Phishing-as-a-Service "Rockstar 2FA" Targets Microsoft 365 Users with AiTM Attacks
Summary:
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered malicious email campaigns using a sophisticated phishing-as-a-service toolkit called Rockstar 2FA, designed to steal Microsoft 365 account credentials. This toolkit employs adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) attacks, enabling attackers to intercept user credentials and session cookies, even bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA). According to Trustwave researchers Diana Solomon and John Kevin Adriano, Rockstar 2FA is an updated version of the DadSec (also known as Phoenix) phishing kit, which Microsoft tracks under the name Storm-1575. The kit is marketed through platforms like ICQ, Telegram, and Mail[.]ru on a subscription model for $200 for two weeks or $350 for a month, providing cybercriminals with little-to-no technical expertise the ability to mount large-scale campaigns.
Rockstar 2FA includes features like MFA bypass, 2FA cookie harvesting, antibot protection, customizable login page themes mimicking popular services, and fully undetectable (FUD) phishing links. Its modern admin panel allows users to track campaigns, generate phishing URLs, and customize themes applied to malicious links. Campaigns utilizing the toolkit often exploit trusted platforms like Atlassian Confluence, Google Docs Viewer, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dynamics 365 Customer Voice to host phishing links, leveraging the trust associated with these services to evade detection. Initial access is achieved through phishing emails containing URLs, QR codes, or document attachments, often disguised as file-sharing notifications or electronic signature requests. The emails further incorporate legitimate services like Cloudflare Turnstile and URL protection tools to bypass spam filters.
Once a victim interacts with the phishing page, which closely mimics the authentic login page of the targeted service, their credentials and session cookies are immediately sent to an AitM server for unauthorized access. This method exemplifies the evolving sophistication of phishing campaigns, demonstrating how even MFA-protected accounts can be compromised. Besides Rockstar 2FA, other campaigns such as the Beluga campaign have been observed using .HTM attachments to trick users into entering their credentials on fake Microsoft OneDrive login pages, with stolen data sent to Telegram bots.
Analyst Comments:
In addition to phishing kits, deceptive betting game ads on social media have been linked to fraudulent financial apps and adware like MobiDash, which steal personal data and money under the guise of quick financial gains. Victims are often lured into depositing funds or sharing sensitive information, with some reporting financial losses exceeding $10,000. Group-IB CERT analyst Mahmoud Mosaad warns that these schemes not only exploit users' trust but also result in severe financial and privacy damages. The increasing sophistication of phishing-as-a-service platforms like Rockstar 2FA, combined with the use of trusted platforms and advanced evasion techniques, underscores the urgent need for robust anti-phishing measures, employee training, and vigilant monitoring to combat these threats effectively.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/res...-driving-force-in-phishing-as-a-service-paas/
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from its customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.
Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.
As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.
Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.
Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.
Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.
Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.
Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.
Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.
Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.
It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.
If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.
Link(s):
https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/phishing-as-service-rockstar-2fa.html
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered malicious email campaigns using a sophisticated phishing-as-a-service toolkit called Rockstar 2FA, designed to steal Microsoft 365 account credentials. This toolkit employs adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) attacks, enabling attackers to intercept user credentials and session cookies, even bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA). According to Trustwave researchers Diana Solomon and John Kevin Adriano, Rockstar 2FA is an updated version of the DadSec (also known as Phoenix) phishing kit, which Microsoft tracks under the name Storm-1575. The kit is marketed through platforms like ICQ, Telegram, and Mail[.]ru on a subscription model for $200 for two weeks or $350 for a month, providing cybercriminals with little-to-no technical expertise the ability to mount large-scale campaigns.
Rockstar 2FA includes features like MFA bypass, 2FA cookie harvesting, antibot protection, customizable login page themes mimicking popular services, and fully undetectable (FUD) phishing links. Its modern admin panel allows users to track campaigns, generate phishing URLs, and customize themes applied to malicious links. Campaigns utilizing the toolkit often exploit trusted platforms like Atlassian Confluence, Google Docs Viewer, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dynamics 365 Customer Voice to host phishing links, leveraging the trust associated with these services to evade detection. Initial access is achieved through phishing emails containing URLs, QR codes, or document attachments, often disguised as file-sharing notifications or electronic signature requests. The emails further incorporate legitimate services like Cloudflare Turnstile and URL protection tools to bypass spam filters.
Once a victim interacts with the phishing page, which closely mimics the authentic login page of the targeted service, their credentials and session cookies are immediately sent to an AitM server for unauthorized access. This method exemplifies the evolving sophistication of phishing campaigns, demonstrating how even MFA-protected accounts can be compromised. Besides Rockstar 2FA, other campaigns such as the Beluga campaign have been observed using .HTM attachments to trick users into entering their credentials on fake Microsoft OneDrive login pages, with stolen data sent to Telegram bots.
Analyst Comments:
In addition to phishing kits, deceptive betting game ads on social media have been linked to fraudulent financial apps and adware like MobiDash, which steal personal data and money under the guise of quick financial gains. Victims are often lured into depositing funds or sharing sensitive information, with some reporting financial losses exceeding $10,000. Group-IB CERT analyst Mahmoud Mosaad warns that these schemes not only exploit users' trust but also result in severe financial and privacy damages. The increasing sophistication of phishing-as-a-service platforms like Rockstar 2FA, combined with the use of trusted platforms and advanced evasion techniques, underscores the urgent need for robust anti-phishing measures, employee training, and vigilant monitoring to combat these threats effectively.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/res...-driving-force-in-phishing-as-a-service-paas/
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from its customers. If in doubt, users should verify with the company itself to avoid any potential issues.
Users should always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email. Most companies use a single domain for their URLs and emails, so a message that originates from a different domain is a red flag.
As a general rule, users should not click links or download files even if they come from seemingly “trustworthy” sources.
Check for mismatched URLs. While an embedded URL might seem perfectly valid, hovering above it might show a different web address. In fact, users should avoid clicking links in emails unless they are certain that it is a legitimate link.
Users should always be on the lookout for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies will often employ proofreaders and editors who ensure that the materials they send out are error-free.
Users should not be frightened or intimidated by messages that have an alarmist tone. They should double check with the company if they are uncertain about the status of their accounts.
Phishing emails are designed to be sent to a large number of people, so they need to be as impersonal as possible. Users should check whether the message contains a generic subject and greeting, as this can be a sign of a phishing attempt.
Although not every end user has access to advanced anti-phishing software, they can still use the built-in protection of their email clients to filter messages. One example is setting the email client to block all images unless approved.
Legitimate companies will never send confirmation emails unless there are specific reasons for doing so. In fact, most companies will avoid sending unsolicited messages unless it’s for company updates, newsletters, or advertising purposes.
Users should always take the context of an email or message into account. For example, most online accounts do away with viewable member numbers, so users should be wary if they receive emails containing a “member number” for services that generally don’t use them.
It is important to take note of unusual information in the text of the message. Any mentions of operating systems and software that are not typically used by consumers can often be indicators of a phishing attempt.
If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Users should always err on the side of caution when it comes to sending out personally identifiable information through messages and emails.
Link(s):
https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/phishing-as-service-rockstar-2fa.html