A sophisticated phishing campaign leverages evolved ClickFix techniques to bypass modern endpoint security through victim-assisted execution. Targets receive emails with urgent OneDrive document lures containing malicious ZIP attachments. The attack uses LNK shortcuts that redirect victims to landing pages, silently injecting PowerShell commands into their clipboard. Through social engineering, victims are tricked into manually executing commands via Win+R, circumventing traditional security filters. The campaign employs DNS TXT records for payload staging, avoiding HTTP detection. The threat infrastructure hosts multiple malicious components including obfuscated scripts, fake MSI installers masquerading as legitimate software like ConnectWise, and ISO images with spyware for persistent access. This represents a shift toward long-game tactics focused on establishing full post-compromise environmental control.
In March 2026, threat actors leveraged AI-powered website builders to create typosquatting domains impersonating a Brazilian bank. The campaign employed ClickFix techniques, presenting victims with fake CAPTCHA and BSOD screens to trick them into executing malicious PowerShell commands. This delivered SmartRAT, a PowerShell-based banking trojan with capabilities including encrypted C2 communications, remote control of screen/keyboard/mouse, credential theft through keylogging and banking overlays, and QR code interception for transaction fraud. The malware establishes persistence via scheduled tasks and Windows services, and targets Brazilian financial institutions, payment platforms, and cryptocurrency exchanges. The threat actors' C2 panel contained critical authentication flaws allowing client-side bypass, suggesting deployment without adequate security review.
Threat actors are leveraging TikTok and Instagram Reels to distribute the Vidar infostealer through fake software tutorials. Two distinct campaigns use short-form videos disguised as tutorials for unlocking premium software like Spotify. The first campaign uses accounts mimicking official Windows profiles with AI-voiced clips instructing users to run PowerShell commands that download Vidar from lookalike domains. One video achieved over 100,000 views. The second campaign uses ordinary accounts posting music-backed clips that bait users in comments to receive malicious links via direct message. These campaigns exploit platform recommendation algorithms by encouraging saves and shares. Vidar is sold as a service for $300 lifetime license and harvests credentials, financial data and authentication tokens.
The ClickFix campaign is a malware operation that has evolved from simple disk-based infections to advanced, obfuscated attacks using fake CAPTCHA pages to trick victims into running malicious PowerShell commands. Early variants used cleartext commands to download batch scripts deploying DeerStealer InfoStealer. Later versions employ fileless execution with XOR encryption or Base64 compression, running entirely in memory. The most advanced stage uses server-side polymorphism to dynamically generate unique obfuscated payloads per victim, delivering Vidar InfoStealer. The campaign has been active since March 2026, with increased activity through May, leveraging approximately 4,500 live domains. It uses techniques to evade forensic detection by deleting traces after execution.
An MDR investigation successfully mapped the complete operational infrastructure of Banana RAT, a Brazilian banking trojan operated by threat cluster SHADOW-WATER-063. The investigation uncovered both server-side and client-side components, revealing a sophisticated FastAPI-based polymorphic payload generation system that produces hash-unique builds to evade detection. The malware employs layered obfuscation, AES-wrapped payloads, and fileless PowerShell execution. Once deployed, it enables operator-driven fraud through remote input control, keylogging, screen streaming, bank-branded overlays, and Pix QR code interception specifically targeting Brazilian financial institutions. The tooling exclusively targets 16 Brazilian banks and crypto exchanges, with all operator artifacts written in Brazilian Portuguese, indicating a financially motivated actor operating within the Tetrade banking trojan ecosystem.
A sophisticated multi-stage intrusion campaign was identified leveraging a weaponized PowerShell payload disguised as a JPEG image file (sysupdate.jpeg) to deploy a trojanized ConnectWise ScreenConnect instance for covert remote access. The attack likely originates through social engineering techniques including phishing emails or malicious attachments. Upon execution, the malware establishes a staging environment, retrieves additional payloads from attacker-controlled infrastructure, and dynamically compiles a custom launcher using Microsoft's legitimate .NET compiler (csc.exe) to evade detection. The intrusion abuses ComputerDefaults.exe and a malicious ms-settings registry hijack to perform a fileless UAC bypass and obtain elevated privileges. Once elevated, the malware deploys a persistent service masquerading as OneDriveServers and launches a modified ScreenConnect framework capable of credential interception, remote command execution, surveillance operations, SYSTEM-level execution, encrypted command...
