China-linked espionage groups rapidly adopted 'BlueMoon' kit chaining Chrome and Windows zero-days (CVE-2026-85046, CVE-2026-87491, CVE-2026-85880)
At least four China-aligned espionage groups, starting with TA412/APT31, have chained Chrome V8 zero-days CVE-2026-85046 and CVE-2026-87491 with Windows ALPC privilege-escalation zero-day CVE-2026-85880 using a shared exploit kit dubbed BlueMoon since Aug.…
Proofpoint and Volexity describe a shared exploit kit, 'BlueMoon,' chaining three zero-days: Chromium V8 type-confusion RCE CVE-2026-85046, a second V8 sandbox escape tracked as CVE-2026-87491 (Proofpoint-sourced reports call it a V8 sandbox escape; Volexity-sourced reports describe it as a WebAssembly sandbox escape), and CVE-2026-85880, a Windows ALPC-based privilege escalation characterized variously as a kernel LPE in RtlpCreateServerAcl using the Windows Notification Facility. The chain yields sandbox code execution, sandbox escape and SYSTEM-level privileges. Proofpoint first observed the kit on Aug. 28, 2026, used by TA412/APT31 (also tracked as Violet Typhoon and JungleBamboo) against US NGOs, mining firms and commodity trading companies; UNK_LateNight (US aerospace/defense, RFQ lures, Sept. 2), UNK_DoubleCheck (Vietnamese manufacturing via a compromised Southeast Asian government account) and UNK_QuietRacket (Indonesian and Singaporean government, consulting and finance, Sept. 3) adopted it within days. Volexity separately detected Sept. 1 campaigns in which UTA0560 and JungleBamboo (APT31) ran byte-identical exploit shellcode against NGOs but with different payloads: GRIMWEDGE (JScript backdoor, C2 ocr.opusaccel[.]top) for UTA0560, and a SUPERSTOMP loader installing LONGTALE/GemStone, a fake Google Gemini extension harvesting cookies, session tokens, keystrokes, screenshots and browsing history, for JungleBamboo. Initial access used phishing links, including links on legitimate US university sites vulnerable to reflected XSS serving hidden exploit iframes. Both V8 bugs were patch-gap zero-days: fixed in Chromium source Aug. 7 but not in stable Chrome until Sept. 3; SecurityWeek says all three CVEs were patched between Sept. 3 and September 2026 Patch Tuesday. Fewer than 20 organizations were directly observed; activity was ongoing as of Sept. 8 and broader adoption, possibly by criminal actors, is expected. Development artifacts suggest AI-assisted creation of the kit. Volexity's confidence that a shared developer sold or shared the chain is reported as medium by GBHackers but low by Security Affairs. Note: Horizon3.ai's report (Sept. 16) covers the unrelated N-able N-central flaw CVE-2026-86218 and is excluded from this story.
- BlueMoon chains three zero-days: CVE-2026-85046 (Chromium V8 type-confusion RCE), CVE-2026-87491 (V8 sandbox escape; described as a WebAssembly sandbox escape in Volexity-sourced reporting) and CVE-2026-85880 (Windows ALPC privilege…
- First observed use: Aug. 28, 2026, by TA412/APT31 (Violet Typhoon, JungleBamboo) against US NGOs, mining companies and commodity trading firms.
- Three more groups adopted the kit within days: UNK_LateNight (US aerospace/defense from Sept. 2, RFQ phishing lures), UNK_DoubleCheck (Vietnamese manufacturers via a compromised Southeast Asian government account) and UNK_QuietRacket…
- Volexity detected Sept. 1, 2026 NGO campaigns by UTA0560 and JungleBamboo (APT31) using byte-identical exploit shellcode but distinct payloads.
- UTA0560 delivered the GRIMWEDGE JScript backdoor via DLL side-loading, polling C2 ocr.opusaccel[.]top; JungleBamboo used the SUPERSTOMP loader to install LONGTALE/GemStone.
- GemStone/LONGTALE is a malicious Chrome extension masquerading as an AI-powered Google Gemini companion, stealing cookies, session tokens, keystrokes, screenshots and browsing history, and bypassing profile integrity checks via a legacy…
- Initial access used phishing links, including links planted on legitimate US university sites vulnerable to reflected XSS that redirected to hidden exploit iframes behind a donation-form image.
- Patch-gap zero-days: V8 fixes were committed to Chromium source on Aug. 7, 2026 but reached stable Chrome only on Sept. 3, 2026; SecurityWeek reports all three CVEs patched between Sept. 3 and September 2026 Patch Tuesday.
Coverage timelineoldest first · each row is one article
- · 6d agoChinese espionage groups swarm to exploit triple-link chain of zero-days
Proofpoint Threat Insight· 85
Four China-aligned espionage groups, starting with TA412/APT31, chained zero-days CVE-2026-85046, CVE-2026-87491 and CVE-2026-85880 to spy on targets since late August.
- · 6d agoChinese espionage groups swarm to exploit triple-link chain of zero-days
CyberScoop· 88
At least four China-aligned espionage groups chained three zero-days in Chromium browsers and Windows ALPC for espionage since late August.
- · 6d agoNovel Blue Moon kit targeting Chrome and Windows reflects new reality of AI-driven exploits
The Register · Security· 85
Proofpoint reports the BlueMoon exploit kit, chaining two Chrome V8 zero-days and a Windows ALPC bug, being shared across China-linked espionage groups.
- · 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 agoUpdate Chrome now to protect against an actively exploited vulnerability
Malwarebytes Labs· 75
Google shipped Chrome 153.0.8010.36/.37 fixing 230 flaws including actively exploited V8 out-of-bounds write CVE-2026-87491 enabling sandboxed code execution.
- · 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 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.
- · 5h 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-2026-75650 | 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) |