DPRK APTs: Ted backdoor and curlRAT target South Korean media and automotive sectors
Rapid7 uncovered a DPRK-linked Linux toolkit using a HAProxy-embedded ted backdoor, SSH keylogger, and curlRAT against South Korean media and automotive firms.
Rapid7 Labs identified a previously undocumented framework attributed with medium confidence to DPRK actors, targeting South Korean automotive and media organizations likely since early 2025. The toolkit embeds a backdoor compiled into HAProxy 2.8.12 using its filter API, plus trojanized crond, agetty, atd, sshd, and polkitd, an SSH keylogger storing credentials under /var/lib/sshd/, and a curl-based RAT with a watchdog thread. It enables remote command execution, malicious script injection into served webpages (a watering-hole loop), credential harvesting, and long-term surveillance. Hardcoded C2s are associated with APT37 via ThreatFox, and exposed groupware portals and mail servers align with Kimsuky tradecraft; the initial access vector and any CVE remain unconfirmed.
Critical ArangoDB Bugs Expose Entire Databases and Enable Remote Code Execution as Root
Two critical ArangoDB flaws (CVSS 9.8/9.9) allow unauthenticated API access and root-level code execution; fixed in 3.12.11.
Remedio researchers reported two critical ArangoDB flaws on August 23, 2026: an authentication bypass via URL-encoded underscores (%5f) in path parsing (GHSA-rrgq-978q-36mq, CVSS 9.8) and a task-execution flaw where a client-controlled isSystem flag lets JavaScript run in the internal context (GHSA-rvhw-4hpw-9vrx, CVSS 9.9). Chained, they allow unauthenticated database access, theft of root password hashes, and root-level code execution when arangod runs as root, such as in the official container image. Patches shipped August 31 in ArangoDB 3.12.11, with GitHub Security Advisories published September 6; CVE identifiers were pending at disclosure time.
Another Apache Log4j Vulnerability Is Actively Exploited in the Wild (CVE-2021
Apache Log4j 2 RCE CVE-2021-44228 is actively exploited via crafted JNDI lookups; Palo Alto Unit 42 urges upgrading to Log4j 2.17.1.
Unit 42 details CVE-2021-44228, an easily exploited remote code execution flaw in Apache Log4j 2 where attacker-supplied JNDI lookups in logged user input cause payload download and execution. Massive internet-wide scanning for unpatched systems has begun, with observed follow-on activity including information stealing, Cobalt Strike delivery, and coinmining. The recommended fix is Log4j 2.17.1, which also patches CVE-2021-45046, CVE-2021-45105, and CVE-2021-44832. Widely used Java software including Apache Struts, Solr, Druid, Flink, ElasticSearch, and Spring Boot is affected.
U.S. CISA adds maximum-severity Oracle flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
CISA added actively exploited CVE-2026-21962, a CVSS 10.0 unauthenticated flaw in Oracle HTTP Server and WebLogic Proxy Plug-in, to KEV with an August 27 deadline.
CISA added CVE-2026-21962 (CVSS 10.0), an improper access control vulnerability in Oracle HTTP Server and the Oracle WebLogic Server Proxy Plug-in, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and ordered federal agencies to remediate by August 27, 2026. The unauthenticated flaw allows remote attackers with network access to create, delete, or modify critical data, potentially gain broad access, and cause a scope change to other systems; affected versions are 12.2.1.4.0, 14.1.1.0.0 and 14.1.2.0.0. CloudSEK honeypot data from January-February 2026 showed widespread exploitation of the flaw alongside older WebLogic RCEs including CVE-2020-14882/14883, CVE-2020-2551, and CVE-2017-10271.