Tag Archives: Identity Theft

WebAuthn API Hijacking: A CISO’s Guide to Nullifying Passkey Phishing

Movie poster-style image of a cracked passkey and fishing hook. Main title: 'WebAuthn API Hijacking', with secondary phrases: 'Passkeys Vulnerability', 'DEF CON 33', and 'Why PassCypher Is Not Vulnerable'. Relevant for cybersecurity in Andorra.

WebAuthn API Hijacking: A critical vulnerability, unveiled at DEF CON 33, demonstrates that synced passkeys can be phished in real time. Indeed, Allthenticate proved that a spoofable authentication prompt can hijack a live WebAuthn session.

Executive Summary — The WebAuthn API Hijacking Flaw

▸ Key Takeaway — WebAuthn API Hijacking

We provide a dense summary (≈ 1 min) for decision-makers and CISOs. For a complete technical analysis (≈ 13 min), however, you should read the full article.

Imagine an authentication method lauded as phishing-resistant — namely, synced passkeys — and then exploited live at DEF CON 33 (August 8–11, 2025, Las Vegas). So what was the vulnerability? It was a WebAuthn API Hijacking flaw (an interception attack on the authentication flow), which allowed for passkeys real-time prompt spoofing.

This single demonstration, in fact, directly challenges the proclaimed security of cloud-synced passkeys and opens the debate on sovereign alternatives. We saw two key research findings emerge at the event: first, real-time prompt spoofing (a WebAuthn interception attack), and second, DOM extension clickjacking. Notably, this article focuses exclusively on prompt spoofing because it undeniably undermines the “phishing-resistant” promise for vulnerable synced passkeys.

▸ Summary

The weak link is no longer cryptography; instead, it is the visual trigger. In short, attackers compromise the interface, not the cryptographic key.

Strategic Insight This demonstration, therefore, exposes a historical flaw: attackers can perfectly abuse an authentication method called “phishing-resistant” if they can spoof and exploit the prompt at the right moment.

Chronique à lire
Article to Read
Estimated reading time: ≈ 13 minutes (+4–5 min if you watch the embedded videos)
Complexity level: Advanced / Expert
Available languages: CAT · EN · ES · FR
Accessibility: Optimized for screen readers
Type: Strategic Article
Author: Jacques Gascuel, inventor and founder of Freemindtronic®, designs and patents sovereign hardware security systems for data protection, cryptographic sovereignty, and secure communications. As an expert in ANSSI, NIS2, GDPR, and SecNumCloud compliance, he develops by-design architectures capable of countering hybrid threats and ensuring 100% sovereign cybersecurity.

Official Sources

TL; DR

  • At DEF CON 33 (August 8–11, 2025), Allthenticate researchers demonstrated a WebAuthn API Hijacking path: attackers can hijack so-called “phishing-resistant” passkeys via real-time prompt spoofing.
  • The flaw does not reside in cryptographic algorithms; rather, it’s found in the user interface—the visual entry point.
  • Ultimately, this revelation demands a strategic revision: we must prioritize device-bound passkeys for sensitive use cases and align deployments with threat models and regulatory requirements.

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In Sovereign Cybersecurity ↑ This article is part of our Digital Security section, continuing our research on zero-trust hardware exploits and countermeasures.

 ▸ Key Points

  • Confirmed Vulnerability: Cloud-synced passkeys (Apple, Google, Microsoft) are not 100% phishing-resistant.
  • New Threat: Real-time prompt spoofing exploits the user interface rather than cryptography.
  • Strategic Impact: Critical infrastructure and government agencies must migrate to device-bound credentials and sovereign offline solutions (NFC HSM, segmented keys).

What is a WebAuthn API Hijacking Attack?

A WebAuthn interception attack via a spoofable authentication prompt (WebAuthn API Hijacking) consists of imitating in real time the authentication window displayed by a system or browser. Consequently, the attacker does not seek to break the cryptographic algorithm; instead, they reproduce the user interface (UI) at the exact moment the victim expects to see a legitimate prompt. Visual lures, precise timing, and perfect synchronization make the deception indistinguishable to the user.

Simplified example:
A user thinks they are approving a connection to their bank account via a legitimate Apple or Google system prompt. In reality, they are interacting with a dialog box cloned by the attacker. As a result, the adversary captures the active session without alerting the victim.
▸ In short: Unlike “classic” phishing attacks via email or fraudulent websites, the real-time prompt spoofing takes place during authentication, when the user is most confident.

History of Passkey / WebAuthn Vulnerabilities

Despite their cryptographic robustness, passkeys — based on the open standards WebAuthn and FIDO2 from the FIDO Alliance — are not invulnerable. The history of vulnerabilities and recent research confirms that the key weakness often lies in the user interaction and the execution environment (browser, operating system). The industry officially adopted passkeys on May 5, 2022, following a commitment from Apple, Google, and Microsoft to extend their support on their respective platforms.

Timeline illustrating the accelerated evolution of Passkey and WebAuthn vulnerabilities from 2012 to 2025, including FIDO Alliance creation, phishing methods, CVEs, and the WebAuthn API Hijacking revealed at DEF CON 33.
Accelerated Evolution of Passkey and WebAuthn Vulnerabilities (2012-2025): A detailed timeline highlighting key security events, from the foundation of the FIDO Alliance to the emergence of AI as a threat multiplier and the definitive proof of the WebAuthn API Hijacking at DEF CON 33.

Timeline of Vulnerabilities

  • SquareX – Compromised Browsers (August 2025):

    At DEF CON 33, a demonstration showed that a malicious extension or script can intercept the WebAuthn flow to substitute keys. See the TechRadar analysis and the SecurityWeek report.

  • CVE-2025-31161 (March/April 2025):

    Authentication bypass in CrushFTP via a race condition. Official NIST Source.

  • CVE-2024-9956 (March 2025):

    Account takeover via Bluetooth on Android. This attack demonstrated that an attacker can remotely trigger a malicious authentication via a FIDO:/ intent. Analysis from Risky.Biz. Official NIST Source.

  • CVE-2024-12604 (March 2025):

    Cleartext storage of sensitive data in Tap&Sign, exploiting poor password management. Official NIST Source.

  • CVE-2025-26788 (February 2025):

    Authentication bypass in StrongKey FIDO Server. Detailed Source.

  • Passkeys Pwned – Browser-based API Hijacking (Early 2025):

    A research study showed that the browser, as a single mediator, can be a point of failure. Read the Security Boulevard analysis.

  • CVE-2024-9191 (November 2024):

    Password exposure via Okta Device Access. Official NIST Source.

  • CVE-2024-39912 (July 2024):

    User enumeration via a flaw in the PHP library web-auth/webauthn-lib. Official NIST Source.

  • CTRAPS-type Attacks (2024):

    These protocol-level attacks (CTAP) exploit authentication mechanisms for unauthorized actions. For more information on FIDO protocol-level attacks, see this Black Hat presentation on FIDO vulnerabilities.

  • First Large-Scale Rollout (September 2022):

    Apple was the first to deploy passkeys on a large scale with the release of iOS 16, making this technology a reality for hundreds of millions of users. Official Apple Press Release.

  • Industry Launch & Adoption (May 2022):

    The FIDO Alliance, joined by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, announced an action plan to extend passkey support across all their platforms. Official FIDO Alliance Press Release.

  • Timing Attacks on keyHandle (2022):

    A vulnerability allowing account correlation by measuring time variations in the processing of keyHandles. See IACR ePrint 2022 article.

  • Phishing of Recovery Methods (since 2017):

    Attackers use AitM proxies (like Evilginx, which appeared in 2017) to hide the passkey option and force a fallback to less secure methods that can be captured. More details on this technique.

AI as a Threat Multiplier

Artificial intelligence is not a security flaw, but a catalyst that makes existing attacks more effective. Since the emergence of generative AI models like GPT-3 (2020) and DALL-E 2 (2022), new capabilities for automating threats have appeared. These developments notably allow for:

  • Large-scale Attacks (since 2022): Generative AI enables attackers to create custom authentication prompts and phishing messages for a massive volume of targets, increasing the effectiveness of phishing of recovery methods.
  • Accelerated Vulnerability Research (since 2023): AI can be used to automate the search for security flaws, such as user enumeration or the detection of logical flaws in implementation code.
Historical Note — The risks associated with spoofable prompts in WebAuthn were already raised by the community in W3C GitHub issue #1965 (before the DEF CON 33 demonstration). This shows that the user interface has long been recognized as a weak link in so-called “phishing-resistant” authentication.

“These recent and historical vulnerabilities highlight the critical role of the browser and the deployment model (device-bound vs. synced). They reinforce the call for sovereign architectures that are disconnected from these vectors of compromise.”

Vulnerability of the Synchronization Model

One of the most debated passkeys security vulnerabilities does not concern the WebAuthn protocol itself, but its deployment model. Most publications on the subject differentiate between two types of passkeys:

  • Device-bound passkeys: Stored on a physical device (like a hardware security key or Secure Enclave). This model is generally considered highly secure because it is not synchronized via a third-party service.
  • Synced passkeys: Stored in a password manager or a cloud service (iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, etc.). These passkeys can be synchronized across multiple devices. For more details on this distinction, refer to the FIDO Alliance documentation.

The vulnerability lies here: if an attacker manages to compromise the cloud service account, they could potentially gain access to the synced passkeys across all the user’s devices. This is a risk that device-bound passkeys do not share. Academic research, such as this paper published on arXiv, explores this issue, highlighting that “the security of synced passkeys is primarily concentrated with the passkey provider.”

This distinction is crucial because the implementation of vulnerable synced passkeys contradicts the very spirit of a so-called phishing-resistant MFA, as synchronization introduces an intermediary and an additional attack surface. This justifies the FIDO Alliance’s recommendation to prioritize device-bound passkeys for maximum security.

The DEF CON 33 Demonstration – WebAuthn API Hijacking in Action

WebAuthn API Hijacking is the central thread of this section: we briefly explain the attack path shown at DEF CON 33 and how a spoofable prompt enabled real-time session takeover, before detailing the live evidence and the video highlights.

Passkeys Pwned — DEF CON 33 Talk on WebAuthn

During DEF CON 33, the Allthenticate team presented a talk titled “Passkeys Pwned: Turning WebAuthn Against Itself.”
This session demonstrated how attackers could exploit WebAuthn API Hijacking to
compromise synced passkeys in real time using a spoofable authentication prompt.

By using the provocative phrase “Passkeys Pwned,” the researchers deliberately emphasized that even so-called phishing-resistant credentials can be hijacked when the user interface itself is the weak link.

Evidence of WebAuthn API Hijacking at DEF CON 33

In Las Vegas, at the heart of DEF CON 33 (August 8–11, 2025), the world’s most respected hacker community witnessed a demonstration that made many squirm. In fact, researchers at Allthenticate showed live that a vulnerable synced passkey – despite being labeled “phishing-resistant” – could be tricked. So what did they do? They executed a WebAuthn API Hijacking attack (spoofing the system prompt) of the spoofable authentication prompt type (real-time prompt spoofing). They created a fake authentication dialog box, perfectly timed and visually identical to the legitimate UI. Ultimately, the user believed they were validating a legitimate authentication, but the adversary hijacked the session in real time. This proof of concept makes the “Passkeys WebAuthn Interception Flaw” tangible through a real-time spoofable prompt.

Video Highlights — WebAuthn API Hijacking in Practice

To visualize the sequence, watch the clip below: it shows how WebAuthn API Hijacking emerges from a simple UI deception that aligns timing and look-and-feel with the expected system prompt, leading to seamless session capture.

Official Authors & Media from DEF CON 33
▸ Shourya Pratap Singh, Jonny Lin, Daniel Seetoh — Allthenticate researchers, authors of the demo “Your Passkey is Weak: Phishing the Unphishable”.
Allthenticate Video on TikTok — direct explanation by the team.
DEF CON 33 Las Vegas Video (TikTok) — a glimpse of the conference floor.
Highlights DEF CON 33 (YouTube) — including the passkeys flaw.

