Daily Cyber Threat Brief – Ep 1037

Podcast: Daily Cyber Threat Brief
Host: Daniel Lowry (Simply Cyber Media Group)
Date: December 31, 2025
Duration: ~1 hour

Episode Overview

This final episode of 2025 delivers a rapid-fire, insightful analysis of the top cybersecurity news stories curated from the CISO Series headlines. Host Daniel Lowry brings his trademark humor, depth, and community flair, breaking down eight key articles ranging from advanced persistent threats and AI prompt injection to shocking insider ransomware cases, record-breaking cybersecurity acquisitions, and more. Listeners gain actionable takeaways, technical explanations, and lively banter to help them understand threats—and the business of cybersecurity—as the year closes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Silver Fox Campaign Targets Indian Users

[06:38 – 18:20]

• Headline: A China-linked group, "Silver Fox," targets Indian users via phishing, masquerading as India’s income tax department, to deliver the Valley RAT (Remote Access Trojan).
• Tactics: Uses DLL sideloading, anti-analysis measures, registry persistence, SEO poisoning, and fake download sites (impersonating apps like Microsoft Teams/Telegram).
• Purpose: Credential theft and surveillance; some activities may be false-flag to complicate attribution.
• Notable Analysis:
  • Daniel explains DLL hijacking and sideloading as sophisticated evasion and persistence mechanisms.
  • Emphasizes the modular "plug-and-play" nature of Valley RAT—attackers can add capabilities on the fly.
  • Quote: “Chef’s kiss, we love it. Yesterday? Boo. Right? Bunch of junk articles. So far we’re off to a killer start.” — Daniel Lowry (08:39)
• Takeaway:
  • Real-world sophistication shows both red/blue teams where they must improve detection and defense.
  • The use of SEO poisoning means victims can stumble upon malicious sites by simply searching for legitimate help.

2. Mustang Panda Deploys Kernel-Level Rootkit (ToneShell)

[18:20 – 26:19]

• Headline: Mustang Panda (Camaro Dragon), another China-linked APT, used a signed kernel-mode rootkit to deploy ToneShell backdoor, evading detection and gaining deep system access.
• Methods:
  • Stolen digital certificate used to sign a kernel-mode driver (2012–2015 certificate).
  • Kernel driver acts as a mini-filter to protect malicious components and inject shellcode.
  • Communicates over TCP 443 with fake TLS headers to disguise activity.
• Victims: Government entities in SE/East Asia.
• Notable Analysis:
  • Daniel breaks down kernel-level access: “If it’s signed, that means it’s trusted... If it’s a rootkit, it’s dug in like an Alabama tick.”
• Takeaway:
  • Signed drivers used as attack vectors underscore importance of certificate management and supply-chain vigilance.

3. Prompt Injection: A Permanent AI Threat?

[26:19 – 35:41]

• Headline: OpenAI admits prompt injection attacks against browser-based AI agents (e.g., ChatGPT Atlas) “may never be fully eliminated.”
• Details:
  • Internal automated red-teaming uncovered new attacks where malicious prompts get executed via ordinary online content.
  • New, adversarially trained models shipped, but inherent risk remains—especially when agents access email, docs, and services.
• Notable Analysis:
  • Daniel laments the focus on shipping features first, security second.
  • Quote: “We’re dumb, dumb dummies because we do not learn… It’s like you’re drowning, and someone tosses you a baby.” (27:43)
• Takeaway:
  • Security/convenience trade-off is as real as ever; as AI is further integrated, underlying risks escalate.

4. Shocking Insider BlackCat Ransomware Case

[35:41 – 44:27]

• Headline: Two former U.S. cybersecurity pros pleaded guilty to BlackCat ransomware attacks, exploiting insider knowledge for extortion.
• Details:
  • Ransom demands from $300K–$10M; at least $1.2M paid.
  • Used insider know-how to join BlackCat as affiliates.
• Notable Analysis:
  • Daniel’s blunt take: “A-holes of all a-holes... Enjoy prison.” (36:29)
  • Reflects on ethical failings and damage to industry trust.
• Takeaway:
  • Insider threat remains not only a technical problem but an ethical one affecting the whole field.

5. $84 Billion in Cybersecurity Acquisitions in 2025

[44:27 – 50:27]

• Headline: 2025 saw eight cybersecurity M&A deals exceed $1B; over 420 transactions, totaling $84B.
• Big Deals:
  • Google’s $32B acquisition of Wiz
  • Palo Alto’s $25B buyout of CyberArk
  • ServiceNow, Armis, Veza, and others
• Notable Commentary:
  • Daniel ponders: “Are we winning the cybersecurity war by spending all this money or is it the cybersecurity industrial complex?”
  • Worried about industry consolidation and impact on innovation/consumer choice.
• Takeaway:
  • Trend of consolidation has both strategic and competitive implications—potential benefits (integration) vs. risks (monopoly, stagnation).

