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Malspam 2016-08-24 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Statement"

Low
Published: Wed Aug 24 2016 (08/24/2016, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: CIRCL
Vendor/Project: tlp
Product: white

Description

Malspam 2016-08-24 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Statement"

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/02/2025, 19:58:32 UTC

Technical Analysis

The provided information describes a malspam campaign dated August 24, 2016, identified as the "Statement" campaign. This campaign involves the distribution of malicious spam emails containing a .zip archive with a .js (JavaScript) file inside. Such malspam campaigns typically aim to trick recipients into opening the attachment, which then executes the JavaScript payload. The payload may perform various malicious actions such as downloading additional malware, establishing persistence, or stealing information. However, the details are sparse, with no specific malware family or payload behavior described, no affected software versions listed, and no known exploits in the wild. The threat level is indicated as low, and there is no evidence of active exploitation or widespread impact. The campaign appears to be a typical example of malware distribution via email attachments using obfuscated or compressed JavaScript files to evade detection. Given the age of the campaign (2016) and the lack of detailed technical indicators, it likely represents a low sophistication threat primarily targeting end users through social engineering.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of this malspam campaign is generally limited due to its low severity and lack of known active exploitation. However, if successful, the JavaScript payload could lead to infection of user endpoints, potentially resulting in data theft, unauthorized access, or further malware deployment. The primary risk lies in user interaction—opening the malicious attachment—and the effectiveness of existing email filtering and endpoint protection solutions. Organizations with insufficient email security or user awareness training might be more vulnerable. The campaign does not appear to target specific industries or sectors, so the impact is broadly distributed and likely minimal. Nonetheless, any malware infection can lead to operational disruption, data compromise, or reputational damage, especially if the payload evolves or is combined with other attack vectors.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement and maintain robust email security solutions capable of detecting and quarantining malicious attachments, especially compressed archives containing script files. Endpoint protection platforms should be configured to detect and block execution of suspicious JavaScript files. User awareness training is critical to reduce the likelihood of users opening unexpected or suspicious email attachments. Organizations should enforce policies that restrict execution of scripts from email attachments and consider disabling or limiting the use of JavaScript in email clients. Regular patching and updating of email gateways, antivirus software, and endpoint detection and response tools will enhance detection capabilities. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual outbound connections can help identify compromised hosts. Since this campaign is dated and low severity, maintaining general good cybersecurity hygiene is sufficient to mitigate risk.

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Technical Details

Threat Level
3
Analysis
0
Original Timestamp
1472041325

Threat ID: 682acdbdbbaf20d303f0b793

Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:45 AM

Last enriched: 7/2/2025, 7:58:32 PM

Last updated: 8/11/2025, 10:36:26 AM

Views: 9

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