Suspicious Code Execution through Pcwutl.dll (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Code Execution through Pcwutl.dll (via process_creation)
id: c45625ca-7d2d-5d4b-8867-eb495edf8cf9
status: stable
description: This rule detects launch of executable by calling the LaunchApplication function from pcwutl.dll library.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/011/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Libraries/Pcwutl/
    - https://twitter.com/harr0ey/status/989617817849876488
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'pcwutl'
            - 'LaunchApplication'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium