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.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Administrators may enable or disable this feature that may cause some false positive.
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 |
|---|---|
| chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/main/docs/user_data_dir.md | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 4f546cf4-15aa-4368-80f7-940e92bc551e
- Tagged by the source as
- LokibotMalicious Inno Setup LoaderPhantom StealerStealC StealerEndpointendpointSplunk 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