Suspicious Execution or Load from Fake System32 Directory Imprint (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574Hijack Execution Flow
Persistence
- T1574Hijack Execution Flow
Priv Esc
- T1574Hijack Execution Flow
Defense Evasion
- T1574Hijack Execution Flow
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a process image path that contains a fake system directory of the form \Imprint\Windows\system32. The examined privilege-escalation technique builds a counterfeit system drive directory such as C:\Imprint\Windows\system32 to trick trusted loaders into resolving files from an attacker-controlled path, so an image running from this structure indicates path-based deception during exploitation.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry Printer Driver Installations with Empty Manufacturer Field

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Windows regsvr32 Executes DLL with Uncommon Extension in Command Line

Suspicious Execution or Load from Fake System32 Directory Imprint (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1574 · 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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