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Adobe Flash ads launching clipboard hijack attack

@ 2008/08/20

Malicious hackers are using booby-trapped Flash banner ads to hijack clipboards for use in rogue security software attacks.

In the Web attacks, which target Mac, Windows and Linux users running Firefox, IE and Safari, hackers are seizing control of the machine’s clipboard and using a hard-to-delete URL that points to a fake anti-virus program.

According to victims on several Web forums, the attack is coming from Adobe Flash-based advertising on legitimate sites — including Newsweek, Digg and MSNBC.com.

Comment from jmke @ 2008/08/20

I'm not using Mac

have FF installed and with flashblock there is no danger for seeing wrong ads

Comment from Kougar @ 2008/08/20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmke

if you go to another application (not your browser) and copy data to your clipboard, the things is cleared...

According to the quoted Mac OS X user, he could not do this.

This also affects Opera, no browser or OS is safe. Rather nasty attack since some browsers offer "Paste & go" option, no one would think to verify their clipboard contents.

Comment from jmke @ 2008/08/20

if you go to another application (not your browser) and copy data to your clipboard, the things is cleared...

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