Latest news with #WindowsFileExplorer
TECHx
17-07-2025
- TECHx
FileFix: A New Social Engineering Threat Emerges
Home » Top stories » FileFix: A New Social Engineering Threat Emerges Check Point Research identifies how the new social engineering technique, FileFix, is being actively tested by threat actors in the wild. Attackers have long exploited human trust as a primary attack surface, and they're doing it again with a new technique called FileFix. FileFix is a recently uncovered social engineering attack that builds on the widely abused ClickFix tactic. Unlike ClickFix, which tricks users into running malicious commands via the Windows Run dialog, FileFix takes a subtler approach: it opens a legitimate Windows File Explorer window from a webpage and silently loads a disguised PowerShell command into the user's clipboard. When the victim pastes into the Explorer address bar, the malicious command executes. This attack relies not on software vulnerabilities but on exploiting routine user actions and trust. Within just two weeks of FileFix's public disclosure, Check Point Research observed this technique being actively tested in the wild by a known threat actor. This group previously deployed ClickFix-based phishing campaigns targeting users of major cryptocurrency platforms. The FileFix tests so far use benign payloads, signaling an imminent shift to delivering real malware. During the same period, threat group KongTuke was also found using the method in a recent campaign. With FileFix now operational in real-world campaigns, defenders must prepare for the next phase: full-scale deployment of malicious payloads using this technique. The attack infrastructure is established, and it's only a matter of time before FileFix causes significant damage. 'Threat actors began using FileFix less than two weeks after it was published, showing just how quickly cyber criminals adapt. Like ClickFix, this technique doesn't rely on complex exploits, but on manipulating routine user behavior. By shifting from the Run dialog to File Explorer, attackers are now hiding in plain sight, making detection harder and the threat more dangerous,' said Eli Smadja, Group Manager, Security Research at Check Point Software Technologies. This blog will explain how the FileFix attack works, profile the threat actor testing it, and provide actionable guidance for defenders to detect, block, and prepare for this evolving threat. Background: The Rise of FakeCaptcha/FixIt/ClickFix Attacks ClickFix is a simple but highly effective social engineering trick. It convinces users to run malicious code by pretending there's a technical problem that needs fixing, like a broken CAPTCHA or browser error. Victims are typically told to copy and paste a command into the Windows Run dialog, unknowingly infecting themselves in the process. Over the past year, ClickFix attacks have surged, evolving into one of the most common initial access methods. Attackers spoof familiar services and design convincing error messages to lower users' defenses. This success paved the way for FileFix, a new variation with even subtler execution. The FileFix Technique: An Evolution of ClickFix Social Engineering Attacks Building on the widespread success of the ClickFix social engineering attack, security researcher mr.d0x introduced FileFix on June 23, 2025, a new, stealthier technique designed to trick users into executing malicious commands without raising suspicion. Unlike ClickFix, which relies on the more noticeable Windows Run dialog, FileFix shifts the attack to the familiar and trusted environment of Windows File Explorer. This technique does not exploit software vulnerabilities; instead, it leverages user trust in everyday Windows actions to execute harmful code. How FileFix works A malicious webpage can launch a Windows Explorer window on the victim's computer. Simultaneously, JavaScript running on that webpage quietly copies a disguised PowerShell command to the user's clipboard. The victim is then instructed to paste a 'file path' into the Explorer address bar. Instead of a real file path, the pasted content is a hidden PowerShell command. When the user presses Enter, Windows Explorer executes the command, which downloads and runs malware, all without displaying any obvious warning or command prompt. To victims, this process appears to be a simple task of opening a shared file or folder, making it feel routine and safe. This subtle manipulation makes FileFix a more stealthy and potentially more dangerous evolution of the ClickFix social engineering attack. The phishing site after being updated to deliver a malicious script Our Discovery: FileFix Technique Actively Tested in the Wild by Known Threat Actors Just over two weeks after the FileFix social engineering technique was publicly disclosed, in early July 2025, Check Point Research observed cyber criminals actively testing this new attack method in real-world campaigns. The threat actor, previously known for leveraging the ClickFix technique to distribute malware such as loaders, remote access Trojans (RATs), and information stealers, has begun experimenting with FileFix as part of their phishing operations. On July 6, 2025, we detected a newly registered domain hosting a phishing page closely resembling this group's earlier campaigns. Although the embedded FileFix script initially delivered only a benign payload, the activity clearly signals that threat actors are preparing to weaponize FileFix for future malware distribution and targeted attacks. Threat Actor Profile & Past Activity This threat actor has a history of targeting users of major cryptocurrency exchanges and other legitimate services. Their primary lure technique is SEO poisoning, which involves manipulating search engine results to promote malicious sites to the top. For example, a recent attack used a malicious sponsored Bing ad (malvertising) directing a victim to a fake 1Password site, where they were tricked into executing a ClickFix script that installed a NetSupport Manager remote access tool on their machine. A signature trait of this actor's phishing pages is their consistent imitation of Cloudflare CAPTCHA or security verification screens. To broaden their reach, the actor translates their lures into multiple languages including English, Korean, Slovak, and Russian, making their campaigns global and adaptable. Phishing pages in different languages Threat actors started using the new FileFix technique less than two weeks after its publication, demonstrating how quickly cyber criminals adapt to emerging trends. Techniques like ClickFix have emerged as some of the most effective initial access methods, not through technical exploits but via low-cost, high-impact manipulation of user behavior. Preparing for the Next Wave of Social Engineering Attacks: Defending Against FileFix and ClickFix The rapid rise of the ClickFix technique in 2025 highlights that social engineering remains one of the most cost-effective and enduring methods cyber criminals use to breach defenses. This approach exploits human behavior by tricking users into unknowingly executing malicious commands on their own computers. FileFix advances this tactic by concealing harmful commands behind the seemingly harmless act of opening files in Windows File Explorer. The fact that FileFix is already being tested and used in the wild mere days after its public disclosure shows how quickly attackers adopt new techniques and adapt to the evolving cyber threat landscape. Key Recommendations for Defenders and Users Be highly suspicious of any webpage or email that asks you to perform unusual manual actions, especially copying and pasting commands into system dialogs or Windows Explorer address bars. Educate users that legitimate websites and software rarely require manual execution of commands to fix issues. Monitor phishing pages that mimic popular services or security verification screens, particularly those using Cloudflare-like templates or recurring fake identifiers like Ray IDs. Implement and fine-tune endpoint detection rules to flag suspicious clipboard activity or unusual PowerShell executions triggered by user actions. Stay current with emerging social engineering trends and regularly update user training, incident response plans, and security playbooks. Foster a culture of verification where users confirm unexpected or unusual requests with IT or security teams before acting. Staying informed and vigilant is critical to preventing attackers from turning users into unwitting accomplices. Leveraging Endpoint Protection with Check Point Harmony Endpoint Tools like Check Point's Harmony Endpoint offer advanced endpoint detection and response capabilities designed to identify suspicious behaviors, such as unusual clipboard manipulation or stealthy PowerShell command executions initiated by user interactions. By combining proactive threat hunting, behavioral analytics, and real-time blocking, Harmony Endpoint empowers organizations to detect and stop evolving social engineering attacks like FileFix and ClickFix before they cause damage. In today's fast-changing threat environment, deploying intelligent endpoint protection solutions is essential to strengthening your organization's last line of defense.
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
New FileFix attack brings ClickFix social engineering to Windows File Explorer — how to stay safe
Developed by cybersecurity researcher, mr. d0x, a FileFix attack is a new version of the ever popular ClickFix social engineering tool. For those unfamiliar with ClickFix, it tricks users into executing malicious commands by convincing them that they need to 'fix' something in order to complete a task on their machines. As reported by BleepingComputer, this new FileFix method uses the Windows File Explorer address bar instead. Mr.d0x not only discovered the new method but has demonstrated that it can be used in attacks to target company employees via the same social engineering techniques that have proven highly successful with ClickFix. ClickFix attacks, which have surged in popularity recently, are browser-based and use a variety of tactics to get victims to click on a button in their browser that will copy a command to their Windows clipboard. The victim is then told to paste the command into PowerShell or prompted to perform an additional command in order to 'fix' the issue. This is frequently seen as a reCAPTCHA or an error that needs to be corrected via the Win+R Run Dialog. It has proven to be an extremely effective malware tool, used to spread dangerous infostealers and launch ransomware attacks. The FileFix update created by mr.d0x is similar to a typical ClickFix attack but pastes the command into Windows File Explorer, which many users are more comfortable using. File Explorer can also execute operating system commands which means it has a functional upload feature; the 'trick' portion of the attack is that it no longer requires an error or an issue as a lure and may simply appear as a notification for a shared file that the user needs to locate through File Explorer. FileFix is a phishing page that includes an 'Open Fixe Explorer' button that will launch File Explorer through the file upload functionality and copy the PowerShell command to the clipboard. The fake path is initially seen in the Fixe Explorer address bar, which hides the malicious command and then executes it. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The ClickFix tactic that's currently being used in more and more in attacks is working due to the fact that it's able to bypass the best antivirus software and many other security tools. The reason for this is that victims end up doing most of the heavy lifting themselves as the hackers behind this and similar campaigns use social engineering to coerce them into taking action. The hackers behind this and similar campaigns use your preexisting knowledge and online habits to get you to do something you otherwise normally wouldn't. They might also use a sense of urgency to get you to visit one of the malicious sites used in this campaign. If you do see a verification pop-up with instructions, close the website immediately and whatever you do, don't interact with it or follow its instructions. Being asked to open a Terminal or Command Prompt window on your computer is a major red flag. However, not everyone is as tech savvy which is why you should share what you've learned with both older and younger family members, friends and colleagues to help keep them safe, too.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- NDTV
Urgent Microsoft Windows Cyberattack Warning: Avoid Opening These Files
Microsoft Windows users have been urgently warned about a dangerous cyberattack that can exploit a longstanding, unresolved security flaw involving Windows LNK files. As per a report in Forbes, citing cybersecurity researchers at Kaspersky and Trend Micro, the vulnerability, known as ZDI-CAN-25373, is being actively exploited by cybercriminals to mount a series of attacks this year. A malicious LNK file can exploit a Windows feature by including an attacker-controlled network location, targeting users across different VLANs. It exploits a flaw in Windows File Explorer, which does not fully display certain parameters included in shortcut files. Despite the vulnerability existing for years, Windows has not assigned it a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifier that is typically used to acknowledge and track security threats. In a statement issued to the outlet, Microsoft claimed that its Defender includes content scanning functionality that examines files, including the LNK ones. 'We appreciate the work of ZDI in submitting this report under a coordinated vulnerability disclosure. Microsoft Defender has detections in place to detect and block this threat activity, and the Smart App Control provides an extra layer of protection by blocking malicious files from the Internet," Microsoft said in a statement. "As a security best practice, we encourage customers to exercise caution when downloading files from unknown sources as indicated in security warnings, which have been designed to recognise and warn users about potentially harmful files." it added. "While the UI experience described in the report does not meet the bar for immediate servicing under our severity classification guidelines, we will consider addressing it in a future feature release." Despite Microsoft's assurance, the best protection against the flaw remains awareness and practising caution. Don't open LNK files from unverified sources. Ensure Microsoft Defender or the antivirus software remains updated. Pay attention to security warnings displayed by Windows. Also Read | Woman Who Died For 8 Minutes Reveals What She Saw: "I Realised That..." Google's advice to users Recently, Google has also been urging its Gmail users to move on from older sign-in methods like passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) to better secure their accounts. The tech giant told users to upgrade accounts to passkeys as well as social sign-ins, which use authenticated platforms like "Sign in with Google". Passkeys is a login system that replaces passwords with biometric authentication via a trusted device like a smartphone. Google views passkeys as "phishing resistant", which can help users log in simply with the method they use to unlock their devices, which can include fingerprint recognition, facial scan, or the pattern lock.
