Attacker sends convincing phishing email to target victim
What happens:
• Crafted phishing email sent
• Contains malicious PDF attachment
• Appears legitimate to victim
• Targets Windows 10 systems
PDF Exploit
📄
2
Malicious PDF Execution
Victim opens PDF, triggering the malicious payload
Attack sequence:
• PDF exploits system vulnerability
• Meterpreter reverse shell deployed
• Connection established to attacker
• System now compromised
Recovery steps:
• System cleaned and restored
• Security patches applied
• PDF security controls added
• Staff training conducted
🎮 Controls
Cybersecurity Attack Flow Analysis
Step 1 of 5: Social Engineering Phase
The attack begins when a cybercriminal crafts a convincing phishing email containing a malicious PDF. This PDF is specifically designed to exploit vulnerabilities in Windows 10 systems and establish a reverse meterpreter shell connection back to the attacker's machine.