PDF malware analysis — malicious · 47b589605189793b

MALICIOUS

PDF

37.8 KB Created: 2026-04-22 22:53:44 UTC First seen: 2026-04-23

MD5: dbe86b83eb3004616d7e054115620617 SHA-1: 7e6215188a0a30ad8213fb4ec82b7fa96d29a75e SHA-256: 47b589605189793bba57129495dfa7367f79f9d6b366372386bb83ec991936a3

576 Risk Score

Malware Insights

MITRE ATT&CK

T1059.001 PowerShell T1218.005 System Binary Proxy Execution: Mshta T1071.001 Web Protocols: Web Protocols

The PDF document contains an embedded JavaScript payload that leverages the Shell.Application COM object to execute mshta.exe. Mshta.exe is then used to download and execute a PowerShell script from the URL 'https://potalgonabunbunsed.blogspot.com/compac.pdf'. This PowerShell script is designed to bypass TLS security protocols and download further content, indicating a downloader or droppper functionality. The PDF also contains a direct link to a PDF file, which is likely a lure.

Machine Learning

Nyx PDF Classifier malicious score 0.9993

Heuristics 15

/Launch action target: mshta critical PDF_LAUNCH_COMMAND

PDF /Launch action specifies an executable target — references a known-dangerous executable (cmd, PowerShell, etc.).
/Launch action targets mshta.exe (LOLBIN) critical PDF_LAUNCH_MSHTA

PDF contains a /Launch action whose /F parameter names mshta — Microsoft's legacy HTML Application host, used as a LOLBIN to run inline JScript/VBScript from a /P parameter (typically a `javascript:` URL). MITRE ATT&CK T1218.005.
/Launch /P parameter is a javascript: URL critical PDF_LAUNCH_JS_PROTOCOL

PDF /Launch action passes a `javascript:` URL as the /P parameter — mshta interprets this as JScript when used as the launched handler, giving inline script execution without a separate payload file. MITRE ATT&CK T1218.005 + T1059.005.
PowerShell download cradle in PDF action body critical PDF_PS_DOWNLOAD_CRADLE

PDF contains a PowerShell download-and-execute cradle (IEX/Invoke-Expression of a remote payload, [Net.WebClient]/[Net.ServicePointManager], or `-ep Bypass -enc <base64>`). These strings are rare in benign PDFs and are strong evidence of payload staging in an attack chain (MITRE T1059.001 + T1105).
Shell.Application.ShellExecute COM pivot critical PDF_SHELL_APPLICATION_PIVOT

PDF contains a Shell.Application object instantiation followed by a ShellExecute call — an evasion technique that can spawn the next-stage process via COM rather than the PDF /Launch action, sidestepping the reader's /Launch confirmation prompt. Often paired with mshta and a `javascript:` URL.
PDF link points directly to executable/archive payload critical PDF_DIRECT_PAYLOAD_LINK

PDF contains a clickable HTTP(S) URI whose path ends in an executable, script, shortcut, disk image, or archive extension. Documents can legitimately link to installers, so this is a high-risk delivery indicator rather than a standalone exploit fingerprint.
OpenAction trigger high PDF_OPENACTION

PDF has an /OpenAction that launches, submits, or opens an external target
Launch action high PDF_LAUNCH

PDF contains a /Launch action with an unresolved or extension-less target — treat as potentially dangerous
Embedded script payload in PDF stream high PDF_EMBEDDED_SCRIPT_PAYLOAD

PDF stream bytes contain script execution markers such as ActiveXObject/CreateObject, WScript.Shell, PowerShell, or shell-exec primitives. This is stronger than ordinary PDF JavaScript because it indicates a staged external script payload hidden in stream bytes.
Image-only document with action trigger (screenshot lure) medium PDF_IMAGE_LURE

PDF has 1 image(s), only 0 text block(s), carries a click-outward action, and is only 37 KB — typical shape of a phishing lure where a full-page screenshot hides a clickable button that launches or submits to an attacker URL.
Suspicious extracted artifact medium EXTRACTED_FILE_STATIC_TRIAGE

One or more files extracted from inside this sample matched static suspicious-content checks such as script obfuscation, encoded payload blobs, packed data, or execution/download terms.
JavaScript action low PDF_JAVASCRIPT

PDF contains a /JavaScript action. Generic JavaScript is common in benign forms; specific dangerous APIs are scored by separate rules.
Embedded JS stream low PDF_JS

PDF references a /JS stream. Generic JavaScript is common in benign forms; specific dangerous APIs are scored by separate rules.
Additional-actions dictionary low PDF_AA

PDF defines /AA (Additional Actions) that references an executable action (JS/JavaScript/Launch/SubmitForm) — can auto-trigger on document or widget events. Form-field calc/format/validate/keystroke handlers in legitimate interactive forms commonly fire this, so it is reported as a low-weight signal; weaponised auto-execution is flagged by stronger rules (PDF_OPENACTION, encrypted-with-JS, etc.)
Embedded URL info EMBEDDED_URL

One or more URLs were extracted from the document. The URL itself is not a detection — see the per-URL labels for which channel (macro, JS, link annotation, document body, ...) reached each URL.
URL https://auth-booking.vercel.app/#invoice-1645080830.pdf?invoice.booking.com
- https://potalgonabunbunsed.blogspot.com/compac.pdf\
- https://potalgonabunbunsed.blogspot.com/compac.pdf

Extracted artifacts 2

Files carved from inside the sample during analysis.

Filename	Kind	Source	Size
`javascript_obj0004_000.js` `578fc8de6e928a575e0bbea33f45500a773ce9654d4069132b7d7e759cc50c6b`	pdf-javascript-stream	PDF /JS object 4 at offset 0x304	70 bytes
`embedded_pdf_script_000000ce.bin` `482a92344f5789757d52c48670feedd75ce49536b37d822dcc4f05e843ce4e22`	pdf-embedded-script	PDF decompressed stream script payload at offset 0xCE	365 bytes
Detection ClamAV: No threats found Obfuscation or payload: likely Carved artifact contains 3 shell/COM execution token(s).

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