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Telegram Desktop XSS Vulnerability Lets Attackers Steal Entire Chat Histories

Stored XSS in Telegram Desktop HTML chat exports (CVSS 8.2) could let attacker-controlled inline keyboard buttons steal full chat histories.

ExPatch researchers Denis and Aleksander Rostilov found a stored XSS in Telegram Desktop's HTML chat export pipeline affecting builds before Beta 6.9.4 and Stable 7.0.1. Unsanitized inline keyboard button text becomes executable JavaScript when a user exports a chat and opens the HTML file in a browser, exposing messages, metadata, and local file paths, and enabling phishing overlays. Telegram patched the issue in commit 8457d13a during July 2026; no CVE had been assigned at disclosure time.

GBHackers · 2d agoVulnerability

Iranian Hackers Use Telegram-Controlled Malware to Spy on Dissidents and Journalists

FBI, NCSC, and AIVD detail Iran MOIS spyware CHOSEN BRICK/HEAVYGRAM, Telegram-controlled Windows malware spying on dissidents since 2023.

A September 15 joint advisory from the FBI, UK NCSC, and Dutch AIVD attributes the Windows spyware HEAVYGRAM (NCSC name CHOSEN BRICK) to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, with the campaign dating to autumn 2023 and targeting dissidents, journalists, and activists in the UK, US, Netherlands, and worldwide. Delivered via messages impersonating known contacts or tech support, the malware assigns each victim a dedicated Telegram bot for command-and-control and exfiltration, and can take screenshots, record microphone audio, steal Telegram/WhatsApp data, saved passwords, and emails, download more malware, and wipe the computer. Persistence uses a registry Run key (SMQDService or winappx) plus Microsoft Defender exclusions, with stolen data exiting via Telegram and cloud storage services like Vultr and Storj. The US Justice Department seized four pro-Iranian leak sites in March that had published stolen victim data.

The Hacker News · 1d agoMalware in the wild1

Iranian cyber targeting of dissidents, activists and journalists

UK NCSC, FBI, and Dutch AIVD expose CHOSEN BRICK spyware used by Iranian state actors against dissidents, activists, and journalists worldwide.

A joint advisory from the UK NCSC, FBI, and Dutch AIVD details CHOSEN BRICK, a Windows spyware family used by Iranian state cyber actors since at least 2025 against dissidents, activists, and journalists in the UK, US, and Netherlands. Actors build rapport on WhatsApp and Telegram impersonating known contacts or platform support, then deliver disguised payloads resembling apps such as Telegram, Norton, RunwayML, or fake MRI results. The malware persists via HKCU Run registry keys, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, and uses a unique Telegram bot C2 per victim. Capabilities include screen capture, microphone recording, process enumeration, email and messaging data theft, file deletion, and system wiping; victim data has appeared on pro-Iranian leak sites.

NCSC UK · 1d agoThreat actor in the wild2

Iranian hackers use CHOSEN BRICK Windows malware to spy on targets

Iranian state-linked hackers use CHOSEN BRICK Windows malware, spread via Telegram and WhatsApp social engineering, to spy on dissidents and journalists worldwide.

US, UK, and Dutch cyber agencies with the FBI issued a joint advisory on Iranian state-linked hackers deploying a Windows malware strain called CHOSEN BRICK against dissidents, activists, and journalists, primarily in the US, UK, and Netherlands. Attacks begin with messages on WhatsApp or Telegram impersonating trusted contacts or technical support, tricking victims into running malicious files disguised as apps such as Pictory, RunwayML, Norton Antivirus, Telegram, and KeePass. The malware persists via Registry Run keys, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, and uses a per-victim Telegram bot for command-and-control while stealing email, Telegram and WhatsApp data, screenshots, and audio. Stolen data is exfiltrated via Telegram or cloud services like VultrObjects and StorjShare, and sometimes appears on pro-Iranian leak sites, increasing physical risk for dissidents abroad.

BleepingComputerupdated · 3h agofirst · 14h agoThreat actor in the wild 7 sources

BlackHatSect0r Uses DeepSeek-Powered AI Agent to Automate Attacks and Harvest 16,834 Credentialsnew

SOCRadar linked the BlackHatSect0r crew to a DeepSeek-powered AI agent that automated scanning and harvested 16,834 credentials from exposed systems.

SOCRadar researchers found an exposed operation server with 4.9 GB across 9,299 files, including the DXSCAN scanning platform, phishing tools, extortion material and a vault holding 16,834 credentials such as AWS keys, GitHub tokens and Stripe keys. The French-speaking crew ran a Nous Research Hermes agent against a DeepSeek model with safety features removed, queuing 2,759,860 domains and reaching 726,989 hosts. Access came from misconfigurations like public cloud buckets and exposed .env files, not new vulnerabilities.

Cyber Security News · 26m agoThreat actor in the wild 4 sources

Iranian cyber spies used fake MRI scan results to hack ‘enemy of regime’

UK, US, and Dutch agencies expose CHOSEN BRICK spyware used by Iranian MOIS hackers to surveil dissidents, journalists, and activists via fake MRI lures.

The UK NCSC, FBI, and Dutch AIVD jointly warned that Iranian state-sponsored hackers deploy CHOSEN BRICK Windows spyware against dissidents, activists, and journalists since at least 2025. Operators build rapport over WhatsApp and Telegram, often posing as known contacts or tech support, then deliver malicious files disguised as an MRI scan or installers for Pictory, RunwayML, Norton, Telegram, Adobe Flash Player, and KeePass. The malware steals contacts, emails, and social media messages, captures screen content and microphone audio, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, and uses per-victim Telegram bots for command and control. The FBI attributes the tradecraft to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, including the 'Handala Hack' persona, and stolen data has surfaced on pro-Iranian leak sites.

The Record · 1d agoThreat actor in the wild1

Iranian spies hit Windows machines with Chosen Brick data-stealing malware

FBI, UK NCSC, and Dutch AIVD warn Iranian intelligence uses Chosen Brick spyware against dissidents, stealing contacts, emails, and messaging data.

A joint advisory from the FBI, UK NCSC, and Dutch AIVD says Iranian state cyber actors have used the Chosen Brick Windows malware since at least 2025 to surveil dissidents, activists, and journalists. Attacks begin with heavily researched WhatsApp and Telegram messages impersonating trusted contacts, tricking victims into opening fake installers resembling Pictory, RunwayML, Norton Antivirus, Telegram, Adobe Flash Player, and KeePass. The malware persists via the HKCU Run registry key, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, uses victim-specific Telegram bots for C2, captures screen and audio, steals emails and Telegram/WhatsApp data, and can wipe systems.

The Register · Security · 1d agoThreat actor in the wild1

Hackers demand 10,000 Bitcoin from Revolut following data breach

Revolut breach via spoofed government-agency email requests; attackers posted stolen data samples on Telegram and demand 10,000 Bitcoin.

Revolut disclosed that an unauthorized third party obtained sensitive customer information by sending fraudulent requests from the email domain of a legitimate government agency. People claiming responsibility have posted samples of the allegedly stolen data across several Telegram groups. The perpetrators are demanding 10,000 Bitcoin from Revolut.

DataBreaches.net · 1d agoData breach

Revolut handed customer data to fraudsters using government email account

Revolut handed sensitive KYC data of high-net-worth crypto customers to fraudsters submitting fake emergency data requests from a compromised government email domain.

Revolut confirmed it disclosed sensitive customer data—including passport and driver's license copies, verification selfies, bank statements, IBANs, and Bitcoin transaction histories—to attackers who submitted fraudulent emergency data requests from a legitimate government agency email account, apparently an Italian domain. Targets were high-net-worth individuals involved in crypto, including Marc Karpelès and entrepreneur Marc Zeller. A Telegram account claiming responsibility posted stolen data as proof and demanded an extortion payment; the account has since been suspended. Revolut says only a limited number of customers were affected and has alerted the relevant government agency, law enforcement, and regulators. The technique mirrors 2021-2022 Lapsus$-linked fraudulent emergency data request scams against Apple, Meta, and Discord.

The Record · 2d agoData breach

Three Threat Groups Target Russian Enterprises With Backdoors, Ransomware, and Wipers

Kaspersky details NightEagle, Hacking Cat, and Toy Ghouls targeting Russian enterprises with Exchange backdoors, Gorilla RAT, and destructive Monkey ransomware.

Kaspersky reports three threat clusters targeting Russian enterprises: NightEagle (APT-Q-95), the pro-Ukrainian hacktivist group Hacking Cat, and Toy Ghouls. NightEagle uses compromised VPN credentials and the GhostContainer modular backdoor to fully compromise Microsoft Exchange servers, chaining CVE-2020-0688 exploitation, BlueKeep (CVE-2019-0708), Active Directory vulnerabilities, and DCSync to seize domain controllers. Hacking Cat exploits Exchange flaws including CVE-2021-26855 and CVE-2026-42897 to deliver the Gorilla RAT and multiple Monkey ransomware variants written in Rust, .NET, C++, and Golang targeting Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi, with some variants acting as wipers that never store the encryption key.

The Hacker Newsupdated · 2h agofirst · 18h agoThreat actor in the wild 5 sourcesCVE-2020-0688CVE-2019-0708CVE-2021-26855+1 CVEs1

UK and allies expose spyware used by Iranian state actors to target dissidents, activists and journalists

Joint advisory details Iranian spear-phishing campaign deploying CHOSEN BRICK spyware to surveil dissidents, activists, and journalists across UK, US, Netherlands.

The NCSC (part of GCHQ), FBI, and AIVD jointly warned that Iranian state actors impersonate trusted contacts on WhatsApp and Telegram to deploy the CHOSEN BRICK spyware against dissidents, activists, and journalists worldwide. The Windows-only malware is persistent across reboots and collects contacts, emails, social media messages, screen captures, and microphone audio. Stolen personal details of some victims have been published on pro-Iranian leak sites. The FBI published complementary technical analysis, and the NCSC offers free cyber defence services for high-risk individuals.

NCSC UK · 1d agoThreat actor in the wild1

HBO Max Reddit Account Hijacked to Spread PasteSwitch ClickFix Malware

Hijacked HBO Max verified Reddit account ran 108 ClickFix malvertising ads delivering AMOS and Amatera stealers plus crypto clippers to macOS and Windows users.

Threat actors hijacked HBO Max's verified Reddit account (u/hbomax) to run 108 malicious ClickFix ads over 48 hours in a campaign tracked as PasteSwitch, researched by Hudson Rock and ADAMnetworks. macOS victims were served curl | zsh chains deploying MacSync and Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS), which harvest browser credentials, Telegram data, Apple Notes, and macOS passwords, while fake Ledger, Trezor, and Exodus apps targeted BIP39 seed phrases. Windows users received an InstallFix chain using an MP3/HTA polyglot with mshta and PowerShell, scheduled-task persistence, AMSI disabling, and in-memory Amatera Stealer that hid C2 traffic (77.91.65.13:443) behind a facebook.com TLS SNI. AnimateClipper and ZigClipper components swapped copied crypto wallet addresses and used Binance Smart Chain contracts as mutable C2 dead drops; Reddit paused the ads and the initial access path remains undisclosed.

GBHackersupdated · 1d agofirst · 2d agoMalware 7 sources

Pro-Ukraine Hacking Cat group deploying new malware against Russian targets

Kaspersky links pro-Ukraine hacktivist group Hacking Cat to Gorilla RAT and Monkey Ransomware in destructive attacks on Russian targets.

Kaspersky reports that pro-Ukraine group Hacking Cat, active since February 2024, has shifted from defacements to destructive encryption attacks, using a previously undocumented Gorilla RAT remote-access tool and Monkey Ransomware, which appends the .monkey extension to files. Initial access in some attacks came from exploited Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities, and rapid multi-language malware variants suggest possible generative AI assistance. Shared tools like Nemo Wiper across groups including Ukrainian Cyber Alliance complicate attribution, and targets include Rosatom contractor and heating provider Donbassteploenergo.

The Record · 2d agoThreat actor in the wild

Revolut Confirms Data Breach Through Fake Government Requests

Revolut disclosed customers' IDs, selfies, and financial data to impostors sending fraudulent requests from a legitimate government email domain.

Revolut confirmed an unauthorized third party obtained sensitive customer records by submitting fraudulent information requests from a legitimate government agency email domain with valid domain authentication, which employees fulfilled as standard legal compliance. Exposed data reportedly includes names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, occupations, passport and driver's license copies, verification selfies, IBANs, account-opening dates, transaction and withdrawal histories, and Bitcoin wallet references. Revolut says only a 'very limited group of customers' was affected, that systems and funds were untouched, and that it blocked the address and notified the agency, law enforcement, and regulators. Researcher ZachXBT first publicized the breach via Telegram on September 12.

Infosecurity Magazine · 2d agoData breach 3 sources

Hackers Leverage Claude to Exfiltrate Secrets from 1.8M Android apps

ShinyHunters-linked operators used Claude to scan 1.8M Android apps for hardcoded secrets, fueling intrusions across 40+ tenants.

Anthropic's September 2026 threat intelligence report describes a French-speaking operator (aliases MeowSHA, frkoo, blazespider) tied to ShinyHunters who ran 10 AWS EC2 workers and used Claude to decompile and scan 1.8 million Android APKs for hardcoded secrets with TruffleHog. Verified credentials were sorted into 100+ Telegram channels and paired with GitHub PAT harvesting, providing initial access for confirmed intrusions. In one supply-chain incident the actors extracted data from roughly 200 downstream customer organizations and dumped 2,100+ Azure AD token sets across 40+ corporate tenants in about 34 hours using AI agents. Anthropic banned tied accounts and stressed its own systems were not compromised.

Cyber Security News · 2d agoThreat actor1

Hackers abused Claude to extract secrets from 1.8M Android apps

Anthropic reports ShinyHunters, Midnight Blizzard, and GTG-10007 misused Claude to automate credential theft, malware operations, and espionage against dozens of victims.

Anthropic's threat report details how ShinyHunters member 'frkoo' ran a credential-harvesting pipeline on ten AWS EC2 workers that mass-downloaded and decompiled 1.8 million Android APKs, scanning for hardcoded secrets with TruffleHog. In one AI-assisted operation, an actor extracted 2,100+ Azure AD authentication tokens across more than 40 Microsoft tenants in roughly 34 hours, and ShinyHunters affiliates also stole AI API keys and breached a SaaS provider affecting about 200 downstream customers. Russian espionage group Midnight Blizzard used Claude Code skills to automate malware development, phishing, C2, and exfiltration against 20+ government and defense entities, rebuilding malware automatically when detected. Chinese-linked GTG-10007 ran autonomous vulnerability research that uncovered zero-days in a major endpoint security product and hit roughly 50 organizations with confirmed compromises; Anthropic disrupted the abuse and banned the accounts.

BleepingComputerupdated · 16h agofirst · 5d agoThreat actor in the wild 20 sources1

Treasury urges banks to file cyber scam reports, noting nearly $13 billion in losses since 2023

FinCEN urged banks to report cyber scams after a study found $12.7 billion stolen from US victims of crypto investment scams since 2023.

FinCEN analyzed more than 33,000 cyber fraud incident reports filed by roughly 1,300 financial institutions between September 2023 and December 2025, finding about $12.7 billion in losses to cryptocurrency investment scams across all 50 states. Traditional banks reported about $6.4 billion in suspected scam activity and crypto firms about $5.5 billion. Scam activity is growing, with monthly reports rising nearly 11% as centers expand beyond Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The US later sanctioned Xinbi Guarantee, a Telegram-based marketplace used to launder over $36 billion.

The Record · 6d agoPhishing & fraud