Menu

  • Alerts
  • Incidents
  • News
  • APTs
  • Cyber Decoded
  • Cyber Hygiene
  • Cyber Review
  • Cyber Tips
  • Definitions
  • Malware
  • Threat Actors
  • Tutorials

Useful Tools

  • Password generator
  • Report an incident
  • Report to authorities
No Result
View All Result
CTF Hack Havoc
CyberMaterial
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
Hall of Hacks
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
No Result
View All Result
Hall of Hacks
CyberMaterial
No Result
View All Result
Home Alerts

QR Code Attack Targets US Energy

August 17, 2023
Reading Time: 2 mins read
in Alerts
QR Code Attack Targets US Energy

A major US energy company has fallen prey to a targeted phishing campaign involving over 1,000 malicious emails equipped with QR codes designed to pilfer Microsoft credentials.

Discovered by Cofense in May, the attack exploited PNG image attachments and redirect links linked to Microsoft Bing, Salesforce, and CloudFlare’s Web3 services, all containing embedded QR codes. The fraudulent messages exploited urgency tactics by posing as Microsoft security alerts, coercing recipients to update their account security settings, thereby redirecting them to a counterfeit Microsoft credential phishing page.

The US energy firm bore the brunt of the phishing scheme, receiving more than 29% of the harmful QR code-laden emails, while other sectors, including manufacturing, insurance, technology, and financial services, also encountered the malicious campaign. The attack’s momentum has rapidly escalated, witnessing an astronomical 2,400% surge in volume since its discovery in May, with a monthly growth rate surpassing 270%, according to Cofense.

Nathaniel Raymond, a cyber threat intelligence analyst at Cofense, revealed that the campaign’s utilization of QR codes spiked notably in mid-June, while by mid-July, the trend further intensified.

Despite the rarity of QR code usage in phishing emails due to their additional engagement step, these codes confer distinct advantages to attackers, leveraging file attachments to bypass Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) and increasing the likelihood of successful delivery. Nathaniel Raymond emphasized the importance of employee training to recognize evolving phishing techniques, particularly involving unconventional methods like QR codes.

Experts underscored the importance of skepticism and caution, urging users to refrain from scanning QR codes from unknown sources and reinforcing the necessity of verifying links before engaging with them.

References:
  • Major Energy Company Targeted in Large QR Code Campaign
  • QR Code Phishing Campaign Targets Top US Energy Company
Tags: August 2023CredentialsCyber AlertCyber Alerts 2023CyberattackCybersecurityEnergyMicrosoftPhishingQR AttackUSAVulnerabilities
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

FIN6 Uses Fake Resumes To Hack Recruiters

FIN6 Uses Fake Resumes To Hack Recruiters

June 11, 2025
Microsoft Fixes Exploited WebDAV Zero Day

Microsoft Fixes Exploited WebDAV Zero Day

June 11, 2025
Fake Sora AI Lure Installs Infostealer

Fake Sora AI Lure Installs Infostealer

June 11, 2025
New Skitnet Malware Arms Ransomware Gangs

Google Bug Exposed Any User’s Phone Number

June 10, 2025
New Skitnet Malware Arms Ransomware Gangs

Roundcube RCE Flaw Risks 84,000 Servers

June 10, 2025
New Skitnet Malware Arms Ransomware Gangs

New Skitnet Malware Arms Ransomware Gangs

June 10, 2025

Latest Alerts

Fake Sora AI Lure Installs Infostealer

FIN6 Uses Fake Resumes To Hack Recruiters

Microsoft Fixes Exploited WebDAV Zero Day

Google Bug Exposed Any User’s Phone Number

Roundcube RCE Flaw Risks 84,000 Servers

New Skitnet Malware Arms Ransomware Gangs

Subscribe to our newsletter

    Latest Incidents

    BHA Hit By Ransomware But Races Continue

    Sompo Data Breach Puts 17.5M Records At Risk

    DDoS Disrupts Roularta Media In Belgium

    Texas DOT Breach Leaks 300K Crash Reports

    Illinois HFS Employee Phishing Leaks Data

    Cyberattack Disrupts UNFI Food Deliveries

    CyberMaterial Logo
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Legal and Privacy Policy
    • Site Map

    © 2025 | CyberMaterial | All rights reserved

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In

    Add New Playlist

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Definitions
    • Malware
    • Cyber Tips
    • Tutorials
    • Advanced Persistent Threats
    • Threat Actors
    • Report an incident
    • Password Generator
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us

    Copyright © 2025 CyberMaterial