ASCII smuggling isn't just an AI security risk
Summary
Phishing attacks are leveraging invisible Unicode tag characters to disguise malicious links within seemingly legitimate text. This technique, known as ASCII smuggling, allows attackers to bypass filters and trick users into clicking on harmful URLs. The exploitation of these characters extends beyond just AI security risks, posing a broader threat to email security.
IFF Assessment
This article describes a new technique used by attackers to bypass security measures and phish users, which is bad news for defenders.
Defender Context
Defenders should be aware of this new phishing vector that uses invisible Unicode characters to conceal malicious links. Email security gateways and user awareness training need to be updated to detect and prevent such attacks. This highlights the ongoing arms race where attackers constantly find new ways to circumvent existing security controls.