Detect and prevent QR code phishing (quishing) attacks that embed malicious URLs inside QR code images to bypass link-based email security, using image-based threat detection, OCR/QR decoding, and mobile-side scanning (Microsoft Defender for O365, Proofpoint TAP, Barracuda Multimodal AI). Use when configuring gateway rules against QR phishing or investigating suspicious emails containing QR codes.
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Use detecting-qr-code-phishing-with-email-security to assess and propose QR-phishing detection coverage for [email gateway, SIEM, mobile-management capabilities, current policies, and target user population], including image/PDF/ASCII QR analysis, QR-destination controls, detection rules, and validation criteria; stop for my final confirmation before changing gateway, mobile, or shared security settings.
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SKILL.md
name: detecting-qr-code-phishing-with-email-securitydescription: Detect and prevent QR code phishing (quishing) attacks that embed malicious URLs inside QR code images to bypass link-based email security, using image-based threat detection, OCR/QR decoding, and mobile-side scanning (Microsoft Defender for O365, Proofpoint TAP, Barracuda Multimodal AI). Use when configuring gateway rules against QR phishing or investigating suspicious emails containing QR codes.domain: cybersecuritysubdomain: phishing-defensetags: - quishing- qr-code- phishing- email-security- image-analysis- ocr- mobile-securityversion: '1.0'author: mahipallicense: Apache-2.0atlas_techniques: - AML.T0052- AML.T0024- AML.T0035nist_ai_rmf: - MEASURE-2.8- MAP-5.1nist_csf: - PR.AT-01- DE.CM-09- RS.CO-02- DE.AE-02mitre_attack: - T1566- T1598- T1534- T1036- T1027mitre_f3: version: '1.1' tactics: - reconnaissance - resource-development - initial-access techniques: - id: T1598 name: Phishing for Information tactic: reconnaissance source: attack - id: T1660 name: Phishing tactic: initial-access source: attack - id: F1020.002 name: 'Create Fake Materials: Fake Website' tactic: resource-development source: f3 - id: T1583.001 name: 'Acquire Infrastructure: Domains' tactic: resource-development source: attack - id: F1006.002 name: 'Account Takeover: Exposed Login Credential' tactic: initial-access source: f3
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
When investigating security incidents that require detecting qr code phishing with email security
When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
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
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)
Nested QR Codes: QR code within a QR code, with first scan leading to intermediate page
ASCII QR Codes: QR rendered as text characters instead of images, bypassing image analysis (12% of attacks in Jan 2026)
Styled/Artistic QR Codes: Custom-designed QR codes with logos that evade pattern matching
PDF Attachment QR: QR code embedded in PDF attachment rather than email body