Microsoft Office provides a versatile platform for generating professional business reports, writing college essays, preparing CVs, taking notes, and performing data analysis. These tools include advanced text and data editing features, such as macros and Python scripting in Excel, which enable automatic data updating. However, their powerful capabilities also make them potential cyber weapons, as they can be exploited to execute phishing and malware attacks.
Cybersecurity researchers at COFENSE recently discovered that hackers are actively weaponizing Microsoft Office documents to deploy malware in business environments. Simple links, QR codes, and infected macros embedded in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code are used as attack vectors. Once the file is opened, these malicious macros run automatically, allowing threat actors to spread malware by spoofing brands via email and cloud-sharing services.
Office documents have become the preferred attack vector for threat actors due to their widespread use and the ability to embed links, QR codes, and malicious macros. These elements help deliver credential phishing lures and malware payloads, often evading security controls. Despite Microsoft’s security updates in 2022 that restrict unauthorized macros by default, hackers continue to exploit VBA macros when victims bypass these warnings.
Law enforcement actions targeting major botnets have led to a decline in macro-based attacks, but the danger remains. Malware-laden Office-based macros continue to pose a significant threat, leveraging social engineering tactics to bypass security measures. Users must remain vigilant and deploy robust security measures to protect against these sophisticated attacks hidden within seemingly harmless documents.
