Hackers can now hide cryptojacking scripts in Microsoft Word documents

[LASER_oneXM]

• Microsoft Word's Online Video feature allows hackers to hide cryptocurrency mining scripts in Word documents to secretly steal Monero from victims.
• Most cryptocurrency mining is done via an internet browser and is JavaScript based.

Microsoft Word documents can now be used by hackers to deliver a cryptojacking script—hijacking a victim's computer to mine the cryptocurrency Monero. According to security researchers at Votiro, the attack utilizes Word's Online Video feature to commandeer the CPU.

The feature allows a Word user to simply paste the iframe embed code to add an internet video to a Word document. The video will then pop up in the Word document, and can be played the next time a user opens the document.

However, an attacker can add the cryptojacking script in with the video code, tricking the victim into performing Monero mining for them, the Votiro report said.

To make the attack as effective as possible, attackers can "tailor" the video to fit the needs of a particular user. Once embedded and started, the user will believe they are only watching a movie while their CPU is being worn out trying to mine cryptocurrency.

In an example attack shown by Votiro, the researchers were able to hijack 99% of the victim's CPU for mining.

Because the attack needs the Internet Explorer frame to remain open to mine, longer videos will be more effective. The researchers noted that there is a way to fold in a fake "Loading..." screen to superficially increase the length of the video.

 

[ForgottenSeer 58943]

Don't use Microsoft Office, ever, if you can avoid it. It opens a whole plethora of attack vectors.

Use something else, perhaps Libre, Open, etc..

 

[spaceoctopus]

Those cryptojacking guys are improving and updating their ''product'', fast. Every months or weeks with some new versions and infecting vectors. Scary!