Malicious OneNote Documents - Malware Analysis

Learn how to analyze malicious OneNote Documents
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Recently, there has been a surge in the use of OneNote documents as a vehicle for malware distribution by both commodity e-crime actors and more sophisticated threat actors. In response to this new emerging threat, we employed our malware analysis skills to dissect a OneNote document and understand its functioning.
OneNote Malware Analysis Article here:
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Our analysis began with examining the strings within the document, which provided a reference to a bat file on a Desktop with username RAZER. To further deconstruct the OneNote document, we utilized a tool called OneNote Analyzer, which automatically disassembles the file and extracts all the contained information, such as text, images, hyperlinks, and embedded files. This tool facilitated our malware analysis process significantly and revealed the batch file that was referenced in the strings.
Upon inspecting the batch file, we found that it was obfuscated. To deobfuscate it, we used an echo command to print the commands to the command line for easier reading. Within the batch file, there was a long string of base64 information that potentially contained our final payload. However, decryption of the information did not result in anything significant, so we had to continue our malware analysis of the code.
Further analysis of the code revealed that it was PowerShell code that first set the location of the PowerShell executable. Then it initialized an AES decryption class, a base64 decoding class, and a gzip decompression class. After that, the code obtained the IV and key from the base64-encrypted data, used it to AES decrypt the code after base64 decoding, gunzipped it, and sent it to the final function, which invoked the decrypted data. This decrypted data was AsyncRAT, a remote access trojan that infects the victim's computer.
The use of OneNote documents as a malware delivery mechanism underscores the importance of maintaining a proactive stance towards threat intelligence and security. It is crucial to stay vigilant and employ robust security measures to prevent potential attacks.
Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook tool, part of the Office 365 suite, used by millions worldwide. While OneNote can enhance productivity, it is not immune to cyber threats. Malicious OneNote documents have been used as vectors to spread malware, highlighting the need for thorough OneNote malware analysis.
The threat posed by OneNote malware often lies in the use of embedded files or links within the OneNote document. Cybercriminals can use these to trick unsuspecting users into downloading and executing malicious code. The embedded files could be disguised as important documents or software updates, while the malicious links could redirect users to compromised websites. This method of distributing malware is not exclusive to OneNote but is a common tactic across the Office 365 suite, making Office 365 malware a significant concern.
In performing OneNote malware analysis, the first step is often static analysis. This involves examining the OneNote document without executing any code, looking for embedded files or links that could be used to deliver malware. Tools that can read and extract data from Office 365 files without opening them in their intended application are invaluable for this stage of the analysis.
Dynamic analysis is another important part of OneNote malware analysis. This involves opening the malicious OneNote documents in a controlled environment and observing their behavior.
Office 365 malware, including OneNote malware, often tries to exploit the trust users have in the platform and the documents it creates. Therefore, education plays a vital role in defending against these threats. Users should be wary of unexpected OneNote documents, especially those from unknown senders, and should avoid downloading files or clicking on links embedded in OneNote documents unless they are confident they are safe.
In conclusion, the threat of malicious OneNote documents and Office 365 malware more broadly is a growing concern in today's digital landscape. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous OneNote malware analysis, user education, and robust security measures.
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Malicious OneNote Documents
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