CyberWire Daily

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Grounded by ransomware. Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

A major ransomware attack disrupts airport operations across Europe. Congress is on the verge of letting major cyber legislation expire. A critical flaw nearly allowed total compromise of every Entra ID tenant. Automaker Stellantis confirms a data breach. Fortra patches a critical flaw in its GoAnywhere MFT software. Europol leads a major operation against online child sexual exploitation. Three of the cybersecurity industry’s biggest players opt out of MITRE’s 2025 ATT&CK Evaluations. A compromised Steam game drains a cancer patient’s donations. Business Breakdown. Andrzej Olchawa and Milenko Starcik from VisionSpace join Maria Varmazis, host of T-Minus Space on hacking satellites. How one kid got tangled in Scattered Spider’s web.

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CyberWire Guest

Andrzej Olchawa and Milenko Starcik from VisionSpace are speaking with Maria Varmazis, host of T-Minus Space on hacking satellites.

Selected Reading

EU cyber agency says airport software held to ransom by criminals (BBC News)

Cyber threat information law hurtles toward expiration, with poor prospects for renewal (CyberScoop)

Microsoft Entra ID flaw allowed hijacking any company's tenant (Bleeping Computer)

Stellantis says a third-party vendor spilled customer data (The Register)

Fortra Patches Critical GoAnywhere MFT Vulnerability (SecurityWeek)

AI Forensics Help Europol Track 51 Children in Global Online Abuse Case (HackRead)

Cyber Threat Detection Vendors Pull Out of MITRE Evaluations Test (Infosecurity Magazine)

Verified Steam game steals streamer's cancer treatment donations (Bleeping Computer)

CrowdStrike and Check Point intend to acquire AI security firms. (N2K CyberWire Business Briefing)

‘I Was a Weird Kid’: Jailhouse Confessions of a Teen Hacker (Bloomberg)

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Roselle Safran: So much opportunity. [Entrepreneur] [Career Notes] Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes.

CEO and Founder of KeyCaliber, Roselle Safran, takes us on her circuitous career journey from startup to White House and back to startup again. With a degree in civil engineering, Roselle veered off into a more technical role at a startup and she says "caught the startup bug." After convincing a hiring manager that she could learn on the job, she transitioned to computer forensics and started on the path of cybersecurity. Roselle worked in government for the Department of Homeland Security and then to the Executive Office of the President leading all of the security operations. She jumped back into the world of startups and has stayed there. Roselle tells people interested in a career in cybersecurity to just apply. Learn as much as you can and go for it. We thank Roselle for sharing her story with us.

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Browser attacks without downloads. [Research Saturday] Sep 20, 2025

Show notes

Today we are joined by Nati Tal, Head of Guardio Labs, discussing their work “CAPTCHAgeddon” or unmasking the viral evolution of the ClickFix browser-based threat. CAPTCHAgeddon — Shaked Chen’s deep dive into the ClickFix fake-captcha wave — reveals how a red-team trick morphed into a dominant, download-free browser threat that tricks users into pasting clipboard PowerShell/shell commands and leverages trusted infrastructure, including Google Scripts.
Guardio’s DBSCAN-based payload clustering exposes distinct attacker toolkits and distribution paths — from malvertising and compromised WordPress to social posts and Git repos — and argues defenders need behavioral, intelligence-driven protections, not just signatures.

The research can be found here:

“CAPTCHAgeddon” Unmasking the Viral Evolution of the ClickFix Browser-Based Threat

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The email that tricked an AI. Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

OpenAI patches a ChatGPT flaw that could have exposed Gmail data. CISA documents malware exploiting two Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) flaws. WatchGuard patches a critical flaw in its Firebox firewalls. MI6 launches a dark web snitch site. The DoD looks to cut its cybersecurity job hiring time just 25 days. Researchers trick ChatGPT agents into solving CAPTCHAs. A UK teen faces accusations of being part of the Scattered Spider gang. The Senate confirms a new assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy. A former CIA officer is accused of selling classified information to private clients. Karin Ophir Zimet, Torq's Chief People Officer, is speaking with N2K Senior Workforce Analyst Will Markow about their internship program for upleveling AI skills. Russia’s AI propaganda goes prime time.

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CyberWire Guest

Karin Ophir Zimet, Torq's Chief People Officer, is speaking with N2K Senior Workforce Analyst Will Markow about their internship program for upleveling AI skills.

Selected Reading

OpenAI Fixed ChatGPT Security Flaw That Put Gmail Data at Risk (Bloomberg)

CISA Analyzes Malware From Ivanti EPMM Intrusions (SecurityWeek)

WatchGuard Issues Fix for 9.3-Rated Firebox Firewall Vulnerability (HackRead)

MI6 upgrades dark web portal to recruit new spies (The Register)

DOD official: We need to drop the cybersecurity talent hiring window to 25 days (CyberScoop)

ChatGPT Tricked Into Solving CAPTCHAs (SecurityWeek)

Scattered Spider teen cuffed after crypto splurge on games (The Register)

Senate confirms Sutton as Pentagon cyber policy chief (The Record)

Contractor Used Classified CIA Systems as ‘His Own Personal Google’ (404 Media)

Russian State TV Launches AI-Generated News Satire Show (404 Media)

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Brute force break-in. Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

SonicWall confirms a breach in its cloud backup platform. Google patches a high-severity zero-day in Chrome. Updates on the Shai-Hulud worm. Chinese phishing emails impersonate the chair of the House China Committee. The UK’s NCA takes the reins of the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group. RevengeHotels uses AI to deliver VenomRAT to Windows systems. A major VC shares details of a recent ransomware attack. A lawsuit targets automated license plate readers. Our guest is Brock Lupton, Product Strategist at Maltego, discussing the human side of intelligence work. From mic check to malware, a crypto phishing story.

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CyberWire Guest

Today on our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Brock Lupton, Product Strategist at Maltego, discussing the human side of intelligence work. You can hear the full conversation with Brock here.

Selected Reading

SonicWall MySonicWall platform breached, firewall config files exposed (Beyond Machines)

Google patches sixth Chrome zero-day exploited in attacks this year (Bleeping Computer)

"Shai-Hulud" Worm Compromises npm Ecosystem in Supply Chain Attack (Palo Alto Networks)

China-backed attackers spoof Congressman for US trade data (The Register)

NCA Singles Out “The Com” as It Chairs Five Eyes Group (Infosecurity Magazine)

New RevengeHotels attack targets Windows with VenomRAT (SC Media)

VC Firm Insight Partners Notifies Victims After Ransomware Breach (Infosecurity Magazine)

Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says (NBC)

Fake Empire Podcast Invites Target Crypto Industry with macOS AMOS Stealer (HackRead)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

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Code beneath the sand. Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

A new self-replicating malware infects the NPM repository. Microsoft and Cloudflare disrupt a Phishing-as-a-Service platform. Researchers uncover a new Fancy Bear backdoor campaign. The VoidProxy phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform targets Microsoft 365 and Google accounts. A British telecom says its ransomware recovery may stretch into November. A new Rowhammer attack variant targets DDR5 memory. Democrats warn proposed budget cuts could slash the FBI’s cyber division staff by half at a heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. On our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Abhishek Agrawal from Material security discussing challenges of securing the Google Workspace. Pompompurin heads to prison.

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CyberWire Guest

On our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by Abhishek Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder of Material Security, discussing challenges of securing the Google Workspace. You can hear Abhishek’s full conversation here.

Selected Reading

Self-Replicating Worm Hits 180+ Software Packages (Krebs on Security)

Microsoft disrupts the RaccoonO365 Phishing-as-a-Service operation, names alleged leader (Help Net Security)

Fancy Bear attacks abuse Office macros, legitimate cloud services (SC Media)

VoidProxy phishing operation targets Microsoft 365, Google accounts (SC Media)

UK telco Colt’s cyberattack recovery seeps into November (The Register)

Ruh-roh. DDR5 memory vulnerable to new Rowhammer attack (The Register)

Senators, FBI Director Patel clash over cyber division personnel, arrests (CyberScoop)

House lawmakers move to extend two key cyber programs, for now (The Record)

BreachForums founder caged after soft sentence overturned (The Register)

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The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

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AI chips flow east. Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

A controversial Trump administration deal gives the U.A.E. access to cutting-edge U.S. AI chips. FlowiseAI warns of a critical account takeover vulnerability. A new social engineering campaign impersonates Meta account suspension notices. A macOS Spotlight 0-day flaw bypasses Apple’s Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) protections. Are cost saving from outsourced IT services worth the risk? Poland boosts its cybersecurity budget after a surge in Russian-backed attacks. NTT Group joins the Comm-ISAC. Jaguar Land Rover’s global shutdown continues. A data breach affects millions of customers of top luxury brands. On today's Threat Vector segment, David Moulton⁠ speaks with⁠ Palo Alto Networks’ Spencer Thellmann about the dual challenges of securing employee use of generative AI tools and defending internally built AI models and agents. AI chatbots hustle seniors for science.

