Avoid malware infections from the "Request for quotation" email attachment

What is the "Request for quotation" email?

"Request for quotation" is a scam email designed to proliferate the Agent Tesla Remote Access Tool (RAT).

When used for malicious purposes, it is classified as a Remote Access Trojan. The emails supposedly concern an urgent order and recipients are asked to provide relevant specification of this potential purchase, however, opening the attached file starts the infection process (i.e. download/installation of the Agent Tesla RAT).

More about the "Request for quotation" malspam campaign

The deceptive "Request for Quotation - Urgent" emails (the exact title might vary) address the recipients as "Sales Managers" and notify them that the senders have reviewed the available samples. The attached document supposedly contains the senders' order list.

Recipients are informed that this is an urgent order, as the senders are allegedly very much in need of the unspecified goods. The messages request that recipients provide their competitive prices, MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), shipping specifications - FOB (Free in Board / Freight on Board) and other information.

The prices are to be listed in accordance with the technical specifications (located in the attached file). Additionally, recipients are instructed to quote the attached document and expiration date in the valuable technical offer. Furthermore, should the fake order be made within 30 days, another will be made immediately.

Recipients are urged to forward any questions, if further clarification is necessary. In fact, if the attached file is opened, the infection process/chain of Agent Tesla RAT is triggered. Remote Access Trojans allow remote access and control over an infected device.

This type of malware can have a wide variety of functionalities, which enable likewise varied misuse. The primary purpose of the Agent Tesla Trojan is stealing information. For this purpose it uses keylogging capabilities (i.e. the malicious program can record key strokes).

This is typically used to steal the usernames/passwords of various accounts such as those associated with email, social media and networking, messengers, e-commerce, online money transfer, banking, and so on. In summary, trusting the "Request for quotation" emails can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and identity theft.

If it is known or suspected that Agent Tesla RAT (or other malware) has already infected the system, use anti-virus software to eliminate it without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Request For Quotation spam
Threat Type	Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware.
Hoax	Emails claim recipients have received a potential order.
Attachment(s)	scan11062020.doc (title might vary)
Detection Names	Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.43325257), ESET-NOD32 (Probably A Variant Of Win32/Exploit.CV), Kaspersky (HEUR:Exploit.MSOffice.Generic), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine.
Payload	Agent Tesla
Distribution methods	Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'.
Damage	Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, the victim's computer added to a botnet.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Similar campaigns in general

Deceptive/Scam emails are sent by the thousand through large scale operations termed "spam campaigns". "National Bank of Greece Email Virus", "Black Lives Matter Email Virus", and "Audit and Assurance Email Virus" are examples of other malware-spreading spam campaigns.

These messages are usually presented as "official", "urgent", "important" or similar. They might even be disguised as mail from legitimate entities (e.g. institutions, companies, service providers, etc.), however, spam campaigns also have other purposes, as well as proliferating malware. For example, phishing is a common use for this mail.

Regardless of what these emails claim, their purpose is the same: to generate revenue for the scammers/cyber criminals behind them.

How did "Request for quotation Email Virus" infect my computer?

Systems are infected via dangerous files sent in spam campaigns. Infectious files can be attached to the emails (as is the case with "Request for quotation" messages) or they might contain download links of malicious content.

These files can be in various formats (e.g. Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archive and executable files, JavaScript, etc.) and when they are executed, run or otherwise opened, the infection process/chain (i.e. malware download/installation) is started. To elaborate, Microsoft Office files infect systems by executing malicious macro commands.

When an MS document is opened, users are asked to enable macros (i.e. to enable editing/content). Once this is done, the infection process begins. The process is started automatically in Microsoft Office versions released prior to 2010 and there is no prompt for permission to enable macros.

How to avoid installation of malware

Suspicious and/or irrelevant emails must not be opened, especially those with any attachments or links found in them, as this can lead to high-risk system infection. Use Microsoft Office version released after 2010, since newer versions have "Protected View" mode, which prevents macro commands from being executed when a document is opened.

Other popular malware distribution techniques include untrusted download sources (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal activation tools ("cracks") and fake updaters.

Therefore, use only official/verified download channels, and activate and update programs with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers. Have reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware installed. This software must be kept up to date, used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats/issues.

If you have already opened "Request for quotation Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Request for quotation" email message:

Subject: Request for Quotation - Urgent 6/2/2020

 

Dear Sales Manager,

 

We have gone through your samples from a partner and find enclosed our  Order List. Please do bear in mind that we are very much  in need of this order,quote your competitive prices, also let us know your MOQ, FOB.

