Protect Against Covert Redirect Phishing Attacks

Understanding Covert Redirect Phishing and How to Protect Against It

In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity threats, covert redirect attacks have emerged as a dangerous phishing technique. By exploiting legitimate authentication methods like OAuth and OpenID, hackers gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data on trusted platforms. This article dives into how covert redirects work, their potential impacts on users, and how organizations can protect themselves with the right security awareness training and tools.

What Is a Covert Redirect?

A covert redirect is a security breach where hackers exploit an open redirect vulnerability, tricking users into unknowingly interacting with a malicious site. Here’s how the attack typically unfolds:

1. A legitimate-looking link is crafted to redirect users to a page for authenticating an application (e.g., Facebook or Google login).
2. When the user clicks the link, a fake login or authorization window opens, requesting the user’s credentials.
3. Upon granting access, the victim’s information—such as email, contact details, and personal history—can be stolen.
4. In some cases, users may even be redirected to a page loaded with malware, worsening the security breach.

These attacks are hard to detect because they exploit OAuth and OpenID, two commonly trusted authentication protocols. Wang Jing, a Ph.D. student, first reported this vulnerability in 2014, noting how it affected large tech giants like Facebook, Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft.

How Hackers Use Covert Redirect for Phishing

Covert redirect phishing relies on vulnerabilities in a site’s authentication system. Instead of verifying where users are being redirected, affected platforms leave a gap for hackers to inject malicious links. Here’s a closer look at how hackers exploit covert redirects:

1. Luring Users with Fake Prompts: The phishing link appears legitimate, leading users to trust the prompt that follows, which may resemble the usual OAuth or OpenID consent form.
2. Stealing Login Credentials: If a user grants permission on the fake login page, hackers can capture the login information and other sensitive details, such as emails, birthdates, or even work history.
3. Redirection to Malicious Pages: Hackers often redirect victims to malware-infected sites, putting their devices at further risk of malware infection and system compromise.

Because these phishing attacks closely resemble real login pages and authorization processes, they’re alarmingly effective.

Potential Impact of Covert Redirect Attacks on Users and Organizations

Covert redirect attacks can lead to severe consequences for both individual users and organizations, including:

• Identity Theft: With access to personal information, attackers can impersonate users on other platforms, leading to reputational damage and financial loss.
• Data Breaches: Compromised information could expose entire corporate networks if an employee unknowingly interacts with covert redirects on their work devices.
• Malware Infections: Redirects to malicious sites expose users to malware that could further compromise their systems and data.
• Loss of User Trust: If platforms like Facebook or Google experience a significant attack, it can affect public confidence in these services’ security.

How to Guard Against Covert Redirect Phishing Attacks

Preventing covert redirects requires both technical defenses and user awareness. Here are some effective steps:

Security awareness training is the cornerstone of phishing prevention. Training employees and end-users to recognize phishing attempts significantly reduces the likelihood of covert redirects and other phishing attacks succeeding. Platforms like Keepnet Labs provide comprehensive security awareness training programs, which include simulated phishing attacks to help employees recognize phishing attempts.

An effective way to secure against phishing attacks, including covert redirects, is by deploying multi-layered anti-phishing tools. Solutions like the Phishing Simulator can replicate real phishing scenarios, helping users practice safe responses to suspicious links and prompts.

For organizations with applications using OAuth or OpenID, limit the number of redirects allowed and monitor them rigorously. Some practical steps include:

• Setting up a whitelist of trusted URLs that users can be redirected to.
• Implementing strict checks to validate redirect URLs.
• Regularly testing for vulnerabilities to catch covert redirects early.

OAuth and OpenID are popular protocols for secure access, but outdated versions can contain vulnerabilities. Ensure that your organization's authentication systems are up-to-date and consider adding layers like multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of covert redirect phishing. Read more about MFA security enhancements here.

Keepnet Labs’ Human Risk Management Platform offers a broad suite of tools designed to identify and mitigate human-related risks in cybersecurity. This platform allows for monitoring risky behavior patterns among users, helping organizations stay alert to potential covert redirects and similar phishing tactics. Learn more about Keepnet Labs' Human Risk Management solutions.

Benefits of Using Keepnet Labs for Covert Redirect Protection

Keepnet Labs provides a holistic approach to anti-phishing and security awareness. Here’s how its platform can specifically help protect against covert redirects:

• Phishing Simulations: The Phishing Simulator prepares users to recognize various phishing tactics by running simulations that mimic real-world covert redirect attacks.
• Security Awareness Training: Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training enhances user knowledge on phishing schemes, helping them detect covert redirects and other types of phishing.
• Risk Scoring and Analysis: With a human risk management approach, organizations can monitor and evaluate employee response to simulated attacks, identifying any weak spots that could lead to covert redirect attacks.
• Incident Response Tools: The Incident Responder tool by Keepnet Labs offers fast detection and response capabilities, allowing organizations to quickly neutralize threats that may arise from covert redirect incidents. Explore Keepnet's Incident Responder.

Final Thoughts: Covert Redirect Phishing Requires Proactive Protection

Covert redirect phishing attacks are complex, taking advantage of established authentication protocols to mislead users and steal sensitive information. With adequate training and anti-phishing tools, organizations can drastically reduce the risks associated with covert redirects and other sophisticated phishing tactics. Using Keepnet Labs’ suite of security awareness and anti-phishing solutions offers a proactive way to protect against these threats, ensuring your users and data remain safe from covert redirect attacks.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on November 18, 2024.