Phishing remains one of the most effective methods for attackers to gain initial access to a network. In this post, we'll dissect a modern phishing campaign, from the initial email to the final payload delivery.
1. The Lure
The attack begins with a carefully crafted email. These are no longer the typo-ridden messages of the past. Modern phishing emails mimic legitimate corporate communications, often using urgent language related to password resets, unpaid invoices, or HR announcements.
2. The Landing Page
Clicking the link leads to a pixel-perfect clone of a familiar login page, such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. The URL might be subtly different, using techniques like typosquatting (e.g., 'microsft.com') or a legitimate-looking subdomain on a malicious domain.
3. Credential Harvesting & 2FA Bypass
Once you enter your credentials, they are sent to the attacker. More advanced attacks will even proxy the 2FA request in real-time, asking you for your one-time code and immediately using it to log in themselves, effectively bypassing this critical security layer.