Learn About FIN10 hacker group techniques explained, attacks & tactics 2025
Cybercrime is projected to cost businesses $100 billion globally by 2025, with public cloud breaches averaging $5 million per incident. The digital threat landscape grows more dangerous as criminals adopt AI-powered methods to exploit vulnerabilities.
One notable actor, known as FIN10, has emerged as a major risk. Their tactics blend ransomware schemes with phishing campaigns, targeting corporate communication platforms like Microsoft Teams. Cloud-based attacks surged 154% last year, proving no system is immune.
We must understand both technical weaknesses and human errors to defend against these threats. Supply chain breaches and ransomware-as-a-service models add complexity to modern security challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Cybercrime may cost $100 billion annually by 2025.
- Public cloud breaches average $5 million in damages.
- AI-driven tactics make attacks harder to detect.
- Phishing scams now target collaboration tools.
- Ransomware remains a top business threat.
Who Is the FIN10 Hacker Group?
Eastern European cybercrime syndicates birthed one of today’s most persistent threats. Initially active in 2018, these threat actors specialized in credential stuffing before adopting advanced tactics.
Origins and Evolution
FIN10 traces its roots to underground forums where stolen data was traded. By 2020, they shifted to ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) partnerships, notably with Black Basta. This collaboration provided access to leaked brute-force tools.
Their operations grew sophisticated, leveraging AI to refine phishing kits like *”Sneaky 2FA”*. Recent campaigns target Microsoft Teams, exploiting trusted communication channels.
Notable Historical Attacks
In 2024, FIN10 crippled Keytronic, causing $15 million in revenue loss. The attack exploited supply chain vulnerabilities through vendor software.
Another example includes the Storm-1811 campaign, which impersonated corporate IT teams. Healthcare and retail sectors remain prime targets due to high payout potential.
Key Patterns:
- Transition from phishing to RaaS models
- Preference for supply chain weaknesses
- Use of collaboration platforms for social engineering
FIN10 Hacker Group Techniques Explained, Attacks & Tactics 2025
Modern cyber threats now leverage AI to craft highly convincing scams. Attackers blend hyper-personalized phishing with ransomware partnerships, exploiting both human trust and software flaws. Below, we dissect their evolving playbook.
AI-Driven Social Engineering Campaigns
Artificial intelligence now clones executive voices to trick employees into wire transfers. These “CEO fraud” attempts surged 120% in 2024, using public LinkedIn data for authenticity.
Microsoft Teams became a prime phishing channel, with 58% of scams using onmicrosoft[.]com domains. Messages peak weekdays between 12pm-3pm, mimicking urgent IT requests.
ClearFake CAPTCHA scams bypass browser protections by mimicking legitimate login prompts. Attackers also weaponize OneDriveStandaloneUpdater.exe to maintain persistence in compromised networks.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) Partnerships
Black Basta’s leaked chat logs reveal RaaS affiliates now keep 85% of profits, up from 70% in 2023. This model fuels a 250% spike in VPN access broker listings since last year.
DLL sideloading hides malware in trusted processes like Windows Run prompts. The “ClickFix” technique executes malicious scripts while appearing as routine updates.
“RaaS democratizes cybercrime—affiliates need zero coding skills to launch attacks.”
These tactics highlight why layered defenses and employee training are critical. Attackers adapt faster than ever.
Top Attack Vectors Used by FIN10 in 2024-2025
Remote access tools have become a double-edged sword for modern enterprises. While enabling productivity, they also expose critical vulnerabilities to credential-stuffing campaigns and social engineering. Below, we dissect three dominant intrusion methods.
VPN and RDP Brute-Forcing
A 21.3% year-over-year surge in brute-force attempts targets weak Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) configurations. Exposed Windows Admin accounts with default credentials are prime entry points.
Attackers leverage the RockYou2024 database, containing 8 billion passwords, to automate login attempts. Tools like Quick Assist disguise command-and-control (C2) traffic as routine remote support sessions.
Microsoft Teams Phishing Escalation
Collaboration platforms face alarming abuse. 83% of Teams scams impersonate “Help Desk” senders, urging employees to approve fake MFA prompts. Inbox rule manipulation hides malicious replies from detection.
Tenant impersonation bypasses multi-factor authentication (MFA) by spoofing legitimate Microsoft domains. GreyMatter’s brute-force detection case study reveals how attackers evade traditional safeguards.
Exploitation of Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Retail systems suffered a 153% spike in ransomware via compromised vendors. Cleo Harmony software, used for B2B integrations, became a conduit for lateral movement.
Third-party risks now outweigh direct attacks. Organizations must audit vendor access privileges and segment networks to limit breach impact.
“Supply chain intrusions account for 40% of 2024’s critical incidents—vendors are the new perimeter.”
Case Study: FIN10’s 2025 Cleo Software Exploit
Third-party software often becomes the weakest link in security chains. The December 2024 Cleo Harmony compromise shows how trusted business tools can enable devastating attacks. Attackers exploited CVE-2024-50623 to infiltrate retail payment systems.
Attack Timeline and Impact
The breach began with phishing emails to software administrators. Within 72 hours, attackers deployed Black Basta ransomware across vendor networks. The $2.3M remediation cost paled against $15M in lost revenue.
74% of affected organizations lacked next-gen firewall protection. Retailers using outdated Cleo Harmony versions suffered the worst data exposure. This mirrors CL0P’s MOVEit campaign patterns.
Lessons Learned
The incident exposed critical gaps in vendor risk assessments. 68% of victims had no supplier cybersecurity reviews. VPN access broker demand spiked 46% post-attack, showing how attackers monetize vulnerabilities.
We recommend:
- Mandatory C-SCRM programs for all suppliers
- Fallback systems for file transfers during outages
- Deep packet inspection for MFT servers
“Patch management failures account for 60% of ransomware entry points—vendors must be held to the same standards as internal systems.”
This example proves that layered defenses must extend to third-party software. Proactive monitoring could have prevented the cascading damage.
How FIN10 Evades Detection
Security teams face growing challenges as threat actors refine their evasion methods. Modern techniques exploit trusted systems and human trust, making malicious activity harder to spot.
MSHTA Abuse and Proxy Execution
The 7.8% surge in MSHTA.exe abuse reveals how attackers bypass Google Safe Browsing. This Windows tool executes HTML apps but is weaponized to run malicious scripts.
Gaps in Event ID 4688 logging affect 43% of enterprises. Attackers exploit this to hide winhttp.dll sideloading via OneDrive updates. PowerShell logging fails when commands are copy-pasted rather than typed.
| Detection Method | Bypass Technique | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Signature-based AV | MSHTA script obfuscation | AMSI integration |
| Process monitoring | OneDrive updater abuse | DLL whitelisting |
| PowerShell logging | Clipboard command injection | Registry restrictions |
Inbox Rule Manipulation for Lateral Movement
90% of phishing emails now come from legitimate partner domains. Attackers create inbox rules to hide malicious correspondence, delaying detection.
The ClearFake malware surged 17% after ClickFix adoption. It auto-forwards sensitive email to attacker-controlled accounts while deleting originals.
Critical defenses include:
- Disabling Run prompts via Group Policy
- Restricting clipboard access (HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System)
- Monitoring mailbox rule changes
“Modern threats mimic normal user behavior—the best defenses combine technical controls with activity baselining.”
Protecting Your Organization from FIN10
Modern security requires proactive measures across technology, vendors, and staff awareness. We must build layered defenses that adapt to evolving risks while maintaining operational efficiency.
Strengthening Access Controls
FIDO2 security keys block 98% of adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attacks. These physical tokens prevent credential theft by requiring user presence for authentication.
Key implementation steps:
- Enforce FIDO2 for all privileged accounts
- Configure Conditional Access policies for VPN logins
- Disable legacy protocols like NTLMv1
Managing Third-Party Risks
Vendor networks now serve as primary attack vectors. The RansomHub leak showed 85% profit splits incentivize affiliate programs targeting weak supplier defenses.
Effective management strategies include:
- Contractual MFA requirements for vendor access
- Quarterly cybersecurity audits with penalty clauses
- Network segmentation for external partners
Countering AI-Powered Social Engineering
Voice cloning tools enable hyper-realistic phishing simulations. Training employees to recognize these threats reduces successful breaches by 72%.
Critical training components:
- Simulated “urgent help desk” scam drills
- Microsoft Teams chat analysis workshops
- PowerShell command transcription monitoring
“Organizations that combine technical controls with human vigilance cut breach costs by 58% compared to those relying solely on software.”
These measures create resilient organizations capable of withstanding modern cyber risks. Regular updates ensure security keeps pace with attacker innovation.
Conclusion
The digital threat landscape grows more complex as malicious actors refine their methods. AI-powered scams now exploit supply chains, making vendor risk management non-negotiable.
Organizations must prioritize FIDO authentication and patch internet-facing assets. RaaS affiliate networks fragment detection efforts, requiring layered defenses.
Continuous employee training and C-SCRM programs are vital. In this evolving cyber era, proactive measures separate targets from survivors.
