Lucid is a sophisticated Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platform operated by Chinese-speaking threat actors, targeting 169 entities across 88 countries globally. With 129 active instances and 1000+ registered domains, Lucid ranks among prominent PhaaS platforms, alongside Darcula and Lighthouse.
Its scalable, subscription-based model enables cybercriminals to conduct large-scale phishing campaigns to harvest credit card details for financial fraud. The platform employs an automated attack delivery mechanism, deploying customizable phishing websites distributed primarily through SMS-based lures. To enhance effectiveness, Lucid leverages Apple iMessage and Android’s RCS technology, bypassing traditional SMS spam filters and significantly increasing delivery and success rates.
Lucid incorporates advanced anti-detection and evasion techniques, such as IP blocking and user-agent filtering, to prolong the lifespan of its phishing sites. Additionally, it features a built-in card generator, enabling threat actors to validate and exploit stolen payment data efficiently. Given its advanced infrastructure and persistent activity, Lucid poses a significant and ongoing cyber threat. Its operations underscore the growing reliance on PhaaS platforms to facilitate payment fraud and financial cybercrime, necessitating heightened vigilance and proactive mitigation efforts.