Windows: Suspicious Cdb.EXE Proxy Execution via Debugger Script Parameters

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1106Native API
- T1127Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1127Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation where cdb.exe is launched with command-line arguments consistent with debugger script execution (e.g., using -c or -cf). Attackers can abuse cdb.exe to proxy execution and run attacker-controlled commands through the debugger workflow. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the cdb.exe image name and specific command-line substrings.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218 — drag to rearrange

Windows Execution of Microsoft.Workflow.Compiler.exe

Suspicious Cabinet Extraction of Masqueraded vstm Archive via extrac32

Suspicious Code Compilation via Aspnet_compiler LOLBIN (via process_creation)

Malicious DLL Execution via Wuauclt Update Handler (via process_creation)

Nullsoft Scriptable Installer Script (NSIS) execution

Malicious aspnet_compiler.exe Injection Host Spawned by PowerShell via process_creation

Malicious regsvcs LOLBin Loading Ransomware DLL from UNC Path

Suspicious RegAsm or RegSvcs Spawned by Script Host (via process_creation)

Suspicious Extexport DLL Side-Loading Execution

Windows: Suspicious Cdb.EXE Proxy Execution via Debugger Script Parameters

Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-cdb-exe-launched-with-debugger-script-flags-to-execute-commands-b5c7395f

title: "Windows: Suspicious Cdb.EXE Proxy Execution via Debugger Script Parameters"
id: 72763bd1-6e57-40ef-a2da-86779ccb8883
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation where cdb.exe is launched with command-line arguments consistent with debugger script execution (e.g., using -c or -cf). Attackers can abuse cdb.exe to proxy execution and run attacker-controlled commands through the debugger workflow. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the cdb.exe image name and specific command-line substrings.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Cdb/
  - https://web.archive.org/web/20170715043507/http://www.exploit-monday.com/2016/08/windbg-cdb-shellcode-runner.html
  - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1534957360032120833
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_cdb_arbitrary_command_execution.yml
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2019-10-26
modified: 2024-04-22
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1106
  - attack.t1218
  - attack.t1127
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \cdb.exe
    - OriginalFileName: CDB.Exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - " -c "
      - " -cf "
  condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate use of debugging tools
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: b5c7395f-e501-4a08-94d4-57fe7a9da9d2
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL