Malicious Rundll32 Execution of Image File Export via PLUSDROP

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1204.001Malicious Link
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.011Rundll32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32.exe invoking an export from a file with an image extension staged in an image subfolder, matching the APT41 PLUSDROP loader launched from a malicious LNK to run the TOUGHPROGRESS chain. Attackers disguise the payload as a JPG to bypass extension-based inspection while executing an exported function.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.011 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Rundll32 Loading Non-DLL Image Extension File

Malicious DAEMON Tools Backdoor Execution via rundll32 mcrypto (via process_creation)

Suspicious rundll32 Execution of IconCache Masquerading DLL

Malicious LSASS Credential Dump via rundll32 and comsvcs MiniDump

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution Without Arguments

Malicious rundll32 Execution of BoomBox NativeCache DLL (via process_creation)

Malicious rundll32 vbscript mshtml RunHTMLApplication Execution

Malicious rundll32 WebDAV UNC Execution over HTTP

Suspicious rundll32 Execution of DLL from WebDAV Share (via process_creation)

Malicious Rundll32 Execution of Image File Export via PLUSDROP

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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