Security Affairs

MARCH 5, 2024

government sanctioned two individuals and five entities linked to the development and distribution of the Predator spyware used to target Americans. The Department of the Treasury warns that the proliferation of commercial spyware poses growing risks to the United States. The surveillance software was also used to spy on U.S.

Spyware 133

Spyware Surveillance Government Technology 133

Security Affairs

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

The iPhone of a prominent Russian journalist, who is at odds with Moscow, was infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. The iPhone of the Russian journalist Galina Timchenko was compromised with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. The threat actors used a zero-click exploit, likely the PWNYOURHOME. ” reported Citizen Lab.

Spyware 132

Spyware Surveillance Media Government 132

Security Affairs

APRIL 11, 2024

Apple is warning iPhone users in over 90 countries of targeted mercenary spyware attacks, Reuters agency reported. Apple is alerting iPhone users in 92 countries about mercenary spyware attacks, reported Reuters. Reuters only mentioned India as one of the countries where users were targeted by the attacks.

Spyware 132

Spyware Mobile Hacking Government 132

Security Affairs

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

I transcribed a recent interview, here some questions and answers about nation-state hacking, spyware, and cyber warfare. Enjoy” How has spyware changed the rules of cyber security in recent years? What will cyber security look like now that those tools are all over the internet? Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 98

Spyware Hacking Ransomware Surveillance 98

Security Affairs

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Citizen Lab reported that the actively exploited zero-days fixed by Apple are being used in Pegasus spyware attacks Researchers at Citizen Lab reported that the actively exploited zero-day flaws (CVE-2023-41064 and CVE-2023-41061) fixed by Apple are being used to infect devices with NSO Group ’s Pegasus spyware.

Spyware 131

Spyware Accountability Hacking Mobile 131

Security Affairs

MARCH 3, 2023

The phone of an opposition-linked Polish mayor was infected with the powerful Pegasus spyware, local media reported. Reuters reported that the phone of an opposition-linked Polish mayor was infected with the Pegasus spyware. According to rumors, the Polish special services are using surveillance software to spy on government opponents.

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Hacking Government 98

Security Affairs

MAY 30, 2024

Researchers from ThreatFabric discovered a macOS version of the LightSpy spyware that has been active in the wild since at least January 2024. The macOS version of LightSpy supports 10 plugins to exfiltrate private information from devices. However, their potential functionality is known based on panel analysis.”

Spyware 137

Spyware Malware Surveillance Mobile 137

Security Affairs

JANUARY 17, 2024

Researchers devised a “lightweight method,” called iShutdown, to determine whether Apple iOS devices have been infected with spyware. Cybersecurity researchers from Kaspersky have identified a “lightweight method,” called iShutdown, to identify the presence of spyware on Apple iOS devices.

Spyware 140

Spyware Mobile Malware Surveillance 140

Security Affairs

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Citizen Lab and Google’s TAG revealed that the three recently patched Apple zero-days were used to install Cytrox Predator spyware. Apple this week released emergency security updates to address three new zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-41993, CVE-2023-41991, CVE-2023-41992) that have been exploited in attacks in the wild.

Spyware 128

Spyware Surveillance Mobile Hacking 128

Security Affairs

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Google’s TAG revealed that Commercial spyware vendors (CSV) were behind most of the zero-day vulnerabilities discovered in 2023. ” The report includes the names of CSVs of any size and information about their commercial spyware. Google hopes this report will serve as a call to action. ” concludes Google.

Spyware 133

Spyware Surveillance Government Software 133

Security Affairs

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Kaspersky researchers are warning of multiple WhatsApp mods that embed a spyware module dubbed CanesSpy. Kaspersky researchers discovered multiple WhatsApp mods that embed a spyware module dubbed CanesSpy. mods are modifications or alterations made to an application, often by third-party developers or users.

Spyware 136

Spyware Malware Mobile Advertising 136

Security Affairs

APRIL 16, 2024

Researchers warn of a renewed cyber espionage campaign targeting users in South Asia with the Apple iOS spyware LightSpy Blackberry researchers discovered a renewed cyber espionage campaign targeting South Asia with an Apple iOS spyware called LightSpy. This report also includes a list of IoCs for this threat.

Spyware 132

Spyware Mobile Malware Encryption 132

Security Affairs

OCTOBER 25, 2021

Threat actors infected the iPhone of New York Times journalist Ben Hubbard with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware between June 2018 to June 2021. The iPhone of New York Times journalist Ben Hubbard was repeatedly infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. SecurityAffairs – hacking, NSO Group). Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 123

Spyware Hacking Backups Accountability 123

Security Affairs

MAY 29, 2023

Cisco Talos and the Citizen Lab researchers have published a technical analysis of the powerful Android spyware Predator. Security researchers at Cisco Talos and the Citizen Lab have shared technical details about a commercial Android spyware named Predator that is sold by the surveillance firm Intellexa (formerly known as Cytrox).

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Media Malware 98

Security Affairs

JULY 20, 2023

China-linked group APT41 was spotted using two previously undocumented Android spyware called WyrmSpy and DragonEgg China-linked APT group APT41 has been observed using two previously undocumented Android spyware called WyrmSpy and DragonEgg. Upon installing the two spyware, they request extensive device permissions.

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Mobile Malware 98

Security Affairs

DECEMBER 3, 2021

Apple warns that the mobile devices of at least nine US Department of State employees were compromised with NSO Group ‘s Pegasus spyware. The iPhones of at least nine US state department officials were compromised with the NSO Group’s spyware Pegasus. “Apple Inc iPhones of at least nine U.S. .

Spyware 133

Spyware Surveillance Hacking Software 133

Security Affairs

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

” NSO Group continued using WhatsApp exploits, including spyware called “Erised,” even after being sued for violating anti-hacking laws. The legal action alleges that the Israeli surveillance firm tried to compromise approximately 1,400 individuals through WhatsApp hacking attempts. from April 29, 2018, to May 10, 2020).

Spyware 118

Spyware Surveillance Malware Hacking 118

Security Affairs

APRIL 12, 2023

At least five members of civil society worldwide have been targeted with spyware and exploits developed by surveillance firm QuaDream. Citizen Lab researchers reported that at least five civil society members were victims of spyware and exploits developed by the Israeli surveillance firm QuaDream. and 14.4.2,

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Malware Government 98

Security Affairs

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

South Korean users have been targeted with a new sophisticated Android spyware, tracked as PhoneSpy, as part of an ongoing campaign. Researchers from Zimperium zLabs uncovered an ongoing campaign aimed at infecting the mobile phones of South Korean users with new sophisticated android spyware dubbed PhoneSpy. Zimperium concludes.

Spyware 145

Spyware Mobile Social Engineering Malware 145

Security Affairs

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Apple drops its lawsuit against commercial spyware vendor NSO Group, due to the risk of “threat intelligence” information exposure. Apple is seeking to drop its lawsuit against Israeli spyware company NSO Group , citing the risk of “threat intelligence” information exposure.

Surveillance 120

Surveillance Spyware Risk Hacking 120

Security Affairs

APRIL 17, 2023

The Israeli surveillance firm QuaDream is allegedly shutting down its operations after Citizen Lab and Microsoft uncovered their spyware. Last week Citizen Lab researchers reported that at least five civil society members were victims of spyware and exploits developed by the Israeli surveillance firm QuaDream. and 14.4.2,

Surveillance 98

Surveillance Spyware Education Media 98

Security Affairs

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

Recently the leak of a collection of files apparently stolen from the Chinese government hacking contractor, I-Soon, exposed Chinese hacking capabilities. Recently someone has leaked on GitHub [ 1 , 2 ] a collection of files apparently stolen from the Chinese hacking firm, I-Soon.

Hacking 134

Hacking Government Spyware Marketing 134

Security Affairs

JULY 19, 2021

Pegasus Project investigation into the leak of 50,000 phone numbers of potential surveillance targets revealed the abuse of NSO Group’s spyware. Pegasus Project is the name of a large-scale investigation into the leak of 50,000 phone numbers of potential surveillance targets that revealed the abuse of NSO Group’s spyware.

Spyware 131

Spyware Government Surveillance Media 131

Security Affairs

JANUARY 28, 2022

Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs revealed that devices of Finnish diplomats have been infected with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs revealed that the devices of some Finnish diplomats have been compromised with the infamous NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Mobile Risk 98

Security Affairs

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) linked three exploitation frameworks to a Spanish surveillance spyware vendor named Variston. While tracking the activities of commercial spyware vendors, Threat Analysis Group (TAG) spotted an exploitation framework likely linked Variston IT, a Spanish firm. SecurityAffairs – hacking, Variston).

Spyware 109

Spyware Surveillance Risk Internet 109

Security Affairs

AUGUST 2, 2022

Austria is investigating a report that an Austrian firm DSIRF developed spyware targeting law firms, banks and consultancies. Microsoft states that multiple news reports have linked the company to the Subzero malware toolset used to hack a broad range of devices, phones, computers, and network and internet-connected devices.

Spyware 100

Spyware Surveillance Banking Hacking 100

Security Affairs

MAY 23, 2022

The attacks aimed at installing the surveillance spyware Predator, developed by the North Macedonian firm Cytrox. ” In December a report published by CitizenLab, when its researchers detailed the use of the Predator Spyware against exiled politician Ayman Nour and the host of a popular news program. To nominate, please visit:?

Spyware 144

Spyware Surveillance Government Banking 144

Security Affairs

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

Apple has released security updates to address three zero-day vulnerabilities exploited in attacks in the wild to compromise iPhones and Macs running vulnerable iOS and macOS versions. Apple confirmed that at least one of the flaws was exploited by threat actors to infect the device with the NSO Pegasus spyware. Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 145

Spyware Hacking Information Security Malware 145

Security Affairs

JUNE 7, 2023

June 2023 security update for Android released by Google fixes about fifty flaws, including an Arm Mali GPU bug exploited by surveillance firms in their spyware. The June 2023 Android Security Bulletin provides details about the fix for more than fifty vulnerabilities affecting Android devices. In early April, U.S.

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Firmware Hacking 98

Security Affairs

DECEMBER 16, 2020

Security experts spotted a new malware strain, named Goontact, that allows its operators to spy on both Android and iOS users. Security researchers from Lookout have discovered new spyware, dubbed Goontcat, that could target both Android and iOS users. The spyware is likely used as part of a sextortion campaign.

Spyware 143

Spyware Mobile Surveillance Malware 143

Security Affairs

AUGUST 24, 2021

Citizen Lab uncovered a new zero-click iMessage exploit that was used to deploy the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware on devices belonging to Bahraini activists. Researchers from Citizen Lab spotted a zero-click iMessage exploit that was used to deploy NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware on Bahraini activists’ devices.

Spyware 98

Spyware Surveillance Hacking Mobile 98

Security Affairs

AUGUST 30, 2023

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon Pierluigi Paganini ( SecurityAffairs – hacking, Signal ) The post Chinese GREF APT distributes spyware via trojanized Signal and Telegram apps on Google Play and Samsung Galaxy stores appeared first on Security Affairs.

Spyware 133

Spyware Accountability Malware Hacking 133

Security Affairs

JANUARY 21, 2022

Researchers spotted several spyware campaigns targeting industrial enterprises to steal credentials and conduct financial fraud. Researchers from Kaspersky Lab have uncovered multiple spyware campaigns that target industrial firms to steal email account credentials and carry out fraudulent activities. Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 98

Spyware Accountability Social Engineering Phishing 98

Security Affairs

MARCH 27, 2021

Researchers spotted a sophisticated Android spyware that implements exfiltration capabilities and surveillance features, including recording audio and phone calls. Experts from security firm Zimperium have spotted a new sophisticated Android spyware that masquerades itself as a System Update application. Pierluigi Paganini.

Spyware 118

Spyware Malware Surveillance Mobile 118

Security Affairs

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

The threat actors used by spyware to take over the target systems, spy on the victims, and exfiltrate data. The link points to files containing spyware that could infect both Mac OS or Windows systems. Kerrdown downloads and installs additional spyware from a server on the victim’s system, then it opens a decoy document. .”

Spyware 127

Spyware Government Surveillance Phishing 127

Security Affairs

JUNE 16, 2023

An updated version of the Android remote access trojan GravityRAT can steal WhatsApp backup files and can delete files ESET researchers discovered an updated version of Android GravityRAT spyware that steals WhatsApp backup files and can delete files. The malware is distributed as the messaging apps BingeChat and Chatico.

Backups 98

Backups Spyware Malware Accountability 98

Security Affairs

JULY 19, 2022

Researchers spotted previously undocumented spyware, dubbed CloudMensis, that targets the Apple macOS systems. Experts have yet to determine how the victims are initially compromised by this spyware. SecurityAffairs – hacking, CloudMensis). ” reads the report published by ESET. ” continues the post.

Spyware 98

Spyware Malware Authentication Architecture 98