Cybercriminals Utilize ClickFix Tactic and Fake CAPTCHA Pages to Distribute CORNFLAKE.V3 Backdoor
August 21, 2025
Malware / Cryptocurrency
Threat actors have been observed employing the ClickFix social engineering tactic to disseminate a versatile backdoor known as CORNFLAKE.V3. Google-owned Mandiant reported this activity, identified as UNC5518, as part of an access-as-a-service scheme that utilizes fake CAPTCHA pages to entice users into granting initial system access, which is subsequently monetized by other threat groups. “The initial infection method, referred to as ClickFix, involves tricking users on compromised websites into copying and executing a malicious PowerShell script through the Windows Run dialog,” Google detailed in a report released today. Access provided by UNC5518 is believed to be exploited by at least two distinct hacking groups, UNC5774 and UNC4108, to launch a multi-stage infection process and introduce additional payloads. UNC5774, another financially motivated group, employs CORNFLAKE to deploy various subsequent payloads. UNC4108, also a threat actor…