Five Attacks That Turn Your Stack Against You
Written for developers and security leaders who own infrastructure decisions
MAX CVSS
9.5
TOTAL THREATS
5
DATA RECORDS
740k+
USERS AFFECTED
175M+
π° This is a Real News Article
This bulletin covers actual security incidents and vulnerabilities disclosed in December 2025. The threats, attack vectors, and technical details described are real and sourced from security researchers, vendor advisories, and incident reports. Take immediate action if affected.
β‘ TL;DR
Five incidents in 48 hours show attackers chaining weaknesses across content platforms, firewalls, cloud services, enterprise data, and browsersβtreat this as an infrastructure incident, not five separate bugs. By the end of this bulletin, you should know what to patch, what to rotate, and what to hunt for in logs.
π TL;DR for Non-Technical Readers (If you're not in security)
The threat:
Four infrastructure components your company relies on (firewalls, cloud services, databases, browsers) are all being attacked right now.
What you should care about:
Your role:
Business risk:
One major breach could cost $5-50M in fines + remediation + customer churn. This bulletin helps you avoid that.
If you're running FortiGate firewalls, using SoundCloud's infrastructure, managing enterprise data, or browsing with Chrome extensions, you're probably feeling that familiar tension. That's valid. This week, attackers targeted the foundational layers of modern infrastructureβthe firewalls that protect networks, the cloud services that host applications, the enterprise systems that store data, and the browsers that connect users.
This isn't a drill. Four separate incidents in 48 hours show a coordinated focus on infrastructure-level attacks. Network security, cloud infrastructure, enterprise systems, and browser securityβeach layer is under active assault.
By the end of this bulletin, you should know what to patch, what to rotate, and what to hunt for in logs.
β οΈ THREAT SUMMARY
9.5
Max CVSS
5
Total Threats
740k+
Data Records
175M+
Users Affected
Millions
Privacy Impact
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββββ β β ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββ βββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β β β βββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ ββββ ββββββ βββββββ βββ βββ β β ββββββββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββ β β ββββββββ βββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββ β β ββββββββ βββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββ β β ββββββββ βββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββ ββββββ ββββββ βββ βββ β β ββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββββ βββ βββ β β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Do this now: If you have Pornhub accounts or integrations, assume credentials compromised, review privacy exposure
β Do this now: Patch and check for rule tampering in logs
β Do this now: Rotate all API keys and OAuth tokens, audit integrations
β Do this now: Verify backup integrity, audit data access controls
β Do this now: Update Chrome, audit extensions, remove unnecessary permissions
Bottom line: Infrastructure attacks are targeting every layerβfrom content platforms to network firewalls to cloud services to enterprise systems to browsers. Review Pornhub account exposure. Patch FortiGate immediately. Audit SoundCloud integrations. Review Askul-style data protection. Lock down Chrome extensions.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β βββ βββ βββββββ βββ βββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββ ββ βββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββββ β β βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ β β βββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ β β β β ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββ β β βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ ββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ ββββββββββ ββββββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β β β βββ ββββββ ββββ βββββββββββ ββββββββ βββββββ ββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββ β β βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Understanding who's behind these attacks isn't just academicβit informs your threat modeling, helps you prioritize hunts, and reveals the strategic intent behind what might look like random bugs.
Infrastructure: Kaopu Cloud HK (Hong Kong-based hosting)
TTPs: Systematic configuration harvesting, firewall rule manipulation
Pattern: Using legitimate cloud infrastructure to mask attribution, focusing on perimeter compromise for lateral movement
Why this matters: If attackers are using cloud infrastructure to launch attacks, your firewall logs might show 'legitimate' cloud IPs. The pattern suggests either state-sponsored activity or highly sophisticated criminal groups with infrastructure budgets.
Infrastructure: ShinyHunters (merged with Scattered Spider + LAPSUS$ in Q4 2025)
TTPs: OAuth token theft, data exfiltration at scale, cloud infrastructure compromise
Pattern: Previous hits: Salesforce (2025), Ticketmaster (560M records), Pornhub
Why this matters: ShinyHunters isn't just hitting SoundCloudβthey're part of a larger campaign targeting cloud services. If you use any of the services they've previously compromised, assume your credentials are at risk. They specialize in token theft, meaning even if you rotate passwords, OAuth tokens might still be valid.
Infrastructure: RansomHouse (active since 2023)
TTPs: Exfiltration-first (slower detection), encryption-second (maximum pressure)
Pattern: Transitioning from closed group to hybrid RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-Service) model
Why this matters: RansomHouse doesn't just encryptβthey steal data first, then encrypt. This dual extortion model means even if you have backups, they can still pressure you with data leaks. Their shift to RaaS means attack volume will increase as more affiliates join.
Infrastructure: ShadyPanda (Chinese APT)
TTPs: 4.3M device campaign, 7-year wait before weaponization
Pattern: Actively updated extensions still in Edge store
Why this matters: This isn't a one-off vulnerabilityβit's a long-term operation. Extensions that were 'safe' for years are now weaponized. The 7-year timeline suggests patient, strategic operations that prioritize stealth over speed.
If you have Pornhub accounts or integrations, assume credentials compromised. Review privacy exposure and rotate tokens.
β±οΈ Time: ~30 min | π€ Owner: Security/Privacy teams
CVE: TBD (Active exploitation) β Update to latest FortiOS version
β±οΈ Time: ~30 min per firewall | π€ Owner: Network/Security teams
Review all SoundCloud API keys, OAuth tokens, and integrations. Rotate credentials immediately.
β±οΈ Time: ~1 hour | π€ Owner: Platform/DevOps teams
Across all four incidents, the pattern is clear: attackers are targeting foundational security layers, not just applications.
Content Platform
Pornhub = user activity data layer
Network Security
FortiGate firewalls = first line of defense
Cloud Infrastructure
SoundCloud = hosting layer
Enterprise Systems
Askul = data storage layer
Browser Security
Chrome = user access layer
Attackers are increasingly bypassing app-layer defenses by compromising the layers your apps assume are "safe": firewalls, clouds, enterprise systems, and browsers. The defensive move is to design as if each of these can and will fail.
Prescriptive Principle: Treat infrastructure layers as mutually untrusted: design controls assuming your firewall, cloud vendor, or browser might be hostile.
Key insight: Attackers aren't hitting random layers. They're systematically attacking infrastructure layers, not applications. Assume any layer can fail independently.
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββ βββββββ
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββ βββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ
PORNHUB β PREMIUM MEMBER DATA STOLEN, EXTORTION ATTACK

π VULNERABILITY
N/A (Data breach, not CVE)
200+ million records of intimate user activity stolen. ShinyHunters is actively extorting Pornhub and threatening public data release. This is supply-chain compromise at scaleβand a reminder that third-party trust betrayal can echo for years.
On November 8, 2025, ShinyHunters compromised Mixpanel, a widely-used analytics platform. Pornhub had ceased using Mixpanel in 2021, but legacy analytics data persisted in Mixpanel's environment for four years. When ShinyHunters breached Mixpanel, they exfiltrated 94GB of data containing 201,211,943 records of Pornhub Premium users' detailed activity: emails, viewing histories, search terms, download activity, geographic locations, and timestamps.
On December 15, BleepingComputer publicly confirmed that ShinyHunters began extorting Mixpanel clients, demanding payment to prevent public data release. Pornhub confirmed the breach on December 12, emphasizing that passwords, payment details, and financial information were NOT compromisedβonly analytics metadata.
This is ShinyHunters' largest confirmed operation to date, and they're actively threatening public data release unless ransom is paid.

π‘ WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU
Pornhub Users
Privacy catastrophe: Your intimate search, viewing, and download history is now in the hands of extortionists. Extortion risk: Sextortion campaigns targeting Pornhub users are incoming (email + threat to expose activity to family/colleagues). Identity risk: If your Pornhub email is linked to other accounts (work, social), attackers have a targeting vector.
Builders & Platform Teams
Third-party risk is legacy risk: Pornhub stopped using Mixpanel in 2021, but the data persisted for 4 MORE YEARS. Question for your team: What analytics platforms / third-party services are you using? What data persists after you stop using them? Data retention problem: Did you assume deleting the connection deletes the data? It doesn't.
Security Leaders
Supply-chain attack at massive scale: ShinyHunters breached Mixpanel and simultaneously compromised Google, OpenAI, CoinTracker, and others. Extortion is the business model: ShinyHunters is not selling the dataβthey're extorting organizations. If ransom isn't paid, data gets leaked. ShinyHunters is transitioning to RaaS: They're launching ShinySpid3r (ransomware-as-a-service), meaning this group will scale even further in 2026.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Imagine Pornhub as a private club where members pay for exclusive access. Someone broke into the membership records and stole detailed logs of what each member did inside the club.
In plain terms:
Why it matters to you:
If you have a Pornhub account (especially premium), assume your activity data was stolen. If you integrate Pornhub APIs into your app, your authentication tokens may be compromised. This breach shows that even 'private' platforms can be compromised, exposing sensitive user behavior data.
FOR BUILDERS
If your platform uses third-party analytics:
For AI/ML pipelines:
For privacy-sensitive platforms:
π Detection Signal:
Watch for: Sextortion emails targeting users with specific keywords/viewing history (indicates Pornhub data is in active use). Monitor for phishing campaigns pretending to be Pornhub support asking for credential resets.

π ARE YOU VULNERABLE?

// ATTACK CHAIN
π WHAT TO HUNT FOR
Log Sources to Monitor:
SIEM Queries (Copy-Paste Ready):
Analytics platform data exfiltration
-- Analytics platform data exfiltration
SELECT timestamp, source_ip, destination, bytes_transferred
FROM network_egress_logs
WHERE destination LIKE '%mixpanel.com%'
OR destination LIKE '%analytics%'
AND bytes_transferred > 1000000 -- 1GB threshold
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days'Phishing emails claiming to be Pornhub/analytics support
-- Phishing emails claiming to be Pornhub/analytics support
SELECT sender, subject, recipient, timestamp
FROM email_logs
WHERE sender LIKE '%pornhub%' OR subject LIKE '%pornhub%'
AND subject LIKE '%update%' OR subject LIKE '%verify%'
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'Unauthorized API calls to analytics platforms
-- Unauthorized API calls to analytics platforms
SELECT api_endpoint, user_account, request_count, timestamp
FROM api_logs
WHERE api_endpoint LIKE '%mixpanel%' OR api_endpoint LIKE '%analytics%'
AND user_account NOT IN (SELECT approved_user FROM approved_analytics_users)
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'π― MITRE ATT&CK MAPPINGS
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1566.002 | Phishing: Spearphishing Link | SMS phishing targeting Mixpanel employees |
| T1078 | Valid Accounts | Compromised Mixpanel employee credentials |
| T1213 | Data from Information Repositories | Access to analytics database |
| T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | 94GB of data exfiltrated |
| T1567.001 | Exfiltration to Unsecured Web Server | Data staged for extortion |
| T1491.001 | Defacement: Internal Defacement | Threat of public data leak |
MITIGATIONS
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββ βββ
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββ βββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββ βββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ βββ
FORTINET FORTGATE β NETWORK SECURITY COMPROMISED
π VULNERABILITY
TBD (Active investigation)
CVSS
9.5
Your network's first line of defense is now an attack vector. Firewalls compromised at scale.
Fortinet FortiGate firewalls are under active attack. Enterprise networks relying on FortiGate for perimeter security are experiencing compromises, with attackers likely exploiting an unpatched vulnerability to gain remote code execution or bypass authentication. Attackers are using Kaopu Cloud HK infrastructure, suggesting either state-sponsored activity or highly sophisticated criminal groups.
π‘ WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU
Network/Security Teams
Your perimeter defense is compromised. Attackers can pivot from firewall compromise to internal network access.
Platform/SRE
Firewall breaches expose all downstream services. If the firewall is compromised, internal services become accessible.
Security Leaders
This is a foundational security component. A compromised firewall means your entire network security posture is at risk.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Your firewall is like the bouncer at a nightclubβit checks who's coming in and blocks the bad actors. If your firewall is compromised, the bouncer is now working for the attacker.
In plain terms:
Why it matters to you:
If your company runs FortiGate firewalls and hasn't patched in 30 days, assume you're already compromised until proven otherwise.
FOR BUILDERS
If your perimeter is compromised, shift from "defense in depth" to "defense in isolation."
π Detection Signal:
Watch for new admin firewall logins from unusual geos (especially Kaopu Cloud HK IPs), config exports to non-internal IPs, or firewall rule modifications outside change windows.
π ARE YOU VULNERABLE?
// ATTACK CHAIN
π WHAT TO HUNT FOR
Log Sources to Monitor:
SIEM Queries (Copy-Paste Ready):
FortiGate config exports to non-internal IPs
-- FortiGate config exports to non-internal IPs
SELECT timestamp, source_ip, destination_ip, user
FROM firewall_logs
WHERE event_type = "config_export"
AND destination_ip NOT IN (trusted_ips)
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'Admin logins from suspicious geos (Kaopu Cloud HK)
-- Admin logins from suspicious geos (Kaopu Cloud HK)
SELECT timestamp, source_ip, user, geo_country
FROM firewall_auth_logs
WHERE event_type = "admin_login"
AND geo_country IN ('HK', 'CN', 'RU')
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days'Firewall rule modifications outside change windows
-- Firewall rule modifications outside change windows
SELECT timestamp, user, rule_id, action, source_ip
FROM firewall_config_logs
WHERE event_type = "rule_modification"
AND (EXTRACT(HOUR FROM timestamp) < 8 OR EXTRACT(HOUR FROM timestamp) > 18)
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'π― MITRE ATT&CK MAPPINGS
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1078 | Valid Accounts | Attackers use compromised admin accounts |
| T1190 | Exploit Public-Facing Application | RCE vulnerability in FortiOS |
| T1005 | Data from Local System | Configuration harvesting |
| T1562.001 | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools | Firewall rule manipulation |
| T1021.001 | Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol | Lateral movement via RDP |
MITIGATIONS
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββ βββββββ
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββ βββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ
SOUNDCLOUD β 175M USERS, INFRASTRUCTURE COMPROMISED
π VULNERABILITY
N/A (Data breach, not CVE)
Days of outages, member data stolen, VPN access disrupted. Cloud infrastructure attack at scale.
SoundCloud confirmed a security incident that led to the theft of member data and disruption of VPN access. The breach caused extended service outages, affecting 175M+ users. Attackers compromised cloud infrastructure, stealing member data and disrupting VPN services. ShinyHunters (part of Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters alliance) is suspected, given their specialization in OAuth token theft and cloud infrastructure compromise.
π‘ WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU
App Teams
If you integrate with SoundCloud APIs, your OAuth tokens and API keys may be compromised. Rotate credentials immediately.
Platform/SRE
Cloud infrastructure breaches expose hosted applications. If SoundCloud's infrastructure is compromised, any service relying on it is at risk.
Security Leaders
This is a cloud infrastructure attack. The breach shows attackers targeting hosting layers, not just applications. Review all cloud service integrations.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Imagine SoundCloud as a giant shared filing cabinet where millions of people store their music and personal data. Someone broke into the filing cabinet and photocopied 175 million files.
In plain terms:
Why it matters to you:
If you use SoundCloud APIs for authentication or integrate with SoundCloud data, you need to rotate your tokens TODAY. Tokens are like passwordsβthey grant access until revoked.
FOR BUILDERS
Search your codebase for SoundCloud integrations. Rotate all OAuth tokens. Reduce permission scopes.
π Detection Signal:
Watch for bulk API queries (1000+ requests/hour), unusual geographic access patterns, or API calls outside normal business hours.
π ARE YOU VULNERABLE?
// ATTACK CHAIN
π WHAT TO HUNT FOR
Log Sources to Monitor:
SIEM Queries (Copy-Paste Ready):
Bulk API data queries (exfiltration pattern)
-- Bulk API data queries (exfiltration pattern)
SELECT source_ip, endpoint, request_count, timestamp
FROM api_logs
WHERE endpoint LIKE '%/users%'
AND request_count > 1000
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '1 hour'
GROUP BY source_ip, endpoint, timestampUnusual geographic access patterns
-- Unusual geographic access patterns
SELECT source_ip, geo_country, COUNT(*) as request_count
FROM api_logs
WHERE service = 'soundcloud'
AND geo_country NOT IN ('US', 'CA', 'GB', 'DE') -- Adjust for your normal geos
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '24 hours'
GROUP BY source_ip, geo_country
HAVING request_count > 100API calls outside normal business hours
-- API calls outside normal business hours
SELECT source_ip, endpoint, timestamp
FROM api_logs
WHERE service = 'soundcloud'
AND (EXTRACT(HOUR FROM timestamp) < 6 OR EXTRACT(HOUR FROM timestamp) > 22)
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'π― MITRE ATT&CK MAPPINGS
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1110.003 | Brute Force: Password Spraying | Credential stuffing attacks |
| T1078 | Valid Accounts | Compromised cloud service accounts |
| T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | Bulk data exfiltration |
| T1530 | Data from Cloud Storage | Member database access |
| T1567.002 | Exfiltration to Cloud Storage | Data staging for exfiltration |
MITIGATIONS
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββ βββ βββ
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ βββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββ βββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ βββ
ASKUL RANSOMWARE β 740K RECORDS, RANSOMHOUSE OPERATION
π VULNERABILITY
N/A (Ransomware, not CVE)
740,000 customer records stolen. RansomHouse group. Enterprise data breach at scale.
