EXPLORE DETECTIONS
Windows InProcServer32 New Outlook Form
The following analytic detects the creation or modification of registry keys associated with new Outlook form installations, potentially indicating exploitation of CVE-2024-21378. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry datamodel, focusing on registry paths involving InProcServer32 keys linked to Outlook forms. This activity is significant as it may signify an attempt to achieve authenticated remote code execution via malicious form objects. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to create arbitrary files and registry keys, leading to remote code execution and potential full system compromise.
Windows Input Capture Using Credential UI Dll
The following analytic detects a process loading the credui.dll or wincredui.dll module. This detection leverages Sysmon EventCode 7 to identify instances where these DLLs are loaded by processes outside typical system directories. This activity is significant because adversaries often abuse these modules to create fake credential prompts or dump credentials, posing a risk of credential theft. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to harvest user credentials, leading to unauthorized access and potential lateral movement within the network.
Windows InstallUtil Credential Theft
The following analytic detects instances where the Windows InstallUtil.exe binary loads `vaultcli.dll` and `Samlib.dll`. This detection leverages Sysmon EventCode 7 to identify these specific DLL loads. This activity is significant because it can indicate an attempt to execute code that bypasses application control and captures credentials using tools like Mimikatz. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow an attacker to steal credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access and further compromise of the system.
Windows InstallUtil in Non Standard Path
The following analytic detects the execution of InstallUtil.exe from non-standard paths. It leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) data, focusing on process names and original file names outside typical directories. This activity is significant because InstallUtil.exe is often used by attackers to execute malicious code or scripts. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow an attacker to bypass security controls, execute arbitrary code, and potentially gain unauthorized access or persist within the environment.
Windows InstallUtil Remote Network Connection
The following analytic detects the Windows InstallUtil.exe binary making a remote network connection. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process and network telemetry. This activity is significant because InstallUtil.exe can be exploited to download and execute malicious code, bypassing application control mechanisms. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could achieve code execution, potentially leading to further system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. Analysts should review the parent process, network connections, and any associated file modifications to determine the legitimacy of this activity.
Windows InstallUtil Uninstall Option
The following analytic detects the use of the Windows InstallUtil.exe binary with the `/u` (uninstall) switch, which can execute code while bypassing application control. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names, parent processes, and command-line executions. This activity is significant because it can indicate an attempt to execute malicious code without administrative privileges. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could achieve code execution, potentially leading to further system compromise or persistence within the environment.
Windows InstallUtil URL in Command Line
The following analytic detects the use of Windows InstallUtil.exe with an HTTP or HTTPS URL in the command line. This is identified through Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on command-line executions containing URLs. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to download and execute malicious code, potentially bypassing application control mechanisms. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or persistent access within the environment. Analysts should review the parent process, network connections, file modifications, and related processes for further investigation.
Windows IOBit Unlocker Extension DLL Registration via Regsvr32
Detects the IOBit Unlocker Extension being registered. IObit Unlocker is a utility designed to resolve issues involving files or folders that cannot be deleted, moved, or renamed due to being locked by other processes or applications in Windows. It's a powerful tool that can "unlock" these files or folders, terminating any processes that are using them. This allows users to manipulate these previously inaccessible files or folders as needed.
Windows ISO LNK File Creation
The following analytic detects the creation of .iso.lnk files in the %USER%\AppData\Local\Temp\<random folder name>\ path, indicating that an ISO file has been mounted and accessed. This detection leverages the Endpoint.Filesystem data model, specifically monitoring file creation events in the Windows Recent folder. This activity is significant as it may indicate the delivery and execution of potentially malicious payloads via ISO files. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, or further system compromise.
Windows Kerberos Coercion via DNS
Detects DNS-based Kerberos coercion attacks where adversaries inject marshaled credential structures into DNS records to spoof SPNs and redirect authentication such as in CVE-2025-33073. This detection leverages Windows Security Event Codes 5136, 5137, 4662, looking for DNS events with specific CREDENTIAL_TARGET_INFORMATION entries.
Windows Kerberos Local Successful Logon
The following analytic identifies a local successful authentication event on a Windows endpoint using the Kerberos package. It detects EventCode 4624 with LogonType 3 and source address 127.0.0.1, indicating a login to the built-in local Administrator account. This activity is significant as it may suggest a Kerberos relay attack, a method attackers use to escalate privileges. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems, execute arbitrary code, or create new accounts in Active Directory, leading to potential system compromise.
Windows Known Abused DLL Created
The following analytic identifies the creation of Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) with a known history of exploitation in atypical locations. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process and filesystem events. This activity is significant as it may indicate DLL search order hijacking or sideloading, techniques used by attackers to execute arbitrary code, maintain persistence, or escalate privileges. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to blend in with legitimate operations, posing a severe threat to system integrity and security.
Windows Known Abused DLL Loaded Suspiciously
The following analytic detects when DLLs with known abuse history are loaded from an unusual location. This activity may represent an attacker performing a DLL search order or sideload hijacking technique. These techniques are used to gain persistence as well as elevate privileges on the target system. This detection relies on Sysmon EID7 and is compatible with all Officla Sysmon TA versions.
Windows Known GraphicalProton Loaded Modules
The following analytic detects the loading of DLL modules associated with the GraphicalProton backdoor implant, commonly used by SVR in targeted attacks. It leverages Sysmon EventCode 7 to identify specific DLLs loaded by processes. This activity is significant as it may indicate the presence of a sophisticated backdoor, warranting immediate investigation. If confirmed malicious, the attacker could gain persistent access to the compromised host, potentially leading to further exploitation and data exfiltration.
Windows KrbRelayUp Service Creation
The following analytic detects the creation of a service with the default name "KrbSCM" associated with the KrbRelayUp tool. It leverages Windows System Event Logs, specifically EventCode 7045, to identify this activity. This behavior is significant as KrbRelayUp is a known tool used for privilege escalation attacks. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to escalate privileges, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.
Windows LAPS Password Gathering Via PowerShell Script
Detects attempts to gather LAPS passwords via PowerShell and the ms-Mcs-AdmPwd property. Microsoft LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution) is a Windows native tool used to manage local Administrator accounts within an AD domain. To keep things simple, instead of requiring an administrator to manually set, rotate, and store the local Administrator passwords, LAPS will do this automatically while providing an easy interface for authorized users to access passwords for recovery and/or other admin-related tasks. The benefits to an organization here are obvious: automate and protect a well-known critical security challenge and free up IT resources on your team. However, the fact that LAPS has so much information means that it provides a potential avenue of attack for malicious actors looking to further compromise an environment. If LAPS isn't properly locked down, an organization can inadvertently allow anybody to grab local Admin powers on a given machine.
Windows Large Number of Computer Service Tickets Requested
The following analytic detects a high volume of Kerberos service ticket requests, specifically more than 30, from a single source within a 5-minute window. It leverages Event ID 4769, which logs when a Kerberos service ticket is requested, focusing on requests with computer names as the Service Name. This behavior is significant as it may indicate malicious activities such as lateral movement, malware staging, or reconnaissance. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to multiple endpoints, potentially compromising the entire network.
Windows Ldifde Directory Object Behavior
The following analytic identifies the use of Ldifde.exe, a command-line utility for creating, modifying, or deleting LDAP directory objects. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution and command-line arguments. Monitoring Ldifde.exe is significant because it can be used by attackers to manipulate directory objects, potentially leading to unauthorized changes or data exfiltration. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to gain control over directory services, escalate privileges, or access sensitive information within the network.
Windows Level RMM PowerShell Script Installer
Detects the PowerShell installer for the Level tool. Level is a commercial remote management tool from Level.io. Remote management tools, when used for legitimate purposes, can help IT professionals and system administrators remotely access and manage computer systems. However, threat actors may exploit these tools for malicious purposes. It can be used to maintain persistence and execution on a host by a malicious actor.
Windows Level RMM Watchdog Task Created
Detects the watchdog task created when Level is installed. Level is a commercial remote management tool from Level.io. Remote management tools, when used for legitimate purposes, can help IT professionals and system administrators remotely access and manage computer systems. However, threat actors may exploit these tools for malicious purposes. It can be used to maintain persistence and execution on a host by a malicious actor.
Windows Linked Policies In ADSI Discovery
The following analytic detects the use of the `[Adsisearcher]` type accelerator in PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode=4104) to query Active Directory for domain organizational units. This detection leverages PowerShell operational logs to identify script blocks containing `[adsisearcher]`, `objectcategory=organizationalunit`, and `findAll()`. This activity is significant as it indicates potential reconnaissance efforts by adversaries to gain situational awareness of the domain structure. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to further exploitation, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Windows List ENV Variables Via SET Command From Uncommon Parent
The following analytic identifies a suspicious process command line fetching environment variables using the cmd.exe "set" command, with a non-shell parent process. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line executions and parent process names. This activity could be significant as it is commonly associated with malware like Qakbot, which uses this technique to gather system information. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could indicate that the parent process has been compromised, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, escalate privileges, or persist within the environment.
Windows Local Administrator Credential Stuffing
The following analytic detects attempts to authenticate using the built-in local Administrator account across more than 30 endpoints within a 5-minute window. It leverages Windows Event Logs, specifically events 4625 and 4624, to identify this behavior. This activity is significant as it may indicate an adversary attempting to validate stolen local credentials across multiple hosts, potentially leading to privilege escalation. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to gain widespread access and control over numerous systems within the network, posing a severe security risk.
Windows Local LLM Framework Execution
The following analytic detects execution of unauthorized local LLM frameworks (Ollama, LM Studio, GPT4All, Jan, llama.cpp, KoboldCPP, Oobabooga, NutStudio) and Python-based AI/ML libraries (HuggingFace Transformers, LangChain) on Windows endpoints by leveraging process creation events. It identifies cases where known LLM framework executables are launched or command-line arguments reference AI/ML libraries. This activity is significant as it may indicate shadow AI deployments, unauthorized model inference operations, or potential data exfiltration through local AI systems. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, intellectual property theft, or circumvention of organizational AI governance policies.