The provided information describes a malware threat identified as 'Malspam 2016-06-23 (Locky)', classified as ransomware. Locky ransomware first appeared in mid-2016 and is typically distributed via malicious spam emails (malspam) containing infected attachments or links. Upon execution, Locky encrypts files on the victim's system, rendering them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment for decryption. The technical details indicate a low severity rating and a threat level of 3, with no known exploits in the wild beyond the initial infection vector of malspam. The absence of affected versions or patch links suggests this is a general malware campaign rather than a vulnerability in a specific software product. Locky ransomware campaigns have historically used social engineering tactics to trick users into opening malicious attachments, often disguised as invoices or other business documents. Once infected, the ransomware encrypts a wide range of file types and appends a unique extension, then displays ransom notes with payment instructions. The lack of detailed technical indicators in the provided data limits deeper analysis, but the classification as ransomware and malspam aligns with known Locky behaviors.

For European organizations, the impact of Locky ransomware can be significant, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on digital data and have limited backup or recovery capabilities. Encryption of critical files can disrupt operations, cause data loss, and lead to financial costs from ransom payments or recovery efforts. Although the severity is noted as low in this report, Locky has historically caused widespread disruption in various sectors including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. The operational downtime and potential data loss can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR may arise if personal data is affected or if organizations fail to maintain adequate cybersecurity measures. The threat is primarily delivered via email, so organizations with high email traffic and less mature email security controls are at greater risk.

To mitigate the risk posed by Locky ransomware, European organizations should implement targeted controls beyond generic advice: 1) Deploy advanced email filtering solutions that use sandboxing and behavioral analysis to detect and block malicious attachments and links. 2) Conduct regular, focused user awareness training emphasizing recognition of phishing and malspam tactics, particularly around invoice or payment-related emails. 3) Maintain comprehensive, tested offline backups of critical data to enable recovery without paying ransom. 4) Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized programs, especially from email attachments or temporary directories. 5) Keep endpoint security solutions updated with ransomware-specific detection capabilities. 6) Monitor network traffic for unusual encryption activity or communication with known ransomware command and control servers. 7) Enforce least privilege access controls to limit the spread of ransomware if infection occurs. These measures, combined with incident response planning, can significantly reduce the impact of Locky ransomware campaigns.