Malicious AuKill EDR Killer Kernel Driver Load via Process Explorer Driver (via image_load)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543.003Windows Service
Priv Esc
- T1543.003Windows Service
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the loading of the malicious Process Explorer kernel driver dropped by the AuKill EDR killer to terminate endpoint protection processes. AuKill drops a driver named PROCEXP.SYS or WindowsKernelExplorer.sys and loads it to gain kernel level access for disabling security tooling. Legitimate Process Explorer instead loads a driver named PROCEXP152.sys.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious AuKill EDR Killer Kernel Driver Load via Process Explorer Driver (via image_load)

Pivot detection · T1685 · 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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