Interlock Ransomware Gang Pushes Fake IT Tools in Clickfix Attacks
Summary:
The Interlock ransomware gang has recently adopted the ClickFix technique, a deceptive social engineering method that tricks users into running malicious PowerShell commands under the pretense of fixing errors or verifying their identity. This tactic, previously observed in other malware campaigns, has now been confirmed in Interlock’s operations, highlighting a broader trend of ransomware actors leveraging ClickFix to gain initial access. Interlock, which emerged in late September 2024, targets both FreeBSD and Windows systems and is not run as a ransomware-as-a-service model. It operates a data leak site to pressure victims into paying ransoms ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
According to researchers at Sekoia, Interlock began using ClickFix in January 2025 through fake IT tool pages, particularly mimicking sites like Microsoft Teams and Advanced IP Scanner. Victims are shown a bogus CAPTCHA and instructed to execute a copied PowerShell command, which downloads a malicious 36MB PyInstaller payload. This payload installs a fake version of the software while silently launching a hidden PowerShell script. The script establishes persistence via a Windows Registry key and collects system information for exfiltration.
Sekoia found that the command and control servers distributed a range of payloads, including LummaStealer, BerserkStealer, keyloggers, and the Interlock RAT, a modular trojan capable of file exfiltration, shell command execution, and DLL deployment. After the initial infection, the attackers used stolen credentials to move laterally, relying on tools like RDP, PuTTY, AnyDesk, and LogMeIn. Before launching the final ransomware payload, the group exfiltrated data to attacker-controlled Azure Blob storage. The ransomware is set to execute daily via a scheduled task as a fallback mechanism.
Security Officer Comments:
Interlock’s ransom notes have also evolved, now emphasizing the legal consequences of data exposure, especially in relation to regulatory compliance. Notably, ClickFix is gaining popularity among various threat actors, including state-sponsored groups like North Korea’s Lazarus Group, which recently employed the same technique to target job seekers in the cryptocurrency sector.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
https://blog.sekoia.io/interlock-ransomware-evolving-under-the-radar/
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.
Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.
Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?
Check your security team's work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.
Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks, and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety-critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.
Train employees: Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): External-facing assets that leverage single-factor authentication (SFA) are highly susceptible to brute-forcing attacks, password spraying, or unauthorized remote access using valid (stolen) credentials. Implementing MFA enhances security and adds an extra layer of protection.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ang-pushes-fake-it-tools-in-clickfix-attacks/
https://blog.sekoia.io/interlock-ransomware-evolving-under-the-radar/
The Interlock ransomware gang has recently adopted the ClickFix technique, a deceptive social engineering method that tricks users into running malicious PowerShell commands under the pretense of fixing errors or verifying their identity. This tactic, previously observed in other malware campaigns, has now been confirmed in Interlock’s operations, highlighting a broader trend of ransomware actors leveraging ClickFix to gain initial access. Interlock, which emerged in late September 2024, targets both FreeBSD and Windows systems and is not run as a ransomware-as-a-service model. It operates a data leak site to pressure victims into paying ransoms ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
According to researchers at Sekoia, Interlock began using ClickFix in January 2025 through fake IT tool pages, particularly mimicking sites like Microsoft Teams and Advanced IP Scanner. Victims are shown a bogus CAPTCHA and instructed to execute a copied PowerShell command, which downloads a malicious 36MB PyInstaller payload. This payload installs a fake version of the software while silently launching a hidden PowerShell script. The script establishes persistence via a Windows Registry key and collects system information for exfiltration.
Sekoia found that the command and control servers distributed a range of payloads, including LummaStealer, BerserkStealer, keyloggers, and the Interlock RAT, a modular trojan capable of file exfiltration, shell command execution, and DLL deployment. After the initial infection, the attackers used stolen credentials to move laterally, relying on tools like RDP, PuTTY, AnyDesk, and LogMeIn. Before launching the final ransomware payload, the group exfiltrated data to attacker-controlled Azure Blob storage. The ransomware is set to execute daily via a scheduled task as a fallback mechanism.
Security Officer Comments:
Interlock’s ransom notes have also evolved, now emphasizing the legal consequences of data exposure, especially in relation to regulatory compliance. Notably, ClickFix is gaining popularity among various threat actors, including state-sponsored groups like North Korea’s Lazarus Group, which recently employed the same technique to target job seekers in the cryptocurrency sector.
Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
https://blog.sekoia.io/interlock-ransomware-evolving-under-the-radar/
Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.
Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.
Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?
Check your security team's work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.
Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks, and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety-critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.
Train employees: Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): External-facing assets that leverage single-factor authentication (SFA) are highly susceptible to brute-forcing attacks, password spraying, or unauthorized remote access using valid (stolen) credentials. Implementing MFA enhances security and adds an extra layer of protection.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ang-pushes-fake-it-tools-in-clickfix-attacks/
https://blog.sekoia.io/interlock-ransomware-evolving-under-the-radar/