▸ Summary

DEF CON 33 demonstrated that vulnerable synced passkeys can be compromised live when a spoofable authentication prompt is inserted into the WebAuthn flow.

Comparison – WebAuthn Interception Flaw: Prompt Spoofing vs. DOM Clickjacking

At DEF CON 33, two major research findings shook confidence in modern authentication mechanisms. Indeed, both exploit flaws related to the user interface (UX) rather than cryptography, but their vectors and targets differ radically.

Architecture comparison of PassCypher vs FIDO WebAuthn authentication highlighting phishing resistance and prompt spoofing risks
Comparison of PassCypher and FIDO WebAuthn architectures showing why Passkeys are vulnerable to WebAuthn API hijacking while PassCypher eliminates prompt spoofing risks.

Real-Time Prompt Spoofing

  • Author: Allthenticate (Las Vegas, DEF CON 33).
  • Target: vulnerable synced passkeys (Apple, Google, Microsoft).
  • Vecteur: spoofable authentication prompt, perfectly timed to the legitimate UI (real-time prompt spoofing).
  • Impact: WebAuthn interception attack that causes “live” phishing; the user unknowingly validates a malicious request.

DOM Clickjacking

  • Authors: Another team of researchers (DEF CON 33).
  • Target: Credential managers, extensions, stored passkeys.
  • Vecteur: invisible iframes, Shadow DOM, malicious scripts to hijack autofill.
  • Impact: Silent exfiltration of credentials, passkeys, and crypto-wallet keys.

▸ Key takeaway: This article focuses exclusively on prompt spoofing, which illustrates a major WebAuthn interception flaw and challenges the promise of “phishing-resistant passkeys.” For a complete study on DOM clickjacking, please see the related article.

Strategic Implications – Passkeys and UX Vulnerabilities

As a result, the “Passkeys WebAuthn Interception Flaw” forces us to rethink authentication around prompt-less and cloud-less models.

  • We should no longer consider vulnerable synced passkeys to be invulnerable.
  • We must prioritize device-bound credentials for sensitive environments.
  • We need to implement UX safeguards: detecting anomalies in authentication prompts and using non-spoofable visual signatures.
  • We should train users on the threat of real-time phishing via a WebAuthn interception attack.
▸ Insight
It is not cryptography that is failing, but the illusion of immunity. WebAuthn interception demonstrates that the risk lies in the UX, not the algorithm.

Regulations & Compliance – MFA and WebAuthn Interception

Official documents such as the CISA guide on phishing-resistant MFA or the OMB M-22-09 directive insist on this point: authentication is “phishing-resistant” only if no intermediary can intercept or hijack the WebAuthn flow.
In theory, WebAuthn passkeys respect this rule. In practice, however, the implementation of vulnerable synced passkeys opens an interception flaw that attackers can exploit via a spoofable authentication prompt.

In Europe, both the NIS2 directive and the SecNumCloud certification reiterate the same requirement: no dependence on un-mastered third-party services.

As such, the “Passkeys WebAuthn Interception Flaw” contradicts the spirit of a so-called phishing-resistant MFA, because synchronization introduces an intermediary.

In other words, a US cloud managing your passkeys falls outside the scope of strict digital sovereignty.

▸ Summary

A vulnerable synced passkey can compromise the requirement for phishing-resistant MFA (CISA, NIS2) when a WebAuthn interception attack is possible.

European & Francophone Statistics – Real-time Phishing and WebAuthn Interception

Public reports confirm that advanced phishing attacks — including real-time techniques — represent a major threat in the European Union and the Francophone area.

  • European Union — ENISA: According to the Threat Landscape 2024 report, phishing and social engineering account for 38% of reported incidents in the EU, with a notable increase in Adversary-in-the-Middle methods and real-time prompt spoofing, associated with WebAuthn interception. Source: ENISA Threat Landscape 2024
  • France — Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr: In 2023, phishing generated 38% of assistance requests, with over 1.5M consultations related to this type of attack. Fake bank advisor scams jumped by +78% vs. 2022, often via spoofable authentication prompts. Source: 2023 Activity Report
  • Canada (Francophone) — Canadian Centre for Cyber Security: The National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024 indicates that 65% of businesses expect to experience a phishing or ransomware attack. Phishing remains a preferred vector for bypassing MFA, including via WebAuthn flow interception. Source: Official Assessment
▸ Strategic Reading
Real-time prompt spoofing is not a lab experiment; it is part of a trend where phishing targets the authentication interface rather than algorithms, with increasing use of the WebAuthn interception attack.

Sovereign Use Case – Neutralizing WebAuthn Interception

In a practical scenario, a regulatory authority reserves synced passkeys for low-risk public portals. Conversely, the PassCypher choice eliminates the root cause of the “Passkeys WebAuthn Interception Flaw” by removing the prompt, the cloud, and any DOM exposure.
For critical systems (government, sensitive operations, vital infrastructure), it deploys PassCypher in two forms:

  • PassCypher NFC HSM — offline hardware authentication, with no server and BLE AES-128-CBC keyboard emulation. Consequently, no spoofable authentication prompt can exist.
  • PassCypher HSM PGP — sovereign management of inexportable segmented keys, with cryptographic validation that is cloud-free and synchronization-free.
    ▸ Result
    In this model, the prompt vector exploited during the WebAuthn interception attack at DEF CON 33 is completely eliminated from critical pathways.

Why PassCypher Eliminates the WebAuthn Interception Risk

PassCypher solutions stand in radical contrast to FIDO passkeys that are vulnerable to the WebAuthn interception attack:

  • No OS/browser prompt — thus no spoofable authentication prompt.
  • No cloud — no vulnerable synchronization or third-party dependency.
  • No DOM — no exposure to scripts, extensions, or iframes.
✓ Sovereignty: By removing the prompt, cloud, and DOM, PassCypher eliminates any anchor point for the WebAuthn interception flaw (prompt spoofing) revealed at DEF CON 33.

