Master the Matrix

    A critical vulnerability ( CVE-2025-68613 ) has been identified in n8n , the popular workflow automation tool. The flaw lies in the expression evaluation system, where user-supplied expressions can escape the sandbox and access Node.js internals. This leads to arbitrary code execution with a CVSS score of 9.9 (Critical) .      n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Versions starting with 0.211.0 and prior to 1.120.4, 1.121.1, and 1.122.0 contain a critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in their workflow expression evaluation system. Under certain conditions, expressions supplied by authenticated users during workflow configuration may be evaluated in an execution context that is not sufficiently isolated from the underlying runtime. An authenticated attacker could abuse this behavior to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the n8n process. Successful exploitation may lead to full compromise of the affected instance,...

Cloudflare's Global Outage: Understanding the Root Cause Behind the September 18 Network Disruption On 18 September, the world witnessed a sudden and widespread slowdown of the internet. Websites and applications depending on Cloudflare ranging from social networks to API driven platforms began returning Internal Server Error messages. Millions of users assumed it was a cyberattack, a DDoS event, or a breach. However, the truth behind the outage was far more nuanced and rooted in Cloudflare’s internal architecture. This blog breaks down what Cloudflare does, why bot mitigation plays a critical role, how an unexpected configuration file led to an internal service crash, and why “unusual traffic” triggered a global ripple. What Cloudflare Really Does for the Internet Cloudflare is more than a simple CDN or firewall it is a massive reverse-proxy network that sits between users and websites. It accelerates content delivery, filters malicious traffic, provides DNS services, manage...

JSON Web Token - (JWT) A JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims (information) to be transferred between two parties. It is a security mechanism used primarily for authentication and authorization in web applications, allowing a server to verify a user's identity and permissions securely. Since a JWT is digitally signed using a secret or a public/private key pair, its contents can be verified and trusted. JWTs can be used for stateful or stateless sessions, commonly replacing traditional server-side session management. JWT Structure A JWT is a string composed of three distinct parts, separated by dots (.), typically looking like this: header.payload.signature . 1. Header The header contains metadata about the token itself, specifically the type of token and the hashing algorithm used for the signature. Algorithm: (alg) This specifies the algorithm used to sign the token. The server will use this algorithm, along with the secret, to gener...

The Biggest NPM Supply Chain Attack What is a Supply Chain Attack? A supply chain attack occurs when attackers target trusted third-party components, such as libraries or registries, instead of attacking users directly. By injecting malicious code at the source, they can spread it to all downstream users. These attacks are dangerous because updates happen automatically in build pipelines, making detection harder. A small modification in a common dependency can silently compromise thousands of projects. Defenses require strong authentication, artifact signing, reproducible builds, and active monitoring of supply chain integrity. Introduction On September 8, 2025, the npm ecosystem faced one of its largest compromises. A maintainer’s account was hijacked, and malicious versions of popular packages were published. Since npm packages are used globally in countless projects, the exposure was immediate and severe. Although the financial damage was limited, the operational dis...

Unlocking the Secrets of Polyglot Files: When One File Speaks Many Languages Introduction In the world of cybersecurity, appearances can be deceiving. A file might look like an innocent image, but behind the scenes, it could also be a ZIP archive, a PDF, or even an executable. Such files are called polyglots — single files that are valid under multiple file formats at the same time. Polyglots are fascinating from a technical standpoint, but they also pose serious security risks. Attackers often use them to bypass filters, sneak past antivirus solutions, or trick unsuspecting users into executing malicious code. What Are Polyglot Files? A polyglot file is crafted in such a way that it conforms to the specifications of two (or more) different file types simultaneously. Example: A file that is both a JPEG image and a ZIP archive . When opened in an image viewer → You see a normal picture. When extracted with a ZIP tool → You find hidden file...

Cybercriminals Exploit Unicode Trick to Mimic Booking.com in Phishing Scam Threat actors have launched a new phishing campaign targeting Booking.com users , leveraging Unicode characters to disguise malicious links as legitimate ones. This attack shows how easily scammers can trick people with subtle visual deceptions. How the Attack Works The campaign uses the Japanese hiragana character “ん” (Unicode U+3093) inside phishing URLs. On some systems and fonts, this symbol looks like a forward slash (/) or part of a subdirectory, making the fake URL appear genuine. For example, a phishing email may display the link (appears safe but is deceptive): https://admin.booking.com/hotel/hoteladmin/... But the actual malicious hyperlink is different (neutralized below for safety): https://account.booking.comんdetailんrestric-access.www-account-booking[.]com/en/ At first glance, it looks like a real Booking.com page. In reality, the true registered domain is “www-account-booking[.]co...

The Mystery of Identicons: Turning Data into Unique Visual Avatars Introduction If you’ve ever signed up for a new website and seen a colorful, pixelated avatar appear next to your name — without uploading a profile picture — you’ve probably met an Identicon . Identicons are unique, algorithmically generated images based on a piece of text, usually a username, email, or IP address. They are used for visual identification and uniqueness without revealing personal information. Where Do We See Identicons? GitHub: User avatars when no profile picture is uploaded. WordPress: Default avatars for comments. StackOverflow: Generated icons for users without a custom profile picture. How Do Identicons Work? Hashing the Input – The text (e.g., "kiyotaka ayanokōji") is passed through a hash function like SHA1 or MD5, producing a fixed-length hexadecimal value. Mapping Bits to a Grid – The hash is split into smaller parts, each controlling ...