Windows: Ldifde.exe LDAP import (-i -f) execution

Flags Ldifde.exe being run with LDAP import parameters (-i and -f) that may trigger remote content retrieval.

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windows-ldifde-exe-ldap-import-i-f-execution-6f535e01

title: "Windows: Ldifde.exe LDAP import (-i -f) execution"
id: 6a34276a-7bcb-4caa-a321-34c72aff873a
status: test
description: This rule identifies process execution of Ldifde.exe using the LDAP import mode, specifically when the command line contains both "-i" and "-f". Attackers can abuse Ldifde.exe to process attacker-controlled input files, potentially enabling retrieval of content over HTTP-based references contained in those inputs. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry including the executed image name and full command line.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1564968845726580736
  - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/ldifde.exe-979DE101F5059CEC1D2C56967CA2BAC0.html
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc731033(v=ws.11)
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_ldifde_file_load.yml
author: "@gott_cyber, Huntrule Team"
date: 2022-09-02
modified: 2023-03-14
tags:
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218
  - attack.t1105
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \ldifde.exe
    - OriginalFileName: ldifde.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - -i
      - -f
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Since the content of the files are unknown, false positives are expected
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 6f535e01-ca1f-40be-ab8d-45b19c0c8b7f
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule identifies process execution of Ldifde.exe using the LDAP import mode, specifically when the command line contains both "-i" and "-f". Attackers can abuse Ldifde.exe to process attacker-controlled input files, potentially enabling retrieval of content over HTTP-based references contained in those inputs. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry including the executed image name and full command line.

Known false positives

Since the content of the files are unknown, false positives are expected

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