Microsoft One

In recent years, Microsoft OneNote has become a popular note-taking application that allows users to embed various types of content. Unfortunately, this widespread adoption and popularity have made it an attractive vector for attackers seeking to distribute malware.

OneNote's Popularity and Wider Reach

As a widely used note-taking application, OneNote is an ideal tool for attackers to distribute malware. The app's ability to embed different types of content makes it easy for threat actors to obfuscate malicious payloads and evade detection. Furthermore, the fact that OneNote is installed by default in all Microsoft Office/365 installations means that even users who do not actively use the application can still be tricked into opening a malicious file.

Increased Security Measures

In response to the growing awareness of macro-based attacks, many organizations have implemented security measures to prevent such attacks. However, this has led attackers to shift their focus towards using OneNote as a delivery mechanism for malware. As a result, it is essential for users and organizations to be aware of the potential risks associated with OneNote documents.

ThreatLabz detected various types of malware distributed through OneNote documents, including Bankers, Stealers, and RAT (Remote-Access-Trojan). Attackers have also started using Microsoft OneNote as a delivery mechanism for malware, bypassing traditional macro-based attacks.

OneNote's Script Execution Capabilities

OneNote documents can run various types of scripts, including CHM, HTA, JS, WSF, and VBS. Additionally, MSHTA, WSCRIPT, and CSCRIPT can be executed from within OneNote, allowing attackers to use multi-layer obfuscation with scripts to bypass threat detection.

The advantage of OneNote documents is that they can embed similar malicious code as macro/Office documents with less detection. This makes it essential for users to exercise caution when opening OneNote files, especially those received through phishing emails.

Threat actors are increasingly using Microsoft OneNote documents to deliver malware via phishing emails. Analyzing several related case studies, this article showcases the obfuscation techniques used by threat actors to bypass threat detection measures and deceive users into executing malware on their systems via OneNote. As attackers shift towards using OneNote as a delivery mechanism for malware, it is crucial for users and organizations to be aware of these threats and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

OneNote Windows 10 Download

To download Microsoft OneNote for Windows 10, simply visit the official Microsoft website and follow the installation prompts. Make sure to exercise caution when opening OneNote files, especially those received through phishing emails.

Onenote windows 10 download