TrendLabs has recently received reports of a new file infector targeting .MEL files.

If you’re not familiar with the extension name, you’re not alone. Personally, I’ve never heard of such a file type until now. A quick research on the Web, however, revealed that .MEL files are actually script files related to Maya 3D applications — as in the application used to render 3D graphics and animations.

TrendLabs is currently working on a in-depth analysis of this malware, which is to be detected as MEL_YAMA.A. From the looks of it, though, it seems that whoever created this malware is targeting a specific group of users (i.e., graphic artists, etc). Kinda reminds us of the ALS_BURSTED family that affected AutoCAD software, no?

Thanks to David Sancho for finding and reporting the sample of this malware. Updates to be posted soon.