PDF malware analysis — malicious · 8f8264c173e6d036

MALICIOUS

PDF

50.3 KB

MD5: 3c218594fe3db33cff5c3d4dc7b5b14c SHA-1: f7c625f1d3581aa9a3fb81bb26c02f17f0a4004e SHA-256: 8f8264c173e6d036e87b706dbb87e3036ae17df32e53a683c87bff94fce2c242

236 Risk Score

Malware Insights

MITRE ATT&CK

T1059.001 PowerShell T1566.002 Spearphishing Attachment T1204.002 Malicious Link T1071.001 Web Protocols T1078.004 Web Shells

The PDF file contains JavaScript that executes a PowerShell download cradle, indicated by the 'PDF_PS_DOWNLOAD_CRADLE' heuristic. The document is also identified as an 'Image-only document with action trigger (screenshot lure)' and links through a URL shortener 'https://bit.ly/newbookingupdates', suggesting a phishing attempt. The presence of a UNC path also indicates potential credential theft. The script's intent is to download and execute a second-stage payload via the provided PowerShell command.

Heuristics 8

UNC path in PDF — possible NTLM credential theft (CVE-2018-4993/CVE-2019-7089) high CVE likely CVE_2018_4993

PDF contains a UNC path (\\server\share) alongside action triggers — when a vulnerable viewer resolves this path, Windows may send NTLM credentials to the remote host as the matching PDF action is processed
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).
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 PDF lure links through URL shortener high PDF_IMAGE_LURE_SHORTENER_LINK

PDF is image-heavy with little real text and its clickable action points to a URL shortener. This is a high-confidence credential-phishing carrier shape: the visible page is a screenshot-like prompt while the destination is hidden behind redirect infrastructure.
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 50 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. (matched inside decoded stream)
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. (matched inside decoded stream)

Extracted artifacts 1

Files carved from inside the sample during analysis.

Filename	Kind	Source	Size
`embedded_pdf_script_0000c54b.bin` `90b3558903123266c90d5f872324ce24be04c4f26b926a803736e1cff5f65211`	pdf-embedded-script	PDF decompressed stream script payload at offset 0xC54B	2951 bytes
Detection ClamAV: No threats found Obfuscation or payload: likely Carved artifact contains 3 shell/COM execution token(s).

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