Cybersecurity researchers spotlight a new ransomware threat – be careful where you upload files


Today’s browsers are almost operating systems unto themselves. They can run software programs and encrypt files. These capabilities, combined with the browser’s access to the host computer’s files – including ones in the cloud, shared folders and external drives – via the File System Access API creates a new opportunity for ransomware.

Imagine you want to edit photos on a benign-looking free online photo editing tool. When you upload the photos for editing, any hackers who control the malicious editing tool can access the files on your computer via your browser. The hackers would gain access to the folder you are uploading from and all subfolders.

Read more…
Source: MSN News


Sign up for our Newsletter


Related:

  • Patch Tuesday

    May 13, 2026

    Microsoft is publishing 137 vulnerabilities on May 2026 Patch Tuesday. Microsoft is not aware of exploitation in the wild or public disclosure for any of these vulnerabilities. So far this month, Microsoft has provided patches to address 133 browser vulnerabilities, which are not included in the Patch Tuesday count above. Windows Netlogon: critical RCE Anyone responsible for securing ...

  • When IT Support Calls: Dissecting a ModeloRAT Campaign from Teams to Domain Compromise

    May 13, 2026

    Attackers do not need to break into the front door when they can convince employees to open it for them through the tools they already trust. In April 2026, Rapid7 investigated an enterprise intrusion that began with a Microsoft Teams message from a fake “IT Support” account and quickly escalated into a full compromise chain involving ...

  • Yarbo responds to robot flaws that could mow down their owners

    May 11, 2026

    A researcher found that Yarbo yard robots came with a host of vulnerabilities which, among others, allowed an attacker to harvest WiFi passwords. Security researcher Andreas Makris found he could remotely hijack thousands of Yarbo yard robots worldwide, and proved it by having his mower run him over. The root cause was a cluster of “legacy” design choices: ...

  • Adversaries Leverage AI for Vulnerability Exploitation, Augmented Operations, and Initial Access

    May 11, 2026

    Since our February 2026 report on AI-related threat activity, Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) has continued to track a maturing transition from nascent AI-enabled operations to the industrial-scale application of generative models within adversarial workflows. This report, based on insights derived from Mandiant incident response engagements, Gemini, and GTIG’s proactive research, highlights the dual nature ...

  • ‘Dirty Frag’ Linux flaw one-ups CopyFail with no patches and public root exploit

    May 8, 2026

    Broken disclosure embargo left admins facing a fresh root-level flaw with no CVE A fresh Linux privilege escalation bug dubbed “Dirty Frag” has dropped into the wild with no patches, no CVE, and a public exploit that hands attackers root access across major distributions.Security researcher Hyunwoo Kim disclosed the local privilege escalation flaw on Friday after what he ...

  • Critical Buffer Overflow in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS User-ID Authentication Portal (CVE-2026-0300)

    May 6, 2026

    On May 6, 2026, Palo Alto Networks published a security advisory for CVE-2026-0300, a critical unauthenticated buffer overflow vulnerability affecting PAN-OS PA-Series and VM-Series firewall appliances. Prisma Access, Cloud NGFW, and Panorama appliances are not affected by this vulnerability. The vulnerability carries a CVSSv4 score of 9.3 and has been confirmed as exploited in the wild ...