A ClickFix-style phishing campaign leveraged social engineering to trick users into executing obfuscated PowerShell commands that downloaded and installed a malicious MSI payload from a remote server. The attack employed a sophisticated multi-stage infection chain utilizing DLL sideloading techniques with renamed legitimate binaries to execute malicious components. The final payload deployed HijackLoader to deliver a Lumma-style information stealer designed for credential harvesting and data exfiltration. The campaign utilized multiple command-and-control domains and infrastructure hosted on specific IP addresses. Mitigation measures include blocking identified artifacts, enhancing user awareness about ClickFix social engineering tactics, implementing endpoint detection for suspicious PowerShell activity and unsigned DLL sideloading, and isolating compromised systems for remediation.
A sophisticated ClickFix campaign was detected in mid-March 2026, beginning with a malicious webpage impersonating Booking.com's visual identity with a fake CAPTCHA. The attack leverages social engineering to trick victims into executing a PowerShell command that downloads and runs a script directly in memory. The JavaScript code automatically copies malicious commands to the clipboard and intercepts copy events. Once executed, the PowerShell dropper performs system fingerprinting, downloads a ZIP payload from a remote server, deploys it to user directories, establishes persistence through registry keys and scheduled tasks, and executes the final payload. The campaign demonstrates well-structured code with fallback mechanisms and real-time telemetry via Telegram, suggesting the use of a ready-to-use attack kit.
An open directory discovery at refundonex[.]com exposed a complete Phishing-as-a-Service and RAT-as-a-Service platform targeting Spanish and Portuguese-speaking victims. The investigation uncovered 3,788 files including weaponized LNK, VBS, and AES-encrypted PowerShell payloads delivering a remote access trojan. The platform, called Shadow Panel, operates from Bulgarian infrastructure and offers capabilities including remote shell execution, screenshot capture, file management, browser credential theft, clipboard hijacking for cryptocurrency wallets, and multi-operator support. The C2 panel's frontend JavaScript was publicly accessible, revealing 29 API endpoints and the complete architecture. Infrastructure analysis linked the operation to nikola4010@proton[.]me through WHOIS data and historical malicious domain associations dating back to 2021, indicating a long-running cybercriminal operation with minimal detection coverage.
Operation DualScript is a sophisticated multi-stage malware campaign targeting cryptocurrency and financial activities. It utilizes Windows Scheduled Tasks, VBScript launchers, and PowerShell execution to maintain persistence while minimizing disk artifacts. The attack operates through two parallel chains: a web-based PowerShell loader deploying a cryptocurrency clipboard hijacker, and a secondary chain executing the RetroRAT implant in memory. RetroRAT monitors user activity, captures keystrokes, and tracks interactions with financial services to harvest sensitive information. The malware employs various anti-analysis techniques and establishes a command-and-control channel for remote access and data exfiltration. This campaign highlights the growing abuse of trusted system utilities and in-memory execution techniques to evade traditional detection mechanisms.
This report details the discovery and analysis of a Horabot malware campaign targeting primarily Mexican users. The attack chain begins with a fake CAPTCHA page leading to multiple stages of obfuscated scripts, ultimately delivering an AutoIT loader and a Delphi-based banking Trojan. The malware employs sophisticated encryption techniques, anti-VM checks, and a custom protocol for C2 communication. It also includes a spreader component written in PowerShell that harvests and exfiltrates email addresses to distribute phishing emails. The analysis reveals Brazilian Portuguese comments in the code, suggesting the threat actor's origin. The report provides detection opportunities including YARA rules and hunting queries to identify this threat.
GoPix is an advanced persistent threat targeting Brazilian financial institutions and cryptocurrency users. It uses memory-only implants and obfuscated PowerShell scripts, evolving from previous RAT and ATS threats. The malware employs sophisticated techniques, including malvertising via Google Ads, man-in-the-middle attacks, and monitoring of Pix transactions and Boleto slips. GoPix bypasses security measures, maintains persistence, and uses robust cleanup mechanisms. It leverages multiple obfuscation layers and a stolen code signing certificate to evade detection. The threat actors carefully select victims, including financial bodies of state governments and large corporations, using legitimate anti-fraud services for targeted delivery.
A sophisticated ClickFix campaign has been uncovered, compromising legitimate websites to deliver a multi-stage malware chain. The attack culminates in MIMICRAT, a custom remote access trojan with advanced capabilities. The campaign uses compromised sites across industries and geographies for delivery, employing a five-stage PowerShell chain that bypasses security measures before deploying a Lua-scripted shellcode loader. MIMICRAT, the final payload, is a native C++ RAT featuring malleable C2 profiles, Windows token theft, and SOCKS5 proxy functionality. The attack chain involves multiple compromised websites, obfuscated scripts, and sophisticated evasion techniques, demonstrating a high level of operational sophistication.
