title: Suspicious DotNET CLR Usage Log Artifact
id: e0b06658-7d1d-4cd3-bf15-03467507ff7c
related:
    - id: 4508a70e-97ef-4300-b62b-ff27992990ea
      type: derived
    - id: e4b63079-6198-405c-abd7-3fe8b0ce3263
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects the creation of Usage Log files by the CLR (clr.dll). These files are named after the executing process once the assembly is finished executing for the first time in the (user) session context.
references:
    - https://bohops.com/2021/03/16/investigating-net-clr-usage-log-tampering-techniques-for-edr-evasion/
    - https://github.com/olafhartong/sysmon-modular/blob/fa1ae53132403d262be2bbd7f17ceea7e15e8c78/11_file_create/include_dotnet.xml
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20221026202428/https://gist.github.com/code-scrap/d7f152ffcdb3e0b02f7f394f5187f008
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20230329154538/https://blog.menasec.net/2019/07/interesting-difr-traces-of-net-clr.html
author: frack113, omkar72, oscd.community, Wojciech Lesicki
date: 2022-11-18
modified: 2023-02-23
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
    definition: 'Requirements: UsageLogs folder must be monitored by the sysmon configuration'
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '\UsageLogs\cmstp.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\cscript.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\mshta.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\msxsl.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\regsvr32.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\rundll32.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\svchost.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\wscript.exe.log'
            - '\UsageLogs\wmic.exe.log'
    filter_main_rundll32:
        # This filter requires the event to be enriched by additional information such as ParentImage and CommandLine activity
        ParentImage|endswith: '\MsiExec.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: ' -Embedding'
        Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'Temp'
            - 'zzzzInvokeManagedCustomActionOutOfProc'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Rundll32.exe with zzzzInvokeManagedCustomActionOutOfProc in command line and msiexec.exe as parent process - https://twitter.com/SBousseaden/status/1388064061087260675
level: high

title: Legitimate Application Writing Files In Uncommon Location
id: 1cf465a1-2609-4c15-9b66-c32dbe4bfd67
related:
    - id: 2ddef153-167b-4e89-86b6-757a9e65dcac # bitsadmin dedicated rule
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects legitimate applications writing any type of file to uncommon or suspicious locations that are not typical for application data storage or execution.
    Adversaries may leverage legitimate applications (Living off the Land Binaries - LOLBins) to drop or download malicious files to uncommon locations on the system to evade detection by security solutions.
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/#/download
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-12-10
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1105
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith:
            # Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables / Rest of the apps are covered in: c7a74c80-ba5a-486e-9974-ab9e682bc5e4
            - '\eqnedt32.exe'
            - '\wordpad.exe'
            - '\wordview.exe'
            # LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
            - '\cmdl32.exe'
            - '\certutil.exe'
            - '\certoc.exe'
            - '\CertReq.exe'
            - '\bitsadmin.exe'
            - '\Desktopimgdownldr.exe'
            - '\esentutl.exe'
            - '\expand.exe'
            - '\extrac32.exe'
            - '\replace.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\ftp.exe'
            - '\Ldifde.exe'
            - '\RdrCEF.exe'
            - '\hh.exe'
            - '\finger.exe'
            - '\findstr.exe'
    selection_locations:
        TargetFilename|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs'
            - ':\ProgramData\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\'
            - '\$Recycle.Bin\'
            - '\AppData\Local\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\'
            - '\Contacts\'
            - '\Desktop\'
            - '\Favorites\'
            - '\Favourites\'
            - '\inetpub\wwwroot\'
            - '\Music\'
            - '\Pictures\'
            - '\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
            - '\Users\Default\'
            - '\Videos\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_susp_legitimate_app_dropping_in_uncommon_location/info.yml

title: Legitimate Application Dropped Archive
id: 654fcc6d-840d-4844-9b07-2c3300e54a26
status: test
description: Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write an archive to disk
references:
    - https://github.com/Neo23x0/sysmon-config/blob/3f808d9c022c507aae21a9346afba4a59dd533b9/sysmonconfig-export-block.xml#L1326
author: frack113, Florian Roth
date: 2022-08-21
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            # Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables
            - \winword.exe
            - \excel.exe
            - \powerpnt.exe
            - \msaccess.exe
            - \mspub.exe
            - \eqnedt32.exe
            - \visio.exe
            - \wordpad.exe
            - \wordview.exe
            # LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
            - \certutil.exe
            - \certoc.exe
            - \CertReq.exe
            # - \bitsadmin.exe (depends on the environment; comment in if you're sure that bitsadmin doesn't do that in your env)
            - \Desktopimgdownldr.exe
            - \esentutl.exe
            # - \expand.exe
            - \finger.exe
            # Executables that should never drop an executable to disk (but may after a previous process injection or if it's malware that uses a legitimate name)
            - \notepad.exe
            - \AcroRd32.exe
            - \RdrCEF.exe
            - \mshta.exe
            - \hh.exe
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.zip'
            - '.rar'
            - '.7z'
            - '.diagcab'
            - '.appx'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Speech Runtime Binary Child Process
id: 78f10490-f2f4-4d19-a75b-4e0683bf3b8d
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects suspicious Speech Runtime Binary Execution by monitoring its child processes.
    Child processes spawned by SpeechRuntime.exe could indicate an attempt for lateral movement via COM & DCOM hijacking.
references:
    - https://github.com/rtecCyberSec/SpeechRuntimeMove
author: andrewdanis
date: 2025-10-23
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
tags:
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1021.003
    - attack.t1218
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\SpeechRuntime.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely.
level: high

