Exploring New Malware Vulnerabilities in MS Office Macros

Thursday, 5 September 2024, 17:01

Malware has emerged as a serious threat due to new vulnerabilities in MS Office macro functionalities. With malicious macros targeting older versions of Microsoft Office, CISOs must act promptly to secure their environments against these threats. Cisco's Talos team warns that these macro-infected documents can lead to severe malware infections. Updating Office is essential for defense against these attacks.
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Exploring New Malware Vulnerabilities in MS Office Macros

Overview of Malware Threats in MS Office

Recent findings from Cisco’s Talos threat intelligence service have highlighted increasing incidents of malware spreading through malicious macros in Microsoft Office documents. Organizations running outdated versions of Office may face significant risks due to these vulnerabilities.

Understanding the Mechanics of Malware Spread

Malicious actors have a long history of exploiting macros. These Visual Basic macros can execute scripts automatically, allowing malware deployment via seemingly harmless documents. The threat is compounded by recently discovered documents uploaded to VirusTotal, generated using a framework known as MacroPack.

Key Findings from Cisco Talos

  • Cisco Talos discovered several documents that utilize MacroPack to facilitate the spread of malware.
  • These documents can deliver various payloads, including the renowned Havoc and Brute Ratel post-exploitation frameworks.
  • Interestingly, benign VBA subroutines were included to lower suspicion.

Implications for Cybersecurity

This activity raises questions about whether these attempts are part of a new malicious campaign or simply red teaming exercises. Regardless, this serves as a vital reminder for information security professionals to keep their systems updated.

Recommendations for Microsoft Office Users

  1. Transition to the latest version of Microsoft Office to enhance security.
  2. Stay vigilant about downloading documents with macros and utilize the security features provided by Microsoft.

Final Thoughts

Cisco urges all cybersecurity professionals to regard these discoveries as critical warnings and reinforce the need for updated defenses against such malware threats.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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