Dassault Systèmes patches severe vulnerability in Apriso manufacturing software that could let attackers bypass authentication and compromise factories worldwide.

A newly disclosed flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-5086, poses a major security risk to manufacturers using Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA Apriso platform. The bug could allow unauthenticated attackers to seize control of production environments, prompting urgent patching from the vendor and warnings from cybersecurity experts.

A critical vulnerability in DELMIA Apriso, a manufacturing execution system used by global industries, could let hackers bypass authentication and gain full access to sensitive production data, according to a security advisory published this week.

Dassault Systèmes confirmed the flaw, designated CVE-2025-5086, affects multiple versions of Apriso and scored 9.8 on the CVSS scale, placing it in the “critical” category. Researchers said the issue stems from improper authentication handling that allows remote attackers to execute privileged actions without valid credentials.

The company has released security updates and urged immediate deployment, warning that unpatched systems could become prime targets for industrial espionage or sabotage. The flaw is particularly alarming because Apriso integrates with enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain, and industrial control systems, giving attackers a potential foothold in critical infrastructure.

• “This is the kind of vulnerability that keeps CISOs awake at night,” said Maria Lopez, industrial cybersecurity analyst at Kaspersky ICS CERT. “If exploited, it could shut down production lines or manipulate output, creating enormous financial and safety risks.”
• “Manufacturing software has historically lagged behind IT security practices, making these flaws highly attractive to threat actors,” noted James Patel, senior researcher at SANS Institute.
• El Mostafa Ouchen, cybersecurity author, told MAG212News: “This case shows why manufacturing execution systems must adopt zero-trust principles. Attackers know that compromising production software can ripple across supply chains and economies.”
• “We are actively working with customers and partners to ensure systems are secured,” Dassault Systèmes said in a statement. “Patches and mitigations have been released, and we strongly recommend immediate updates.”

Technical Analysis

The flaw resides in Apriso’s authentication module. Improper input validation in login requests allows attackers to bypass session verification, enabling arbitrary code execution with administrative privileges. Successful exploitation could:

• Access or modify production databases.
• Inject malicious instructions into factory automation workflows.
• Escalate attacks into connected ERP and PLM systems.

Mitigations include applying vendor patches, segmenting Apriso servers from external networks, enforcing MFA on supporting infrastructure, and monitoring for abnormal authentication attempts.

Impact & Response

Organizations in automotive, aerospace, and logistics sectors are particularly exposed. Exploited at scale, the vulnerability could cause production delays, supply chain disruptions, and theft of intellectual property. Security teams are advised to scan their environments, apply updates, and coordinate incident response planning.

Background

This disclosure follows a string of high-severity flaws in industrial and operational technology (OT) software, including vulnerabilities in Siemens’ TIA Portal and Rockwell Automation controllers. Experts warn that adversaries—ranging from ransomware gangs to state-sponsored groups—are increasingly focusing on OT targets due to their high-value disruption potential.

Conclusion

The CVE-2025-5086 flaw underscores the urgency for manufacturers to prioritize cybersecurity in factory software. As digital transformation accelerates, securing industrial platforms like Apriso will be critical to ensuring business continuity and protecting global supply chains.

CERT-FR and Apple warn of sophisticated spyware targeting iCloud-linked devices via zero-click exploits; high-profile individuals at risk.

Apple and France’s CERT-FR have issued a fourth spyware notification in 2025, alerting users to potential compromise of iCloud-linked devices through highly sophisticated zero-click attacks. Targets include journalists, activists, politicians, and officials. Authorities urge urgent updates, lockdown measures, and enhanced defenses amid rising mercenary spyware risks.

PARIS — Apple has issued its fourth notification of the year to French users, warning that at least one device linked to their iCloud account could have been compromised in a sophisticated spyware campaign, authorities confirmed Friday.

• On September 3, 2025, Apple alerted users in France via iMessage, email, and iCloud notifications that their devices may have been targeted by spyware. The Hacker News+1
• This marks the fourth such advisory this year, with prior alerts issued on March 5, April 29, and June 25. The Hacker News+1
• According to France’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-FR), the threats are highly targeted, aimed at individuals based on status or function, including journalists, lawyers, activists, politicians, senior officials, and those connected to strategic sectors. The Hacker News+1
• CERT-FR clarified: “Receiving a notification means that at least one of the devices linked to the iCloud account has been targeted and is potentially compromised.” Dark Reading
• The alerts often arrive several months after compromise attempts, and the time lag is variable. Dark Reading
• Known spyware implicated in similar campaigns includes Pegasus, Predator, Graphite, and Triangulation—tools described by CERT-FR as “particularly sophisticated and difficult to detect.” Dark Reading+1

Historical or Geopolitical Context:

• CERT-FR has been issuing these notifications since November 2021 but has intensified alerts in 2025 with four documented campaigns in France alone. The Hacker News+1
• Globally, mercenary spyware campaigns against civil society figures and officials have drawn scrutiny for their use of zero-click and zero-day vulnerabilities. TechRadar+1

1. CERT-FR (France’s national cybersecurity agency): “Receiving a notification means that at least one of the devices linked to the iCloud account has been targeted and is potentially compromised.” Dark Reading
2. Security researcher interviewed by Dark Reading (paraphrased): “Spyware programs like Pegasus, Predator, Graphite, and Triangulation are particularly sophisticated and difficult to detect.” Dark Reading
3. El Mostafa Ouchen, international cybersecurity adviser and author, added: “This pattern of repeated, stealthy attacks underscores the importance of proactive device defenses. When high-profile individuals are targeted, detection must coincide with rapid response protocols—regular updates, lockdown modes, and separation of sensitive from general-use environments aren’t optional; they’re essential.”

