Malspam 2016-09-19 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Express Parcel service"
Malspam 2016-09-19 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Express Parcel service"
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The reported threat is a malspam campaign dated September 19, 2016, identified as "Express Parcel service." This campaign involves malicious spam emails that deliver a JavaScript (.js) file compressed within a ZIP archive. The emails likely impersonate legitimate parcel or delivery services to entice recipients into opening the attachment. Upon execution, the JavaScript payload could perform various malicious activities such as downloading additional malware, executing scripts to compromise the system, or establishing persistence. However, the provided data lacks detailed technical indicators, specific malware family identification, or exploitation techniques. The campaign is classified as malware with a low severity rating and no known exploits in the wild. The threat level is moderate (3 out of an unspecified scale), and no patches or mitigations are directly referenced. The absence of affected versions or CWE identifiers suggests this is a generic malware delivery method rather than a vulnerability in a specific software product.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this malspam campaign poses a risk primarily through social engineering and user interaction. If users open the malicious ZIP attachment and execute the JavaScript file, their systems could be compromised, leading to potential data theft, unauthorized access, or further malware infection. The impact on confidentiality and integrity could be significant depending on the payload's capabilities, but the overall risk is mitigated by the requirement for user action and the relatively low sophistication indicated. Organizations with large numbers of employees who handle parcel-related communications or those in logistics, retail, or e-commerce sectors may be more targeted or susceptible. Additionally, the campaign could contribute to broader malware propagation within networks, potentially affecting availability if ransomware or disruptive malware is deployed.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat effectively, European organizations should implement targeted user awareness training focusing on recognizing malspam campaigns, especially those impersonating parcel or delivery services. Email filtering solutions should be configured to detect and quarantine ZIP attachments containing JavaScript files, as this is a common malware delivery vector. Endpoint protection platforms should be updated to detect and block execution of suspicious scripts. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections following email receipt can help identify compromised hosts early. Organizations should enforce strict attachment handling policies, such as blocking or sandboxing executable content within compressed files. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles can limit the damage if a system is compromised. Regular backups and incident response plans should be maintained to recover from potential infections.
Affected Countries
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain
Malspam 2016-09-19 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Express Parcel service"
Description
Malspam 2016-09-19 (.js in .zip) - campaign: "Express Parcel service"
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The reported threat is a malspam campaign dated September 19, 2016, identified as "Express Parcel service." This campaign involves malicious spam emails that deliver a JavaScript (.js) file compressed within a ZIP archive. The emails likely impersonate legitimate parcel or delivery services to entice recipients into opening the attachment. Upon execution, the JavaScript payload could perform various malicious activities such as downloading additional malware, executing scripts to compromise the system, or establishing persistence. However, the provided data lacks detailed technical indicators, specific malware family identification, or exploitation techniques. The campaign is classified as malware with a low severity rating and no known exploits in the wild. The threat level is moderate (3 out of an unspecified scale), and no patches or mitigations are directly referenced. The absence of affected versions or CWE identifiers suggests this is a generic malware delivery method rather than a vulnerability in a specific software product.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, this malspam campaign poses a risk primarily through social engineering and user interaction. If users open the malicious ZIP attachment and execute the JavaScript file, their systems could be compromised, leading to potential data theft, unauthorized access, or further malware infection. The impact on confidentiality and integrity could be significant depending on the payload's capabilities, but the overall risk is mitigated by the requirement for user action and the relatively low sophistication indicated. Organizations with large numbers of employees who handle parcel-related communications or those in logistics, retail, or e-commerce sectors may be more targeted or susceptible. Additionally, the campaign could contribute to broader malware propagation within networks, potentially affecting availability if ransomware or disruptive malware is deployed.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat effectively, European organizations should implement targeted user awareness training focusing on recognizing malspam campaigns, especially those impersonating parcel or delivery services. Email filtering solutions should be configured to detect and quarantine ZIP attachments containing JavaScript files, as this is a common malware delivery vector. Endpoint protection platforms should be updated to detect and block execution of suspicious scripts. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections following email receipt can help identify compromised hosts early. Organizations should enforce strict attachment handling policies, such as blocking or sandboxing executable content within compressed files. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles can limit the damage if a system is compromised. Regular backups and incident response plans should be maintained to recover from potential infections.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Threat Level
- 3
- Analysis
- 0
- Original Timestamp
- 1474276807
Threat ID: 682acdbdbbaf20d303f0b82c
Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:45 AM
Last enriched: 7/2/2025, 7:12:45 PM
Last updated: 8/17/2025, 1:06:28 AM
Views: 11
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