at the forefront of emerging threats for AI and machine learning (ML) systems in particular. 

The nature of some ML systems requires feeding a system information for the best results, the system becoming more familiar with the user over time. When attacks target these systems, it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data stored and processed within these tools, as well as incorrect predictions or biased decisions.

"AI models will be key areas of exploitation in 2025," says Rom Carmel, co-founder and CEO at Apono. "As AI and machine learning become integral to identity verification systems, attackers will find ways to poison AI models or bypass them."

AI can also simply be manipulated for malicious ends, as seen when an AI deepfake robocall was created to impersonate US President Joe Biden to encourage individuals not to vote in the New Hampshire's Democratic primary, an event that could have had severe consequences on the US electoral process.

"The threat landscape is evolving with the rapid adoption of AI and ML," Clark said in the webinar. "Attackers increasingly focus on these systems to undermine their reliability and exploit vulnerability."

**Cloud Misconfigurations**

As organizations continue to shift their operations to the cloud, it will continue to emerge as a space for threat actors to thrive, often due to the cloud simply not being set up correctly.

Common examples of threats that circulate within the cloud are publicly accessible S3 buckets, misconfigured security groups in AWS, and exposed databases.

"Cloud misconfigurations can have severe impacts related to data breaches, unauthorized access to critical systems, financial loss, and reputational damage," Clark said. He added that the complexity of these environments is going to increase leading to more frequent configuration errors.

In the past, Amazon and Microsoft cloud environments have exposed customer data, such as viewing habits, names, email addresses, email content, and phone numbers. The leaks aren't due to vulnerabilities but misconfigurations ranging from insecure read-and-write permissions to inaccurate access lists and misconfigured policies.

"To successfully prevent cloud breaches in 2025, companies need to focus on three key areas: visibility, access control, and continuous monitoring," says Jason Soroko, senior fellow at Sectigo. "Cloud environments are dynamic, so your security needs to be dynamic too."

**IoT Device Vulnerabilities**

IoT devices are allowing for emerging threats to thrive, being easy targets for threat actors to exploit, whether it be due to weak default passwords, lack of encryption, or insecure firmware.

Common attacks that IoT devices face are data theft, network breaches, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. A recent example emerged in the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) for managing printers and print jobs. The series of vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2024-47176, CVE-2024-47076, CVE-2024-47175, and CVE-2024-47177 could allow bad actors to stage DDoS attacks within seconds for less than 1 cent while using an available cloud platform.

"Just the sheer volume of connected devices really exacerbates the threat," Clark noted in the webinar. "Securing these devices becomes really challenging due to their diversity and often limited processing power for adding security features."

And as the use of IoT, OT, and 5G networks continues to rise, organizations will need cyber threat intelligence (CTI) to extend beyond traditional IT environments, says Callie Guenther, senior manager, cyber threat research at Critical Start. "This expansion, which will continue throughout 2025, will add complexity to CTI, requiring more granular insights and specific intelligence data."

**Cryptographic Weaknesses**

According to Clark, cryptographic weaknesses continue to pose a significant threat because these kinds of vulnerabilities undermine the foundation of secure communication and data protection. These weaknesses often manifest in one of two ways: flaws in encryption algorithms, or how the algorithms are implemented.

"The rising threat is kind of compounded by the fact that as computational capability advances, that previously secure crypto standard now becomes increasingly more vulnerable," Clark said in the webinar.

He recommended regularly updating cryptographic libraries, and enforcing strong encryption protocols to avoid exploitation attempts like man-in-the middle attacks, data integrity issues, and the exposed sensitive information.

Just recently, Acros Security discovered a vulnerability, similar to CVE-2024-38030, that enables an attack in which a vulnerable device is coerced into sending NTLM hashes, which is the cryptographic version of a user's password, to a threat actor.

"We have never before required from \[cloud service providers\] such granular and detailed information on the type of encryption in use, but customers (government and non-government customers alike) will require this level of detail to ensure their encryption standards are being met," says Philip George, executive technical strategist at InfoSec Global Federal.

