Suspicious Executable Started from Windows Help Directory via Process Creation

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects execution of a portable executable located in the Windows help directory which is abnormal for that folder and was used by the REF5961 intrusion set to run the RUDEBIRD loader from C\Windows\help. Attackers place binaries there to masquerade as benign system content and evade path-based scrutiny.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Executable Started from Windows Help Directory via Process Creation

Pivot detection · T1036.005 · 9 related

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