title: Execution via WorkFolders.exe
id: 0bbc6369-43e3-453d-9944-cae58821c173
status: test
description: Detects using WorkFolders.exe to execute an arbitrary control.exe
references:
    - https://twitter.com/elliotkillick/status/1449812843772227588
author: Maxime Thiebaut (@0xThiebaut)
date: 2021-10-21
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\control.exe'
        ParentImage|endswith: '\WorkFolders.exe'
    filter:
        Image: 'C:\Windows\System32\control.exe'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage of the uncommon Windows Work Folders feature.
level: high

title: Execute Pcwrun.EXE To Leverage Follina
id: 6004abd0-afa4-4557-ba90-49d172e0a299
status: test
description: Detects indirect command execution via Program Compatibility Assistant "pcwrun.exe" leveraging the follina (CVE-2022-30190) vulnerability
references:
    - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1535663791362519040
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-06-13
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.execution
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\pcwrun.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: '../'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Time Travel Debugging Utility Usage
id: 0b4ae027-2a2d-4b93-8c7e-962caaba5b2a
related:
    - id: e76c8240-d68f-4773-8880-5c6f63595aaf
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects usage of Time Travel Debugging Utility. Adversaries can execute malicious processes and dump processes, such as lsass.exe, via tttracer.exe.
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Tttracer/
    - https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/1196390321783025666
    - https://twitter.com/oulusoyum/status/1191329746069655553
author: 'Ensar Şamil, @sblmsrsn, @oscd_initiative'
date: 2020-10-06
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1003.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\tttracer.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage by software developers/testers
level: high

title: Suspicious Provlaunch.EXE Child Process
id: f9999590-1f94-4a34-a91e-951e47bedefd
related:
    - id: 7f5d1c9a-3e83-48df-95a7-2b98aae6c13c # CLI Generic
      type: similar
    - id: 2a4b3e61-9d22-4e4a-b60f-6e8f0cde6f25 # CLI Registry
      type: similar
    - id: 7021255e-5db3-4946-a8b9-0ba7a4644a69 # Registry
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects suspicious child processes of "provlaunch.exe" which might indicate potential abuse to proxy execution.
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Provlaunch/
    - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1674399582162153472
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-08-08
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\provlaunch.exe'
    selection_child:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\calc.exe'
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
              - '\mshta.exe'
              - '\notepad.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\rundll32.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
        - Image|contains:
              - ':\PerfLogs\'
              - ':\Temp\'
              - ':\Users\Public\'
              - '\AppData\Temp\'
              - '\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
              - '\Windows\Tasks\'
              - '\Windows\Temp\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Renamed MegaSync Execution
id: 643bdcac-8b82-49f4-9fd9-25a90b929f3b
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a renamed MegaSync.exe as seen used by ransomware families like Nefilim, Sodinokibi, Pysa, and Conti.
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/rclone-mega-extortion/
author: Sittikorn S
date: 2021-06-22
modified: 2023-02-03
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        OriginalFileName: 'megasync.exe'
    filter:
        Image|endswith: '\megasync.exe'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Software that illegally integrates MegaSync in a renamed form
    - Administrators that have renamed MegaSync
level: high

title: Uncommon Child Process Of Setres.EXE
id: 835e75bf-4bfd-47a4-b8a6-b766cac8bcb7
status: test
description: |
    Detects uncommon child process of Setres.EXE.
    Setres.EXE is a Windows server only process and tool that can be used to set the screen resolution.
    It can potentially be abused in order to launch any arbitrary file with a name containing the word "choice" from the current execution path.
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Setres/
    - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1583356502340870144
    - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/setres.exe-0E30E4C09637D7A128A37B59A3BC4D09.html
    - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc731033(v=ws.11)
author: '@gott_cyber, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)'
date: 2022-12-11
modified: 2024-06-26
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\setres.exe'
        Image|contains: '\choice'
    filter_main_legit_location:
        Image|endswith:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\choice.exe'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\choice.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Suspicious AddinUtil.EXE CommandLine Execution
id: 631b22a4-70f4-4e2f-9ea8-42f84d9df6d8
status: test
description: |
    Detects execution of the Add-In deployment cache updating utility (AddInutil.exe) with suspicious Addinroot or Pipelineroot paths. An adversary may execute AddinUtil.exe with uncommon Addinroot/Pipelineroot paths that point to the adversaries Addins.Store payload.
references:
    - https://www.blue-prints.blog/content/blog/posts/lolbin/addinutil-lolbas.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Michael McKinley (@McKinleyMike), Tony Latteri (@TheLatteri)
date: 2023-09-18
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\addinutil.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'AddInUtil.exe'
    selection_susp_1_flags:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-AddInRoot:'
            - '-PipelineRoot:'
    selection_susp_1_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\Desktop\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
            - '\Windows\Temp\'
    selection_susp_2:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-AddInRoot:.'
            - '-AddInRoot:"."'
            - '-PipelineRoot:.'
            - '-PipelineRoot:"."'
        CurrentDirectory|contains:
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\Desktop\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
            - '\Windows\Temp\'
    condition: selection_img and (all of selection_susp_1_* or selection_susp_2)
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Execution via stordiag.exe
id: 961e0abb-1b1e-4c84-a453-aafe56ad0d34
status: test
description: Detects the use of stordiag.exe to execute schtasks.exe systeminfo.exe and fltmc.exe
references:
    - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/stordiag.exe-1F08FC87C373673944F6A7E8B18CD845.html
    - https://twitter.com/eral4m/status/1451112385041911809
author: Austin Songer (@austinsonger)
date: 2021-10-21
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\stordiag.exe'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\schtasks.exe'
            - '\systeminfo.exe'
            - '\fltmc.exe'
    filter:
        ParentImage|startswith: # as first is "Copy c:\windows\system32\stordiag.exe to a folder"
            - 'c:\windows\system32\'
            - 'c:\windows\syswow64\'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage of stordiag.exe.
level: high

title: Potentially Suspicious Child Processes Spawned by ConHost
id: dfa03a09-8b92-4d83-8e74-f72839b1c407
related:
    - id: 7dc2dedd-7603-461a-bc13-15803d132355
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious child processes related to Windows Shell utilities spawned by `conhost.exe`, which could indicate malicious activity using trusted system components.
references:
    - https://tria.ge/241015-l98snsyeje/behavioral2
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-02-05
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1202
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\conhost.exe'
    selection_child:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'             # Windows Command Prompt
              - '\cscript.exe'         # Windows Script Host (used for scripting exploits)
              - '\mshta.exe'           # MSHTA (HTML Application Host, often abused)
              - '\powershell_ise.exe'  # PowerShell ISE
              - '\powershell.exe'      # Windows PowerShell
              - '\pwsh.exe'            # PowerShell Core
              - '\regsvr32.exe'        # Windows Registry Server (commonly used for exploits)
              - '\wscript.exe'         # Windows Script Host (for executing scripts)
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'cmd.exe'
              - 'cscript.exe'
              - 'mshta.exe'
              - 'powershell_ise.exe'
              - 'powershell.exe'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
              - 'regsvr32.exe'
              - 'wscript.exe'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrative tasks using `conhost.exe` to spawn child processes such as `cmd.exe`, `powershell.exe`, or `regsvr32.exe`.
level: high

title: Suspicious AgentExecutor PowerShell Execution
id: c0b40568-b1e9-4b03-8d6c-b096da6da9ab
related:
    - id: 7efd2c8d-8b18-45b7-947d-adfe9ed04f61
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects execution of the AgentExecutor.exe binary. Which can be abused as a LOLBIN to execute powershell scripts with the ExecutionPolicy "Bypass" or any binary named "powershell.exe" located in the path provided by 6th positional argument
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), memory-shards
references:
    - https://twitter.com/lefterispan/status/1286259016436514816
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Agentexecutor/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/intune-management-extension
    - https://twitter.com/jseerden/status/1247985304667066373/photo/1
date: 2022-12-24
modified: 2024-08-07
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\AgentExecutor.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'AgentExecutor.exe'
    selection_cli:
        # Example:
        #   AgentExecutor.exe -powershell [scriptPath] [outputFilePath] [errorFilePath] [timeoutFilePath] [timeoutSeconds] [powershellPath] [enforceSignatureCheck] [runAs32BitOn64]
        # Note:
        #   - If [timeoutSeconds] is NULL then it defaults to 60000
        #   - If [enforceSignatureCheck] is:
        #       - "NULL" or "1" then a PowerShell instance is spawned with the args: "-NoProfile -executionPolicy allsigned -file "
        #       - Else a PowerShell instance is spawned with the args: "-NoProfile -executionPolicy bypass -file "
        #   - [powershellPath] is always concatendated to "powershell.exe"
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -powershell' # Also covers the "-powershellDetection" flag
            - ' -remediationScript'
    filter_main_pwsh:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\'
    filter_main_intune:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\Microsoft.Management.Services.IntuneWindowsAgent.exe'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Winrs Local Command Execution
id: bcfece3d-56fe-4545-9931-3b8e92927db1
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the execution of Winrs.exe where it is used to execute commands locally.
    Commands executed this way are launched under Winrshost.exe and can represent proxy execution used for defense evasion or lateral movement.
references:
    - https://cardinalops.com/blog/living-off-winrm-abusing-complexity-in-remote-management/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/winrs
author: Liran Ravich, Nasreddine Bencherchali
date: 2025-10-22
tags:
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1021.006
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        # Note: Example of command to simulate (winrm needs to be enabled): "c:\Windows\System32\winrs.exe" calc.exe
        - Image|endswith: '\winrs.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'winrs.exe'
    selection_local_ip:
        CommandLine|contains|windash:
            - '/r:localhost'
            - '/r:127.0.0.1'
            - '/r:[::1]'
            - '/remote:localhost'
            - '/remote:127.0.0.1'
            - '/remote:[::1]'
    filter_main_remote:
        CommandLine|contains|windash:
            - "/r:"
            - "/remote:"
    condition: all of selection_* or (selection_img and not 1 of filter_main_*)
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Potential Suspicious Mofcomp Execution
id: 1dd05363-104e-4b4a-b963-196a534b03a1
status: test
description: |
    Detects execution of the "mofcomp" utility as a child of a suspicious shell or script running utility or by having a suspicious path in the commandline.
    The "mofcomp" utility parses a file containing MOF statements and adds the classes and class instances defined in the file to the WMI repository.
    Attackers abuse this utility to install malicious MOF scripts
references:
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2022/07/11/select-xmrig-from-sqlserver/
    - https://github.com/The-DFIR-Report/Sigma-Rules/blob/75260568a7ffe61b2458ca05f6f25914efb44337/win_mofcomp_execution.yml
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/wmisdk/mofcomp
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-07-12
modified: 2023-04-11
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mofcomp.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'mofcomp.exe'
    selection_case:
        - ParentImage|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\wsl.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
        - CommandLine|contains:
              - '\AppData\Local\Temp'
              - '\Users\Public\'
              - '\WINDOWS\Temp\'
              - '%temp%'
              - '%tmp%'
              - '%appdata%'
    filter_main_wmiprvse:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WmiPrvSE.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'C:\Windows\TEMP\'
        CommandLine|endswith: '.mof'
    filter_optional_null_parent:
        # Sometimes the parent information isn't available from the Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing provider.
        CommandLine|contains: 'C:\Windows\TEMP\'
        CommandLine|endswith: '.mof'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: File Download Via Windows Defender MpCmpRun.EXE
id: 46123129-1024-423e-9fae-43af4a0fa9a5
status: test
description: Detects the use of Windows Defender MpCmdRun.EXE to download files
references:
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20200903194959/https://twitter.com/djmtshepana/status/1301608169496612866
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/MpCmdRun/
author: Matthew Matchen
date: 2020-09-04
modified: 2023-11-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1105
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName: 'MpCmdRun.exe'
        - Image|endswith: '\MpCmdRun.exe'
        - CommandLine|contains: 'MpCmdRun.exe'
        - Description: 'Microsoft Malware Protection Command Line Utility'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'DownloadFile'
            - 'url'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Sensitive File Dump Via Print.EXE
id: 2fcda7e2-8c57-4904-86ac-37fc3157e09d
status: test
description: |
    Detects the abuse of the Print.exe utility for credential harvesting which involves using Print.Exe to copy sensitive files such as ntds.dit, SAM, SECURITY, or SYSTEM from the Windows directory in order to extract credentials, locally or remotely.
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/02/06/active-exploitation-solarwinds-web-help-desk/
    - https://www.huntress.com/blog/credential-theft-expanding-your-reach-pt-2
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Print/
author: Ayush Anand (Securityinbits)
date: 2026-04-28
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1003.003
    - attack.t1003.002
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\print.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'Print.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: '/D'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\config\SAM'
            - '\config\SECURITY'
            - '\config\SYSTEM'
            - '\windows\ntds\ntds.dit'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_print_dump_sensitive_files/info.yml