**API Security Gaps**

More organizations are relying on APIs to connect systems; however, these APIs are at risk when they have flaws in the design or the implementation of the APIs. Attackers are able to breach systems through unauthorized access, allowing them to manipulate certain restricted actions.

A notable example of this is the exposure of user data through Facebook’s API, though these flaws are also abundant in other sectors such as healthcare or financial services. 

Gaps in API security ultimately serve as a launchpad, often for data breaches which can lead to the loss of sensitive information, unauthorized transactions, reputational damage, and significant financial loss.

"The threat is escalating as API is becoming more prevalent, increasing the number of potential attack surfaces," Clark said. "To mitigate these risks, it's essential to secure your API endpoints, enforce robust authentication mechanisms, and regularly update and audit API access."

A Docusign API was recently used in a wide-scale phishing campaign due to its "API-friendly environment," which is beneficial for businesses but also provides a way for bad actors to conduct malicious operations. The flaw could ultimately could have led to instances of fraud, though there are ways for users to avoid and detect such API abuse.

In the coming year, the cyber landscape will continue to evolve, API being in the forefront of these changes.

"We anticipate a rise in sophisticated API attacks using automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced evasion techniques to exploit vulnerabilities and bypass traditional security measures," says Eric Schwake, director of cybersecurity strategy at Salt Security. "One significant risk will stem from the exploitation of API misconfigurations, which often occur due to the fast pace of development and deployment. This situation will challenge organizations to adopt a more proactive and comprehensive approach to API security."

**Ransomware Evolution**

"We could do a whole webinar on ransomware," Clark said in the webinar, which raises the question: Can ransomware even be considered an emerging threat? 

The answer is yes, though ransomware attacks have become one of the most disruptive and costly cyberattacks out there largely due to their rapid evolution.

One of the most notable ransomware attacks occurred on Colonial Pipeline, which shut down its entire operations for the first time, leading to fuel shortages and four states on the East Coast declaring a state of emergency. The ransomware attack prompted action from national security and the executive branch and forced a reevaluation of the nation's critical infrastructure security.

Threat actors know they can win big when demanding ransoms from organizations, such as those in the healthcare sector, which will pay these high prices in order to help patients in need.

"As these attacks are becoming more targeted and, frankly, aggressive, it's crucial to start to implement backup strategies that are robust, strengthen your overall incident response plans, and continuously educate your employees on recognizing and avoiding things like phishing attempts that can often serve as an entry point for ransomware," Clark said in the webinar.

Backups may not always be an option, according to Brandon Williams, chief technology officer at Conversant Group.

"Some threat actors have moved to deleting data as part of their normal motions," he says. "If this gains traction in 2025, organizations will not have a method to recover by simply paying a ransom and hoping to get a working decryption tool. The only method of recovery will be backups; however, data shows that backups do not typically survive these breaches."

**5G Network Vulnerabilities**

5G networks are being rapidly deployed, and with them come threat actors' awareness and exploitation of its vulnerabilities. Attackers are increasingly able to target 5G infrastructure with ease, and these open the door for even bigger threats such as large-scale DDoS attacks, unauthorized data access, and disruption of our critical services.

"As we consider the rising threat, the global rollout of 5G brings an increasing number of connected devices," Clark said in the webinar. "The rising number amplifies their attack risk, particularly given their reliance on cloud-native infrastructures."

At Black Hat 2024 in Las Vegas, seven Penn State University researchers detailed how mobile devices are at risk of data theft and denial of service due to 5G technology vulnerabilities. Threat actors use these resources simply by providing someone with an Internet connection, allowing easy access to spying, phishing, and more. 

"Vulnerabilities such as lack of initial broadcast message authentication, spectrum slicing, silent downgrade, and unsecured DNS paging currently affect 5G networks," says Mayuresh Dani, manager, security research, at Qualys Threat Research Unit. "In the year to come, these will continue affecting 5G networks and vulnerabilities in unsecured base stations will multiply snooping attacks."

