Recent reports highlight a critical vulnerability in GeoServer software, tracked as CVE-2024-36401, which cybercriminals are actively exploiting to deploy cryptomining malware and create IoT botnets. This vulnerability enables remote code execution, allowing attackers to install miners like XMRig on both cloud and on-premise systems, and facilitating multi-stage payloads that evade detection. The exploitation campaigns target high-value sectors such as energy and telecommunications, with tactics including disabling security features and establishing persistence through cron jobs. Researchers have noted a significant increase in scanning activity linked to known threat actors, emphasizing the urgency for organizations using GeoServer to update to patched versions and monitor for unusual CPU usage. The convergence of open-source software vulnerabilities with cryptocurrency incentives poses a substantial threat to national critical infrastructure, necessitating international collaboration for effective countermeasures. Furthermore, the trend reflects a shift in cybercrime tactics, focusing more on targeted, profitable attacks rather than conventional botnet operations, underscoring the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies and threat hunting in safeguarding critical assets.