huntrule

Windows Pingback backdoor via ICMP C2 using updata.exe command-line parameters

Flags Windows process creation where updata.exe spawns msdtc config start auto commands consistent with Pingback backdoor.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Bhabesh Raj (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-05-05
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

  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 matches process creation events where the parent process image ends with \updata.exe and the command line contains all of the specified strings related to Pingback backdoor configuration and startup behavior. Such activity is important because it can indicate establishment of covert command-and-control functionality using ICMP tunneling. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry with access to the parent image path and full command line.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious msimg32.dll Loaded from Non-System Directory
DLL Side-Loading via Signed Binary Loading Known Malicious Helper DLL
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (via process_creation)
Suspicious wmicodegen.dll Sideload by inetinfo.exe (UAT-8099 Cobalt Strike)
Suspicious LucidRook DismCore.dll Side-Load into Browser Process
Suspicious Encrypted Implant File Creation for DLL Search Order Hijacking (RainyDay Turian PlugX)
Suspicious RoboForm Signed Binary Executed From Non-Standard Path (via process_creation)
Windows Pingback backdoor via ICMP C2 using updata.exe command-line parameters
Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 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.