Daily Drop (1122)

08-28-25

Thursday, Aug 28, 2025 // (IG): BB // GITHUB // SN R&D

Trump and Gabbard Purge CIA’s Top Russia Analyst After Putin Summit, Raising Intelligence Integrity Concerns

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Following President Trump’s August 15 summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the CIA’s top Russia analyst had her security clearance revoked and was removed from a planned overseas posting. The move was part of a broader clearance purge led by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, targeting 37 current and former national security officials accused of "politicizing intelligence."

Analyst Comments: Removing experienced analysts—especially those specializing in Russia—undermines the institutional knowledge critical for U.S. diplomacy, threat forecasting, and cyber operations. It also likely chills dissent within the intelligence ranks, where analysts may now avoid reporting facts that contradict White House narratives. In the context of continued Russian aggression and cyber activity, sidelining expertise could severely weaken U.S. response capabilities.

FROM THE MEDIA: Her security clearance was abruptly revoked without a specific charge, despite prior approval for a high-level posting in Europe. This was part of a memo issued by DNI Tulsi Gabbard on August 19, publicly revoking the clearances of 37 officials. Among those affected were cyber and AI experts, NSA leaders, and the head of U.S. Cyber Command. Former officials described the targeted CIA officer as highly respected and nonpartisan. The decision has sparked alarm within the intelligence community, with fears that political loyalty is prioritized over analytical rigor amid critical global threats.

READ THE STORY: WP

The Russian Threat the West Can’t Ignore

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Despite recent high-level meetings between Presidents Trump and Putin, Russia's cyber aggression against Ukraine continues unabated. Moscow’s cyber operations remain deeply embedded in its broader strategy of warfare and coercion, targeting Ukraine’s government, infrastructure, and society. Western support, especially from the U.S., remains limited—leaving a growing burden on European allies.

Analyst Comments: Even if kinetic conflict subsides, Moscow’s interest in digitally penetrating and destabilizing Ukraine will not. The lack of sustained U.S. cyber diplomacy and support leaves Ukraine vulnerable and shifts the burden to Europe, which has its own constraints. With Russian cyber actors ranging from state agencies to criminal proxies, the West must treat the digital front as a core arena of deterrence, not a side theater.

FROM THE MEDIA: In 2022, Russian cyberattacks disrupted Ukrainian satellite communications and telecom systems, while Ukrainian defenders formed an “IT Army” to retaliate. Russian cyber threats now span from government espionage to infrastructure sabotage. Sherman criticizes the U.S. for dismantling key cyber diplomatic functions and not fully supporting Ukraine’s cyber defense. While some European nations like the U.K. and Estonia have stepped up, the broader coalition lacks the capability and funding to counter Russia’s cyber warfare fully. Without more precise red lines and more robust defense coordination, Russia’s cyber operations will continue to erode Ukrainian resilience.

READ THE STORY: Barrons

Ukraine Opens Lithium Tender at Disputed Site Amid U.S. Strategic Minerals Deal

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Ukraine has launched an international tender for lithium mining rights at the Dobra site, a critical asset in its new resource partnership with the U.S. However, the project is mired in legal controversy, with Nasdaq-listed Critical Metals and its shareholder European Lithium claiming pre-existing rights to the site based on a 2023 court ruling.

Analyst Comments: The Ukrainian government’s bold move to proceed with the Dobra tender underscores its urgency to secure Western investment and decouple from Chinese critical mineral dependency. However, the unresolved ownership dispute raises legal and reputational risks that could chill investor confidence. As lithium becomes a centerpiece of U.S.-China economic rivalry, the outcome of this case may influence future strategic resource partnerships in other contested or high-risk jurisdictions.

FROM THE MEDIA: Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the launch of a lithium mining tender for the Dobra site, aiming to attract foreign investment that supports both extraction and in-country value-added production. The move follows a May 2025 minerals-for-military aid deal with the U.S., under which American companies will receive preferential treatment in natural resource bids. However, Critical Metals and its investor, European Lithium, claim prior rights to the site through a now-contested 2023 Ukrainian court decision involving Petro Consulting, which was later acquired. Despite these claims, the Ukrainian government is moving forward, with U.S.-backed TechMet confirming its intent to bid. The dispute may delay project timelines and complicate broader efforts to boost Western lithium supply chains.

