Attackers abuse Microsoft Teams to impersonate the IT helpdesk in a new enterprise intrusion playbook
Summary
Attackers are exploiting Microsoft Teams to impersonate IT helpdesk staff, using social engineering to trick employees into granting remote access. This "cross-tenant helpdesk impersonation" technique leverages external access features within Teams and relies on user-initiated actions to bypass traditional security defenses.
IFF Assessment
This technique allows attackers to leverage trusted communication channels and social engineering to gain initial access, bypassing traditional security measures.
Defender Context
Defenders need to be aware of this evolving social engineering tactic that moves beyond traditional phishing. Training employees to scrutinize requests for remote access, even when seemingly coming from internal IT or helpdesk channels, is crucial. Implementing stricter verification processes for remote session initiation and monitoring for unusual cross-tenant communication patterns can help mitigate this threat.