Renamed Qbot Loader Execution via rundll32 Running DAT File with xlAutoOpen Export (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.011Rundll32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32.exe invoking a .dat file through the xlAutoOpen export, the execution behavior a Qbot XLL phishing chain uses to run its decrypted loader before injecting into wermgr.exe. Adversaries reuse the Excel add-in entry point from a renamed DLL to launch the banking trojan under a trusted binary, making early detection critical for stopping the intrusion at the loader stage.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.011 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Rundll32 Loading DLL From Public or ProgramData Path via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Malicious Command Shell Spawned by SQL Server via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Malicious LSASS Credential Dump via Rundll32 Comsvcs MiniDump via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution Without a DLL Reference via Process Creation (via process_creation)

Suspicious WebDAV Retrieval via rundll32 and davclnt.dll (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with Latrodectus Loader Exports (via process_creation)

Suspicious Rundll32 Execution with IcedID Loader Export (via process_creation)

Malicious Scheduled Task Running rundll32 w32analytics (via process_creation)

Suspicious Script Interpreter Spawned by Excel via DarkGate Lure

Renamed Qbot Loader Execution via rundll32 Running DAT File with xlAutoOpen Export (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1218.011 · 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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