Suspicious Image File Execution Options Debugger Set to ntsd

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1546.012Image File Execution Options Injection
Priv Esc
- T1546.012Image File Execution Options Injection
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects an Image File Execution Options Debugger value being set to the ntsd debugger, matching the defense-evasion technique in the Defence Impairment intrusion where security tools are neutered by hijacking their launch. Registering ntsd as a debugger for a target executable silently terminates or intercepts that process on launch. IFEO Debugger entries pointing at ntsd are a strong tampering indicator.

Reporting behind it

Related detections7 linkedT1546.012 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Image File Execution Options Debugger Set to ntsd

Pivot detection · T1546.012 · 7 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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