CISO

Security Advisory

Windows Update Stack Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2025-21204) – PoC Released  

The flaw, disclosed by researchers at Cyberdom Blog, poses a significant risk to millions of Windows users and organizations relying on windows.

OEM Windows 
Severity HIGH 
CVSS Score 7.8 
CVEs CVE-2025-21204 
POC Available Yes 
Actively Exploited No 
Exploited in Wild No 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

A high-severity vulnerability in the Windows Update Stack, CVE-2025-21204, enables local attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level by exploiting trusted path abuse through symbolic links. The flaw affects various versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.

A working proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit has been publicly released by security researcher Elli Shlomo, increasing the urgency to patch. The issue is addressed in the April 2025 cumulative update KB5055523. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity CVSS Score 
​Windows Update Stack Privilege Escalation  CVE-2025-21204 Windows  HIGH  7.8 

Technical Summary 

The vulnerability lies in how Windows Update processes such as MoUsoCoreWorker.exe and UsoClient.exe, which run with SYSTEM privileges, handle directory junctions. Attackers can delete the legitimate Tasks directory under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\UpdateStack and replace it with a symbolic link pointing to an attacker-controlled path. This allows the execution of arbitrary code as SYSTEM without triggering traditional security mechanisms.

A public PoC developed by Elli Shlomo demonstrates this exploit using only native Windows features—no external binaries or code injection required. 

This opens the door for a range of attacks, including installing persistent malware, disabling security tools, or accessing sensitive data.

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Exploit Prerequisites Impact 
  CVE-2025-21204  Windows 10 (10.0.10240.0 < 10.0.10240.20978, etc.), Windows 11, Server Misuse of NTFS junctions allows local attackers to redirect C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\UpdateStack\Tasks to attacker-controlled locations. SYSTEM-level update processes follow these junctions and execute unauthorized code. Attackers must have local access and limited user privileges; no user interaction required   Local privilege escalation, Code execution 

Source: Cyberdom 

Recommendations: 

  • Apply the April 2025 cumulative update (KB5055523) immediately. 
  • Restrict ACLs on C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\UpdateStack. 
  • Use AppLocker or WDAC to block symbolic link creation in sensitive directories. 
  • Monitor file operations involving UpdateStack and inetpub, regardless of IIS presence. 
  • Detect attempts to create NTFS junctions targeting update directories. 

Conclusion: 
CVE-2025-21204 is an example of a rather low-level and impactful threat doing trusted path abuse rather than complex memory corruption. This vulnerability demonstrates how attackers will exploit trust assumptions built into the operating system via native components.

The only defenses available are to immediately patch and harden directory access controls to stop this low-level and minimally visible localized privilege escalation. 

References: 


 

Blogs

Intruder Alert! Security Breach Leading to Data Breach

Recently 2.9 billion records of data stolen in cyber breach from National Public Data that includes Social Security numbers. Cyber experts assume that sensitive information including Social Security numbers for millions of people could be in the hands of a hacking group.

Reports suggest that after the breach occurred the data may have been released on an online marketplace or dark web.

What does this mean and how does organizations fight to save their clients and brand value?

It is a big question and something that can give restlessness to CISO’s and security teams. The results of breach remains for months and the impact too. This can result in financial losses and if hackers can have unauthorized access to online accounts or financial documents, the result is far reaching.

What it can do is first damage the brand value and result in expenses incurred from investigations.

This include legal fees for lawyers and if suit is bought by any customer or client and goes up to customer notification including compensation, fines.

Loosing brand value due to breach affects regaining the confidence of customers or partners and clients. This is long term as chance of possible loss of business opportunities and lasting reputational damage exist.

Gaining unauthorized access to a device or system leads to security breach and that leads to data breach or other malicious activity and as we know the devastating consequences for organizations at large. Now this can be defined as being over powering and surpassing all security measures that protect data or network systems of the organization including physical hardware assets.

Mostly we are accustomed with few names as

Malware: The attacker infects a system with malware that’s designed to steal sensitive data, hijack system resources.

Phishing: This technique involves a seemingly legitimate email or text or fake websites that come in surface as a scam

Physical asset: Sometimes  attackers gets involved in stealing or meddling with a piece of organizations assets if he can hold on the equipment, tool to get access in enterprise system and steal data.

Breach details of national Public Data:

The hacking group USDoD claimed it had allegedly stolen personal records of 2.9 billion people from National Public Data, according to a class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported by Bloomberg Law. The breach was believed to have happened in or around April, according to the lawsuit.

One major aspect of the breach is the data also included information about the individuals’ relatives. One of the unique aspects of the data was the longevity — the addresses spanned decades of residence, and some relatives have been deceased for as long as two decades.

In addition to neglecting to inform the victims, National Public Data has not released a public statement regarding the breach. The Los Angeles Times reported that the company responded to email inquiries with “We are aware of certain third-party claims about consumer data and are investigating these issues.” The lawsuit mentions the lack of notification as a top concern of the Plaintiff.

(Source: www.usatoday.com)

In recent years, plenty of high-profile examples of security breaches have captured public attention . One security breach that actually captured attention was the Nvidia breach in 2022.

Nvidia, a major chip manufacturer, experienced a cyberattack where up to 1TB of data was stolen, including employee credentials and proprietary information.

The impact was that Hackers demanded Nvidia remove limitations on its GPUs, and internal source code was leaked. The company had to take several security measures to mitigate further damage.

This incident proved that hackers and cybercriminals are in equal terms powerful in their methods and tactics as cyber security teams . Each hacker pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in the cyber world and their actions have had far-reaching consequences.

They targeted financial institutions and government agencies to exposing vulnerabilities in national defense systems. These incidents have served as wake-up calls, highlighting the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and a better understanding of digital ethics and law

Preventing security breach:

Enterprise and security teams at times may take more time to rectify or better to prevent a security breach than to resolve one after it occurs. Though not all security breaches are avoidable, applying a few tried-and-tested best practices is always on the cards.

Tips for Best practices for preventing data breaches

Data breach prevention requires a comprehensive, proactive approach and a enterprise level if ots followed its better for security measure to remain strong that are being implemented.

  • A secure coding principles in best practice strategy: Writing secure code involves following best practices such as avoiding hardcoded credentials, implementing input validation, and ensuring proper data encryption. This way organization can reduce vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
  • Conducting Regular security audits: Conducting penetration testing and threat modeling helps identify weaknesses in your security framework and routine security assessments to mitigate potential threats.
  • Implementing practices with DevSecOps: Embedding security into the SDLC ensures security considerations are addressed at every stage of development. By integrating application security testing and practices like shift left testing into software development workflows, organizations can identify and fix vulnerabilities early in the process.
  • Creating incident response plans: Having a clear incident response plan allows organizations to detect, contain, and mitigate security breaches more efficiently. Security teams get enough time and  can respond quickly to security incidents, minimizing damage and reducing downtime.
  • Security training for Teams : Educating development teams on cybersecurity best practices helps them recognize threats and implement secure coding practices. Security teams should stay updated on emerging threats and modern security measures.

Protect yourself with GaarudNode from Intruceptlabs

GaarudNode is an all-in-one  solution designed to empower development teams with the tools they need to secure their applications throughout the development lifecycle. By combining the power of SAST, DAST, SCA, API security, and CSPM, GaarudNode provides a comprehensive security framework that ensures your applications are built, tested, and deployed with confidence.

  • Our Platform:
    • Identifies security flaws early in the development process by scanning source code, helping developers detect issues like insecure coding practices or logic errors.
    • Tests running applications in real-time to identify vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and other runtime threats.
    • Detects vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and open-source components, ensuring that your dependencies don’t introduce risks.
    • Continuously tests and monitors your APIs for vulnerabilities such as authentication flaws, data exposure, and insecure endpoints.

Do connect or DM for queries

(Sources:https://www.ibm.com/think/news/national-public-data-breach-publishes-private-data-billions-us-citizens)

Security Advisory

Windows 11 DLL Flaws Open Doors to Privilege Escalation! 

Summary 

Security researcher John Ostrowski of Compass Security has uncovered two privilege escalation vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows CVE-2025-24076 and CVE-2025-24994.

DLL hijacking is a technique that exploits how Windows applications load DLLs.

OEM Windows 
Severity HIGH 
CVSS Score 7.3 
CVEs CVE-2025-24994, CVE-2025-24076 
No. of Vulnerabilities Patched 02 
Actively Exploited Yes 
Exploited in Wild Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

These flaws, found in the Mobile Devices management component, stem from insecure DLL loading behavior that could allow unprivileged users to escalate privileges to SYSTEM via a DLL hijacking attack. Microsoft has released fixes for both vulnerabilities as part of its March 2025 Patch Tuesday rollout. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity CVSS Score 
​Windows Cross Device Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability  CVE-2025-24076 Windows  HIGH  7.3 
​Windows Cross Device Service Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability CVE-2025-24994 Windows HIGH 7.3 

Technical Summary 

The vulnerability arises due to Windows 11’s “Mobile devices” functionality loading a DLL from a user-writable location without verifying its signature. This enables unprivileged users to replace the DLL with a malicious proxy that executes with elevated privileges. 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
  CVE-2025-24076  Windows 11 Version 22H2, 22H3, 23H2, 24H2.  Exploits a race condition in the “Mobile devices” feature via DLL hijacking. The system process loads CrossDevice.Streaming.Source.dll from a user-writable directory (%PROGRAMDATA%\CrossDevice\), allowing privilege escalation when replaced with a malicious DLL. Attackers used Opportunistic Locks and API hooking (via Detours) to reliably exploit the narrow timing window.   Allows SYSTEM-level privilege escalation 
CVE-2025-24994 Windows 11 Version 22H2, 22H3, 23H2, 24H2 Involves a similar DLL hijacking flaw in a user-to-user context. A user-level process loads a DLL without signature validation, allowing a malicious DLL to be executed under another user’s context. This vector is less severe but still exploitable.  Allows user-to-user privilege escalation 

Remediation: 

  • Implement Security Updates to make sure to install the current security patches made available by Microsoft, specifically March 2025 updates, into affected systems. 
  • Turn off Cross Device Service if not needed, disable the “Mobile Devices” feature in Windows 11 to avoid exploitation of the vulnerabilities. 
  • Look for Suspicious Activity constantly scan system logs for suspect activity, particularly attempts to alter or load DLL files in protected processes. 
  • Restrict User Permissions prevent non-administrative users from changing system files or running processes with elevated privileges. 
  • Support DLL Signature Verification makes all programs support DLL signature verification so that no applications can load unsigned or altered DLL files. 

Conclusion: 
The discovered DLL hijacking vulnerabilities in Windows 11’s “Mobile devices” feature demonstrate how legacy attack techniques remain potent when integrated into new OS functionalities.

The presence of a working Proof-of-Concept (PoC) reinforces the practical risk posed by these flaws. Organizations should immediately apply the March 2025 security updates and consider employing EDR solutions to monitor for related behavior. Continued vigilance and file access control hardening remain essential in defending against such privilege escalation attacks.  

While CVE-2025-24076 enables SYSTEM-level access but CVE-2025-24994 arises from a related user-level process failing to validate DLLs.

This opens the door to user-to-user attacks, though its impact is far less severe compared to its SYSTEM-targeting sibling.

References: 


 

Blogs Cybersecurity News

CISA’s Support for MITRE CVE, CWE programs Extended. 

Contract extension by CISA for MITRE CVE, CWE program prevents shutdown providing sign of relief for Cybersecurity community.

The CVE Program is the primary way software vulnerabilities are tracked maintained by MITRE. Recently the contract between MITRE, a non-profit research and development group including  the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to operate the CVE program, was about to expire on April 16, 2025, with no renewal in place.

This created panic in cyber security world as the CVE Program was about  to expire. The United States Cyber security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), stepped in during the last minute and renewed its funding for the software-vulnerability-tracking project known as the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program(CVE).

CISA ensured that the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) and Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) programs did not lapse.

Renewal of Contract with MITRE & Last Minute Rescue by CISA

‘The contract with MITRE is being extended for 11 months said a CISA’ spokesman..The importance of CVE Program is a focal point for cybersecurity program that is provides critical data and services for digital defense and research.

During the last minute when the contract was about to expire on tuesday night, the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) renewed its funding for the longtime software-vulnerability-tracking project known as the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program.

MITRE’s vice president and director of the Center for Securing the Homeland, Yosry Barsoum, said in a statement on Wednesday that “CISA identified incremental funding to keep the Programs operational.” With the clock ticking down before this decision came out, some members of the CVE Program’s board announced a plan to transition the project into new non profit entity called the CVE Foundation.

The CVE program is of prime importance for the entire cyber security community and CISA, the very reason for extending support so that there is no lapse in critical CVE services.

The extension will bring in a sense of security for cyber sec professionals, vendors, and government agencies worldwide can continue to rely on the CVE program for coordinated vulnerability tracking and response.

Since its inception, the CVE Program has operated as a US government-funded initiative, with oversight and management provided under contract. 

Over the years there has been doubt among members of the CVE Board about the sustainability and neutrality of a globally relied-upon resource being tied to a single government sponsor. The foundation has also written about its concern.

The cyber security community that includes researchers and cyber professionals were relieved on Wednesday, as the news flashed about the CVE Program hadn’t suddenly ceased to exist as the result of unprecedented instability in US federal funding.

Not only the US but every organization and every security tool is dependent on the CVE program and despite CISA’s last-minute funding, the future of the CVE Program is still unclear.

What makes the CVE program vital for cyber-security community?

Considering the importance of the CVE program, it should be fully funded to conduct job meant for its mission and well resourced.

On its 25th anniversary, the CVE Program continues playing vital role in global cybersecurity by identifying, defining, and cataloging publicly disclosed vulnerabilities. There is one CVE Record for each vulnerability in the catalog.

The vulnerabilities are discovered, then assigned and published by organizations globally that have partnered with the CVE Program

Lets wait for the 11 months contract funding that has been extended by CISA. Still the question remains about sustainability and neutrality of having a prominent globally recognized resource like CVE tied to a single government sponsor.

Sources: CISA Provides Last-Minute Support to Keep CVE Program Running

https://www.wired.com/story/cve-program-cisa-funding-chaos

Security Advisory

Dell Releases Patches for Multiple PowerScale OneFS Security Vulnerabilities 

Summary 

Dell Technologies Security Advisory

OEM Dell 
Severity Critical 
CVSS 9.8 
CVEs CVE-2025-27690, CVE-2025- 26330, CVE-2025-22471 
Exploited in Wild No 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

​Dell Technologies has released security updates addressing multiple vulnerabilities of varying severity in its PowerScale OneFS operating system.

These vulnerabilities could be exploited by attackers to gain control of high-privilege accounts, bypass security mechanisms, or disrupt system functionality. Dell has issued patches for several of these issues, a summary of some key vulnerabilities is provided in the table below. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity 
Default Password Vulnerability CVE-2025-27690 PowerScale OneFS   Critical 
Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability CVE-2025-26330 PowerScale OneFS   High 
Integer Overflow or Wraparound Vulnerability CVE-2025-22471 PowerScale OneFS  Medium 

Technical Summary 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact Affected Version 
CVE-2025-27690 PowerScale OneFS Dell PowerScale OneFS multiple versions contain a default password vulnerability where an unauthenticated remote attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to the privilege escalation. Gain Privileges or Assume Identity  Versions 9.5.0.0 through 9.10.1.0 
CVE-2025-26330 PowerScale OneFS Dell PowerScale OneFS multiple versions contain an incorrect authorization vulnerability where unauthenticated local attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to access the cluster with previous privileges of a disabled user account. Unauthorized Access Versions 9.4.0.0 through 9.10.0.1 
CVE-2025-22471 PowerScale OneFS Dell PowerScale OneFS multiple versions contain an integer overflow or wraparound vulnerability where an unauthenticated remote attacker exploits this which leads to denial of service. Service unavailable Versions 9.4.0.0 through 9.10.0.1 

Remediation: 

It has been recommended to upgrade to the following versions to address the security risks 

OneFS Version Updated Version 
9.10.x.x 9.10.1.1 
9.9.x.x 9.9.0.2 
9.8.x.x 9.8.0.3 
9.7.x.x 9.7.1.7 
9.5.x.x 9.5.1.3 

Workaround for CVE-2025-27690 

It’s always recommended to update to the latest version. If you’re unable to upgrade immediately, you can follow the workarounds provided by the vendor from here. 

References: 

Security Advisory

Critical Flaw in FortiSwitch of Fortinet Allows Attackers to Change Admin Password

An unverified password change vulnerability [CWE-620] in FortiSwitch GUI discovered.

This may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to modify admin passwords via a specially crafted request as per Fortinet advisory released.

Summary

OEMFortinet 
SeverityCRITICAL
CVSS Score9.8
CVEsCVE-2024-48887
Actively ExploitedYes
Exploited in WildYes
Advisory Version1.0

Overview

Fortinet’s FortiSwitch product line has revealed a significant vulnerability noted as CVE-2024-48887. This flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to change administrative passwords by sending specially crafted requests to the device’s password management endpoint. With a CVSS score of 9.8, the vulnerability is classified as Critical and is actively being exploited in the wild.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverityCVSS Score
A unverified password change vulnerability  CVE-2024-48887Fortinet   CRITICAL  9.8

Technical Summary

A critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-48887) has been identified in Fortinet FortiSwitch devices, affecting versions 6.4.0 through 7.6.0. This flaw resides in the web-based management interface and allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to change administrator passwords by sending a specially crafted HTTP request to the set_password endpoint.

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability DetailsImpact
    CVE-2024-48887  FortiSwitch v7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7.0, 6.4CVE-2024-48887 is an unauthenticated password change vulnerability in FortiSwitch web GUI.
It enables remote unauthenticated attackers to modify admin passwords through crafted requests to the set_password endpoint.		    Unverified Password Change

Remediation:

  • Apply Security Patches: Install the latest security update for your FortiSwitch version. Fortinet has fixed the issue in 6.4.15 and above,7.0.11 and above,7.2.9 and above,7.4.5 and above,7.6.1 and above versions.

General Recommendations

  • Update Devices Regularly always install the latest firmware and security patches from Fortinet to fix known vulnerabilities.
  • Limit access to the FortiSwitch web GUI to trusted IP addresses and disable HTTP/HTTPS access if it is not required.
  • Set strong and unique passwords and change them regularly to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Monitor unusual Activity for suspicious logins or configuration changes.

Conclusion:


The CVE-2024-48887 vulnerability poses a serious security risk to organizations using affected FortiSwitch devices. Its ease of exploitation and the lack of authentication required make it particularly dangerous.

Organizations must act immediately by applying the relevant security patches, limiting administrative access, and monitoring for unusual activity.

References:

Security Advisory

Spoofing Vulnerability in WhatsApp Desktop for Windows

Summary 

Be careful when you open that file in whatapp, it might have that spoofing flaw allowing Arbitrary Code Execution (CVE-2025-30401) and affects all versions of WhatsApp Desktop for Windows prior to 2.2450.6, and stems from a bug .

Overview 

The vulnerability has been fixed in version 2.2450.6. WhatsApp has and will always be an attractive field for attackers and this particular bug does require user interaction – the victim has to manually open the malicious attachment for the payload to run.

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity Fixed Version 
 Spoofing Vulnerability  CVE-2025-30401  WhatsApp Desktop for Windows  Medium  2.2450.6 

Technical Summary 

The vulnerability results from WhatsApp for Windows’s different handling of attachments. It opens files depending on their filename extension while displaying files based on their MIME type. This mismatch allows attackers to spoof file types and trick users into launching malicious executables. 

Example Scenario: 

An attacker sends a file named cat.jpg.exe with a MIME type of image/jpeg. WhatsApp displays the file as an image (because of the MIME type), misleading the user. If the user manually opens the attachment from within WhatsApp, Windows uses the .exe extension to execute the file — potentially launching malicious code. 

This form of UI spoofing can be especially effective in group chats, where malicious attachments may be distributed widely and appear harmless. 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
  CVE-2025-30401   WhatsApp Desktop for Windows (<2.2450.6)  MIME type used for display, but file extension used for execution.

A mismatch between the two could allow a file to appear harmless (e.g., image), while actually being executable (e.g., .exe). 		 Remote Arbitrary code execution 

Remediation: 

  • Official Patch Available: The vulnerability has been resolved by Meta (formerly Facebook). Users should update WhatsApp for Windows to version 2.2450.6 or latest version. 

Conclusion: 

CVE-2025-30401 is a key example of how inconsistent file processing in the user interface can result in serious security threats. Attackers can create misleading payloads that can run arbitrary code by taking advantage of users’ faith in how apps display attachments.

Due to the possibility of remote exploitation, users should update to the latest WhatsApp version 2.2450.6 or later. Patching should be done right away to avoid any compromise. 

Be careful when you click attachments.

References: 

Security Advisory

WordPress Ultimate CSV Importer Flaws Put 20,000+ Sites at Risk

Threat researchers discovered an arbitrary File Upload vulnerability and an Arbitrary File Deletion vulnerability within the WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin. This is affecting versions 7.19 and earlier.

The vulnerabilities have been addressed in version 7.19.1 of the plugin.

Summary 

OEM WordPress 
Severity High 
CVSS Score 8.8 
CVEs CVE-2025-2008, CVE- 2025-2007 
Actively Exploited Yes 
Exploited in Wild Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

The security flaw WordPress plugin, Ultimate CSV Importer, affecting over 20,000 websites. The vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2025-2008 and CVE-2025-2007, can lead to catastrophic consequences, including complete site compromise. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity CVSS Score 
Arbitrary File Upload  CVE-2025-2008 WordPress  High  8.8 
Arbitrary File Deletion  CVE-2025-2007 WordPress  High  8.1 

Technical Summary 

A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in the WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin (versions ≤ v7.19). This flaw allows attackers with only Subscriber level access to exploit the system in two dangerous ways: 

  1. Malicious File Upload: Attackers can upload malicious files, potentially enabling remote code execution and granting full control over the affected site. This allows for complete site compromise, including the ability to install backdoors or steal sensitive information. 
  1. Critical File Deletion: Attackers can delete crucial files, such as wp-config.php, which can reset the WordPress site and give attackers the ability to take full control over the site. 
CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
  CVE-2025-2008  WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin (versions ≤ 7.19) A critical flaw in the WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin (≤ v7.19) allows attackers with Subscriber access to upload malicious files due to improper file type validation.
This can lead to remote code execution (RCE) and full site takeover. 		  Remote code execution (RCE) 
 CVE-2025-2007 WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin (versions ≤ 7.19) A serious flaw in the WP Ultimate CSV Importer plugin (≤ v7.19) allows attackers with Subscriber access to delete critical files, like wp-config.php, due to weak file path validation.
This can reset the site, letting attackers take control. 		 Arbitrary file deletion leading to site reset 

Remediation: 

Install version 7.19.1 or later to fix the security flaws. Keeping all plugins and WordPress updated helps prevent attacks. 

General Recommendations 

  • Update the Plugin – Install the latest version (7.19.1+) to fix security issues and keep your site safe. 
  • Limit User Access – Allow only trusted users to upload or delete files to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. 
  • Use Security Plugins – Install tools to block threats, monitor activity, and protect your site. 
  • Backup Your Website – Regularly save backups so you can restore your site if it gets hacked or files are deleted. 

Conclusion: 

A major security issue in a popular WordPress plugin put over 20,000 websites at risk of being taken over by hackers.

Attackers could upload harmful files or delete important ones, making websites vulnerable. This incident shows why keeping plugins updated, limiting user access, and using security tools is crucial. Updating to version 7.19.1 is necessary to stay protected. 

References: 

Security Advisory

Critical Chrome Vulnerability (CVE-2025-2783) Exploited in Cyber-Espionage Campaign

OEMGoogle Chrome
SeverityHigh
CVSS8.3
CVEsCVE-2025-2783
Exploited in WildYes
Patch/Remediation AvailableYes
Advisory Version1.0

Overview

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an urgent advisory regarding the critical zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-2783, in Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers on Windows. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, urged immediate patching to prevent security breaches and unauthorized system access.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverityFixed Version
  Google Chromium Mojo Sandbox Escape Vulnerability  CVE-2025-2783  Google Chrome  High  134.0.6998.117/.118

Technical Summary

This high-severity vulnerability found in the Mojo framework of Chromium-based browsers including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera, Brave etc. The vulnerability originates from a logic error that results in an incorrect handle being provided under certain conditions. This flaw allows attackers to bypass Chrome’s sandbox protections and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Security researchers from Kaspersky discovered this zero-day vulnerability as part of an advanced cyber-espionage campaign dubbed “Operation ForumTroll.” The attack campaign targeted media outlets, educational institutions, and government organizations in Russia through highly personalized phishing emails.

The exploit chain is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction. Victims only need to click on a malicious link in a phishing email, after which the attack executes automatically without any additional action from the user. Once triggered, the exploit allows attackers to escape Chrome’s sandbox environment, leading to remote code execution and possible system compromise.

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability DetailsImpact
    CVE-2025-2783    Google Chrome (Windows)    Incorrect handle provided in Mojo, allowing sandbox escape  Remote code execution, System Compromise

Remediation:

  • Google Chrome Patch Released: Google has released security updates in Chrome versions 134.0.6998.177/.178 to address this vulnerability. Users should update immediately.

General Recommendations:

  • Enable Automatic Updates: Ensure automatic updates are enabled in Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers to receive future security patches promptly.
  • Phishing Awareness Training: Organizations should educate employees on identifying and avoiding phishing emails to prevent exploitation.
  • Endpoint Security Measures: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor and mitigate potential threats.
  • CISA Compliance for Federal Agencies: Federal agencies must adhere to CISA’s Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01 to address known exploited vulnerabilities promptly.

Conclusion:

The exploitation of CVE-2025-2783 demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by sophisticated cyber-espionage activities.  Google has responded swiftly with a patch, and users are strongly advised to update their browsers immediately. Organizations should remain vigilant against phishing attempts and enhance their cybersecurity posture to mitigate similar threats in the future.

References:

Security Advisory

Windows Zero-Day Exploit NTLM Hash Disclosure via Malicious Files

Summary

OEMMicrosoft
SeverityHigh
CVEsNot Yet Assigned
Exploited in WildNo
Patch/Remediation AvailableNo
Advisory Version1.0
Vulnerability Zero-Day

Overview

A newly discovered NTLM vulnerability in Windows, allows attackers to obtain login credentials when a user view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. This issue affects all Windows versions, from Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 to the most recent Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025.

Attackers can exploit this flaw by using shared network folders, USB drives, or previously downloaded malicious files, making credential theft easy and difficult to detect.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverityFix
             NTLM Hash Disclosure Vulnerability      Not Yet Assigned    Windows OS and Windows Server         High  Unofficial micropatch available via 0patch

Technical Summary

This vulnerability enables attackers to steal NTLM authentication credentials simply by having users view a malicious file in Windows Explorer. Unlike previous NTLM relay attack techniques that required users to execute files, this exploit works just by rendering the malicious file’s metadata in the Windows Explorer preview pane. Attackers can leverage this method in various ways:

  • Hosting a shared network folder containing the malicious file.
  • Distributing infected USB drives that trigger the attack when inserted.
  • Tricking users into downloading the malicious file from a compromised or attacker-controlled website.

Once the credentials are captured, attackers can use NTLM relay attacks to gain unauthorized access to internal systems, escalate privileges, and move laterally across the network.

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability Technical DetailsImpact
  Not Assigned Yet  Windows 7 – Windows 11 v24H2, Server 2008 R2 – Server 2025Attackers can capture NTLM credentials when users view malicious files in Windows Explorer. Exploitation methods include shared folders, USB drives, or downloads.Credential theft, network compromise, and potential lateral movement.  

Recommendations

  • Microsoft Patch Awaited: The vulnerability has been reported to Microsoft, and an official security update is expected in the near future.
  • Unofficial Micropatch Available: Security researchers at 0patch have released an unofficial micropatch that mitigates this issue. The micropatch is available for all affected Windows versions and will remain free until an official fix is provided by Microsoft.

Steps to Apply 0patch Micropatch:

  1. Create a free account on 0patch Central.
  2. Install and register the 0patch Agent on affected systems.
  3. The micropatch is applied automatically without requiring a system reboot.

Security Best Practices

  • Disable NTLM authentication where possible.
  • Implement SMB signing to prevent relay attacks.
  • Restrict access to public-facing servers like Exchange to limit credential relaying risks.
  • Educate users to avoid interacting with unknown or suspicious files in shared folders and USB drives.

Conclusion

Although not classified as critical, this NTLM credential theft vulnerability is extremely harmful due to its ease of exploitation. Attackers can exploit NTLM hashes in relay attacks to compromise internal network resources.

Security researchers confirm that comparable flaws have been actively exploited in real-world assaults. Until an official Microsoft patch is available, organizations should prioritize applying the 0patch micropatch and following NTLM security best practices to reduce potential risks.

References:

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