Does It Stop When Someone Is Watching? The Suspicious Behavior of a New Type of Infostealer
It is already well known that illegal software and cracked programs can be exploited for malware distribution. Recently, AhnLab identified a new type of information theft malware (Infostealer) disguised as an illegal program. This malware was first detected in mid-August and, after altering its execution method, began spreading widely in
Analysis of the Infrastructure of ARTEX, a Chinese AI Penetration Testing Tool #4 – The Birth of Copy Cat
Key Summary Since the original ARTEX GitHub repository disappeared, there has been an increase in independent distributions and customized instances based on the existing ARTEX codebase. These distributions are being redistributed with the product name, UI, filesystem structure, agent settings, and language modified, while retaining traces of ARTEX. Key Observations
The Threat of AI-Driven Autonomous Penetration Testing, as Examined by ARTEX
Overview AI is being used for various tasks that were previously performed manually, such as research, document writing, and code analysis. A 2026 corporate survey also showed that the scope of AI adoption among organizations had expanded compared to the previous year. Recently, there has been a trend toward automating
Case of AgentTesla Malware Distribution Disguised as a Business Proposal Email
Recently, the AhnLab SEcurity intelligence Center (ASEC) identified instances of phishing emails being circulated that disguise themselves as requests to review a business proposal. The email body asks recipients to review the attached product list and reply with their feedback on inventory and pricing, thereby prompting users to download and
September 2026 Threat Trend Report on Ransomware
Purpose and Scope This report summarizes the quantity of new ransomware samples collected, the number of compromised systems, and statistics on targeted businesses during the month of September 2026, as well as major Korean & global ransomware issues. The analysis is based on data collected through ATIP (AhnLab Threat Intelligence
Beware of Phishing Emails Disguised as Purchase Orders
Recently, the AhnLab SEcurity intelligence Center (ASEC) identified instances of phishing emails being circulated that disguise themselves as requests to confirm purchase orders. The email body asks recipients to review the attached purchase order and reply with the relevant information, prompting users to download and open the attached DOCX file.
RMM tools currently being distributed through phishing attacks (ScreenConnect, FleetDeck, Datto, SimpleHelp, JumpCloud, N-able)
In January 2026, the AhnLab SEcurity intelligence Center (ASEC) reported on attack cases that distributed RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) tools through video files or attachments in phishing emails. [1] [2] In these attack cases, tools such as Syncro, ConnectWise ScreenConnect, NinjaOne, and SuperOps were exploited. RMM (Remote Monitoring and
From Endpoint to Funhouse: Evolution of Ransomware Families and Kimsuky-Linked Distribution Cases
1. Overview AhnLab SEcurity intelligence Center (ASEC) recently identified a case in which the Kimsuky group ultimately distributed the Funhouse ransomware via a malicious Hangul document that was disguised as a resume. The Funhouse ransomware was identified as a variant of previously disclosed endpoint ransomware, and the tools used in
Beware of Malware infection in Facebook Ads Offering Cryptocurrency Rewards
Just because it’s a familiar tactic doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. A similar attack method using cryptocurrency rewards as bait has recently been identified again. This time, a case was confirmed in which the Node.Js-based malware JSCEAL was distributed through Facebook ads impersonating a cryptocurrency exchange. The
Vulnerability Attack Case: Installation of a Web Shell and Execution of a Scanner by Exploiting a Telerik UI Vulnerability
The AhnLab SEcurity intelligence Center (ASEC) has identified two vulnerability attack cases that exploited a remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2019-18935) targeting unpatched Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX servers. In the first incident, after exploiting the vulnerability, the attacker executed a reverse shell, attempted to perform privilege escalation, and installed a