Japanese retailer Askul confirmed the theft of 740,000 customer records in a RansomHouse ransomware attack. The attack compromised enterprise systems, exfiltrating customer data before encryption. RansomHouse group claimed responsibility, demonstrating active ransomware operations targeting enterprise data. This follows RansomHouse's exfiltration-first methodology: steal data first (slower detection), encrypt second (maximum pressure).
π‘ WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU
App Teams
Enterprise data breaches expose customer information. If you handle customer data, this attack pattern shows the importance of data protection and encryption.
Platform/SRE
Ransomware attacks target enterprise infrastructure. The Askul breach shows attackers focusing on data theft before encryption, maximizing impact.
Security Leaders
This is a data-centric attack. RansomHouse steals data before encryption, creating dual extortion pressure. Review data protection and backup strategies.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Think of your customer database as a vault. RansomHouse didn't just lock the vaultβthey first copied all the contents, then locked it. Now they can demand ransom twice: once to unlock the vault, and again to delete the copies.
In plain terms:
Why it matters to you:
If you store customer data, this attack shows you need to detect data theft (not just encryption). By the time systems are encrypted, your customer data may already be on the dark web.
FOR BUILDERS
Third-party trust boundary just became your biggest risk. MFA is mandatory for partner access.
π Detection Signal:
Watch for service account database access spikes, file staging in unusual locations, or bulk data transfers outside normal patterns.
π ARE YOU VULNERABLE?
// ATTACK CHAIN
π WHAT TO HUNT FOR
Log Sources to Monitor:
SIEM Queries (Copy-Paste Ready):
Service account database access spikes
-- Service account database access spikes
SELECT service_account, database, COUNT(*) as access_count, SUM(bytes_read) as total_bytes
FROM database_access_logs
WHERE timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '1 hour'
AND service_account LIKE '%svc%'
GROUP BY service_account, database
HAVING access_count > 10000 OR total_bytes > 1000000000 -- 1GB thresholdBulk data transfers (exfiltration pattern)
-- Bulk data transfers (exfiltration pattern)
SELECT source_ip, destination_ip, bytes_transferred, protocol
FROM network_egress_logs
WHERE bytes_transferred > 1000000000 -- 1GB threshold
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '24 hours'
ORDER BY bytes_transferred DESCFile staging in unusual locations
-- File staging in unusual locations
SELECT file_path, file_size, service_account, timestamp
FROM file_system_logs
WHERE file_path LIKE '%/temp/%'
AND file_size > 1000000 -- 1MB threshold
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'
ORDER BY file_size DESCπ― MITRE ATT&CK MAPPINGS
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1078 | Valid Accounts | Compromised service accounts |
| T1562.001 | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools | Disable security tools before encryption |
| T1485 | Data Destruction | Ransomware encryption |
| T1486 | Data Encrypted for Impact | Encrypt systems for ransom |
| T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | Data exfiltration before encryption |
| T1021.002 | Remote Services: SMB/Windows Admin Shares | Lateral movement |
MITIGATIONS
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββ βββ βββ
ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ βββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββ βββ
βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ βββ
CHROME EXTENSION β BROWSER SECURITY WEAPONIZED
π VULNERABILITY
TBD (Under investigation)
CVSS
8.0
Your browser extensions can now steal your data. The extension ecosystem is weaponized.
A vulnerability in Chrome's extension system allows malicious extensions to bypass security controls and access sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the extension permission model, potentially allowing extensions to access data beyond their declared permissions. ShadyPanda (Chinese APT) has been running a 7-year operation, with 4.3M devices compromised. Extensions that were "safe" for years are now weaponized, and actively updated extensions are still in the Edge store.
π‘ WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU
App Teams
Browser extensions run with user privileges. If extensions can bypass security controls, they can access application data, API keys, and user sessions.
Platform/SRE
Extension vulnerabilities affect all users. If Chrome extensions are weaponized, any user browsing with extensions is at risk.
Security Leaders
This is a browser security issue. Extensions are trusted components, but vulnerabilities allow them to bypass security controls. Review extension security policies.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Browser extensions are like apps that run inside your browser. You trust them because they're in the Chrome store, but some extensions have been 'sleeper agents' for 7 yearsβwaiting to be weaponized.
In plain terms:
Why it matters to you:
If your employees use Chrome with extensions, assume their browsers are semi-compromised. Extensions can steal tokens, passwords, and session data without the user knowing.
FOR BUILDERS
Treat the browser as semi-compromised. Avoid long-lived tokens in localStorage.
π Detection Signal:
Watch for extension network traffic to known C2 domains, unusual API calls from browser contexts, or token theft patterns in application logs.
π ARE YOU VULNERABLE?
// ATTACK CHAIN
π WHAT TO HUNT FOR
Log Sources to Monitor:
SIEM Queries (Copy-Paste Ready):
Extension network traffic to known C2 domains
-- Extension network traffic to known C2 domains
SELECT extension_id, destination_domain, COUNT(*) as request_count
FROM browser_network_logs
WHERE extension_id IS NOT NULL
AND destination_domain IN ('known-c2-domain-1.com', 'known-c2-domain-2.com')
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '7 days'
GROUP BY extension_id, destination_domainUnusual API calls from browser contexts
-- Unusual API calls from browser contexts
SELECT user_id, api_endpoint, COUNT(*) as call_count, source_ip
FROM api_access_logs
WHERE user_agent LIKE '%Chrome%'
AND api_endpoint LIKE '%/admin%'
AND timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '24 hours'
GROUP BY user_id, api_endpoint, source_ip
HAVING call_count > 100Token theft patterns (rapid token usage from new IPs)
-- Token theft patterns (rapid token usage from new IPs)
SELECT token_id, source_ip, COUNT(*) as usage_count, MIN(timestamp) as first_use
FROM token_usage_logs
WHERE timestamp > NOW() - INTERVAL '1 hour'
GROUP BY token_id, source_ip
HAVING usage_count > 50
ORDER BY usage_count DESCπ― MITRE ATT&CK MAPPINGS
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T1195.002 | Supply Chain Compromise: Compromise Software Supply Chain | Malicious extension in store |
| T1056.004 | Input Capture: Credential API Hooking | Extension intercepts API calls |
| T1555 | Credentials from Password Stores | Token theft from localStorage |
| T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | Data exfiltration via extension |
| T1071.001 | Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols | C2 communication |
MITIGATIONS
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β β βββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββ βββ β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β ββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ βββ β β βββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββ β β βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ ββββββ βββββ β β β β ββββββ ββββ βββ ββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββ ββββββ βββββββββββ β β βββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ ββββββ ββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β β β βββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ β β ββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββ β β βββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββ βββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββ βββββ β β ββββββ βββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββ βββ β β ββββββ ββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββ βββ β β β β βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ

| Threat | Infrastructure Layer | Attack Vector | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pornhub | Content Platform | Data Breach | Privacy Violation + Extortion |
| FortiGate | Network Security | RCE/Auth Bypass | Network Compromise |
| SoundCloud | Cloud Infrastructure | Cloud Breach | Data Theft + Outages |
| Askul | Enterprise Systems | Ransomware | Data Theft + Encryption |
| Chrome Extension | Browser Security | Permission Bypass | Data Theft |
β οΈ KEY INSIGHT:
All five threats target foundational security layers, not just applications. This shows attackers focusing on infrastructure-level attacks for maximum impact.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β βββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ β β βββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ βββ βββ β β ββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββ βββ β β ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ ββββββ βββ β β ββββββ βββββ βββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββ βββ β β β β βββββββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββ βββββββ ββββ ββββ β ββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββ ββββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββ β ββββββββββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββββββββββ βββββββ β ββββββββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββββββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββ βββ ββββββ β β β βββββββ βββββββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β βββββββ βββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ

Test your incident response capabilities with these rapid-fire scenarios. Score yourself: 0 = didn't know where to start, 50 = found evidence in logs, 100 = contained threat + forensics + communication plan.
Scenario: Your SOC detects unauthorized access to user activity data endpoints, followed by bulk data queries from unusual IPs. Premium member data appears to be exfiltrated.
Questions:
Scoring:
Identified accessed data: +20 pts β’ Quantified affected users: +20 pts β’ Revoked access in 1 hour: +20 pts β’ Have notification procedures: +20 pts β’ Prevented extortion: +20 pts
Scenario: Your SOC detects a firewall login from Kaopu Cloud HK IP (103.27.148.0/22), followed by config export to external IP.
Questions:
Scoring:
Found export in logs: +20 pts β’ Identified exposed data: +20 pts β’ Blocked attacker: +20 pts β’ Identified compromised systems: +20 pts β’ Verified no other access: +20 pts
Scenario: SoundCloud API token is querying at 1000 req/sec from China (outside normal geos), accessing user data endpoints.
Questions:
Scoring:
Detected automatically: +20 pts β’ Revoked within 1 min: +20 pts β’ Identified accessed data: +20 pts β’ Rotated all tokens: +20 pts β’ Have exfiltration logs: +20 pts
Scenario: EDR detects service account (`svc_backup`) exporting 740K customer records at 3 AM. No encryption yet, but data is being staged.
Questions:
Scoring:
Identified initial access timeline: +20 pts β’ Killed session in 5 min: +20 pts β’ Verified backup integrity: +20 pts β’ Identified exfiltration destination: +20 pts β’ Quantified exfiltrated data: +20 pts
Scenario: Urban VPN Proxy extension found on employee browser (admin access). Extension is known to harvest credentials and AI conversations.
Questions:
Scoring:
Identified affected employees: +20 pts β’ Found exfiltration evidence: +20 pts β’ Force-uninstalled in 1 hour: +20 pts β’ Rotated compromised credentials: +20 pts β’ Prevented re-installation: +20 pts
π TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE: 500 pts (5 drills Γ 100 pts each)
π 450-500 pts: Elite incident responseβyou're ready
π₯ 350-449 pts: Strong responseβminor gaps
π₯ 250-349 pts: Basic responseβneeds improvement
π₯ 100-249 pts: Reactive onlyβcritical gaps
β 0-99 pts: Not readyβmajor improvements needed
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β βββββββββββ ββββββββββ βββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β ββββββββ βββββββ βββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β β β βββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββ β β βββββββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββ β β ββββββ ββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β ββββββ βββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β β β ββββ ββββ ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββ βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββββ β β βββ βββ ββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββ β β βββ ββββββ βββ βββ βββ βββββββββββ βββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
These four incidents aren't isolatedβthey're part of three larger campaigns that will shape 2026.
What happened: ShinyHunters + Scattered Spider + LAPSUS$ merged into a single alliance.
Impact: Targeted 39 companies in Q4 2025, claimed 1B+ stolen records.
SoundCloud connection: SoundCloud is part of this wave. If you use any service they've hit (Salesforce, Ticketmaster, Pornhub), assume your credentials are at risk.
2026 prediction: Expect more cloud service breaches. They specialize in OAuth token theft, meaning password rotation isn't enough.
What happened: RansomHouse is transitioning from closed group to hybrid affiliate model.
Impact: Exfiltration-first methodology becoming standard. Expect attack volume to increase as more affiliates join.
Askul connection: Askul demonstrates the exfiltration-first model. They steal data before encrypting, creating dual extortion pressure.
2026 prediction: More ransomware groups will adopt exfiltration-first. Detection must catch data theft, not just encryption.
What happened: ShadyPanda (7-year sleeper agents), Urban VPN Proxy harvesting AI conversations, extensions weaponized years after installation.
Impact: 4.3M devices compromised in ShadyPanda campaign alone. Trusted extensions are becoming attack vectors.
Chrome connection: Chrome extension vulnerability shows the ecosystem is weaponized. Extensions that were "safe" for years are now malicious.
2026 prediction: More "trusted" extensions will awaken malicious. Browser security can't assume extensions are safe.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β βββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββ β β βββββββ βββββββ ββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββ β β β β βββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββββββββ βββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β βββββββββββββββββββ βββββ ββββββ βββββββββ ββββββββ β β ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β ββββββ βββββββββββββ βββββββ βββββββ βββββββββββ βββ β β β β ββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββ βββββββββββββββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ β β βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββ βββ βββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββ ββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ

Understanding the business cost of these threats helps you prioritize and justify security investments. Here's what happens if these attacks hit your organization.
