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2025-02-02
In a significant cybersecurity development, Meta has dismantled a spyware campaign orchestrated through WhatsApp, allegedly linked to the Israeli surveillance firm Paragon. The attack specifically targeted journalists and civil society members using a sophisticated zero-click exploit, allowing hackers to compromise devices without user interaction. The incident raises concerns over the growing threat of commercial spyware and its implications for digital privacy and security. This article explores the details of the breach, Meta’s response, and the broader impact on the cybersecurity landscape.
the Attack
Meta recently uncovered and disrupted a cyber-espionage campaign leveraging WhatsApp to target 90 individuals, primarily journalists and civil society figures. The attackers deployed the Paragon spyware, also known as Graphite, to infiltrate devices through a zero-click exploit, meaning victims were infected without taking any action.
WhatsApp took immediate action, notifying affected users in December 2024 and linking the attack to Paragon, which was recently acquired by AE Industrial Partners for $900 million. While Meta has not disclosed the geographical locations of the victims, it sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter and is considering legal action against the firm.
Reports suggest that the attack was delivered via a maliciously crafted PDF file, distributed in group chats. Cybersecurity researchers from Citizen Lab were the first to analyze the attack and shared their findings with WhatsApp. A detailed report from the research group is expected soon.
This marks the first publicly known cyberattack linked to Paragon, distinguishing it from spyware firms like NSO Group and Intellexa, which have been implicated in multiple high-profile cases. Paragon previously gained legitimacy through
References:
Reported By: https://securityaffairs.com/173721/security/whatsapp-disrupted-paragon-spyware-campaign.html
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