Got a “Stainless Steel Tank Shipment” Email? It’s a Malware Scam!

Email scams that spread malware through attachments are a common threat facing many organizations and individuals today. One such scam to emerge recently is the “Stainless Steel Tank” email scam. This scam involves emails pretending to come from a company offering stainless steel tank products or construction services. The email contains an infected attachment that installs malware if opened.

This malicious scam demonstrates how cybercriminals exploit business relationships and supply chain communications to distribute malware to unsuspecting recipients. Understanding how this scam works and how to identify it can help defend against costly malware infections.

An Overview of the Stainless Steel Tank Email Scam

The Stainless Steel Tank scam starts with an email that pretends to come from a real stainless steel manufacturing and construction company. The message claims to contain information about an invoice, project specifications, or shipment details related to stainless steel tanks.

The attached file is given an innocent name like “StainlessTankSpecs.zip” or “ShippingSchedule.rar” to seem related to the steel tank business described in the email. But if the compressed attachment is extracted, it contains malware executables or infected files.

Once opened, the malware payload covertly installs on the victim’s computer or network. It may download additional malware or open a backdoor for the attackers. The malware deployment allows cybercriminals to steal data, compromise systems, deploy ransomware, or conduct other criminal activities.

The embedded malware often evades antivirus software through sophisticated obfuscation techniques. Victims with security scanners may see the initial attachment flagged, but the malware slips through once extracted from the compressed archive. This catches many organizations off guard after trusting emails from what appears to be a known supplier.

While simple on the surface, the multiple deception steps make the Stainless Steel Tank scam notoriously effective at delivering malware, as seen in its widespread distribution. Understanding the detailed inner workings of this scam illuminates what makes it so deceptive and dangerous.

How the Stainless Steel Tank Scam Works

The Stainless Steel Tank scam leverages multiple phases of social engineering and malware delivery to successfully compromise targets. Here’s an in-depth look at how it unfolds:

Phase 1: Target Identification

The first step for the cybercriminals is identifying who to target with the scam email. Companies in construction, engineering, manufacturing, architecture, and related industries get targeted given their frequent use of stainless steel tanks and materials.

The scammers gather business email addresses from company websites, public directories, leaked databases, and corporate communications. Email names may also get spoofed to impersonate real executives if sender names are known.

Phase 2: Perform Company Research

Next, the scammers thoroughly research the target company by gathering names, projects, products, partners, and associated terminology. This allows them to craft tailored emails referencing real stainless steel tanks or construction projects at the victim organization.

Press releases, project announcements, supplier listings, and social media profiles provide intel the scammers leverage to fabricate authentic-looking scenarios in their scam messages.

Phase 3: Craft Deceptive Email Content

With background research completed, the scammers create emails related to legitimate stainless steel tank orders, shipments, specifications, purchasing departments, and supply chain workflows.

Email content, subject lines, attachments names, sender identities, and signatures are carefully composed to convincingly impersonate a known steel tank vendor.

Phase 4: Attachment Infects Targets

The emails come loaded with an attachment containing malware inside a compressed ZIP, RAR or 7z file. Extracting the attachment runs executable malware files that install on the target’s system via system exploits or user consent.

Advanced malware evades antivirus scans using encoded payloads, polymorphic code, or anti-analysis tools to disable security inspection. Targets see the expected document content, but malicious actions run in the background.

Phase 5: Leverage Infected Systems

Once embedded in the target network, the malware allows unfettered remote access to the scammers. Data exfiltration, lateral movement, deployment of ransomware, and system manipulation occurs out of sight.

Backdoors and C2 implants are created to allow ongoing access. Targets remain unaware as data gets stolen or additional payloads deployed across the network.

Phase 6: Cover Tracks

To prevent detection, the scammers delete any original phishing emails or malware attachments. Logs get wiped, and remote access is obfuscated to obscure indicators of compromise from IT teams.

Without traces back to initial infection vectors, the scammers can operate freely using their malware foothold to meet cybercrime goals.

Executed thoroughly, the Stainless Steel Tank scam gives scammers the means to breach target networks, avoid detection, and maintain access required for extensive criminal monetization.

What to Do if You Are Targeted by the Stainless Steel Tank Scam

If you receive an unexpected email claiming to contain stainless steel tank details, invoices, or other attachments, use extreme caution. Here are the steps to take:

1. Check Sender Details Carefully

Even if seemingly from a vendor, verify that the sender email, domain, and company details all match previous correspondence. Impersonation is common.

2. Inspect Message Content Closely

Read through the entire email looking for language quirks, spelling errors, or other signs not consistent with a business partner’s usual communications.

3. Avoid Opening Attachments

Regardless of claims made in the email, do not open attached zip files, documents, or other payloads without verifying legitimacy first.

4. Confirm Through Alternate Channels

Reach out directly to the purported sender via phone or other verified contact points to inquire about the attachment and confirm they sent it.

5. Scan with Antivirus Tools

If you must open the attachment, be sure to scan it with up-to-date antivirus software first to check for malware. But caution is still needed.

6. Inspect Extracted Contents

If opening a compressed attachment after scanning, carefully inspect any extracted files before opening further. Malware often hides in secondary inner files.

7. Report Suspicious Email

Alert cybersecurity staff within your organization about any questionable attachments claiming to be from vendors or partners. Reporting helps prevent infection.

With awareness of tactics used in the Stainless Steel Tank scam, individuals can take proactive steps to halt the malware threat before it compromises systems and data.

How to Recover from the Stainless Steel Tank Malware

If you fear your system has been infected via the stainless steel tank email scam, prompt mitigation steps are key:

1. Isolate the Infected System

Disconnect the compromised computer from any networks right away to prevent malware from spreading. Turn off Wi-Fi and unplug ethernet cables.

2. Reset Passwords

Immediately change passwords for all systems and accounts accessed from the infected device. Use devices not linked to the compromised one when resetting.

3. Scan All Connected Devices

Thoroughly scan any systems or devices that were connected to the same network as the malware-infected machine for signs of infection.

4. Wipe and Reinstall the Infected Device

Backup important files securely, then wipe the infected device fully and reinstall the operating system from scratch to clear the malware.

5. Notify Your IT Security Team

Report the suspected malware infection to your IT security staff or managed service provider for assistance with remediation.

6. Assess Damage Done

Work with IT staff to determine the scope of the breach, if any data was exfiltrated, and which systems need remediation before coming back online.

7. Bolster Defenses

Update antivirus software, implement stronger email security filtering, provide updated staff phishing training, and deploy network monitoring tools to prevent repeat infections.

With swift action after infection and enhanced security going forward, organizations can contain and recover from malware deployed via scam emails like the stainless steel tank threat.

Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware

If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.  

Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Stainless Steel Tank Email Scam

What is the Stainless Steel Tank email scam?

This scam sends emails pretending to be from stainless steel tank suppliers. The emails contain malware attachments disguised as project files, invoices, etc. related to steel tanks.

What is the goal of this scam?

The goal is to infect targets with malware using the guise of a realistic business email regarding steel tank orders, shipments, or construction projects.

How does the malware get installed?

Compressed attachments contain hidden malware files. Recipients who extract the attachments inadvertently install the malware thinking they’ll see shipment data or other steel tank details.

What happens once the malware is installed?

The malware allows remote access for scammers to steal data, spread infections further, deploy ransomware, and damage systems undetected.

How do I spot this scam in my inbox?

Watch for attachments with names related to steel tanks from senders you don’t recognize. Even known senders may be spoofed.

Is it safe to open attachments if my antivirus doesn’t flag them initially?

No, the malware often evades antivirus scans by hiding encrypted code inside attachments. Only open after confirming legitimacy through other means.

What should I do if the sender seems legitimate?

Verify with the supposed sender directly over the phone or other channel before opening attachments you weren’t expecting from them.

What are signs an email is part of this scam?

Incorrect company names, logos, or sender addresses, urgent requests, typos, and personalizations like “Dear customer” indicate likely scams.

How can companies defend against this malware threat?

Block suspicious senders, scan all attachments, train staff to recognize phishing, require secondary confirmation before opening attachments, and filter emails for malware links.

What should I do if I opened an attachment associated with this scam?

Isolate any affected systems immediately and change all account passwords accessed from infected devices. Wipe devices fully and scan connected systems for malware.

Conclusion

The Stainless Steel Tank scam offers timely lessons about modern malware distribution tactics. Cybercriminals adapt social engineering and technical tools to find new vectors past security measures through vendors, suppliers, and partners.

By scrutinizing unexpected emails, avoiding unverified attachments, and reporting suspicious messages, individuals and businesses can proactively stop malware infections before they occur. Safety begins with education on the creative phishing techniques attackers employ within scam emails.

With malware campaigns like the stainless steel tank scam likely to persist, maintaining vigilance against phishing and constantly updating defenses is critical. Being aware of the methods used in this scam better equips organizations to catch and prevent the next wave of highly-targeted malware operations.