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Malspam 2016-07-04 (testrun, subject 'Scanned image'), .docm

Low
Published: Mon Jul 04 2016 (07/04/2016, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: CIRCL
Vendor/Project: tlp
Product: white

Description

Malspam 2016-07-04 (testrun, subject 'Scanned image'), .docm

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/03/2025, 00:41:49 UTC

Technical Analysis

The provided information describes a malspam campaign dated July 4, 2016, involving emails with the subject line 'Scanned image' that deliver malicious .docm files. These files are Microsoft Word macro-enabled documents, which are commonly used vectors for malware distribution. When a user opens the .docm attachment and enables macros, malicious code embedded within the document can execute, potentially leading to system compromise. The campaign is identified as a test run, indicating it may have been an initial or low-scale distribution rather than a widespread attack. No specific malware family or payload details are provided, and there are no known exploits in the wild associated with this campaign. The threat level is noted as low, and no affected software versions or patches are listed. The lack of detailed technical indicators or CWE identifiers limits the ability to analyze the exact nature of the malware or its capabilities. However, macro-based malspam remains a common infection vector, relying heavily on social engineering to trick users into enabling macros, which are disabled by default in modern Office installations.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this type of threat primarily risks the confidentiality and integrity of information systems if users are tricked into enabling macros. Successful exploitation could lead to malware installation, data theft, or further lateral movement within networks. However, given the low severity rating, absence of known exploits in the wild, and the age of the campaign (2016), the immediate risk is minimal. Nonetheless, organizations with users who may still operate legacy Office configurations or have lax macro security policies could be vulnerable to similar malspam campaigns. The impact could be more significant in sectors with high volumes of scanned document exchanges, such as legal, finance, or government agencies, where users might expect scanned images and be more likely to open such attachments.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate risks from macro-based malspam, European organizations should enforce strict email filtering rules to block or quarantine emails with suspicious attachments, especially .docm files. User education campaigns should emphasize the dangers of enabling macros in unsolicited or unexpected documents. Organizations should configure Microsoft Office Group Policy settings to disable macros by default and only allow digitally signed macros from trusted sources. Implementing advanced endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block macro-based malware behaviors is also recommended. Regularly updating and patching Office applications and email clients reduces the risk of exploitation through known vulnerabilities. Finally, employing sandboxing or detonation chambers for suspicious attachments can help identify malicious content before delivery to end users.

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Technical Details

Threat Level
3
Analysis
0
Original Timestamp
1467638241

Threat ID: 682acdbcbbaf20d303f0b4ce

Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:44 AM

Last enriched: 7/3/2025, 12:41:49 AM

Last updated: 8/18/2025, 10:24:45 AM

Views: 11

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