Threat Vector: adversarial hacker mindset preview

Apple and Google issue emergency updates to patch zero-days.  Google links five additional Chinese state-backed hacking groups to “React2Shell.” France’s Ministry of the Interior was hit by a cyberattack. Atlassian patches roughly 30 third-party vulnerabilities. Microsoft says its December 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are breaking Message Queuing. Researchers uncovered a massive exposed database with nearly 4.3 billion professional records openly accessible online. Britain’s new MI6 chief warns of an “aggressive, expansionist, and revisionist” Russia. Monday Business Brief. On today’s Threat Vector, ⁠Michael Heller⁠ from Unit 42 chats with security leaders ⁠Greg Conti⁠ and ⁠Tom Cross⁠ to unpack the hacker mindset and the idea of “dark capabilities”. A cyber holiday gift guide for the rest of us. 

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Threat Vector Segment

In this segment of Threat Vector, host ⁠Michael Heller⁠, Managing Editor for Cortex and Unit 42 and Executive Producer of the podcast, sits down with long-time security leaders ⁠Greg Conti⁠ and ⁠Tom Cross⁠ to unpack the hacker mindset and the idea of “dark capabilities” inside modern technology companies. You can listen to their full discussion here. Be sure to catch new episodes of Threat Vector by Palo Alto Networks every Thursday on your favorite podcast app.

Selected Reading

Apple, Google forced to issue emergency 0-day patches (The Register)

Google links more Chinese hacking groups to React2Shell attacks (Bleeping Computer)

French Interior Ministry confirms cyberattack on email servers (Bleeping Computer)

Atlassian Patches Critical Apache Tika Flaw (SecurityWeek)

Microsoft: December security updates cause Message Queuing failures (Bleeping Computer)

16TB of MongoDB Database Exposes 4.3 Billion Lead Gen Records (Hackread)

MI6 chief warns 'front line is everywhere' and signals intent to pressure Putin (The Record)

Saviynt raises $700 million in Series B growth equity financing. (The CyberWire Business Brief)

Last-minute cybersecurity and privacy gifts your friends and family won't hate (This Week In Security)

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