Attackers Exploit Critical Cisco FMC Flaw to deploy Qilin ransomware
Three threat groups, including Qilin ransomware operators, exploit critical Cisco FMC flaws CVE-2026-20079 and CVE-2026-20316 for root access, credential theft, and ransomware.
Cisco Talos identified three post-compromise clusters exploiting recently patched Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center flaws. UAT-12197 deploys JSP web shells and harvests credentials; UAT-11823 (with Sandworm-overlapping tooling) installs Cyclops Blink for persistence; UAT-11988 (Qilin) uses static credentials, extensive reconnaissance, SOCKS5 proxies, reverse-SSH tunnels, AV killers, and ransomware deployment. CISA added CVE-2026-20079 to the KEV catalog with a September 12, 2026 patch deadline for federal agencies; Cisco urges immediate hotfix application.
ATF confirms cyberattack hit system containing info on its investigation targets
Qilin ransomware group claimed breaching the ATF, exposing data on investigation targets; the agency says a standalone system was hit with no mission impact.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed a cyberattack on a standalone system holding information about targets of ATF investigations, designated a major incident, with no impact on case management, lab, or eForms systems. Qilin, a Russian-speaking affiliate-based ransomware group, claimed responsibility, though ATF declined to confirm involvement or the root cause. Qilin has claimed hundreds of victims across 60+ countries since 2022 and partners with Scattered Spider and Moonstone Sleet.