| Predicted Threat | Details of the Threats |
|---|---|
| Hacktivist alliances to escalate in 2025 | – Hacktivist groups are forming alliances, such as the “Holy League,” to pursue shared socio-political goals. – These alliances enable the sharing of tools and infrastructure, increasing the scale and impact of their campaigns. – More organized attacks targeting critical infrastructure or underfunded systems are expected. |
| The IoT to become a growing attack vector for APTs | – The proliferation of IoT devices (projected to reach 32 billion by 2030) introduces new vulnerabilities. – Issues include outdated firmware, insecure server controls, and fake mobile apps. – Attackers may exploit embedded systems, outdated libraries, and supply chain weaknesses. – Without improved defenses, IoT devices will remain prime targets. |
| Increasing supply chain attacks on open-source projects | – Sophisticated APTs exploit open-source ecosystems maintained by small or single developers. – Examples like the XZ Utils backdoor attack show how attackers gain long-term access through social engineering. – Enhanced monitoring of open-source projects and more discoveries of supply chain attacks are expected. |
| C++ and Go malware to adapt to the open-source ecosystem | – Malware developers are shifting to C++ and Go due to their dominance in open-source development. – This trend will lead to increased malware sophistication and adaptability. – Open-source projects and environments will face more targeted threats. |
| Broadening the use of AI in state-affiliated attacks | – State-affiliated APT groups increasingly use generative AI for tasks like spear-phishing, text translation, and reconnaissance. – Examples include Lazarus using AI-generated images to exploit Chrome vulnerabilities. – Attackers are expected to refine these tactics, using local AI models to evade detection on public platforms. |
| Deepfakes to be used by APT groups | – Deepfake technology enables attackers to convincingly impersonate individuals. – Potential uses include fake videos and voices for scams, stealing sensitive information, and deceiving employees. – Deepfakes exploit trust in visual and audio authenticity, making them effective tools in phishing and other cyberattacks. |
| Backdoored AI models | – Open-source AI models and datasets are vulnerable to trojanization, introducing malicious code or biases. – Attackers may compromise organizations relying on these models for business or operations. – APT groups are expected to embed backdoors into widely used AI models in 2025. |
| The rise of BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver) | – BYOVD exploits allow attackers to leverage driver vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and security bypassing. – Popular in ransomware and APT campaigns, this technique exploits low-level vulnerabilities in outdated or third-party drivers. – Enables long-term espionage and sophisticated malware deployment. |
Read full article: https://securelist.com/ksb-apt-predictions-2025/114582/
Disclaimer: The above summary has been generated by an AI language model
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