Potential Qakbot Rundll32 Execution


Description

Detects specific process tree behavior of a "rundll32" execution often linked with potential Qakbot activity.

Query · sigma

selection_paths:
  ParentImage|endswith:
  - \cmd.exe
  - \cscript.exe
  - \curl.exe
  - \mshta.exe
  - \powershell.exe
  - \pwsh.exe
  - \wscript.exe
  Image|endswith: \rundll32.exe
  CommandLine|contains:
  - :\ProgramData\
  - :\Users\Public\
  - \AppData\Local\Temp\
  - \AppData\Roaming\
selection_extension:
  CommandLine|contains: .dll
condition: all of selection_*

Known false positives

  • Unlikely
Raw source Potential Qakbot Rundll32 Execution · Sigma
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Published by SigmaHQ/sigma ↗, licensed under Detection Rule License 1.1 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified.
title: Potential Qakbot Rundll32 Execution
id: cf879ffb-793a-4753-9a14-bc8f37cc90df
status: test
description: Detects specific process tree behavior of a "rundll32" execution often linked with potential Qakbot activity.
references:
    - https://github.com/pr0xylife/Qakbot/
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-24
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - detection.emerging-threats
    - attack.stealth
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_paths:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            # Note: Only add processes seen used by Qakbot to avoid collision with other strains of malware
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\curl.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            # Note: Only add paths seen used by Qakbot to avoid collision with other strains of malware
            - ':\ProgramData\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\'
    selection_extension:
        CommandLine|contains: '.dll'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

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