READ THE STORY: FT

AT&T's $23B Spectrum Deal with EchoStar Sparks Regulatory Scrutiny Amid Renewed Telecom Consolidation

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): AT&T is returning to major dealmaking with a $23 billion acquisition of spectrum licenses from EchoStar, alongside a previous $6 billion fiber asset purchase from Lumen. While investors welcomed the move, antitrust concerns loom as the deal expands spectrum control among the “Big Three” U.S. telecoms—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

Analyst Comments: The scale of the EchoStar spectrum purchase may trigger regulatory friction, especially under growing scrutiny of vertical consolidation and infrastructure dominance. As the FCC signals openness under the Trump administration, the Department of Justice's earlier concerns on spectrum consolidation could spark internal policy clashes. If approved, the deal could reshape wireless competition, benefiting shareholders but raising long-term structural questions.

FROM THE MEDIA: AT&T announced on August 27, 2025, its plan to acquire $23 billion in spectrum licenses from EchoStar. This satellite operator had previously sought to become the U.S.'s fourth national wireless carrier. This follows a $6 billion acquisition of Lumen Technologies’ fiber assets. The move signals AT&T’s return to expansion after years of shedding non-core assets like DirecTV and Time Warner. Analysts estimate AT&T overpaid by as much as $7 billion, but the company is betting on future products leveraging its spectrum advantage. EchoStar’s retail brand, Boost Mobile, will now use AT&T’s network. While the FCC is seen as supportive under current leadership, the DOJ’s antitrust division may challenge the growing spectrum concentration among the top three telecom providers.

READ THE STORY: FT

U.S. Army Cyber Command Exposes Chinese State Actor Network Compromise

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A newly released report from U.S. Army Cyber Command reveals that Chinese state-sponsored actors compromised multiple defense-related and critical infrastructure networks through prolonged access and advanced cyber techniques. The actors leveraged zero-day exploits and stealthy lateral movement to evade detection across public and private sector systems.

Analyst Comments: These intrusions' sophistication and dwell time suggest the objectives went beyond espionage, possibly aiming to position China for cyber-enabled disruption during geopolitical tension. The U.S. disclosure signals a strategic shift toward public attribution and deterrence. Expect increased cyber defense collaboration across federal agencies and possibly retaliatory cyber operations or policy escalations.

FROM THE MEDIA: According to a Department of Defense publication dated August 22, 2025, Chinese cyber actors infiltrated U.S. military networks, contractor systems, and critical infrastructure environments using advanced intrusion methods. The report details how the actors exploited unpatched vulnerabilities—some zero-days—to gain initial access, followed by credential harvesting, living-off-the-land techniques, and encrypted C2 channels. The threat actors reportedly maintained undetected access for extended periods, allowing the exfiltration of sensitive defense systems and logistics data. Cyber Command coordinated with CISA and other federal agencies to conduct incident response and network hardening. The document serves as both a warning and a call for enhanced cyber hygiene, patch management, and supply chain defense across all defense-related sectors.

READ THE STORY: DoD

Hudson Institute Warns Taiwan’s Cyber Weakness Is a Strategic Threat to Global Stability

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A new Hudson Institute policy memo argues that Taiwan’s vulnerability to cyberattacks poses a critical strategic risk not just to the island, but to global supply chains and Indo-Pacific security. The authors urge a major increase in cyber resilience funding, warning that a digital siege could disable Taiwan’s infrastructure and economy before a single missile is launched.

Analyst Comments: Taiwan’s cyber posture is emerging as a key test of deterrence in the face of China’s hybrid aggression. The combination of critical semiconductor dominance and fragile digital infrastructure makes Taiwan a unique vulnerability in global geopolitics. Without pre-crisis planning and regional cyber cooperation, the West risks being caught off guard by a Chinese campaign that begins in cyberspace. The memo highlights the urgency of aligning Taiwan’s defense budget with modern conflict realities—where bits may matter as much as bullets.