title: Potential Provisioning Registry Key Abuse For Binary Proxy Execution
id: 2a4b3e61-9d22-4e4a-b60f-6e8f0cde6f25
related:
    - id: 7f5d1c9a-3e83-48df-95a7-2b98aae6c13c # CLI Generic
      type: similar
    - id: f9999590-1f94-4a34-a91e-951e47bedefd # CLI Abuse
      type: similar
    - id: 7021255e-5db3-4946-a8b9-0ba7a4644a69 # Registry
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects potential abuse of the provisioning registry key for indirect command execution through "Provlaunch.exe".
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Provlaunch/
    - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1674399582162153472
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-08-08
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains: 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Commands\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: RemoteFXvGPUDisablement Abuse Via AtomicTestHarnesses
id: a6fc3c46-23b8-4996-9ea2-573f4c4d88c5
related:
    - id: f65e22f9-819e-4f96-9c7b-498364ae7a25 # PS Classic
      type: similar
    - id: 38a7625e-b2cb-485d-b83d-aff137d859f4 # PS Module
      type: similar
    - id: cacef8fc-9d3d-41f7-956d-455c6e881bc5 # PS ScriptBlock
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects calls to the AtomicTestHarnesses "Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand" which is designed to abuse the "RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.exe" binary to run custom PowerShell code via module load-order hijacking.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses/blob/7e1e4da116801e3d6fcc6bedb207064577e40572/TestHarnesses/T1218_SignedBinaryProxyExecution/InvokeRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand.ps1
author: frack113
date: 2021-07-13
modified: 2023-05-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand'
            - 'Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisableme'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Self Extracting Package Creation Via Iexpress.EXE From Potentially Suspicious Location
id: b2b048b0-7857-4380-b0fb-d3f0ab820b71
status: test
description: |
    Detects the use of iexpress.exe to create binaries via Self Extraction Directive (SED) files located in potentially suspicious locations.
    This behavior has been observed in-the-wild by different threat actors.
references:
    - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/iexpress.exe-D594B2A33EFAFD0EABF09E3FDC05FCEA.html
    - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IExpress
    - https://decoded.avast.io/janvojtesek/raspberry-robins-roshtyak-a-little-lesson-in-trickery/
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/602f4ae507fa8de57ada079adff25a6c2a899bd25cd092d0af7e62cdb619c93c/behavior
author: Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-02-05
modified: 2024-06-04
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    # VT Query: behavior_processes:"iexpress.exe" and behavior_processes:"/n /q /m" and behavior_processes:"*.sed*" and p:5+
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\iexpress.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'IEXPRESS.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' /n '
    selection_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            # Note: Add more uncommon paths that fit your organizational needs.
            - ':\ProgramData\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Administrators building packages using iexpress.exe
level: high

title: Arbitrary File Download Via IMEWDBLD.EXE
id: 863218bd-c7d0-4c52-80cd-0a96c09f54af
related:
    - id: 8d7e392e-9b28-49e1-831d-5949c6281228
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects usage of "IMEWDBLD.exe" to download arbitrary files
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1105/T1105.md#atomic-test-10---windows---powershell-download
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/IMEWDBLD/
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-11-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\IMEWDBLD.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'imewdbld.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'http://'
            - 'https://'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
# Note: Please reduce this to medium if you find legitimate use case of this utility with a URL
level: high

title: MSDT Execution Via Answer File
id: 9c8c7000-3065-44a8-a555-79bcba5d9955
status: test
description: |
    Detects execution of "msdt.exe" using an answer file which is simulating the legitimate way of calling msdt via "pcwrun.exe" (For example from the compatibility tab).
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Msdt/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-06-13
modified: 2025-10-29
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.execution
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\msdt.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: '\WINDOWS\diagnostics\index\PCWDiagnostic.xml'
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -af '
    filter_main_pcwrun:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\pcwrun.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Possible undocumented parents of "msdt" other than "pcwrun".
level: high

title: Suspicious BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility Execution
id: 9f38c1db-e2ae-40bf-81d0-5b68f73fb512
related:
    - id: 6e8fe0a8-ba0b-4a93-8f9e-82657e7a5984 # BaaUpdate.exe Suspicious DLL Load
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the execution of the BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility (baaupdate.exe) which is not a common parent process for other processes.
    Suspicious child processes spawned by baaupdate.exe could indicate an attempt at lateral movement via BitLocker DCOM & COM Hijacking.
references:
    - https://github.com/rtecCyberSec/BitlockMove
author: andrewdanis, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-18
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.t1021.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\baaupdate.exe'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\bitsadmin.exe'
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\powershell_ise.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\regsvr32.exe'
            - '\rundll32.exe'
            - '\schtasks.exe'
            - '\wmic.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious DLL Loaded via CertOC.EXE
id: 84232095-ecca-4015-b0d7-7726507ee793
related:
    - id: 242301bc-f92f-4476-8718-78004a6efd9f
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects when a user installs certificates by using CertOC.exe to load the target DLL file.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/sblmsrsn/status/1445758411803480072?s=20
    - https://github.com/elastic/protections-artifacts/commit/746086721fd385d9f5c6647cada1788db4aea95f#diff-fe98e74189873d6df72a15df2eaa0315c59ba9cdaca93ecd68afc4ea09194ef2
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certoc/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\certoc.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'CertOC.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -LoadDLL '
    selection_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\Appdata\Local\Temp\'
            - '\Desktop\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
            - 'C:\Windows\Tasks\'
            - 'C:\Windows\Temp\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Devtoolslauncher.exe Executes Specified Binary
id: cc268ac1-42d9-40fd-9ed3-8c4e1a5b87e6
status: test
description: The Devtoolslauncher.exe executes other binary
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Devtoolslauncher/
    - https://twitter.com/_felamos/status/1179811992841797632
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community (rule), @_felamos (idea)
date: 2019-10-12
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\devtoolslauncher.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'LaunchForDeploy'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of devtoolslauncher.exe by legitimate user
level: high

title: MpiExec Lolbin
id: 729ce0ea-5d8f-4769-9762-e35de441586d
status: test
description: Detects a certain command line flag combination used by mpiexec.exe LOLBIN from HPC pack that can be used to execute any other binary
references:
    - https://twitter.com/mrd0x/status/1465058133303246867
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/high-performance-computing/mpiexec?view=hpc19-ps
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-01-11
modified: 2024-11-23
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_binary:
        - Image|endswith: '\mpiexec.exe'
        - Hashes|contains: 'IMPHASH=d8b52ef6aaa3a81501bdfff9dbb96217'
    selection_flags:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' /n 1 '
            - ' -n 1 '
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential NTLM Coercion Via Certutil.EXE
id: 6c6d9280-e6d0-4b9d-80ac-254701b64916
status: test
description: Detects possible NTLM coercion via certutil using the 'syncwithWU' flag
references:
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/243
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-09-01
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' -syncwithWU '
            - ' \\\\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_ntlm_coercion/info.yml

title: OpenWith.exe Executes Specified Binary
id: cec8e918-30f7-4e2d-9bfa-a59cc97ae60f
status: test
description: The OpenWith.exe executes other binary
references:
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/4db780e0f0b2e2bb8cb1fa13e09196da9b9f1834/yml/LOLUtilz/OSBinaries/Openwith.yml
    - https://twitter.com/harr0ey/status/991670870384021504
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community (rule), @harr0ey (idea)
date: 2019-10-12
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\OpenWith.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: '/c'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Proxy Execution Via Wuauclt.EXE
id: af77cf95-c469-471c-b6a0-946c685c4798
related:
    - id: ba1bb0cb-73da-42de-ad3a-de10c643a5d0
      type: obsolete
    - id: d7825193-b70a-48a4-b992-8b5b3015cc11
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects the use of the Windows Update Client binary (wuauclt.exe) for proxy execution.
references:
    - https://dtm.uk/wuauclt/
    - https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-intelligence/2022/01/north-koreas-lazarus-apt-leverages-windows-update-client-github-in-latest-campaign/
author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Sreeman, FPT.EagleEye Team
date: 2020-10-12
modified: 2023-11-11
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.execution
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wuauclt.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wuauclt.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'UpdateDeploymentProvider'
            - 'RunHandlerComServer'
    filter_main_generic:
        # Note: Please enhance this if you find the full path
        CommandLine|contains: ' /UpdateDeploymentProvider UpdateDeploymentProvider.dll '
    filter_main_wuaueng:
        # Note: Please enhance this if you find the full path
        CommandLine|contains: ' wuaueng.dll '
    filter_main_uus:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ':\Windows\UUS\Packages\Preview\amd64\updatedeploy.dll /ClassId'
            - ':\Windows\UUS\amd64\UpdateDeploy.dll /ClassId'
    filter_main_winsxs:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ':\Windows\WinSxS\'
            - '\UpdateDeploy.dll /ClassId '
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Curl Download And Execute Combination
id: 21dd6d38-2b18-4453-9404-a0fe4a0cc288
status: test
description: Adversaries can use curl to download payloads remotely and execute them. Curl is included by default in Windows 10 build 17063 and later.
references:
    - https://medium.com/@reegun/curl-exe-is-the-new-rundll32-exe-lolbin-3f79c5f35983 # Dead Link
author: Sreeman, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-01-13
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1105
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -c '
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'curl '
            - 'http'
            - '-o'
            - '&'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Time Travel Debugging Utility Usage - Image
id: e76c8240-d68f-4773-8880-5c6f63595aaf
status: test
description: Detects usage of Time Travel Debugging Utility. Adversaries can execute malicious processes and dump processes, such as lsass.exe, via tttracer.exe.
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Tttracer/
    - https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/1196390321783025666
    - https://twitter.com/oulusoyum/status/1191329746069655553
author: 'Ensar Şamil, @sblmsrsn, @oscd_initiative'
date: 2020-10-06
modified: 2022-12-02
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1003.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: image_load
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            - '\ttdrecord.dll'
            - '\ttdwriter.dll'
            - '\ttdloader.dll'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage by software developers/testers
level: high

title: BaaUpdate.exe Suspicious DLL Load
id: 6e8fe0a8-ba0b-4a93-8f9e-82657e7a5984
related:
    - id: 9f38c1db-e2ae-40bf-81d0-5b68f73fb512 # Suspicious BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility Execution
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility (baaupdate.exe) loading DLLs from suspicious locations that are publicly writable which could indicate an attempt to lateral movement via BitLocker DCOM & COM Hijacking.
    This technique abuses COM Classes configured as INTERACTIVE USER to spawn processes in the context of the logged-on user's session. Specifically, it targets the BDEUILauncher Class (CLSID ab93b6f1-be76-4185-a488-a9001b105b94)
    which can launch BaaUpdate.exe, which is vulnerable to COM Hijacking when started with input parameters. This allows attackers to execute code in the user's context without needing to steal credentials or use additional techniques to compromise the account.
references:
    - https://github.com/rtecCyberSec/BitlockMove
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-18
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.t1021.003
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\BaaUpdate.exe'
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '.dll'
        ImageLoaded|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs\'
            - ':\Users\Default\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\'
            - '\Contacts\'
            - '\Favorites\'
            - '\Favourites\'
            - '\Links\'
            - '\Music\'
            - '\Pictures\'
            - '\ProgramData\'
            - '\Temporary Internet'
            - '\Videos\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Execution DLL of Choice Using WAB.EXE
id: fc014922-5def-4da9-a0fc-28c973f41bfb
status: test
description: This rule detects that the path to the DLL written in the registry is different from the default one. Launched WAB.exe tries to load the DLL from Registry.
references:
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/8283d8d91552213ded165fd36deb6cb9534cb443/yml/OSBinaries/Wab.yml
    - https://twitter.com/Hexacorn/status/991447379864932352
    - http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2018/05/01/wab-exe-as-a-lolbin/
author: oscd.community, Natalia Shornikova
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Software\Microsoft\WAB\DLLPath'
    filter:
        Details: '%CommonProgramFiles%\System\wab32.dll'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential Provisioning Registry Key Abuse For Binary Proxy Execution - REG
id: 7021255e-5db3-4946-a8b9-0ba7a4644a69
related:
    - id: 7f5d1c9a-3e83-48df-95a7-2b98aae6c13c # CLI Generic
      type: similar
    - id: f9999590-1f94-4a34-a91e-951e47bedefd # CLI Abuse
      type: similar
    - id: 2a4b3e61-9d22-4e4a-b60f-6e8f0cde6f25 # CLI Registry
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects potential abuse of the provisioning registry key for indirect command execution through "Provlaunch.exe".
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Provlaunch/
    - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1674399582162153472
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-08-02
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
    definition: 'Requirements: The registry key "\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Commands\" and its subkey must be monitored'
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains: '\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Commands\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious JavaScript Execution Via Mshta.EXE
id: 67f113fa-e23d-4271-befa-30113b3e08b1
status: test
description: Detects execution of javascript code using "mshta.exe".
references:
    - https://eqllib.readthedocs.io/en/latest/analytics/6bc283c4-21f2-4aed-a05c-a9a3ffa95dd4.html
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218.005/T1218.005.md
author: E.M. Anhaus (originally from Atomic Blue Detections, Endgame), oscd.community
date: 2019-10-24
modified: 2023-02-07
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'MSHTA.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: 'javascript'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious MSHTA Child Process
id: 03cc0c25-389f-4bf8-b48d-11878079f1ca
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious process spawning from an "mshta.exe" process, which could be indicative of a malicious HTA script execution
references:
    - https://www.trustedsec.com/july-2015/malicious-htas/
author: Michael Haag
date: 2019-01-16
modified: 2023-02-06
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.005
    - car.2013-02-003
    - car.2013-03-001
    - car.2014-04-003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
    selection_child:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
              - '\sh.exe'
              - '\bash.exe'
              - '\reg.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\bitsadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'Cmd.Exe'
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
              - 'wscript.exe'
              - 'cscript.exe'
              - 'Bash.exe'
              - 'reg.exe'
              - 'REGSVR32.EXE'
              - 'bitsadmin.exe'
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Printer software / driver installations
    - HP software
level: high

title: Remotely Hosted HTA File Executed Via Mshta.EXE
id: b98d0db6-511d-45de-ad02-e82a98729620
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "mshta" utility with an argument containing the "http" keyword, which could indicate that an attacker is executing a remotely hosted malicious hta file
references:
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/avoslocker-ransomware-variant-abuses-driver-file-to-disable-anti-Virus-scans-log4shell.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-08
modified: 2023-02-06
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'MSHTA.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'http://'
            - 'https://'
            - 'ftp://'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential LethalHTA Technique Execution
id: ed5d72a6-f8f4-479d-ba79-02f6a80d7471
status: test
description: Detects potential LethalHTA technique where the "mshta.exe" is spawned by an "svchost.exe" process
references:
    - https://codewhitesec.blogspot.com/2018/07/lethalhta.html
author: Markus Neis
date: 2018-06-07
modified: 2023-02-07
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\svchost.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Bad Opsec Defaults Sacrificial Processes With Improper Arguments
id: a7c3d773-caef-227e-a7e7-c2f13c622329
related:
    - id: f5647edc-a7bf-4737-ab50-ef8c60dc3add
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: |
    Detects attackers using tooling with bad opsec defaults.
    E.g. spawning a sacrificial process to inject a capability into the process without taking into account how the process is normally run.
    One trivial example of this is using rundll32.exe without arguments as a sacrificial process (default in CS, now highlighted by c2lint), running WerFault without arguments (Kraken - credit am0nsec), and other examples.
references:
    - https://blog.malwarebytes.com/malwarebytes-news/2020/10/kraken-attack-abuses-wer-service/
    - https://www.cobaltstrike.com/help-opsec
    - https://twitter.com/CyberRaiju/status/1251492025678983169
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/regsvr32
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/rundll32
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/tools/regasm-exe-assembly-registration-tool
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/tools/regsvcs-exe-net-services-installation-tool
author: Oleg Kolesnikov @securonix invrep_de, oscd.community, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-10-23
modified: 2024-08-15
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_werfault:
        Image|endswith: '\WerFault.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'WerFault.exe'
    selection_rundll32:
        Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'rundll32.exe'
    selection_regsvcs:
        Image|endswith: '\regsvcs.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'regsvcs.exe'
    selection_regasm:
        Image|endswith: '\regasm.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'regasm.exe'
    selection_regsvr32:
        Image|endswith: '\regsvr32.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'regsvr32.exe'
    filter_optional_edge_update:
        ParentImage|contains: '\AppData\Local\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\Install\{'
        Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'rundll32.exe'
    filter_optional_chromium_installer:
        # As reported in https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/4570 and others
        ParentImage|contains:
            - '\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\'
        ParentImage|endswith: '\Installer\setup.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: '--uninstall '
        Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'rundll32.exe'
    condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Shell32 DLL Execution in Suspicious Directory
id: 32b96012-7892-429e-b26c-ac2bf46066ff
status: test
description: Detects shell32.dll executing a DLL in a suspicious directory
references:
    - https://www.group-ib.com/resources/threat-research/red-curl-2.html
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-11-24
modified: 2023-02-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'shell32.dll'
            - 'Control_RunDLL'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '%AppData%'
            - '%LocalAppData%'
            - '%Temp%'
            - '%tmp%'
            - '\AppData\'
            - '\Temp\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Control Panel DLL Load
id: d7eb979b-c2b5-4a6f-a3a7-c87ce6763819
status: test
description: Detects suspicious Rundll32 execution from control.exe as used by Equation Group and Exploit Kits
references:
    - https://twitter.com/rikvduijn/status/853251879320662017
    - https://twitter.com/felixw3000/status/853354851128025088
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2017-04-15
modified: 2023-02-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\System32\control.exe'
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
    filter:
        CommandLine|contains: 'Shell32.dll'
    condition: all of selection_* and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: CobaltStrike Load by Rundll32
id: ae9c6a7c-9521-42a6-915e-5aaa8689d529
status: test
description: Rundll32 can be use by Cobalt Strike with StartW function to load DLLs from the command line.
references:
    - https://www.cobaltstrike.com/help-windows-executable
    - https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2020/10/18/ryuk-in-5-hours/
author: Wojciech Lesicki
date: 2021-06-01
modified: 2022-09-16
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_rundll:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: RUNDLL32.EXE
        - CommandLine|contains:
              - 'rundll32.exe'
              - 'rundll32 '
    selection_params:
        CommandLine|contains: '.dll'
        CommandLine|endswith:
            - ' StartW'
            - ',StartW'
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Rundll32 Execution With Image Extension
id: 4aa6040b-3f28-44e3-a769-9208e5feb5ec
related:
    - id: 089fc3d2-71e8-4763-a8a5-c97fbb0a403e
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects the execution of Rundll32.exe with DLL files masquerading as image files
references:
    - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/onenote-growing-threat-malware-distribution
author: Hieu Tran
date: 2023-03-13
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.bmp'
            - '.cr2'
            - '.eps'
            - '.gif'
            - '.ico'
            - '.jpeg'
            - '.jpg'
            - '.nef'
            - '.orf'
            - '.png'
