huntrule

Windows DNS Server CVE-2020-1350 RCE Indicators via Suspicious Child Process Creation

Alerts on non-benign subprocesses spawned by Windows DNS (dns.exe), consistent with CVE-2020-1350 exploitation attempts.

FreeReviewedSigma · Critical · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-07-15
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Execution

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process creation events where a child process is spawned by the DNS service (dns.exe) while the child is not one of several known benign Windows components. Such parent-child execution patterns are relevant because DNS RCE exploitation would involve dns.exe launching unusual sub-processes. Telemetry required is process creation events that include parent image paths and child image paths.

Reporting behind it

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Windows DNS Server CVE-2020-1350 RCE Indicators via Suspicious Child Process Creation
Pivot detection · T1190 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. 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.