FROM THE MEDIA: Jason Hsu and RunSafe Security CEO Joe Saunders warn that Taiwan faces an unprecedented cyber threat from China. In 2024, Taiwan endured an average of 2.4 million cyberattacks daily, ranging from energy grid intrusions to attempted disruptions in telecommunications and logistics systems. The report likens China's strategy to Russia’s cyber-first tactics during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and emphasizes Taiwan’s dependence on vulnerable systems like SCADA and DCS for power generation. The authors advocate a $300 million annual investment in cyber defense, calling for cloud migration, offline recovery systems, public-private threat coordination, and international cyber exercises. Without these steps, the report cautions, Taiwan’s sovereignty—and the global tech economy—are at risk from a digital blockade.

READ THE STORY: Hudson Institute

Allied spy agencies blame 3 Chinese tech companies for Salt Typhoon attacks

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A joint advisory from 13 allied nations accuses three Chinese tech companies of supporting widespread cyber-espionage operations tied to the Salt Typhoon campaign. The campaign, active since at least 2021, has targeted global critical infrastructure, compromising sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, and hospitality.

Analyst Comments: The involvement of commercial tech firms suggests a hybrid model of state and corporate collaboration in cyber operations. The disclosure may increase global pressure on companies to scrutinize technology supply chains and implement rapid patching for known vulnerabilities. Expect a rise in sanctions, procurement restrictions, and geopolitical friction as affected nations recalibrate their cybersecurity postures.

FROM THE MEDIA: The companies—Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology Co., Ltd, Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie Network Technology Co., Ltd, and Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. Ltd (already U.S.-sanctioned)—have allegedly provided cyber tools and services to China’s intelligence agencies, including the PLA and Ministry of State Security. The campaign compromised targets in over 80 countries, including espionage against high-profile U.S. presidential candidates in 2024. Vulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-21887 and CVE-2024-3400 were reportedly exploited. The advisory urges critical sector organizations to apply available patches and contact national cybersecurity agencies for support.

READ THE STORY: The Record

NMFTA Warns Trucking Industry of Cybersecurity Risks from Chinese Technology Components

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has issued a cybersecurity warning to the trucking industry, highlighting the risks associated with using Chinese-manufactured technology. Concerns center around embedded hardware in telematics, ELDs, and asset tracking systems that could allow unauthorized data access or supply chain surveillance.

Analyst Comments: As trucking technology becomes more interconnected with national infrastructure, seemingly small exposures could lead to significant intelligence gathering or disruption capabilities. The implications go beyond individual companies—affecting logistics, critical infrastructure, and defense. A shift toward domestic chip manufacturing and informed procurement practices could be pivotal in reducing systemic risk across the transportation sector.

FROM THE MEDIA: Highlighting China's “Made in China 2025” initiative, they warned that embedded hardware in systems like telematics and ELDs could allow remote access and data exfiltration. One cited example was Chinese-manufactured port cranes transmitting container data back to China. In trucking, such access could enable foreign actors to map logistics networks or disrupt freight movement, potentially causing cascading supply chain failures. The NMFTA plans to release a vendor checklist to help trucking companies assess supply chain risks, and experts urged blocking communications with Chinese IP addresses as a mitigation step.

READ THE STORY: CCJ

U.S. DoD Projects Rely on Node.js Utility Maintained by Russian Developer, Raising Supply Chain Concerns

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A popular Node.js utility, fast-glob, used by over 5,000 public projects—including more than 30 U.S. Department of Defense systems—is maintained solely by a Russian developer affiliated with Yandex. While there’s no evidence of malicious intent or compromise, cybersecurity experts are raising red flags about the potential for foreign influence and the lack of oversight in widely used open-source dependencies.

Analyst Comments: Fast-glob’s widespread usage and deep filesystem access make it a tempting target for compromise—even unintentionally through coercion. Although the developer has publicly denied any misconduct, the geopolitical context (especially ties to Yandex and Russia’s intelligence-linked tech sector) adds layers of risk. This incident will likely accelerate calls for mandatory vetting, multi-maintainer governance, and provenance tracking for software used in national security systems.

