Monday, Sep 08, 2025 // (IG): BB // GITHUB // SN R&D
Actively Exploited SAP S/4HANA Superuser Bug (CVE-2025-42957) Demands Immediate Patch
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A critical 9.9-rated vulnerability in SAP S/4HANA (CVE-2025-42957) is under active exploitation. It allows low-privileged users to inject ABAP code and gain full administrative control. A patch was issued in August, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to complete compromise.
Analyst Comments: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms like SAP S/4HANA are high-value targets due to their deep integration with core business functions. This exploit allows attackers to bypass security controls, exfiltrate sensitive data, or manipulate financial records, posing a threat to operational integrity. The simplicity of the attack path makes it attractive to both nation-state actors and financially motivated groups. Expect increased exploitation if patch uptake remains slow.
FROM THE MEDIA: SecurityBridge researchers confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2025-42957, a severe SAP S/4HANA vulnerability that enables arbitrary ABAP code injection. The flaw affects both on-premise and private cloud deployments and was patched in August 2025. Attackers can escalate privileges to superuser, bypassing authorization checks to create SAP_ALL accounts, manipulate data, and implant persistent backdoors. A proof-of-concept video by SecurityBridge demonstrates how trivial exploitation can be. SAP has not yet issued a public statement. Organizations are advised to apply the patch immediately and monitor for unusual ABAP changes, RFC activity, and unauthorized admin account creation.
READ THE STORY: The Register
GPUGate Malware Exploits Google Ads and GitHub to Evade Detection and Target IT Professionals
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Security researchers at Arctic Wolf have identified a stealthy malware campaign using Google Ads and GitHub to distribute “GPUGate,” a hardware-aware threat designed to bypass sandbox analysis and infect high-value IT sector targets. The malware activates only on systems with real GPUs, using the OpenCL API to trigger payload decryption.
Analyst Comments: GPUGate exemplifies a rising trend in adversarial innovation: hardware-gated malware that evades traditional detection by leveraging the host machine's GPU characteristics. This approach marks a new phase in sandbox evasion, significantly complicating automated threat analysis. By embedding payload activation in legitimate-seeming software and abusing trusted infrastructure like GitHub and Google Ads, threat actors are refining their tactics for maximum reach and minimum detection. The campaign’s targeting of IT professionals suggests a likely objective of supply chain compromise, credential theft, or ransomware deployment.
FROM THE MEDIA: Arctic Wolf researchers uncovered a campaign that abused Google’s sponsored search results to impersonate official GitHub Desktop downloads. Victims were redirected to a GitHub commit referencing a malicious installer hosted on a fake site (gitpage[.]app). The file, disguised as a 128MB GitHub Desktop installer, contained over 100 dummy binaries and a GPU-sensitive OpenCL routine. Only devices with real GPUs and names longer than 10 characters triggered proper AES key generation for payload decryption. Once decrypted, the malware disabled Microsoft Defender, established persistence with PowerShell, and downloaded further payloads, including ransomware and info-stealers. The campaign appears to be orchestrated by a Russian-speaking APT and targets IT professionals in Western Europe.
READ THE STORY: Cyber Press
Phishing Campaign Uses Weaponized SVG Files to Evade Antivirus and Deliver Malware
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Over 500 malicious SVG files have been linked to a stealthy phishing campaign targeting users with malware-laced downloads via spoofed Colombian government portals. The files embedded obfuscated HTML and JavaScript to simulate legitimate web pages, bypassing antivirus engines and delivering signed malicious payloads.
Analyst Comments: This campaign underscores a growing trend in file-based evasion, leveraging legitimate formats like SVGs as covert delivery mechanisms. Embedding JavaScript directly into image files exploits overlooked features in the SVG standard, making detection by traditional AV engines difficult. Since nearly 10% of these files were undetected at submission, defenders must adopt more dynamic behavioral analysis methods and review how inline content is handled across email clients and cloud services.
FROM THE MEDIA: VirusTotal revealed a phishing operation using malicious SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files to spoof Colombia's judicial system and deliver malware. One infected SVG rendered a fake legal notification in-browser with a download button that delivered a ZIP archive. Inside was a signed Comodo Dragon browser executable and a sideloaded malicious DLL. The attack leveraged SVG's support for embedded JavaScript and HTML, enabling it to mimic full phishing websites even when attached to emails or hosted online. VirusTotal retrospectively linked 523 SVGs to this campaign, with 44 files entirely undetected by antivirus tools at submission. Obfuscation techniques and garbage code were used to evade static analysis. Microsoft has since moved to disable inline SVG rendering in Outlook to mitigate this threat vector.
READ THE STORY: Tom's Hardware
Mossad’s Beeper Operation Undermined Hezbollah with Tech-Driven Psychological Warfare
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Mossad covertly distributed compromised beepers to Hezbollah operatives. Some exploded, while others enabled surveillance, sowing distrust and causing internal breakdowns. The campaign disrupted Hezbollah operations, eroded internal cohesion, and demonstrated the power of psychological and technological tactics in modern counterterrorism.
Analyst Comments: Weaponizing trust through everyday technology marks a strategic evolution in counterterrorism, achieving both kinetic and psychological impacts without conventional force. Hezbollah’s command chain degraded under the weight of internal suspicion, revealing how non-lethal tools can paralyze adversaries. Intelligence agencies are increasingly focusing on exploiting the digital dependencies of militant groups, suggesting future operations will pivot to app-based infiltration, crypto sabotage, and AI-driven disinformation. Mossad’s success illustrates how psychological operations scale when combined with precision technology.
FROM THE MEDIA: Some of these devices were designed to explode, killing at least a dozen militants, while others allowed for remote surveillance. The uncertainty of which pagers were compromised created widespread paranoia among Hezbollah ranks, destabilizing operational trust. Commanders became hesitant to communicate, fearing exposure or death, which slowed coordination and fractured leadership cohesion. Reports suggest over 2,700 injuries resulted from the operation. The beeper campaign set a precedent for non-traditional warfare, demonstrating that even low-tech tools can become high-impact weapons when leveraged strategically.
READ THE STORY: The Times of Israel
China’s Cyber Ambitions: How Beijing’s APT Strategy Aligns with Economic and Political Goals
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): China’s cyber operations, led by advanced persistent threat (APT) groups such as APT41, APT10, APT27, and others, are tightly integrated into the country’s Five-Year Plans and geopolitical strategy. These operations serve dual purposes: industrial espionage to support economic self-sufficiency and influence campaigns to exert political pressure on rivals. From targeted campaigns in healthcare, semiconductors, and telecommunications to deep political interference across Asia, Europe, and the US, China’s cyber playbook demonstrates strategic depth and long-term planning.
Analyst Comments: Beijing’s use of cyber capabilities is not opportunistic but systemic. The alignment of APT activity with China’s state planning cycles reveals a centralized and adaptive intelligence apparatus. Future cyber campaigns will likely follow the emerging priorities in China's 15th Five-Year Plan, such as AI, green energy, biotechnology, and food security. Additionally, increased use of deepfake disinformation and covert ransomware by state-backed groups signals a shift toward hybrid cyber operations aimed at blurring the lines between espionage, sabotage, and influence. Europe, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia remain key targets for Chinese expansionism—digitally and geopolitically.
FROM THE MEDIA: These groups have executed sophisticated espionage campaigns targeting healthcare systems, semiconductor manufacturers, critical infrastructure, and political institutions across Asia, Europe, and North America. The article further underscores China’s growing use of ransomware as a cover for espionage and its hybrid digital-political strategy, including disinformation efforts and deepfake propaganda in the Philippines and Taiwan. The comprehensive report reveals a digital offensive strategy intertwined with Beijing’s industrial policy and geopolitical ambitions.
READ THE STORY: RHC
Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Expands Cyber and Drone Operations to Counter Evolving Russian Threats
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate has dramatically expanded its capabilities since the full-scale invasion, integrating cyber operations, AI-driven analytics, and special operations to confront Russia’s evolving battlefield strategies. Despite Russia’s depletion of up to 75% of its Soviet-era arms, its defense industry continues producing advanced weaponry, while also employing drones, foreign labor, and upgraded missile technology.
Analyst Comments: Ukraine is modernizing its intelligence operations in response to Russia’s adaptive warfare tactics, including the integration of AI for threat analysis and the expansion of offensive cyber capabilities. Russia’s long-term military planning suggests it aims to sustain both conventional and drone-centric strategies, signaling a commitment to high-intensity conflict beyond Ukraine. Additionally, partnerships with nations like North Korea in defense production indicate Moscow's resilience despite international sanctions. This prolonged, hybrid war model is a stark departure from modern short-duration conflicts, and Western nations may need to recalibrate their readiness and response capabilities accordingly.
