Execution via local SxS Shared Module
editExecution via local SxS Shared Module
editIdentifies the creation, change, or deletion of a DLL module within a Windows SxS local folder. Adversaries may abuse shared modules to execute malicious payloads by instructing the Windows module loader to load DLLs from arbitrary local paths.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-endpoint.events.file-*
- logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*
- endgame-*
- logs-m365_defender.event-*
- logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*
- logs-crowdstrike.fdr*
Severity: medium
Risk score: 47
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
Tags:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Execution
- Data Source: Elastic Endgame
- Data Source: Elastic Defend
- Data Source: Sysmon
- Data Source: Microsoft Defender XDR
- Data Source: SentinelOne
- Data Source: Crowdstrike
- Resources: Investigation Guide
Version: 315
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Investigation guide
editTriage and analysis
The SxS DotLocal folder is a legitimate feature that can be abused to hijack standard modules loading order by forcing an executable on the same application.exe.local folder to load a malicious DLL module from the same directory.
Setup
editSetup
This rule is designed for data generated by Elastic Defend, which provides native endpoint detection and response, along with event enrichments designed to work with our detection rules.
Setup instructions: https://ela.st/install-elastic-defend
Additional data sources
This rule also supports the following third-party data sources. For setup instructions, refer to the links below:
Rule query
editfile where host.os.type == "windows" and file.extension : "dll" and
file.path : (
"C:\\*\\*.exe.local\\*.dll",
/* Crowdstrike specific condition as it uses NT Object paths */
"\\Device\\HarddiskVolume*\\*\\*.exe.local\\*.dll"
)
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Execution
- ID: TA0002
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/
-
Technique:
- Name: Shared Modules
- ID: T1129
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1129/
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Hijack Execution Flow
- ID: T1574
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: DLL
- ID: T1574.001
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/001/