Emerging Threats &amp; Vulnerabilities to Prepare for in 2025

Fortinet discovers two malicious Python packages, Zebo-0.1.0 and Cometlogger-0.1, designed to steal data, capture keystrokes, and gain system control. Learn about their malicious behavior and how to protect yourself

****KEY SUMMARY POINTs from the article**  **

*   **Malicious Packages Identified**: Zebo-0.1.0 and Cometlogger-0.1 are malicious Python packages discovered on PyPI.

*   **Sensitive Data Theft**: These packages steal user data through keylogging, screenshot capturing, and information exfiltration.

*   **Persistence Mechanisms**: They establish long-term control by creating startup scripts to re-execute on system reboot.

*   **Obfuscation Techniques**: Advanced obfuscation methods help the packages evade detection and security systems.

*   **Wide Impact**: These threats compromise developers and platforms reliant on PyPI, posing major privacy and security risks.

On November 24, 2024, Fortinet FortiGuard Lab’s AI-based detection system identified **Python malware** in two malicious Python packages, Zebo-0.1.0 and Cometlogger-0.1, targeting unsuspecting users for their data.

These packages can steal sensitive information, capture screenshots, log keystrokes, and establish unauthorized control over infected systems, researchers noted in the **blog post** shared with Hackread.com.

****What is Zebo-0.1.0?****

Zebo-0.1.0 exhibits typical malware characteristics, including functions designed for surveillance, data exfiltration, and unauthorized control, and utilizes libraries like pynput and ImageGrab, along with obfuscation techniques, indicating clear malicious intent. 

The script employs obfuscation to hide its true functionality, making it harder for users or security systems to understand its actions. This obfuscation can bypass security measures, allowing the malware to run undetected. 

Zebo-0.1.0 leverages pynput to log every keystroke made by the user and also captures screenshots of the desktop, potentially violating their privacy. Furthermore, the script exfiltrates sensitive information, such as keystrokes and screenshots, to a remote server, compromising user privacy.

To ensure persistence, the malware creates a Python script and a batch file in the Windows Startup folder, ensuring its re-execution upon system startup, making it difficult to remove and increasing the risk of long-term damage.

****What is Cometlogger-0.1?****

Cometlogger-0.1 maintains a long-term presence on the victim’s system and uses advanced techniques like obfuscation, keylogging, screen capturing, and data exfiltration to compromise user data. It dynamically requests a “webhook” from the user and embeds it into Python files, allowing for potential manipulation by unauthorized users. This can redirect sensitive data to malicious servers or facilitate command-and-control operations. 

The script also targets various platforms like Discord, Steam, Instagram, and Twitter, stealing tokens, passwords, and account information. Additionally, it employs anti-VM detection techniques to evade analysis and incorporates dynamic file modification capabilities, enabling the injection of malicious code.

Both packages are a major threat to user privacy and security. Zebo-0.1.0 actively collects sensitive data and transmits it to remote servers. Cometlogger-0.1, on the other hand, focuses on information theft and maintaining a persistent presence on the victim’s system. The affected systems include all those platforms where PyPI packages can be installed with a High severity level, and threatens individuals or institutions whoever has installed these **malicious packages**.

Data stolen by the malware (Via Fortinet FortiGuard Lab)

The Python Package Index (PyPI) has become an invaluable resource for developers, offering a vast repository of reusable code. However, this convenience comes with inherent risks as malicious actors are increasingly exploiting it by publishing malicious packages that, when installed, can compromise systems. Socket Security researchers last month **discovered** another malicious Python package called “Fabrice” on PyPI downloaded over 37,000 times since its inception in 2021, harvesting AWS credentials from developers for three years.

To protect against these threats, it is crucial to disconnect from the internet, isolate the infected system, use reputable antivirus software, and reformat the system if necessary.

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