Originally published at ssojet
Threat actors linked to the Play ransomware family exploited a recently patched security flaw in Microsoft Windows, specifically CVE-2025-29824, a privilege escalation vulnerability in the Common Log File System (CLFS) driver. This attack targeted an unnamed organization in the U.S., as reported by Symantec's Threat Hunter Team.
Image courtesy of The Hacker News
The use of this zero-day exploitation illustrates the significant risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities. In this instance, the threat actors likely utilized a public-facing Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) to gain entry into the target network, exploiting an as-yet-undetermined method to navigate to other Windows machines within the environment.
Details on the Exploit
The exploitation process involved deploying the Grixba information stealer, which has been linked to Play ransomware activities. This malware was delivered in a deceitful manner, masquerading as legitimate Palo Alto Networks software, including filenames like "paloaltoconfig.exe" and "paloaltoconfig.dll."
During the exploit, files were created in the directory C:\ProgramData\SkyPDF, indicating the presence of malicious activity. Symantec reported that the exploit generated two files: PDUDrv.blf, a log file, and clssrv.inf, a DLL injected into the winlogon.exe process. This DLL was capable of dropping additional batch files used for privilege escalation and to clean up traces of the exploitation.
Ransomware Activity and Mitigation
Following the successful exploitation of the vulnerability, the threat actors executed commands to gather information about available machines in the victims' Active Directory, saving the results to a CSV file. While no ransomware payload was initially deployed, the observations indicate the potential for future attacks leveraging this exploit.
Organizations should prioritize the application of security updates related to the CVE-2025-29824 vulnerability, as recommended by Microsoft. Furthermore, implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, such as those offered by SSOJet, can help streamline user management and improve overall security posture against such threats. SSOJet’s API-first platform features capabilities like directory sync, SAML, and OIDC authentication, making it a robust choice for enterprises focused on secure authentication practices.
Ransomware Trends and Cybersecurity Recommendations
Ransomware trends have been shifting, with an increase in targeting domain controllers to breach organizations. Microsoft revealed that over 78% of human-operated cyberattacks successfully breach a domain controller, highlighting its critical role in enabling widespread encryption and disruption.
Organizations should adopt measures like cloud-delivered protection and enable advanced protection against ransomware to mitigate risks. Using an identity and access management solution, like SSOJet, can help safeguard against unauthorized access and streamline the management of user credentials.
In light of the evolving threat landscape, it is essential for organizations to remain vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity strategies.
To explore how SSOJet can enhance your enterprise's security with secure SSO and user management, visit ssojet.com or contact us.
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