The ClickFix phishing campaign is a large-scale attack vector targeting hotel systems worldwide, with a focus on infiltrating hospitality IT environments through social engineering. Attackers send phishing emails that appear legitimate to hotel employees, prompting them to open malicious attachments or links. These payloads deploy PureRAT, a sophisticated remote access trojan (RAT) that grants attackers persistent control over infected machines. PureRAT enables attackers to steal sensitive data such as guest information, payment card details, and employee credentials, as well as to move laterally within the network. The malware can also disable security controls and exfiltrate data stealthily, increasing the risk of prolonged undetected compromise. The campaign leverages the hospitality sector’s often decentralized and diverse IT infrastructure, which may lack uniform security controls, making it an attractive target. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild beyond phishing delivery, the scale and targeting of this campaign elevate its threat level. The absence of specific affected software versions suggests the attack focuses on human factors and social engineering rather than exploiting software vulnerabilities. The campaign’s reliance on phishing underscores the importance of user awareness and robust email security. The threat was reported recently on a trusted cybersecurity news source, indicating its current relevance and urgency.

European hotel organizations could suffer significant operational disruptions due to compromised booking systems, property management software, and internal communications. Confidential guest data, including personally identifiable information (PII) and payment details, are at high risk of theft, leading to regulatory penalties under GDPR and loss of customer trust. The integrity of hotel IT systems may be undermined, enabling attackers to manipulate reservation data or sabotage services. Persistent access granted by PureRAT could facilitate further attacks, including ransomware deployment or espionage. The reputational damage from publicized breaches could reduce tourism revenue and damage brand value. Additionally, the interconnected nature of hospitality supply chains means that infections could spread to third-party vendors and partners, amplifying the impact. The attack also poses risks to employee privacy and internal communications confidentiality. Given the high volume of international travelers in Europe, compromised hotel systems could be leveraged for broader cyber espionage or fraud campaigns. The financial impact includes remediation costs, regulatory fines, and potential litigation.

Implement targeted phishing awareness training tailored to hotel employees, emphasizing recognition of ClickFix tactics and suspicious email indicators. Deploy advanced email filtering solutions with sandboxing and URL rewriting to detect and block phishing attempts. Enforce strict network segmentation to isolate critical hotel management systems from general user networks, limiting lateral movement opportunities for attackers. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools configured to identify behaviors typical of RATs, such as unusual network connections or process injections. Apply multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all remote access and administrative accounts to reduce the risk of credential misuse. Regularly audit and update incident response plans specific to hospitality sector threats, including procedures for malware containment and forensic analysis. Conduct threat hunting exercises focused on detecting PureRAT indicators and anomalous activity within hotel networks. Collaborate with industry information sharing groups to stay updated on phishing campaign evolutions and IoCs. Ensure timely patching of all software and firmware, even though this attack vector is phishing-based, to reduce overall attack surface. Finally, consider deploying deception technologies to detect lateral movement and command-and-control communications early.