Malicious XRed Backdoor Execution from ProgramData Synaptics Path (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Priv Esc
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects execution of Synaptics.exe from the ProgramData\Synaptics directory, the drop location used by the XRed backdoor bundled inside trojanized InstantView software. A genuine Synaptics touchpad driver never runs from ProgramData, so this path is a strong false-context indicator. The backdoor provides remote command execution, screen capture, keylogging and SMTP exfiltration.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious XRed Backdoor Execution from ProgramData Synaptics Path (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1547.001 · 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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