Rundll32 Control RunDLL World Writable Directory
The following analytic detects the execution of rundll32.exe with the `Control_RunDLL` command, loading files from world-writable directories such as windows\temp, programdata, or appdata. This detection leverages…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of rundll32.exe with the `Control_RunDLL` command, loading files from world-writable directories such as windows\temp, programdata, or appdata. This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on process command-line data and specific directory paths. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to exploit CVE-2021-40444 or similar vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or persistent access within the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- This may be tuned, or a new one related, by adding .cpl to command-line. However, it's important to look for both. Tune/filter as needed.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| app.any.run/tasks/36c14029-9df8-439c-bba0-45f2643b0c70/ | 6 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/011/ | 9 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1218.002/T1218.002.yaml | 4 |
| msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-40444 | 6 |
| redcanary.com/blog/intelligence-insights-december-2021/ | 2 |
| strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/rundll32.exe-111474C61232202B5B588D2B512CBB25.html | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 1adffe86-10c3-11ec-8ce6-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostLiving Off The LandMicrosoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution CVE-2021-40444Suspicious Rundll32 ActivityEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1