CTI & SOC Team’s Compliment Holistic Threat Hunting
SOC & CTI Compliment each other in threat Hunting
Continue ReadingCyber Threat
7Zip Mark-Of-The-Web Vulnerability
A high severity vulnerability in 7-Zip is exploiting in the wild. This vulnerability, identified as a Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) bypass, allows attackers to craft a double archive file that, when extracted, bypasses MoTW protections.
| OEM | 7Zip |
| Severity | High |
| CVSS | 7.0 |
| CVEs | CVE-2025-0411 |
| Exploited in Wild | Yes |
| Patch/Remediation Available | Yes |
| Advisory Version | 1.0 |
Overview
The vulnerability enables threat actors to create archives containing malicious scripts or executables, which, due to the flaw, will not receive the usual MoTW protection.
This exposes Windows users to potential attacks and has recently been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Furthermore, a Proof of Concept (PoC) for this vulnerability has been publicly released, increasing the risk of exploitation.
7-Zip vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MotW) Windows security feature and was exploited by Russian hackers as a zero-day since September 2024.
| Vulnerability Name | CVE ID | Product Affected | Severity |
| MOTW Bypass vulnerability | CVE-2025-0411 | 7zip | High |
Technical Summary
This vulnerability bypasses the Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) feature, a security measure in Windows operating systems that flags files originating from the internet as potentially untrusted. MoTW is typically applied to files like downloaded documents, images, or executable files, which prompts a warning when opened. However, this vulnerability occurs when 7-Zip fails to properly propagate MoTW protections to files inside double-encapsulated archives.
An attacker can craft an archive containing another archive (a “double archive”), and 7-Zip did not properly propagate MoTW protections to the content to the inner archive.
This flaw allows any malicious content in the inner archive to be executed without triggering any security warnings. Consequently, this exposes Windows users to the risk of remote code execution and other malicious activities.
| CVE ID | System Affected | Vulnerability Details | Impact |
| CVE-2025-0411 | 7Zip Prior to v24.09 | This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through double-encapsulated archives that bypass MoTW protections. | Arbitrary remote code injection, potential system compromise |
Remediation:
Update 7zip to v24.09 or the latest version. Installing the latest version will ensure that vulnerability is addressed, protecting systems from potential exploitation.
Generic Recommendations
- Exercise Caution with File Extraction: Always verify the source before extracting files, especially from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.
- Enhance User Awareness: Educate users on identifying phishing attempts and avoiding clicks on suspicious links or attachments.
- Monitor for Anomalies: Continuously monitor systems for signs of exploitation, unusual file extraction behaviors, or unauthorized access attempts.
Conclusion
The MoTW bypass vulnerability in 7-Zip represents a serious security concern for Windows users, as it allows attackers to circumvent protective measures and execute malicious code. Updating to the latest version of 7-Zip is the recommended action to ensure systems are protected against this vulnerability.
References:
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0411
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-045/
- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/25/a/cve-2025-0411-ukrainian-organizations-targeted.html
- https://cybersecuritynews.com/poc-exploit-released-for-7-zip-vulnerability/
- https://github.com/dhmosfunk/7-Zip-CVE-2025-0411-POC
#CyberSecurity #7Zip #SecurityAdvisory #VulnerabilityManagement #CISO #CXO #PatchManagement #Intrucept
New Regulations & Directives to Boost Cyber Defense; DORA & NIS2
DORA & NIS2
EU Regulations to Strengthen Cyber defense
Banshee Stealer: A Growing Threat to macOS Users
Overview
Cybersecurity researchers at Check Point Research (CPR) have discovered a sophisticated macOS malware called Banshee Stealer, putting over 100 million macOS users globally at risk. The malware, designed to exfiltrate sensitive user data, demonstrates advanced evasion techniques, posing a significant threat to users and organizations relying on macOS.
Key Threat Details:
Malware Capabilities:
- Data Theft: Banshee Stealer targets browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, and sensitive files, compromising user security.
- User Deception: It displays fake system pop-ups to trick users into revealing their macOS passwords, facilitating unauthorized access.
- Encryption and Exfiltration: Stolen data is compressed, encrypted, and transmitted to command-and-control (C&C) servers through stealthy channels, making detection challenging.
C&C decryption Source: Cybersecurity News
Evasion Tactics:
- Advanced Encryption: The malware utilizes encryption techniques similar to Apple’s XProtect, camouflaging itself to evade detection by traditional antivirus systems.
- Stealth Operations: It operates seamlessly within system processes, avoiding scrutiny from debugging tools and remaining undetected for extended periods.
Distribution Mechanisms:
- Phishing Websites: Banshee Stealer impersonates trusted software downloads, including Telegram and Chrome, to deceive users into downloading malicious files.
- Fake GitHub Repositories: It distributes DMG files with deceptive reviews and stars to gain user trust, facilitating the spread of the malware.
Repository releases source: Cybersecurity News
Recent Developments:
- Expanded Targeting: The latest version of Banshee Stealer has removed geographic restrictions, such as the Russian language check, broadening its target audience globally.
- Source Code Leak: Following a source code leak, there has been increased activity, enabling other threat actors to develop variants and intensify the threat landscape.
Impact:
- Users: Compromised browser data, cryptocurrency wallets, and personal files can lead to identity theft and financial losses.
- Organizations: Potential data breaches can result in reputational damage, financial losses, and legal implications.
- Global Threat: The malware’s expanded targeting underscores the need for enhanced vigilance among macOS users worldwide.
Indicators of Compromise (IOCs):
The IOCs listed below are associated with the threat. For the full list of IOCs, please refer to the link .
| IP Address and Domain | File Hash |
| 41.216.183[.]49 | 00c68fb8bcb44581f15cb4f888b4dec8cd6d528cacb287dc1bdeeb34299b8c93 |
| Alden[.]io | 1dcf3b607d2c9e181643dd6bf1fd85e39d3dc4f95b6992e5a435d0d900333416 |
| api7[.]cfd | 3bcd41e8da4cf68bb38d9ef97789ec069d393306a5d1ea5846f0c4dc0d5beaab |
| Authorisev[.]site | b978c70331fc81804dea11bf0b334aa324d94a2540a285ba266dd5bbfbcbc114 |
Recommendations:
To mitigate the risks associated with Banshee Stealer, consider implementing the following proactive measures:
- Avoid Untrusted Downloads:
- Refrain from downloading software from unverified sources, particularly free or “cracked” versions.
- Verify the authenticity of GitHub repositories before downloading any files.
- Strengthening System Defenses:
- Regularly update macOS and all installed applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Deploy advanced security solutions with real-time threat detection and proactive intelligence.
- Enhance Awareness and Training:
- Educate users on identifying phishing websites and suspicious downloads.
- Encourage caution when responding to system prompts or entering credentials.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Secure accounts with 2FA to minimize the impact of stolen credentials.
- Monitor System Activity:
- Regularly review system logs for unauthorized changes or suspicious activity.
- Use tools to monitor unexpected outgoing data transmissions.
- Utilize threat intelligence feeds to detect and block IOCs like malicious IPs, domains, and file hashes.
- Continuously monitor network traffic, emails, and file uploads to identify and mitigate threats early.
Conclusion:
The rise of the Banshee malware exemplifies the increasing sophistication of threats targeting macOS. Users and organizations must adopt layered security defenses, maintain vigilance, and prioritize awareness to mitigate the risks of advanced malware like Banshee. By leveraging updated tools and practices, you can safeguard critical systems and data from evolving cyber threats.
References:
Cybersecurity Trends for 2025; Responsible AI to gain Importance
Cyber security trends as per research and data available shows that responsible AI will gain importance with more public scrutiny of risks growing along with remediation practices. Organizations will now require to balance taking risks with AI and having rapid remediation strategies available.
As per experts the areas that will get attention will be cloud security and data location. In 2025, new laws may require that sensitive data stay within national borders, affecting how companies manage and store data across regions. As businesses and critical services become increasingly dependent on cloud services, some countries may prioritize cloud availability in national emergency plans, recognizing that stable cloud access is mandatory for crisis management. This shift could lead towards the establishment of a new program like Cloud Service Priority (CSP), treating cloud infrastructure as important as utilities like electricity and telecoms.
How organization need to prepare themselves as big and small businesses and brands will see dramatically increased risks, as bad actors using AI will launch convincing impersonation attacks. This will make it easier with higher accuracy than ever to fool customers and clients.
Key Cyber Security Trends of 2025
- As organization navigate through 2025 we will witness that threat actors will increasingly use AI for sophisticated phishing, vishing, and social engineering attacks.
Gen-AI
- Generative AI is driving an unprecedented surge in cyber fraud, with nearly 47% of organisations identifying adversarial AI-powered attacks as their primary concern, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025.
- Due to technological advancements the Cyberspace is growing more complex due to technological advancements as they are interconnected to supply chains. Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential to secure the benefits of digitalization at all levels.
Digitalization
- 76% of cybersecurity leaders report difficulties navigating a patchwork of global policies and 66% of organizations expect AI to transform cybersecurity, only 37% have implemented safeguards to secure these tools before deployment.
IoT Devices Vulnerable
- Hackers will grow attacks on IoT devices as per research by Analytics insights report 2025 as over 30 billion devices across the globe will be connected through the Internet of Things. IoT enhance productivity offering convenience but due to their low-security backgrounds hackers may utilize opportunity to obtain sensitive information, or form massive botnets to execute Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. (Analytics insight)
Ransomware
- Attackers have resorted to different methods of extortion, involving ransom demands along with DDoS attacks. Encryption and fileless ransomware are being developed in an attempt to evade detection. RaaS makes it increasingly easy for non-technical users to carry out advanced attacks and the trend is growing. Experts predict that, by 2025, ransomware attacks will occur globally every two seconds prime targets remain in the healthcare, education, and government sectors.
AI /ML
- To survive in highly competitive environment hackers will continue using AI so as organization will continue with previous theme of 2024 application of artificial intelligence and this will expand along with machine learning (ML) as these tools are the game changer in in a cybersecurity strategy.
Quantum Computing
- The year 2025 will witness the rise and development of Quantum Computing and computers.An exciting technological development; however, it also generates grave challenges for cybersecurity. Quantum computers solve complex problems much faster than classical computers, making traditional cryptography algorithms vulnerable to quantum attacks is equally necessary to be proactive, with an immediate focus on quantum-safe encryption that would last to provide safety to the digital security systems in the years to follow. McKinsey poll says, 72% of tech executives, investors and quantum computing academics believe that “a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer” will be here by 2035, while 28% think this won’t happen until at least 2040. With Quantum computing business can protect their data and stay ahead of quantum threats with the right tools and strategies in place.
Regulations
- Regulatory changes and compliance will evolve in 2025 as government across the European countries are gearing up with regulation being prepared to protect against surge of ransomware attacks, introducing stringent measures to combat the growing menace of cyber extortion. The EU emerged as a frontrunner in cybersecurity regulation, with the Network and Information Security (NIS2) Directive coming into full force.
- BISO Analytics: In 2025 we will witness rise of virtual CISO (vCISO) or CSO consultant roles over full-time in-house roles. Also Shifting CISO responsibilities have brought about an increasing role for BISOs. The cybersecurity team has a lot to handle as companies face more cyber threats, compliance requirements, growing remote workforces, and rapid adoption of new cloud-based technologies. With such a large scope of duty, the CISO is often over stretched and in this complex cybersecurity environment having a BISO will bring in support to entire cyber security strategy.
- BISO ‘s may also be called upon to interact with marketing and corporate communications, bringing their research into potential attack vectors, typical points of vulnerability, and unique understanding of the hackers mindset and guide organizations that are increasingly battening cybersecurity strategy to deal with various attack vectors.
- Intrucept offers BISO Analytics as a services. BISOs are crucial for strategies requiring technical cybersecurity and strategic business input.
Organizations need bespoke solutions to defend against attacks across email, social, and other channels as we witness evolving nature of attacks demands continuous weekly innovation to stay ahead. The use of Multifactor authentication reduces the danger in identity and access management EDR solutions with feeds of threat intelligence will gain prominence. Intrucept is dedicated in helping organizations to run fast and be secure. We will always find that being easy and slowing down is a tendency but we as organization try to enable our customers to maintain speed (and even accelerate).
References:
- McKinsey Lock Down! Top Cybersecurity Threats We May Witness in 2025 Healthcare Trends Shaping 2025 And Insights For Industry LeadersLock Down! Top Cybersecurity Threats We May Witness in 2025
- Healthcare Trends Shaping 2025 And Insights For Industry Leaders
- https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/blog/12-cis-experts-cybersecurity-predictions-2025
Ivanti Connect Secure VPN Actively Being Exploited in the Wild
Ivanti announced two critical vulnerabilities impacting its Connect Secure (ICS) VPN appliances: CVE-2025-0282 and CVE-2025-0283. Notably, CVE-2025-0282 has been actively exploited in the wild since mid-December 2024.
As per Ivanti threat actors have attempted to bypass detection by the ICT, Ivanti has provided examples demonstrating the differences between successful scans and unsuccessful ones on compromised devices to help users identify potential compromises.
Summary
| OEM | Ivanti |
| Severity | Critical |
| CVSS | 9.0 |
| CVEs | CVE-2025-0282, CVE-2025-0283 |
| Exploited in Wild | Yes |
| Patch/Remediation Available | Yes |
| Advisory Version | 1.0 |
Overview
This stack-based buffer overflow flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. Another Vulnerability, CVE-2025-0283, could allow a local authenticated attacker to escalate privileges. Ivanti has released patches for Connect Secure and recommends immediate updates to mitigate the risk.
| Vulnerability Name | CVE ID | Product Affected | Severity | Affected Version |
| Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability | CVE-2025-0282 | Ivanti | Critical | 22.7R2 through 22.7R2.4 22.7R1 through 22.7R1.2 22.7R2 through 22.7R2.3 |
| Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability | CVE-2025-0283 | Ivanti | High | 22.7R2.4 and prior 9.1R18.9 and prior 22.7R1.2 and prior 22.7R2.3 and prior |
Technical Summary
| CVE ID | System Affected | Vulnerability Details | Impact |
| CVE-2025-0282 | Ivanti Connect Secure, Ivanti Policy Secure, Ivanti Neurons for ZTA gateways | A stack-based buffer overflow in Ivanti Connect Secure before version 22.7R2.5, Ivanti Policy Secure before version 22.7R1.2, and Ivanti Neurons for ZTA gateways before version 22.7R2.3 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to achieve remote code execution. | RCE, System compromise, Data theft, Network breaches, and Service disruptions. |
| CVE-2025-0283 | Ivanti Connect Secure, Ivanti Policy Secure, Ivanti Neurons for ZTA gateways | A stack-based buffer overflow in Ivanti Connect Secure before version 22.7R2.5, Ivanti Policy Secure before version 22.7R1.2, and Ivanti Neurons for ZTA gateways before version 22.7R2.3 allows a local authenticated attacker to escalate their privileges | Allow Local Authenticated Attackers to Escalate Privileges. |
Remediation:
- Ensure that the appropriate patches or updates are applied to the relevant Ivanti
- Organizations using ICS appliances are strongly advised to apply these patches and follow Ivanti’s Security Advisory to safeguard their systems.
versions as listed below:
| Affected Version(s) | Fixes and Releases |
| 22.7R2 through 22.7R2.4 | 22.7R2.5 |
| 22.7R2.4 and prior, 9.1R18.9 and prior | 22.7R2.5 |
| 22.7R2 through 22.7R2.3 | 22.7R2.5, Patch planned availability Jan. 21 |
| 22.7R2.3 and prior | 22.7R2.5, Patch planned availability Jan. 21 |
| 22.7R1 through 22.7R1.2 | Patch planned availability Jan. 21 |
| 22.7R1.2 and prior | Patch planned availability Jan. 21 |
- Ivanti Connect Secure: Upgrade to version 22.7R2.5, perform a clean ICT scan, and factory reset appliances before putting them into production for added security.
- Ivanti Connect Secure (Compromise Detected): Perform a factory reset and upgrade to version 22.7R2.5 to remove malware and ensure continued monitoring with security tools.
- Ivanti Policy Secure: Ensure the appliance is not exposed to the internet, as the risk of exploitation is lower, and expect a fix on January 21, 2025.
- Ivanti Neurons for ZTA Gateways: Ensure ZTA gateways are connected to a controller for protection, with a fix available on January 21, 2025.
General Recommendation
- Regularly update software and systems to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement continuous monitoring to identify any unauthorized access or suspicious activities.
- Use strong authentication and access controls to minimize unauthorized access and reduce attack surfaces.
- Create and Maintain an incident response plan to quickly mitigate the impact of any security breach.
References:
Zero-Day Vulnerability in Windows Exposes NTLM Credentials
Summary
OEM | Microsoft |
Severity | Critical |
Date of Announcement | 2024-12-12 |
CVE | Not yet assigned |
Exploited in Wild | No |
Patch/Remediation Available | Yes (No official patch) |
Advisory Version | 1.0 |
Vulnerability Name | NTLM Zero-Day |
Overview
A recently discovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows, enables attackers to steal user credentials through a malicious file viewed in File Explorer. This “clickless” exploit bypasses the need for user interaction, creating significant security risks. While Microsoft investigates, 0patch has released an unofficial micropatch to mitigate the threat. Users are advised to apply the patch or implement mitigations to reduce exposure.
Vulnerability Name | CVE ID | Product Affected | Severity |
NTLM zero-day | Not Yet Assigned | Microsoft Windows | Critical |
Technical Summary
CVE ID | System Affected | Vulnerability Details | Impact |
Not Yet Assigned | Windows 7 to 11 (24H2), Server 2008 R2 to 2022 | A zero-day vulnerability that allows NTLM credential theft by viewing a malicious file in File Explorer. The flaw forces an outbound NTLM connection, leaking NTLM hashes. Exploitation requires no user interaction beyond viewing a malicious file, which can be delivered through shared folders, USB drives, or malicious downloads in the browser's default folder. | Enables attackers to steal NTLM credentials and gain unauthorized access of the affected systems. |
Remediations
- Apply the 0patch Micropatch:
- Register for a free account at 0patch Central.
- Install the 0patch agent to automatically receive the micropatch.
- Disable NTLM Authentication:
- Navigate to Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options in Group Policy.
- Configure “Network security: Restrict NTLM” policies to limit NTLM usage.
General Recommendations
- Only enable patches or configurations after testing them on non-critical devices to ensure minimal impact.
- Stay updated on Microsoft’s response and the availability of an official patch through trusted news sources or Microsoft’s advisories.
- Inform users about the risks of handling unfamiliar files and downloading content from untrusted sources.
- Monitor systems for suspicious NTLM-related activity.
Tailored Security Solutions for Maritime Operations by Intrucept
Tailored Security Solutions from Maritime Operations by Intrucept
Continue Reading