Detection rules › Sublime MQL

Attachment: PDF generated with wkhtmltopdf tool and default title

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

Detects PDF attachments that were generated using the wkhtmltopdf conversion tool, which converts HTML/CSS to PDF. This tool is commonly used by attackers to create legitimate-looking PDF documents from web content for social engineering purposes.

Threat classification

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

CategoryValues
Attack typesBEC/Fraud, Callback Phishing, Credential Phishing, Malware/Ransomware
Tactics and techniquesPDF, Evasion

Event coverage

Rule body MQL

type.inbound
and any(filter(attachments, .file_extension == "pdf"),
        strings.istarts_with(beta.parse_exif(.).producer, "Qt")
        and strings.icontains(beta.parse_exif(.).creator, "wkhtmltopdf")
        and beta.parse_exif(.).title == "Document"
)

Detection logic

Scope: inbound message.

Detects PDF attachments that were generated using the wkhtmltopdf conversion tool, which converts HTML/CSS to PDF. This tool is commonly used by attackers to create legitimate-looking PDF documents from web content for social engineering purposes.

  1. inbound message
  2. any of filter(attachments) where all hold:
    • beta.parse_exif(.).producer starts with 'Qt'
    • beta.parse_exif(.).creator contains 'wkhtmltopdf'
    • beta.parse_exif(.).title is 'Document'

Inspects: attachments[].file_extension, type.inbound. Sensors: beta.parse_exif, strings.icontains, strings.istarts_with.

Indicators matched (3)

FieldMatchValue
attachments[].file_extensionequalspdf
strings.istarts_withprefixQt
strings.icontainssubstringwkhtmltopdf