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Middle East Hack-for-Hire Operation Linked to South Asian APT Group Targets Journalists

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Middle East Hack-for-Hire Operation Linked to South Asian APT Group Targets Journalists

A sophisticated hack-for-hire operation has been uncovered in the Middle East, targeting prominent journalists and civil society figures in Egypt and Lebanon. This campaign, detected by digital rights organizations, has been traced to the Bitter advanced persistent threat (APT) group, known for its South Asian origins. The operation used spear-phishing tactics and Android malware to compromise high-profile individuals, raising alarms about the growing reach of state-sponsored cyber espionage.

How the Hack-for-Hire Operation Unfolded

In August 2025, Access Now, a global non-profit focused on digital civil rights, identified the campaign through its Digital Security Helpline. The targets included Egyptian journalists Mostafa Al‑A’sar and Ahmed Eltantawy, both vocal critics of the Egyptian government who had previously faced imprisonment. According to Access Now, the attackers launched spear-phishing attempts in October 2023 and January 2024, aiming to compromise their Apple and Google accounts.

Building on this, the attackers impersonated legitimate services and individuals, using fake profiles and messages on platforms like Signal to deliver malicious links. While Al‑A’sar entered his credentials after receiving a fake Apple notification, he avoided further engagement upon noticing a suspicious two-factor authentication alert from a distant location in Egypt. Eltantawy ignored the lures entirely, preventing any account compromise.

However, a separate attack on a Lebanese journalist, documented by the Beirut-based organization SMEX, succeeded in breaching an Apple account in 2025. The campaign began via Apple Messages and escalated through WhatsApp, using the same malicious infrastructure. Researchers noted that the attackers executed account takeovers within 30 seconds of credential submission, highlighting the speed and efficiency of this hack-for-hire operation.

ProSpy Spyware: The Tool Behind the Attacks

Mobile security firm Lookout analyzed the Android malware used in the campaign, dubbed ProSpy (also known as ToSpy by ESET). Lookout acquired 11 samples, the earliest from August 2024, revealing that ProSpy is developed in Kotlin and integrates common spyware functions like file exfiltration, contact harvesting, and microphone activation. While less sophisticated than top-tier spyware like Predator, ProSpy is actively maintained with new capabilities added over time.

The malware is distributed through two-stage attacks. First, targets are contacted via fake social media profiles or impersonated Apple Support. Then, they are tricked into clicking spear-phishing links: Apple users face fake iCloud pages, while Android users are directed to download ProSpy from deceptive domains, such as a fake ToTok app update at totok-pro[.]ai-ae[.]io. The malicious sites serve APK files in English and Arabic, using randomized URLs to evade detection.

Technical Links to the Bitter APT Group

Lookout researchers linked ProSpy to the Bitter APT group (also known as T-APT-17 and APT-C-08) through shared infrastructure and code similarities. For instance, the domain com-ae[.]net was previously tied to Bitter’s Dracarys malware. Code parallels include worker-class naming conventions and numbered command-and-control (C2) commands. Despite these links, Bitter historically targets military, energy, and government entities, not civil society. This discrepancy suggests the hack-for-hire operation may represent an expansion of Bitter’s scope or collaboration with a South Asian mercenary group, marking the first documented case of the group targeting journalists.

Broader Implications for Middle East Cyber Espionage

This campaign underscores the evolving threat landscape in the Middle East, where hack-for-hire groups increasingly target civil society. Lookout believes the operation also targeted victims in Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and potentially the US. For organizations and individuals, this highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures, such as enabling two-factor authentication and verifying communication channels. Learn more about protecting against spear-phishing attacks and securing Android devices from malware.

As digital rights groups like Access Now and SMEX continue to monitor these threats, the case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists and activists in the region. The involvement of a state-linked APT group in a hack-for-hire operation blurs the lines between state-sponsored espionage and mercenary cybercrime, demanding heightened vigilance from the international community.

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Google Introduces Unique AI Agent Identities in Gemini Enterprise Platform to Tackle Security Risks

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Google Unveils New AI Agent Security Features in Gemini Enterprise Platform

Google has taken a significant step forward in enterprise AI security with the launch of its Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. This new hub, announced at the Google Cloud Next 26 conference in Las Vegas, aims to give every AI agent a unique cryptographic identity — a move designed to bring zero-trust principles into the world of agentic AI.

As businesses increasingly rely on autonomous AI agents to handle complex tasks, the need for robust identity and access management has never been greater. The Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform addresses this by assigning each agent a traceable ID that links back to defined authorization policies. According to Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, this enables “zero trust verification at every orchestration step.”

What Is the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform?

The platform serves as a central hub for managing both Google-built and third-party AI agents. It builds on the existing Gemini Enterprise suite, which was launched a few months earlier. The Agent Platform includes several key components: the Agent Registry, a library that indexes all internal agents, tools, and skills; and the Agent Gateway, a single dashboard for enforcing policies across agent-to-agent and agent-to-tool interactions.

These features support multiple agentic AI protocols, including the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Agent2Agent (A2A). Google Cloud says the Gateway provides “secure, unified connectivity between agents and tools across any environment,” while enforcing consistent security policies and Model Armor protections against prompt injection and data leakage.

How AI Agent Identities Transform Security

Traditional non-human identities (NHIs) — such as API keys and service accounts — are deterministic and static. AI agents, by contrast, are autonomous and goal-oriented. They can understand high-level objectives, break them down into steps, and execute actions across multiple applications independently. This introduces a new class of dynamic digital entities that act on behalf of humans and make operational decisions.

To manage this complexity, the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform assigns each agent a unique cryptographic ID. Every action an agent takes is linked to this ID, making it possible to audit and trace behavior. Francis deSouza, COO of Google Cloud, emphasized that security teams need to identify both authorized and unauthorized agents used across their workforce. “When you roll out authorized agents, you want to manage their access control, what they should have access to, and that may change over time in a way that’s more dynamic than human identities,” he added.

Agent Anomaly Detection and Security Dashboard

Google Cloud also introduced Agent Anomaly Detection at Cloud Next 26. This feature uses statistical models and a large language model (LLM) as a judge to identify unusual behavior in real time. It flags potential threats like suspicious reasoning patterns. Anomaly Detection works alongside the existing Agent Threat Detection, which monitors malicious activities such as reverse shells and connections to known bad IP addresses.

Another addition is the Agent Security dashboard, powered by Google Cloud’s Security Command Center (SCC). This dashboard unifies threat detection and risk analysis within Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments. It helps security teams map relationships between AI agents and models, automate asset discovery, and scan for vulnerabilities in operating systems and language packages.

New Cybersecurity Agents for Threat Hunting

Google also released three new AI agents specifically for cybersecurity professionals. The Threat Hunting agent helps teams proactively search for novel attack patterns and stealthy adversary behaviors that bypass traditional defenses. The Detection Engineering agent identifies coverage gaps and creates new detections for threat scenarios, transforming detection creation from a manual craft into an automated science. Both are available in preview.

Coming soon to preview, the Third-Party Context agent enriches security workflows with contextual data from external sources. When fully available, these three agents will integrate into Google Security Operations, the company’s security analytics, threat detection, and incident response platform.

Google claims its earlier Triage and Investigation agent, introduced in April 2025, processed over five million alerts in the past year, reducing “a typical 30-minute manual analysis to 60 seconds.”

Broader Ecosystem: Wiz, Dark Web Intelligence, and TPU Chips

The Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform launch was part of a broader set of announcements at Cloud Next 26. Israeli cloud security firm Wiz, acquired by Google in 2025, expanded its AI-Application Protection Platform (AI-APP) to embed security directly into developer workflows. The updates include real-time vulnerability scanning, AI-generated code security, a dynamic AI bill-of-materials (AIBOM), and automated remediation.

Google also released a new dark web intelligence feature in Google Threat Intelligence, now available in preview. Internal tests show it can analyze millions of daily external events with 98% accuracy to elevate the most critical threats.

On the hardware side, Google launched two new AI-focused processing chips: the Tensor Processing Unit 8t (TPU 8t) for AI training and the Tensor Processing Unit 8i for AI inference.

Finally, Google committed $750 million to a new agentic AI partner fund for global consulting firms, systems integrators, software partners, and channel partners. The fund aims to support AI value identification, agentic AI prototyping, agent building, deployment, and upskilling.

For more on securing AI workflows, read our guide on how security leaders can safeguard against vibe coding risks.

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Community Bank Security Lapse: How Sharing Customer Data with an AI App Led to a Major Breach

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Community Bank Security Lapse: How Sharing Customer Data with an AI App Led to a Major Breach

A regional U.S. bank recently disclosed a troubling security lapse after employee use of an unauthorized AI-based software application exposed sensitive customer information. The incident, reported by Community Bank in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, highlights the growing risks of integrating artificial intelligence tools without proper oversight.

What Happened in the Community Bank Security Lapse?

According to an 8-K filing dated May 7, Community Bank—which operates branches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia—detected that customer names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers were exposed. The bank stated that this exposure occurred due to the use of an “unauthorized artificial intelligence-based software application.”

Although the exact details remain unclear, the language in the filing suggests that an employee may have uploaded customer data to an online AI chatbot. This action could have inadvertently shared that information with the chatbot’s developer, creating a serious data breach.

The bank emphasized that it disclosed the incident “due to the volume and sensitive nature of the non-public information at issue.” Community Bank is currently evaluating the affected data and sending notifications as required by law. However, it has not yet revealed how many customers were impacted or which specific AI application was involved.

Risks of Using Unauthorized AI Apps in Banking

This security lapse underscores a broader challenge for financial institutions: the unauthorized use of AI tools by employees. Many workers, seeking efficiency, turn to third-party AI chatbots or apps without proper IT approval. In this case, the result was a leak of highly sensitive personal information.

Banks and credit unions must enforce strict policies around data sharing with external software. As AI adoption grows, so does the potential for accidental breaches. Employees need clear guidelines on what data can be input into AI systems—and what must remain confidential.

