Windows: Detect execution of AdPlus.exe with memory-dump and inline command switches

Alerts on Windows executions of Adplus.exe with memory-dump and inline command parameters.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-detect-execution-of-adplus-exe-with-memory-dump-and-inline-command-switc-2f869d59

title: "Windows: Detect execution of AdPlus.exe with memory-dump and inline command switches"
id: b82efbd2-1ca7-481b-955d-6138fa02826c
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where Adplus.exe is executed and the command line contains switches commonly used to dump process memory and run commands inline. Such usage can enable attackers to extract sensitive memory contents and perform follow-on actions without dropping a custom binary. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching Image/filename fields and specific command-line substrings.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Adplus/
  - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1534916659676422152
  - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1534915321856917506
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_adplus_memory_dump.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-06-09
modified: 2023-06-23
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.t1003.001
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \adplus.exe
    - OriginalFileName: Adplus.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - " -hang "
      - " -pn "
      - " -pmn "
      - " -p "
      - " -po "
      - " -c "
      - " -sc "
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate usage of Adplus for debugging purposes
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 2f869d59-7f6a-4931-992c-cce556ff2d53
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where Adplus.exe is executed and the command line contains switches commonly used to dump process memory and run commands inline. Such usage can enable attackers to extract sensitive memory contents and perform follow-on actions without dropping a custom binary. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching Image/filename fields and specific command-line substrings.

Known false positives

Legitimate usage of Adplus for debugging purposes

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