Microsoft Excel Add-In Loaded From Unusual Location (via image_load)

title: Microsoft Excel Add-In Loaded From Unusual Location (via image_load)
id: 465b0e19-b842-5317-a136-201cd9716bcb
status: stable
description: This rule detects Microsoft Excel loading an Add-In (.xll) file from an uncommon location
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204/002/
    - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/lnk-between-browsers
    - https://wazuh.com/blog/detecting-xll-files-used-for-dropping-fin7-jssloader-with-wazuh/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-23
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1204.002
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\excel.exe'
        ImageLoaded|contains:
            - '\Desktop\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Perflogs\'
            - '\Temp\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
            - '\Windows\Tasks\'
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '.xll'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium