Possible Arbitrary File Download Through Cmdl32.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Possible Arbitrary File Download Through Cmdl32.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 0dccdf5f-7323-5603-9db5-f525a999e39b
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of Cmdl32 with the "/vpn" and "/lan" flags. Attackers can misuse this utility to download arbitrary files via a configuration file. Inspect the location and the content of the file passed as an argument to determine if it is suspicious.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1202/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Cmdl32/
    - https://twitter.com/SwiftOnSecurity/status/1455897435063074824
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/pull/151
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-26
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\cmdl32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: CMDL32.EXE
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '/vpn'
            - '/lan'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium