Newly uncovered attack exploits Microsoft’s UI Automation framework.
A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft’s UI Automation framework that could potentially expose millions of Windows users to attacks.
According to media reports, by exploiting the vulnerability the attacker could bypass endpoint detection and response systems to enable undetected data theft and system manipulation.
Researchers from Akamai found that by exploiting UI Automation’s elevated permissions to interact with user interface elements, attackers can execute a range of malicious activities including exfiltrating sensitive information, redirecting browsers to phishing sites, manipulating chat applications like WhatsApp and Slack, and harvesting credit card data from browsers.
Alarmingly, EDR technologies have failed to detect malicious activities using this method, making it a highly dangerous attack vector. Although Microsoft has implemented some restrictions on UI Automation, skilled attackers can still exploit its features.
Written by
Dan Raywood is a B2B journalist with 25 years of experience, including covering cybersecurity for the past 17 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes.
He has spoken at events including 44CON, Infosecurity Europe, RANT Forum, BSides Scotland, Steelcon and the National Cyber Security Show, and served as editor of SC Media UK, Infosecurity Magazine and IT Security Guru. He was also an analyst with 451 Research and a product marketing lead at Tenable.
