Suspicious UAC Bypass via ComputerDefaults Auto-Elevated Binary (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Defense Evasion
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the auto-elevating binary ComputerDefaults.exe being launched by a parent other than the normal interactive shells, the User Account Control bypass the STRT cross-RAT analysis attributes to Castle RAT via a hijacked ms-settings handler. Adversaries leverage this trusted binary to elevate a malicious command without a UAC prompt, making non-interactive launches a useful indicator for review.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious User Account Control Bypass via Auto-Elevating Binary Hijack (via process_creation)

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Malicious UAC Bypass via DllHost ICMLuaUtil Elevated COM Interface in ValleyRat Campaign (via process_creation)

Suspicious UAC Bypass via ComputerDefaults Auto-Elevated Binary (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1548.002 · 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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