Possible Suspicious Browser Launch From Document Reader Process (via process_creation)

title: Possible Suspicious Browser Launch From Document Reader Process (via process_creation)
id: 53f25441-0845-52e7-9240-f79105bbb9bd
status: stable
description: This rule detects when a browser process or browser tab is launched from an application that handles document files such as Adobe, Microsoft Office, etc. And connects to a web application over http(s), this could indicate a possible phishing attempt.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204/002/
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/69c5abaa-92ad-45ba-8c53-c11e23e05d04/
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/64043a79-165f-4052-bcba-e6e49f847ec1/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-24
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1204.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|contains:
            - 'Acrobat Reader'
            - 'Microsoft Office'
            - 'PDF Reader'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\brave.exe'
            - '\chrome.exe'
            - '\firefox.exe'
            - '\msedge.exe'
            - '\opera.exe'
            - '\maxthon.exe'
            - '\seamonkey.exe'
            - '\vivaldi.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'http'
    filter_main_microsoft_help:
        CommandLine|contains: 'https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/'
    filter_optional_foxit:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'http://ad.foxitsoftware.com/adlog.php?'
            - 'https://globe-map.foxitservice.com/go.php?do=redirect'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium