The threat described is a malspam campaign identified on September 15, 2016, involving malicious spam emails that deliver a .zip archive containing a .wsf (Windows Script File) payload. The campaign is labeled "SCAN" and was reported by CIRCL. The .wsf file format is a Windows scripting file that can contain scripts written in VBScript or JScript, which, when executed, can perform a variety of malicious actions such as downloading additional malware, executing commands, or compromising system integrity. The delivery via malspam suggests that the attackers rely on social engineering to trick users into opening the .zip attachment and executing the .wsf file. This type of attack vector is common for initial infection stages in malware campaigns. The threat is categorized as malware with a low severity level by the source, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported. The lack of affected versions or patch links indicates this is not exploiting a specific software vulnerability but rather leveraging user interaction and social engineering to propagate. The technical details show a low threat level (3) and no further analysis data, which aligns with the low severity assessment. Overall, this campaign represents a typical email-based malware delivery method using script files to bypass some email filters and execute malicious code on victim machines.

For European organizations, the impact of this malspam campaign primarily revolves around potential initial compromise through user interaction. If a user opens the .zip file and executes the .wsf script, it could lead to malware infection, which may result in data theft, unauthorized access, or further malware deployment within the network. Although the severity is low, the risk is non-negligible because email remains a primary attack vector. Organizations with less mature email filtering or user awareness programs are more vulnerable. The campaign could cause operational disruptions, data confidentiality breaches, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the campaign's age and low severity, it likely targets generic users rather than specific high-value targets, but the risk of infection and subsequent exploitation remains relevant, especially for organizations with inadequate endpoint protection or user training.

To mitigate this threat effectively, European organizations should implement advanced email filtering solutions that specifically scan and block suspicious attachments such as .zip files containing script files (.wsf). User awareness training must emphasize the risks of opening unsolicited email attachments, especially compressed archives with executable scripts. Endpoint protection platforms should be configured to detect and block execution of .wsf files originating from email attachments or untrusted sources. Network segmentation can limit the spread of malware if an infection occurs. Additionally, organizations should enforce application whitelisting policies that restrict script execution to approved scripts only. Regular backups and incident response plans should be maintained to quickly recover from potential infections. Monitoring email traffic for patterns consistent with malspam campaigns and leveraging threat intelligence feeds to update detection rules will further reduce risk.