NIK C2: The new AI-enabled command-and-control framework
Cisco Talos observed a new AI-integrated command-and-control (C2) framework in the wild called “NIK C2.”
A quiet week in infosec <.<
In this edition of the Threat Source newsletter, William explores how PHP has taken over the conversation, Node.js has joined in, but underneath it all, there are still good people doing good work.
IR trends Q3 2026: Actors impersonate IT help desks in vishing attacks as ransomware activity increases
Phishing remained the leading initial access technique, while percentage of ransomware and pre-ransomware cases increased. Finance and public administration tied as the top-targeted industries.
Two critical RCEs in PHP core
Two critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in PHP core could have implications across its wider ecosystem. Talos has published a blog to explain what we know so far, and details the Snort coverage available, including rules in the Community Ruleset.
Inside KeyDrift: Analyzing historical UAT-11473 activity on Cisco SD-WAN
Talos has identified UAT-11473, a highly sophisticated APT, who exploited CVE-2026-20127, an authentication bypass vulnerability in Cisco SD-WAN Catalyst Controller instances to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to affected systems to deploy KeyDrift.
From federal SOCs to Talos: Ryan Fetterman on practical security research
What does it mean to be "blue collar" for the blue team? Ryan Fetterman discusses the realities of detection engineering, and shares his philosophy on building a career in security without burning out.
I had plans for that second
The Earth is speeding up, the leap second is being abolished, oh, and there's critical vulnerabilities in PHP.
Compromised eMudhra intermediate certificates
Cisco Talos is aware of eight intermediate certificates belonging to the intermediate certificate authority, eMudhra.
Parasitizing trust: How legitimate infrastructure becomes a delivery pipeline for attackers
Adversaries are turning the tools businesses trust into delivery mechanisms for malicious activity. Cisco Talos observed abuse of more than 25 legitimate platforms over the past year, exploiting the built-in trust of collaboration, file-sharing, payment and other services to reach their targets.