For more on protecting customer data, read our guide on cybersecurity best practices for banks.

Legal and Regulatory Implications of the Data Breach

The Community Bank incident is now under regulatory scrutiny. The SEC filing itself signals that the bank recognizes the severity of the exposure. Under U.S. data breach laws, companies must notify affected individuals and regulators when sensitive data is compromised.

This case could also lead to class-action lawsuits if customers suffer identity theft or fraud as a result. Financial penalties and reputational damage are likely, especially if the bank is found to have inadequate data governance policies.

Building on this, regulators may push for stricter rules on AI usage in financial services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies have already warned banks about the risks of relying on unverified AI tools.

How Banks Can Prevent Similar AI-Related Security Lapses

To avoid a similar security lapse, financial institutions should take proactive steps. First, implement a comprehensive AI governance framework that requires approval for any third-party software. Second, train employees on data privacy risks and the dangers of using unauthorized apps.

Additionally, banks should deploy data loss prevention (DLP) tools that monitor and block sensitive information from being uploaded to external services. Regular audits of software usage can also help detect unauthorized tools before they cause harm.

Check out our tips on employee training for data security to build a culture of vigilance.

Lessons from the Community Bank Incident

This event serves as a cautionary tale for all organizations handling personal data. The convenience of AI must never outweigh the responsibility to protect customer privacy. As The Register first reported, the breach was discovered internally, but the damage may already be done.

Community Bank CEO John Montgomery did not respond to requests for comment, leaving many questions unanswered. However, the message is clear: unauthorized AI app usage can lead to devastating consequences.

For more insights on AI risks, explore our article on AI security challenges in finance.

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Apple Patches iOS Notification Flaw That Exposed Deleted Messages: What You Need to Know

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Apple Patches iOS Notification Bug That Exposed Deleted Messages

Apple has rolled out an urgent security update to address a troubling flaw in its Notification Services. Tracked as CVE-2026-28950, the iOS notification bug allowed deleted alerts to linger on devices, potentially leaking sensitive message content to anyone with access to the phone.

The issue, resolved in iOS 26.4.2 and iPadOS 26.4.2, stems from a logging error. Notifications marked for deletion were not properly cleared, meaning that even after a user removed a message or an app, the notification data remained cached in system storage. Apple stated that improved data redaction now prevents this persistence, but did not confirm whether the flaw was actively exploited or how long the retained data could have been accessed.

How the Notification Bug Exposed Deleted Messages

The update follows reports from 404 Media, which revealed that forensic investigators could recover deleted Signal messages from an iPhone by simply accessing stored notification data—not the app itself. Even after uninstalling Signal, the message content remained available because notifications had been cached at the system level.

Although Apple did not directly reference that case, its advisory mirrors the same behavior. The company has not explained why notification content was retained or when the issue was first introduced. This highlights a critical privacy gap: even encrypted apps like Signal can be undermined by system-level features that store notification previews.

Signal welcomed the fix. “We’re grateful to Apple for the quick action here, and for understanding and acting on the stakes of this kind of issue,” the company said in a post on X. “It takes an ecosystem to preserve the fundamental human right to private communication.”

Who Is Affected by the iOS Notification Bug?

The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Apple devices, including iPhone 11 and later models, as well as various iPads. Apple has also backported patches to iOS 18.7.8 and iPadOS 18.7.8 for older supported devices.

If you own an iPhone or iPad running an affected version, your notification history may have been storing deleted messages without your knowledge. This is especially risky for users of sensitive apps like Signal or WhatsApp, where message previews could reveal private conversations.

Steps to Protect Your Privacy

To reduce the risk of future exposure, take these precautions immediately:

  • Update your device: Install iOS 26.4.2 or iPadOS 26.4.2 without delay.
  • Change notification previews: Go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and select “Name Only” or “Never” to hide message content.
  • Review app settings: Disable notification previews for sensitive apps like messaging or banking tools.
  • Check for older patches: If you use an older device, ensure you’ve installed iOS 18.7.8 or iPadOS 18.7.8.

For a deeper look at mobile data exposure risks, read our analysis on how 92% of mobile apps use insecure cryptographic methods.

Why This iOS Notification Bug Matters for Privacy

This incident underscores a fundamental truth: encryption alone is not enough. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has previously warned that notifications can expose metadata or unencrypted content depending on how they are implemented. Even when apps use end-to-end encryption, system-level features like notification caching can create backdoors for data recovery.

Apple’s quick response is laudable, but the fact that the bug went unnoticed for so long raises questions about testing and transparency. Users should not have to worry that deleting a message or app still leaves traces in notification logs.

As a result, this update serves as a reminder to regularly review your device’s notification settings. For more tips on securing your digital life, check out our guide on essential iPhone privacy settings.

Building on this, the broader industry must consider how operating systems handle notification data. Apple’s fix is a step forward, but it also highlights the need for clearer policies on data retention and user control.

Ultimately, the iOS notification bug was a wake-up call. Update your device now, and stay vigilant about what your phone remembers long after you think it’s forgotten.

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