Malicious rundll32 Loading dat Payload via afunix Export

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

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

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32.exe loading a file with a .dat extension and invoking the afunix export with a key argument. This loader pattern is used by the Lazarus group during Operation SyncHole watering-hole attacks to execute the ThreatNeedle and related malware via a trusted signed binary. The non-DLL extension plus specific export name distinguishes it from normal rundll32 usage.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.011 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Rundll32 Loading DLL From Public or ProgramData Path via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Malicious LSASS Credential Dump via Rundll32 Comsvcs MiniDump via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution Without a DLL Reference via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious WebDAV Retrieval via rundll32 and davclnt.dll (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with Latrodectus Loader Exports (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with IcedID Loader Export (via process_creation)

Malicious Scheduled Task Running rundll32 w32analytics (via process_creation)

Suspicious StrelaStealer DLL Execution via Rundll32 Hello Export from Temp (via process_creation)

Malicious Scheduled rundll32 Execution of ProgramData VMware DLL by BianLian

Malicious rundll32 Loading dat Payload via afunix Export

Pivot detection · T1218.011 · 9 related

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