Detection Method: QR code analysis

QR code analysis scans and decodes QR codes in emails, attachments, or links to uncover potential security threats that could affect you. This method extracts data from QR codes, checking for malicious URLs, phishing attempts, or harmful contact information.
QR code analysis can help you detect:
  • Phishing links camouflaged as legitimate QR codes in attachments or images
  • Malicious URLs redirecting you to credential harvesting sites
  • QR codes that prompt automatic downloads of malware
  • QR codes containing social engineering information
For example, attackers often use QR codes in phishing campaigns to bypass URL filters. Since you can’t preview the destination before scanning, this method is highly effective at deceiving unsuspecting recipients .
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
Talking phish over turkey · Blog · Sublime Security
Talking phish over turkey · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
QR Code Phishing: Decoding Hidden Threats · Blog · Sublime Security
Attack Types (3):
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
BEC/Fraud
Tactics & Techniques (12):
QR code
Social engineering
Free email provider
Free subdomain host
PDF
Open redirect
Impersonation: Brand
Evasion
Image as content
LNK
Encryption
Macros
Rule Name & Severity
Last Updated
Author
Types, Tactics & Capabilities
Compensation review with QR code in attached EML
7d ago
Nov 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
Optical Character Recognition
QR code analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/compensation-review-with-qr-code-in-attached-eml-98a2f03c
ClickFunnels link infrastructure abuse
8d ago
Nov 4th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free email provider
Free subdomain host
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/clickfunnels-link-infrastructure-abuse-9192fbe9
Attachment: Compensation review lure with QR code
14d ago
Oct 29th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
QR code analysis
Natural Language Understanding
Sender analysis
Header analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-compensation-review-lure-with-qr-code-9fd8185c
Constant Contact link infrastructure abuse
26d ago
Oct 17th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Free email provider
Open redirect
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/constant-contact-link-infrastructure-abuse-8c5e8e4c
Brand Impersonation: Google (QR Code)
26d ago
Oct 17th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
QR code
Computer Vision
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-google-qr-code-7ffd184c
Brand impersonation: DocuSign with embedded QR code
26d ago
Oct 17th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Image as content
Impersonation: Brand
QR code
Computer Vision
Content analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-docusign-with-embedded-qr-code-f5cde463
QR Code with suspicious indicators
26d ago
Oct 17th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Content analysis
Header analysis
Computer Vision
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/qr-code-with-suspicious-indicators-04f5c34f
QR code to auto-download of a suspicious file type (unsolicited)
26d ago
Oct 17th, 2025
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
LNK
Social engineering
Archive analysis
File analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
QR code analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/qr-code-to-auto-download-of-a-suspicious-file-type-unsolicited-eed87ea2
Brand impersonation: DocuSign (QR code)
28d ago
Oct 15th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-docusign-qr-code-0b16c28a
Attachment: PDF with recipient email in link
1mo ago
Oct 10th, 2025
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
Brand impersonation: Adobe (QR code)
1mo ago
Oct 3rd, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
QR code
Computer Vision
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-adobe-qr-code-2fc36c6d
Brand impersonation: Microsoft (QR code)
1mo ago
Sep 22nd, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Header analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/brand-impersonation-microsoft-qr-code-ed0f772a
Attachment: QR code with credential phishing indicators
2mo ago
Sep 4th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Header analysis
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
URL screenshot
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-qr-code-with-credential-phishing-indicators-9f1681e1
Unicode QR code
2mo ago
Aug 25th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Evasion
Content analysis
Sender analysis
QR code analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/unicode-qr-code-1a0bdd25
Attachment: SVG files with evasion elements
3mo ago
Aug 8th, 2025
Sublime Security
Malware/Ransomware
Credential Phishing
QR code
Image as content
Evasion
File analysis
XML analysis
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-svg-files-with-evasion-elements-5d2dbb60
Attachment: QR code link with base64-encoded recipient address
3mo ago
Aug 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Image as content
Social engineering
Evasion
PDF
Macros
Computer Vision
File analysis
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-qr-code-link-with-base64-encoded-recipient-address-927a0c1a
Attachment: QR code with userinfo portion
3mo ago
Aug 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Malware/Ransomware
Evasion
Image as content
PDF
QR code
QR code analysis
File analysis
Sender analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-qr-code-with-userinfo-portion-9d62cc5c
Attachment: Fake voicemail via PDF
3mo ago
Aug 5th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
PDF
QR code
Social engineering
Computer Vision
Content analysis
File analysis
Optical Character Recognition
QR code analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/attachment-fake-voicemail-via-pdf-d3587209
Link: QR Code with suspicious language (untrusted sender)
3mo ago
Jul 30th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
Impersonation: Brand
QR code
Social engineering
Content analysis
Computer Vision
Natural Language Understanding
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-qr-code-with-suspicious-language-untrusted-sender-25a84d1c
Link: QR code with phishing disposition in img or pdf
3mo ago
Jul 30th, 2025
Sublime Security
Credential Phishing
QR code
Social engineering
Content analysis
Computer Vision
QR code analysis
Sender analysis
URL analysis
/feeds/core/detection-rules/link-qr-code-with-phishing-disposition-in-img-or-pdf-8e8949f6
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