Detection rules › Sublime MQL

Attachment: Encrypted Microsoft Office file (unsolicited)

Severity
medium
Type
rule
Source
github.com/sublime-security/sublime-rules

Encrypted OLE2 (eg Microsoft Office) attachment from an unsolicited sender. Attachment encryption is a common technique used to bypass malware scanning products. Use if receiving encrypted attachments is not normal behavior in your environment.

Threat classification

Sublime's own taxonomy (not MITRE ATT&CK).

CategoryValues
Attack typesMalware/Ransomware
Tactics and techniquesEncryption, Macros, Scripting

Event coverage

Rule body MQL

type.inbound
and any(attachments,
        (
          .file_extension in~ $file_extensions_macros
          or (
            .file_extension is null
            and .file_type == "unknown"
            and .content_type == "application/octet-stream"
            and .size < 100000000
          )
        )
        and file.oletools(.).indicators.encryption.exists
)
and (
  not profile.by_sender().solicited
  or (
    profile.by_sender().any_messages_malicious_or_spam
    and not profile.by_sender().any_messages_benign
  )
)

Detection logic

Scope: inbound message.

Encrypted OLE2 (eg Microsoft Office) attachment from an unsolicited sender. Attachment encryption is a common technique used to bypass malware scanning products. Use if receiving encrypted attachments is not normal behavior in your environment.

  1. inbound message
  2. any of attachments where all hold:
    • any of:
      • .file_extension in $file_extensions_macros
      • all of:
        • .file_extension is missing
        • .file_type is 'unknown'
        • .content_type is 'application/octet-stream'
        • .size < 100000000
    • file.oletools(.).indicators.encryption.exists
  3. any of:
    • not:
      • profile.by_sender().solicited
    • all of:
      • profile.by_sender().any_messages_malicious_or_spam
      • not:
        • profile.by_sender().any_messages_benign

Inspects: attachments[].content_type, attachments[].file_extension, attachments[].file_type, attachments[].size, type.inbound. Sensors: file.oletools, profile.by_sender. Reference lists: $file_extensions_macros.

Indicators matched (2)

FieldMatchValue
attachments[].file_typeequalsunknown
attachments[].content_typeequalsapplication/octet-stream