If your firewall is compromised:
Business question: "Can we afford 48 hours of blind spot in our network?"
Real-world impact: A compromised firewall means attackers can access your internal network for days before you notice. They can steal customer data, plant backdoors, or pivot to other systems.
If your API tokens are compromised:
Business question: "If our API keys leaked, how many customers would we need to notify?"
Real-world impact: Compromised API tokens let attackers masquerade as your application. They can access customer data, make unauthorized API calls, or disrupt your service integrations.
If 740k customer records are exfiltrated:
Business question: "If we lost customer data, what's our legal exposure?"
Real-world impact: Data exfiltration creates dual extortion pressure. Even with backups, attackers can threaten to publish stolen data, forcing you to pay ransom AND face regulatory penalties.
If 1000 employees have malicious extensions:
Business question: "If employees' browsers were compromised, which trade secrets were stolen?"
Real-world impact: Compromised browsers can steal admin credentials, API keys, and session tokens. Attackers can access internal tools, customer data, and proprietary information without triggering traditional security alerts.
Instead of just security metrics, score business readiness:
| Metric | Status | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Can detect firewall compromise within 24 hours? | Difference: $1M+ in undetected lateral movement | |
| Can rotate API keys within 1 hour? | Difference: Attacker maintains access for hours after detection | |
| Can identify all customer data stores? | Difference: Regulatory liability for undisclosed breaches | |
| Can notify customers within 48 hours of detection? | Difference: Regulatory fines vs. proactive disclosure | |
| Have cyber insurance with >$5M limit? | Difference: $5M+ out-of-pocket vs. covered costs |
Scoring:
Rate your org's response across all 5 threats (be honest):
YOUR SCORE
0
β 0-99 pts
Critical gaps remain
If you're under 200:
Pick one layer (network, cloud, enterprise, browser) and schedule a 2-hour incident simulation. Focus on detection and containment, not just patching.
If you're 200-299:
Document what worked and turn it into a runbook. Identify gaps (hunting, validation) and close them.
If you're 300+:
Share your runbooks with the community. You're ready to help others.
π Reflective Question
If one infrastructure layer failed silently tomorrow, which one would hurt you mostβand how quickly would you notice?
This turns the bulletin into a recurring habit-builder, not just a read.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β β βββ ββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββ βββββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββ βββ β β βββ ββββββ ββββββββββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββββββ βββ β β βββ ββ βββββββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββ βββ ββββββ βββ β β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββ βββ ββββββ βββ β β βββββββββββββ ββββββ βββ βββ ββββββββ βββ ββββββββββββββββββ β β ββββββββ βββ ββββββ βββ βββ ββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββββββ β β β β βββββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββ ββββββ βββββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββ ββββ β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββ ββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββ ββββ β βββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββββ βββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββ β βββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββββ βββββββ ββββββ ββββ β βββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ βββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β βββββββββββ βββ βββββββ βββββββ ββββββββββββββββ βββββ βββββββ βββββββ β β β β ββββ βββ βββββββ βββ βββ β β βββββ βββββββββββββββ βββ β β ββββββ ββββββ ββββββ ββ βββ β β βββββββββββββ βββββββββββββ β β βββ βββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β βββ βββββ βββββββ ββββββββ β β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Review Pornhub Account Exposure
Owner: Security/Privacy teams β’ If you have Pornhub accounts or integrations, assume credentials compromised. Review privacy exposure.
Patch FortiGate Firewalls
Owner: Network/Security teams β’ Update FortiOS to latest version on all appliances.
Rotate SoundCloud Credentials
Owner: Platform/DevOps teams β’ Rotate API keys and OAuth tokens immediately.
Review Chrome Extensions
Owner: IT/Security teams β’ Audit installed extensions and remove unnecessary ones.
Review Data Protection Strategies
Owner: Security/Compliance teams β’ Assess data encryption and backup strategies.
Conduct Infrastructure Security Assessment
Owner: Security teams β’ Review content platforms, network, cloud, enterprise, and browser security.
Implement Security Controls
Owner: Security/Platform teams β’ Deploy additional security controls and update policies.
Run Incident Simulation Drills
Owner: Security/IR teams β’ Test your response capabilities with the 5 drills in this bulletin.
Work through targeted labs simulating both offensive and defensive sides: