In a recent development, Facebook businesses and advertising account users in Taiwan have become the target of an unknown threat actor deploying a sophisticated phishing campaign. The attackers are using deceptive emails and fake PDF filenames to lure victims into downloading and executing malware under the guise of a company’s legal team.

These fraudulent emails are designed to trick recipients into believing they are receiving correspondence from a legitimate source, such as a well-known industrial motor manufacturer or a popular online store in Taiwan. The emails falsely claim copyright infringement by the recipient’s business and demand the immediate removal of the alleged infringing content within a 24-hour period. Failure to comply with the demands outlined in the emails could result in legal action and compensation claims against the targeted individuals or organizations. This malicious tactic has been identified and documented by researchers from Cisco Talos, who have been monitoring the activities of these threat actors.

Furthermore, the threat actors behind this campaign have employed a range of techniques and tools to evade antivirus detection and sandbox analysis. These methods include shellcode encryption, code obfuscation, and the inclusion of information stealers such as LummaC2 and Rhadamanthys in legitimate binaries. Lumma Stealer, for instance, is a form of malware designed to extract sensitive information from compromised systems, focusing on system details, web browser data, and browser extensions. On the other hand, Rhadamanthys is a sophisticated infostealer that has been circulating on underground forums for the past two years, specializing in the theft of system information, credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, passwords, cookies, and data from various applications.

The phishing campaign, which has been active since at least July, initiates with a malware download link embedded within a phishing email containing decoy content in traditional Chinese. This detail suggests that the threat actors are targeting individuals who are fluent in Chinese, potentially expanding the scope of their operations beyond the borders of Taiwan.

It is essential for businesses and individuals in Taiwan, particularly those engaged in advertising on Facebook, to exercise caution when interacting with unsolicited emails and attachments. Implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, including antivirus software and employee training on recognizing phishing attempts, can help mitigate the risks associated with such malicious campaigns.

As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies to collaborate in tracking down and apprehending the perpetrators behind this elaborate phishing scheme. By raising awareness and enhancing cybersecurity measures, the potential impact of similar threats can be minimized, safeguarding the digital ecosystem for businesses and users in Taiwan and beyond.

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