State-sponsored actors spotted using ClickFix hacking tool developed by criminals

Date:
Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:03:00 +0000

Description:
Iranians, Russians, and North Koreans have been observed trying to trick
their targets into running shady commands on their computers.

FULL STORY

The ClickFix attack technique has gotten so popular that even state-sponsored threat actors are using it, research from Proofpoint claims, having observed
at least three groups leveraging the method in the final quarter of 2024.

In an in-depth report , Proofpoint said it saw Kimsuky, MuddyWater, UNK_RemoteRogue, and APT28, all using ClickFix in their attack chains.

Kimsuky is a known North Korean threat actor, MuddyWater is Iranian, while UNK_RemoteRogue and APT28 are allegedly Russian. Aside from North Koreas Lazarus Group, state-sponsored threat actors are mostly engaged in cyber-espionage, stealing sensitive information from diplomats, critical infrastructure organizations, think tanks, and similar organizations from adversary states.

"The incorporation of ClickFix is not revolutionizing the campaigns carried
out by TA427, TA450, UNK_RemoteRogue, and TA422 but instead is replacing the installation and execution stages in existing infection chains," Proofpoint explained.

ClickFix has been making headlines for months now. It is a social engineering tactic similar to ancient Youve got a virus popups that used to plague
internet sites two decades ago.

Originally, the popup would invite the visitor to download and run an
antivirus program which was, in fact, just malware .

When the industry addressed this attack by striking the infrastructure,
crooks pivoted to leaving a phone number for alleged IT support.

Victims calling this number would be tricked into installing remote desktop programs, giving crooks the ability to download and run malware on their devices.

The ClickFix attack takes this method and gives it a unique spin. It still starts with a popup but sometimes the victims are also asked to complete a CAPTCHA, verify their identity, or similar. The process doesnt require them clicking on a download button, but instead asks them to copy and paste a command in their Run program.

While it sounds far-fetched, its been quite successful, proven by
nation-states adoption, as well.

Via The Hacker News

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/state-sponsored-actors-spotted-using-cl ickfix-hacking-tool-developed-by-criminals

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