Payload Trends in Malicious OneNote Samples


In this post, Unt 42 researchers look at the types of embedded payloads that attackers leverage to abuse Microsoft OneNote files. Our analysis of roughly 6,000 malicious OneNote samples from WildFire reveals that these samples have a phishing-like theme where attackers use one or more images to lure people into clicking or interacting with OneNote files.

The interaction then executes an embedded malicious payload. Since macros have been disabled by default in Office, attackers have turned to leveraging other Microsoft products for embedding malicious payloads. As a result, malicious OneNote files have grown in popularity.

Read more…
Source: Palo Alto Unit 42


Sign up for our Newsletter


Related:

  • Unraveling Water Saci’s New Multi-Format, AI-Enhanced Attacks Propagated via WhatsApp

    December 2, 2025

    Brazil has seen a recent surge of threats delivered via WhatsApp. As observed in Trend Micro previously published research on the SORVEPOTEL malware and the broader Water Saci campaignopen on a new tab, this popular platform has been used to launch sophisticated campaigns. Unsuspecting users receive convincing messages from trusted contacts, often crafted to exploit social ...

  • New macOS malware chain could cause a major security headache

    November 26, 2025

    North Korean state-sponsored threat actors are targeting macOS users with new malware, utilizing a strategy that combines two popular approaches – fake job ads, and ClickFix, experts have warned. Security researchers Jamf confirmed they have spotted attacks in the wild using ClickFix, an attack method in which the victim is presented with a fake problem, and ...

  • Mac users warned about new DigitStealer information stealer

    November 19, 2025

    This variant comes with advanced detection-evasion techniques and a multi-stage attack chain. Most infostealers go after the same types of data and use similar methods to get it, but DigitStealer is different enough to warrant attention. A few things make it stand out: platform-specific targeting, fileless operation, and anti-analysis techniques. Together, they pose relatively new challenges ...

  • Uncovering a Multi-Stage Phishing Kit Targeting Italy’s Infrastructure

    November 13, 2025

    Phishing remains one of the most persistent and adaptive threats in cybersecurity. It is common and widespread for cybercriminals to impersonate reputable IT companies in phishing campaigns, exploiting the trust these brands have built and thus targeting both affected companies and their customers. What began as simple social engineering has matured into a complex criminal economy ...

  • 1 million victims, 17,500 fake sites: Google takes on toll-fee scammers

    November 13, 2025

    A Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platform based in China, known as “Lighthouse,” is the subject of a new Google lawsuit. Lighthouse enables smishing (SMS phishing) campaigns, and if you’re in the US there is a good chance you’ve seen their texts about a small amount you supposedly owe in toll fees. Here’s an example of a toll-fee scam ...

  • When Your Calendar Becomes the Compromise

    November 6, 2025

    It starts innocently enough. A new meeting appears in your Google calendar and the subject seems ordinary, perhaps even urgent: “Security Update Briefing,” “Your Account Verification Meeting,” or “Important Notice Regarding Benefits.” You assume you missed this invitation in your overloaded email inbox, and click “Yes” to accept. Unfortunately, calendar invites have become an overlooked delivery ...