Deep Malware and Phishing Analysis - Breaking Down an Access-Code-Gated Malware Delivery Chain
Essential information
- Published
- 08/01/2026 14:24
- Modified
- 08/01/2026 14:44
- Tags
- 2026-01-08 docusign dynamic analysis phishing time-bomb vidar
- Related entities
- 7 observables, 1 malware, 1 others
Description
This analysis examines a sophisticated malware delivery chain that begins with a phishing email impersonating DocuSign. The attack employs multiple evasion techniques, including an access-code gate, time-based checks, and packing. The initial payload is a single-file .NET bundle with a valid code signing certificate. Static analysis revealed a second-stage native binary with additional obfuscation. The final payload is identified as Vidar malware. The investigation showcases the effectiveness of combining static and dynamic analysis tools to overcome advanced evasion tactics and reconstruct the full attack chain, from the initial phishing email to the final payload.