Security Affairs newsletter Round 558 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION

Security Affairs

January 11, 2026 at 10:03 AM

Actively Exploited

Overview

A significant data breach has exposed the personal information of 17.5 million Instagram users. The breach is attributed to a North Korea-linked hacking group known as Kimsuky, which has been involved in various cyberattacks, including a new tactic called 'quishing.' This method combines phishing with QR codes, making it easier for attackers to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information. The scale of the breach raises concerns about user privacy and security, particularly for those whose data has been compromised. Users are urged to change their passwords and enable two-factor authentication to enhance their security.

Key Takeaways

Active Exploitation: This vulnerability is being actively exploited by attackers. Immediate action is recommended.
Affected Systems: Instagram users, specifically 17.5 million accounts
Action Required: Users should change their passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Timeline: Newly disclosed

Original Article Summary

A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. A massive breach exposed data of 17.5M Instagram users North Korea–linked APT Kimsuky behind quishing attacks, […]

Impact

Instagram users, specifically 17.5 million accounts

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is confirmed to be actively exploited by attackers in real-world attacks. Organizations should prioritize patching or implementing workarounds immediately.

Timeline

Newly disclosed

Remediation

Users should change their passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

Additional Information

This threat intelligence is aggregated from trusted cybersecurity sources. For the most up-to-date information, technical details, and official vendor guidance, please refer to the original article linked below.

Related Topics: This incident relates to Phishing, Data Breach, APT.

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