The Rising Threat of ToolShell: Unpacking the July 2025 SharePoint Zero-Day Exploits

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Anatomy of the ToolShell Exploit Chain Beginning around July 7, 2025, adversaries exploited a deserialization flaw in SharePoint’s on-premises service (CVE-2025-53770) to upload a malicious spinstall0.aspx payload, triggering code execution within the w3wp.exe process. A secondary path-traversal flaw (CVE-2025-53771) then enabled privilege escalation and lateral movement across corporate networks . Security researchers at Eye Security and Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 observed attackers bypassing identity controls – MFA and SSO – to exfiltrate machine keys, deploy persistent backdoors, and chain ransomware operations within hours of initial compromise . State-Backed Actor Involvement Microsoft attributes the campaign primarily to Storm-2603, assessed with moderate confidence to be China-based, alongside historically linked groups Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon . These actors have a track record of blending cyber-espionage with financially motivated ransomware like Warlock and Lo...
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X/Twitter Ad Exploit Illustration Exposing the X/Twitter Ad URL Exploit: A Deep Dive into the 'iToken' Cryptocurrency Scam



In early May 2025, cybersecurity researchers uncovered a sophisticated scam exploiting X/Twitter's advertising display URL feature. This exploit allowed malicious actors to present deceptive ads that appeared to originate from trusted sources, such as CNN.com, while redirecting users to fraudulent cryptocurrency websites. The scam centered around a fictitious "Apple iToken," leveraging the credibility of established brands to lure victims into investing in a non-existent 

The core of this scam lies in manipulating how X/Twitter generates preview cards for shared links. When a user shares a link, X/Twitter's bot fetches metadata to create a preview. Attackers exploited this by configuring their servers to serve legitimate metadata to X/Twitter's bot while redirecting actual users to malicious sites. This technique involved URL shorteners initially pointing to reputable sites like CNN.com, then altering the destination to fraudulent sites after the preview was generated. 

The fraudulent campaign promoted a non-existent cryptocurrency called "Apple iToken." Ads displayed the message "From CNN.com," creating a false sense of legitimacy. Upon clicking, users were redirected to a site mimicking Apple's branding, complete with fake endorsements from Apple CEO Tim Cook. The site encouraged users to invest in the fake cryptocurrency, providing multiple wallet addresses for transactions. 

Investigations revealed a network of nearly 90 similar fraudulent websites dating back to 2024, all employing comparable tactics to deceive users. These sites targeted cryptocurrency investors, exploiting the trust associated with well-known brands. The widespread nature of this campaign underscores the evolving sophistication of social media-based financial scams. 

The attackers leveraged a multi-stage redirection process:

  1. A URL shortener (e.g., Bitly) initially directs to a legitimate site like CNN.com.
  2. X/Twitter's bot fetched metadata from this legitimate site, generating a trustworthy preview.
  3. Post-preview generation, the shortener's destination was changed to a malicious site.
  4. Users clicking the ad were redirected to the fraudulent site through X/Twitter's t.co link.

This method effectively bypassed X/Twitter's verification systems, allowing deceptive ads to proliferate on the platform. 

This exploit highlights vulnerabilities in social media advertising systems, emphasizing the need for robust verification mechanisms. The ability to manipulate ad previews undermines user trust and exposes platforms to reputational risks. It also raises questions about social media companies' responsibility in safeguarding users against such sophisticated scams.

To mitigate such threats, social media platforms should:

  • Implement stricter verification processes for ad URLs.
  • Monitor for unusual redirection patterns and metadata discrepancies.
  • Educate users about potential scams and how to identify them.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity experts to identify and neutralize threats promptly.

Users should remain vigilant, scrutinize ad sources, and avoid engaging with suspicious cryptocurrency investment opportunities.

The exploitation of X/Twitter's ad URL feature for the "iToken" scam is a stark reminder of the evolving tactics cybercriminals employ. As digital platforms continue to be integral to daily life, the onus is on both service providers and users to foster a secure online environment. Continuous vigilance, education, and proactive security measures are paramount in combating such sophisticated scams.

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