BlueMoon Exploit Kit Chains Chrome and Windows Zero-Days Across Four Mostly China-Linked Espionage Clusters; CISA Adds Related and Other Actively Exploited Flaws to KEV
Proofpoint and Volexity report the BlueMoon kit chaining Chrome V8 zero-days CVE-2026-85046 and CVE-2026-87491 with Windows kernel LPE CVE-2026-85880 was first used August 28, 2026, and adopted by four espionage clusters within a 12-day window; CISA…
Proofpoint, working with Google Threat Intelligence Group, Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, and Volexity, identified an exploit kit dubbed BlueMoon that chains Chrome V8 type confusion CVE-2026-85046 and a V8 sandbox escape (unnamed in initial reporting, later CVE-2026-87491, described by Volexity as WebAssembly-related) with Windows kernel privilege escalation CVE-2026-85880 (ALPC-based, in RtlpCreateServerAcl), all rated high severity. First observed use was August 28, 2026, by China-nexus TA412 (also tracked as APT31, Violet Typhoon, and JungleBamboo) against a small number of US NGOs, mining companies, and commodity trading firms via rapport-building spear phishing with internship, conference, and donation-themed lures. Within days — Security Affairs cites a 12-day window — three more clusters adopted it: UNK_LateNight (US aerospace and defense from September 2, delivering ShadowPad via DLL sideloading with an EdgeCore_AutoUpdate scheduled task), UNK_DoubleCheck (Vietnamese manufacturers), and UNK_QuietRacket (Singapore and Indonesia). Overall targets span aerospace, manufacturing, government, consulting, and financial sectors. The kit exploited a patch-gap window: the V8 fixes were committed to public Chromium source on August 7 but did not reach Chrome stable until September 3, a nearly four-week gap the maintainers reverse-engineered and weaponized; all three flaws were patched between September 3 and September 2026 Patch Tuesday. Post-exploitation, the kit fingerprints the host and injects a CreateProcess stub into the Chrome broker process to download and execute a payload via curl. TA412 deployed the GemStone Chrome extension masquerading as a Google Gemini companion that harvests keystrokes, cookies, session tokens, screenshots, and browsing history using valid HMAC values (Volexity tracks the same extension as LONGTALE and says it bypasses profile integrity checks via a legacy HMAC fallback). Volexity separately documented near-simultaneous campaigns detected September 1, 2026, in which UTA0560 and JungleBamboo (APT31) ran byte-identical exploit chains — delivered via links on legitimate US university sites vulnerable to reflected XSS, with hidden iframes behind donation-form images — UTA0560 deploying the in-memory GRIMWEDGE JScript backdoor (C2 ocr.opusaccel[.]top) and JungleBamboo the SUPERSTOMP loader installing LONGTALE. Volexity assesses the chain was sold or shared among Chinese operators (medium confidence in its initial report,…
- BlueMoon chains CVE-2026-85046 (Chrome V8 type confusion), CVE-2026-87491 (V8 sandbox escape; unnamed in initial September 10 reporting, described as WebAssembly-related by Volexity), and CVE-2026-85880 (Windows kernel/ALPC privilege…
- First observed use: August 28, 2026, by TA412 (also tracked as APT31, Violet Typhoon, JungleBamboo) against US NGOs, mining, and commodity trading firms via rapport-building spear phishing.
- Four clusters adopted the kit within a 12-day window: TA412, UNK_LateNight (US aerospace/defense from September 2), UNK_DoubleCheck (Vietnamese manufacturers), and UNK_QuietRacket (Singapore/Indonesia).
- Patch gap: V8 fixes committed to public Chromium on August 7, 2026, but stable Chrome rollout came September 3, 2026 (~4 weeks); BlueMoon maintainers reverse-engineer public Chromium fixes before stable release, and all three CVEs were…
- TA412 deployed GemStone (Volexity: LONGTALE), a fake Google Gemini Chrome extension stealing keystrokes, cookies, session tokens, screenshots, and browsing history, using valid HMAC values / a legacy HMAC fallback to bypass profile…
- Volexity: UTA0560 and JungleBamboo (APT31) ran byte-identical exploit chains from September 1, 2026, via reflected-XSS links on legitimate US university sites; UTA0560 used the GRIMWEDGE JScript backdoor (C2 ocr.opusaccel[.]top),…
- Kit mechanics: host fingerprinting, CreateProcess stub injection into the Chrome broker process, and curl-based payload download; Proofpoint suspects AI-assisted development (markdown handover documents, diagnostic logging, V8CTF…
- Volexity suspects the ALPC exploit has existed since 2025; its confidence that the chain was sold or shared was medium in the initial report and low in later reporting.
