OWASP LLM Top 10: DeepfakeThreat

## Deepfake Threat

**Author(s):** [Ken Huang](https://github.com/kenhuangus), [Ads - GangGreenTemperTatum](https://github.com/GangGreenTemperTatum)

### Description

Deepfake threats involve the use of AI-generated synthetic media to impersonate individuals or manipulate information, posing significant risks to identity provisioning systems, authentication systems, and access control mechanisms. These threats can undermine the integrity of security protocols and lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security violations.

### Common Examples of Risk

1. **Identity Provisioning System Compromise**: Deepfakes can be used to create convincing fake identities, which can then be used to gain unauthorized access to systems and resources. This involves generating realistic synthetic images or videos that mimic legitimate users. These fabricated identities can deceive identity verification systems during the provisioning process, leading to the creation of fraudulent accounts. Once these accounts are established, they can be used for various malicious activities, including financial fraud, data theft, and unauthorized system access.

2. **Authentication System Breach**: Deepfake technology can be employed to bypass biometric authentication systems, such as facial recognition or voice recognition, by mimicking legitimate users. By creating highly accurate replicas of a person's face or voice, attackers can fool these systems into granting access to unauthorized users. This poses a significant security risk as biometric authentication is often considered a robust security measure. Compromising these systems with deepfakes can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, critical systems, and secure locations.

3. **Access Control Evasion**: Deepfakes can be utilized to manipulate access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized users to gain access to restricted areas or information. For example, deepfake videos or audio recordings can be used to impersonate authorized personnel, tricking access control systems into granting entry. This can compromise the security of physical spaces, such as secure buildings or data centers, as well as digital resources, including confidential databases and protected networks.

4. **Social Engineering Attacks**: Deepfakes can be used in social engineering attacks to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. Attackers can create realistic videos or audio messages that appear to be from trusted sources, such as company executives or family members, to manipulate targets. These deepfakes can be used to persuade individuals to reveal passwords, transfer funds, or provide access to secure systems. The convincing nature of deepfakes makes them a potent tool for manipulating human behavior and exploiting psychological vulnerabilities.

5. **Disinformation Campaigns**: Deepfakes can be deployed to spread false information, causing reputational damage and undermining trust in digital communications. By creating and disseminating realistic but fake videos or audio recordings, malicious actors can fabricate events or statements attributed to public figures, organizations, or individuals. This can lead to the spread of misinformation, influence public opinion, and create chaos or panic. The ability of deepfakes to convincingly mimic reality poses a significant challenge for verifying the authenticity of digital content, making it a powerful tool for disinformation campaigns.


### Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

- **Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)**: Implement MFA to add an additional layer of security beyond biometric authentication, making it more difficult for deepfakes to succeed.
- **Deepfake Detection Tools**: Utilize advanced deepfake detection tools and algorithms to identify and mitigate the use of synthetic media in authentication and access control processes.
- **Regular Security Audits**: Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by deepfakes.
- **User Education and Awareness**: Educate users about the risks of deepfakes and train them to recognize potential deepfake attacks.
- **Robust Identity Verification**: Implement robust identity verification processes that include multiple forms of identification and cross-referencing to ensure the authenticity of users.

### Example Attack Scenarios

1. **Biometric Authentication Bypass**: An attacker uses a deepfake video to bypass a facial recognition system, gaining unauthorized access to a secure facility.
2. **Phishing Attack with Deepfake Voice**: An attacker uses a deepfake voice to impersonate a company executive, convincing an employee to transfer sensitive data or funds.
3. **Fake Identity Creation**: An attacker creates a deepfake identity to register for a service, gaining access to resources and information that they are not entitled to.
4. **Manipulated Video for Disinformation**: An attacker releases a deepfake video of a public figure making false statements, causing public confusion and damaging reputations.

### Real-World Examples

1. **UK COMPANY SCAMMED $25 MILLION VIA DEEPFAKES**: https://justcomputersonline.co.uk/2024/05/22/tech-news-uk-company-scammed-25-million-via-deepfakes/
2. **‘Everyone looked real’: multinational firm’s Hong Kong office loses HK$200 million after scammers stage deepfake video meeting**:https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3250851/everyone-looked-real-multinational-firms-hong-kong-office-loses-hk200-million-after-scammers-stage
3. **Crypto Projects Scammed with Deepfake AI Video of Binance Executive**: https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/crypto-projects-scammed-with-deepfake-ai-video-of-binance-executive/
4. **Fraudsters Used AI to Mimic CEO’s Voice in Unusual Cybercrime Case**: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fraudsters-use-ai-to-mimic-ceos-voice-in-unusual-cybercrime-case[PII_REDACTED]2


### Reference Links

1. **Cybersecurity, Deepfakes, and the Human Risk of AI Fraud**  
   https://www.govtech.com/security/cybersecurity-deepfakes-and-the-human-risk-of-ai-fraud

2. **The Rise of Deepfake Phishing Attacks**  
   https://bufferzonesecurity.com/the-rise-of-deepfake-phishing-attacks/

3. **Are You a Victim of a Deepfake Attack? Here's What to Do Next**  
   https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/tips-tricks/are-you-a-victim-of-a-deepfake-attack-heres-what-to-do-next/

4. **Deepfake - Cyber Glossary by Fortinet**  
   https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/deepfake

5. **Increasing Threats of Deepfake Identities - DHS Report**  
   https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/increasing_threats_of_deepfake_identities_0.pdf