Google/Mandiant profile Breeze Comet, a Brazil-based e-crime group executing fraudulent Pix and STR payment transactions at banks, retailers, and fintechs.
Google Threat Intelligence Group and Mandiant describe Breeze Comet (formerly UNC5669), a financially motivated threat actor active since September 2023 targeting Brazilian financial services, retail, and e-commerce. The group gains access via password spraying, vishing impersonating IT support to install RMM tools like AnyDesk, WhatsApp social engineering, and exploitation of vulnerable JBoss AS servers for web shell deployment. It uses compromised government websites as C2, deploys the Rust-based COBALTSPIN tunneler and multiple custom backdoors (LIGHTPAINT, MILDFROST, KICKPLATE, BOATBEAM), then clears logs after executing hundreds of fraudulent transactions through Pix, STR, and Boleto payment systems. At least one heist yielded tens of thousands of dollars, with infrastructure suggesting expansion toward Latin America and Africa.
Recorded Future's H1 2026 report finds 215 actively exploited CVEs, RAT dominance, NFC payment fraud, and AI-augmented but not autonomous tradecraft.
Recorded Future's Insikt Group identified 215 actively exploited CVEs in H1 2026, up 34% from 161 in H1 2025, with the most impactful flaws combining network reachability, no authentication, and code execution. AsyncRAT was the top malware family, with AsyncRAT, Cobalt Strike, XWorm, Stealc, and REMCOS remaining top-ten staples; Android NFC malware like NFCShare and NGate enabled payment card theft and ATM cash-outs. AI-enabled attacks remained additive to established tradecraft, concentrated in Levels 1-3 of Recorded Future's AIM3 maturity model, with AI-assisted vulnerability research (e.g., Claude Mythos fixing 271 Firefox bugs in Firefox 150) inflating NVD disclosure volumes 43% above the prior six-month average. The report urges defenders to prioritize remotely exploitable RCE flaws, behavioral detection, developer credential security, and third-party oversight.
Attackers chained two PaperCut NG/MF zero-days for unauthenticated access, installing SimpleHelp and AnyDesk remote access tools on compromised servers.
An ongoing campaign exploits chained zero-days CVE-2026-81578 (improper access control) and CVE-2026-82078 (unsafe dynamic class loading) in internet-facing PaperCut NG and MF Application Servers, enabling authentication bypass and arbitrary Java bytecode execution. Post-compromise activity includes user and domain enumeration, payload download from sendit.sh, and silent installation of SimpleHelp and AnyDesk for redundant remote access; Defused observed CVE-2026-81578/CVE-2026-82078 exploit activity in honeypots since August 29, including data theft via Derby database dumps. Emergency patches were released August 28 and August 30, but 47% of roughly 2,500 PaperCut installs tracked by Huntress run v23 or older, for which no patch is available.
North Korea's IT worker scheme (Famous Chollima/PurpleDelta) has expanded from IT into healthcare, sales, and financial services roles worldwide.
Huntress and Recorded Future documented DPRK-linked fraudulent workers landing remote jobs beyond IT, including at an Australian healthcare company, a financial services firm, and a sales hire with a stolen identity. The scheme, tracked as Famous Chollima, Jasper Sleet, Nickel Tapestry, PurpleDelta, UNC5267, and Wagemole, uses forged identity documents, VPNs, proxies, and laptop farms with PiKVM and capture cards to fund Pyongyang's weapons programs. Recorded Future found the PurpleDelta cluster applied to 1,100+ companies between late 2024 and early 2025 with 22 fabricated personas, some AI-generated, using ChatGPT and AI transcription during interviews. Analysts assess the activity is ongoing and likely to expand in scale and sophistication.
FBI, CISA, and HHS warn Medusa ransomware has hit over 500 organizations across critical infrastructure since June 2021, using phishing and unpatched flaws.
An updated joint advisory from CISA, FBI, and HHS states Medusa ransomware has affected more than 500 organizations, spanning healthcare, defense, manufacturing, government, IT, financial services, education, insurance, and legal sectors. Since early 2023 Medusa has operated a ransomware-as-a-service affiliate model and buys access from initial access brokers for $100 to $1 million. Affiliates gain entry via phishing and unpatched internet-facing software, exploiting newly disclosed flaws in ScreenConnect, Fortinet EMS, Fortra GoAnywhere, and BeyondTrust within 24 hours. The group runs double extortion, giving victims 48 hours before leak-site publication, with $10,000 in cryptocurrency buying a one-day delay.
CISA and FBI update Medusa ransomware advisory, reporting more than 500 total victims and warning the gang operationalizes newly disclosed exploits within 24 hours.
CISA and the FBI updated their March 2025 advisory, stating Medusa actors had hit more than 500 victims as of April 2026, up from 300 in 2025, with a focus on healthcare and critical infrastructure. The agencies say Medusa rapidly adopts newly announced exploits, sometimes using them up to a week before public vulnerability disclosure, but does not develop its own zero-days, preferring access obtained from unknown sources. The gang moved to an affiliate model in 2023, offers up to $1 million for exclusive initial access brokers, and uses credential stealers plus legitimate remote access tools including AnyDesk, Atera, ConnectWise and Splashtop. No new victims have appeared on its leak site since April, after the shutdown of the University of Mississippi Medical Center drew significant law enforcement attention.
Unit 42 details active exploitation of Exchange SSRF flaws CVE-2022-41080/CVE-2022-41082 via the OWASSRF method, deploying the SilverArrow PowerShell backdoor.
Unit 42 documents OWASSRF, an exploit chain combining CVE-2022-41080 and CVE-2022-41082 to achieve remote code execution on Microsoft Exchange via Outlook Web Access, bypassing Microsoft's ProxyNotShell mitigations. Active exploitation was observed in late November and early December 2022, affecting at least eight organizations. Attackers authenticated to Exchange, then executed a PowerShell backdoor tracked as SilverArrow to create admin accounts, install AnyDesk, tunnel RDP via PuTTY Link, and dump LSASS memory for credential theft. Exploitation is isolated rather than mass-scale because authentication is required.
An Akira affiliate rebooted a compromised host into Safe Mode to bypass EDR, but constrained memory crashed the encryptor before encryption completed.
Huntress reports an Akira affiliate gained access on August 4 via an MFA-less SonicWall VPN, enumerated Active Directory, archived file shares with WinRAR, and exfiltrated data to an attacker S3 bucket. The attacker rebooted the host into Safe Mode with Networking and preloaded AnyDesk into the Safe Mode service registry, disabling EDR and Defender's real-time protection for roughly ten minutes. The encryptor failed about 13 seconds after launch with out-of-virtual-memory errors caused by Safe Mode's stripped-down environment, and Defender later removed akira.exe after reboot. Huntress says this is the first observed Safe Mode abuse by Akira, following precedents by Snatch and AvosLocker, and provides detection 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.
N-able shipped a second N-central hotfix as attackers actively exploit authentication bypass CVE-2026-18577, attributed to ransomware group Storm-1175.
N-able released Hotfix 2 (N-central 2026.3.1.10) to counter ongoing exploitation of CVE-2026-18577, an authentication bypass that evades the patch for the earlier CVE-2026-18556; exploitation was first detected on August 1, 2026. Post-exploitation includes using the Take Control feature to reach managed endpoints, registering a Cloudflare tunnel service for persistence, creating a 'veeam' domain account, resetting admin passwords, and disabling Microsoft and Sophos security tooling. Microsoft analysts link the activity to Storm-1175, which now deploys a new StormEncryptor ransomware strain instead of Medusa, often reaching data exfiltration and ransomware within days. Sophos and Huntress expanded the IOCs and warned that partners who patched late should treat environments as potentially compromised.
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
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.
Missing Authentication for Critical Function in PaperCut NG/MF Web Interface
CVE-2026-81578 is an improper access control flaw (CWE-305) in the web management interface of PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG in which administrative requests from unauthenticated remote users trigger backend actions before access validation completes. An attacker can invoke administrative functions without logging in, allowing modification of certain system configurations. When chained with CVE-2026-82078 (unsafe dynamic class loading), the flaw has been used to achieve unauthenticated code execution. Any organization running PaperCut NG/MF, particularly servers whose web management interface is reachable from the internet or untrusted networks, is affected. The vulnerability was added to CISA KEV on 2026-08-31 and is being exploited in the wild as part of an AI-orchestrated campaign that compromised roughly 395–440 organizations.
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 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
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