Suspicious rundll32 Execution of sqlite3 DLL by Ordinal with TLB Argument

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.011Rundll32
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects rundll32 loading a sqlite3 DLL by ordinal export #138 together with an x64.tlb argument, the loader invocation used by the Winnti arsenal in Operation CuckooBees. Attackers disguise the malicious payload as a legitimate sqlite3 library and pass a type-library file to trigger execution. This precise ordinal-and-tlb combination is a high-confidence Winnti loader indicator.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious rundll32 Execution of sqlite3 DLL by Ordinal with TLB Argument

Pivot detection · T1218.011 · 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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