$ Security Researcher // Cloud & Identity {HUmar Skyly // Professional Hogger Hunter} {Opinions are my Own}

Massillon, Ohio
Joined May 2014
Terrance DeJesus retweeted
Re: the ConnectWise incident. App Instance Lock is the default in Entra ID as of June 2026. It's a good idea to go back now make sure it is enabled for multi-tenant apps: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/en…
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
More #connectwise iocs
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Microsoft Threat Intelligence is tracking an active supply chain attack in which a threat actor compromised the trusted OAuth App of the backup application ConnectWise Cloud Backup (AppId: 506e08f9-6e9a-4da4-942b-a099a03644ae), formerly SkyKick Backup, to obtain access tokens across customer tenants. ConnectWise Cloud Backup is a multitenant vendor application; customers grant consent for the application to operate in their tenants. We assess that the threat actor likely abused permissions previously granted by customers to the application, including highly elevated permissions like Directory.ReadWrite.All. On October 15, 2026, we observed broad successful service principal authentication originating from the IP address 144.172.64[.]128. Follow-on activity included Microsoft Graph API reconnaissance and attempts to add additional credentials on the related service principal in target tenants to maintain direct access as a backdoor. Microsoft Defender detects post-exploitation activity with the following alerts: - Any alert related to "Suspicious sign-in" - Graph API activity from a Microsoft threat intelligence IP address - Verified Threat Actor IP Defenders should review service principal sign-ins from unrecognized IP addresses, app credential changes, and OAuth grant activity associated with this specific OAuth AppId. In addition, we recommend looking for Threat Intelligence alerts on matching of IP against the Graph API activity and service principal activities. We will continue to monitor this incident and will share updates as they become available. We encourage customers to check ConnectWise advisory for more information and additional guidance: msft.it/6013aQBvV. Indicators of compromise (IOCs): - App name: ConnectWise Cloud Backup - AppId: 506e08f9-6e9a-4da4-942b-a099a03644ae - Publisher name: SkyKick - Source IP: 144.172.64[.]128 - User agents: Python-urllib/3.12, python-requests/2.31, python-requests/2.34.2
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
RAPID RESPONSE: Huntress has become aware of a widespread security incident involving ConnectWise Cloud Backup (formerly SkyKick). We’ve confirmed that an unknown threat actor abused the access they obtained in SkyKick to pivot to access customers' Microsoft 365 environments. 🧵
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
If we don't trust agents, why do we trust the environments they build in? Containers aren't enough. Shared kernels aren't enough. Every piece of software will need real isolation. we've built minimal to give every agent its own microVM on your machine. You decide exactly what it can touch. Isolation should be the default.
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571 IIS servers hijacked using machine keys from public docs. @soolidsnakee and @k33b0i break down REF3927 at @virusbtn VB2026 • Today, 15:00 CEST in the Green room. Talk abstract and kill chain outline: go.es.io/3Us9kSw Full blog: go.es.io/4hZ5TKG
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
We identified an Iran-aligned actor targeting Middle East critical infrastructure in aviation and telecom. Attackers used Dubai Airports coding lures, a Peaky Blinders theme, weaponized .csproj files and GitHub C2 to deploy a RAT. Read our full analysis: bit.ly/3WhXqLt
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
How do you prioritize prebuilt detection rules when there are hundreds to choose from? Elastic SIEM uses real fleet telemetry to tag rules based on noise, performance, threat coverage, and overall profile refreshed monthly. elastic.co/security-labs/thr…
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
🤖 New chapter: #AgentIdentities in the Attack & Defense Playbook for #MicrosoftEntra is live! 🔗 github.com/Cloud-Architekt/A… Together with @samilamppu, @RobbeVdDaele, and @DerkvanDerWoude, I’ve been researching #AgentID foundations, attack scenarios, detections, and mitigations.
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
APT Encyclopedia Threat Intelligence Database cyllex.io/encyclopedia/
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Storm-2945, a sub-cluster of the Russian state actor Midnight Blizzard, has resumed their CaptiveCrunch campaign. msft.it/6019aWMDf First reported by Microsoft Threat Intelligence in July 2026, the campaign uses manipulated network traffic and captive portals in the hospitality sector to gain access to targets. The renewed activity is consistent with reporting from Black Lotus Labs suggesting that multiple managed service providers are implicated; Storm-2945’s continued access to these upstream providers has likely enabled this rapid re-deployment. We have updated our blog to provide more recent network infrastructure indicators, detections, and hunting guidance. We want to thank Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) for their collaboration on tracking the reemergence of this activity.
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
Microsoft Threat Intelligence has identified a cluster of compromised websites leading to ClickFix attacks. Instead of downloading and executing remote payloads like the typical attack pattern, in this attack, the websites pre-fetch a script payload into the browser cache disguised as a PNG file. When a user is later tricked into executing the malicious command, the cached website content is already on the device, loaded, and ready to be executed. This helps to hide the payload script and helps bypass the character limit of the Run dialog. ClickFix attacks persuade users to execute attacker-supplied commands under the guise of verification or repair. In this specific campaign, a fake lure instructs users to open Windows Run, paste clipboard content and press Enter. The injected page uses browser caching to stage the larger VBScript payload separately from the Run command. The command invokes cmd.exe to recursively enumerate files whose names start with "f_” in the browser’s profile folder such as %LOCALAPPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles. It compares each file’s byte length with an expected value. Rather than searching for a marker within the contents like previous attacks, it copies a size-matching cache entry to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp\t.vbs, giving the cached payload a VBScript extension, then executes it with wscript.exe. Copy output and errors are suppressed. The expected size varies across variants. The VBScript collects host information through WMI, retrieves v.ps1 from cocojambo[.]us[.]com/alfa, and launches PowerShell without a profile and with execution-policy bypass. A later PowerShell stage downloads the next-stage payload as cab.dat, then reads and executes its contents in a hidden window. The PowerShell stage triggers .NET compilation using csc.exe and cvtres.exe, then launches timeout.exe. Subsequent payloads load .NET assemblies into memory and inject code into timeout.exe to target browser and device credentials. The injected process launches PowerShell to retrieve another in-memory stage from capsysnet[.]vg and makes outbound connections to ciliabula[.]cc. The payload modifies the per-user PowerShell registry configuration to use the Bypass execution policy, then unpacks Python with tar.exe and creates a scheduled task that launches a Python payload through pythonw.exe for persistence. Microsoft Defender provides layered protection across the ClickFix attack chain. Defender SmartScreen and Defender for Office 365 help block malicious sites, links, attachments, and fake CAPTCHA lures, while Defender for Endpoint detects suspicious command execution and outbound connections through alerts like “Possible ClickFix activity”. Defender Antivirus blocks malicious command execution as Trojan:Win32/ClickFix and Trojan:Win32/TermFix. Microsoft recommends cloud-delivered, web, and network protection, application control, and PowerShell script-block logging. Hunt across browser activity, RunMRU registry key, WScript/PowerShell child processes and scheduled tasks, not download events alone. A CAPTCHA should not ask users to run code. Users shouln not paste commands from verification prompts into Run, Terminal or PowerShell and should treats such requests as potential initial access attempts.
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Microsoft Threat Intelligence has identified a cluster of compromised websites leading to ClickFix attacks. Instead of downloading and executing remote payloads like the typical attack pattern, in this attack, the websites pre-fetch a script payload into the browser cache disguised as a PNG file. When a user is later tricked into executing the malicious command, the cached website content is already on the device, loaded, and ready to be executed. This helps to hide the payload script and helps bypass the character limit of the Run dialog. ClickFix attacks persuade users to execute attacker-supplied commands under the guise of verification or repair. In this specific campaign, a fake lure instructs users to open Windows Run, paste clipboard content and press Enter. The injected page uses browser caching to stage the larger VBScript payload separately from the Run command. The command invokes cmd.exe to recursively enumerate files whose names start with "f_” in the browser’s profile folder such as %LOCALAPPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles. It compares each file’s byte length with an expected value. Rather than searching for a marker within the contents like previous attacks, it copies a size-matching cache entry to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp\t.vbs, giving the cached payload a VBScript extension, then executes it with wscript.exe. Copy output and errors are suppressed. The expected size varies across variants. The VBScript collects host information through WMI, retrieves v.ps1 from cocojambo[.]us[.]com/alfa, and launches PowerShell without a profile and with execution-policy bypass. A later PowerShell stage downloads the next-stage payload as cab.dat, then reads and executes its contents in a hidden window. The PowerShell stage triggers .NET compilation using csc.exe and cvtres.exe, then launches timeout.exe. Subsequent payloads load .NET assemblies into memory and inject code into timeout.exe to target browser and device credentials. The injected process launches PowerShell to retrieve another in-memory stage from capsysnet[.]vg and makes outbound connections to ciliabula[.]cc. The payload modifies the per-user PowerShell registry configuration to use the Bypass execution policy, then unpacks Python with tar.exe and creates a scheduled task that launches a Python payload through pythonw.exe for persistence. Microsoft Defender provides layered protection across the ClickFix attack chain. Defender SmartScreen and Defender for Office 365 help block malicious sites, links, attachments, and fake CAPTCHA lures, while Defender for Endpoint detects suspicious command execution and outbound connections through alerts like “Possible ClickFix activity”. Defender Antivirus blocks malicious command execution as Trojan:Win32/ClickFix and Trojan:Win32/TermFix. Microsoft recommends cloud-delivered, web, and network protection, application control, and PowerShell script-block logging. Hunt across browser activity, RunMRU registry key, WScript/PowerShell child processes and scheduled tasks, not download events alone. A CAPTCHA should not ask users to run code. Users shouln not paste commands from verification prompts into Run, Terminal or PowerShell and should treats such requests as potential initial access attempts.
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
#MDDR 2026 is out – a must-read for everyone in #MicrosoftSecurity. Password spray still leads by volume, but post-authentication attacks keep gaining ground: token theft shows up as a distinct post-compromise tactic. Check out the full report: aka.ms/MDDR2026
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
Patched NetScalers rebooting today: a SAML exploit tries to drop a persistent kit and crashes them trying. Using SAML? Call Citrix for the workaround. Free checker v1.10 finds the kit, the crashes, backdoor admins, 58 IPs: github.com/ThomasPoppelgaard… #NetScaler
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
Great find/disclosure/blog by @Huntio hunt.io/blog/sonicwall-sma10…
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
Today we’re announcing Operation KillSwitch, a joint sequenced operation led by @FBISanJuan targeting the Kill Security Ransomware Group (“KillSec”). Authorities in the U.S. and Europe took control of KillSec’s leak site, securing at least 110 terabytes of data against further criminal access, and arrested Dutch national Fouad Eltibrizi, an alleged KillSec member who is now pending extradition to the United States. As part of this global operation, @FBI and its partners made two additional arrests and carried out eight residential searches across Europe, seizing digital infrastructure, evidence, and criminal assets. KillSec conducts targeted intrusions worldwide, exploiting vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data and extort victims. The group is linked to 1,000 suspected cyberattacks across the globe. The arrests and other actions have imposed serious cost and degraded the adversary’s core capabilities. We have undermined the group’s ability to rebuild, limited their operational reach, and reduced the likelihood of future attacks. The operation was conducted in close cooperation with Europol, Eurojust, Germany (LKA541), Spain (Guardia Civil and Mossos d’Esquadra), the United Kingdom (Eastern Region Special Operations Unit), Romania (Central Cybercrime Unit), Greece (Hellenic Police), Belgium (Federal Police), as well as authorities in Switzerland (Federal Office of Police). The Netherlands also provided valuable assistance leading up to the takedown. justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/dutch…
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Terrance DeJesus retweeted
A major update to our Threat Brief on NetScaler vulnerabilities CVE-2026-88771 and CVE-2026-88772 includes pre-disclosure activity and threat hunting queries: bit.ly/4iTXoCX
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The 2026 Microsoft Digital Defense Report is out today, examining a threat landscape increasingly defined by interdependence. Read the full report: msft.it/6018alHd6 Connections among identities, AI systems, cloud services, software supply chains, edge infrastructure, and critical systems can create points of leverage where one compromise has effects far beyond the initial target. AI is accelerating familiar threat actor tradecraft rather than replacing it. Identity compromise, credential reuse, social engineering, and exploitation remain prevalent, but automation enables adversaries to conduct these activities with greater speed and scale. In 52.2% of intrusions involving valid accounts, attackers pursued additional credential theft, creating opportunities for one compromised identity to fuel further unauthorized access. These operations leave signals across identities, endpoints, infrastructure, applications, cloud environments, email, and networks. Individually, those signals may provide only a partial view. When correlated with threat intelligence, they can reveal threat actor activity across campaigns, clarify how an intrusion is progressing, and surface risks that isolated investigations may miss. For defenders, success increasingly depends on connecting telemetry quickly enough to understand adversary operations and act before threats can escalate. Get more insights on this year’s report from Terrell Cox: msft.it/6017alHjh
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Microsoft Threat Intelligence identified and tracked exploitation of CVE-2026-73570, an unauthenticated OS command injection vulnerability affecting internet-facing mail servers that enabled compromise without authentication or user interaction. msft.it/6015aYZ6L Successful exploitation led to webshell deployment, reverse shells, privilege escalation, persistent remote access tooling, and collection of authentication and mailbox data. Microsoft observed both automated payload delivery and hands-on-keyboard activity on compromised mail servers. Analysis of confirmed compromises revealed multiple attack paths and pre-disclosure reconnaissance activity targeting the same injection path before public disclosure. Read the full research for technical details, detection opportunities, and mitigation guidance.
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