Detection Method: Content analysis

Content analysis looks at the language and structure of a message to identify signs of phishing, social engineering, and other malicious intent. Instead of scanning for keywords, this method uses natural language understanding (NLU) to detect meaning, intent, and tone across the message.
Content analysis helps detect:
  • BEC attempts with urgent messages from executive impersonators
  • Credential phishing disguised as login or document notifications
  • Callback scams posing as account renewals or fake support
  • Extortion threats or blackmail messages
  • Financial or personal data requests in suspicious contexts
  • Fake job offers targeting employees
  • Invoice fraud, payroll fraud, and more
For example, a phishing email may impersonate a CFO asking for a wire transfer. Content analysis can flag the urgent tone, financial context, and impersonation attempt.
Blog Posts
Hiding a $50,000 BEC financial fraud in a fake email thread · Blog · Sublime Security
Hiding a $50,000 BEC financial fraud in a fake email thread · Blog · Sublime Security
Callback phishing via invoice abuse and distribution list relays · Blog · Sublime Security
Callback phishing via invoice abuse and distribution list relays · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Hidden credential phishing within EML attachments · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Credential Phishing via Docusign abuse · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Credential Phishing via Docusign abuse · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Callback Phishing via Docusign comment · Blog · Sublime Security
Living Off the Land: Callback Phishing via Docusign comment · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Adversarial ML: Extortion via LLM Manipulation Tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Fake invoice used to conduct $16,800 BEC attempt · Blog · Sublime Security
Fake invoice used to conduct $16,800 BEC attempt · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
Call Me Maybe? The Rise of Callback Phishing Emails · Blog · Sublime Security
Call Me Maybe? The Rise of Callback Phishing Emails · Blog · Sublime Security
Detecting QakBot: WSF attachments, OneNote files, and generic attack surface reduction · Blog · Sublime Security
Detecting QakBot: WSF attachments, OneNote files, and generic attack surface reduction · Blog · Sublime Security
Attack Types (7):
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Spam
Callback Phishing
Reconnaissance
Extortion
Tactics & Techniques (26):
Evasion
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Free file host
Free email provider
PDF
Impersonation: VIP
Free subdomain host
Open redirect
Encryption
Scripting
Spoofing
Image as content
Lookalike domain
Impersonation: Employee
Out of band pivot
Exploit
Macros
Credential Phishing
HTML smuggling
HTML injection
QR code
LNK
OneNote
IPFS
ISO
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Service abuse: HungerRush domain with SendGrid tracking targeting ProtonMail
14h ago
Mar 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Evasion
Sender analysis
HTML analysis
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/service-abuse-hungerrush-domain-with-sendgrid-tracking-targeting-protonmail-73f62e74
Brand Impersonation: Disney
16h ago
Mar 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Natural Language Understanding
Content analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-disney-bf90b8fb
Service abuse: DocSend share from an unsolicited reply-to address
17h ago
Mar 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Free file host
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/service-abuse-docsend-share-from-an-unsolicited-reply-to-address-b377e64c
Link: Apple App Store link to apps impersonating AI adveristing
19h ago
Mar 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Content analysis
URL analysis
HTML analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-apple-app-store-link-to-apps-impersonating-ai-adveristing-19b556e6
BEC with unusual reply-to or return-path mismatch
2d ago
Mar 3rd, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Evasion
Free email provider
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/bec-with-unusual-reply-to-or-return-path-mismatch-83e5e2df
Fake warning banner using confusable characters
3d ago
Mar 2nd, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/fake-warning-banner-using-confusable-characters-179ee1ff
Attachment: PDF with a suspicious string and single URL
3d ago
Mar 2nd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Evasion
Content analysis
File analysis
URL analysis
Exif analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-pdf-with-a-suspicious-string-and-single-url-3bdbb7ad
Attachment: Finance themed PDF with observed phishing template
3d ago
Mar 2nd, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Evasion
File analysis
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-finance-themed-pdf-with-observed-phishing-template-c936f7cc
VIP impersonation with w2 request with reply-to mismatch
6d ago
Feb 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: VIP
Content analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
/feeds/core/detection-rules/vip-impersonation-with-w2-request-with-reply-to-mismatch-e7e73fad
Link: Multistage landing - ClickUp abuse
6d ago
Feb 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
Free file host
Free subdomain host
Open redirect
URL analysis
Whois
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-multistage-landing-clickup-abuse-78a5d035
Attachment: PDF with suspicious link and action-oriented language
6d ago
Feb 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
Evasion
File analysis
URL analysis
Content analysis
URL screenshot
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-pdf-with-suspicious-link-and-action-oriented-language-816d33a0
Brand impersonation: Zoom via HTML styling
6d ago
Feb 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
HTML analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-zoom-via-html-styling-b717920d
Attachment: Encrypted PDF with credential theft body
7d ago
Feb 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Encryption
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
Exif analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-encrypted-pdf-with-credential-theft-body-c9596c9a
Reconnaissance: Empty message from uncommon sender
8d ago
Feb 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/reconnaissance-empty-message-from-uncommon-sender-b347cdbc
Credential theft with 'safe content' deception and social engineering topics
8d ago
Feb 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
/feeds/core/detection-rules/credential-theft-with-safe-content-deception-and-social-engineering-topics-22ceee0d
Link: JavaScript obfuscation with Telegram bot integration
8d ago
Feb 25th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Scripting
Content analysis
Javascript analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-javascript-obfuscation-with-telegram-bot-integration-032a4485
Spam: Sendersrv.com with financial communications and unsubscribe language
9d ago
Feb 24th, 2026
Sublime Security
Spam
Evasion
Social engineering
Header analysis
Content analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/spam-sendersrvcom-with-financial-communications-and-unsubscribe-language-69570820
Tax Form: W-8BEN solicitation
10d ago
Feb 23rd, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/tax-form-w-8ben-solicitation-a64edb69
Reconnaissance: Email address harvesting attempt
10d ago
Feb 23rd, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Spam
Free email provider
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/reconnaissance-email-address-harvesting-attempt-bb31efbc
Link: Suspicious URL with recipient targeting and special characters
12d ago
Feb 21st, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
URL analysis
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-suspicious-url-with-recipient-targeting-and-special-characters-e808be3a
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