Here’s a brief dive into the murky waters of shape-shifting attacks that leverage dedicated phishing kits to auto-generate customized login pages on the fly
09 May 2025
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4 min. read
Phishing remains a particularly stubborn threat in the cybersecurity landscape. It sticks around partly because even though the bad guys are always after the same prize – people’s login credentials and other sensitive information – they never cease to evolve and adapt their tactics.
One technique that has gained traction in recent years is the use of dynamically generated phishing pages. Using dedicated phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) toolkits, attackers can spin up authentic-looking phishing pages on the spot, all while customizing them for whoever they’re targeting.
Instead of laboriously cloning a target website, even less tech-savvy attackers can get the toolkits to do the heavy lifting for them – and in real time and on a mass scale at that. One well-known example of such a toolset, called LogoKit, first made headlines in 2021 and apparently it hasn’t gone anywhere since.
A different kettle of fish
So, how do these tricks actually play out?
Somewhat predictably, the lure typically begins with an email that is aimed to create a sense of urgency or curiosity – something designed to make you click quickly without thinking twice.
Clicking the link takes you to a website that can automatically retrieve the logo of the company that’s being impersonated, all while misusing the API (Application Programming Interface) of a legitimate third-party marketing service such as Clearbit.
In other words, the credential-harvesting page queries sources such as business data aggregators and simple favicon lookup services to fetch the logo and other branding elements of the company being impersonated, sometimes even adding subtle visual cues or contextual details that further boost the ploy’s aura of authenticity.
Adding to the deception, attackers can also pre-fill your name or email address, making it seem like you’ve visited the site before.
The login details are sent in real time to the attackers via an AJAX POST request. The page eventually redirects you to the actual legitimate website you intended to visit all along, leaving you none the wiser until it may be too late.
Plenty of phish in the sea
It’s probably obvious by now, but the technique is a boon for attackers for several reasons:
- Real-time customization: Attackers can tailor the page’s appearance instantly for any target, sourcing logos and other branding elements from public services on the fly.
- Enhanced evasion: Masking attacks with legitimate visual elements helps evade detection by many people and some spam filters.
- Scalable and agile deployment: Attack infrastructure is often lightweight and easily deployed on cloud platforms such as Firebase, Oracle Cloud, GitHub, etc. This makes these campaigns easy to scale and harder for defenders to identify and dismantle quickly.
- Lowered barriers to entry: Toolkits like LogoKit are readily available on underground forums, providing even less tech-savvy individuals with the tools needed to launch attacks.
Staying off the hook
Defending against evolving phishing tactics requires a combination of ongoing personal awareness and robust technical controls. However, a few tried-and-true rules will go a long way to keeping you safe.
If an email, text, or call asks you to click a link, download a file, or provide information, pause and verify it independently. Don’t click links directly in suspicious messages. Instead, navigate to the legitimate website or contact the organization through a trusted, known phone number or email address.
Crucially, use a strong and unique password or passphrase on all your online accounts, especially the valuable ones. Complementing this with two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever available is also a non-negotiable line of defense. 2FA adds a critical second layer of security that can prevent attackers from accessing your accounts even if they manage to steal your password or source it from data leaks. Ideally, look for and use app-based or hardware token 2FA options, which are generally more secure than SMS codes.
Also, use robust, multi-layered security solutions with advanced anti-phishing protections on all your devices.
The bottom line
While the goal – stealing people’s sensitive information – is typically the same, the tactics used by cybercriminals are anything but static. The shape-shifting approach shown above exemplifies the ability of cybercriminals to repurpose even legitimate technologies for nefarious ends.
The rise of AI-aided scams and other threats muddies the waters even more. With AI tools in the hands of criminals, phishing emails can evolve beyond templated gibberish and become hyper-personalized. Combining vigilant awareness with strong technical defenses will go a long way toward keeping the ever-morphing phish at bay.
