CertUtil Used for File Download (Living off the Land)
Detects certutil.exe being used to download files from remote URLs via the -urlcache or -verifyctl flags. CertUtil is a signed Windows binary (LOLBin) that attackers abuse to download payloads while bypassing…
Description
Detects certutil.exe being used to download files from remote URLs via the -urlcache or -verifyctl flags. CertUtil is a signed Windows binary (LOLBin) that attackers abuse to download payloads while bypassing application whitelisting and network controls. Tune AllowlistedDomains to match your PKI/CA infrastructure.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source product
- microsoftthreatprotectionsecurityevents
- Log source service
- deviceprocesseventssecurityevent
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
No references are available for this detection.
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 4a9d3c2e-7f1b-4e58-9a0c-2d5b8e3f1a7c
- Tagged by the source as
- CommandAndControlDefenseEvasion
Licence
- Published under
- MIT LicenseRead the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- MITRead the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Sep 1, 2026
- Version
- 1