Detection rules › Sublime MQL

Attachment: ICS calendar file with recipient address in UID field

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

Detects inbound messages containing ICS calendar attachments where the UID property matches the recipient's email address, indicating potential calendar-based social engineering.

Threat classification

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

CategoryValues
Attack typesCredential Phishing
Tactics and techniquesSocial engineering

Event coverage

Rule body MQL

type.inbound
and any(attachments,
        (
          .file_type == "ics"
          or (
            .file_extension == "ics"
            or .content_type in ("application/ics", "text/calendar")
          )
        )
        //
        // This rule makes use of a beta feature and is subject to change without notice
        // using the beta feature in custom rules is not suggested until it has been formally released
        //
        and any(beta.file.parse_ics(.).events,
                any(.raw_properties,
                    .key == "UID" and .value == recipients.to[0].email.email
                )
        )
)

Detection logic

Scope: inbound message.

Detects inbound messages containing ICS calendar attachments where the UID property matches the recipient's email address, indicating potential calendar-based social engineering.

  1. inbound message
  2. any of attachments where all hold:
    • any of:
      • .file_type is 'ics'
      • any of:
        • .file_extension is 'ics'
        • .content_type in ('application/ics', 'text/calendar')
    • any of beta.file.parse_ics(.).events where:
      • any of .raw_properties where all hold:
        • .key is 'UID'
        • .value is recipients.to[0].email.email

Inspects: attachments[].content_type, attachments[].file_extension, attachments[].file_type, recipients.to[0].email.email, type.inbound. Sensors: beta.file.parse_ics.

Indicators matched (5)

FieldMatchValue
attachments[].file_typeequalsics
attachments[].file_extensionequalsics
attachments[].content_typememberapplication/ics
attachments[].content_typemembertext/calendar
beta.file.parse_ics(attachments[]).events[].raw_properties[].keyequalsUID