Microsoft Threat Intelligence reports criminal campaigns impersonating ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and DeepSeek in phishing, AiTM, and malvertising attacks reaching 100,000 emails daily.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence observed a growing set of campaigns that abuse trust in popular AI brands: a ChatGPT-themed phishing campaign sent up to 100,000 emails in one day to steal payment card data, and a Claude-themed campaign used adversary-in-the-middle techniques to harvest credentials and access tokens. Other campaigns included malvertising for a fake AI Windows plugin delivering the Vidar stealer and fraudulent DeepSeek installers distributed via GitHub. Initial access broker Storm-3075 used AI-themed malvertising to distribute payloads for multiple downstream actors, and Microsoft notes the AI services themselves were not compromised. Microsoft also details Defender protections such as Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and attack disruption against these multi-stage lures.
Mars Security launches Real-Time Intel-Based Detection, converting threat intelligence advisories into validated, ATT&CK-mapped detection rules within minutes for SOCs.
Mars Security, an autonomous threat hunting and detection engineering platform founded by former offensive security operators, announced Real-Time Intel-Based Detection. The capability ingests advisories from sources like CISA, Mandiant, Unit 42, and Microsoft Threat Intelligence, maps indicators to MITRE ATT&CK, and authors native query logic across connected infrastructure including CrowdStrike Falcon, Wiz, Splunk, Sysmon, identity providers, Snowflake, and Databricks. Every rule is backtested against 30 days of historical telemetry to quantify false positives before analyst approval and one-click deployment. The feature is free for existing customers and available via AWS Marketplace.
Microsoft details Teams IT-support impersonation campaigns deploying Node.js implants, AD reconnaissance, and WinRM lateral movement toward domain controllers.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence describes a human-operated campaign where attackers impersonate IT/helpdesk staff via Microsoft Teams external collaboration, talk users into granting remote sessions, and use RMM tools for interactive access. During the session they run PowerShell to silently install a malicious MSI that stages a portable Node.js runtime and obfuscated JavaScript implant for C2, executing follow-on payloads via rundll32. Operators then perform host and Active Directory reconnaissance, capture desktop screenshots, and pivot via WinRM on port 5985 to domain controllers and certificate authorities. The hands-on-keyboard chain, which can precede data theft and ransomware, blends into normal operations by relying on Teams, Quick Assist, msiexec, and Node.js; Microsoft shares hunting and mitigation guidance.
Microsoft reports China-linked ransomware group Storm-1175 switched from Medusa to a new C++ strain, StormEncryptor, likely exploiting N-able flaw CVE-2026-18577.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence reports that the financially motivated, China-linked group Storm-1175 began deploying a new ransomware strain called StormEncryptor on August 2, 2026, replacing its previous Medusa ransomware. StormEncryptor is written in C++, appends the .encrypted extension to files, and drops a !!!README_FIRST!!!.txt ransom note in each scanned directory. Microsoft assesses the group is likely exploiting CVE-2026-18577, an authentication bypass in N-able disclosed on August 2, 2026 and added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog the next day. Since 2023, Storm-1175 has exploited more than 16 vulnerabilities in products including Microsoft Exchange, Ivanti, ConnectWise ScreenConnect, JetBrains TeamCity, SimpleHelp, CrushFTP, and GoAnywhere MFT, often moving from initial access to data theft and ransomware deployment within days.
Microsoft reports DeadLock ransomware using Polygon smart contracts and Session messaging for extortion infrastructure, claiming 96 victims across Europe and the U.S.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence reports the DeadLock ransomware operation uses the Session messaging network and Polygon blockchain smart contracts to host victim chat, proxy server addresses, and its data leak blog, making takedowns harder. First detected in July 2025, the group has claimed 96 victims, mostly in Italy, Spain, Poland, Türkiye, and the U.S., with deployments by affiliates of Lynx and INC ransomware. The encryptor uses Curve25519 with XChaCha20, drops an interactive HTML recovery chat application, geofences CIS-linked countries, and clears logs and shadow copies to evade forensics.
Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload RCE in SmarterTools SmarterMail
SmarterTools SmarterMail contains an unrestricted file upload flaw (CWE-434, CVSS 10.0) that lets an unauthenticated attacker upload files of dangerous types over the network without any credentials or user interaction. Because the uploaded files can be written to any location on the mail server, an attacker can drop a file into an executable path and achieve remote code execution on the host, which is why the CVSS scope is changed with high confidentiality, integrity and availability impact. An attacker who lands this foothold gains control of the mail server, and CISA notes known ransomware use, with press coverage linking the wave of SmarterMail exploitation to groups such as Storm-1175 and Warlock. Any organization running an internet-facing SmarterMail server — typically hosting providers, MSPs and SMBs using it as a Windows mail platform — is exposed. Exploitation is active: the flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26, EPSS puts the 30-day exploitation probability at 85.7% (100th percentile), and a public proof-of-concept exploit is available from watchTowr.
