| name | detecting-qr-code-phishing-with-email-security |
| description | Detect and prevent QR code phishing (quishing) attacks that bypass traditional email security by embedding malicious URLs in QR code images within emails. Use when detecting and prevent qr code phishing (quishing) attacks that bypass. |
| domain | cybersecurity |
| subdomain | phishing-defense |
| tags | ["quishing","qr-code","phishing","email-security","image-analysis","ocr","mobile-security"] |
| version | 1.0 |
| author | oyi77 |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| atlas_techniques | ["AML.T0052","AML.T0024","AML.T0035"] |
| nist_ai_rmf | ["MEASURE-2.8","MAP-5.1"] |
| nist_csf | ["PR.AT-01","DE.CM-09","RS.CO-02","DE.AE-02"] |
Detecting QR Code Phishing with Email Security
Overview
QR code phishing (quishing) is a rapidly growing attack vector where malicious URLs are embedded in QR code images within phishing emails. Quishing incidents grew fivefold from 46,000 to 250,000 between August and November 2025, with credential phishing comprising 89.3% of detected incidents. Traditional email security filters struggle because QR codes cannot be read by humans or standard URL scanners, and when scanned, users typically use personal mobile devices that lack corporate security controls. Attackers have evolved to use split QR codes (two separate images), nested QR codes, and ASCII text-based QR codes to evade detection.
When to Use
Trigger phrases:
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"detecting qr code phishing with email security"
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"Detect and prevent QR code phishing (quishing) attacks that bypass traditional e"
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When investigating security incidents that require detecting qr code phishing with email security
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When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
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When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
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When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques
Prerequisites
- Email security gateway with image analysis capabilities
- Understanding of QR code structure and encoding
- Mobile device management (MDM) or mobile threat defense solution
- Security awareness training program
- SIEM platform for correlation and alerting
Key Concepts
This section covers key concepts for detecting qr code phishing with email security.
- Ensure all prerequisites are met before proceeding
- Follow the documented workflow steps in sequence
- Record results and any anomalies encountered during this phase
Why Quishing Works
- Bypasses URL Scanners: Traditional gateways scan text-based URLs but cannot decode image-embedded URLs
- Shifts to Unprotected Devices: Corporate email arrives on secured systems but QR scan occurs on personal mobile devices
- User Trust: QR codes are normalized in daily life (payments, menus, parking)
- Low Detection Rate: Only 36% of quishing incidents are accurately identified by recipients
Evasion Techniques (2025)
- Split QR Codes: QR code divided into two separate images that look benign individually (Gabagool PhaaS kit)