            - '.raw'
            - '.sr2'
            - '.tif'
            - '.tiff'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious ShellExec_RunDLL Call Via Ordinal
id: 8823e85d-31d8-473e-b7f4-92da070f0fc6
related:
    - id: d87bd452-6da1-456e-8155-7dc988157b7d
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    Detects suspicious call to the "ShellExec_RunDLL" exported function of SHELL32.DLL through the ordinal number to launch other commands.
    Adversary might only use the ordinal number in order to bypass existing detection that alert on usage of ShellExec_RunDLL on CommandLine.
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/raspberry-robin/
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2022/10/27/raspberry-robin-worm-part-of-larger-ecosystem-facilitating-pre-ransomware-activity/
    - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009
    - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/shell32.dll-65DA072F25DE83D9F83653E3FEA3644D.html
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2024-12-01
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent_img:
        ParentCommandLine|contains: 'SHELL32.DLL'
    selection_parent_ordinal:
        ParentCommandLine|contains:
            # Note: The ordinal number may differ depending on the DLL version
            # Example: rundll32 SHELL32.DLL,#572 "cmd.exe" "/c calc.exe"
            - '#568'
            - '#570'
            - '#572'
            - '#576'
    selection_susp_cli_parent:
        # Note: Add additional binaries and suspicious paths to increase coverage
        - ParentCommandLine|contains:
              - 'comspec'
              - 'iex'
              - 'Invoke-'
              - 'msiexec'
              - 'odbcconf'
              - 'regsvr32'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains:
              - '\Desktop\'
              - '\ProgramData\'
              - '\Temp\'
              - '\Users\Public\'
    selection_susp_child_img:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\bash.exe'
            - '\bitsadmin.exe'
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\curl.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\msiexec.exe'
            - '\msxsl.exe'
            - '\odbcconf.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\regsvr32.exe'
            - '\schtasks.exe'
            - '\wmic.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    condition: all of selection_parent_* and 1 of selection_susp_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Rundll32 Activity Invoking Sys File
id: 731231b9-0b5d-4219-94dd-abb6959aa7ea
status: test
description: Detects suspicious process related to rundll32 based on command line that includes a *.sys file as seen being used by UNC2452
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/03/04/goldmax-goldfinder-sibot-analyzing-nobelium-malware/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-03-05
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection1:
        CommandLine|contains: 'rundll32.exe'
    selection2:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.sys,'
            - '.sys '
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Rundll32 UNC Path Execution
id: 5cdb711b-5740-4fb2-ba88-f7945027afac
status: test
description: Detects rundll32 execution where the DLL is located on a remote location (share)
references:
    - https://www.cybereason.com/blog/rundll32-the-infamous-proxy-for-executing-malicious-code
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-10
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1021.002
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
        - CommandLine|contains: 'rundll32'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: ' \\\\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: RunDLL32 Spawning Explorer
id: caa06de8-fdef-4c91-826a-7f9e163eef4b
status: test
description: Detects RunDLL32.exe spawning explorer.exe as child, which is very uncommon, often observes Gamarue spawning the explorer.exe process in an unusual way
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/intelligence-insights-november-2021/
author: elhoim, CD_ROM_
date: 2022-04-27
modified: 2022-05-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\explorer.exe'
    filter:
        ParentCommandLine|contains: '\shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential PowerShell Execution Via DLL
id: 6812a10b-60ea-420c-832f-dfcc33b646ba
status: test
description: |
    Detects potential PowerShell execution from a DLL instead of the usual PowerShell process as seen used in PowerShdll.
    This detection assumes that PowerShell commands are passed via the CommandLine.
references:
    - https://github.com/p3nt4/PowerShdll/blob/62cfa172fb4e1f7f4ac00ca942685baeb88ff356/README.md
author: Markus Neis, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-08-25
modified: 2024-03-07
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\InstallUtil.exe'
              - '\RegAsm.exe'
              - '\RegSvcs.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'InstallUtil.exe'
              - 'RegAsm.exe'
              - 'RegSvcs.exe'
              - 'REGSVR32.EXE'
              - 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'Default.GetString'
            - 'DownloadString'
            - 'FromBase64String'
            - 'ICM '
            - 'IEX '
            - 'Invoke-Command'
            - 'Invoke-Expression'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Process Access via TrolleyExpress Exclusion
id: 4c0aaedc-154c-4427-ada0-d80ef9c9deb6
status: test
description: Detects a possible process memory dump that uses the white-listed Citrix TrolleyExpress.exe filename as a way to dump the lsass process memory
references:
    - https://twitter.com/_xpn_/status/1491557187168178176
    - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie831jF0bb0
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-10
modified: 2022-05-13
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains:
      # We assume that the lsass.exe process has a process ID that's between 700 and 999 and the dumper uses just the PID as parameter
            - '\TrolleyExpress 7'
            - '\TrolleyExpress 8'
            - '\TrolleyExpress 9'
            - '\TrolleyExpress.exe 7'
            - '\TrolleyExpress.exe 8'
            - '\TrolleyExpress.exe 9'
      # Common dumpers
            - '\TrolleyExpress.exe -ma '
    renamed:
        Image|endswith: '\TrolleyExpress.exe'
    filter_renamed:
        OriginalFileName|contains: 'CtxInstall'
    filter_empty:
        OriginalFileName: null
    condition: selection or ( renamed and not 1 of filter* )
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high