Suspicious MicrosoftEdgeUpdate Launched with Dat Config File

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe being started with a --config argument pointing at a .dat file, a pattern the legitimate Edge updater never uses. The Vidar campaign abuses the trusted Edge updater name to sideload a payload configured from a data file such as mgwthmc2.dat. Detecting this unusual argument reveals a masqueraded loader riding a signed updater filename.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious MicrosoftEdgeUpdate Launched with Dat Config File

Pivot detection · T1036.005 · 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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