PassCypher NFC HSM — Eliminating the WebAuthn Prompt Spoofing Attack Vector

Allthenticate’s attack at DEF CON 33 proves that attackers can spoof any system that depends on an OS/browser prompt. PassCypher NFC HSM removes this vector: there is no prompt, no cloud sync, secrets are encrypted for life in a nano-HSM NFC, and validated by a physical tap. User operation:

  • Mandatory NFC tap — physical validation with no software interface.
  • HID BLE AES-128-CBC Mode — out-of-DOM transmission, resistant to keyloggers.
  • Zero-DOM Ecosystem — no secret ever appears in the browser.

▸ Summary

Unlike vulnerable synced passkeys, PassCypher NFC HSM neutralizes the WebAuthn interception attack because a spoofable authentication prompt does not exist.

WebAuthn API Hijacking Neutralized by PassCypher NFC HSM

Attack Type Vector Status
Prompt Spoofing Fake OS/browser dialog Neutralized (zero prompt)
Real-time Phishing Live-trapped validation Neutralized (mandatory NFC tap)
Keystroke Logging Keyboard capture Neutralized (encrypted HID BLE)

PassCypher HSM PGP — Segmented Keys Against Phishing

The other pillar, PassCypher HSM PGP, applies the same philosophy: no exploitable prompt.
Secrets (credentials, passkeys, SSH/PGP keys, TOTP/HOTP) reside in AES-256 CBC PGP encrypted containers, protected by a patented system of segmented keys.

  • No prompt — so there is no window to spoof.
  • Segmented keys — they are inexportable and assembled only in RAM.
  • Ephemeral decryption — the secret disappears immediately after use.
  • Zero cloud — there is no vulnerable synchronization.

▸ Summary

PassCypher HSM PGP eliminates the attack surface of the real-time spoofed prompt: it provides hardware authentication, segmented keys, and cryptographic validation with no DOM or cloud exposure.

Attack Surface Comparison

Criterion Synced Passkeys (FIDO) PassCypher NFC HSM PassCypher HSM PGP
Authentication Prompt Yes No No
Synchronization Cloud Yes No No
Exportable Private Key No (attackable UI) No No
WebAuthn Hijacking/Interception Present Absent Absent
FIDO Standard Dependency Yes No No
▸ Insight By removing the spoofable authentication prompt and cloud synchronization, the WebAuthn interception attack demonstrated at DEF CON 33 disappears completely.

Weak Signals – Trends Related to WebAuthn Interception

▸ Weak Signals Identified

  • The widespread adoption of real-time UI attacks, including WebAuthn interception via a spoofable authentication prompt.
  • A growing dependency on third-party clouds for identity, which increases the exposure of vulnerable synced passkeys.
  • A proliferation of bypasses through AI-assisted social engineering, applied to authentication interfaces.

Strategic Glossary

A review of the key concepts used in this article, for both beginners and advanced readers.

  • Passkey / Passkeys

    A passwordless digital credential based on the FIDO/WebAuthn standard, designed to be “phishing-resistant.

    • Passkey (singular): Refers to a single digital credential stored on a device (e.g., Secure Enclave, TPM, YubiKey).
    • Passkeys (plural): Refers to the general technology or multiple credentials, including synced passkeys stored in Apple, Google, or Microsoft clouds. These are particularly vulnerable to WebAuthn API Hijacking (real-time prompt spoofing demonstrated at DEF CON 33).
  • Passkeys Pwned

    Title of the DEF CON 33 talk by Allthenticate (“Passkeys Pwned: Turning WebAuthn Against Itself”). It highlights how WebAuthn API Hijacking can compromise synced passkeys in real time, proving that they are not 100% phishing-resistant.

  • Vulnerable synced passkeys

    Stored in a cloud (Apple, Google, Microsoft) and usable across multiple devices. They offer a UX advantage but a strategic weakness: dependence on a spoofable authentication prompt and the cloud.

  • Device-bound passkeys

    Linked to a single device (TPM, Secure Enclave, YubiKey). More secure because they lack cloud synchronization.

  • Prompt

    A system or browser dialog box that requests a user’s validation (Face ID, fingerprint, FIDO key). This is the primary target for spoofing.

  • WebAuthn Interception Attack

    Also known as WebAuthn API Hijacking, this attack manipulates the authentication flow by spoofing the system/browser prompt and imitating the user interface in real time. The attacker does not break cryptography, but intercepts the WebAuthn process at the UX level (e.g., a cloned fingerprint or Face ID prompt). See the official W3C WebAuthn specification and FIDO Alliance documentation.

  • Real-time prompt spoofing

    The live spoofing of an authentication window, which is indistinguishable to the user.

  • DOM Clickjacking

    An attack using invisible iframes and Shadow DOM to hijack autofill and steal credentials.

  • Zero-DOM

    A sovereign architecture where no secret is exposed to the browser or the DOM.

  • NFC HSM

    A secure hardware module that is offline and compatible with HID BLE AES-128-CBC.

  • Segmented keys

    Cryptographic keys that are split into segments and only reassembled in volatile memory.

  • Device-bound credential

    A credential attached to a physical device that is non-transferable and non-clonable.

▸ Strategic Purpose: This glossary shows why the WebAuthn interception attack targets the prompt and UX, and why PassCypher eliminates this vector by design.

Technical FAQ (Integration & Use Cases)

  • Q: Are there any solutions for vulnerable passkeys?

    A: Yes, in a hybrid model. Keep FIDO for common use cases and adopt PassCypher for critical access to eliminate WebAuthn interception vectors.

  • Q: What is the UX impact without a system prompt?

    A: The action is hardware-based (NFC tap or HSM validation). There is no spoofable authentication prompt or dialog box to impersonate, resulting in a total elimination of the real-time phishing risk.

  • Q: How can we revoke a compromised key?

    A: You simply revoke the HSM or the key itself. There is no cloud to purge and no third-party account to contact.

  • Q: Does PassCypher protect against real-time prompt spoofing?

