Windows: Execution of DXCap.EXE with -c to Launch Arbitrary Payloads

Flags Windows executions of DXCap.EXE using -c, a pattern that can launch arbitrary binaries or packages.

FreeUnreviewedSigmamediumv1

windows-execution-of-dxcap-exe-with-c-to-launch-arbitrary-payloads-60f16a96

title: "Windows: Execution of DXCap.EXE with -c to Launch Arbitrary Payloads"
id: cf5ea792-2c8b-4601-adae-85d53ef9c423
status: test
description: This rule identifies process creation where DXCap.EXE is executed with the "-c" flag, which is used to launch an arbitrary binary or Windows package through DXCap itself. Attackers can use this behavior to run unwanted code and potentially evade application allowlisting controls. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching on the executable name (including OriginalFileName) and a command-line substring containing " -c ".
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Dxcap/
  - https://twitter.com/harr0ey/status/992008180904419328
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_dxcap_arbitrary_binary_execution.yml
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2019-10-26
modified: 2022-06-09
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \DXCap.exe
    - OriginalFileName: DXCap.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains: " -c "
  condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate execution of dxcap.exe by legitimate user
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 60f16a96-db70-42eb-8f76-16763e333590
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule identifies process creation where DXCap.EXE is executed with the "-c" flag, which is used to launch an arbitrary binary or Windows package through DXCap itself. Attackers can use this behavior to run unwanted code and potentially evade application allowlisting controls. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching on the executable name (including OriginalFileName) and a command-line substring containing " -c ".

Known false positives

Legitimate execution of dxcap.exe by legitimate user

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