Cybercriminals Use Weaponized LNK Files to Steal User Data via Fake Credit Card Security Emails

Cybercriminals have advanced their social engineering tactics with a new malware campaign that exploits users' trust in financial institutions. This threat involves a malicious LNK file disguised as a credit card security email authentication popup, targeting unsuspecting users with deceptive filenames like card_detail_20250610.html.lnk.


This attack marks a troubling shift in malware distribution methods, leveraging the urgency of credit card security notifications to bypass user skepticism. The campaign employs advanced evasion techniques, using legitimate decoy files alongside malicious payloads.


When users execute the LNK file, the malware downloads and displays a convincing HTML page, masking its malicious activities while simulating a genuine security process. ASEC analysts identified this emerging threat through ongoing monitoring of malware distribution campaigns, noting that attackers have improved their impersonation techniques by targeting reputable financial organizations.