    A: Yes. The PassCypher architecture completely eliminates the OS/browser prompt, thereby removing the attack surface exploited at DEF CON 33.

  • Q: Can we integrate PassCypher into a NIS2-regulated infrastructure?

    A: Yes. The NFC HSM and HSM PGP modules comply with digital sovereignty requirements and neutralize the risks associated with vulnerable synced passkeys.

  • Q: Are device-bound passkeys completely inviolable?

    A: No, but they do eliminate the risk of cloud-based WebAuthn interception. Their security then depends on the hardware’s robustness (TPM, Secure Enclave, YubiKey) and the physical protection of the device.

  • Q: Can a local malware reproduce a PassCypher prompt?

    A: No. PassCypher does not rely on a software prompt; the validation is hardware-based and offline, so no spoofable display exists.

  • Q: Why do third-party clouds increase the risk?

    A: Vulnerable synced passkeys stored in a third-party cloud can be targeted by Adversary-in-the-Middle or WebAuthn interception attacks if the prompt is compromised.

CISO/CSO Advice – Universal & Sovereign Protection

To learn how to protect against WebAuthn interception, it’s important to know that EviBITB (Embedded Browser-In-The-Browser Protection) is a built-in technology in PassCypher HSM PGP, including its free version. t automatically or manually detects and removes redirection iframes used in BITB and prompt spoofing attacks, thereby eliminating the WebAuthn interception vector.

  • Immediate Deployment: It is a free extension for Chromium and Firefox browsers, scalable for large-scale use without a paid license.
  • Universal Protection: It works even if the organization has not yet migrated to a prompt-free model.
  • Sovereign Compatibility: It works with PassCypher NFC HSM Lite (99 €) and the full PassCypher HSM PGP (129 €/year).
  • Full Passwordless: Both PassCypher NFC HSM and HSM PGP can completely replace FIDO/WebAuthn for all authentication pathways, with zero prompts, zero cloud, and 100% sovereignty.

Strategic Recommendation:
Deploy EviBITB immediately on all workstations to neutralize BITB/prompt spoofing, then plan the migration of critical access to a full-PassCypher model to permanently remove the attack surface.

Frequently Asked Questions for CISOs/CSOs

Q: What is the regulatory impact of a WebAuthn interception attack?

A: This type of attack can compromise compliance with “phishing-resistant” MFA requirements defined by CISA, NIS2, and SecNumCloud. In case of personal data compromise, the organization faces GDPR sanctions and a challenge to its security certifications.

Q: Is there a universal and free protection against BITB and prompt spoofing?

A: Yes. EviBITB is an embedded technology in PassCypher HSM PGP, including its free version. It blocks redirection iframes (Browser-In-The-Browser) and removes the spoofable authentication prompt vector exploited in WebAuthn interception. It can be deployed immediately on a large scale without a paid license.

Q: Are there any solutions for vulnerable passkeys?

A: Yes. PassCypher NFC HSM and PassCypher HSM PGP are complete sovereign passwordless solutions: they allow authentication, signing, and encryption without FIDO infrastructure, with zero spoofable prompts, zero third-party clouds, and a 100% controlled architecture.

Q: What is the average budget and ROI of a migration to a prompt-free model?

A: According to the Time Spent on Authentication study, a professional loses an average of 285 hours/year on classic authentications, representing an annual cost of about $8,550 (based on $30/h). PassCypher HSM PGP reduces this time to ~7 h/year, and PassCypher NFC HSM to ~18 h/year. Even with the full model (129 €/year) or the NFC HSM Lite (99 € one-time purchase), the breakeven point is reached in a few days to a few weeks, and net savings exceed 50 times the annual cost in a professional context.

Q: How can we manage a hybrid fleet (legacy + modern)?

A: Keep FIDO for low-risk uses while gradually replacing them with PassCypher NFC HSM and/or PassCypher HSM PGP in critical environments. This transition removes exploitable prompts and maintains application compatibility.

Q: What metrics should we track to measure the reduction in attack surface?

A: The number of authentications via system prompts vs. hardware authentication, incidents related to WebAuthn interception, average remediation time, and the percentage of critical accesses migrated to a sovereign prompt-free model.

CISO/CSO Action Plan

Priority Action Expected Impact
Implement solutions for vulnerable passkeys by replacing them with PassCypher NFC HSM (99 €) and/or PassCypher HSM PGP (129 €/year) Eliminates the spoofable prompt, removes WebAuthn interception, and enables sovereign passwordless access with a payback period of days according to the study on authentication time
Migrate to a full-PassCypher model for critical environments Removes all FIDO/WebAuthn dependency, centralizes sovereign management of access and secrets, and maximizes productivity gains measured by the study
Deploy EviBITB (embedded technology in PassCypher HSM PGP, free version included) Provides immediate, zero-cost protection against BITB and real-time phishing via prompt spoofing
Harden the UX (visual signatures, non-cloneable elements) Complicates UI attacks, clickjacking, and redress
Audit and log authentication flows Detects and tracks any attempt at flow hijacking or Adversary-in-the-Middle attacks
Align with NIS2, SecNumCloud, and GDPR Reduces legal risk and provides proof of compliance
Train users on spoofable interface threats Strengthens human vigilance and proactive detection

Strategic Outlook

The message from DEF CON 33 is clear: authentication security is won or lost at the interface. In other words, as long as the user validates graphical authentication prompts synchronized with a network flow, real-time phishing and WebAuthn interception will remain possible.

Thus, prompt-free and cloud-free models — embodied by sovereign HSMs like PassCypher — radically reduce the attack surface.

In the short term, generalize the use of device-bound solutions for sensitive applications. In the medium term, the goal is to eliminate the spoofable UI from critical pathways. Ultimately, the recommended trajectory will permanently eliminate the “Passkeys WebAuthn Interception Flaw” from critical pathways through a gradual transition to a full-PassCypher model, providing a definitive solution for vulnerable passkeys in a professional context.

APT44 QR Code Phishing: New Cyber Espionage Tactics

Illustration of a Russian APT44 (Sandworm) cyber spy exploiting QR codes to infiltrate Signal, highlighting advanced phishing techniques and vulnerabilities in secure messaging platforms.
APT44 QR Code Phishing: A New Era of Cyber Espionage — Jacques Gascuel unveils the latest phishing techniques exploiting QR codes, exposing vulnerabilities in secure messaging platforms like Signal. Learn how these attacks compromise communications and discover best practices to defend against evolving threats.

APT44 QR Code Phishing: How Russian Hackers Exploit Signal

APT44 (Sandworm), Russia’s elite cyber espionage unit, has launched a wave of QR Code Phishing attacks targeting Signal Messenger, leading to one of the largest Signal security breaches to date. Exploiting the growing use of QR codes, these state-sponsored cyber attacks compromised over 500 accounts, primarily within the Ukrainian military, media, and human rights communities. This article explores how QR code scams have evolved into sophisticated espionage tools and offers actionable steps for phishing prevention.

APT44 Sandworm: The Elite Russian Cyber Espionage Unit

Unmasking Sandworm’s sophisticated cyber espionage strategies and their global impact.

APT44, widely recognized as Sandworm, has been at the core of several global cyber espionage operations. The group’s latest method — QR code phishing — targets platforms trusted for privacy, exploiting their vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access.

Specifically, Russian groups, such as UNC5792 and UNC4221, use malicious QR codes to link victims’ Signal accounts to attacker-controlled devices, enabling real-time interception of messages.

How APT44 Uses QR Codes to Infiltrate Signal

Breaking down APT44’s phishing process and how it targets Signal’s encryption loopholes.

The Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG) discovered that APT44 has been deploying malicious QR codes disguised as legitimate Signal invites or security notifications. When victims scan these QR codes, their devices unknowingly link to systems controlled by APT44, enabling real-time access to sensitive conversations.

APT44 QR Code Phishing Attack Flow

Step-by-step analysis of APT44’s QR code phishing methodology.

APT44 QR Code Phishing Attack Flow Diagram showing malicious QR code creation, distribution, data exfiltration, and remote control. APT44 QR Code Phishing Attack Flow Diagram showing malicious QR code creation, distribution, data exfiltration, and remote control.

APT44’s Cyber Espionage Timeline (2022-2025)

Tracking APT44’s evolution: From NotPetya to global QR code phishing campaigns.

📅 Date 💣 Attack 🎯 Target ⚡ Impact
June 2022 NotPetya Variant Ukrainian Government Critical infrastructure disruption
February 2024 QR Code Phishing Ukrainian Military & Journalists 500+ Signal accounts compromised
January 2025 QR Code Phishing 2.0 Global Signal Users Wider-scale phishing

Google Unveils Advanced Phishing Techniques

Insights from Google TAG on the most sophisticated QR code phishing tactics used by Russian hackers.

Recent investigations by the Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG), published on February 19, 2025, have exposed sophisticated phishing techniques used by Russian cyber units, notably UNC5792 and UNC4221, to compromise Signal Messenger accounts. These threat actors have refined their methods by deploying malicious QR codes that mimic legitimate Signal linking features, disguised as official security prompts or Signal invites.

When unsuspecting users scan these QR codes, their Signal accounts become silently linked to attacker-controlled devices, granting real-time access to private conversations and the ability to manipulate communications.

Key Discoveries:

  • Malicious QR Codes: Hackers use fake Signal invites and security warnings embedded with dangerous QR codes that trick users into linking their accounts.
  • Real-Time Access: Once connected, attackers gain instant access to sensitive conversations, allowing them to monitor or even alter the communication flow.
  • Expanded Target Base: While the initial campaign focused on Ukrainian military and media personnel, the phishing campaign has now expanded across Europe and North America, targeting dissidents, journalists, and political figures.

📖 Source: Google TAG Report on APT44

Expanding Global Impact of APT44’s Cyber Campaigns

How APT44’s QR code phishing campaigns went global, targeting high-profile individuals.

Initially focused on Ukrainian military personnel, journalists, and human rights activists, APT44’s QR code phishing campaign has now evolved into a global cyber espionage threat. Cybersecurity experts have observed a significant expansion of APT44’s operations, targeting dissidents, activists, and ordinary users across Europe and North America. This shift highlights APT44’s intention to influence political discourse, monitor critical voices, and destabilize democratic institutions beyond regional conflicts.

The widespread use of QR codes in secure communication platforms like Signal has made it easier for attackers to exploit unsuspecting users, despite the platform’s robust encryption protocols. The attackers’ focus on exploiting social engineering tactics rather than breaking encryption underscores a growing vulnerability in user behavior rather than technical flaws.

Global Implications:

  • Cross-Border Threats: Russian cyber units now pose risks to journalists, politicians, human rights defenders, and activists worldwide, extending their espionage campaigns far beyond Ukraine.
  • Application Vulnerabilities: Even platforms known for strong encryption, like Signal, are susceptible if users unknowingly link their accounts to compromised devices.
  • Rising QR Code Exploits: A 40% surge in QR code phishing attacks was reported globally in 2024 (CERT-UA), signaling a broader trend in cyber espionage techniques.

These developments highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and proactive cybersecurity measures. Governments, tech companies, and cybersecurity organizations must work together to improve user education, strengthen security protocols, and share threat intelligence to counter these evolving threats.

Why This Timeline Matters

  • Awareness: Helps cybersecurity teams predict APT44’s next move by analyzing past behaviors.
  • Real-Time Updates: Encourages regular threat monitoring as tactics evolve.
  • Proactive Defense: Organizations can fine-tune incident response plans based on historical attack patterns.

Who’s Been Targeted?

APT44 primarily focuses on:

  • Ukrainian military personnel using Signal for tactical communications.
  • Journalists and media personnel the ongoing conflict (Pegasus Spyware) have been prime targets.
  • Human rights activists and government officials.

Key Insights & Building Long-Term Resilience Against APT44’s QR Code Cyber Threats

Best practices and lessons learned to prevent future phishing attacks.

The Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG) has revealed how Russian cyber units, notably APT44, employ malicious QR codes that mimic legitimate Signal linking features. When unsuspecting users scan these codes, their Signal accounts are silently connected to attacker-controlled devices, granting real-time access to sensitive conversations. This sophisticated phishing method bypasses even the strongest encryption by targeting user behavior rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities.

While QR codes have become a convenient tool for users, they have also opened new avenues for cyber espionage. The evolving tactics of APT44 emphasize the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies, especially as QR code phishing continues to rise globally.

Lessons Learned from APT44’s Attacks

  • Messaging Security Isn’t Bulletproof: Even end-to-end encrypted platforms like Signal can be compromised if attackers manipulate users into linking their accounts to malicious devices.
  • Vigilance Is Global: The expansion of APT44’s operations beyond Ukraine highlights that users worldwide—including journalists, activists, and politicians—are increasingly at risk.
  • QR Code Phishing Is Rising: The 40% increase in QR code phishing attacks (CERT-UA, 2024) shows that these techniques are becoming a preferred tool for state-sponsored hackers.
  • High-Value Targets Remain Vulnerable: Journalists, activists, and dissidents continue to be primary targets, echoing tactics seen in other high-profile spyware campaigns like Pegasus.

Best Practices for Long-Term Resilience

Simple yet effective strategies to protect against QR code phishing attacks.

To mitigate risks and strengthen defenses against QR code phishing attacks, individuals and organizations should implement the following measures:

  • Keep apps and systems up to date to patch potential vulnerabilities.
  • Verify the authenticity of QR codes before scanning—especially in messaging platforms.
  • Regularly audit linked devices within apps like Signal to detect unauthorized connections.
  • Follow official cybersecurity alerts from trusted agencies like CISA and CERT-UA for the latest threat updates.

The Broader Lessons: Safeguarding Global Communications

The critical need for user awareness and international cooperation in combating state-sponsored cyber threats.

APT44’s phishing campaigns highlight the fragility of even the most secure communication systems when user trust is exploited. State-sponsored cyber espionage will continue to evolve, focusing on social engineering tactics rather than technical hacks.

  • Education Is Key: Raising awareness about QR code phishing is critical in safeguarding both individual users and organizations.
  • Collaboration Is Crucial: International cooperation between governments, tech companies, and cybersecurity agencies is essential to build more resilient defenses.
  • Technical Safeguards Matter: Enhanced security features—such as device linking verifications and multi-factor authentication—can help prevent unauthorized access.

As cybercriminal tactics grow more sophisticated, vigilance, education, and proactive security strategies remain the strongest lines of defense against global cyber threats.

International Efforts & Strategic Insights to Counter APT44’s QR Code Phishing

How governments and tech companies are collaborating to neutralize global phishing threats.

As APT44’s cyber campaigns expand globally, the response from governmental agencies, tech companies, and cybersecurity bodies has intensified. The evolution of APT44’s tactics—from traditional malware attacks like NotPetya to advanced QR code phishing—has highlighted the urgent need for collaborative defense strategies and strengthened cybersecurity protocols.

Consistent Evolution of APT44’s Tactics

APT44’s shift from malware to social engineering: What cybersecurity teams need to know.

APT44 has demonstrated its ability to adapt and diversify its attack strategies over time, continually evolving to exploit emerging vulnerabilities:

  • From Malware to Social Engineering: Transitioning from large-scale malware like the NotPetya variant to more targeted QR code phishing and supply chain exploits.
  • Infrastructure Disruption: APT44 has prioritized attacks on critical infrastructures, including energy grids and water supplies, causing widespread disruptions.
  • Global Expansion in 2025: Initially focused on Ukrainian targets, the group has broadened its reach, now actively targeting users across Europe and North America.

International Countermeasures Against QR Code Phishing

The global response to APT44’s expanding cyber campaigns and what’s being done to stop them.

Recognizing the growing threat of APT44’s cyber campaigns, both government bodies and tech companies have stepped up efforts to contain the spread and impact of these attacks.

Collaborative Countermeasures

  • Google & Messaging Platforms: Tech companies like Google are partnering with messaging platforms (e.g., Signal) to detect phishing campaigns early and eliminate platform vulnerabilities exploited by malicious QR codes.
  • CERT-UA & Global Cybersecurity Agencies: Agencies such as CERT-UA are actively sharing real-time threat intelligence with international partners, creating a united front against evolving APT44 tactics.

Policy Updates & User Protections

  • Signal’s Enhanced Security Protocols: In response to these breaches, Signal has rolled out stricter device-linking protocols and strengthened two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized account access.
  • Awareness Campaigns: Government and private organizations have launched global initiatives aimed at educating users about the risks of scanning unverified QR codes, promoting cyber hygiene and encouraging regular device audits.

Proactive Strategies for Users & Organizations

Empowering individuals and companies to defend against APT44’s evolving phishing tactics.

Building resilience against APT44’s phishing attacks requires both policy-level changes and individual user awareness:

  • Always verify the authenticity of QR codes before scanning.
  • Regularly audit linked devices in messaging platforms to identify unauthorized connections.
  • Stay informed through official alerts from cybersecurity bodies like CERT-UA and CISA.
  • Encourage education and awareness on evolving phishing tactics among both end-users and organizations.

The Bigger Picture: A Global Call for Cyber Resilience

Why international collaboration is key to protecting digital infrastructures worldwide.

APT44’s ability to consistently evolve and scale its operations from regional conflicts to global cyber campaigns underlines the importance of international cooperation in cybersecurity. By working together, governments, tech companies, and users can build a stronger defense against increasingly sophisticated state-sponsored attacks.

As cyber threats continue to adapt, only a coordinated and proactive approach can ensure the integrity of critical systems and protect the privacy of global communications.

Proactive Cybersecurity Measures Against QR Code Phishing

Techniques and tools to detect and block advanced QR code phishing attacks.

In response to APT44’s phishing techniques Digital Security, it is crucial to educate users about the risks of scanning unsolicited QR codes. Enforcing security protocols can mitigate potential breaches, and implementing cutting-edge technology to detect and block phishing attempts is more crucial than ever.