Coverage timelineoldest first · each row is one article
- · 6d agoChina-Linked Hackers Exploit Chrome and Windows Zero-Days in BlueMoon Attacks
GBHackers· 80
China-linked clusters deploy the BlueMoon kit chaining Chrome V8 CVE-2026-85046 and Windows LPE CVE-2026-85880 in espionage campaigns.
- · 6d agoFour Nation-State Actors Used the Same Chrome Zero-Day Exploit Kit Within 12 Days
Security Affairs· 85
Proofpoint reports four nation-state actors, mostly China-nexus, adopted the BlueMoon Chrome and Windows zero-day exploit kit within 12 days, targeting US organizations.
- · 6d agoU.S. CISA adds Microsoft Windows, N-able N-central, and Adobe flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Security Affairs· 80
CISA added four actively exploited flaws to its KEV catalog: Magento StyleSmuggler RCE, two Windows privilege-escalation bugs, and N-able N-central RCE.
- · 6d agoNew 'BlueMoon' kit exploited Windows and Chrome zero-day flaws
BleepingComputer· 85
Multiple China-linked espionage groups share the BlueMoon exploit kit chaining Chrome V8 zero-days and a Windows ALPC LPE to deploy backdoors.
- · 6d agoBlueMoon exploit kit turns Chrome and Windows flaws into attacks
Malwarebytes Labs· 75
Proofpoint documents BlueMoon exploit kit used by four espionage groups to chain Chrome V8 and Windows flaws via phishing, all now in CISA's KEV.
- · 6d agoAdobe security advisory (AV26-808) – Update 1
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security· 55
Canada's Cyber Centre updated Adobe advisory AV26-808 to flag that CVE-2026-71362 in Adobe Commerce is being exploited in the wild.
- · 5d agoAttackers are weaponizing the gap between Chromium fixes and Chrome patches
CSO Online· 82
Espionage actors use the BlueMoon exploit kit to chain Chrome V8 and Windows kernel zero-days via spear phishing, gaining full admin on unpatched endpoints.
- · 5d agoWindows 11 Security Update KB5124008 Breaks Always-On VPN Connections
Cyber Security News· 48
Microsoft's September 2026 Windows 11 update KB5124008 breaks certificate-based Always On VPN on some enterprise clients, forcing admins to pause rollout.
- · 4d agoChina-Linked Hackers Chain Chrome Zero-Day With Windows Kernel Flaw in Attacks
GBHackers· 85
Volexity reports China-linked UTA0560 and JungleBamboo chained Chrome zero-day CVE-2026-85046 with kernel flaws to spy on NGOs.
- · 4d agoBlueMoon Exploit Kit Chains Recent Chrome, Windows Zero-Days
SecurityWeek· 88
Proofpoint reports multiple espionage groups rapidly adopting BlueMoon, a new exploit kit chaining Chrome and Windows zero-days.
- · 2d agoCVE-2026-75650: StyleSmuggler — Critical RCE in Adobe Commerce and Magento
Akamai Blog· 52
Akamai research details CVE-2026-75650 (StyleSmuggler), a critical remote code execution flaw in Adobe Commerce and Magento.
- · 1d agoChina-Linked Hackers Exploit Chrome-Windows Zero-Day Chain to Deploy GRIMWEDGE
The Hacker News· 85
Volexity attributes spear-phishing campaign exploiting Chrome-Windows zero-day chain to Chinese actors UTA0560 and APT31 deploying GRIMWEDGE and LONGTALE.
- · 1d agoOne Exploit Chain, Two Espionage Campaigns: Chrome and Windows Under Fire
Security Affairs· 85
Two China-linked APT groups reused identical Chrome/Windows zero-day chain against NGOs, deploying GRIMWIDGE backdoor and LONGTALE credential-stealing extension.
- · 8h agoCVE-2026-86218 | N-able N-central Pre-Authentication Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Horizon3.ai· 85
N-able N-central pre-auth RCE CVE-2026-86218 (CVSS 10.0) is actively exploited; CISA added it to KEV and a hotfix is available.
Vulnerabilities in this storyAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-71362 | Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation Flaw in Adobe Commerce (Magento) CVE-2026-71362 is an incorrect-authorization flaw (CWE-863) in Adobe Commerce, the e-commerce platform formerly known as Magento, in which authorization checks are applied incorrectly and can be bypassed. It is triggered over the network without authentication or user interaction, per the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). A successful attacker gains elevated access to sensitive resources — a privilege-escalation condition that Adobe's APSB26-92 advisory and press coverage describe as an account-takeover risk. Any organization running an unpatched Adobe Commerce/Magento deployment is affected; exact version ranges are listed in Adobe security bulletin APSB26-92. The flaw came under active attack shortly after public disclosure, and its EPSS score of 25.1% (98th percentile) signals a high likelihood of continued near-term exploitation. Do: Apply the fix released under Adobe advisory APSB26-92 immediately, prioritizing internet-facing Commerce/Magento instances, and check the bulletin for the exact patched version ranges for your deployment. Because exploitation requires no credentials or user interaction, review admin accounts, API integrations, and user/role assignments for unauthorized privilege changes, and restrict admin-panel and storefront API access where feasible. Monitor Adobe's advisory for indicators of compromise given confirmed in-the-wild exploitation. | 9.1 | 25% |
| mass≈200,000+ Magento/Adobe Commerce storefronts worldwide | ||
| CVE-2026-75650 | Unauthenticated Template Injection RCE in Adobe Commerce and Magento (CVE-2026-75650) Adobe Commerce and Magento (including Adobe Commerce B2B) contain an improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine (CWE-1336), a template-injection flaw that permits arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw is reachable over the network by unauthenticated attackers, requires no user interaction, and its changed scope (CVSS 3.1 S:C) means injected code executes beyond the vulnerable component, producing a maximum-severity (CVSS 10.0) remote code execution condition. A successful attacker gains arbitrary code execution on the storefront server; in the observed campaign, intruders installed a Rust backdoor and a PHP web shell (dubbed 'StyleSmuggler') on compromised servers. Any organization running an Adobe Commerce, Adobe Commerce B2B, or Magento storefront is in scope, with internet-facing e-commerce deployments most exposed. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the bug was abused as a zero-day before patching and was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-09-08. Do: Apply Adobe's released patches immediately per vendor instructions, prioritizing internet-facing Commerce/Magento storefronts, and ensure compliance with CISA BOD 26-04 timelines for KEV entries. Hunt for 'StyleSmuggler' indicators of compromise, including unexpected Rust backdoor binaries and PHP web shells on hosts, and review template/theme customizations for tampering. Exact fixed version numbers are not included in the available data, so consult Adobe's advisory for the correct patched release for your Commerce/Magento version line. | 10.0 | 2% | KEV PoC |
| massroughly 100,000-300,000 internet-facing storefronts | |
| CVE-2026-81963 +1 in the same advisory: …85880 | Local Privilege Escalation via Link Following in Windows Update Stack CVE-2026-81963 is a link-following flaw (CWE-59, improper link resolution before file access) in the Microsoft Windows Update Stack, in which the component fails to correctly resolve file links before opening them. A local attacker with low privileges can plant or manipulate a link (symlink/junction) that the privileged update stack follows during operation, redirecting its file access to an attacker-controlled target. The result is local privilege escalation — CVSS 3.1 rates this 7.8 (high) with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact — allowing an authorized local user or malware already on the machine to gain elevated rights. Affected products are Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 and Windows Server 2025; any unpatched system on those versions is exposed to any local account holder. The flaw was fixed in Microsoft's record September 2026 Patch Tuesday (974 CVEs), was added to CISA's KEV on 2026-09-08 as one of two Windows zero-days reported as exploited in the wild, and has no known public PoC or confirmed ransomware use. Do: Immediately deploy the September 2026 Patch Tuesday cumulative updates to every Windows 11 23H2/24H2/25H2/26H1 and Windows Server 2025 host; as a KEV entry under BOD 26-04, prioritize internet-exposed and high-value assets, apply vendor mitigations (or discontinue use) where patching is delayed, and follow CISA's forensics triage requirements if compromise is suspected. Verify deployment via patch telemetry and review which local accounts can trigger update-stack activity on shared or multi-user systems. | 7.8 | <1% | KEV |
| masswell over 1,000,000 | |
| CVE-2026-85046 | Actively Exploited V8 Type Confusion in Google Chrome (CVE-2026-85046) Google Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.82 contain a type confusion flaw (CWE-843) in the V8 JavaScript engine, which mishandles object types during engine operations (public proof-of-concept writeups indicate it is reachable through array sorting and WebAssembly-related code paths). A remote attacker triggers the flaw simply by getting a user to open a crafted HTML page, with no privileges or authentication required. Successful exploitation lets the attacker execute arbitrary code inside the browser's sandbox, and public reporting shows it being chained with Windows zero-days (the 'BlueMoon' exploit kit) by Chinese espionage groups for broader compromise. Any user of an unpatched Chrome or another build embedding the affected V8 engine is exposed. The vulnerability is a zero-day that was actively exploited in the wild before patching, was added to CISA's KEV on 2026-09-04, and has five public proof-of-concept references. Do: Update Google Chrome to 152.0.7977.82 or later immediately, and apply the corresponding V8 fix in any Chromium-based browser in use. Federal agencies must apply mitigations in line with CISA BOD 26-04 and its cloud-services requirements, evaluating each asset's internet exposure. Because public reporting shows this flaw chained with Windows zero-days in 'BlueMoon' attacks, patch the related Windows vulnerabilities as well and hunt for signs of exploit-chain activity on high-exposure endpoints. | 8.8 | 1% | KEV PoC ×5 |
| massmultiple billions of users/installs (Chrome is the dominant desktop browser at roughly 65% market share, with an estimated 3+ billion active users, plus… | |
| CVE-2026-86218 | Pre-Auth Static Code Injection RCE in N-able N-central (Exploited in the Wild) CVE-2026-86218 is a static code injection flaw (CWE-96) in N-able's N-central on-premises remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform, carrying a maximum CVSS 4.0 score of 10.0. An unauthenticated, remote attacker triggers it by sending crafted network input to the N-central server that is improperly neutralized and persisted into application-managed code, which the server then executes — no privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N) are required. Successful exploitation yields full server compromise with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and because N-central acts as the management hub for downstream customer endpoints, compromise can expose the entire managed estate. Any organization running an affected N-central release (before 2026.3.1.14) — primarily MSPs and corporate IT departments using N-able RMM — is affected. The flaw is confirmed exploited in the wild: N-able patched it as a zero-day, CISA added it to the KEV catalog on 2026-09-08, and it is the fourth N-central hotfix in five weeks, though no public PoC is known and ransomware use is unknown. Do: Upgrade N-central to 2026.3.1.14 or later (or apply N-able's hotfix) immediately, as the flaw is in CISA's KEV catalog and BOD 26-04 timelines apply to federal stakeholders. Until patched, remove direct internet exposure of the N-central server (restrict to VPN/management networks via firewall allowlists) since no authentication is needed for exploitation. Because in-the-wild exploitation is confirmed, review internet-facing N-central servers for indicators of compromise such as unexpected processes, unusual child processes of the web service, and new or suspicious accounts. | 10.0 | <1% | KEV PoC ×2 |
| large≈ tens of thousands of deployed/internet-exposed N-central servers (order of magnitude ~10k+), each managing many downstream customer endpoints | |
| CVE-2026-87491 | Actively Exploited Out-of-Bounds Write in Google Chrome V8 CVE-2026-87491 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the V8 JavaScript engine in Google Chrome, fixed in Chrome 153.0.8010.36, which Google shipped alongside roughly 230 other security fixes. An attacker can trigger the flaw remotely by luring a user (user interaction required) into opening a crafted HTML page that corrupts memory in V8. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the Chrome browser sandbox, which constrains but does not eliminate the impact. All Google Chrome users running versions prior to 153.0.8010.36 are affected; because the flaw resides in V8, CISA tracks it as 'Google Chromium V8', and other Chromium-based browsers may inherit the fix in their own updates. The flaw is being actively exploited in the wild — it is the seventh actively exploited Chrome zero-day of 2026 and was added to CISA's KEV catalog on 2026-09-09 — though no public proof-of-concept is known and ransomware use is unknown. Do: Update Google Chrome to 153.0.8010.36 or later immediately (open Help > About Google Chrome to force the update and relaunch), and verify the version on all endpoints. Also patch headless or automated Chrome deployments (CI runners, scrapers, kiosks, CDP-based tooling) that may lag auto-updates, and prioritize remediation per CISA KEV and BOD 26-04 requirements for federal systems. No public PoC is known and ransomware use is unknown, but confirmed in-the-wild exploitation warrants urgent patching. | 8.8 | <1% | KEV |
| massbillions of installations (Chrome's install base exceeds 3 billion users) |