Possible Binary Proxy Execution Through Cdb.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Possible Binary Proxy Execution Through Cdb.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 6901d19c-d068-578c-a407-415190625c55
status: stable
description: This rule detects use of "cdb.exe" to launch arbitrary processes or commands from a debugger script file
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1127/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1106/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Cdb/
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20170715043507/http://www.exploit-monday.com/2016/08/windbg-cdb-shellcode-runner.html
    - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1534957360032120833
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-05-08
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1106
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1127
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\cdb.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'CDB.Exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -c '
            - ' -cf '
    condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium