Malicious Remote XSL Script Execution via WMIC Squiblytwo Technique

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
- T1220XSL Script Processing
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects WMIC invoking a remote XSL stylesheet via the format switch which is the squiblytwo technique used by the Lazarus chain to execute attacker script content as analysed by NCC Group. Loading a remote XSL through a signed system binary evades application control and downloads code from adversary infrastructure.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious Remote XSL Script Execution via WMIC Squiblytwo Technique

Pivot detection · T1218 · 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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