The provided information describes a malware threat identified as 'Locky' ransomware variant from September 27, 2017. Locky is a well-known ransomware family that encrypts victims' files and demands ransom payments for decryption keys. This specific instance appears to be associated with files named in a pattern resembling scanned images from a Sharp MX-2600N multifunction printer (e.g., filenames like "20170927_123456.7z" and extensions such as ".ykcol" which is "locky" reversed). The mention of 'offline' and 'Affid=3' suggests this sample was collected or analyzed offline with a threat level rating of 3 (likely on a scale where 3 is moderate). The ransomware encrypts files and appends a unique extension, here reversed as ".ykcol", which is typical of Locky variants. Although no affected software versions or specific vulnerabilities are listed, the threat is categorized as ransomware with low severity and no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The lack of patch links and CWE identifiers indicates this is a malware campaign rather than a software vulnerability. The technical details are limited, but the key takeaway is that this Locky variant targets files potentially masquerading as scanned images, possibly leveraging social engineering or phishing to deliver the ransomware payload in compressed archives (.7z).

For European organizations, the impact of Locky ransomware remains significant despite the low severity rating in this specific report. Locky ransomware can cause substantial disruption by encrypting critical business data, leading to operational downtime, data loss, and financial costs associated with ransom payments or recovery efforts. The use of filenames mimicking scanned documents could increase the likelihood of successful infection in environments heavily reliant on document workflows, such as legal, healthcare, and government sectors. European organizations with multifunction printers or document management systems could be targeted via phishing emails containing malicious attachments or links. Even if no active exploit was known at the time, the presence of Locky variants in the wild historically has led to widespread infections. The ransomware's encryption compromises confidentiality and availability of data, potentially affecting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations, thereby increasing legal and reputational risks.

To mitigate the risk posed by Locky ransomware variants, European organizations should implement a multi-layered defense strategy beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict email filtering and attachment scanning policies to detect and quarantine suspicious compressed files (.7z) and files with unusual extensions like '.ykcol'. 2) Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts, especially those involving document-related lures mimicking scanned images or office workflows. 3) Harden endpoint security by deploying advanced anti-malware solutions capable of behavioral detection of ransomware activities. 4) Regularly back up critical data with offline or immutable backups to ensure recovery without paying ransom. 5) Monitor network traffic for unusual file encryption patterns or communications to command and control servers. 6) Restrict execution of macros and scripts in office documents and scanned file workflows. 7) Maintain up-to-date patching of all systems, including multifunction printers and document management software, to reduce attack surface. 8) Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of ransomware payloads. 9) Conduct regular incident response drills focused on ransomware scenarios to improve organizational readiness.