How can a DNS mail record be used to trick you into giving up your login credentials? 
Researchers at Infoblox have identified a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform called Morphing Meerkat that’s been quietly operating for over five years. What makes it notable is its use of DNS MX (Mail Exchange) records in ways rarely reported before. Instead of the usual static phishing page setups, Morphing Meerkat queries the victim’s email provider’s MX record—using DNS-over-HTTPS via Google or Cloudflare—to tailor the phishing page dynamically. This means victims are shown spoofed login interfaces that mimic the exact service they use, complete with matching branding and pre-filled email fields.
The platform supports more than 114 brand templates and uses obfuscated JavaScript to evade detection. It also includes built-in translation capabilities based on browser profile or geolocation, making the fake login pages appear native to the user's language. Earlier versions began in 2020 targeting just five email services (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL, Office 365). By mid-2023, they could generate phishing pages dynamically using MX records and now operate in over a dozen languages.
Morphing Meerkat campaigns rely on a set of centralized email servers, primarily hosted by UK ISP iomart and US-based HostPapa, indicating a coordinated infrastructure rather than a loose network of attackers. The phishing emails often impersonate trusted services—banks, shipping companies, etc.—and are distributed using compromised WordPress sites, open redirects from platforms like Google’s DoubleClick, and embedded links in shortened URLs.
Once a user submits credentials, the system may display a fake “Invalid Password” error to lure them into re-entering data, after which they are redirected to the real login page. This not only reduces suspicion but also increases the chance of capturing correct credentials. Stolen data is sent back via AJAX, PHP scripts, or Telegram bots, sometimes with evidence removed in real-time.
This operation shows a deep understanding of modern security blind spots—including how content delivery and DNS infrastructure can be turned against end users.
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