Windows GrimResource - MMC Process Accessing APDS DLL
GrimResource is a code execution technique discovered by Elastic Security in 2024 that abuses a stored XSS vulnerability in apds.dll to achieve arbitrary code execution inside mmc.exe, a signed, trusted Windows…
Description
GrimResource is a code execution technique discovered by Elastic Security in 2024 that abuses a stored XSS vulnerability in apds.dll to achieve arbitrary code execution inside mmc.exe, a signed, trusted Windows binary. The attack is delivered via a malicious .msc file (MMC Saved Console file). When the victim opens the .msc file, MMC processes an embedded transformNode operation that triggers the XSS in apds.dll, which is then leveraged to execute attacker-controlled script within the MMC process context.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- windows_event_log_security_4663
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate use of mmc.exe accessing apds.dll may occur during routine system management or troubleshooting. Verify with approved administrative activities to reduce false alerts.
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 |
|---|---|
| medium.com/@knownsec404team/from-http-domain-to-res-domain-xss-by-using-ie-adobes-pdf-activex-plugin-ba4f082c8199 | Only this detection cites it |
| www.elastic.co/security-labs/grimresource | 3from 3 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 872d1651-7838-4b47-ad3e-ef5e63453a7f
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostEndpointendpointSplunk 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