The Rise of Infostealers: A Growing Cybersecurity Threat in 2025

The Escalating Cyber Threat Landscape

Cybersecurity threats have reached unprecedented levels, with 2024 witnessing a surge in cyberattacks, data breaches, and the proliferation of malware. Among these, information-stealing malware, commonly known as infostealers, has emerged as one of the most critical threats facing businesses and individuals worldwide. According to the latest Flashpoint 2025 Global Threat Intelligence Report, infostealers have played a pivotal role in the compromise of over 3.2 billion credentials in 2024 alone, marking a staggering 33% increase from the previous year.

Infostealers infiltrate devices through deceptive means such as phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, and pirated software. Once installed, they exfiltrate sensitive data, including login credentials, browser cookies, cryptocurrency wallets, and session tokens. This stolen information is then sold on the dark web or used for further cyberattacks, including ransomware deployment and identity theft.

The Unstoppable Growth of Infostealers

Infostealers have proven to be a preferred tool for cybercriminals due to their efficiency, scalability, and profitability. Unlike traditional hacking techniques that require extensive manual effort, infostealers automate the data extraction process, making it easier for attackers to compromise large numbers of victims simultaneously.

By 2024, over 75% of the 3.2 billion stolen credentials were obtained through infostealers, demonstrating their dominant role in modern cybercrime. More than 23 million devices worldwide are currently infected, serving as launchpads for further malicious activities.

Among the most prevalent infostealers, RedLine has emerged as the most widely distributed variant, responsible for infecting 9.9 million devices—accounting for 43% of all infections. Other notable infostealers include RisePro, SteaC, Lumma Stealer, and Meta Stealer, collectively affecting 7 million systems.

Infostealers and Large-Scale Data Breaches

Infostealers not only impact individual users but also contribute to significant corporate data breaches. One of the most notable incidents in 2024 involved cybercriminals leveraging credentials stolen by infostealers to infiltrate 165 customer environments on Snowflake, a cloud-based data warehousing platform. This breach compromised hundreds of millions of records, affecting major corporations such as AT&T, Ticketmaster, and Advance Auto Parts.

These large-scale breaches underscore the need for organizations to strengthen their security measures against credential-based attacks. As infostealers continue to evolve, companies must adopt proactive security strategies to mitigate the risks associated with this threat.

The Role of Exploits in Cyber Attacks

In addition to credential theft, cybercriminals increasingly exploit known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. In 2024 alone, the number of publicly disclosed vulnerabilities increased by 12% to 37,302. Alarmingly, over 39% of these vulnerabilities already had published exploits, making them easy targets for cybercriminals.

Exploits enable attackers to bypass traditional security defenses, allowing them to install malware, escalate privileges, and exfiltrate sensitive data. This trend highlights the importance of robust vulnerability management programs that prioritize patching based on real-world exploitability rather than just severity ratings.

Ransomware: A Persistent and Evolving Threat

Ransomware attacks continued to rise in 2024, with a 10% increase in overall incidents and a 6% increase in data breaches. Many of these attacks originated from credentials compromised by infostealers. The emergence of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has further lowered the barrier to entry for cybercriminals, enabling even inexperienced hackers to launch sophisticated ransomware campaigns.

The five most prolific RaaS groups—Lockbit, Ransomhub, Akira, Play, and Qilin—were responsible for nearly half (47%) of all ransomware attacks in 2024. Their operations have targeted organizations across multiple sectors, causing financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

The Infostealer Infection Chain

Understanding the infection chain of infostealers is crucial in developing effective defense mechanisms. Cybercriminals employ various methods to distribute these malware strains, including:

1. Phishing Emails – Emails impersonating legitimate organizations lure victims into clicking malicious links or downloading infected attachments.
2. Malicious Advertisements – Attackers place deceptive ads on search engines and social media platforms, directing users to infected websites.
3. Pirated Software – Fake or cracked versions of popular software often serve as trojanized carriers of infostealers.
4. Drive-By Downloads – Users visiting compromised websites unknowingly download infostealers onto their devices.

Once installed, the malware harvests sensitive information and transmits it to the attacker's command-and-control (C2) server. This data is either used immediately for attacks or sold on cybercrime marketplaces.

Notable Infostealer Variants

Several infostealers have dominated the threat landscape in recent years. Some of the most notorious include:

• RedLine – A Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) infostealer that extracts data from browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, and VPN applications.
• RisePro – Known for leaving behind recognizable files like “passwords.txt,” making it easy for researchers to track infections.
• StealC – Unique due to its server-side configuration storage, adding an extra layer of stealth.
• LummaC2 – Uses innovative distribution techniques to evade detection and analysis.

Strategies for Mitigating Infostealer Risks

As infostealers become more sophisticated, organizations and individuals must take proactive measures to protect their data. Key strategies include:

1. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Even if credentials are stolen, MFA acts as an additional security layer.
2. Educating Employees and Users – Awareness training can help prevent phishing attacks and unsafe downloads.
3. Deploying Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions – Advanced security tools can detect and mitigate malware infections in real-time.
4. Regular Software Updates and Patch Management – Addressing vulnerabilities promptly reduces the risk of exploitation.
5. Monitoring for Compromised Credentials – Security teams should continuously monitor dark web marketplaces for leaked credentials.

The Future of Cybersecurity in 2025 and Beyond

The surge in infostealer activity signals a shift in cybercriminal tactics, emphasizing automation, scalability, and efficiency. With the growing adoption of cloud services, remote work, and digital transactions, cybercriminals will continue refining their techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in modern infrastructures.

To stay ahead of these threats, organizations must embrace a proactive cybersecurity approach, integrating threat intelligence, incident response, and advanced security solutions. By adopting a multi-layered defense strategy, businesses can mitigate the risks posed by infostealers and safeguard their critical assets in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.