Attackers are increasingly exploiting Windows shortcut (LNK) files for malware delivery. Palo Alto Unit 42 telemetry revealed 21,098 malicious LNK samples in 2023, which surged to 68,392 in 2024.
In this article, Unit 42 researchers present an in-depth investigation of LNK malware, based on analysis of 30,000 recent samples. Windows shortcut files use the .lnk file extension and function as a virtual link that allows people to easily access other files without having to navigate through multiple folders on a Windows host. The flexibility of LNK files makes them a powerful tool for attackers, as they can both execute malicious content and masquerade as legitimate files to deceive victims into unintentionally launching malware.
Read more…
Source: Palo Alto Unit 42
Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox.
Related:
- “.Zip” top-level domains draw potential for information leaks
June 13, 2023
As a result of Google’s announced sale of new TLDs that are also popular file extension formats, there is an increased risk with the deployment of the “.zip” domain that threat actors will develop new vectors for compromising victims. In early May 2023, Google released eight new TLDs, marketing the “.zip” domain as a way ...
- VMware ESXi Zero-Day Used by Chinese Espionage Actor to Perform Privileged Guest Operations on Compromised Hypervisors
June 13, 2023
As Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions improve malware detection efficacy on Windows and Linux systems, certain state-sponsored threat actors have shifted to developing and deploying malware on systems that do not generally support EDR such as network appliances, SAN arrays, and VMware ESXi hosts. In late 2022, Mandiant published details surrounding a novel malware system deployed ...
- MOVEit Vulnerabilities: What You Need to Know
June 12, 2023
Extortion actors have been actively exploiting a recently patched vulnerability in MOVEit Transfer, a file-transfer application that is widely used to transmit information between organizations. The nature of the software affected means that attackers can exploit unpatched systems to mount a supply chain attack against multiple organizations. While the original vulnerability (CVE-2023-34362) was patched on May ...
- Sneaky DoubleFinger loads GreetingGhoul targeting your cryptocurrency
June 12, 2023
Stealing cryptocurrencies is nothing new. For example, the Mt. Gox exchange was robbed of many bitcoins back in the beginning of 2010s. Attackers such as those behind the Coinvault ransomware were after your Bitcoin wallets, too. Since then, stealing cryptocurrencies has continued to occupy cybercriminals. One of the latest additions to this phenomenon is the multi-stage ...
- Ireland: Fresh cyber attack impacts HSE
June 9, 2023
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been impacted by a fresh cyber attack. Work is ongoing to determine the impact on HSE data following the attack which has been as criminal in nature and international in scale. But no patient data is believed to have been accessed at this stage. Read more… Source: The Irish News
- Ukrainian hackers take down service provider for Russian banks
June 9, 2023
A group of Ukrainian hackers known as the Cyber.Anarchy.Squad claimed an attack that took down Russian telecom provider Infotel JSC on Thursday evening. Among other things, Moscow-based Infotel provides connectivity services between the Russian Central Bank and other Russian banks, online stores, and credit institutions. Read more… Source: Bleeping Computer