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Threat Vector Segment

On today's segment of Threat Vector, host⁠ David Moulton⁠, Director of Thought Leadership for Unit 42, speaks with⁠ Spencer Thellmann⁠, Principal Product Manager at Palo Alto Networks. David and Spencer explore the dual challenges of securing employee use of generative AI tools and defending internally built AI models and agents. You can listen to the full conversation here, and catch new episodes of Threat Vector each Thursday in your podcast app of choice.

Selected Reading

In Giant Deals, U.A.E. Got Chips, and Trump Team Got Crypto Riches (The New York Times)

Critical FlowiseAI password reset flaw exposes accounts to complete takeover (Beyond Machines)

New FileFix attack uses steganography to drop StealC malware (Bleeping Computer)

From Spotlight to Apple Intelligence (Objective- See)

The Elephant in The Biz: outsourcing of critical IT and cybersecurity functions risks UK economic security | by Kevin Beaumont | Sep, 2025 (DoublePulsar)

Russian hackers target Polish hospitals and city water supply (The Financial Times)

NTT Group Joins the U.S. Communications-ISAC (Topics)

Jaguar Land Rover says cyberattack shutdown to last 'at least' another week (The Record)

Bags of info stolen from multiple top luxury brands - double check your data now (TechRadar)

We wanted to craft a perfect phishing scam. AI bots were happy to help (Reuters)

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FBI botnet cleanup backfires. Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

FBI botnet disruption leaves cybercriminals scrambling to pick up the pieces. Notorious ransomware gangs announce their retirement, but don’t hold your breath. Hacktivists leak data tied to China’s Great Firewall. A new report says DHS mishandled a key program designed to retain cyber talent at CISA. GPUGate malware cleverly evades analysis. WhiteCobra targets developers with malicious extensions. North Korea’s Kimsuky group uses AI to generate fake South Korean military IDs. My guest is Tim Starks from CyberScoop, discussing offensive cyber operations. A cyberattack leaves students hung out to dry.

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CyberWire Guest

Today we are joined once again by Tim Starks from CyberScoop discussing offensive cyber operations. You can read Tim’s article Google previews cyber ‘disruption unit’ as U.S. government, industry weigh going heavier on offense for more background.

Selected Reading

The FBI Destroyed an Internet Weapon, but Criminals Picked Up the Pieces (Wall Street Journal)

15 ransomware gangs ‘go dark’ to enjoy 'golden parachutes' (The Register)

600 GB of Alleged Great Firewall of China Data Published in Largest Leak Yet (HackRead)

China Enforces 1-Hour Cybersecurity Incident Reporting (The Cyber Express)

DHS watchdog finds mismanagement in critical cyber talent program (FedScoop)

GPUGate Malware: Malicious GitHub Desktop Implants Use Hardware-Specific Decryption, Abuse Google Ads to Target Western Europe (Arctic Wolf)

'WhiteCobra' floods VSCode market with crypto-stealing extensions (Bleeping Computer)

AI-Forged Military IDs Used in North Korean Phishing Attack (Infosecurity Magazine)

Mitsubishi to acquire Nozomi Networks for nearly $1 billion. (N2K CyberWire Business Briefing)

Dutch students denied access to jailbroken laundry machines (The Register)

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Helen Patton: A platform to talk about security. [CISO] [Career Notes] Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes.

Advisory CISO at Cisco, Helen Patton, shares that a combination of dumb luck, hard work and serendipity that got her to where she is today. Growing up in the country in Australia, Helen notes that computers were not really a thing. She happened into technology after moving to the US, as she was the only person in her office under 40. Of course she would be comfortable with computers and able to handle a database conversion, right? That launched her into a career that spanned supporting small nonprofits, working at one of the biggest banks on Wall Street while leading a global team, being the CISO of a major university, and now Advisory CISO at Cisco. Helen recently wrote a book, "Navigating the Cybersecurity Career Path," to help others know when it's time to move on from one role to another role as part of desire to give back to the community. We thank Helen for sharing her story with us.

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Data leak without a click. [Research Saturday] Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

Today we are joined by Amanda Rousseau, Principal AI Security Researcher from Straiker, discussing their work on "The Silent Exfiltration: Zero‑Click Agentic AI Hack That Can Leak Your Google Drive with One Email." Straiker’s research found that enterprise AI agents can be silently manipulated to leak sensitive data, even without user clicks or alerts. By chaining small gaps across tools like Gmail, Google Drive, and calendars, attackers achieved zero-click exfiltration, system mapping, and even policy rewrites. The findings highlight that excessive agent autonomy creates a new attack surface, requiring least-privilege design, runtime guardrails, and continuous red-teaming to stay secure.

The research can be found here:

The Silent Exfiltration: Zero‑Click Agentic AI Hack That Can Leak Your Google Drive with One Email

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