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New Phishing Attack Uses Corrupted Word Documents to Evade Security Software, (from page 20241229.)

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Summary

A new phishing attack exploits Microsoft’s Word file recovery feature by sending intentionally corrupted Word documents as email attachments. These documents, appearing to be from payroll or HR departments, bypass security software due to their damaged state but remain recoverable. The attachments feature various themes related to employee benefits and contain a base64 encoded string that decodes to a prompt for recovery. Once opened, users are directed to scan a QR code leading to a fraudulent Microsoft login page to steal credentials. This novel tactic has resulted in low detection rates by antivirus software, making it a successful method for phishing attacks. Users are advised to be cautious with emails from unknown senders, particularly those with attachments.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Novel Phishing Technique Corrupted Word documents used in phishing attacks evade security detection. Shift from traditional phishing emails to using corrupted documents that bypass security software. Increased sophistication of phishing attacks, making them harder to detect and mitigate. Growing need for threat actors to innovate and bypass evolving cybersecurity measures. 5
QR Code Integration Phishing attacks now using QR codes to redirect victims to malicious sites. Transition from traditional phishing links to QR codes for easier access to phishing sites. Widespread use of QR codes in cyberattacks could lead to new security protocols for scanning. Increased smartphone usage and reliance on QR codes in daily activities. 4
Undetected Malware Techniques Phishing documents remain undetected by antivirus solutions due to their corrupt state. Evolution from detectable malware to undetectable tactics using corrupted files. Antivirus software may need to evolve to detect new forms of malware, including corrupted files. Constant advancement in malware creation techniques to evade existing security solutions. 5
Branding in Phishing Attacks Phishing documents are branded with logos of targeted companies to appear legitimate. Shift towards more personalized and branded phishing attempts to increase success rates. Rise in tailored phishing attacks could lead to greater awareness and training for employees. Desire of threat actors to enhance the credibility of their attacks to exploit victims more effectively. 4

Concerns

name description relevancy
Advanced Phishing Tactics The use of corrupted Word documents to bypass email security and target users represents a shift in phishing strategies. 5
Evasion of Security Software Phishing attacks exploiting undetectable file types highlight vulnerabilities in current security solutions. 4
User Trust in QR Codes Scanned QR codes leading to phishing sites raise concerns about user awareness of QR code safety. 4
Exploitation of Trusted Brands Phishing efforts masquerading as legitimate company communications exploit brand trust, increasing risks. 5
Impact on Organizational Security Increased phishing success rates using new tactics can potentially lead to significant security breaches within organizations. 5

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Abuse of File Recovery Features Utilizing corrupted Word documents to bypass security software, leveraging built-in recovery features of applications like Microsoft Word. 5
Phishing via QR Codes Embedding QR codes in phishing documents to redirect users to malicious sites, aiming to steal credentials. 4
Targeted Social Engineering Crafting emails that mimic payroll and HR communications to increase the likelihood of user engagement and trust. 5
Evasion of Security Detection Creating files that appear clean to antivirus software by corrupting them, which allows them to evade standard security checks. 5
Use of Base64 Encoding Employing base64 encoded strings within documents to obfuscate malicious content and evade detection. 4

Technologies

description relevancy src
Utilizing corrupted Word documents in phishing attacks to bypass security software and deceive users into revealing credentials. 5 6589df97b4ebb46d7abbc0b9f7167f63
Innovative strategies employed by firms like Any.Run to detect and analyze novel phishing campaigns and malware threats. 4 6589df97b4ebb46d7abbc0b9f7167f63
Using QR codes in phishing attacks to redirect users to fraudulent sites, enhancing the deception in phishing schemes. 4 6589df97b4ebb46d7abbc0b9f7167f63
New methods that threat actors develop to circumvent email security measures and deliver phishing content. 5 6589df97b4ebb46d7abbc0b9f7167f63

Issues

name description relevancy
Novel Phishing Techniques The use of corrupted Word documents in phishing attacks to evade security measures is a new tactic that could influence future phishing strategies. 5
Bypassing Email Security Threat actors’ continuous innovation in finding ways to bypass email security software poses an ongoing risk to organizations. 4
Social Engineering through Branding The tactic of using company logos and familiar themes in phishing emails to manipulate targets is an emerging concern. 4
QR Code Scams The use of QR codes leading to phishing sites represents a growing trend in how scammers deceive users. 4
Inadequate Detection by Security Software Many antivirus solutions fail to detect these novel phishing documents, exposing vulnerabilities in current security technologies. 5