Malicious APT29 DLL Side-Loading via msoev.exe from Windows Tasks Directory (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the signed msoev binary executing from the Windows Tasks directory, the side-loading launcher APT29 used to load the Duke malware in the German Embassy lure campaign. Running this legitimate binary from C:\Windows\Tasks side-loads a malicious Mso DLL from the same folder. Execution of msoev from this path is highly anomalous.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious APT29 DLL Side-Loading via msoev.exe from Windows Tasks Directory (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 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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