Secure Bytes Insight IT by Edi Rimkus

  Black Basta Ransomware Exploits Microsoft Quick Assist – What You Need to Know Cybercriminals are finding new and unexpected ways to infiltrate organizations, and the latest tactic involves abusing Microsoft’s Quick Assist tool to deploy Black Basta ransomware . This attack method allows hackers to gain full control over targeted Windows machines , leading to data encryption, ransom demands, and severe operational disruptions. Understanding Black Basta’s Latest Attack Strategy Black Basta is one of the most aggressive ransomware variants , targeting organizations across industries with double-extortion tactics —stealing data before encrypting it, forcing victims to pay or risk public exposure. Recently, security researchers discovered that threat actors are exploiting Microsoft Quick Assist , a built-in Windows feature designed for remote assistance . By tricking users into accepting remote sessions , attackers can execute ransomware payloads without needing traditional ph...

  Urgent Security Alert: Google Chrome Vulnerability (CVE-2025-4664) Exposes User Data Google Chrome users, take note! A high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2025-4664) has been discovered, allowing attackers to leak cross-origin data and bypass Chrome’s security protections. This flaw affects millions of users worldwide and demands immediate action to stay safe. What is CVE-2025-4664? CVE-2025-4664 is a critical vulnerability in Google Chrome’s Loader component , which manages cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) and sandboxing mechanisms . Cybercriminals can exploit this flaw to: Bypass browser security controls and access sensitive information from other domains. Execute malicious JavaScript code within Chrome, leading to data theft or unauthorized actions. Hijack web sessions and extract credentials from unsuspecting users. Who is Affected? This vulnerability impacts: Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux (versions prior to Chrome v127.0.0.1 ). Websites rel...

CVE-2025-20188: Critical Cisco IOS XE Vulnerability Explained Introduction Cybersecurity vulnerabilities continue to pose serious risks to organizations worldwide, and recently, CVE-2025-20188 has been identified as a severe flaw impacting Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controllers . This vulnerability, rated 10.0 on the CVSS scale , allows unauthenticated remote attackers  to gain root-level  access to affected systems. Security teams and IT professionals need to understand the nature of this exploit, the affected devices, and the necessary steps to mitigate potential attacks. Vulnerability Details CVE-2025-20188 is caused by the presence of a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT)  within the affected software. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted HTTPS requests  to the AP image download interface , bypassing authentication and executing malicious commands. The key risks associated with this vulnerability include: - Unauthorized file uploads - Path traversal attacks - Re...

AI-Powered Cyber Influence Campaigns: The New Digital Battlefield Published: May 2025 Artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity in ways we never imagined. While AI-driven security tools help detect and prevent cyber threats, threat actors are now weaponizing AI to manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation, and automate cyberattacks . The Rise of AI-Driven Influence Campaigns Recent investigations reveal that AI-powered bots are engaging with real users on Facebook, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn , amplifying political narratives and misinformation. 🔍 How It Works: AI-generated fake personas interact with real accounts, liking, sharing, and commenting strategically. Some campaigns are state-sponsored , aiming to influence elections and policy decisions. AI-driven deepfake technology is being used to manipulate public perception. 💡 Why This Matters: Trust in digital platforms is at risk —users may unknowingly engage with AI-driven misinformation. Businesses...