· SmarterTools SmarterMail Affected build range not enumerated in the source data; a vendor patch was available by the time of the CISA KEV listing (2026-01-26), so all unpatched SmarterM KEV ransomware PoC moderate
Authentication Bypass in CrushFTP File Transfer Servers (CVE-2025-31161)
CrushFTP contains an authentication bypass (CWE-305) in its handling of the HTTP authorization header, allowing crafted header values to grant access without valid credentials. A remote, unauthenticated attacker who can reach the server's HTTP/HTTPS interface can use this flaw to authenticate as any known or guessable account, such as the built-in crushadmin user. With administrative access, the attacker can typically achieve full compromise of the file-transfer server, including access to hosted files and user accounts. Any organization running CrushFTP is affected, with internet-exposed instances at the highest risk. The flaw is being actively exploited: it was added to CISA's KEV on 2025-04-07 with known ransomware use, and EPSS assigns it a 100% probability of exploitation within 30 days.
Unauthenticated Admin Password Reset Bypass in SmarterTools SmarterMail
SmarterTools SmarterMail builds prior to 9511 contain an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in the password reset API: the force-reset-password endpoint accepts anonymous requests and, when targeting a system administrator account, never verifies the existing password or requires a reset token. An unauthenticated remote attacker simply submits a target administrator username and a new password, taking over the system administrator account with no privileges or user interaction required. Because SmarterMail's system administrator role can execute operating system commands through built-in management functionality, this escalation effectively yields SYSTEM/root-level access on the underlying mail server host, making it a path to full server and network compromise. All SmarterMail deployments running builds older than 9511 are affected, with roughly 6,000+ likely vulnerable servers observed exposed to the internet. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26 with known ransomware use (including Storm-1175 and Warlock activity), and public PoCs exist from WatchTowr and Huntress.
· SmarterTools SmarterMail All versions prior to build 9511 KEV ransomware PoC ×2moderate
Authenticated Deserialization RCE in Microsoft Exchange Server (CVE-2023-21529)
CVE-2023-21529 is a deserialization-of-untrusted-data flaw (CWE-502) in on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server that allows remote code execution. Per its CVSS vector, an attacker with valid low-privileged credentials (PR:L) sends crafted untrusted serialized data to the server over the network, requiring no user interaction. Successful exploitation yields code execution on the Exchange server, exposing mail stores and providing a foothold for lateral movement, and related coverage ties it to the fast-moving Storm-1175 ransomware operation, with ransomware use listed as known in CISA's KEV entry. Organizations running self-hosted Exchange Server are in scope; the source data does not list specific affected builds, but the fix shipped in Microsoft's February 2023 Patch Tuesday updates. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-13, EPSS estimates a 62.1% probability of exploitation within 30 days (99th percentile), and no public proof-of-concept is known.
Path Traversal RCE in ConnectWise ScreenConnect (CVE-2024-1708)
ConnectWise ScreenConnect 23.9.7 and prior contain a path-traversal flaw (CWE-22, rated 8.4 high) that can allow an attacker to execute remote code or access confidential data and critical systems. Public analysis (Huntress) shows it is triggered by manipulating directory paths in the product's administrative setup wizard, and that it is typically chained with a companion authentication-bypass flaw (CVE-2024-1709) disclosed at the same time to achieve unauthenticated remote code execution on the ScreenConnect server. An attacker who compromises a ScreenConnect server gains control of the remote-access platform itself and can pivot to every endpoint that server manages, making it an efficient foothold for ransomware. Any organization running ScreenConnect 23.9.7 or earlier is affected, most commonly MSPs and IT teams that use the tool to manage client and internal machines. The flaw is being actively exploited in the wild: it is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with known ransomware use, EPSS puts the 30-day exploitation probability at 95.5% (100th percentile), and recent reporting ties fast-moving exploitation to the Storm-1175 activity cluster, which drops Medusa ransomware.
· ConnectWise ScreenConnect 23.9.7 and prior KEV ransomware PoC large
Authentication Bypass and Account Takeover in N-able N-central (Incomplete Patch)
CVE-2026-18577 is an authentication bypass (CWE-288) in N-able's N-central RMM platform caused by an incomplete patch for the earlier vulnerability CVE-2026-18556. Because the original fix can be bypassed via an alternate path or channel, a remote, unauthenticated attacker needs no privileges or user interaction, though the attack requires meeting exploit-specific conditions (high attack complexity, CVSS 4.0: 8.2 High). Successful exploitation lets the attacker bypass authentication and take over N-central accounts, gaining high-impact access to the management console with limited direct effects on downstream services. All N-central versions through 2026.3.1 are affected. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's KEV on 2026-08-03, EPSS estimates a 54.1% chance of exploitation within 30 days (99th percentile), and news reports say attackers kept exploiting it even as N-able shipped successive hotfixes; ransomware use is currently unknown.
