Malicious PDF — malware analysis report

Static analysis result for SHA-256 8a189a4ddc788c69…

MALICIOUS

PDF

7.7 KB Created: 2009-11-19 19:49:27 Authoring application: PDF Library 4.8.9 (via PDF Library 10.4.5)
MD5: 0ca094d069747310f14ed41413e73836 SHA-1: 4d5939f9e656929449a713854e156a389110a7b4 SHA-256: 8a189a4ddc788c69d83c478eda4d77f2a02118b15c529ac89550d4e306691060
296 Risk Score

Malware Insights

MITRE ATT&CK
T1059.001 PowerShell T1204.002 Malicious File T1059.007 JavaScript

The PDF file contains embedded JavaScript that leverages multiple critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader, including CVE-2009-0927, CVE-2007-5659, and CVE-2008-2992. The JavaScript is obfuscated and appears to be designed to download and execute a second-stage payload, as indicated by ClamAV detection of 'Js.Exploit.Shellcode-18' on an extracted artifact. The specific exploit chain suggests a targeted attack aimed at older, unpatched Adobe Reader installations.

Heuristics 8

  • Collab.getIcon — CVE-2009-0927 critical CVE exact CVE_2009_0927
    PDF JavaScript calls Collab.getIcon — CVE-2009-0927 is a stack buffer overflow in Adobe Reader triggered by Collab.getIcon() with a crafted argument. Allows arbitrary code execution. (identified after JavaScript deobfuscation)
  • Collab.collectEmailInfo — CVE-2007-5659 critical CVE exact CVE_2007_5659
    PDF JavaScript calls Collab.collectEmailInfo — CVE-2007-5659 is a buffer overflow in Adobe Reader triggered by a long argument or heap-sprayed message field passed to Collab.collectEmailInfo(). Part of a series of Acrobat JS API exploits. (identified after JavaScript deobfuscation)
  • util.printf — CVE-2008-2992 critical CVE exact CVE_2008_2992
    PDF JavaScript calls util.printf() — CVE-2008-2992 is a stack buffer overflow in Adobe Reader triggered by a long format-specifier argument. Widely exploited in the wild after disclosure. (identified after JavaScript deobfuscation)
  • ClamAV detection on extracted artifact critical EXTRACTED_FILE_CLAMAV
    ClamAV flagged at least one file extracted from inside this sample. Even when the wrapping document carries no AV detection of its own, a hit on the carved artifact is a strong indicator the sample is a delivery vehicle.
  • ASCIIHexDecode filter (with exploit indicators) medium PDF_FILTER_HEX
    Hex-encoding filter present alongside exploit delivery indicators — often used to hide payload or shellcode bytes
  • 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.

Extracted artifacts 2

Files carved from inside the sample during analysis.

FilenameKindSourceSize
javascript_obj0007_000.js
8226e518023849ffa09e40af41c04882f045a176be6ac93af5c81650370fe4de
pdf-javascript-stream PDF /JS object 7 at offset 0x268 37449 bytes
Detection
ClamAV: No threats found
Obfuscation or payload: likely
Carved artifact contains 1 long hex-escaped blob(s).
js_property_alias_stage_000.js
13f472940c3cefe27f6382dc6de37073a5eb3951a64b8e1dfbc9f870250a8265
deobfuscated-js JavaScript hex-escape property alias normalized stage at offset 0x268 9375 bytes
Detection
ClamAV: Js.Exploit.Shellcode-18
Obfuscation or payload: likely
Carved artifact contains 9 eval/decoder/string-building token(s). Carved artifact contains 1 long base64-like blob(s).