To stay protected from APT44 QR Code Phishing attacks:

  • Scrutinize QR Codes Before Scanning
  • Update Messaging Apps Regularly
  • Monitor Linked Devices
  • Use QR Code Scanners with Threat Detection

🆔 Protecting Against Identity Theft with DataShielder NFC HSM Auth

How Freemindtronic’s DataShielder protects users from phishing attacks and identity theft.

Phishing attacks often aim to steal user identities to bypass security systems. DataShielder NFC HSM Auth enhances security by providing robust identity verification, ensuring that even if attackers gain access to messaging platforms, they cannot impersonate legitimate users.

Its AES-256 CBC encryption and unique NFC-based authentication block unauthorized access, even during advanced phishing attempts like APT44’s QR code scams.

🔗 Learn more about DataShielder NFC HSM Auth and how it combats identity theft

Stopping Cyber Espionage Before It Starts with DataShielder NFC HSM & DataShielder HSM PGP

The role of hardware-based encryption in preventing cyber espionage.

With DataShielder NFC HSM, even if attackers successfully link your Signal account through QR code phishing, your messages remain encrypted and unreadable. Only the hardware-stored key can decrypt the data, ensuring absolute privacy—even during a breach.

Cyber espionage techniques, such as QR code phishing used by groups like APT44, expose serious vulnerabilities in secure messaging platforms like Signal. Even when sophisticated attacks succeed in breaching a device, the use of advanced encryption solutions like DataShielder NFC HSM and DataShielder HSM PGP can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

💡 Why Use DataShielder for Messaging Encryption?

  • End-to-End Hardware-Based Encryption: DataShielder NFC HSM and HSM PGP employ AES-256 CBC encryption combined with RSA 4096-bit key sharing, ensuring that messages remain unreadable even if the device is compromised.
  • Protection Against Advanced Threats: Since encryption keys are stored offline within the NFC HSM hardware and never leave the device, attackers cannot extract them—even if they gain full control over the messaging app.
  • Independent of Device Security: Unlike software-based solutions, DataShielder operates independently of the host device’s security. This means even if Signal or another messaging app is compromised, the attacker cannot decrypt your messages without physical access to the DataShielder module.
  • Offline Operation for Ultimate Privacy: DataShielder works without an internet connection or external servers, reducing exposure to remote hacking attempts and ensuring complete data isolation.
  • PGP Integration for Enhanced Security: The DataShielder HSM PGP browser extension enables PGP encryption for emails and messaging platforms, allowing users to protect communications beyond Signal, including Gmail, Outlook, and other web-based services.

🔒 How DataShielder Counters QR Code Phishing Attacks

QR code phishing attacks often trick users into linking their accounts to malicious devices. However, with DataShielder NFC HSM, even if a phishing attempt is successful in gaining access to the app, the contents of encrypted messages remain inaccessible without the physical NFC HSM key. This ensures that:

  • Messages remain encrypted even if Signal is hijacked.
  • Attackers cannot decrypt historical or future communications without the hardware key.
  • Real-time encryption and decryption occur securely within the DataShielder module, not on the vulnerable device.

💬 Protecting More Than Just Signal

Expanding DataShielder’s protection to email, cloud storage, and instant messaging platforms.

While this article focuses on Signal, DataShielder NFC HSM and DataShielder HSM PGP support encryption across various messaging platforms, including:

  • 📱 Signal
  • ✉️ Email services (Gmail, Outlook, ProtonMail, etc.)
  • 💬 Instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
  • 📂 Cloud services and file transfers

Even If Hacked, Your Messages Stay Private

Unlike standard encryption models where attackers can read messages once they gain account access, DataShielder NFC HSM ensures that only the physical owner of the NFC HSM key can decrypt messages.

🛡️ Zero-Access Security: Even if attackers link your Signal account to their device, they cannot read your messages without the physical NFC HSM.

💾 Hardware-Based Encryption: AES-256 CBC and RSA 4096 ensure that all sensitive data remains locked inside the hardware key.

Post-Attack Resilience: Compromised devices can’t expose past or future conversations without the NFC HSM.

🚀 Strengthen Your Defense Against Advanced ThreatsCyber Threats

Why organizations need hardware-based encryption to protect sensitive data from sophisticated attacks.

In an era where phishing attacks and cyber espionage are increasingly sophisticated, relying solely on application-level security is no longer enough. DataShielder NFC HSM Lite or Master and DataShielder HSM PGP provide an extra layer of defense, ensuring that even if attackers breach the messaging platform, they remain locked out of your sensitive data.

Collaborative Efforts to Thwart APT44’s Attacks

Cybersecurity experts and organizations worldwide are joining forces to prevent QR code phishing:

  • Google Threat Intelligence Group — Continues to track APT44’s evolving tactics. (Google TAG Report)
  • CERT-UA — Provides real-time alerts to Ukrainian organizations. (CERT-UA Alert)
  • Signal Developers — Introduced stricter device-linking protocols in response to these attacks. (Signal Security Update)

Strategies for Combating APT44’s Phishing Attacks

Collaboration among cybersecurity professionals is essential to develop effective defenses against sophisticated threats like those posed by APT44. Sharing knowledge about QR code phishing and other tactics enhances our collective security posture.

The Broader Lessons: Safeguarding Global Communications

The revelations surrounding APT44’s phishing campaigns offer critical lessons on the evolving landscape of state-sponsored cyber espionage:

  • Messaging Security Isn’t Bulletproof: Even end-to-end encrypted platforms like Signal can be compromised through social engineering tactics like QR code phishing.
  • Global Awareness Is Key: Users beyond conflict zones are now prime targets, emphasizing the importance of widespread cybersecurity education.
  • QR Code Phishing on the Rise: The surge in QR code-based scams underscores the need for both user vigilance and technical safeguards.

As cybercriminal tactics evolve, so too must our defenses. Collaborative efforts between tech companies, governments, and end-users are essential to protect global communications.

Additional Resources

📖 Official Reports and Alerts

🔗 Related Freemindtronic Articles