Malicious CiscoCollabHost Execution From AppData Path 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 Cisco collaboration host executable running from a user AppData directory which indicates it is being abused as a DLL sideloading host rather than the genuine installed application. IronHusky deployed CiscoCollabHost.exe from an AppData Cisco plugins path to sideload a malicious CiscoSparkLauncher.dll and load the MysterySnail RAT. Legitimate Cisco software runs from Program Files so an AppData copy is highly suspicious.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious CiscoCollabHost Execution From AppData Path 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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