6. Singapore CSA: Critical SmarterMail RCE Vulnerability

[50:27 – 55:57]

• Headline: Unauthenticated RCE (CVSS 10) in SmarterMail; impacts all builds ≤9406.
• Exploit: Arbitrary file upload, remote code execution via PHP file upload.
• Advice:
  • Update at least to build 9413 (preferably latest).
  • Daniel suggests: Build a test VM with Smarter Mail “could be a fun little project… and a great thing to put on the resume.”
• Takeaway:
  • Critical for orgs running SmarterMail to patch immediately; demonstration of lingering risk for on-prem and alt-collaboration suite users.

7. KMSAuto Malware: Clipboard Crypto Theft

[55:57 – 61:21]

• Headline: Lithuanian suspect arrested for distributing KMSAuto malware disguised as a Windows activation tool; 2.8M infections, massive crypto theft.
• Method:
  • “Clipper” malware swaps copied crypto wallet addresses with attacker-owned ones.
• Victims: Mostly those pirating software; losses in billions of won.
• Daniel’s Take:
  • “The people that got robbed from were stealing... There’s a little funny kind of irony to that.”
• Takeaway:
  • Reminder: Downloading pirated software is a double risk—legal and malware.

8. European Space Agency Breach: Jira & Bitbucket

[61:21 – 66:05]

• Headline: External ESA servers hosting unclassified engineering data breached; attackers claim 200GB exfiltrated, including code, CI/CD pipelines, credentials.
• Details:
  • "Only a small number of external servers,” says ESA; attackers claim more.
• Daniel:
  • Skeptical of “unclassified only” claims; emphasizes risk of attacker side-channeling more sensitive info.
• Takeaway:
  • Even when ‘only’ engineering/collaboration servers are breached, real risk of deeper compromise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daniel’s humor and bluntness:
  • “Chef’s kiss, we love it. Yesterday? Boo.” (08:39)
  • "If it's a rootkit, it's dug in like an Alabama tick." (19:28)
  • “We dumb, dumb dummies because we do not learn…” (27:43)
  • “A-holes of all a-holes... enjoy prison.” (36:29)
  • “You got a little extra in your stocking this year, right, because Lithuania Claus showed up.” (57:45)
• On industry trends:
  • “Are we winning the cybersecurity war by spending all this money? Or is it just the cybersecurity industrial complex at this point?” (45:46)

Audience Q&A & Closing (Jawjacking)

[66:28+]

• Daniel takes live questions about privacy as a commodity, the value of LinkedIn for cybersecurity pros, certification-weighted training, sock careers in the era of AI, and more.
• Affirms privacy as a right, not a privilege or upsell.
• Recommends heavy skepticism and creativity with corporate social platforms.
• Suggests hands-on labs (VMs, home routers, bug bounty, etc.) for practical learning and portfolio creation.
• Encourages hybrid/on-site work for skill-building, networking, and exposure.
• Ends with a lively discussion on New Year's plans, the hacker work ethic, and reflections on cybersecurity journalism.

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:38 | Silver Fox/Valley RAT deep dive | | 18:20 | Mustang Panda / ToneShell kernel rootkit | | 26:19 | OpenAI’s prompt injection admission | | 35:41 | BlackHat insider ransomware plea | | 44:27 | $84B in cybersecurity M&A deals | | 50:27 | Critical SmarterMail RCE bug | | 55:57 | KMSAuto malware and crypto theft arrest | | 61:21 | European Space Agency breach | | 66:28 | Jawjacking: Live listener Q&A, New Year's closing thoughts |

Tone & Style

Daniel Lowry blends technical depth with humor and irreverence, making dense threat analyses accessible—even entertaining—for both seasoned pros and up-and-coming cybersecurity practitioners. The interactive community vibe and wit (“...if it’s signed, it’s trusted. If it’s a rootkit, it’s dug in like an Alabama tick...”) are signature elements, as are the clear, practical insights after each story. Jawjacking Q&A at the close extends the learning and camaraderie.

Final Takeaway

This year-end briefing exemplifies what Simply Cyber does best: demystifying the day’s top security threats, challenging industry norms, and bringing the cybersecurity community together for learning and laughs. Essential listening for anyone wanting both threat intel and a seasoned insider’s perspective as we enter 2026.

“Stay secure. Have a happy New Year.”
— Daniel Lowry (end of episode)