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Thousands of CAPTCHA Challenges Act as Pathways for Data Thieves – Avoid Completing Them

In the midst of a substantial password hacking endeavor, around 5,000 false "I'm Not a Robot" tests are being utilized. Users are advised to avoid finishing these CAPTCHAs.

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Infostealer Threat on the Rise: The New Lumma Stealer Malware

Thousands of CAPTCHA Challenges Act as Pathways for Data Thieves – Avoid Completing Them

In the ever-evolving world of cybercrime, infostealers have emerged as the go-to choice for most malicious actors, excluding the ransomware sphere. While ransomware actors do indeed steal data for extortion purposes, the threat to passwords and other sensitive information from ongoing infostealer campaigns cannot be ignored (1).

A recent threat campaign has caught the attention of security researchers, causing alarm due to its use of as many as 5,000 fake CAPTCHA tests. This sophisticated social engineering technique leads to the installation of the most worrying infostealer malware: Lumma.

cybercriminals outside of the ransomware attack sphere. Although ransomware actors do

The ClickFix Method: How It Works

steal data as an extortion leverage tool, the threat to passwords from massive and dedicated ongoing

This social engineering trick, known as the "ClickFix" method, lures users into falling prey by disguising itself as a legitimate CAPTCHA verification process. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

infostealer campaigns cannot be ignored. Now security researchers have observed a new threat campaign that has deployed as many as 5,000 fake CAPTCHA “I Am Not A Robot” tests that lead to installation of the most alarming of infostealers, the

  1. Phishing and Redirects: Users are often targeted via phishing emails or compromised websites. These platforms mimic trusted CAPTCHA services like Cloudflare [(1)(2)(5)].Lumma stealer malware. Here’s what you need to know and do.
  2. Deceptive Instructions: Once on the fake CAPTCHA page, users are guided to perform seemingly harmless actions, like clicking on an "I'm not a robot" button. Instead, these clicks can ultimately lead to the execution of malicious scripts [(1)(5)].
  3. Malicious Script Execution: The instructions provided prompt users to copy a PowerShell script to their clipboard and run it using the Windows "Run" dialog box. This action fetches and executes a malicious payload from a remote server, culminating in the Lumma Stealer malware's installation [(1)(5)].employs the use of fake CAPTCHA images to target victims searching for PDF documents on major search engines. The methodology used includes getting users to complete the I Am Not A Robot tests in order to install the notoriously dangerous Lumma infostealer malware with an ultimate aim of obtaining passwords, credit card details and other personal information. “The attacker uses SEO to trick victims into visiting the pages by clicking on malicious search engine results,” Jan Michael Alcantara, a threat research engineer at Netskope Threat Labs, said, adding that some of these “contain fake CAPTCHAs that trick victims into executing malicious PowerShell commands, ultimately leading to the Lumma Stealer malware.”
  4. Malware Installation: Once the Lumma Stealer malware is installed, it proceeds to steal sensitive data such as browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallet details, and system information [(2)(4)].
  5. Evasion Techniques: Lumma Stealer employs advanced evasion techniques, including code obfuscation and anti-debugging measures, to avoid detection by security software [(2)].Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Sunday, March 2nd

Protect Yourself Against Lumma Stealer

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Given the sophisticated nature of this threat, users must remain vigilant to protect themselves. Here are some precautions to take:

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  1. Use Reputable Sources: Be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links from sources you aren't familiar with.Netskop Threat Labs GitHub repository.
  2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts can offer an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
  3. Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system and antivirus software to ensure you have the latest security patches.
  4. Avoid suspicious sites and emails: If an email or website looks suspicious, it's better to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.

Sources

(1) https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/02/24/hackers-share-39-billion-stolen-passwords-what-you-need-to-know/(2) https://www.netskope.com/blog/fake-captchas-malicious-pdfs-seo-traps-leveraged-for-user-manual-searches%20(3) https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252490454/Infostealer-malware-on-the-rise(4) https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/08/fast-and-furious-infostealer-family-accused-of-stealing-over-18-million-user-credentials/(5) https://www.cyberark.com/threat-defense/threat-intelligence-reports/the-advanced-persistence-of-the-lumma-infostealer-malware/

  1. The "ClickFix" method uses deceptive CAPTCHA tests to trick users into installing the Lumma stealer malware, which is often employed in infostealer campaigns to steal passwords and other sensitive information.
  2. Netskope Threat Labs has reported on the use of fake CAPTCHA images to target victims searching for PDF documents on major search engines, leading to the installation of the Lumma infostealer malware.
  3. To protect against Lumma Stealer, it's recommended to use reputable sources, enable multi-factor authentication, keep software updated, and avoid suspicious sites and emails.

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