PoisonSeed Exploits CRM Accounts to Launch Cryptocurrency Seed Phrase Poisoning Attacks
Summary:
A newly identified malicious campaign known as PoisonSeed is targeting both individuals and enterprises by exploiting compromised credentials from customer relationship management tools and bulk email providers. The attackers use these accounts to send spam messages containing cryptocurrency seed phrases, tricking recipients into creating new wallets using the provided phrases. This tactic, known as a seed phrase poisoning attack, ultimately allows the attackers to access and drain the victims' digital wallets.
The campaign targets organizations beyond the cryptocurrency space, including impersonated services like Coinbase, Ledger, Mailchimp, SendGrid, Mailgun, Hubspot, and Zoho. The attackers set up phishing pages designed to mimic these well-known platforms to steal credentials from high-value targets. Once access is gained, they generate API keys for long-term persistence—even if the original password is reset. They then export mailing lists, likely using automation, and send out spam from the compromised email accounts, urging recipients to set up new wallets with the attacker-supplied seed phrase.
Security Officer Comments:
While PoisonSeed’s methods share some similarities with those used by threat groups Scattered Spider and CryptoChameleon—both part of the broader cybercrime group known as The Com—the phishing infrastructure appears to be unique. This raises the possibility that PoisonSeed is either a new operation by CryptoChameleon or an entirely different group reusing similar tactics.
Suggested Corrections:
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from their 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://www.silentpush.com/blog/poisonseed/
A newly identified malicious campaign known as PoisonSeed is targeting both individuals and enterprises by exploiting compromised credentials from customer relationship management tools and bulk email providers. The attackers use these accounts to send spam messages containing cryptocurrency seed phrases, tricking recipients into creating new wallets using the provided phrases. This tactic, known as a seed phrase poisoning attack, ultimately allows the attackers to access and drain the victims' digital wallets.
The campaign targets organizations beyond the cryptocurrency space, including impersonated services like Coinbase, Ledger, Mailchimp, SendGrid, Mailgun, Hubspot, and Zoho. The attackers set up phishing pages designed to mimic these well-known platforms to steal credentials from high-value targets. Once access is gained, they generate API keys for long-term persistence—even if the original password is reset. They then export mailing lists, likely using automation, and send out spam from the compromised email accounts, urging recipients to set up new wallets with the attacker-supplied seed phrase.
Security Officer Comments:
While PoisonSeed’s methods share some similarities with those used by threat groups Scattered Spider and CryptoChameleon—both part of the broader cybercrime group known as The Com—the phishing infrastructure appears to be unique. This raises the possibility that PoisonSeed is either a new operation by CryptoChameleon or an entirely different group reusing similar tactics.
Suggested Corrections:
Users should always be cautious of individuals or organizations that ask for personal information. Most companies will not ask for sensitive data from their 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://www.silentpush.com/blog/poisonseed/