September 18, 2018 By Shane Schick 2 min read

Japanese users were flooded with BEBLOH and URSNIF malware infections last month via spam campaigns that exploited internet query (IQY) files.

Much like traditional approaches to social engineering, the cybercriminals behind the attacks attempted to fool users with a variety of calls to open an email attachment, Trend Micro reported in late August. This included requests such as “please confirm,” “photos attached” and even “payment.” According to the researchers, the spam campaigns, which began on Aug. 6 and appeared to die down as of Aug. 10, involved an estimated 500,000 messages.

While URSNIF is best known for monitoring browser sessions and stealing data, BEBLOH is a banking Trojan that has been active in Japan since 2016.

Why IQY Attacks Are Basic by Design

When victims downloaded the attachment, it triggered an IQY file that sent a request to a specific URL. At the same time, it also exploited Excel’s Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) feature with a script that used PowerShell to confirm that the machine’s IP address was based in Japan. If confirmed, the payload containing BEBLOH or URSNIF malware was executed.

IQY files are not necessarily complex, and that’s the point. Security researchers said the basic composition of IQY files makes it easier for cybercriminals to avoid detection by more traditional, structure-based ways of uncovering security threats.

How to Prepare for IQY Attacks and Spam Campaigns

Research has shown that the use of IQY files for nefarious purposes may be on the rise. IBM X-Force has been tracking similar activity to spread malware via the Necurs botnet, for example.

While IP address whitelisting and email filtering may help to some extent, IBM experts recommend using a security information and event management (SIEM) solution to help identify IQY-based threats early on. Security leaders should also train employees about the risks associated with IQY files and how they can be used in spam campaigns.

Source: Trend Micro

More from

What’s behind unchecked CVE proliferation, and what to do about it

4 min read - The volume of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) has reached staggering levels, placing immense pressure on organizations' cyber defenses. According to SecurityScorecard, there were 29,000 vulnerabilities recorded in 2023, and by mid-2024, nearly 27,500 had already been identified.Meanwhile, Coalition's 2024 Cyber Threat Index forecasts that the total number of CVEs for 2024 will hit 34,888—a 25% increase compared to the previous year. This upward trend presents a significant challenge for organizations trying to manage vulnerabilities and mitigate potential exploits.What’s behind…

Quishing: A growing threat hiding in plain sight

4 min read - Our mobile devices go everywhere we go, and we can use them for almost anything. For businesses, the accessibility of mobile devices has also made it easier to create more interactive ways to introduce new products and services while improving user experiences across different industries. Quick-response (QR) codes are a good example of this in action and help mobile devices quickly navigate to web pages or install new software by simply scanning an image.However, legitimate organizations aren’t the only ones…

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 5 new AI skills cyber pros need

4 min read - The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, including cybersecurity, has sparked a sense of urgency among professionals. As organizations increasingly adopt AI tools to bolster security defenses, cyber professionals now face a pivotal question: What new skills do I need to stay relevant?October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to address this pressing issue. With AI transforming threat detection, prevention and response, what better moment to explore the essential skills professionals might require?Whether you're…

Topic updates

Get email updates and stay ahead of the latest threats to the security landscape, thought leadership and research.
Subscribe today