Malware Analysis Archives

Multi-Stage Cyber Attacks: Understanding Their Sophistication and Building Robust Defences

20 January 2025 by

Cyber attacks have evolved into intricate operations, often executed in multiple stages to achieve maximum impact while evading detection. Multi-stage cyber attacks leverage complex execution chains to mislead victims, bypass traditional defences, and deliver devastating outcomes. For organisations and individuals alike, understanding the mechanics of these attacks is essential for crafting effective defence strategies.

Multi-stage cyber attacks are a formidable challenge, but with offensive security techniques, organisations can move from reactive to proactive defence. By adopting vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, cyber forensics, malware analysis, and reverse engineering, businesses can detect and neutralise threats before they escalate.

WordPress db Injection: A Comprehensive Guide for Pen Testers and C-Suite

14 January 2025 by

WordPress, which began as a simple blogging platform in 2003, has evolved into one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) globally. Currently powering over 40% of websites, WordPress has become synonymous with digital publishing—ranging from small personal blogs to large-scale enterprise solutions. For many C-level executives, WordPress represents an agile, cost-effective solution to rapidly establish and manage an online presence.
However, with extensive adoption comes amplified risk. The same features that make WordPress easy to use—such as its vibrant plugin ecosystem and open-source nature—can also create ripe opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. WordPress database injection, often referred to more broadly as SQL injection (SQLi), stands out as a critical concern. Attackers who successfully execute a database injection can gain unauthorised access to sensitive data, manipulate website content, or even pivot to other parts of the organisation’s network.
WordPress relies on a MySQL (or MariaDB) database to store content, user data, plugin settings, and other critical information. An SQL injection attack leverages insecure code or configurations to inject malicious SQL queries into the database, allowing attackers to read, modify, or even delete data, and in some extreme cases, compromise the server itself.

Emulation Detection Evasion: Safeguarding Against Evasive Malware Strategies

29 December 2024 by

Emulation detection evasion is a set of techniques employed by malware to detect analysis environments such as sandboxes or virtual machines and evade detection by altering their execution. By identifying the presence of emulation artifacts or behaviours, malware can stop executing or behave benignly, thereby avoiding detection and analysis.

Offensive Security: Strengthening Cyber Defences Through Active Threat Simulation

24 December 2024 by

Offensive security encompasses a range of practices that simulate cyberattacks in a controlled environment, allowing businesses to identify security risks in their systems and address them before attackers can exploit them. The core components of offensive security include vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, malware analysis, cyber forensics, and reverse engineering.

Why Cybersecurity Matters for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): A Guide for C-Suite

12 December 2024 by

### The Misconception of Security Through Size

One pervasive misconception is that smaller businesses are less likely to attract cybercriminals’ attention. However, data proves otherwise: cybercriminals often see SMBs as easy targets precisely because they may lack the extensive defences of larger enterprises. Small and medium businesses hold valuable data, including customer information, financial records, and intellectual property, making them prime candidates for attacks such as phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise.