Back to results

Windows Chromium Browser with Custom User Data Directory

The following analytic detects instances where the Chromium-based browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge) is launched with the --user-data-dir command-line argument. While this flag is legitimate and used for…

Description

The following analytic detects instances where the Chromium-based browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge) is launched with the --user-data-dir command-line argument. While this flag is legitimate and used for multi-profile support or automation, it is frequently leveraged by malware and adversaries to run Chrome in an isolated environment for stealth operations, credential harvesting, phishing delivery, or evasion of user session artifacts.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
LinuxmacOSWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Known benign triggers

  • Administrators may enable or disable this feature that may cause some false positive.

Detections can measure how the public catalogue is used — which detections people look for, and which pages bring them here. It sets a cookie that recognises this browser for 180 days. It is never linked to an account and never follows you to other sites. Privacy notice