In-Memory Rundll32 Execution Without a Command Line (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1055Process Injection
Defense Evasion
- T1055Process Injection
- T1218.011Rundll32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32.exe running with no export or arguments on its command line, an anomalous state that legitimate use rarely produces and that commonly indicates code injection into a hollowed rundll32 process. Both System Binary Proxy Execution and Process Injection rank among the top techniques in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report, and an argument-less rundll32 is a strong heuristic for the latter. Detecting this pattern surfaces stealthy in-memory execution under a trusted binary.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.011 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution Without Arguments

Suspicious Rundll32 Loading DLL From Public or ProgramData Path via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Malicious LSASS Credential Dump via Rundll32 Comsvcs MiniDump via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution Without a DLL Reference via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious WebDAV Retrieval via rundll32 and davclnt.dll (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with Latrodectus Loader Exports (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with IcedID Loader Export (via process_creation)

Suspicious PowerShell Shellcode Loader via Function Pointer Delegate

Malicious Scheduled Task Running rundll32 w32analytics (via process_creation)

In-Memory Rundll32 Execution Without a Command Line (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1218.011 · 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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