Morocco's DGSSI Warns of Critical WhatsApp Windows Vulnerability
Doha – Morocco's General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI) issued a security bulletin warning citizens about a critical vulnerability in WhatsApp's Windows application that could allow remote attackers to execute malicious code.
The security flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-30401, affects all WhatsApp versions prior to 2.2450.6 on Windows operating systems, according to the bulletin released by the Center for Monitoring, Detection and Response to Computer Attacks.
Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, acknowledged the vulnerability in its security advisory, stating that 'a maliciously crafted mismatch could have caused the recipient to inadvertently execute arbitrary code rather than view the attachment when manually opening the attachment inside WhatsApp.'
The DGSSI has urged all Moroccan users to immediately update their WhatsApp applications by referring to Meta's security bulletin and installing the necessary patches.
Issued amid rising cybersecurity threats, the warning follows a wave of cyberattacks on Moroccan government platforms that exposed sensitive data and compromised digital infrastructure.
In a separate advisory, the DGSSI also cautioned about a critical vulnerability affecting WordPress websites using the 'SureTriggers' plugin versions prior to 1.0.79, documented under vulnerability identifier CVE-2025-3102.
The country has faced an increasingly unstable cybersecurity environment in recent days, with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) suffering a major breach.
The Algerian hacking group 'JabaRoot DZ' claimed responsibility for the attack, which reportedly resulted in the exposure of salary information of 2 million individuals across 500,000 companies.
This incident was followed by a series of retaliatory attacks, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) campaigns.
Most recently, the Algerian group DDOS54 launched what they described as a 'major campaign' against Moroccan government systems, affecting several ministerial websites, including the Ministry of Agriculture's portal and the national tax portal Tax.gov.ma.
Addressing the WhatsApp vulnerability, security consultants described it as 'a particularly nasty vulnerability for the everyday user,' noting that it could be exploited for data theft, malware deployment, account hijacking, identity theft, or virtually any action a malicious actor chooses to carry out.
The DGSSI's latest warnings reflect an ongoing national effort to monitor digital vulnerabilities and protect users against the rising tide of cyberattacks targeting Moroccan institutions and citizens.
Read also: Moroccan Authorities Warn of Unauthorised Use of Personal Data Following CNSS Leak Tags: CybersecurityDGSSIWhatsApp
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Alalam24
19 hours ago
- Alalam24
WhatsApp Prepares a New Step Toward Enhanced Priva
WhatsApp, one of the world's most widely used instant messaging applications, appears to be gearing up for a major shift in how users connect by developing a new feature that would allow the creation of usernames to be used for communication instead of sharing personal phone numbers. According to leaks and reports from tech sources, this feature — currently being tested in the beta versions of the app — aims to minimize the need to exchange phone numbers, thereby enhancing privacy and creating a safer environment, particularly when interacting with unknown parties or in temporary conversations. Until now, WhatsApp has relied entirely on phone numbers as the primary identifier for starting conversations between users, which stands in contrast to other platforms like Telegram, which has long offered the ability to connect through usernames without needing to disclose personal contact details. Introducing usernames on WhatsApp would represent a significant change in the platform's philosophy, providing users with greater control over their personal information — especially in scenarios where temporary or limited interaction is needed without revealing permanent data. The new feature would allow users to create a unique username linked to their account, enabling them to share that username instead of their phone number. It is also expected to be accompanied by additional privacy settings, allowing users to choose who can find them via their username and who can message them using this method. Despite growing attention and media speculation surrounding the feature, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has not yet made an official announcement regarding its release date or final form. However, leaks from beta versions on Android suggest that development is at a relatively advanced stage, increasing the likelihood of an upcoming launch — possibly rolled out gradually through future updates. If officially adopted, this feature could significantly transform how WhatsApp is used, both personally and professionally, potentially making it a more suitable platform for communication in public and digital environments, where privacy and identity protection have become top priorities.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Can Morocco be prompted ? Highly realistic AI-generated videos spark the question
Imagine a world where your favorite actor isn't real, your favorite movie never had a shooting location, and the banker on that billboard ad you drive by every morning never sat for a bank interview, or even an audition. They're all AI-generated, prompted, yet eerily realistic. What once felt like a distant sci-fi future might be just around the corner, thanks to the rapid advancement of AI video generation. On May 20, a major leap was made : tech giant Google announced the release of Google Veo 3, its latest AI video generation model capable of producing 8-second clips. Once unveiled, Veo 3 took the internet by storm. It introduced synchronized audio, including dialogue, sound effects, and ambient noise, alongside high-quality visuals that surpassed anything previously seen in AI-generated media. AI-generated videos speaking Darija Within hours of its release, shockingly realistic videos created with Veo 3 circulated online. And Morocco was no exception, rather, it was proof that the tool could adapt to different dialects. Videos shared by Moroccan users showed AI-generated people speaking Darija, dressed in traditional clothing, and placed in settings that looked distinctly Moroccan. The realism of these AI-generated videos sparked confusion, with many social media users having to double-check in the comments if what they were seeing was indeed fake. But what happens if those eight seconds are extended into short films, or even full-length features? What does that mean for both the global and local film and entertainment industry? Since