The provided information pertains to a malware threat identified as 'Locky' distributed via malspam campaigns around March 16, 2016. Locky is a ransomware family that typically spreads through malicious email attachments, often disguised as invoices or other business-related documents. Once executed, Locky encrypts files on the infected system, rendering them inaccessible to the user, and demands a ransom payment in cryptocurrency for decryption. Although the data lacks detailed technical specifics, Locky is known for its use of strong encryption algorithms, making recovery without the decryption key extremely difficult. The campaign referenced is an early instance of Locky distribution via malspam, indicating the use of social engineering tactics to trick users into opening malicious attachments. The threat level is indicated as moderate (3 on an unspecified scale), but the overall severity is marked as low in the provided data, possibly reflecting the age of the threat or the context of the report. No specific affected software versions or exploits are noted, and no known exploits in the wild are reported beyond the malspam vector itself. The absence of patch links and CWEs suggests this is primarily a malware infection vector rather than a vulnerability in software.

For European organizations, Locky ransomware poses significant risks primarily to data confidentiality and availability. Successful infection results in encryption of critical files, potentially disrupting business operations, causing data loss, and incurring financial costs related to ransom payments and recovery efforts. The impact can be severe for sectors reliant on continuous data access such as healthcare, finance, and public services. Although the original campaign dates back to 2016, variants of Locky and similar ransomware continue to threaten organizations. European entities with insufficient email security controls or inadequate user awareness training are particularly vulnerable. The financial and reputational damage from ransomware incidents can be substantial, and regulatory implications under GDPR for data availability and breach notification add further consequences. However, the lack of active known exploits and the age of this specific campaign may reduce immediate risk, but the underlying threat model remains relevant.

To mitigate Locky ransomware threats, European organizations should implement multi-layered defenses beyond generic advice: 1) Deploy advanced email filtering solutions capable of detecting and quarantining malicious attachments and phishing attempts, including sandboxing unknown files. 2) Enforce strict attachment handling policies, such as blocking executable files and macros in emails, and disabling macros by default in office applications. 3) Conduct regular, targeted user awareness training focusing on recognizing malspam and social engineering tactics, emphasizing verification of unexpected attachments. 4) Maintain comprehensive and tested offline backups of critical data to enable recovery without paying ransom. 5) Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify suspicious behaviors indicative of ransomware execution. 6) Apply network segmentation to limit lateral movement if infection occurs. 7) Keep all systems and security tools up to date to reduce exposure to other vulnerabilities that could be exploited in conjunction with ransomware. 8) Establish incident response plans specific to ransomware scenarios, including communication and legal considerations under GDPR.