Windows Suspicious Kernel Dump via dtrace.exe (lkd) Process Creation

Alerts on Windows process executions of dtrace.exe with command lines consistent with kernel dumping (lkd).

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windows-suspicious-kernel-dump-via-dtrace-exe-lkd-process-creation-7124aebe

title: Windows Suspicious Kernel Dump via dtrace.exe (lkd) Process Creation
id: 829cbd09-3e33-49b9-9630-0b106cdf3448
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where dtrace.exe is executed with kernel-dump related command-line patterns. Attackers may use dtrace to load kernel debugging outputs, which can support discovery, troubleshooting abuse, or further post-exploitation. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching dtrace.exe execution and specific command-line substrings indicating lkd kernel dumping or obfuscated syscall/return usage.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1474899714290208777?s=12
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/dtrace
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_dtrace_kernel_dump.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-12-28
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1082
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection_plain:
    Image|endswith: \dtrace.exe
    CommandLine|contains: lkd(0)
  selection_obfuscated:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - syscall:::return
      - lkd(
  condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_dtrace_kernel_dump/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 7124aebe-4cd7-4ccb-8df0-6d6b93c96795
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where dtrace.exe is executed with kernel-dump related command-line patterns. Attackers may use dtrace to load kernel debugging outputs, which can support discovery, troubleshooting abuse, or further post-exploitation. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching dtrace.exe execution and specific command-line substrings indicating lkd kernel dumping or obfuscated syscall/return usage.

Known false positives

Unknown

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