Insights

Modern software is built on open-source. Developers rely on public repositories like npm, PyPI, and Maven Central to move fast, avoid reinventing the wheel, and ship updates continuously. But this speed and openness come at a cost: your software supply chain is now a primary attack surface. Attackers have figured this out-and they're exploiting it. How Open-Source Dependencies Become Attack Vectors Open-source packages are easy to install and often trusted implicitly. That's exactly what makes them so appealing to threat actors. Here's how attackers are weaponizing open-source: 1. Typosquatting Malicious packages are uploaded with names that closely mimic legitimate libraries (e.g., expresss instead of express). If a developer makes a typo or auto-installs a dependency, they may unknowingly install malware. 2. Hijacked or Abandoned Projects Attackers take over dormant projects-sometimes by buying expired domains or credentials-and inject malicious code into new releases. Users update as usual, unaware of the compromise.…

As the 2025 NASCAR Canada Series kicks off in full force, Critical Path Security is proud to support driver Ryan Vargas in his return to the track at the iconic Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. The race will take place on Sunday, May 18 at 1 PM ET, marking the second stop of the season and the first road course challenge for drivers this year. This track, known for its high-speed corners and challenging elevation changes, will be a true test of driver skill and car performance. The #28 Critical Path Security Dodge, driven by Vargas, is prepped and ready to make a strong statement on the international stage. A Cross-Border Mission Our involvement in both U.S. and Canadian cybersecurity has never been more visible. Supporting Ryan Vargas on Canadian soil isn't just a race-day partnership-it's a symbol of Critical Path Security's expanding presence across North America. With…

This week, Patrick Kelley, CEO of both Léargas Security and Critical Path Security, will be attending Consensus 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. While the companies are not formal sponsors of the event, Mr. Kelley's presence reflects the growing commitment by both organizations to remain at the forefront of global cybersecurity trends-particularly where blockchain, digital identity, and threat intelligence converge. Consensus 2025, hosted by CoinDesk, is one of the premier gatherings for leaders across the blockchain, digital asset, Web3, and cybersecurity ecosystems. With the rapid expansion of decentralized technologies into critical infrastructure, finance, and identity frameworks, the implications for national and global security are profound. Operating across both Canada and the United States, Léargas and Critical Path Security continue to provide advanced security services, including XDR, incident response, and cyber risk leadership, to clients on both sides of the border. Participation in events like Consensus enables the teams to assess not only…

Critical Path Security - Threat Intelligence Report Date: May 2025Prepared by: Critical Path Security Research Team Executive Summary In a rare and highly consequential breach of operational secrecy, internal chat logs from the LockBit3 ransomware group have been leaked to the public. This unique intelligence provides cybersecurity professionals and defenders with an unparalleled opportunity to examine the internal communications of one of the most prolific ransomware syndicates in recent history. The Critical Path Security research team analysed more than 4,400 messages exchanged between LockBit affiliates and their victims. This report outlines significant trends in threat actor behaviour, negotiation tactics, and operational cadence, based on detailed analysis of the chat data. Key Findings Volume of Communications A total of 4,423 messages were reviewed, capturing the full breadth of negotiation stages-from initial victim outreach to ransom payment instructions. Average Ransom Demand Across the dataset, ransom demands averaged approximately $32,223 CAD, with most…