This threat involves scammers abusing the screen sharing feature within WhatsApp to steal one-time passwords (OTPs) and subsequently drain funds from victims' accounts. The attack is a form of social engineering where the scammer convinces the victim to initiate a screen sharing session, often under the guise of technical support or urgent assistance. Once screen sharing is active, the attacker can observe the victim’s screen in real time, capturing OTPs sent via SMS or authenticator apps, which are commonly used for two-factor authentication (2FA). By intercepting these OTPs, scammers bypass security mechanisms designed to protect user accounts and financial transactions. Unlike traditional malware or software exploits, this attack does not rely on exploiting a software vulnerability but leverages human factors and the legitimate screen sharing functionality of WhatsApp. The scam requires active user participation, making it a targeted and interactive attack vector. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests it is an emerging threat, but its potential for financial fraud is significant. The attack highlights the risks of using consumer communication tools for sensitive authentication processes without additional safeguards. Organizations and individuals using WhatsApp for communication or 2FA should be aware of this risk and implement controls to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, the impact of this threat can be substantial, particularly for those whose employees or clients use WhatsApp extensively for communication or authentication. Financial institutions and businesses relying on OTPs sent via SMS or WhatsApp for transaction verification are at risk of fraudulent transactions and financial loss. The compromise of OTPs can lead to unauthorized access to corporate accounts, sensitive data exposure, and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations may face regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if customer data or funds are compromised due to inadequate security awareness or controls. The social engineering nature of the attack means that even well-secured systems can be vulnerable if users are not properly trained. The threat also underscores the risk of using consumer-grade applications for business-critical authentication, potentially necessitating a review of authentication policies. The overall operational impact includes potential financial loss, disruption of services, and erosion of trust in digital communication channels.

To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement targeted user education programs emphasizing the risks of screen sharing with unverified parties and the importance of safeguarding OTPs. Policies should explicitly prohibit sharing screens during unsolicited or unexpected requests, especially when sensitive information is visible. Organizations should consider disabling or restricting the use of WhatsApp screen sharing in corporate environments or using enterprise communication tools with stronger security controls. Multi-factor authentication methods that do not rely on OTPs sent via SMS or screen-sharing-prone channels, such as hardware tokens or app-based authenticators with push notifications, should be adopted. Incident response plans should include procedures for suspected social engineering attacks involving screen sharing. Regular phishing simulations and awareness campaigns can help reinforce vigilance. Finally, monitoring for unusual transaction patterns and implementing transaction limits can reduce financial exposure if OTPs are compromised.