Threats Tagged 'data extortion'

A data extortion group called Helix has been identified conducting multi-target campaigns using vishing, device code phishing, and automated SharePoint exfiltration. The group likely emerged from the BlackFile and ShinyHunters ecosystem after BlackFile shut down in April 2026. Helix uses sophisticated social engineering, impersonating managers by name during vishing calls to initiate device code authentication flows. The operation employs shared infrastructure including phishing domains registered through NICENIC with target-specific subdomains. After gaining access, attackers register MFA on compromised accounts, enumerate SharePoint using automated tools with python-requests user-agent, and conduct bulk data exfiltration. Infrastructure analysis reveals connections to BlackFile through hosting on the same autonomous system. The group demonstrates operational flexibility with varying dwell times and uses residential proxies geo-matched to targets to evade detection.

Since April 2026, threat actors operating under O-UNC-066 have deployed a sophisticated vishing campaign targeting Microsoft 365 passkey enrollment. Attackers register domains containing 'passkey' and call victims to convince them to register new passkeys. Victims are directed to operator-controlled phishing kits that mimic Microsoft's enrollment process while attackers simultaneously register their own passkeys in victim accounts. The kit uses real-time polling and adapts to various MFA requirements including TOTP, push notifications, and SMS OTP. Targeted organizations span food and beverage, technology, healthcare, automotive, construction, and aviation industries. The campaign leverages Microsoft's legitimate passkey registration campaigns as a pretext, with primary motivation being data extortion through the Pink data leak site. Infrastructure is hosted on DDoS-Guard and IQWeb FZ-LLC.