A newer version is available. For the latest information, see the
current release documentation.
ImageLoad via Windows Update Auto Update Client
editImageLoad via Windows Update Auto Update Clientedit
Identifies abuse of the Windows Update Auto Update Client (wuauclt.exe) to load an arbitrary DLL. This behavior is used as a defense evasion technique to blend-in malicious activity with legitimate Windows software.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- logs-endpoint.events.*
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: medium
Risk score: 47
Runs every: 5 minutes
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Windows
- Threat Detection
- Defense Evasion
Version: 3 (version history)
Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.11.0
Last modified (Elastic Stack release): 7.12.0
Rule authors: Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Rule queryedit
process where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and
(process.pe.original_file_name == "wuauclt.exe" or process.name :
"wuauclt.exe") and /* necessary windows update client args to load
a dll */ process.args : "/RunHandlerComServer" and process.args :
"/UpdateDeploymentProvider" and /* common paths writeable by a
standard user where the target DLL can be placed */ process.args :
("C:\\Users\\*.dll", "C:\\ProgramData\\*.dll",
"C:\\Windows\\Temp\\*.dll", "C:\\Windows\\Tasks\\*.dll")
Threat mappingedit
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Signed Binary Proxy Execution
- ID: T1218
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
Rule version historyedit
- Version 3 (7.12.0 release)
-
- Formatting only
- Version 2 (7.11.2 release)
-
- Formatting only