Detectionhightest
System Control Panel Item Loaded From Uncommon Location
Detects image load events of system control panel items (.cpl) from uncommon or non-system locations that may indicate DLL sideloading or other abuse techniques.
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Log Source
WindowsImage Load (DLL)
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryImage Load (DLL)← raw: image_load
Detection Logic
Detection Logic2 selectors
detection:
selection:
ImageLoaded|endswith:
- '\appwiz.cpl' # Usually loaded by fondue.exe
- '\bthprops.cpl' # Usually loaded by fsquirt.exe
- '\hdwwiz.cpl' # Usually loaded by hdwwiz.exe
filter_main_legit_location:
ImageLoaded|startswith:
- 'C:\Windows\Prefetch\'
- 'C:\Windows\System32\'
- 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
- 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*False Positives
Unknown
False positive likelihood has not been assessed. Additional context may be needed during triage.
References
MITRE ATT&CK
Rule Metadata
Rule ID
2b140a5c-dc02-4bb8-b6b1-8bdb45714cde
Status
test
Level
high
Type
Detection
Created
Tue Jan 09
Modified
Tue Feb 17
Author
Path
rules/windows/image_load/image_load_side_load_cpl_from_non_system_location.yml
Raw Tags
attack.defense-evasionattack.persistenceattack.privilege-escalationattack.t1574.001