Threat actors are distributing legitimate Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools such as ScreenConnect, FleetDeck, Datto, SimpleHelp, JumpCloud, and N-able through phishing campaigns. These campaigns use social engineering tactics with fake Adobe Acrobat updates, DocuSign viewers, and document access prompts to trick victims into installing remote access tools disguised as business documents. Delivery methods include LNK files, BAT scripts, VBS files, and PDFs. The RMM tools contain embedded configuration data linking back to attacker infrastructure, enabling remote access while evading detection.
During tax season, threat actors exploit the urgency of time-sensitive tax-related emails to trick targets into opening malicious attachments, scanning QR codes, or following link chains. Recent campaigns identified by Microsoft Threat Intelligence use lures around W-2 forms, tax forms, and impersonation of government tax agencies and financial institutions. These campaigns aim to harvest credentials or deliver malware, often using phishing-as-a-service platforms for convincing credential theft and MFA bypass. Notable tactics include using legitimate remote monitoring tools, targeting specific industries and roles like accountants, and employing sophisticated social engineering techniques. The campaigns leverage various file formats, legitimate infrastructure, and multiple user interactions to complicate detection.