the release of Veo 3, Casablanca-based photographer and advertisement director Youness Hamiddine has been experimenting. On his social media accounts, he posted AI-generated clips of street interviews in Moroccan settings, fictional men and women in djellabas speaking Darija, and even a street performer singing about Casablanca's beloved Wydad football club. This isn't Hamiddine's first AI venture. Eight months ago, he directed the first entirely AI-generated music video in Morocco for rapper Young Loun, called Bakhira, which depicted irregular migration attempts. «As a movie director and producer, I feel AI gives me more creative freedom and choice», he told Yabiladi enthusiastically in an interview. «It helps me understand what I can do within my budget. In our field, costs can skyrocket due to logistics, such as renting gear, hiring actors, and obtaining filming permits», he mentioned. Learning, prompting and adapting Through the videos he's been sharing, Hamiddine is clearly adapting, learning how to use a technology that's only evolving, becoming faster, more realistic, and more efficient. «This reminds me of the shift from film to digital. I often think of Kodak's story, which we can learn from», he reflected. Kodak famously shut down its camera business in 2012 after failing to keep pace with the rise of digital photography. «Why do I bring this up? Because we're going through the same transition, this time, from filming to prompting», Hamiddine said. To him, a movie director or producer can now «see what [they] write, instead of going through the whole process of hiring actors, makeup artists, stylists, planning pre-production, filming, editing, and color grading». «Now, you just need to prompt your idea», he summed up. Can you prompt Morocco ? But does this mean the movie industry is losing jobs and filming locations to AI? Can Morocco, a longtime favorite for foreign film productions thanks to its iconic locations like the Ouarzazate studios and kasbahs, favorable weather, experienced extras, and skilled technicians, be recreated with prompts? According to Hamiddine, the answer is nuanced: «I'm not saying it will replace everything 100%», he clarified. «But with this AI evolution, some jobs sooner or later will disappear». And not just jobs, certain gear, too. Just as film cameras became obsolete, AI could soon replace «cameras, studios, sound equipment, and even set décor», he said. «AI will impact the cinema industry, that is for sure. Even if it doesn't fully take over, it will certainly change things», he noted. What might remain, however, are genres rooted in realism, such as documentaries, news, and testimony-based content, where real human presence is irreplaceable, he signaled. Human connection vs. prompted That sentiment is echoed by Hicham Hajji, a producer and filmmaker working between Hollywood and Morocco. While he sees AI as a potential asset for filmmakers, especially in speeding up complex visual effects, he's skeptical about it fully replacing human-made movies. «Movies survived World War I, World War II, COVID… and they'll survive Artificial Intelligence», he told Yabiladi. According to him, people still crave human connection even through actors. «There will definitely be attempts to replace them, and we might go through a few tough years. But in the end, audiences won't enjoy watching movies with character actors who don't exist. They won't connect with them. People will want real actors back», he explained. Hajji, who helps bring Hollywood productions to Morocco, isn't yet convinced that Morocco as a filming location is under threat. «It's too early to tell», he said. «But from my experience, the best filmmakers are always after authenticity. They want to shoot in real locations, with real actors», he said. And Morocco offers that. For now, AI might enhance reality, not replace it, said the movie director who shot parts of his new movie The Lost Princess in Morocco. Hamiddine shares the same principle. «You could film in Ouarzazate but use AI to generate a dragon scene. Just like augmented reality, AI can boost what's already been filmed», he said. «Or maybe, instead of hiring hundreds of extras, you hire ten and duplicate them with AI».
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
French-Moroccan Man Arrested in Tangier for Crypto-Related Kidnapping in France
Rabat – Moroccan police arrested a 25-year-old man with dual French and Moroccan nationality on Wednesday in Tangier, suspected of being part of a network that kidnaps cryptocurrency traders and their family members and demands ransom payments for their release. Police said he is suspected of being involved in serious crimes involving kidnapping, blackmail, and money laundering connected to an international criminal network operating in France. The arrest was part of a joint operation carried out by Morocco's National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). According to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), Moroccan authorities made the arrest after receiving an official complaint from French law enforcement detailing the suspect's criminal activities in France. During the operation, police found a large number of weapons, including swords and knives, in the suspect's possession. They also seized dozens of phones and communication devices, which are now being examined for digital evidence. A significant amount of cash, believed to be linked to the suspect's illegal activities, was also confiscated. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was wanted by French authorities on an international arrest warrant. He is accused of targeting individuals involved in cryptocurrency trading by kidnapping them, using violence, and demanding ransom payments. He is also suspected of helping to launder money gained from these crimes. The suspect is currently in police custody under Morocco's legal procedures. The National Judicial Police are conducting the investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor. France is currently facing a disturbing rise in kidnappings and attempted kidnappings targeting wealthy individuals connected to cryptocurrency. Criminals are focusing on crypto millionaires and their families, often using violence to demand ransom or access to digital assets. Several recent cases show a pattern where attackers target people known to have large cryptocurrency holdings. These include tech executives, their family members, and others with public links to crypto wealth. Just last month, four masked men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat in central Paris. France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has pledged action in response to this disturbing trend. He held a meeting with crypto businesspeople to develop better security protocols and raise awareness of risks. Tags: arrestcryptoFrancekidnap