A recent supply chain attack targeting EmEditor users has been uncovered, involving watering hole tactics. The investigation reveals multiple domains masquerading as EmEditor-related sites, all registered through NameSilo LLC in December 2025. The domains resolve to various IP addresses, with some changes observed in February 2026. Additional domains with similar patterns were discovered, along with peculiar HTTP header behavior. A potential early stage of the campaign was identified, sharing similar characteristics with the initial report. The attackers continued their activities even after exposure, utilizing PowerShell scripts and various domains for command and control purposes. The analysis provides a comprehensive list of indicators, including domain names, IP addresses, and file hashes associated with the attack.
A Microsoft Teams voice-phishing campaign leveraging Quick Assist, a remote administration tool, was tracked in September 2025. The campaign uses help desk scams to gain initial access, followed by user group enumeration and the execution of a PowerShell script to download a command and control payload. The attack employs AMSI bypass, encrypted communications, and a web-socket remote access trojan. Multiple Microsoft 365 tenants with IT-related subdomains were used, along with various IPs and domains for C2 infrastructure. The campaign shows similarities to Storm-1811 and PhantomCaptcha activities, suggesting a complex cybercrime ecosystem. The attackers' ultimate goal may be ransomware deployment, although observed attempts were successfully blocked.
A sophisticated multi-stage malware campaign employs living-off-the-land techniques and in-memory payload delivery to evade security controls. The infection chain begins with a hidden batch file that executes an embedded PowerShell loader, which then injects Donut-generated shellcode into legitimate Windows processes. The final payload is a heavily obfuscated .NET framework implementing advanced anti-analysis techniques, credential harvesting, surveillance capabilities, and remote system control. Data exfiltration occurs via Discord webhooks and Telegram bots. The malware, identified as Pulsar RAT, features live chat functionality and background payload deployment, demonstrating a modern, high-evasion Windows malware operation designed for long-term access and large-scale data theft.
UAT-8099 is a malware campaign active from August 2025 to early 2026 targeting vulnerable IIS servers, primarily in Asia, with a focus on Thailand and Vietnam. It uses web shells, PowerShell scripts, and the GotoHTTP tool to maintain persistent remote access. New BadIIS malware variants show enhanced persistence, regional customization, and SEO fraud capabilities, with a Linux ELF variant indicating cross-platform targeting. The campaign shares infrastructure with the WEBJACK campaign, suggesting operational overlap. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, advanced evasion and persistence techniques pose risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. European organizations with exposed IIS servers, especially those with business ties to Asia, should be vigilant. Targeted detection of web shells, PowerShell abuse, and monitoring for GotoHTTP traffic are critical mitigations. Germany, France, and the UK are most likely affected due to IIS usage and strategic interests in Asia.
In January 2026, IIJ observed malicious LNK files targeting Korean users to execute the MoonPeak malware, attributed to North Korean threat actors. The infection chain begins with a LNK file that runs an obfuscated PowerShell script, which checks for analysis environments, creates additional scripts, and sets up persistence. The second stage downloads and executes a payload from GitHub, which is actually the MoonPeak malware. MoonPeak is obfuscated using ConfuserEx and communicates with a C2 server. The campaign utilizes GitHub for hosting malware, a technique known as Living Off Trusted Sites (LOTS). This attack demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by North Korean actors targeting various countries and individuals worldwide.
A compromised EmEditor installer was used in a software supply chain attack to deliver multistage malware. The attack, discovered in late December 2025, targeted users of this widely-used text editor. The malware performs credential theft, data exfiltration, and enables lateral movement. It uses obfuscated PowerShell scripts and geofencing techniques, suggesting possible Russian origin. The malware disables security features, gathers system information, and exfiltrates data to a command-and-control server. This incident highlights the importance of validating installer integrity, monitoring PowerShell usage, preserving endpoint telemetry, and enforcing least privilege principles. Software publishers are advised to secure download infrastructure and prepare incident response plans.
PhantomCore, a hacking group targeting Russian and Belarusian companies since 2022, launched a new wave of malicious email campaigns on January 19 and 21, 2026. The attacks targeted various sectors including utilities, finance, urban infrastructure, aerospace, consumer digital services, chemical industry, construction, consumer goods manufacturing, and e-commerce. The campaign used phishing emails with malicious attachments, leveraging compromised legitimate email addresses. The malware operates in multiple stages, including downloading decoy documents, executing PowerShell scripts, and establishing persistence through scheduled tasks. The second stage malware, similar to previously known PhantomCore.PollDL, communicates with command and control servers to receive and execute commands.
