Suspicious ADNotificationManager Execution for netutils.dll Side-Loading (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the Adobe ADNotificationManager.exe binary running from a user writable directory rather than its installed Adobe program path, where the RedCurl EarthKapre APT side-loads a malicious netutils.dll. Relocating the signed executable lets the attacker force loading of an attacker controlled library beside it. Execution of this Adobe component from a temporary or profile path is a strong side-loading indicator.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious ADNotificationManager Execution for netutils.dll Side-Loading (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 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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