HttpSpy Payload Registration via Regsvr32 of Non-DLL File (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.010Regsvr32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects regsvr32.exe silently registering a payload with a data or non standard extension staged in ProgramData or the public users directory, the loader behavior of the Kimsuky HttpSpy variant that hides its spyLoader DLL as cacheMon.dat and mTSTCv8.mdxm. Adversaries leverage regsvr32 as a signed proxy to execute a disguised DLL while evading extension based controls, making early detection critical for catching the loader before the HttpSpy main module runs.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.010 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Regsvr32 ShellExec_RunDLL Proxy Execution (via process_creation)

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Malicious Xctdoor XcLoader Execution via Regsvr32 AppX Path Abuse (via process_creation)

Malicious Office Application Loading a User-Path DLL via Regsvr32 or Rundll32 (via process_creation)

Masquerading SSLoad PhantomLoader DLL Execution via Regsvr32 Silent Load from AppData (via process_creation)

Malicious Kimsuky AlphaSeed Payload Execution via Regsvr32 Loading edge dat (via process_creation)

Malicious Regsvr32 Executing DLL From Windows Temp

Malicious regsvr32 Scriptlet Execution via scrobj.dll

Suspicious Regsvr32 Squiblydoo Remote Scriptlet Execution via Command Line (via process_creation)

HttpSpy Payload Registration via Regsvr32 of Non-DLL File (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1218.010 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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