· N-able N-central all versions through 2026.3.1 (incomplete patch for CVE-2026-18556) KEVmoderate
Authentication Bypass in Ivanti Connect Secure and Policy Secure Web Component
Ivanti Connect Secure (ICS, formerly Pulse Connect Secure) and Ivanti Policy Secure gateways contain an authentication bypass (CWE-287) in the web component that allows an attacker to access restricted resources by bypassing control checks without valid credentials. The flaw is triggered through the exposed web interface of the gateway, and it is most dangerous when chained with CVE-2024-21887, a command injection vulnerability in the same component, which turns the bypass into unauthenticated arbitrary command execution on the appliance. An attacker gains access to protected resources and, via the chained command injection, the ability to run commands on the gateway — the pattern observed in the January 2024 exploitation wave that led to follow-on compromise, including known ransomware use. Affected organizations are those running Ivanti Connect Secure or Policy Secure gateways, which are typically deployed as internet-facing VPN concentrators at the network edge. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's KEV catalog on 2024-01-10 with known ransomware use, and EPSS assigns a 100% probability of exploitation within 30 days (100th percentile); no CVSS score is available yet and no public PoC is known.
Unauthenticated Path Traversal File Download in SimpleHelp 5.5.7 and Earlier
CVE-2024-57727 consists of multiple path traversal vulnerabilities (CWE-22) in SimpleHelp remote support/remote access software that affect versions 5.5.7 and earlier. Because affected request handlers do not properly validate file paths, an unauthenticated remote attacker can send crafted HTTP requests to traverse directories and download arbitrary files from the SimpleHelp server host. The attacker gains access to sensitive server configuration files containing secrets and hashed user passwords, which can support follow-on attacks such as offline password cracking and deeper compromise; ransomware operators have chained SimpleHelp flaws in double-extortion attacks, including against an MSP and its downstream customers. Any organization running SimpleHelp is affected, particularly internet-facing deployments and MSPs that use the product for remote support and access. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to the KEV on 2025-02-13 with known ransomware use, EPSS assigns a 95.2% probability of exploitation within 30 days, and reporting links exploitation to campaigns such as a DragonForce operator targeting an MSP and its customers and Storm-1175 ransomware activity.
· SimpleHelp (remote support/remote access software) 5.5.7 and all earlier versions KEV ransomwaremoderate
Path Traversal in JetBrains TeamCity Allows Limited Admin Actions
JetBrains TeamCity, a widely used continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) server, contains a relative path traversal vulnerability (CWE-23) in which the application fails to properly neutralize traversal sequences in file paths. An attacker who can reach the vulnerable component can supply crafted relative paths that escape the intended directory, gaining the ability to perform limited administrative actions on the TeamCity server. Any organization running an affected JetBrains TeamCity deployment, especially instances exposed to the internet or reachable by untrusted users, is potentially affected. The vulnerability was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-20 with known ransomware use, and the EPSS model assigns it a 100% probability of exploitation within the next 30 days. No public proof-of-concept is known, but the KEV listing confirms active exploitation in the wild per CISA.
· JetBrains TeamCity Affected as listed by CISA; the source data provides no specific affected version ranges, so verify exact affected and patched versions in JetBrains' security b KEV ransomware PoC large
Zip-Slip Path Traversal RCE in SimpleHelp Remote Support 5.5.7 and Earlier
SimpleHelp remote support software version 5.5.7 and earlier contains a path traversal flaw (zip slip, CWE-22/CWE-59) in its file upload feature, which fails to properly validate file paths inside uploaded ZIP archives. An authenticated admin user can upload a crafted ZIP file whose archive entries use traversal paths, causing files to be written anywhere on the SimpleHelp server's file system outside the intended upload directory. By placing files at attacker-chosen locations on the host, the attacker achieves arbitrary code execution in the context of the SimpleHelp server user account. Any organization running an affected SimpleHelp server is exposed, with MSPs at particular risk because the product is used as RMM software — attackers (including ransomware groups such as DragonForce and Storm-1175 operators) have chained SimpleHelp flaws to compromise an MSP and push ransomware to its downstream customers. The flaw is confirmed exploited in the wild: CISA added it to the KEV catalog on 2026-04-24 with known ransomware use, EPSS puts 30-day exploitation probability at 7% (94th percentile), and no public proof-of-concept is known.
· SimpleHelp (remote support/RMM software) v5.5.7 and earlier (all releases up to and including 5.5.7) KEV ransomwaremoderate
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