Malicious Scheduled rundll32 Execution of ProgramData VMware DLL by BianLian

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Persistence
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Priv Esc
- T1053.005Scheduled Task
Defense Evasion
- T1218.011Rundll32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32.exe executing a DLL from a ProgramData VMware directory with an Entry export and redirecting output to a temp file, matching the persistence and execution behavior of the BianLian ransomware group per Unit 42. The actor masquerades its loader as a VMware component and runs it via a scheduled task which evades scrutiny and maintains access.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1053.005 — drag to rearrange

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

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Suspicious Stately Taurus Masqueraded Service and Task Persistence via process_creation

Suspicious Per Minute Scheduled Task Creation via schtasks via process_creation

Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation for System Reboot via Schtasks

Malicious Scheduled rundll32 Execution of ProgramData VMware DLL by BianLian

Pivot detection · T1053.005 · 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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