Global Surge in PhaaS: 17,500 Phishing Domains Exploit 316 Brands
In mid-2025, cybersecurity researchers exposed an extensive global phishing campaign orchestrated via Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platforms Lighthouse and Lucid. These services facilitated the deployment of more than 17,500 phishing domains impersonating 316 brands across 74 countries. The PhaaS operators provided subscription access to professionally maintained phishing kits targeting both enterprises and individual users, enabling attackers with minimal technical expertise to launch widespread credential theft attacks. As a result, organizations in sectors ranging from finance to technology experienced increases in fraudulent account access, financial loss, and reputational harm. The scale and automation lowered barriers for entry, allowing rapid exploitation and high turnover of malicious domains. This incident underscores the rapid evolution of cybercriminal business models, notably the rise of PhaaS, which commoditizes phishing attacks on a global scale. Its effectiveness and accessibility are driving a surge in targeted brand impersonation attempts and amplifying regulatory attention around authentication, threat monitoring, and user awareness.
Kill Chain