FROM THE MEDIA: Since the invasion began, Ukraine has bolstered aerospace, cyber, and human intelligence, while forming specialized units like Artan and Kraken. Intelligence work now incorporates AI and NATO standards to analyze battlefield dynamics. Skibitskyi revealed that Russia has used 50–75% of its old weapon stockpiles, but is still producing significant quantities of tanks, drones, missiles, and artillery. Despite limited threats from Belarus and the presence of North Korean workers in Russia, Ukraine anticipates complex, combined air strikes involving modernized Shahed drones and upgraded missiles like the Kh-101. International cooperation remains strong, particularly in intelligence sharing and weapons analysis. Skibitskyi emphasized that while the EU recognizes Russia’s hybrid threats—cyberattacks, propaganda, and election interference—its ability to respond decisively remains uncertain.
READ THE STORY: UKRINFORM
Houthi Drone Breaches Israeli Defenses, Strikes Ramon Airport Terminal
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A Houthi drone launched from Yemen struck Israel’s Ramon Airport on September 7, injuring two civilians and exposing a lapse in Israeli air defenses. The Iran-backed group claims the attack is part of a broader escalation targeting Israeli airports and has vowed continued operations.
Analyst Comments: The strike signals a concerning evolution in the Houthis' long-range capabilities and Israel’s vulnerability to drone saturation tactics. By framing the attack as solidarity with Gaza, the Houthis enhance their regional propaganda value while inflicting economic and psychological strain on Israel. The use of increasingly lethal munitions—such as cluster warheads—points to a deepening Iranian role in operational support. A sustained aerial and maritime campaign, if unchecked, risks normalizing asymmetric attacks on Israeli infrastructure and could prompt broader regional escalation.
FROM THE MEDIA: Two civilians were injured—a man by shrapnel and a woman who fell during the chaos. Although Israeli defenses intercepted three other drones, the fourth was misclassified by the Israeli Air Force and failed to trigger sirens. The Houthis claimed they launched eight drones and warned of further strikes on Israeli airports. The group has increased both the frequency and lethality of its attacks, recently deploying missiles with cluster munitions. Since March, at least 80 ballistic missiles and 31 drones have been launched at Israel.
READ THE STORY: FDD
Iranian Army Commander: Unity Withstood Israeli, Economic, and Psychological Pressures
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A senior Iranian military official claims foreign adversaries, including Israel and the U.S., have failed to fracture Iran’s internal unity through war, economic hardship, and psychological operations. The remarks come amid rising regional tensions and recent conflict with Israel.
Analyst Comments: Iran’s messaging emphasizes domestic unity as both a defensive and offensive posture, particularly after the recent 12-day war with Israel. Framing public resilience as a victory against external manipulation allows Tehran to deflect from internal unrest and economic distress while reinforcing state legitimacy. Highlighting generational patriotism may also signal an effort to counter growing dissent among youth and assert regime continuity despite mounting challenges.
FROM THE MEDIA: Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army, stated during a memorial event in Gilan Province that Iran’s enemies are “constantly seeking” to undermine national cohesion. He praised Iran’s resistance during the 1979 Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Sayyari claimed Israeli attempts to incite public unrest failed and instead strengthened solidarity. He also credited younger generations with being more committed to national defense, asserting that “cultural and hybrid offensives” by foreign powers had failed to weaken Iran’s resolve.
READ THE STORY: IFP
Xi and Putin Eye Digital Immortality as China Accelerates Brain-Computer Interface Agenda
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed the possibility of using organ transplants to extend their lives, amid broader efforts by China to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Beijing has launched a national initiative to fast-track BCI adoption by 2027 and aims to create globally dominant BCI firms by 2030, raising concerns about digital authoritarianism and post-human rule.
Analyst Comments: Integrating cognitive data and artificial intelligence into governance structures opens the door to a future where authoritarian figures persist digitally beyond their biological lifespans. With China aggressively standardizing and industrializing BCI technology, the infrastructure for a “brain-in-a-box” form of rule is rapidly materializing. AI simulations of leaders could be used to justify policy decisions, reinforce propaganda, or symbolically extend dynastic control. Resistance to such entities may be futile if embedded in command systems or autonomous military platforms.
FROM THE MEDIA: During a private conversation, Xi and Putin reportedly explored life-extension through organ transplants, reflecting ambitions to remain in power indefinitely. At the same time, China has launched a comprehensive BCI strategy, calling for accelerated adoption of commercial and industrial brain-computer interface technologies by 2027. The policy mandates developing a secure ecosystem and aims to establish two to three globally competitive BCI enterprises by 2030. Nvidia AI executive Simon See stated that digital reconstructions of historical figures using AI are feasible, suggesting future use cases for interactive digital leaders. China has already trained a large language model on Xi Jinping's ideology, reinforcing the foundation for synthetic statecraft.
READ THE STORY: The Register
Red Sea Cable Cuts Disrupt Internet Across Middle East and South Asia
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Multiple undersea cable breaks in the Red Sea have caused widespread internet disruptions in the Middle East and South Asia, affecting Microsoft’s Azure cloud services and general connectivity in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and India. The cause of the cable cuts remains unclear, though previous warnings suggested they could be targeted.
Analyst Comments: Undersea infrastructure is increasingly a soft target in geopolitical conflicts, offering asymmetric disruption at relatively low cost. The Red Sea’s strategic importance as a digital and maritime chokepoint makes it a high-risk zone for intentional sabotage. If confirmed to be targeted, these cable cuts could mark a dangerous escalation in hybrid warfare—particularly given recent Houthi threats. Cloud providers and regional governments may accelerate diversification of data routes and introduce new cable hardening initiatives to counter these threats.
FROM THE MEDIA: Microsoft confirmed increased latency in its Azure cloud traffic, particularly for routes transiting the Middle East, though general global network performance remains stable. Connectivity watchdog NetBlocks observed degraded access in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and India. Pakistan Telecom warned customers of possible performance issues during peak hours. The origin of the cable damage is unknown, but past claims by Yemen’s internationally recognized government alleged that the Houthis planned undersea attacks. Al Masirah TV, a Houthi outlet, acknowledged the cable outages, citing NetBlocks data.
READ THE STORY: Aljazeera
Poland and Ukraine Bury WWII Dead in Western Ukraine, Pushing Forward Reconciliation
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Polish and Ukrainian officials oversaw the burial of 42 Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II in the former Polish village of Puznyky, now in western Ukraine. The event followed a long-negotiated agreement allowing Poland to exhume victims’ remains and marked a significant gesture of reconciliation between the two wartime-scarred allies.
Analyst Comments: Reconciliation through joint remembrance projects demonstrates a rare case of wartime memory being used to strengthen, rather than fracture, regional alliances. By acknowledging historic atrocities without fueling nationalist backlash, Poland and Ukraine signal political maturity in the face of Russian aggression. However, the term “genocide” remains a flashpoint, and further exhumation efforts may reignite tensions. This effort also sets a precedent for post-conflict societies balancing historical accountability with geopolitical solidarity.
FROM THE MEDIA: The burial followed an agreement that allowed Poland to access exhumation sites in Ukrainian territory previously under Polish control. The simple ceremony featured priests, wreaths, and both nations’ flags, and was attended by officials and survivors. Poland hopes to continue identifying and burying more victims from the 1943–1945 massacres, which killed an estimated 100,000 Poles. While Poland describes the killings as genocide, Ukraine maintains they were part of a broader wartime conflict in which both sides suffered losses.
READ THE STORY: Reuters
China’s Middle Class Flocks to Tokyo as Japan Becomes an Unlikely Safe Haven
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A growing wave of middle-class Chinese citizens—dubbed the Run-ri—emigrate to Tokyo, driven by authoritarianism, social competition, and economic volatility in China. Japan’s political stability, high quality of life, and accessible residency options have made it a top destination, with Chinese immigration significantly impacting Tokyo’s real estate market and demographics.
Analyst Comments: This migration wave reflects a broader shift in Asia's geopolitical psychology: educated, affluent Chinese are fleeing a rising authoritarian regime and choosing a former wartime adversary as a refuge. Japan is quietly transforming into a strategic fallback zone for disillusioned professionals, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs from China. If this trend continues, it could reshape Tokyo’s social fabric, pressure Japanese immigration policy, and challenge domestic views on national identity. The Run-ri influx also raises concerns in Beijing, where intelligence agencies may view Tokyo’s growing Chinese intellectual diaspora as a threat.
FROM THE MEDIA: Tokyo neighborhoods such as Bunkyo and Toyosu are becoming hubs for affluent Chinese, drawn by good schools, relative personal freedoms, and visa-friendly residency pathways. The phenomenon has accelerated since the COVID-era lockdowns in China, leading to a property boom, with some developments seeing 20% or more Chinese ownership. Underground banking channels are frequently used to circumvent capital restrictions from China. Beyond real estate, new Chinese-run bookstores and social spaces are emerging, offering banned literature and open political discourse—activities unthinkable back home. Experts warn that this could provoke greater scrutiny from Chinese intelligence.
READ THE STORY: FT
Unauthorized U.S. Navy SEAL Raid in North Korea Exposed: Fatal Mistake, Zero Intel Gain
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A 2019 covert operation by Navy SEALs intended to plant a listening device in North Korea resulted in the deaths of local fishermen and an aborted mission. The Trump administration failed to notify congressional intelligence committees before or after the raid, potentially violating federal oversight laws.
Analyst Comments: Launching unsanctioned kinetic operations against a nuclear state risks catastrophic escalation, particularly when civilian casualties are involved. With no intelligence gained and diplomatic exposure heightened, the event underscores a pattern of circumventing legal oversight in pursuit of aggressive intelligence goals. Congressional intelligence authorities may pursue retroactive accountability measures or reinforce statutory reporting requirements for covert action. Future administrations face increasing pressure to balance operational secrecy with lawful transparency.
FROM THE MEDIA: In early 2019, Navy SEALs were deployed under direct presidential authority to infiltrate North Korea and install surveillance equipment aimed at monitoring Kim Jong Un’s regime. The team aborted the mission after encountering a vessel they believed to be a patrol boat. SEALs opened fire, killing all aboard—only to later determine they had mistakenly killed unarmed fishermen. The operation was never disclosed to congressional intelligence leaders, as the law requires. Officials familiar with the event said the legal breach and failed execution represent one of the most sensitive covert operations of the Trump presidency.
READ THE STORY: SpyWeek
Items of interest
Black Market for Nvidia GPUs Thrives Despite U.S. Export Controls, Investigation Finds
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A new investigative documentary by Gamers Nexus reveals a growing black market for Nvidia GPUs smuggled into China, circumventing U.S. export controls. While the U.S. restricts the export of high-performance chips like the RTX 4090 and Grace Blackwell systems to China, middlemen and traders exploit loopholes in enforcement to funnel banned hardware into the PRC, often via Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Analyst Comments: While Nvidia and U.S. officials deny widespread smuggling, the reporting suggests a thriving gray-to-black market, complete with resellers, test labs, and modification shops operating in legal gray zones. The story underscores a critical policy dilemma: the U.S. government wants to block China’s access to cutting-edge AI hardware while still depending on Chinese manufacturing to build it. Without better traceability and domestic alternatives, the U.S. risks enabling the technological edge it seeks to deny Beijing.
FROM THE MEDIA: ChinaTalk published a detailed summary of an investigative project by Steve Burke, editor-in-chief of Gamers Nexus, tracking how export-restricted Nvidia GPUs like the RTX 4090 and Grace Blackwell systems are smuggled into China. Burke traced the illicit supply chain from U.S.-based resellers using Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, to middlemen in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and finally to buyers and modders in China. The investigation revealed GPU-packed shipments hidden in lobsters and fake pregnancy suits, a bustling ecosystem of modification shops keeping restricted hardware in circulation, and a lack of systematic tracking or enforcement by U.S. authorities. Despite Nvidia’s public denials, the documentary captured photos and footage of banned GPUs openly sold and modified in China. With most Nvidia hardware still assembled in Chinese factories, Burke argues that U.S. export controls are technically flawed and practically unenforceable.
READ THE STORY: China Talk
THE NVIDIA AI GPU BLACK MARKET (Video)
FROM THE MEDIA: Despite these controls, smuggling networks thrive. The video highlights figures like “The Plug,” a U.S.-based Chinese citizen who buys GPUs on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and resells them to China. In Hong Kong, computer malls openly stock high-end GPUs like the RTX 5090, making U.S. restrictions look porous.
Chinese entrepreneur Exposes Smuggled Nvidia H100/H200 Chips: Uncovering China’s AI Black Market (Video)
FROM THE MEDIA: There are some gaps in the U.S. export controls. For example, some Chinese companies use U.S. exemption clauses or find other ways to bypass the restrictions. For instance, Nvidia doesn't sell chips directly to AI customers worldwide. Instead, they sell the chips to companies like Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer. These companies then build complete AI servers or AI systems and deliver them to customers.
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.