Detection Method: File analysis

File analysis breaks down and inspects file contents, formats, and embedded elements to uncover hidden threats. This method goes beyond basic file attributes, deeply examining the inner structure of files to find potentially malicious content that looks legitimate on the surface.
File analysis helps detect:
  • Malicious macros in Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Obfuscated scripts hidden in PDFs or other document types
  • Executable code disguised in non-executable files
  • Hidden text content using encoding or steganography
  • Suspicious metadata or file properties suggesting tampering
Blog Posts
Tax season email attacks: AdWind RATs and Tycoon 2FA phishing kits · Blog · Sublime Security
Tax season email attacks: AdWind RATs and Tycoon 2FA phishing kits · Blog · Sublime Security
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
Talking phish over turkey · Blog · Sublime Security
Talking phish over turkey · Blog · Sublime Security
Abusing Discord to deliver Agent Tesla malware · Blog · Sublime Security
Abusing Discord to deliver Agent Tesla malware · Blog · Sublime Security
Scripting Vector Grifts: SVG phishing with smuggled JS and adversary in the middle tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Scripting Vector Grifts: SVG phishing with smuggled JS and adversary in the middle tactics · Blog · Sublime Security
Gotta Catch 'Em All: Detecting PikaBot Delivery Techniques · Blog · Sublime Security
Gotta Catch 'Em All: Detecting PikaBot Delivery Techniques · 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 (6):
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Extortion
BEC/Fraud
Callback Phishing
Spam
Tactics & Techniques (24):
Impersonation: Brand
Lookalike domain
Social engineering
PDF
Evasion
QR code
Scripting
Image as content
Open redirect
Macros
Impersonation: VIP
Out of band pivot
Encryption
HTML smuggling
Free subdomain host
Free file host
Exploit
LNK
OneNote
Free email provider
Impersonation: Employee
IPFS
Spoofing
ISO
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Brand Impersonation: PayPal
4d ago
Feb 13th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Lookalike domain
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
File analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-paypal-a6b2ceee
Attachment: Self-sender PDF with minimal content and view prompt
5d ago
Feb 12th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
PDF
Social engineering
Evasion
Content analysis
File analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-self-sender-pdf-with-minimal-content-and-view-prompt-07670a8c
Brand impersonation: Dropbox
5d ago
Feb 12th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Header analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-dropbox-61f11d12
Attachment: QR code with recipient targeting and special characters
8d ago
Feb 9th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Evasion
File analysis
QR code analysis
URL analysis
Computer Vision
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-qr-code-with-recipient-targeting-and-special-characters-fc9e1c09
Attachment: cmd file extension
8d ago
Feb 9th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Scripting
Archive analysis
File analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-cmd-file-extension-a902b8ed
Attachment: Legal themed message or PDF with suspicious indicators
12d ago
Feb 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Extortion
BEC/Fraud
Evasion
PDF
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Optical Character Recognition
URL analysis
Whois
Header analysis
Exif analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-legal-themed-message-or-pdf-with-suspicious-indicators-19133301
macOS malware: Compiled AppleScript with document double-extension
12d ago
Feb 5th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
Social engineering
File analysis
Header analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/macos-malware-compiled-applescript-with-document-double-extension-9669c169
Attachment: PDF contains W9 or invoice YARA signatures
13d ago
Feb 4th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
PDF
Social engineering
File analysis
YARA
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-pdf-contains-w9-or-invoice-yara-signatures-9a8e8a98
Attachment: QR code with encoded recipient targeting and redirect indicators
18d ago
Jan 30th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Evasion
Image as content
Open redirect
Archive analysis
File analysis
QR code analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-qr-code-with-encoded-recipient-targeting-and-redirect-indicators-5d51e565
Attachment: ICS with embedded Javascript in SVG file
19d ago
Jan 29th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Scripting
Evasion
File analysis
Javascript analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-ics-with-embedded-javascript-in-svg-file-d5201a19
Attachment: Excel file with document sharing lure created by Go Excelize
19d ago
Jan 29th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Macros
Social engineering
File analysis
Macro analysis
Content analysis
Exif analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-excel-file-with-document-sharing-lure-created-by-go-excelize-dfaf267f
Attachment: Office file with document sharing and browser instruction lures
19d ago
Jan 29th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
Archive analysis
File analysis
Macro analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Content analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-office-file-with-document-sharing-and-browser-instruction-lures-b1250a4b
Attachment: Employment contract update with suspicious file naming
20d ago
Jan 28th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-employment-contract-update-with-suspicious-file-naming-8bdcd2da
Attachment: MS Office or RTF file with Shell.Explorer.1 com object with embedded LNK
20d ago
Jan 28th, 2026
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
File analysis
YARA
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-ms-office-or-rtf-file-with-shellexplorer1-com-object-with-embedded-lnk-53a29f61
Link: Microsoft Dynamics 365 form phishing
21d ago
Jan 27th, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Content analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Natural Language Understanding
URL analysis
URL screenshot
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-microsoft-dynamics-365-form-phishing-f72b9085
Attachment: Fake lawyer & sports agent identities
22d ago
Jan 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Impersonation: VIP
Social engineering
Content analysis
Exif analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-fake-lawyer-and-sports-agent-identities-7d3a2478
Attachment: ICS file with meeting prefix
22d ago
Jan 26th, 2026
Sublime Security
BEC/Fraud
Credential Phishing
Social engineering
File analysis
Header analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-ics-file-with-meeting-prefix-383a5810
Callback phishing in body or attachment (untrusted sender)
26d ago
Jan 22nd, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Out of band pivot
Social engineering
Content analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/callback-phishing-in-body-or-attachment-untrusted-sender-b93c6f94
Callback phishing via calendar invite
26d ago
Jan 22nd, 2026
Sublime Security
Callback Phishing
Social engineering
Evasion
File analysis
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/callback-phishing-via-calendar-invite-95c84360
Attachment: PDF with recipient email in link
27d ago
Jan 21st, 2026
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
QR code
Encryption
Social engineering
File analysis
QR code analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-pdf-with-recipient-email-in-link-0399d08f
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