Beware Quishing: Microsoft Sway Targeted by Cybercriminals

In the latest cybersecurity blind spot to be exposed, Microsoft Sway, a unique presentation tool within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, has come under fire for being hijacked by cybercriminals to deliver sophisticated "quishing" attacks. But before you run to disable Sway from your organization's firewall, let’s decode what’s happening here. From cloud misuse to QR-infused phishing strategies, there’s a lot to unpack in this cyber saga.

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What’s the Story? Microsoft Sway Dragged Into the Limelight​

Netskope Threat Labs recently flagged an eye-popping surge in malicious activity on Microsoft Sway—traffic to phishing pages delivered via this platform skyrocketed by an astronomical 2,000-fold within six months. If "phishing" makes you think of your garden-variety fake emails, "quishing," a clever evolutionary step, is defined by the use of QR codes that lure unsuspecting users into traps when scanned.
The phishing campaigns spotlighted in these findings didn’t just settle for stealing basic data. Their endgame? Capturing login credentials specifically for Microsoft 365 accounts, with the help of innovative techniques that can bypass even high-end corporate security measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA).

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Anatomy of a Sway-Based Quishing Attack​

Microsoft Sway is essentially a little-known gem of Microsoft 365, primarily used to visually present information akin to a modern-day PowerPoint alternative. Think of it as the stylish cousin of the classic slideshow.
But therein lies the rub: Microsoft Sway operates on a free-to-use model. With access to anyone possessing a Microsoft account, Sway increases attackers' credibility by leveraging a legitimate Microsoft-hosted platform to deliver malicious pages. Here’s how the process unfolds:

1. It Begins with QR Codes​

Cyber-attackers embed phishing URLs inside QR codes to bypass traditional safeguards like email scanners. Users are typically encouraged to scan these codes using their personal mobile devices. And here’s the kicker: mobile devices often lack the security fortifications installed on corporate computers, making them ripe for exploitation.

2. Victim Redirection via Microsoft Sway​

When scanned, the QR code takes the user directly to a phishing page deployed on Microsoft Sway. The genius (read: sinister brilliance) of this approach lies in exploiting Sway’s reputation as a trustworthy Microsoft link. Once redirected, the page mimics legitimate Microsoft 365 login interfaces with unsettling accuracy.

3. Advanced Deception: Transparent Phishing​

Attackers employ a method called transparent phishing, where the malicious page appears nearly identical to the genuine Microsoft 365 login screen. But here’s the detour: URLs that should route to official credentials instead point to hacker-controlled servers designed to collect user data—passwords, tokens, and even multi-factor authentication codes.

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Diving Deeper: Weapons of the Phishing Arsenal​

These quishing campaigns are successful not only due to clever baiting but also because they incorporate additional layers of technological trickery aimed at dodging modern defenses. Among the tactics employed:

1. Cloudflare Turnstile Smokescreen​

Cybercriminals integrated Cloudflare Turnstile, a CAPTCHA-like mechanism, to hide phishing content from static website scanners. This clever move helps them preserve the reputation of their phishing page's hosting domain, making their scams harder to detect and block.

2. Attacker-in-the-Middle (AITM) Phishing​

Here’s the constructive escalation: instead of merely stealing credentials, some phishing campaigns used AITM techniques. This approach enables attackers to simultaneously log the victim into the service using the captured credentials and collect authentication tokens. This grants attackers ongoing access to sensitive accounts without triggering alerts!

3. Microsoft’s New Unified Domain Name​

Adding complexity to the attack, Microsoft shifted to a unified domain strategy ([.]cloud[.]microsoft). Lack of updated rules among system administrators makes distinguishing between legitimate and suspicious Sway-generated URLs a headache.

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Why Microsoft Sway? A Choice Target for Bad Actors​

Let’s face it: Microsoft’s vast cloud ecosystem is a boon for productivity—and an equally enticing playground for cybercriminals. By riding the coattails of well-established brands and domains, these attackers gain implicit trust, which makes users less likely to scrutinize such malicious links. Additionally:

• Ease of Access: Sway’s flexibility lets anyone host interactive content for free.
• Legitimacy by Association: Users already logged into Microsoft’s ecosystem are primed to trust URLs featuring Microsoft within its domain.
• Convenient Sharing Features: Links can be shared publicly, spanning communication tools including emails, social media, and embedded website links. It’s a phishing heaven.

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The Broader Role of Quishing Attacks in Cyber Campaigns​

Quishing is no accident. It’s the result of cybercriminals adapting to user habits. The QR revolution, popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic for touchless menus and payments, made scanning codes as second nature as unlocking smartphones. Now attackers are weaponizing that familiarity.
The QR code fundamentally complicates detection: since they store URLs within images, traditional email scanners designed to look at textual or HTML content can’t "see" the malicious links.

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A Futureproof Defense Strategy​

While Netskope Threat Labs continues tracking these campaigns, organizations must be proactive in securing their systems. Here are practical steps to avoid falling victim:

For Organizations:​

1. Update Domain-Based Rules: Ensure that your URL filters account for the new unified domain structure (sway.cloud.microsoft).
2. Inspect HTTPS Traffic Thoroughly: Use modern tools capable of inspecting encrypted web content to identify malicious sites.
3. Implement Browser Isolation (RBI): Remote Browser Isolation helps contain any malicious targeting activity by running dubious webpages in a virtual sandbox outside your infrastructure.
4. Next-Gen Security Tools: Deploy Netskope NG-SWG or equivalent web gateways with robust threat protection policies that rely on cutting-edge threat intelligence.

For Individual Users:​

1. Check All URLs Carefully: Instead of scanning arbitrary QR codes, type URLs directly into your browser.
2. Use Secure Mobile Devices: Opt for corporate-secured devices when accessing work-related content, especially websites asking for credentials.
3. Leverage Multi-Layer Authentication: Keep MFA enabled and double-check authentication prompts.
4. Recognize Odd Domain Patterns: Be wary of "tokenized URLs" bearing unusual alphanumeric references, e.g., Sway: Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more.{string}?ref={source}.

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Final Thoughts​

The abuse of Microsoft Sway in these phishing schemes underscores a harsh reality: even legitimate cloud services can become tools for cybercrime. The onus lies on both providers like Microsoft to harden their platforms and users—individuals and organizations alike—to stay vigilantly informed.
Stay tuned to WindowsForum.com for regular updates on emerging threats and actionable insights to keep your data safe. Share your thoughts with the community: have you encountered suspicious Sway links or unusual QR code attacks in the wild?

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Source: ITWeb Phishing in style: Microsoft Sway abused to deliver quishing attacks