A legitimate and properly endorsed driver exposed vulnerabilities – The Weekly Security Recap with Tony Anscombe

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An alleged ad blocker promoted as a security measure utilizes a Microsoft-approved driver that unintentionally subjects individuals to perilous risks

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An alleged ad blocker promoted as a security measure utilizes a Microsoft-approved driver that unintentionally subjects individuals to perilous risks

21 Jul 2024

Throughout this week, ESET experts have shared their discoveries on HotPage, a browser injection tool that utilizes a driver created by a Chinese company and endorsed by Microsoft.

The malicious software disguises itself as an “Internet café security feature” with ad-blocking functionalities. Nevertheless, it exhibits advertisements related to games and has the ability to alter or supplant the content of a requested page, direct the user to an alternate page, or launch a new page in a fresh tab depending on specific conditions.

Furthermore, it inadvertently creates an avenue for additional threats to execute code at the utmost privilege level within Windows – the SYSTEM account.

Observe as Tony explores the story and elaborates on how the misuse of certificates remains a prevalent concern.

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About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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