Technical Analysis

How the Incident Occurred & Possible Attack Vectors:

• The attacks largely exploit zero-click vulnerabilities, which allow spyware to be delivered and activated on a device without any interaction from the user. Dark Reading
• Zero-day flaws—previously unknown and unpatched security vulnerabilities—are used as entry points, including flaws in the ImageIO framework (e.g., CVE-2025-43300) and WebKit. Dark Reading+1
• iCloud-linked devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, are susceptible due to their integration with account syncing and messaging services (iMessage, iCloud). TechRadar+1

Affected Systems:

• Devices tied to impacted Apple IDs—even those not actively in use—may be exposed if they remain connected via iCloud.
• Alerts are triggered when Apple identifies indicators of compromise tied to known spyware chains.

Mitigations and Remediations:

• Users are urged to update their devices immediately, enabling automatic updates to ensure timely patching of zero-day vulnerabilities. Dark Reading
• CERT-FR recommends enabling Lockdown Mode, a feature that restricts many device functionalities to mitigate spyware risk. Dark Reading
• Regular device restarts also aid detection and disrupt latent malware activity. Dark Reading

Impact & Respons

Who Is Affected:

• Individuals in France (and possibly elsewhere) whose devices are linked to compromised Apple IDs, spanning prominent roles in journalism, politics, law, and activism. The Hacker News+1

Actions Taken:

• Apple is dispatching notifications and sending alerts via email, iMessage, and iCloud logins.
• CERT-FR has issued official advisories and security guidance.
• Apple patched at least seven zero-day vulnerabilities this year, including those in ImageIO and WebKit. TechRadar

Possible Long-Term Implications:

• Continued exploitation of zero-click spyware may accelerate regulatory pressure on mercenary spyware firms and drive policy changes.
• Public trust in mobile device security may erode unless transparency and mitigation improve.
• Surveillance of high-profile individuals raises concerns about privacy, democratic integrity, and misuse of advanced spyware.
• France is among several countries where Apple has stepped up threat notifications tied to sophisticated spyware campaigns.
• The use of mercenary spyware—commercially sold surveillance tools used by governments, including NSO Group’s Pegasus—has been a global concern over the past several years.
• Zero-click attacks have been notably difficult to detect, and have been implicated in espionage of journalists, dissidents, and government officials in multiple regions.

The revelation that Apple users in France are now facing a fourth spyware alert in 2025 signals an escalation in stealthy, targeted cyber intrusions. As attackers rely on elusive zero-click and zero-day exploits, rapid technological and policy responses are essential. Continued vigilance, device hygiene, and legislative action may be needed to shield democracy’s key voices from such pervasive threats.

Attackers deploy GPU-aware malware that evades sandboxes and steals sensitive data

Hackers are abusing Google search ads to trick developers into downloading fake GitHub tools packed with malware. The malicious payload, a 128MB installer, bypasses security sandboxes by checking GPU hardware before activating. Researchers warn the campaign aims to steal developer credentials and provide attackers with remote access.

Cybercriminals are hijacking Google search advertisements to deliver malware disguised as popular GitHub tools, targeting developers with an unusually stealthy payload that activates only on systems with real GPU hardware.

Core Facts

• Victims clicking malicious Google ads are redirected to fraudulent GitHub-style landing pages.
• Attackers distribute a 128MB malware loader, intentionally bloated to avoid quick sandbox scans.
• The loader runs a GPU check — if no graphics card is detected, it stays dormant, evading automated sandbox detection.
• Once executed on a real developer machine, the malware installs info-stealing modules and a remote access trojan (RAT).

Technical Analysis

The campaign uses a two-stage strategy:

1. Ad Injection & Redirects
   • Ad keywords are hijacked for popular developer tools (IDEs, SDKs, GitHub utilities).
   • Users are funneled to spoofed websites closely resembling GitHub repositories.
2. Payload Evasion & Execution
   • The installer’s large file size delays analysis.
   • The GPU detection ensures malware won’t detonate in most sandbox environments, a trick typically reserved for advanced persistent threat (APT) actors.
   • Once confirmed on a real host, the payload drops credential stealers and implants RAT capabilities.
3. Post-Compromise Actions
   • Harvests SSH keys, GitHub tokens, and cloud credentials.
   • Establishes persistence and beaconing to a C2 server, granting attackers remote control.

Prevention and Mitigation

• Developer Awareness: Download tools only from official GitHub repositories and verify digital signatures.
• Ad Filtering: Use ad-blocking extensions or disable sponsored search results when downloading software.
• Endpoint Protection: Deploy EDR tools with GPU-aware behavioral monitoring to detect sandbox-evasion techniques.
• Network Controls: Monitor outbound traffic for suspicious beaconing patterns.
• Zero Trust Practices: Apply least privilege and rotate API keys regularly to reduce the blast radius of credential theft.

Expert Commentary

El Mostafa Ouchen, cybersecurity author and researcher, warned the attack underscores a shift toward more sophisticated social engineering:

“What makes this campaign alarming is not only the abuse of Google’s advertising ecosystem but also the GPU-aware evasion technique. This shows attackers are innovating specifically to bypass defenders’ tools. Organizations and individual developers must double-check download sources and strengthen endpoint detection.”

Impact & Response

Security researchers caution that the campaign is still active, primarily affecting developers searching for open-source tools. Google has reportedly taken down some malicious ads, but new ones continue to appear.

For developers and enterprises, the incident highlights the growing risk of malvertising campaigns—where legitimate ad networks are weaponized to deliver malware directly to unsuspecting users.