Note: this report may be incomplete because the AI analysis reached the following limit(s): token. ### Summary The analyzed file is a malicious Microsoft Excel document (Compound File Binary format). It leverages heavily obfuscated Excel 4.0 (XL4) macros to download and execute external payloads. The macros construct URLs using string concatenation (e.g., `"h"&"t"&"t"&"ps..."`) to evade static detection, download a file using `URLDownloadToFile`, and subsequently execute it using `ShellExecuteA`. This behavior is characteristic of initial access malware droppers, most likely dropping a Trojan or ransomware loader (these URLs and techniques align closely with established malware campaigns such as Zloader or Emotet). ### Sub-files analyzed * **#AID=11#** (`/Workbook`): The main BIFF stream containing the active Excel sheets. This stream holds the malicious XL4 macro formulas, Windows API imports (`urlmon`, `ShellExecuteA`), and the obfuscated strings used to generate the malicious URLs and drop paths. ### IOCs **External Endpoints (URLs):** * `https://coronavirusexplanation[.]com/K6LHv4xQHwL8/natur.html` * `https://silverliningohio[.]com/dWuiynkrpd/natu.html` * `https://pdmgtc[.]org/zndmZgKgKNJO/nature.html` **File Paths / Dropped Files:** * `:\Datop\test.test` * `:\Datop\test1.test` * `:\Datop\test2.test` ### Key detections / Evidence 1. **XL4 Macro Obfuscation**: The document heavily utilizes Excel string concatenation arrays (`"h"&"t"&"t"&"ps://...`) to construct network locations dynamically in an attempt to subvert signature-based detection. 2. **API Abuse**: Review of the `#AID=11#` workbook stream indicates references to Windows API functions explicitly used for downloading and running code: * `"urlmon","URLDownloadToFile"` * `"Shell32","ShellExecuteA"` 3. **Staging Themes**: The URLs are themed (e.g., "coronavirus"), which is a common social engineering tactic to lure victims into interacting with phishing campaigns, and target supposed `.html` extension files which are actually executables or intermediate script payloads. ### Counter arguments * There are no substantial counterarguments for this file being legitimate. The use of older XL4 macros referencing `URLDownloadToFile` and `ShellExecuteA`, combined with letter-by-letter string concatenation for internet endpoints, is exclusively observed in malware droppers. ### Verdict **Malicious** **Confidence Score:** 100/100