 

Please be informed that our points regarding A/M inq are as follow:

 

1. Kindly provide your prices based on attached technical specification, (Your reasonable price along with technical data sheet)

2. Please mention " production date:2020 " in your valuable technical offer too.

3. Please mention " Expire Date " in your valuable technical offer too.

4. Delivery Time: URGENT DT.

If you can finish on or before 30 days, we will make  another order immediately
Thank you.
In case of any further clarifications, please do not hesitate to revert back to us.
Thank you in advance and we are looking forward to hearing from you fortwith.

 

Best Regards
Fatemeh Mahini
 Purchasing Manager
Sperlos Baspar Co.
Unit 302, Third floor,No.61, Raz building ,
Kashani St., Sadeghieh Sq ,
Tehran, Iran
Tel/Fax : 0098-21-44038920/44038955

Malicious attachment distributed via "Request for quotation" spam campaign ("scan11062020.doc") GIF:

Yet another example of "Request For Quotation"-themed spam email designed to spread malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: REQUEST FOR QUOTATION - Hakuto Singapore Pte. Ltd

 

Dear sir/madam,

Hope my mail finds you well.

My manager have called the number on your website, but did not get a response.

We have inquiries for your products,kindly quote your best prices and estimated delivery time for the attached products.

It will please us should we get your offer on time, because our clients are in urgent needs of quotations.

Kindly forward this request to the right departments, if you can't handle this.

NOTE: Please send us your offer on or before 30th June, 2021

Thanks & Regards,

Abdul Basit
Sales & Purchase Officer

**************************************

Hakuto Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Blk 2 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 #04-01 to #04-04 Kaki Bukit Industrial Estate, Singapore 417938

TEL +65-6745-8910

e-mail: sem@hakuto.com.sg

Another example of Request For Quotation-themed spam email:

Text presented within:

Good Day -,

I would like to extend an invitation to your company to supply us with the attached product(s).
Some of the products we may request may fall out of your scope of work hence we would like you to source
the products and supply them to us. Attached to this email is a Request for a Quotation for the products we need.

Kindly note this is an urgent once-off tender, therefore we require these components at your earliest convenience,

We now await your quotation

Kind Regards
Mary Bartolo
Procurement Officer

Tel: +1 (514) 316 0756, Fax: +1 (514) 316 0765
E-mail: mary.b@aeconprocuremanagement.com
Aecon Group Inc: 2015 Rue Peel, Bureau 600 Montreal, QC H3A 1T8, Canada
Aecon Group Supply Chain  |  Toronto |  Vancouver  |  Calgary |  Montreal |  Brantford |  USA

Yet another example of quotation request-themed spam email spreading malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: Dekota#621028

 

Good afternoon,

Please we are still yet to have your feedback for the pricing, shipping terms and lead-time for the attached Request for Quote.

Kindly check and advise.

Thanks!

Diakite Melik
Purchasing Agent II
Dekota Gasification Company

1717 E Interstate Avenue  |  Bismarck, ND  58503
Direct: 701.557.5724  |  Fax: 701.557.5364

Another example of an email from "Request For Quotation" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: Request For Quotation,View Attachment For More Details.

Request For Quotation,View Attachment For More Details.

Regards,
Tabisa Tshangana (Ms)
Department of Energy
192 cnr Visagie and Paul Kruger Streets, PRETORIA
Private Bag X96, PRETORIA, 0001

Screenshot of the attached PDF document:

Yet another example of an email from "Request For Quotation" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: New order for prompt delivery

 

Dear -,

 

Greetings of the Day!

With reference to the above subject, you are hereby requested to send us your best and final quotation for the attached document.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if any query.
We hope to receive your quotation at the earliest.

---

Thanks & Regards

Johny Joseph
M: +41 56 410932480 (WhatsApp)

Regards,

Sarah Roseline

Vanilla Etc Ltd,
Address:Unit 8, Teal Farm Way,Teal Farm Park, Washington,
Tyne & Wear, NE38 8BG, UK
Tel: +44 (0)191 543 7166
Email: info@abfad.co.uk
Web: Www.abfad.co.uk

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

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Quick menu:

• What is Request For Quotation spam?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Fraudsters send identical letters to thousands of recipients, banking on the chance that someone will be tricked. These spam emails lack personalization and are sent en masse.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you have shared personal information with scammers via email, take immediate action by changing passwords and monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity. Report the incident to your email provider or bank (depending on the stolen information) and consider informing relevant authorities.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to this email, is my computer infected?

The result depends on the file type. If the opened file was an executable, the risk of infection is high. On the other hand, for document files such as .pdf or .doc, there is a possibility that merely opening the document did not result in malware infiltration.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Merely opening an email is entirely harmless. System infections can occur when one clicks on links within the email or opens attached files.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner has the capability to find and remove nearly all known malware. It is important to note that sophisticated malware often hides itself deeply within the system. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a full system scan to ensure effective detection and removal.

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