IMPORTANT: No additional bug fixes or documentation updates will be released for this version. For the latest information, see the current release documentation.
« Image File Execution Options Injection Inbound Connection to an Unsecure Elasticsearch Node »
Elastic Docs ›Elastic Security Solution [8.5] ›Detections and alerts ›Prebuilt rule reference

ImageLoad via Windows Update Auto Update Client

edit

ImageLoad via Windows Update Auto Update Client

edit

Identifies abuse of the Windows Update Auto Update Client (wuauclt.exe) to load an arbitrary DLL. This behavior is used as a defense evasion technique to blend-in malicious activity with legitimate Windows software.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • logs-endpoint.events.*
  • winlogbeat-*
  • logs-windows.*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 47

Runs every: 5 minutes

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

Tags:

  • Elastic
  • Host
  • Windows
  • Threat Detection
  • Defense Evasion

Version: 101 (version history)

Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.11.0

Last modified (Elastic Stack release): 8.5.0

Rule authors: Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Investigation guide

edit











Rule query
edit








process where event.type == "start" and
(process.pe.original_file_name == "wuauclt.exe" or process.name :
"wuauclt.exe") and /* necessary windows update client args to load
a dll */ process.args : "/RunHandlerComServer" and process.args :
"/UpdateDeploymentProvider" and /* common paths writeable by a
standard user where the target DLL can be placed */ process.args :
("C:\\Users\\*.dll", "C:\\ProgramData\\*.dll",
"C:\\Windows\\Temp\\*.dll", "C:\\Windows\\Tasks\\*.dll")











Threat mapping
edit




Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM














Rule version history
edit










Version 101 (8.5.0 release)








    

  • 

    Updated query, changed from:
    

    

    

    process where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and
(process.pe.original_file_name == "wuauclt.exe" or process.name :
"wuauclt.exe") and /* necessary windows update client args to load
a dll */ process.args : "/RunHandlerComServer" and process.args :
"/UpdateDeploymentProvider" and /* common paths writeable by a
standard user where the target DLL can be placed */ process.args :
("C:\\Users\\*.dll", "C:\\ProgramData\\*.dll",
"C:\\Windows\\Temp\\*.dll", "C:\\Windows\\Tasks\\*.dll")
    

    

    • 









Version 9 (8.4.0 release)








    

  • 
Formatting only

    • 









Version 7 (8.3.0 release)








    

  • 
Formatting only

    • 









Version 5 (8.2.0 release)








    

  • 
Formatting only

    • 









Version 3 (7.12.0 release)








    

  • 
Formatting only

    • 









Version 2 (7.11.2 release)








    

  • 
Formatting only

    • 




















« Image File Execution Options Injection


Inbound Connection to an Unsecure Elasticsearch Node »