Windows Shortcut (LNK) Malware Strategies

Description

This article provides an in-depth analysis of Windows shortcut (LNK) file malware, based on the examination of 30,000 recent samples. The research reveals four main categories of LNK malware: exploit execution, file on disk execution, in-argument scripts execution, and overlay execution. Each technique is explained in detail with examples. The flexibility of LNK files makes them attractive to attackers, as they can both execute malicious content and masquerade as legitimate files. The article also discusses the structure of LNK files, highlighting key fields that are commonly exploited. The researchers observed a significant increase in malicious LNK samples, from 21,098 in 2023 to 68,392 in 2024. The article concludes with recommendations for users to exercise caution when handling unknown LNK files and provides guidance on identifying potential threats.