Suspicious Directory Junction Creation via mklink for Masquerading

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 cmd.exe creating a directory junction with mklink /D, the filesystem redirection RONINGLOADER uses to stage a fake roming directory during its PPL abuse chain. Directory junctions created by a command shell can trick trusted binaries into loading attacker-controlled content.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Directory Junction Creation via mklink for Masquerading

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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