FROM THE MEDIA: Fast-glob, a popular open-source file-matching utility downloaded over 79 million times per week, is developed and maintained solely by a Russian developer, Denis Malinochkin, who lists employment at Yandex. U.S. cybersecurity firm Hunted Labs revealed that over 30 DoD systems and countless private and public projects rely on fast-glob. Though there are no known vulnerabilities or malicious activity, experts warn of the risk stemming from deep access to host systems and a lack of oversight. The DoD was notified weeks prior but has not commented. Malinochkin has since confirmed his role, asserting that fast-glob has never been tampered with and remains auditable. However, experts caution that open-source trust models require deeper scrutiny, especially amid increasing cyber tensions with Russia.

READ THE STORY: The Register

TAG-144 Intensifies Cyber Attacks on South American Governments with New Multi-Cluster Tactics

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): The threat actor TAG-144—also known as Blind Eagle or APT-C-36—launched at least five coordinated cyber campaigns from May 2024 to July 2025, primarily targeting Colombian government entities. These campaigns used commodity remote access trojans (RATs) and abused legitimate internet services like GitHub, Discord, and Archive.org for payload delivery, often disguising malware using steganography.

Analyst Comments: Its abuse of open-source tools, local ISPs, and VPN services suggests a deliberate effort to localize attacks and evade detection. The group’s focus on government, education, and energy sectors—especially in Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and Panama—signals strategic interest in regional disruption and data theft. Expect continued operations and likely expansion of infrastructure misuse unless mitigated by coordinated regional cybersecurity measures.

FROM THE MEDIA: These campaigns employed multi-stage infections, payloads hidden in image files, and cloud services like lovestoblog.com for malware hosting. Infrastructure analysis revealed the use of Colombian ISP IP addresses, dynamic DNS providers like duckdns.org, and VPNs such as TorGuard. The group's phishing infrastructure impersonated financial institutions and deployed cracked malware sourced from Telegram. Overlaps between clusters and shared infrastructure suggest a highly coordinated and resilient operation. Indicators of compromise (IoCs) include specific IPs, domains, and malware hashes.

READ THE STORY: GBhackers

AI-Powered Ransomware Emerges as Criminals Exploit Generative Models for Malware Development

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): According to new threat intelligence from Anthropic and ESET, cybercriminals are now using generative AI models to write ransomware code, generate malware, and streamline cyberattacks. These developments mark a shift from using AI to craft phishing content toward full-scale AI-assisted ransomware development, lowering technical barriers for threat actors and expanding access to sophisticated attack capabilities.

Analyst Comments: Using models like Claude Code and local large language models (LLMs) allows even non-technical actors to deploy custom-built ransomware with advanced evasion tactics. While this activity remains limited to a few groups for now, it suggests that the commodification of AI-driven cybercrime may soon mirror the trajectory of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). Defenders must adopt equally intelligent detection strategies and increase oversight of LLM usage across developer environments.

FROM THE MEDIA: Anthropic researchers detailed that a UK-based threat actor, GTG-5004, used its Claude AI model to build ransomware with evasion techniques and sell it online for $400–$1,200. The actor reportedly lacks the technical skill to develop such malware independently, indicating heavy AI reliance. Anthropic has banned malicious accounts and implemented new pattern-matching protections. Meanwhile, ESET researchers revealed PromptLock, a local LLM-based ransomware proof-of-concept capable of generating malicious Lua scripts and encrypting files. Although PromptLock has not yet been deployed in real attacks, both reports highlight the ease with which generative AI can be weaponized for scalable cybercrime.

READ THE STORY: Wired

Critical Vulnerability in NVIDIA NeMo Curator Allows Remote Code Execution and Privilege Escalation

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): NVIDIA has disclosed a high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2025-23307) in its NeMo Curator software that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges across Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. The flaw affects all versions before Curator 25.07 and has been patched in the latest release.

Analyst Comments: Given NVIDIA's widespread use in AI research and enterprise environments, exploitation could enable attackers to tamper with sensitive workflows or training pipelines. Organizations using NeMo Curator should prioritize patching, as this type of flaw—tied to file parsing and code generation—could become a vector for advanced persistent threats or supply chain compromise if left unaddressed.

FROM THE MEDIA: NVIDIA released a security bulletin addressing CVE-2025-23307, a high-severity vulnerability in NeMo Curator, an AI development platform. The flaw arises from improper input handling that could allow a malicious file to trigger code injection, resulting in arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and data tampering. Classified under CWE-94, the vulnerability received a CVSS v3.1 base score 7.8. The vulnerability impacts all platforms and prior versions before Curator 25.07, now available for immediate patching. NVIDIA recommends updating via its Product Security page or GitHub repository.

READ THE STORY: GBhackers

Dark Money Group Funds Secretive Democratic Influencer Program with Tight Content Controls

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A WIRED investigation reveals that The Sixteen Thirty Fund, a major liberal dark money group, is quietly financing a program paying Democratic-aligned influencers up to $8,000 per month. The Chorus Creator Incubator Program, operated by the nonprofit arm of a Democratic influencer agency, bars participants from disclosing their involvement and imposes strict content controls. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to counter Republican dominance in digital media spaces.

Analyst Comments: The Chorus initiative reflects a shift in Democratic digital strategy, emphasizing influencer engagement while mimicking some controversial tactics right-wing networks use. However, the program’s secrecy and constraints on free expression raise ethical red flags and potential campaign finance scrutiny. The Democrats’ pivot to covert influencer marketing may close the media gap. Still, it could undermine transparency and public trust—especially if disclosure rules are skirted under the guise of nonprofit operations.

FROM THE MEDIA: The program offers tiered compensation (up to $8,000/month), messaging check-ins, and political training sessions. Critics argue the model exploits creators and obscures the financial relationships behind political content. Influencers featured on Chorus’ fundraising materials have also accused the group of using their likeness without permission. While similar dark money tactics are common in right-wing media, this represents a notable—and controversial—escalation by liberal actors.

READ THE STORY: Wired

Items of interest

China’s Cybersecurity Strategy Rooted in Defense-Through-Offense Philosophy

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): China’s cybersecurity industry has been shaped by a defense-through-offense mindset that originated in grassroots hacker culture during the 1990s. This philosophy—believing one must master offensive techniques to mount effective defense—has since been institutionalized across universities, private firms, and national policy. Today, it underpins the innovation driving China’s cybersecurity sector and contributes to the operational readiness of its APT groups.

Analyst Comments: The evolution of China’s cybersecurity model reflects a long-term strategic commitment to fusing offensive and defensive capabilities. Unlike Western systems, which tend to separate red and blue team functions, China has built a tightly integrated ecosystem where the two are symbiotic. As cybersecurity becomes a core national security pillar, relying on private-sector offensive talent—often recruited from CTF competitions—increases the likelihood that such skills will feed directly into state cyber operations. This institutionalized offense-driven training pipeline offers China a strategic edge in adaptability, threat simulation, and attack resilience.

FROM THE MEDIA: His teaching materials emphasized offensive hacking as a path to better defense and inspired many who would later become influential figures in China’s cyber sector. By the early 2000s, nationalist hacker groups such as the China Eagle Union and Honker Union adopted this mindset, viewing offensive cyber actions as patriotic defense. As formal cybersecurity education and competitions like CTFs expanded in the 2010s, many participants transitioned into entrepreneurial ventures, founding firms specializing in red teaming and active threat simulation. Government policy shifts—especially post-Snowden—catalyzed industry alignment around this attack-defend integration, now

READ THE STORY: Natto Thoughts

Agentic AI - how bots came for our workflows and drudgery (Video)

FROM THE MEDIA: The latest innovation in the AI workplace revolution features agents that make decisions and act alone, with minimal human involvement. Working It editor Isabel Berwick looks beyond the hype to find out what agentic AI means for the future of work.

Hacking America | Chinese hackers target devices (Video)

FROM THE MEDIA: Critical infrastructure across America is at risk. The FBI Director is warning of a growing threat of Chinese cyberattacks against our electrical grids, pipelines, water treatment plants, transportation systems, etc.

The selected stories cover a broad array of cyber threats and are intended to aid readers in framing key publicly discussed threats and overall situational awareness. InfoDom Securities does not endorse any third-party claims made in its original material or related links on its sites; the opinions expressed by third parties are theirs alone. For further questions, please contact InfoDom Securities at dominanceinformation@gmail.com.