Daily Cyber Threat Brief - Ep 1057

Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Dr. Gerald Auger, Ph.D. (Simply Cyber Media Group)
Special Segment Host (Jawjacking): Jesse J, "Cosmic Cowboy"

Episode Overview

This episode delivers January 29th’s top cybersecurity headlines, explained and contextualized for professionals at all stages. Dr. Gerald Auger ("Jerry") approaches each breaking story without prior research, giving listeners his genuine, in-the-moment expert analysis. The tone is energetic, relatable, and packed with analogies, actionable tips, and community banter. Jesse J leads a post-brief "Jawjacking" Q&A, offering career tips and insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Critical N8N Sandbox Escape Vulnerabilities

[09:53 - 15:14]

• Summary: JFrog disclosed two critical vulnerabilities in the N8N open-source automation platform (self-hosted only), with one at CVSS 9.9. These allow authenticated, non-admin users to escape JavaScript and Python sandboxes and gain full remote code execution.
• Action: Urgent patch required for all self-hosted N8N instances. Cloud-hosted unaffected. Jerry emphasizes the need to "hunt down" unpatched installs across orgs, especially R&D teams or where "AI is letting anyone become a developer."
• Risk: Attackers gaining foothold can "run a PowerShell cradle, pull down second-stage payloads, and the box is compromised—the N8N is like, irrelevant at that point. It's the box." (Jerry, 11:15)
• Best Practice: Don't delay; broadcast a patch notice organization-wide. Simpler patches prevent disaster: “It’s like a colonoscopy. The problem is completely solvable. You do not need to experience getting violated by a threat actor. You can just patch it.” (Jerry, 12:14)

2. Malicious AI Coding Assistant on VS Code Marketplace

[15:14 - 20:29]

• Summary: A fake “claudebot” assistant extension (mimicking popular MultiBot AI) was uploaded to Microsoft’s VS Code Marketplace, installing malware and providing attackers persistent access via the bundled Screen Connect client.
• Insight: These are "mines" attackers place for crime of opportunity: "It's like Minesweeper. You just put the malware there and eventually someone's going to step on it." (Jerry, 16:35)
• Advice: Stick to main, well-reviewed plugins; be wary, especially with AI integrations since access can mean handing over massive privileges ("impact is quite high so you have to be extra vigilant").
• Broader Trend: With “AI sprawl,” anyone can introduce risk by adding tools or extensions organization-wide.

3. Peck Birdie: Cross-Platform Chinese Espionage Framework

[20:29 - 27:07]

• Summary: Trend Micro details China-aligned threat actors using “Peck Birdie,” a JavaScript-based C2 (Command and Control) framework, to target Asian governments and gambling sites, using sophisticated backdoors and living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins).
• Education: If not in targeted industries, this is "a great learning opportunity… you need to know what living off the land is.” (Jerry, 23:41)
  • Living off the land = using built-in OS tools (like certutil.exe) for attacks to avoid detection.
• Resource: Links community to LOLBins GitHub repository as a learning tool.

4. OpenSSL: 12 Long-Standing Vulnerabilities Found via Automation

[27:07 - 31:29]

• Summary: Automated analysis by Aisle found vulnerabilities in OpenSSL dating back to 1998, including one high-severity RCE.
• Insight: All software accrues flaws, even 'heavily audited' codebases.
  • “Don’t think it’s all got to be cutting edge new code… this thing rode dirty for 17, 18 years.” (Jerry, 27:58)
• Action: Patch to latest OpenSSL release. Bonus: New post-quantum cryptography features included.

5. Teenagers Arrested for Swatting and Doxing Campaigns

[35:46 - 40:39]

• Summary: 4 suspects (including teens) arrested in Hungary and Romania for coordinated swatting—triggering bomb threats and false emergency calls after doxing victims via Discord.
• Context: Swatting is a real, often deadly threat: "It’s not a toddler banging on a Speak & Spell... This is deliberate and coordinated.” (Jerry, 36:38)
• Takeaway: Use this as engaging, snackable awareness training material for end users—real-world consequences resonate.

6. FBI Takes Down RAMP Ransomware Forum

[40:45 - 45:57]

• Summary: The FBI seized the RAMP cybercrime forum, a major ransomware marketplace, taking control of both the Tor and clearnet domains. Law enforcement now has access to user data, emails, and IP addresses.
• Insight: Multi-pronged approach required to combat ransomware: take down people, infrastructure, and raise defensive standards.
• Analysis: “Do the crime, do the time. F around, find out, whatever you want to say. It is what it is.” (Jerry, 43:06)
• Notable Moment: Jerry comments on the Russian origins and cultural references on the seizure notice, demonstrating the global reach of cybercrime ecosystems.

7. Russian ‘Electrum’ Group Targets Poland’s Power Grid

[45:59 - 51:36]

• Summary: Russia-linked Electrum and related groups attacked Poland’s grid communications (wind/solar/CHP facilities), disabling some OT equipment but failing to cause outages. Dragos' analysis shows overlap with “Sandworm” TTPs.
• Takeaway for ICS/OT Security: “If you go through all the effort to do a post-mortem and you don’t make changes… expect it to happen again.” (Jerry, 50:38)
• Lesson: Importance of post-incident learning—identify and fix weaknesses, not just restore service.

8. Empire Market Co-Owner Pleads Guilty

[51:36 - 54:50]

• Summary: Empire Market’s co-founder (a Silk Road-style dark web marketplace) pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, with $430M+ in transactions (mostly drugs, but also counterfeits, docs, etc.). Authorities seized $75M in cryptocurrency.
• Insight: These markets are “big business, with staff, moderators, and 1.6M+ users.” If you’re going to do cybercrime, “move out of the United States.”
• Frustration: Jerry notes the slow pace of justice—suspect arrested in 2017, guilty plea 9 years later.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On maintaining authenticity:
  “It’d be ridiculous for me to just be a poser up here and be like, oh, you know, there’s this obscure fact from 1973… Not happening like that." (Jerry, 03:16)

• On abuse of popular AI plugins:
  “It’s flaming donkey bot tomorrow. If you’re just trying to treat the symptoms, you’re not going to solve the problem, you’re just going to get reinfected.” (Jerry, 18:17)

• On the need for speedy, inclusive security communication:
  “If you know what N8N is, you know what N8N is, right? ...My Aunt Dorothea gets that. She's like, I don't know what N8N is. Disregard.” (Jerry, 14:15)

• On criminal cyber forums:
  “If you are using Ramp cybercrime forum, you’re probably feeling anxious today... If you’re running it, you’re probably a little nervous.” (Jerry, 41:38)

Midroll/Community Fun

• Dan Reardon’s “Meme of the Week” Segment:
  • This week: Hayden Covington depicted as “the Gordon Ramsay of the SOC.”
  • Jerry features himself as “Jerry Guy Fieri.”
  • “No one is safe from Dan Reardon’s memes.” (31:55)
• CPE Credits for Participation:
  • “All you have to do is say what’s up in chat, grab a screenshot… better to have it and not use it than need it and not have it.” (Jerry, 04:25)
• Workshops & Training Shoutouts:
  • Inside the Life of a Ransomware Operator talk—community-led discussions encouraged.
  • Anti-siphon training: high-value education at low cost.

Jawjacking (Q&A with Jesse J, "Cosmic Cowboy")

[60:30 - end]

Career and Community Insights

• Networking & Community:
  Jesse credits “networking and making connections” for landing a new vulnerability management leadership role at a global firm.

• AI as a Tool:
  “With any new tool, it’s better to become aware of it instead of be afraid of it. I utilize it as much as I can… as a force multiplier.” (Jesse J, 62:00)

• Fake it Till You Make It?:

  • Do not lie about experience. Emphasize your growth and willingness to learn.
  • Use OSINT to “make the interviewer feel they’re interviewing someone who already works for the company.”

• If Starting from Zero in 2026:

  • Engage with content creators/industry mentors (Simply Cyber, Black Hills, TCM Security).
  • Build soft skills, robust LinkedIn profile, and home lab experience.
  • Adapt to new tech, especially AI and prompt engineering skills.

• Metrics for Vulnerability Management:

  • Tailor metrics for different audiences (technical vs. C-suite).
  • Communicate risk in non-technical language.

• Soft Skills:

  • “In 2026, soft skills are really, really valued by employers. Being able to communicate highly technical things to non-technical people is a great feature to have.” (Jesse J, 76:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro/Community & Workshop Announcements: 00:00 – 09:51
• N8N Vulnerabilities: 09:53 – 15:14
• VS Code Malicious AI Plugin: 15:14 – 20:29
• Peck Birdie Espionage Framework: 20:29 – 27:07
• OpenSSL Vulnerabilities: 27:07 – 31:29
• Meme of the Week Segment: 31:29 – 35:46
• Teen Swatting Arrests: 35:46 – 40:39
• FBI Takes Down RAMP: 40:45 – 45:57
• Poland Power Grid Attack Attribution: 45:59 – 51:36
• Empire Market Plea: 51:36 – 54:50
• Jawjacking Q&A with Jesse J: 60:30 – ~88:57

Episode Takeaways

• Patch — and communicate about patches — early and often.
• Beware optional plugins and shadow IT risks, especially with AI and code assistants.
• Living-off-the-land (LOLBins) TTPs are a core threat for modern malware and red teams.
• Success against cybercrime involves persistent, multi-pronged defensive action—and community resilience.
• Build your technical and soft skills, nurture your network, and never stop learning.

Stay involved, keep learning, and "let the cool sounds of the hot news wash over all of us in an awesome wave!" (Jerry, 09:47)