Latest Microsoft Windows Security Breach Exploited by Hackers. Patch vs. Unpathched.

Also Inside => | Cyber attack on | Environmental protection agency, USA | A water utility, Mexico| Asset management company, India| Technology company, Canada | Fleet management company, Brazil

Apr 13, 2025

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Latest Microsoft Windows Security Breach Exploited by Hackers. Patch vs. Unpatched.

In a major cybersecurity alert, Microsoft has confirmed that hackers are actively exploiting a serious vulnerability in Windows systems, targeting users who haven’t yet installed the latest security update. This flaw, known as a CLFS zero-day vulnerability, has already been used in real-world ransomware attacks.

🔒 What Happened?

Hackers found a way to break into Windows computers using a vulnerability in a system feature called CLFS (Common Log File System). This is a part of Windows that helps the operating system and apps keep track of changes — kind of like a digital journal.

But in this case, attackers discovered a way to manipulate CLFS to gain full control over a computer — without needing any password or permission. Since Microsoft hadn’t yet fixed this issue when it was first discovered, it’s called a zero-day vulnerability (because defenders have "zero days" to fix it before attackers take advantage).

🦠 What Are Hackers Doing With It?

Hackers are using this security hole to install ransomware, a type of malicious software that locks you out of your files or system and demands payment to regain access. Once inside, attackers can steal or encrypt data and potentially shut down entire systems.

According to Microsoft, this attack has been seen in the wild, meaning real victims, not just test environments, have already been affected.

🛠️ Patched vs. Unpatched: Why It Matters

Patched Systems: If your computer has the latest Windows security updates installed (especially the April 2025 update), you’re protected. Microsoft released a fix for this specific issue.
Unpatched Systems: If you haven’t updated recently, your device is wide open to attack. Hackers can exploit the CLFS flaw to take over your system remotely.

🧩 Final Takeaway

You can learn more from Microsoft’s official security update here: Exploitation of CLFS Zero-Day Leads to Ransomware Activity.

Stay safe, stay updated.

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Incidents from around the world

Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited has informed the Exchange regarding 'Cyber security incident'.Mumbai, India. April 11, 2025. According to the latest regulatory filings with the stock exchanges, Nippon Life India Asset Management Limited (NAM India) has reported a cyber-attack on its IT infrastructure that occurred late on April 9th. As soon as the company became aware of the incident, it took immediate steps to investigate and respond. This included shutting down the affected systems to prevent further damage. NAM India is now working closely with top cybersecurity experts to understand what happened, assess the impact, and take the necessary actions to fix the issue {tradebrains.in}
SIAPA system failures continue to be reported after the cyberattack. Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico April 10, 2025. Users who visited the central offices located on R Michel Avenue admit that this situation is annoying, as they come from far away to make their payments."I came to pay for the water service and first I went to Tlaquepaque on Wednesday and there was none, so I said 'I'm going to spend two days and I'm going to come back here' and there is no service, I didn't go to Tlaquepaque, we can't make the payment, if from the Lázaro Cárdenas station, well I have to come back again," said a user. {milenio.com}
Marinomed Biotech AG has been a victim of cybercrime. Lower Austria, Austria. April 9, 2025. A cyber attack that affected televisions in the Unidas Group's TV communications system reportedly affected more than 250 devices, including not only TVs but also IoT devices and servers, according to information received by CISO Advisor. This would be the second time that a cyber attack has affected digital assets in this area. Through its communications management, Unidas did not deny the incident, but informed CISO Advisor that it preferred not to comment on it.{cisoadvisor.com}
Cyber attack on Visionary Holdings Inc., Ontario, Canada. April 9, 2025. Due to a recent malicious IT attack on our company, our original official website, www.visiongroupca.com, and the corporate email suffix @farvision.ca have both been hacked. As a result, the system functions have completely broken down, and there are potential risks to data security. To ensure the normal operation of our business and the security of information, after careful consideration, our company has made the following decision {prnewswire.com}
‘No evidence of data breach’ in DEQ cyberattack, agency says. Portland, USA. April 9, 2025. The Oregon DEQ is focusing on getting inspection stations open and working again after a cyberattack on Wednesday, the agency said in an update on Friday.
On Wednesday morning, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced it was investigating a cyberattack and said it was shutting down networks “until the attack is contained and potentially eradicated.”
As of Friday afternoon, the agency said that “there continues to be no evidence of a data breach” in connection with the attack. {kptv.com}

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Cybercrime and Fraud Stories

South Carolina Woman Sentenced For $1.7 Million Embezzlement Scheme.

Kristin Turney, 54, of Catawba, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for embezzling more than $1.7 million from her employer, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Turney was also ordered to pay restitution for $1,754,204.13.“Turney was a trusted employee who pilfered money from an unsuspecting employer,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Her conduct was not a lapse in judgment; it was a prolonged and deliberate pattern of deceptive behavior that nearly destroyed a small business. Today’s sentence is a reminder that embezzlement is not a shortcut to riches, but a path to federal prison.”

Justice News

Georgia Woman Found Guilty Of Kidnapping Elderly Victim

A federal jury in Asheville returned a guilty verdict late yesterday against Stephanie Miranda Neace, 32, of Blairsville, Georgia, for the 2023 kidnapping and robbery of an elderly victim, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Neace’s co-defendant, Jordan Nathaniel Hedden, 31, of Murphy, N.C., pleaded guilty to kidnapping and will be sentenced on April 14.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

“This was a frightening crime against an elderly victim who was just trying to help out of the kindness of her heart,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “People who commit crimes like this affect how we treat one another, and we are committed to bringing them to justice.” Justice Gov

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