Malspam 2016-09-16 (.wsf in .zip) - campaign: "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}"
Malspam 2016-09-16 (.wsf in .zip) - campaign: "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}"
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The provided information describes a malspam campaign dated September 16, 2016, involving malicious spam emails distributing payloads contained within .zip archives. These archives include Windows Script Files (.wsf), which are script files capable of executing code on Windows systems. The campaign naming convention "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}" suggests that the emails were crafted to appear as scanned documents, faxes, or images, likely to entice recipients to open the attachments. The use of .wsf files is notable because they can execute complex scripts, including VBScript or JScript, which can be used to download and execute further malware or perform malicious actions on the infected system. Although the severity is marked as low and there are no known exploits in the wild linked to this campaign, the presence of malspam distributing executable scripts remains a risk vector. The lack of detailed technical indicators or affected versions limits the depth of analysis, but the general modus operandi aligns with common phishing and malware distribution tactics prevalent in 2016. The threat level is noted as 3 (on an unspecified scale), and no direct exploits or vulnerabilities are mentioned, indicating this is primarily a malware delivery campaign rather than an exploitation of a software vulnerability.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this malspam campaign poses a risk primarily through social engineering and the execution of malicious scripts on endpoint devices. If a user opens the .zip attachment and executes the .wsf file, it could lead to system compromise, data theft, or the installation of additional malware. The impact on confidentiality could be significant if sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated. Integrity and availability could also be affected if the malware modifies or deletes data or disrupts system operations. However, given the low severity rating and the absence of known exploits in the wild, the overall risk is moderate to low, especially if organizations have up-to-date email filtering, endpoint protection, and user awareness training. European organizations with less mature cybersecurity defenses or those in sectors with high volumes of document exchange (e.g., legal, finance, healthcare) may be more susceptible to such campaigns.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement advanced email filtering solutions capable of detecting and quarantining suspicious attachments, especially those containing executable scripts like .wsf files within compressed archives. Endpoint protection platforms should be configured to block or alert on execution of script files from email attachments or temporary directories. User awareness training is critical to educate employees about the risks of opening unexpected attachments, particularly those purporting to be scanned documents or faxes. Organizations should enforce strict attachment handling policies, such as disabling execution of script files received via email and encouraging the use of sandbox environments for opening suspicious files. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections can help detect malware attempting to communicate with command and control servers. Regular patching and system hardening reduce the attack surface, although this campaign does not exploit specific vulnerabilities. Finally, incident response plans should include procedures for malspam campaigns to ensure rapid containment and remediation.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium
Malspam 2016-09-16 (.wsf in .zip) - campaign: "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}"
Description
Malspam 2016-09-16 (.wsf in .zip) - campaign: "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}"
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The provided information describes a malspam campaign dated September 16, 2016, involving malicious spam emails distributing payloads contained within .zip archives. These archives include Windows Script Files (.wsf), which are script files capable of executing code on Windows systems. The campaign naming convention "(SCAN|FAX|DOC|IMG)_{integer}" suggests that the emails were crafted to appear as scanned documents, faxes, or images, likely to entice recipients to open the attachments. The use of .wsf files is notable because they can execute complex scripts, including VBScript or JScript, which can be used to download and execute further malware or perform malicious actions on the infected system. Although the severity is marked as low and there are no known exploits in the wild linked to this campaign, the presence of malspam distributing executable scripts remains a risk vector. The lack of detailed technical indicators or affected versions limits the depth of analysis, but the general modus operandi aligns with common phishing and malware distribution tactics prevalent in 2016. The threat level is noted as 3 (on an unspecified scale), and no direct exploits or vulnerabilities are mentioned, indicating this is primarily a malware delivery campaign rather than an exploitation of a software vulnerability.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this malspam campaign poses a risk primarily through social engineering and the execution of malicious scripts on endpoint devices. If a user opens the .zip attachment and executes the .wsf file, it could lead to system compromise, data theft, or the installation of additional malware. The impact on confidentiality could be significant if sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated. Integrity and availability could also be affected if the malware modifies or deletes data or disrupts system operations. However, given the low severity rating and the absence of known exploits in the wild, the overall risk is moderate to low, especially if organizations have up-to-date email filtering, endpoint protection, and user awareness training. European organizations with less mature cybersecurity defenses or those in sectors with high volumes of document exchange (e.g., legal, finance, healthcare) may be more susceptible to such campaigns.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement advanced email filtering solutions capable of detecting and quarantining suspicious attachments, especially those containing executable scripts like .wsf files within compressed archives. Endpoint protection platforms should be configured to block or alert on execution of script files from email attachments or temporary directories. User awareness training is critical to educate employees about the risks of opening unexpected attachments, particularly those purporting to be scanned documents or faxes. Organizations should enforce strict attachment handling policies, such as disabling execution of script files received via email and encouraging the use of sandbox environments for opening suspicious files. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections can help detect malware attempting to communicate with command and control servers. Regular patching and system hardening reduce the attack surface, although this campaign does not exploit specific vulnerabilities. Finally, incident response plans should include procedures for malspam campaigns to ensure rapid containment and remediation.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Threat Level
- 3
- Analysis
- 0
- Original Timestamp
- 1474046097
Threat ID: 682acdbdbbaf20d303f0b82a
Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:45 AM
Last enriched: 7/2/2025, 7:12:59 PM
Last updated: 7/27/2025, 10:35:58 AM
Views: 9
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